Head Start on Spring Energy Savings
With Punxsutawney Phil and our own General Beauregard Lee set to make their predictions in just a few days, it’s time to think spring! We don’t know if our groundhogs will see their shadows or not on Sunday. However, there is one thing we can predict: prepping for spring now sets you up for energy savings and cheap natural gas costs. This Groundhog Day, make low GA gas rates more than a prediction with some easy prep work.
Home Energy Audit for Spring Savings
A DIY home energy audit is a great place to kickstart your prep for spring and energy savings. In fact, some items on the list are actually much easier to do in cold weather! Here is a plan to get you going:
Check insulation in readily accessible areas, like the attic. Many homes could do with some additional insulation, and you’ll find the attic more comfortable in the cold weather.
Check for air leaks around windows, doors, outlets, and any place where wires or plumbing pierce exterior walls. On a cold, windy day the temperature difference will be easy to feel! Most leaks are quick to seal without much effort, yet it takes a big bite out of your natural gas bill in winter.
Do a basic HVAC checkup. Some simple tasks for most homeowners include cleaning the exterior A/C unit, cleaning condensate lines, changing air filers, and dusting vents and air returns. However, you can also schedule maintenance with a pro now before they get busy as temperatures rise.
Look at your lighting. Make a list of all the lightbulbs you use that are not LED. Then decide which of these you use the most and plan to replace with LED.
Evaluate your water heater. An effective water heater setting is 120°F. Check your temperature by turning on hot water at the tap furthest away from the heater and use an infrared thermometer. Maximize efficiency by insulating your tank and exposed pipes.
Best Bonus Tip to Save Energy This Spring
While the groundhogs look for their shadows, there is more you can do to take your energy audit and natural gas savings further. Switching to a cheap, fixed rate natural gas plan can help you save a ton.
Spring shoulder months, when demand is low, tend to be the best time to grab a cheap fixed rate plan. However, savvy consumers start shopping early and weigh their options. For example, if your current fixed rate plan is ending or you have a variable rate plan now, switching to an introductory variable rate plan today will almost certainly yield significant savings the next month or two at least. This way, you get more time to shop for a low fixed rate during the shoulder months.
Also, keep in mind that as Georgia warms up over the next couple months, your natural gas use and costs will go down. Therefore, it might be worth watching prices and waiting for them to fall come spring. Any way you spin it, it’s a great idea to check out cheap natural gas rates at https://www.georgiagassavings.com.