how can i lower my bge bill

How to Reduce Your Gas Bill

• Method 1 Reducing Energy Use Download Article. Lower the thermostat. If your thermostat is set to a high temperature,...
• Method 2 Making Changes Around Your Home Download Article. Keep all vents and interior doors open if you have forced air.
• Method 3 Doing Regular Maintenance Download Article. Get your gas appliances serviced every year. Each...

Full Answer

How can I lower my gas bill?

If your thermostat is set to a high temperature, your gas bill is bound to be expensive. Try lowering your thermostat a few degrees to reduce your bill by 5-10%. [1] For instance, turn the temperature from 70 °F (21 °C) to 68 °F (20 °C). Turn off the heat when you’re not home. Don’t keep the heat on in your home when it’s not necessary.

How can I reduce my BGE energy usage?

Reduce hot water usage by installing faucet aerators and efficient flow showerheads and adjusting your hot water heater to 120°F, or the low setting. USE My Account ONLINE TOOLS. Your BGE online account provides the tools you need to track your energy usage in near-real time.

How does BGE budget billing work?

Budget Billing smooths utility payments, that otherwise would normally fluctuate by usage, by spreading them evenly throughout the year, so customers will know what to expect each month. Under this payment plan, BGE calculates the budget bill amount by averaging your 12 most recent bills plus any accumulated imbalance amount.

What can I do with my BGE account?

USE My Account ONLINE TOOLS. Your BGE online account provides the tools you need to track your energy usage in near-real time. Compare energy usage trends, measure results of energy-saving practices, and set alerts to let you know when usage is trending high. REDUCE HOT WATER USAGE. Water heating accounts for about 18% of home energy consumption.

Why is my BGE bill so high 2022?

Impact on your bill In its order approving the plan, the Commission is allowing BGE to increase its rates in 2021, 2022, and 2023. However, BGE had requested that certain tax benefits and adjustments be used to offset the rate increases entirely in 2021 and 2022 and partially in 2023.

Why is my gas bill so high BGE?

Why is my bill higher than normal? ​Please keep in mind that heating and cooling are typically the biggest energy users in your home or business. Weather could impact your bill when these systems work their hardest. Changes within your household or daily routine may also impact your usage.

How can I cut down on energy costs?

15 Ways to Lower Your Energy BillCheck seals on windows, doors and appliances.Fix leaky ductwork.Give your thermostat a nudge.Adjust your fridge and freezer temperature.Take shorter showers.Replace your showerhead.Don't wash clothes in hot water.Fix leaky faucets.More items...

Is BGE electric expensive?

The BGE rate is currently $0.07 per kWh during off-peak hours and $0.36 per kWh during peak hours. BGE's standard flat rate is currently $0.11 per kWh. If you want to stay on the current Time of Use rate, you do not need to do anything.

Why is BGE going up?

Maryland People's Counsel David Lapp said the culprit is the gas supply rate. “[For BGE customers] it's now $0.66 and last June it was $0.47,” said Lapp. For nearly three years, prices were below $0.60 per therm until September 2021. These higher rates coupled with a cold spell led to shockingly high bills.

Why has my gas usage doubled?

Consistently high bills, or high bills in the summer when heating costs drop for most households, can often be attributed to high gas supply rates, older, inefficient appliances, poor appliance maintenance, window and door drafts, heat loss through the attic or chimney, or opportunities to better manage your thermostat ...

What uses the most electricity in a home?

What Uses the Most Energy in Your Home?Cooling and heating: 47% of energy use.Water heater: 14% of energy use.Washer and dryer: 13% of energy use.Lighting: 12% of energy use.Refrigerator: 4% of energy use.Electric oven: 3-4% of energy use.TV, DVD, cable box: 3% of energy use.Dishwasher: 2% of energy use.More items...•

Which household items use the most electricity?

Heating and cooling are by far the greatest energy users in the home, making up around 40% of your electric bill. Other big users are washers, dryers, ovens, and stoves. Electronic devices like laptops and TVs are usually pretty cheap to run, but of course, it can all add up.

Does unplugging appliances save electricity?

How Much Do I Save by Unplugging Appliances? The United States Department of Energy reports that homeowners can save anywhere between $100 and $200 each year by unplugging devices not in use. Typically, an item drawing a single watt of energy costs about one dollar to power annually.

What time is the cheapest time to use electricity?

Electricity is often cheaper late at night or early in the morning, so those will be the times when you can save money on your electric bill. This is because these are typical off-peak hours when not as many people are using electricity.

What Times Is electricity cheaper?

You'll have a higher day rate, and a cheaper night rate, which applies for seven to nine hours between 8pm and 8am. These meters are often installed in properties that use electricity (rather than gas) for heating and hot water.

Is electric cheaper than gas 2022?

As you may have seen on the news recently, gas prices have been rising since the aftermath of COVID-19 this year. Experts predict that gas prices could rise a further 30% in 2022.

What is BGE gas delivery charge?

That combines a fixed monthly customer charge of $13 and a distribution charge based on volume that is determined by multiplying the per therm rate by the amount of gas used by its customers, said BGE spokesman Kelly Shanefelter. BGE calculates this adjustment by using its entire residential customer base.

How does BGE budget billing work?

0:061:20Budget Billing - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThat's why BGE offers budget billing a program that removes the unpredictability of seasonalMoreThat's why BGE offers budget billing a program that removes the unpredictability of seasonal variations from your energy bill allowing.

What is the average water bill in Maryland?

Utility costs vary greatly by state. The most expensive utility bills can be found in Alaska, with an average cost of $496 per month. New Mexico has the lowest average cost of $232 per month....Water Prices by State 2022.StateMarylandAvg. Total Utilities$319Electric$123Internet$30Nat. Gas$8049 more columns

Can you have 2 BGE accounts?

