How To Reduce Your Gas Bill
Are you wondering how to reduce your gas bill and save money? Find out tips and tricks for reducing your gas consumption here with Savvy.
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Are you looking to reduce your gas bill? If so, you're in the right place! We've got some practical tips and strategies to help you reduce your gas expenses without sacrificing comfort. From simple energy-saving practices, to making smart choices when it comes to appliances and suppliers, this guide will empower you to take control of your gas bill and save money in the long run. Let's dive in and start saving!
How can I reduce my gas bill?
Are you wondering: ‘Why is my gas bill so high?’ Gas bills can sometimes feel overwhelming, but with a little effort and some smart choices, you can significantly lower your expenses. Whether you're using gas for cooking, heating, or hot water, there are many ways to cut down on your gas consumption and save money. Let's explore some effective strategies below.
Think energy efficiency:
When considering household gas appliances, it's essential to think about energy efficiency and opt for those with a high star energy rating. Energy-efficient appliances consume less gas, which not only reduces your gas bills but also helps the environment by lowering greenhouse gas emissions. Investing in energy-efficient appliances may sometimes require a slightly higher upfront cost. However, the long-term savings on your gas bills may be very worthwhile, and the environmental benefits are certainly important.
Compare gas plans:
To potentially reduce your gas bill, compare different gas plans here with Savvy to find the best one for your personal consumption pattern. First, check your current gas usage and bill. Then, research and compare various gas providers using our free comparison service. Look for plans that match your usage pattern and have competitive prices. By comparing gas plans, you can potentially save money on your gas bill without compromising on service quality.
Ways to reduce the amount of gas used for cooking:
Here’s some ways to reduce your gas consumption if you have a gas stove and oven, and use them as your main method to prepare food:
Thaw food before cooking:
- Thaw frozen food in the fridge or microwave before cooking to reduce cooking time.
- Cooking frozen food directly requires more energy to raise the temperature.
Cut food into smaller pieces:
- Cutting vegetables and meat into smaller pieces reduces cooking time and gas consumption.
- Smaller pieces cook more quickly and efficiently.
Optimise your saucepans:
- Use appropriately sized pots and pans that match the size of the burners to avoid heat escaping from around the edges.
- Choose saucepans and frying pans with flat bottoms, for better contact with the burner and even heat distribution.
Always cover your pots and pans:
- Always cook with lids on pots and pans to retain heat and reduce cooking time.
- Covering the cookware prevents heat from escaping, making your cooking more energy-efficient.
Cook using the smallest burner:
- Where possible, use smaller burners for smaller dishes or lower heat requirements.
- Smaller burners consume less gas and are ideal for tasks like simmering or light sautéing.
Cook in batches:
- If you are preparing multiple dishes, plan to cook them in batches to make the most of each use of the gas stove.
- Preparing dishes in sequence minimises the time the gas stove is in use.
Preheat your oven efficiently:
- Preheat the oven only when necessary, and for the recommended time, especially for baking.
- Avoid excessive preheating as it consumes unnecessary gas.
Use a pressure cooker:
- Pressure cookers cook food faster and require less gas compared to conventional cooking methods.
- They are excellent for tenderising meats and reducing cooking time for beans and grains.
Ways to reduce the amount of gas used for heating:
Heating your home efficiently can lead to significant gas savings during the colder months. Here are practical tips to help you reduce the amount of gas used for heating if you have a gas fire or ducted gas heating:
Programmable thermostat:
- Invest in a programmable thermostat to control your heating system more effectively.
- Set the thermostat to lower temperatures when you're away or asleep to save gas.
Insulate your home:
- Adequate insulation in walls, floors, and ceilings helps retain heat and reduce gas consumption.
- Consider adding additional insulation in your roof to improve the energy efficiency of your home.
Seal all draughts and leaks:
- Inspect doors, windows, and other openings for draughts and leaks.
- Seal these gaps with weather stripping or caulking to prevent heat loss.
Close curtains and blinds:
- Close curtains and blinds at night to keep warmth inside and block out cold air.
- Open curtains and blinds during the day to let sunlight naturally warm your home.
Use zone heating:
- Instead of heating the entire house, use zone heating with space heaters or electric throw rugs if there is just one person who needs warmth in a specific area.
- This allows you to focus on heating just the rooms you frequently use.
Regular maintenance:
- Schedule regular maintenance for your gas heating system to ensure it operates efficiently.
- Clean or replace filters as needed to improve airflow and reduce gas usage.
Layer up indoors:
- Wear warm clothing and use blankets to stay comfortable indoors without cranking up the heat.
- By staying warm with clothing, you can keep the thermostat lower and save on your gas usage, leading to lower energy bills.
Ways to reduce the amount of gas used for heating hot water:
There are many ways that you can reduce the amount of gas you use to heat water. Here’s some suggestions for using less gas and making the most of your existing gas plan:
Install a high-efficiency water heater:
- Consider upgrading to a high-efficiency gas water heater that uses less gas to heat the same amount of water.
- Tankless or on-demand water heaters are more energy-efficient than hot water tank storage systems.
Fix leaks and drips:
- Repair any leaks or drips in your hot water system promptly.
- Even small leaks can waste a significant amount of hot water and gas over time.
Insulate hot water pipes:
- Insulate hot water pipes to minimise heat loss during transportation.
- This ensures that hot water reaches your taps more quickly and reduces the need for running the tap for extended periods.
Lower water heater tap temperature:
- Water that is being kept in storage in your hot water system must be kept at a temperature of at least 60°C to avoid bacteria growth.
- Lower the temperature setting on your instant hot water heater to around 50°C to prevent overheating. Schools, nursing homes and other facilities which cater for the young, sick, aged, or disabled require a thermostat mixing valve to set the hot water at no more than 45°C when it leaves the tap.
- This reduces gas consumption, and also decreases the risk of scalding accidents.
Use low-flow fixtures:
- Install low-flow showerheads and faucets to reduce the amount of hot water used during showers and other activities.
- This helps you save both water and gas.
Take shorter showers:
- Encourage family members to take shorter showers to limit hot water usage.
- A few minutes saved each day can add up to significant gas savings over time.
Use cold water for laundry:
- Wash your laundry with cold water whenever possible, as heating water accounts for a substantial portion of household energy usage.
- Use hot water only for really dirty clothes and heavily soiled items.
Run full loads:
- Run the dishwasher and washing machine with full loads to maximise their efficiency.
- Avoid running these appliances with partial loads, as it wastes hot water and gas.
Consider a solar water heater:
- If your location and climate and roof are suitable, consider a solar hot water heater. These can significantly reduce your reliance on gas for hot water.
- It uses energy from the sun to heat the water, providing an eco-friendly and cost-effective solution.
Regular maintenance:
- Schedule regular maintenance for your hot water system to keep it operating efficiently.
Sediment buildup and other issues can hinder performance, leading to increased gas usage.
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Disclaimer:
Savvy is partnered with Econnex Comparison (CIMET Sales Pty Ltd, ABN 72 620 395 726) to provide readers with a variety of energy plans to compare. We do not compare all retailers in the market, or all plans offered by all retailers. Savvy earns a commission from Econnex each time a customer buys an energy plan via our website. We don’t arrange for products to be purchased directly, as all purchases are conducted via Econnex.
Any advice presented above is general in nature and doesn’t consider your personal or business objectives, needs or finances. It’s always important to consider whether advice is suitable for you before purchasing an energy plan. For further information on the variety of energy plans compared by Econnex, or how their business works, you can visit their website.