Understanding the factors that impact your natural gas bill can help you control the price you pay to heat your home in the winter. Here’s what you need to know about those factors.
Weather
A big influence on the amount of energy you use to heat your home is the weather outside. When temperatures fall, your furnace runs more often and for longer periods of time, increasing the amount of energy you use.
You can help reduce the weather’s impact on your bill by sealing air leaks that allow frigid air into your home and let the warm air out. Use caulk or weather stripping to seal leaks around windows and doors and consider installing more energy-efficient windows and doors when remodeling.
Increased usage
An increase in usage will cause your bill to rise as well. When assessing why your usage has increased, here are some things to consider:
- Did you raise your thermostat setting?
- Were you or your family home more often? Working from home will change your usage.
- Are there more people in your home? Did family come to visit for the holidays?
To keep a handle on your usage, install and set a programmable thermostat to automatically increase the temperature when you’re awake and reduce the temperature when everyone is asleep or while you’re away from home. To stay comfortable around the house, put on an extra layer of clothing or use a blanket to stay warm. With proper use throughout the year, programmable thermostats can save you about $180 annually in energy costs.
Longer bill cycles
Your bill covers a month’s worth of energy usage, but because of several factors, the exact number of days on your bill can vary from month to month. As a result, you may sometimes receive a bill that covers as few as 28 or as many as 35 days of service. This can make your total bill higher even if your usage patterns didn’t change.
If you’re concerned about variability in your bill, DTE offers a number of programs that may be able to help manage your monthly charges. Learn more at dteenergy.com/waystopay.
Estimated meter readings
Sometimes, especially in ice and snow, it can be difficult or impossible for us to get an actual meter reading of your usage. When that happens, we will estimate your meter reading, which can over or under estimate your actual usage and can result in a fluctuating bill.
To ensure that your bill reflects your actual usage and not an estimated reading, it’s important to keep your meter clear of ice and snow. It’s also crucial that there is a clear, safe path to and from your meter.
For more tips on how to stay warm and manage your heating costs, visit dteenergy.com/staywarm.