Winter is the most wonderful time of the year; hot chocolate by the fireplace, Christmas music on the radio, soaring gas bills. Wait, scratch that last one.

More often than not, a homeowner’s gas bill will cost significantly more than their electric bill. Truthfully, it is possible to save money, keep your house warm, and decrease your gas bills. Below are our tips to staying warm this winter and decreasing your natural gas bills.

It may seem obvious that the most effective way to lower your gas bill is to turn down the thermostat, but investing in a smart thermostat will actually save you more money. Unlike a regular thermostat, a smart thermostat aids you with energy-saving technology that can be accessed even when you’re away from home. You can keep track of your home’s temperature and schedule different temperature settings throughout the day.

If you live in an old home prone to leaks, chances are, you have poor insulation. Properly insulating your windows, attics, and air ducts will trap heat for longer periods of time and save you money.  This will lower your heating bill by at least 14%.

Investing in solar panels is a great way to decrease your demand for gas. Solar power helps you save on more than just your gas bill, so keep this in mind next time you get a glimpse of your electric bill.

Alternatively, a cost-free method of using the sun is simply opening your shades during the day. This allows heat to permeate your house and warm your home at a zero cost. You may be more likely to use heat during the day, but even decreasing it by a little can end up saving you big.

Finally, another great source for warmth is your fireplace. You had it installed for a reason, so why not use it to minimize gas usage? However, make sure that when it’s not in use, you close the fireplace damper. Think of the damper as an extra window, allowing the cold to seep through. You wouldn’t leave a window open in the dead of winter, so don’t forget to close your damper

Are you content with your gas bill? If not, these tips could be a great place to start saving money. Contact D&N for all of your gas and plumbing needs!