Why Powering Your Georgia Home with Natural Gas Saves You Money

Stories from the Natural Gas Realm

Natural Gas Videos

What is Natural Gas?

Georgia Natural Gas News

Natural Gas Deregulation

Why Natural Gas is Your Best Bet

Natural Gas Links and Information for Georgians

Conserving Natural Gas

Weatherizing Your Home

Natural Gas and the Environment

Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority

Georgia Energy Assistance Programs

Interesting Natural Gas Sites

SquidooCool Blog

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How undervalued as an energy stock is natural gas? Economist William Elord believes that the relatively low emission levels and substantial supply makes natural gas a smart investment.

A push for alternative fuels has South Georgians a part of the Clean Coalitions drive for cleaner vehicles at home and at work.

Plant a tree, offset your carbon emissions, get a certificate!
MXenergy's Project GreenGift

The new 2008 Honda Civic GX NGV runs on clean, domestic natural gas.

• Nearly zero emissions


• Available technology for home refueling


• Typical Honda features with electronic instrument panel, MP3/CD system and 4-cylinder, 113-hp engine


• Approximately 170 miles of total driving with a full tank, though the driving conditions will alter that number


• Federal and state tax incentives!!!

According to the Natural Gas Vehicles for America, over 150,000 natural gas vehicles are on the roads today, with more than 1,500 fueling stations all over the country. I have stumbled upon several sites that outline federal and state tax incentives, as well as various technologies that allow home refueling.

The Energy Information Administration announced on November 5, 2007 that U.S. natural gas reserves has now reached over 211 trillion cubic feet, a three percent increase from last year, and the highest level since 1976.

What the hell does that mean you may ask? While crude oil reserves in the Gulf and Alaska have depleted since 2006, dry gas supply is growing, with Texas at the forefront with a 9 percent increase.

With 21 percent of all energy consumption in this fine country provided by natural gas, the more the merrier.

Huckabay Ridge in Texas dairy country is poised to become the nation's largest plant producing natural gas from cow manure. Yes, cow manure.

The process includes liquefying the manure, purifying it, then converting it via bacterial feeding to methane gas. Then it's off to the pipeline for this stinky but efficient energy source.

Huckabay Ridge Profile

Did you know that the Natural Gas Consumers' Bill of Rights, created and monitored by the Georgia Public Service Commission, guarantees your consumer rights?

This blog gives further details on some of the things you should expect from your natural gas provider:
Georgians: Know Your Natural Gas Rights

This blog entry links to a recent press release on Yahoo! News outlining the benefits of using natural gas in our homes. I don't think it's a reasonable claim to say that natural gas is completely clean, but compared to coal and oil, natural gas is far less harmful to the environment. As far as I can tell, in many instances it is cheaper and a major comfort and convenience if your power dies as well.

Natural Gas Blog

Natural gas is a fossil fuel, meaning it's formed from the gradual decomposition of ancient organic fossil. Natural gas is odorless, colorless and produces relatively low emissions, and is used in a variety of ways, including transportation, cooling and electric power generation.

The beauty of natural gas is really its reliability and versatility. You can use natural gas for everything from heating your home, water heating and appliances to barbecue grills and heated pools. Natural gas is an extremely safe form of energy, as strict federal regulations on the maintenance of pipelines, distribution and so on ensure that more than 69 million customers receive their gas in a safe manner.

Ignore the blinding light that occurs after trying to sound out natural gas deregulation

Here's a brief history:
Let's keep this simple with non-techie jargon. Long, long ago in a faraway galaxy there existed a regulated natural gas industry. The early 50's saw a major decrease in natural gas resources. The prices were low, the demand high, but unfortunately not enough supply for people like you and I to enjoy it. Something had to change.

Move forward to 1978 and the Natural Gas Policy Act. Without putting you to sleep at the keyboard, this legislation started the gradual move toward deregulation in many states. Prices at the gas source, a.k.a. the "wellhead", were slowly but surely shedding their price caps.

January 1, 1993. Price regulations went down the tubes, and through a series of federal and state mandated changes, you can shop for natural gas service and choose your natural gas provider in deregulated states.

Georgia just so happens to be a natural gas deregulated state, so Georgians are able to compare companies and find the best prices on natural gas. In a nutshell, deregulation gives all of us the power to decide what type of natural gas products and services fit our individual needs.

Fewer emissions
Natural gas is considered a very clean energy source, with fewer carbon, sulfur and nitrogen emissions than coal and oil.

Works During a Power Outage
Cook, bathe and stay warm even if the rest of your block is holding a candlelight vigil. Light your stove burners with a match and forget about the electronic ignition (just be cautious and light it on low. Too much gas + open flames is not a good combo). A pilot light using natural gas can still heat your water twice as fast as an electric water heater.

Price
Natural gas cost is generally pretty stable—at least more so than oil—which we are reminded of every day that we pass a gas station.

Comfort
The average time it takes to heat a home with natural gas is lower than you probably imagined. Not to mention, a well-maintained gas furnace can last as long as twenty years.

Flexible
Ever tried to stir fry with an electric stove? Not a pretty sight. Adjustable temperatures with natural gas appliances like the stove makes it much easier to control proper cooking temps.

Natural Gas Appliances

• Use qualified Energy Star® natural gas appliances, which carry thorough guidelines for energy efficiency from the EPA and the U.S. Department of Energy.


• Avoid overloading dishwasher and washing machine


• Wash and dry clothes, dishes on cooler settings. Allow your dishes to air dry rather than using heat. Also, use your dryer's moisture sensors to avoid over drying clothes. Clean the lint trap!


• Check older refrigerators/freezers to see if your compressor runs all of the time. If so, look into repair service.

Lighting

• CFL bulbs use nearly 90 percent less energy than regular light bulbs.