For your convenience, you can have service at two addresses on a single account. Instead of doing a transfer, you just start service at one location for a desired date. Then when you are ready, you can stop service at the old address.

How to reduce gas bill?

By switching from relying on natural gas to power your furnace or boiler to using electricity for your home heating needs, you now reduce your gas bill to zero. The most common option to electrify your heating needs are air source heat pumps, which are much more efficient than oil furnaces or electric resistance heaters at converting energy into heat. As a bonus, electric heating systems can be powered with solar energy should you decide to install a solar system on your property.

How to save money on gas bill?

You can save money on your gas bill without spending anything out of pocket by simply adjusting your habits around the house. Here are a few examples of actions you can take: 1 Take advantage of natural heat from the sun by opening up window shades when the sun is shining on certain sides of your home. 2 During colder months, consider wearing extra layers of clothes and keeping the temperature set lower than normal. 3 To help facilitate better circulation of heat in your home, keep the vents and radiators throughout your home clear from obstructions. 4 Shutting doors to unused rooms and closing the vents in those rooms ensures that you don’t heat spaces that you don’t spend time in, and instead the heat that would have been wasted can be redistributed to the main living spaces in your home.

How to take advantage of the sun?

Here are a few examples of actions you can take: Take advantage of natural heat from the sun by opening up window shades when the sun is shining on certain sides of your home. During colder months, consider wearing extra layers of clothes and keeping the temperature set lower than normal.

How to reduce gas bill?

1. Lower the thermostat. If your thermostat is set to a high temperature, your gas bill is bound to be expensive. Try lowering your thermostat a few degrees to reduce your bill by 5-10%. For instance, turn the temperature from 70 °F (21 °C) to 68 °F (20 °C).

How to reduce gas usage in home?

But, there are things you can do to cut down on your gas usage. For example, it's commonly thought that closing vents and doors to unused rooms will reduce energy use, but doing this actually drives up the cost of your gas bill. Keep all the vents and interior doors in your home open to promote airflow. Personal, or space, heaters use up a lot of energy. Plus, they are an inefficient way of warming up large areas. Avoid using them and instead look for more efficient ways to keep warm—like improving your home’s insulation. It'll save you money in the long run. When you're washing your clothes, use a cool water temperature to conserve energy. Whenever possible, dry your clothes on a line outside or hang them up to dry indoors. Find little ways you can avoid using gas energy to cut down on your use.

How to keep gas appliances working?

If you've got gas appliances, there are definitely a few things you can do to make sure they're working efficiently and aren't wasting gas. For instance, you can wait to turn on your oven until you're ready to cook rather than leaving it on for a longer period of time. Each year, you should have an HVAC technician inspect and service any gas appliances you have, such as a stove or heater. Properly maintaining your appliances can prevent breakdowns in addition to lowering your gas bill. If you use gas to keep your kitchen warm, proper insulation can help reduce the amount that you need to use. A home that is poorly insulated will be harder to keep warm, so your gas bill is likely to be more expensive. For the best results, hire a professional to do the job.

How to save energy in a radiator?

Save energy with radiator valves. Some areas in your home need to be warmer than others. For example, it may be important to you to keep the main floor warm, while the basement can be a bit cooler. You can control the heat by installing radiator valves on every radiator in your home.

How to reduce energy use in a house?

Keep all vents and interior doors open if you have forced air. It is commonly thought that closing vents and doors to unused rooms will reduce energy use, but doing this actually drives up the cost of your gas bill. Keep all the vents and interior doors in your home open to promote airflow.

What to do when the sun goes down?

When the sun goes down, close all your blinds, shades , or curtains to keep the warm air in. [8] Use insulated panels to cover your windows. Insulated panels can keep cold air from seeping through your glass windows. These panels are typically made of foam board and can be found at home improvement stores.

Does closing vents and doors reduce gas usage?

For example, it's commonly thought that closing vents and doors to unused rooms will reduce energy use, but doing this actually drives up the cost of your gas bill. Keep all the vents and interior doors in your home open to promote airflow. Personal, or space, heaters use up a lot of energy.

How to save energy?

The key to saving energy is within reach. Switch to dimmer switches, so you only use as much light as you need.

How much less energy does an LED bulb use?

LED light bulbs use 90 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs. Switch out the most widely used bulbs in your home. Then, replace the rest as they burn out.

Adjust or program your thermostat

If the heat is still on in your house set the thermostat to 68° F, you can save up to 5% on heating costs for each degree you lower the thermostat. When you start using your air-conditioning, adjust your thermostat up. Every degree above 72° F saves 2-4% on cooling costs.

Make sure that your dishwasher is full

By only running a full dishwasher, you reduce the number of cycles for your home and it can help you save up to $20 a year.

Turn off TVs, computers and other electronics when not in use

Plug them into a smart power strip so when you turn it off, devices don’t use power in the standby mode.

Turn down the temperature setting on your water heater

Water heating is the second largest energy expense in your home, typically accounting for about 18% of your energy bill. Don’t forget to change back though. In fact when the time comes check our tips to help you save energy in the winter.

Do-It-Yourself: Easy Air Conditioning Maintenance

You can save money on air conditioning bill by performing periodic maintenance yourself. Regular cleaning and routine checks will also help extend the life of your AC unit. Easy tasks like checking the air filter and replacing dirty air filters with new ones, will help improve your AC system’s performance and efficiency.

6 Low-Cost Tips to Cut the Cooling Load

Reducing your HVAC system costs and air conditioning bill doesn’t stop at your HVAC system. You can potentially reduce your air conditioning bill by making some changes around your house. Here are 6 ways to cut the cost of cooling.