5 Reasons Your Gas Bill Is High
Having a high gas bill can be very frustrating, but there could be multiple reasons why it is so high. Let’s look at some of those reasons so you can get a better idea of what may be going on. Then, ask your HVAC technician at Ascend HVAC what your options are and ask for advice about your HVAC systems.
1. Poorly sealed windows and doors
No matter how high you turn up the heat, it won’t make a difference if there is an opening in your house through which the cold winter air can enter. Leaving your back door open for the dog while you’re at work might be a nice gesture, but it severely hinders your furnace’s ability to do its job and heat your house. Consider investing in a doggy door so your dog can come in and out of the house without compromising your home’s heat retention. Aside from leaving a door open, improperly sealed doors and windows can also contribute to losing heat from your home. If any of your windows are broken or one of your doors tends to creak open, you may unintentionally be allowing cold air into your home. As a result, your furnace has to work harder to heat your house, ultimately leading to a higher gas bill.
2. Outdated, inefficient appliances
Appliances that use heat include stoves, water heaters, microwaves, toasters, irons, ovens, and various kitchen tools. When an appliance is outdated–over a decade old–you may run into some problems with its functionality and efficiency. Efficiency, in relation to heat, refers to the rate at which an appliance converts electricity or gas into heat energy. The less efficient an appliance is at doing so, the more gas it will require–and the higher your gas bill will be at the end of the month. You can save money on your gas bill each month by swapping outdated appliances with newer ones designed to generate the most output for the least input.
3. Aging or insufficient insulation
Insulation helps your home maintain its temperature despite the contrasting temperature outside. In the same way that a coat traps body heat beneath it and prevents the cold air from reaching and cooling the skin, insulation helps trap the heat generated by a furnace and keep the cold air outside where it belongs. If your home’s insulation is old, damaged, or insufficient, it will have difficulty keeping the heat from your furnace inside the walls. As a result, your furnace will need to work harder to generate the extra heat needed to keep your home at its desired temperature. If you notice that one room remains colder than others in the winter and hotter than others in the summer, the problem probably isn’t with your furnace but rather the insulation in that room. Consider having your insulation checked and revamped to save on gas in the long run.
4. Damaged or dirty furnace
A broken or damaged furnace must work hard to accomplish simple tasks, like producing heat where needed. The harder your furnace has to work to produce heat, the more gas it uses, making your gas bill rise in cost. Even if your furnace isn’t broken, if it hasn’t been cleaned in years, it still may not be functioning to the best of its ability. A dirty, clogged filter makes it difficult for warm air to pass through, and as a result, the time it takes for your furnace to heat your house will increase. If your gas bill has been inexplicably high over the past few months, consider having your furnace inspected and repaired by a professional HVAC company.
5. Fluctuating outdoor weather conditions
No matter how well your house is insulated, the weather outside affects the temperature of your house inside. The colder it is outside, the harder your furnace will have to work to produce heat and keep your house warm–it’s as simple as that. However, if the weather outside remains constant–for example, a consistent twenty-seven degrees Fahrenheit–your furnace will be able to produce a constant amount of heat at regular intervals that will fulfill your home’s needs. Contrarily, if the weather outside constantly fluctuates from freezing cold to jacket weather, your furnace will be required to power repeatedly, producing varying amounts of hot air and energy throughout the day. Repeatedly turning a furnace on and off based on the weather can lead to a higher gas bill. Ask your HVAC technician for the best range of temperatures for your home; this can save you money in the long run.
Say Goodbye to Expensive Gas Bills
Once you’ve figured out the problem, get professional advice on what to do next. Whether you need to update your windows, doors, appliances, or insulation, you’ll want to work with a professional to fix these problems. Contact Ascend HVAC in Salt Lake City, Utah, today so we can help you diagnose the issues. We can give you honest, trustworthy advice and provide satisfaction with your HVAC system service!