Why Are Gas Bills so High Recently?

Picture this: it’s a sunny, breezy California morning. You go to your mailbox to sift through the mailers, junk, letters, or bills. You see that the gas bill for the month came through, and…hang on! Why is it so high all of a sudden? This has to be an error made by the utility company. You go to show your spouse and ask if anything has changed lately, and they say no. What’s the deal?Has this happened to you? If so, Our Mom-Approved team has all the answers and what you can do to combat these recent changes.

What's With These Gas Prices?

So why have gas bills been so expensive in California? In recent months, California homeowners have been facing outrageously expensive natural gas prices. Monthly gas bills have fluctuated up to 350% – showing drastic highs and some decreases. As homeowners, we are at the mercy of paying the cost of whatever the utility company sets gas prices at – we don’t have control over them. Experiencing this can be upsetting and frustrating. You may be asking yourself, why are prices so high? What can I do to avoid these prices? Are there resources to help me pay less on my natural gas bill? Here at [company_name], we are Mom-Approved HVAC experts that work hard to provide you with optimal heating and cooling solutions for your home and family. Read on to better understand why natural gas prices have skyrocketed, options to reduce your dependency on natural gas, and how we can help!

Why Do Natural Gas Prices Fluctuate So Much?

Natural gas prices fluctuate; we’ve recently experienced this change in exhausting amounts. But why is this? There are a lot of factors to consider, but one of the biggest is California’s push toward phasing out gas products. Time and resources are being poured into renewable energy sources – no longer utilizing natural gas in the long-term energy mix. As fewer people utilize natural gas to heat and cool their homes, the price of natural gas may continue to rise. However, other main factors that can cause natural gas rates to rise include inflation, weather conditions, natural gas supply, and increased cost of commodities in general.

Who Is To Blame For High Natural Gas Prices?

Unfortunately, we are at the mercy of the prices the utility company tells us to pay. Utility companies are the ones who are setting and sending out prices that fluctuate . In addition to your gas appliances, if you're a homeowner who uses a gas furnace to heat your home – your wallet definitely felt a lot slimmer in December! At [company_name], we work hard to provide energy-efficient heating and cooling solutions to combat these prices for our customers!  

Is There Anything I Can Do?

As a Mom-Approved company – we understand the pressure and stress that fluctuating utility bills can bring to a family. Nobody should have to choose between paying bills or cutting back on necessities. Although there is nothing we can do to change the price of natural gas, we certainly can present some solutions to help you avoid paying skyrocketing natural gas prices.

Avoiding High Natural Gas Prices with Heat Pumps

Heat pumps can provide the solution you're looking for when battling high gas prices. How so? First, it’s important to understand the basics of a heap pump. A heat pump is powered by electricity and eliminates the need for separate heating and cooling systems. This allows homeowners to enjoy their homes' comfort all year round. During the colder months, it will take the heat from the outdoor air and transfer it indoors, while in the warmer months, it can remove heat from the air.In California, heat pumps are an especially popular option for homeowners. In addition to rebates often available for their energy-efficient operation, heat pumps are most viable in mild climates like ours!

How Would a Heat Pump Help?

Instead of being at the mercy of natural gas prices, investing in a heat pump will reduce your reliance on natural gas. Heat pumps are energy-efficient and are great at reducing energy consumption. According to a study conducted by energy contractor Verivox, the electricity costs for running a heat pump are around 39% lower than those for natural gas. Based on recent events, it's evident that natural gas prices will continue to fluctuate. In many cases, the energy savings gained by switching to a heat pump can greatly offset the costs! We work diligently at [company_name] to provide the best energy-efficient options to heat and cool your home. We offer cost-saving and energy-efficient solutions to veer you from the ever-changing natural gas prices that have caused so much stress on families.

How Will Switching to Electric Save Me Money?

California continues to move towards electrification, which means shifting away from fossil fuels like natural gas. The intention is to increase climate health and bring economic benefits to us. In fact, California is working towards being 100% reliant on reusable energy by 2045 – meaning the cost to run efficient electric products, like heat pumps, will continue to decline, and natural gas will get more expensive. As the push for electrification continues, homeowners will have increased incentives to stop relying on natural gas and opt for electrical products, like heat pumps, for their homes. Investing in a heat pump now can put you in a position to avoid unruly natural gas prices and join the cause!

Is There Any Additional Help?

Good news! The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) accelerated the Climate Credit for residential customers in California. The credit is expected to be around $90 to $120. This will be sent to residential utility customer bills for PG&E, Southern California Edison, San Diego Gas & Electric, and Southern California Gas Company customers. Customers of Bear Valley, Liberty, PacifiCorp, and Southwest Gas will also receive an accelerated credit of varying amounts. And you don’t have to do anything to receive The Climate Credit; it will show up in your account!However, this process can vary depending on the participating companies' billing constraints. If you are still waiting to receive your climate credits for natural gas and electricity from your utility by April, you should contact your utility company directly.

Mom-Approved Home Comfort Solutions!

Here at [company_name], we understand the stress and pressure that fluctuating utility bills can bring you and your family. Our Mom-Approved team works tirelessly to provide you with all the answers to your heating and cooling questions while providing solutions to give you peace of mind. If you're considering switching to electrical products to heat and cool your home, our Mom-Approved technicians at [company_name] can help you find the best solution for you. We are focused on learning about the push towards electrification in California to provide you with systems that will be cost- and energy-efficient in the long run. Our family-owned and operated company takes pride in providing you with heating and cooling services that give you peace of mind and are Mom-Approved, guaranteed!If you're looking for an eco-friendly, energy-efficient, and cost-effective home comfort solution that’s Mom-Approved, our team at [company_name] is who you should call. Contact us today to learn more!