Question

I just moved into my house at the end of last month. My electric was only $38 for the first month but my gas was $111 ‍♀️ What are some ways to cut down on electric and Gas?  

Answer 1

It’s winter so gas is higher. What do you have your temperature set to? Try turning down the thermostat when you go to bed and also when you leave the house I budget 150 for gas and electric a month.  

Comments

@enolaenormity I have it set at 70 right now

---

Yeah turn that way down. 55 at night and when away. 60-63 in the day

---

We keep ours set at 67 and it goes to 65 at night. If we get cold we get a blanket and put on a sweatshirt

---

It depends on what in your house uses gas and other factors too. i live in new england so it gets cold. my house is only 900 sq. ft. my smart thermometer set to 55 when away, 64 for as long as I can stand it, never higher than 68. we don't use a lot of hot water. cook only dinner at home since we work outside of the house. even when we use the oven, it heats the whole house. cook with an instant pot or slow cooker.  

Answer 2

I changed every lightbulb in my (2 bedroom house) to LED and my bill dropped almost $50. You can also call your company and ask if they have a billing plan that averages over the year so it’s the same every month (my company calls it ‘comfort level billing’). It makes it a lot more predictable and they adjust it quarterly.  

Answer 3

LED bulbs, keep lights off when possible and unplug anything not being used (chargers, coffeemaker, microwave etc) and our heat in freezing Michigan is at 64 degrees. We wear layers, slippers, use blankets etc.  

Answer 4

Do you have the equal pay option? It spreads your average out so that every month is the same amount. It makes budgeting sooo much easier!  

Answer 5

How big is your house, where do you live, how old is your house, what temp do you keep it at? All important questions to consider! We live in Iowa in a 1500sf house that is 100 years old and has original windows. In the winter we keep our thermostat at 69 all the time. In the summer keep it around 72. We're on budget billing so we pay the same each month and our bill is $150. There's no way to lower it without changing our comfort level or replacing all windows. Just things to consider as what you paid this month might be an accurate amount!  

Answer 6

How many gas appliances do you have? Is it just furnace? Water heater and stove? I have budget billing on mine (for furnace and water heater). My electric company does a weird thing where they reassess every 3 months instead of annually so every third month is higher. I keep my heat at 70 when home and 68 when away. I’m sure I could keep it a little lower and save a little bit of money, but honestly I want to be comfortable in my home more than I want to save a few bucks.  

Answer 7

Honestly, $111 is not bad for one month of heating for a gas bill. Only way to lower it is to lower your thermostat. Me personally, I refuse to be uncomfortable in my own house so my heat will never be set lower than 73. Also depends on what gas appliances you may have.  

Answer 8

We make sure certain appliances get unplugged like coffee maker toaster. Any nonessential things. Turning off lights when not in a room. Laundry. I do small loads so I use less time in the wash and the dryer.  

Answer 9

Go on budget billing so it’s the same each month