January is already under way and residents of Wyomissing, PA and all across the Keystone State are working to get back into the regular work week schedule, keep up their New Year’s resolutions, and stay warm after the country-wide polar vortex. For many families, the start of a new year is a time to examine their budgets and create a plan to save money in the upcoming year. An excellent way families throughout Pennsylvania (and the country) can save money on energy bills in 2014 is by switching from oil to natural gas for their home heating fuel.
Of the 6.9 million households in the U.S. that use oil to heat their homes, almost 80 percent reside in the northeast region of the country, according to the Department of Energy (DOE). Many homes throughout such major cities as Harrisburg and Lancaster, PA still rely on oil heating. Do you currently use oil to heat your home? UGI EnergyLink explains how you can save money on energy bills in 2014 by transitioning from oil to natural gas heating.
Domestic Production Makes it Smart to Switch from Oil to Natural Gas
Nearly 60 percent of oil used and consumed in the United States is imported from other countries, and a large amount of the oil we rely on for home-heating comes from regions dealing with economic instability. Depending on a heating source that’s largely imported from other countries is a risky gamble. In comparison, natural gas is domestically abundant—especially in Pennsylvania with the increasing natural gas produced from the Marcellus Shale. At the current rate, your own state of PA could produce more than 10 percent of the entire U.S.’s annual natural gas usage.
If supply of natural gas is able to meet the demand for the 2014 heating season (as it is expected), prices do not need to climb as steep to make up for the discrepancy.
Expected Cost to Heat with Oil in 2014
If you currently use oil to heat your home and have done so in the past, you may be aware of heating trends and predictions for costs each winter. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) predicts that families throughout Pennsylvania that depend on oil can expect to pay in the ballpark of $2,050 this heating season.
It simply makes sense to transition from oil to natural gas home heating—domestic natural gas production is skyrocketing. As a result of recent discoveries and the development of domestic shale gas, natural gas prices are more affordable than oil prices. What does this mean for you and your family?
Expected Cost to Heat with Natural Gas in 2014
Households that use natural gas heating can expect to pay in the ballpark of $680 this heating season, according to the EIA—$1,300 less than homes that use heating oil. The cost of natural gas for 2014 is also four percent lower than the average of the previous five years.
For families with tight budgets, switching from oil to natural gas offers the potential for serious savings. With over 46,000 miles of natural gas pipelines in Pennsylvania, chances are high that no new pipeline will have to be constructed for you to switch to natural gas (to check, call your local utility). If natural gas pipelines are already connected to your house, all you have to do is fill out our simple enrollment form and you can lock in your low rate for natural gas heating in 2014!
Make the Switch from Oil to Natural Gas with UGI EnergyLink
Far too many households throughout Pennsylvania and the northeast are missing out on big savings by depending on heating oil. Make the switch from oil to natural gas home heating with UGI EnergyLink, one of the largest and most well-established natural gas suppliers in Pennsylvania. With natural gas deregulation in the Keystone State, UGI EnergyLink can take advantage of market opportunities unavailable to a traditional utility company. We offer both fixed and variable rate natural gas pricing options you can choose from.
For families that must follow a strict budget every month, fixed pricing on natural gas offers stability and a clear expectation of heating expenses. For families that prefer more flexibility, our variable rate pricing option is an excellent choice.
Natural gas may be the right choice for heating your family’s home and keeping your bills within budget for 2014. Using natural gas ensures that your heating source is:
- Affordable (much lower heating costs than oil)
- Predictable (fixed-rate pricing allows you to expect your monthly heating costs)
- Environmentally friendly (natural gas is the cleanest burning fuel source)
- Domestically abundant (Pennsylvania is located over a shale that is one of the biggest producers of natural gas in the States)
Make it a goal to save money on energy bills in 2014. Switch from oil to natural gas heating—all it takes is filling out a simple enrollment form.