In the fall we saw natural gas prices beginning to increase as pandemic conditions eased and the demand went up. It was worrisome given that chillier winter temperatures historically push demand even higher and production wasn’t back to pre-pandemic levels.
Fortunately, November was more mild than expected and the winter isn’t looking as bleak as predicted. Still, the forecasts do predict December and January will be much colder. When that happens natural gas prices are expected to increase, which impacts electricity as well since roughly 40% of electricity is generated by natural gas.
Analysts at Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co. report that both residential and commercial demand for natural gas is highly likely to increase by the end of the year, but there is a highlight for supporters of renewable energy. In early November wind energy generation was at record highs. It’s helped to support the grid and reduce reliance on natural gas.
The unpredictability of natural gas prices can be frustrating, especially for customers that support green energy. So many outside factors go into the cost of natural gas, but there is something that you can do as a consumer. You might not always be able to lower the rate, however you can lower your energy use.
Here at the Verde Energy blog we regularly share our best advice on how consumers can reduce their energy consumption to help the planet and manage monthly expenses. To make it even easier this winter we’ve put together a master list of our top energy saving posts. With this one resource you’ll find dozens of practical ways to reduce energy use when it’s cold out!
What Are Some Tips to Reduce Electricity Bills? – This article provides a number of proven tips that make a big impact with little effort. There are ideas for every room in the house!
How to Winterize a House in a Day – Did you forget to weatherize your home in fall? You can still get it done in a day and save energy the entire winter.
Prepping Your House to Prevent Heat Escape in the Winter – Once you’re done weatherizing you can take some easy additional measures to further prevent heat from escaping.
Make My Home More Energy Efficient: Water Heating – Water heating accounts for about 20% of the average utility bill, but you can cut that percentage down with tips for the kitchen, bathroom and beyond.
Benefits of Switching to a Solar Water Heater – One way to significantly reduce the amount of electricity needed to heat water is by switching to a solar water heater. Learn how big of a difference it could make.
How Can I Make My House More Energy Efficient With a Programmable Thermostat – One of the easiest ways to dramatically reduce energy use is properly setting a programmable thermostat. It makes saving energy automatic!
Why is it Better to Use LED Lights? – Another easy way to automatically save energy every day is by using LED light bulbs that are more efficient. Find out all of the benefits of investing in LED lights.
Why Is It Hot Upstairs and Cold Downstairs in the Winter? – Our experts explain what causes a difference in temperature upstairs and downstairs along with tips on how to balance things out on both floors.
Using a Home Energy Audit to Improve Efficiency – The winter can be a great time to do a home energy audit. The in-depth analysis can reveal ways to reduce energy use that aren’t obvious.
You can always contact the Verde Energy customer service team directly if you have questions about energy consumption. Our representatives can provide information about deregulation, make it easy to switch from another provider or help you renew your plan. A reliable fixed rate green energy plan is the best way to ensure you aren’t negatively affected by rising gas prices.