About 60% of U.S. households used natural gas for space and water heating, cooking and drying clothes in 2022, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. As you review your utility bill, you may wonder what amount others pay and if you’re paying too much.
Here’s how much the average gas bill costs and what you can do to lower yours.
How much is the average gas bill?
The average annual residential gas bill was $761 in 2021, according to the most recent data from the American Gas Association. That’s about $63 per month .
Some people pay natural gas and electricity charges together on a single energy bill. If you pay a combined total, look at the cost breakdown to find out how much you’re spending on gas.
Why is my gas bill so high?
Your bill may seem expensive, regardless of whether it’s higher or lower than average. That’s because the price you pay for natural gas depends on where you live and how much you use.
People all over the country use gas to heat their homes and water, cook, and dry clothes. But gas costs more in certain areas (or at certain times during the year) due to factors like higher taxes, infrastructure costs, supply and demand. You can view the average monthly price of residential gas per state on the Energy Information Administration website.
If your bill is more expensive than normal, it could be due to inflation or seasonal changes. Consumers typically use more gas during winter, especially in colder climates. Your bill may also be high because your home is large and takes a greater amount of gas to heat, or because it uses energy inefficiently.
How can I lower my gas bill?
Some charges on your bill, such as local taxes, are beyond your control. However, you can save money by watching your gas usage or seeking help with payments. Here are a few ways to reduce your bill:
Replace or repair old or worn-out appliances
Regularly inspect appliances such as water heaters, furnaces, stoves and clothes dryers. If they’re outdated or not functioning properly, they can use more gas and cost you more money. Plus, your utility provider may offer a rebate when you purchase new energy-efficient equipment.
Reduce your consumption
Find ways to cut back. For example, for every degree you lower the thermostat you can save up to 3% in energy usage, according to Pacific Gas and Electric Co. You can also take shorter showers, avoid over or underloading your dryer to reduce drying time, or air dry clothes.
Do an energy audit
Make sure windows, doors, attics and other areas in the home are properly sealed and insulated to prevent warm air from escaping.
Get help paying your gas bill
You may qualify for a government program that will help you pay less out of pocket. If you’re in need of financial assistance, explore these options:
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program offers grants to improve energy efficiency in low-income households. Improvements include things like installing programmable thermostats or insulating water heating pipes. Check your state’s requirements before applying.
Other state programs may also provide support during hardships or emergencies. Reach out to your state public utility or service commission or your utility provider to inquire.
Remember, your gas and electricity charges may appear on the same bill. If that’s the case, your electricity consumption could be driving up the price. Read your statements closely to better understand your usage and check out more tips for lowering your energy bill.
Frequently asked questions
What uses the most gas in a house?
Natural gas is mainly used for space heating and water heating, according to the EIA. So you’re likely to use more energy firing up the heater than your oven. Old appliances or ones in need of repair can also use excess gas in the home.
How much should I budget for gas per month?
The average household natural gas bill is about $63 a month. Review your past statements to get a better estimate of how much you typically spend and how much to budget going forward. See if your provider offers a “level payment” plan that gives you a set payment amount each month to help with budgeting.
FAQs
The average gas bill is about $63 per month. To help lower costs, do an energy audit and explore assistance programs. Lauren Schwahn is a writer at NerdWallet who covers debt, budgeting and money-saving strategies.
How can I reduce the amount of gas I use? ›
10 ways to reduce fuel consumption
- Keep tires pumped up. Tires that are underinflated have a higher rolling resistance on the road. ...
- Lose the weight in your boot. ...
- Drive with AC. ...
- Don't go too fast or too slow. ...
- Remain steady when accelerating. ...
- Avoid braking aggressively. ...
- Cruise in top gear. ...
- Practice predictive driving.
11 tips on how to save money on your gas bill
- Perform an energy audit. ...
- Block any air leaks. ...
- Invest in a smart thermostat. ...
- Switch gas providers. ...
- Regulate your thermostat. ...
