AGA predicts natural gas bills to be as much as 71 percent lower than alternatives this winter

Natural gas will be the heating source to beat this winter, price wise, according to the American Gas Association’s (AGA) annual Winter Outlook, which predicted that natural gas bills could be up to 71 percent lower than those of the competition.

“With the COVID pandemic presenting so many challenges to homes and businesses, winter is going to be different this year, but Americans know that with natural gas, they have a reliable, clean, and low-cost fuel for heating their homes, drying their clothes and cooking their meals,” AGA President and CEO Karen Harbert said. “Affordability and sustainability are at the forefront of people’s minds right now, and natural gas delivers both.”

The AGA pointed out that nearly one-third of U.S. households report trouble paying their energy bills or maintaining adequate heating. Therefore, it’s important to note that natural gas prices have remained historically low throughout the year, and the average January heating bills for natural gas customers are expected to be less than half the average bills of electric-only customers.

Sustainability was another major point on display in the report, which showed that customers with efficient appliances could also bring carbon footprints 19 percent lower than those with Energy Star-rated electric air source heat pumps.

The industry has also been in a favorable position more generally over the past few years, thanks to record production levels that have continued since 2018. Natural gas storage inventories have been above the five-year average this entire year, and demand has risen even with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.