Factors contributing to high gas bills include price fluctuations, new appliances, unnecessary practices, cold weather, lack of insulation, and leaky appliances. Financial assistance may be available for those with low incomes.
Several factors can contribute to a high gas bill, including gas price fluctuations, new appliances, and unnecessary practices in a home or business. People who notice a sudden increase in their gas bills should check to see if there was a drastic change in gas prices, and they may want to consider other issues like a wave of extremely cold weather that could lead them to rely heavily on of gas heating. For people with low incomes, financial assistance may be available to help pay for gas, including price cap programs to limit overall costs.
Gasoline prices fluctuate regularly and can be very unpredictable. A common cause of higher gas bills is a change in price. People may compare the gas rate between bills to see the difference, and may want to find a bill for similar levels of gas usage to better understand how price changes can affect billing. People may also want to consider things like changing fees and taxes; The government can require a gas company to charge certain rates, and these can change without notice and add to a bill.
Another cause of a high gas bill can be the weather. When it’s really cold, heaters have to work harder to heat a space and people may be more inclined to turn up the thermostat, using more gas. Device settings can also be a culprit; a gas water heater on the highest setting, for example, will run more often to keep water hot, even if people don’t really need their water that hot. Similarly, adjusting a thermostat a few degrees up or down can cause a radical change in energy use.
Structures that lack insulation, especially those with large single-pane windows and high ceilings, a common problem in older homes, can contribute to a high gas bill. Many appliance companies offer assistance installing weather stripping and taking other steps to keep structures tighter so they lose less heat, lowering utility prices.
Leaky appliances can also contribute to a high gas bill. People usually notice leaks by smell, but not always. Water heaters, for example, are often installed outside of a main space and may be in the open air, allowing the gas to dissipate. If people suspect they have a gas leak, they should call the gas company and request an evaluation. Another potential problem that contributes to a high gas bill is service calls. Gas companies respond to reported leaks for free, but if people have to go outside to turn appliances back on, they may charge a small fee. This can make a bill seem higher than normal at first, but reading the detailed breakdown of charges should clarify the situation. People concerned about lighting costs for appliances can ask the gas company before they head out; they may be willing to waive the fee in some circumstances.
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