Brrrrrr! It is cold outside where I am! How about you? Most of you are probably a bit chilly. I like the winter weather but once I get cold all I want is to get inside my nice warm house. If you are like me you really love that nice warm house until you get the first big natural gas bill of the winter season. Ouch! That winter gas bill can really hurt! Every time I get that first painful gas bill I try to think of ways to make it cost less to keep my house warm. It can be easy to bring that gas bill down. Here are a few tips to help you do the same thing.

Thermostat
Check your thermostat. Chances are you can reduce your settings by a degree or two. I usually try to set the thermostat as low as possible without making the house too cold. This is a great way to bring your gas bill down and save money. Also check the placement of your thermostat. Thermostats in cold drafty areas can cause your furnace to run more than it needs to. Simple adjustments to your thermostat could bring down your gas bill and save you money.

Fireplace
I LOVE turning on my gas fireplace. I love the warmth and I love watching it. Using it too much will drive up my gas bill, I learned that the hard way the first year in my house. I try to limit its use and enjoy it for a small amount of time, not all day. It is a great way to cut your gas bill.

Drafts
Make sure you check your door and windows for drafts. This can be a quick, cheap and simple fix to a cold house. Don’t pay a higher gas bill because you are compensating for a draft house.

Clean your furnace
For years I didn’t really think of a clean furnace as a money saver but it is a great way to cut your gas bill. Make sure you change your furnace filters. Dirty, clogged filters can make a furnace work harder and cost you more money. A simple internet search for your furnace model will provide you with cleaning tips and instructions to improve the efficiency of your furnace.

Empty rooms and air returns
If you have room you aren’t using, close the air vents and close the doors. Make sure other vents and your air returns are not blocked. These are simple ways to make sure you are doing all you can to lower your gas bill.

Insulation
This is a bit more complicated than the other ideas but it is an important one. If there are places in your house that seem very cold, check your insulation. It can be surprising to learn that areas of your house are under insulated. Adding more insulation to those areas can really save you money on your gas bill.

Have more ideas to help cut that natural gas bill? Let us know – we love to hear from you!