Posted: November 17, 2025
When it comes to heating rooms and water, natural gas equipment is about as efficient as it gets. Today’s gas boilers and furnaces have fuel efficiency ratings approaching 99%, meaning you lose almost no heat energy in combustion. And a new gas-powered water heater can warm up water for showers, appliances and faucets considerably faster than a comparable electric unit.
But we don’t need to tell you that prices have been stubbornly high for many years now, and it’s vital to find cost savings wherever possible. We have seven simple ways to lower your natural gas usage this winter without giving up any of the superior comfort your furnace, boiler or water heater provides.
The U.S. Department of Energy advises that you can save up to 10% on annual heating and cooling expenses by turning your thermostat back 7°-10°F for 8 hours a day. You can do this without significantly impacting your lifestyle by programming energy-saving adjustments for when you’re asleep or out of the house.
Main-Care Energy can help you do this with Main-Care Connect, our cutting-edge home automation service that connects to your smart thermostat to adjust temperatures remotely and program setting changes.
If you have a storage tank water heater, we recommend you set it to Vacation or Pilot mode when you leave town for a holiday vacation. This will prevent it from constantly heating and reheating unused water while you’re away.
If your home uses a forced-air system like a furnace, remember to inspect the air filter monthly during heavy heating or cooling periods. A clogged filter restricts airflow, strains your equipment and reduces indoor air quality. If it’s been a while since your last check, take a moment to clean or replace the filter to keep your system running efficiently and your home’s air fresh and healthy.
Believe it or not, a ceiling fan can help cut down your heating costs. Simply flip the switch to reverse its direction. Running the blades clockwise in winter pushes warm air down from the ceiling, keeping your space cozier and reducing the workload on your furnace or boiler.
You could be wasting a lot of fuel heating your home if the warm air is escaping through gaps in windows, door frames and wall seams. Take some time now to check the perimeter of your home for drafts, then plug them with weatherstrips, caulking or door sweeps. You’ll be amazed at how much this will cut back on how often your gas heating system cycles.
Take advantage of sunny days for a little free heat! Open your blinds and curtains to let the sunlight warm your home naturally. Trim any branches blocking the rays, and you may find yourself using your heating system less often.
Regular heating maintenance is an investment in safer, more reliable and more efficient home comfort. Main-Care Energy proudly services natural gas systems in the NY Capital Region and the Hudson Valley, as well as Rutland County and surrounding Western Vermont communities.
Our HVAC professionals will make sure your system is operating at peak efficiency. When you schedule a tune-up with Main-Care Energy, we’ll thoroughly clean, inspect, test and calibrate your equipment. Our skilled technicians catch and fix small issues before they turn into costly repairs, helping you enjoy better comfort, improved performance and gas consumption.
Get your natural gas heating equipment serviced before winter arrives in full force. Contact our team to request a maintenance visit.