- Don't use your wood-burning fireplace. ...
- Dress for warmth. ...
- Use a portable electric heater.
Heating is the one of the top energy expenses for most customers. In fact heating can account for more than half of your total natural gas bill.
How much does the average person spend on gas a month? ›
What's The Average Monthly Spend On Gas? An average American spends between $150 to $200 on gas every month. It, of course, varies and depends on the state, lifestyle, and driving habits. American families spend approximately $5,000 on gas annually, which is almost 2.24% of their monthly income.
Why is my gas usage so high? ›
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, a need to better maintain or service your gas appliances, window and door drafts, heat loss through the attic or chimney, or opportunities to ...
How many units of gas should I use a month? ›
What is typical household gas usage? Thinking to yourself “how much gas do I use?”. Well, low household gas consumption is roughly defined as 8,000kWh, rising to 12,000kWh for average consumption and 17,000kWh for high consumption. This means that average gas usage per month works out at 1,000 kWh.
What temperature should I set my thermostat in the winter? ›
The ideal thermostat temperature in the winter is 68 degrees Fahrenheit when you're at home. Energy.gov suggests that 68 degrees is a good room temperature while you're awake at home but recommends lowering it while you're asleep or away.
What are the benefits of high gas prices? ›
With high oil prices (and high gasoline prices), people will drive less - staying closer to home for shopping, combining various errands to be more efficient, and so on. Likewise, they will spend less on oil-derived products whose prices rise with higher oil prices.
What drains gas the most? ›
6 Seemingly Small Things That Waste Gas
- Accelerating Quickly. ...
- Braking Hard. ...
- Speeding. ...
- Under/Over-Inflating Your Tires. ...
- Driving Short Distances. ...
- Excessively Idling.
Storage tank water heaters typically use natural gas or electricity to heat water. Another common type of hot water heater is a tankless, or on-demand, water heater. As the name suggests, these types of water heaters don't have a storage tank; instead, they heat water only when you need it.
Does the AC use gas? ›
Yes: The alternator, which is powered by the engine, is what provides energy to the air conditioner. The engine runs on fuel, meaning you are using up gas when you run the AC. With that said, enjoying a bit of cool air doesn't necessarily mean you're being inefficient.
What is the average gas bill in the US? ›
How much does the average person pay for gas each month? The average household pays about $60 to $65 per month for natural gas. Your bill could vary significantly, however, based on location, home size, number of residents, your appliances, whether you work from home, and more.
How do you calculate gas cost per month? ›
How do I calculate fuel cost per month?
- Multiply the distance per day by the number of days per month.
- Divide this by your vehicle's efficiency per gallon.
- Multiply the answer by the price per gallon.
According to the USDA guidelines, you might spend $979 a month on a thrifty plan, $1,028 on a low-cost plan, $1,252 on a moderate-cost plan and $1,604 on a liberal plan. The USDA guidelines can provide a starting point for a food budget, but they don't consider all the variables that can affect cost.
What wastes the most gas in a car? ›
- Driving fast increases drag, which increases fuel consumption. - Braking excessively wastes gas. - Turn off your vehicle you are waiting, excess idling is a major waste of gas. - Remove unneeded car racks and carriers.
Does keeping your gas tank full save gas? ›
Yes, it will lighten the car and save some gas. But how much? A 17 gallon tankful of fuel weighs about 120 lbs. If you drive with half a tank and fill up when empty you're carrying an average 1/4 tank.
What is the cheapest day to fill gas? ›
Buy Gas on Monday or Tuesday
Be strategic about the days you fill up at the pump. “For gas, Mondays and Tuesdays tend to be the cheapest days to fill up your tank as demand is lower at the beginning of the week,” Anderson said.
What time of day is gas cheapest? ›
Bottom Line. While you can't control the price of gas on a given day, you may be able to squeeze out a few extra nickels by filling up very early in the morning or late at night when the temperature is cooler. The effect of heating up gasoline can cause it to slightly expand, and you will get less fuel for your money.
