The chilly air is setting in, which means many of us have already turned the heat on and those bills are headed our way.On Monday, National Grid announced that customers could save about three percent on their natural gas bill because of market prices this season.
Carole and Tom Doody have been working to make their Glenmont home more energy efficient.
“I have saved hundreds of dollars over the past two years,” Tom said.
The couple is thrilled to hear they'll save even more this coming winter as natural gas prices continue to fall.
“Over a two year period prices have come down 15 percent, last year was 25 percent,” said National Grid Regional Executive Bill Flaherty.
National Grid says a typical resident with average usage should save about $21 this heating season - and even more if they make some energy conscious changes like the Doodys.
Their first move was installing a fireplace insert.
“The first year about a 40 percent reduction in therm usage,” Tom said about his new fireplace system.
This past spring the couple upgraded to a 96 percent efficient furnace and a programmable thermostat.
“If you want temp up a little, or down a little,” Carole said as she showed us the new thermostat.
Despite what many people think, National Grid representatives say changing your thermostat temperature does not cost more money. In fact, the most energy efficient thing to do is to turn it down when you are not around.
National Grid Program Manager Nat Hancock says customers can save one to three percent on their heating bill by reducing your normal temperature by one degree.
“Work with your teenagers in your household and make sure they turn things off,” Hancock said laughing. “That’s the best way to conserve energy.”
For those folks who use oil to heat their homes, experts say if possible, it's time to switch over.
“You're going to save at least 30 to 50 percent on your oil bill by switching to natural gas,” said Tim Marion of Crisafulli Brothers.
While the energy efficient changes are a big undertaking, the Doodys say the incentives really help.
They installed the furnace at forty percent of the estimated cost thanks to rebate programs.
“That's why I am willing to do this everything is working out, better improvements, noticeable comfort improvements, and it’s saving us some money,” Tom said.
It is not too late to optimize your savings for this upcoming winter.
For more information on all of National Grid’s incentive programs, CLICK HERE.