• Turn off lights when you leave a room


• Cut down on the number of lights needed in your less-frequented rooms. You probably don't need twelve lamps and an overhead light in your basement. Use only what you absolutely need to function.

Heating

• Check for proper insulation around windows, crawl spaces, garage door etc.


• Keep your thermostat set at the lowest setting that doesn't freeze you out of your home.


• Have a professional look at your furnace and thermostat to ensure everything is working properly.

Water

• Upgrade your water heater


• Check for leaks, proper pipe insulation and ask your manufacturer what the lowest comfortable setting for your heater is.

General Tips for Lowering Your Natural Gas Costs

Georgia has tons of options for choosing a natural gas company. As the section on deregulation shows, Georgians have the luxury of comparing different companies that are available in your area and finding the best price on natural gas. Try these two sites where you can compare, order and connect all at once; saves some major headaches:

GasGeorgia.com
MoveGeorgia.com

To expand on the Optimizing Your Home module, here are some additional steps to ensuring your home is a rock against the outside influences of mother nature. Optimizing your appliances, conserving water, turning off lights and so on are all important steps to conserving energy, but to truly save money on your natural gas bill, it is essential to fill all of the cracks and gaps in your insulation.

Step 1
Determine the R-Value recommendation for your home. R-Value specifically refers to the level of thermal (heat) resistance various types of installation—everything from concrete walls to attic insulations— offer. The higher the R-Value, the more heat the particular insulation holds back.

The U.S. Department of Energy provides a program that gives R-Value recommendations as well as information on various types of insulation. The program searches by zip code so that you can apply the information to your specific area. The information is a bit outdated, but this will at least give you an initial push in the right direction so that you can determine which parts of your home may need additional insulation.

Step 2
Check for air leaks around windows, doors, attic spaces, etc. Hiring an energy auditor allows a professional to inspect your entire home and determine which areas are lacking proper insulation, and which areas are wasting the most energy. There are methods to check for leakage on your own—such as holding a piece of paper or tissue up to a window or door frame to see if air is leaking through— but if it is economical and within your budget, hiring a professional ensures that your home is thoroughly inspected.

Step 3
Purchasing supplies such as rope caulk, weatherstripping and window glazing are relatively inexpensive and easy to self-install. Make sure and ask a retailer that specializes in insulation and home hardware which type of caulking is best for your home. Try this site for some basic advice on choosing the right caulk.

Step 4
Installing weatherizing materials is both easy and affordable, though extensive attic and wall insulation you should really leave to the pros.

Caulking

• Make sure the area is clean of dirt, chipping paint and any moisture.


• Use a putty knife or paint scraper to guide caulk into wider areas. Make sure the caulking is even, using a moist rag to wipe away excess or drips.

Weatherstripping
Weatherstripping is great for blocking drafts on the edges and cracks surrounding your doors and windows. Generally weatherstripping can be found on the edges of doors that lead anywhere outside, and on the sides of your windows. Because of the constant wear and tear though, your existing weatherstripping may be deteriorating or peeling back.

Window glazing
Window glazing is a relatively cheap and simple substance that helps seal your window glass against it's frame.

Foam Sealant
Expands and covers some of the larger gaps on the outside of your home that caulking can not seal properly.

Exterior
Checking your garage door, windows and any possible gaps before applying additional caulking to any areas. Part of hiring an energy auditor is determining which areas are wasting the most energy, but if you decide to go it alone, make sure to check for any gaps, cracks or holes on the walls of your home. Common spots include around water spigots, air condition hoses and outdoor outlets.

Interior
Windows should be the first place you attack, but the rest of your home's interior can offer numerous places for cold air to peek it's ugly little head through. Applying weather stripping and caulking to double-hung windows is a good first step, but electrical outlets, basement windows, fireplaces and attic openings are also well-known sources for leaking precious heat. Again, hiring an energy auditor is still my best advice for really maximizing this entire process, but if you feel you can attack your home's insulation on your own, then starting with the common problem areas is key.

Natural gas produces a lower percentage of carbon dioxide than coal, oil and wood, as well as low amounts of other toxins such as sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide. In fact, the leading cause for natural gas emissions comes from poor or inefficient use of natural gas to generate power.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Though natural gas does contribute a percentage of the greenhouse gas emissions in the form of methane, clean energy studies have shown that the high volume of carbon dioxide pumped into the atmosphere is far more detrimental to the environment than the relatively low production of methane and other gases. Methane accounts for 1.1 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions, and natural gas produces 45 percent less carbon dioxide than coal, and 30 percent less than oil.

Smog and Overall Air Quality

The meeting of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and heat generally leads to smog in larger cities, particularly in the summertime. The biggest culprits tend to be vehicles and industrial plants. The release of gases such as carbon monoxide are exceptionally high when attributed to the burning of coal and oil. Power plants, industrial boilers, refineries and chemical plants are the main sources for nitrogen dioxide and other greenhouse gases.

Natural gas produces relatively low levels of nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide, and the release of ash, soot and other particles are very low when burning natural gas: 90 percent lower than from the combustion of oil, and 99 percent lower than burning coal

Generating Electricity
Wasteful natural gas practices occur by burning natural gas in a generating plant. Nearly 70 percent of all sulfur dioxide emissions come from power plants. In some instances, natural gas is burned to create electricity, which wastes nearly 50 percent of the available energy. Using natural gas directly in your home is as simple as using natural gas appliances to heat your home, cook your food, heat your water and so on. The key to finding clean natural gas for your home is locating companies in your area that do not burn gas to produce electricity.

Through the course of my research into natural gas in Georgia. The fall and coming winter are crucial for natural gas customers, as the temperature drops signal a coming peak in demand.

I have come across a ton of links and stories highlighting non-profit and state agencies lending a helping hand to those in need.