While a comfortable home in the winter is a universal desire, the monthly amount you spend on a regional heating bill shows that the cost of comfort actually depends somewhat on where you live. A number of variables influence heating costs in winter depending on a specific location. As a result, your monthly regional heating bill may be noticeably different from that of a friend or relative in some other locale, even though your home, lifestyle, and indoor-comfort preferences might be quite similar.
Here are some of the circumstances that influence the “Amount Due” figure on a regional heating bill.
Cost of Fuel
The type and price of heating fuel varies by locale. Depending on the specific local utility, most Northern Ohio homes heat with either a gas or electric central furnace. Generally, the upfront purchase price of a gas furnace is higher than that of an electric furnace. However, because electricity is more expensive than natural gas in our area, the subsequent monthly operating costs that appear on your regional heating bill will be lower for a gas furnace than an electric model.
Insulation Standards
The International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) sets regional standards for home insulation that are adopted by most states and cities. However, IECC standards are continuously updated by year, as well as by region. An existing home built 25 years ago is probably under-insulated by current IECC code standards. Meanwhile, today’s energy costs are definitely much higher. Therefore, an under-insulated house today usually means a higher regional heating bill.
Climate Matters
Because winter temperatures differ by region, heating costs in diverse regions may vary as well. Here in Ohio, the daily winter temperature average is 29.5 degrees. Twenty-seven other states have higher daily winter temperature averages than Ohio. Since daily furnace operation hours in winter are directly related to temperature, a regional heating bill in Ohio will necessarily be substantially higher than it would be in Florida, for example, where the average winter temperature is 59.4 degrees.
For efficient heating options and professional service to reduce your regional heating bill, contact Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning.
Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area