Is it hot in here? Heating your home with natural gas

Did you know that heating and cooling use more energy and cost more money than any other system in your home?

According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE), home heating accounts, on average, for about 45 percent of energy bills.

It’s no wonder that homeowners hoping to trim their monthly budgets take a close look at heating costs.

The DoE found that the most common home heating fuel is natural gas, used in about 57 percent of U.S. homes.

Between 2007 and 2012, the average U.S. household spent more than $700 a year on heating using natural gas. In comparison, during that same period, it cost the average U.S. household $1,700 per year to use heating oil.

In Canada, natural gas is also the most common form of energy used in homes. Over six million homeowners use natural gas to heat their houses and their water.

According to Statistics Canada, natural gas is the principal household energy source for Albertans (77 percent). Elsewhere, natural gas made up 70 percent of household energy use in Saskatchewan, 58 percent in Ontario, 52 percent in British Columbia, and 49 percent in Manitoba.

Aside from budget, there are a number of factors that need to be considered when selecting a heating system, including the heating fuels available to you, the climate in which you live, and the size of system required for your home.

Of course, maintaining your heating system is a priority regardless of which system you select. It will not only extend the life of your system, but will maximize its efficiency—both of which will save you money in the long run.

Saving energy means saving money—something to keep in mind, regardless of how you choose to heat your home.

In the world's conversation about energy, one point is beyond debate: Energy makes a vital contribution to people's quality of life, to society and to human progress. This is true today, and it will remain true in the future. That's why Energy Matters was created. We believe it's important to equip people with unbiased information so they may form opinions, join the conversation and feel confidence in the work and accomplishments of the energy sector. Energy Matters is an initiative that provides transparent information and perspective on energy. Here, we'll cover a range of topics: the scale of global energy; the ways energy is sourced and produced; current energy technology; forthcoming innovations; the world's future energy needs; and the sustainable sources of energy that will fill them. Because energy matters to everyone, we hope you'll rely on Energy Matters as an ongoing source of balanced information.