Understand Your Usage

Understanding your energy use can help put you in control of your monthly bills. You can use the following tips to reduce your energy use while maintaining your comfort. If you or someone you know is having trouble paying their bill – we are here to help with programs, payment plans and assistance available .

Your monthly bill is affected by the price of energy and the amount of energy you use. Your energy costs include the delivery cost from your utility and the gas supply cost. As your energy delivery company, we build and maintain a safe, reliable system to deliver your energy supply to you. The supply charge is what you pay your supplier for the energy you use. At CNG we purchase energy supply on behalf of our customers and pass through without profit. While we have no control over the actual price of energy, we do purchase and store natural gas supplies to help buffer some of the market changes in energy prices throughout the year to provide our customers with the best possible prices. 

How much natural gas you use can vary from day to day depending on how many people are in your home, your daily habits, and the time of year. Use Energy Analyzer to help you manage your energy costs by showing you your energy use by category, getting tips to reduce your usage and setting up an energy savings plan.

Now that you have a better understanding of your usage, here are some tips to help you conserve more energy:

Energy-saving tips for warmer weather

• Close curtains during the day to block sunlight.
• Use ceiling fans to naturally cool your home.
• Hang your clothes outside to dry whenever possible.
• Grill outdoors instead of using your oven. You will save energy and reduce cooking heat in your home
• Turn your air conditioner up a few degrees when you leave home.
• Make an upgrade - if your central air system is more than 12 years old, replace it with an ENERGY STAR® certified model. You could lower cooling costs by as much as 30%.

Energy-saving tips for cooler weather

• Set the thermostat as low as comfort permits. Each degree above 68º F can use 3% more energy. 
• Install a programmable or wi-fi thermostat to automatically control your heating and save money by lowering the temperature when you’re not home. 
• Clean or replace furnace filters as recommended and have your furnace burner checked and cleaned annually by a contractor. A well cleaned and tuned heating system saves you money. 

More ways to save energy

• Dishwasher: Use the air-drying option instead of heat drying. Or better yet, turn off the drying cycle, open the dishwasher and let the contents air dry.
• Refrigerator: Keep your refrigerator temperature setting just low enough to chill milk (38-40 degrees F) and the freezer low enough to keep ice cream hard (around 5 degrees F). Did you know, every time you open your refrigerator, approximately 30% of the cold air escapes?
• Oven: Instead of opening your oven door to check what’s cooking look through the window.
• Hot Water: Set your water heater at 120 degrees F (Many are preset at 140 degrees F).

Additional Resources

Home Energy Solutions: Whether you rent or own your home, a home energy assessment and on the spot weatherization services can make your home more comfortable and help reduce your energy use. The average home in Connecticut receives about $1,200 in services through energy saving measures such as sealing air leaks and installing faucet aerators. We’ll even provide additional recommendations including insulation, high-efficiency heating and cooling, water heating and appliances that come with available rebates and financing. You may be eligible for free weatherization services through our Home Energy Solutions – Income Eligible program, or a $50 co-pay. 

Get started by visiting getenergysmart.com, completing a Home Energy Solutions online application or call 877.WISE.USE (877.947.3873).   

Budget Billing: With Budget Billing , your energy costs will be spread evenly over 12 months so you know how much your bill will be every month.