While winter weather has mostly abated, last week parts of Georgia set all time high temperature records for daily highs and lows, a chill is arriving in mailboxes and inboxes: January heating bills. Like clock work each year, social media feeds and neighborhood groups are flooded with people inquiring about their high January gas bills. (If you heat with electric, I have some tips for us further down). New residents ask “is this normal?” while longer term residents might share receiving their highest January bill ever. Engaging with these posts over the years usually leads to the same culprit. A fix that doesn't require home repairs and is free to do.
Many Georgians with gas service don’t have a locked rate plan, and are being billed on a variable rate, charging $2 or more per therm. Luckily the majority of Georgia homes with gas service are in areas with the ability to shop gas providers, comparing cost per therm, monthly service fee, and possible sign up bonuses. Yet many aren’t aware and haven’t signed up for a rate lock. Length of rate locks is commonly 12 months, with some as low as 6 months or lasting several years.
Once you have locked your gas rate, set a calendar reminder for 30 days before your rate’s expiration. You will need to lock in a new rate or shop providers again before your current rate lock expires. Life happens, and we forget. Expiring rate locks are the other reason many Georgians are surprised by high winter heating bills. Even if you use gas for water heating and cooking, when your rate lock expires in warmer months it may be indistinguishable, likely adding just a few dollars per month. However, once you begin heating over the winter, that variable rate has a more acute impact, often doubling previous winter bills and adding $100 or more to the monthly amount you would be charged with a locked rate. If your January bill was significantly higher and your rate was already locked, it may be time to call for a HVAC inspection. Or reach out to me and I can share experiences with my own home and others that might be helpful.
Interested in a shortcut? I have done the shopping for you. Use one of my referral links below for special rates, monthly discounts or sign up bonus. I may receive a benefit for completed referrals.
Gas South Referral Link
Georgia Natural Gas Referral Link
For those of us who heat with electricity, we may not have the quick fix of a rate lock, we have a couple savings opportunities too. If you heat your home with a heat pump, you likely also have back up “emergency” or “auxiliary” heat. This back up heat is designed for use when outside temperatures drop to a point that your heat pump’s efficiency drops considerably or struggles to maintain temperature on its own, automatically switching over. However, due to outdated tech or beliefs, this switch over temperature is often set to occur much earlier than necessary causing you to use double or triple the electricity. If your switch over set point is 40F or at freezing, you are almost certainly switching to back up heat too early and wasting money. For example, since I switched to a heat pump in 2023, I have operated it in heat pump only mode without issue, even during deep cold snaps in the single digits, all while maintaining temperature and comfort in my home. I do not have a “cold weather” heat pump or any other specialized equipment. My Carrier heat pump is rated to maintain an efficiency of 270% even at 17F outside. For comparison, electric strip/back up heat is 100% efficient. Further savings are achieved with a time of use electric rate plan, Georgia Power’s Overnight Advantage. This rate plan charges different rates depending on time, with an ultra low rate overnight between 11PM-7AM. This tends to be the coldest part of the day and when your home uses more electricity to heat. Check if your utility offers special rate plans that could lower your electric bill.
Not all home energy savings require home improvements or putting on another layer of clothing so you can lower the thermostat. Sometimes savings can be made with a click or a phone call. If this post helped you lower your bill or you found it helpful, share it with someone and pass the savings.
