Experts offer advice on avoiding high energy bills in Michigan this winter
KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Winter is here, and West Michigan will want to turn the heat up in their homes.
However, it’s beginning to get pricey to do so.
According to the National Energy Assistance Directors Association, the average residential electric monthly bill increased by more than 10% from 2024 to 2025.
The data also reveals that natural gas prices are up by more than 8%.
Consumers Energy, which uses 27,000 miles of distribution pipeline to bring energy to its customers, offered advice on how to avoid the utilities bills increasing this winter.
You can spin your fan clockwise to generate more hot air in your home and turn off your heat when you leave, turning it back on when you return, said media relations specialist Megan Kirk.
“The further they drop the degrees, they’ll be able to save about 1% to 3% per degree on their rates,” said Kirk. “So, we love to be able to tell customers that.”
Temperature Pro, an HVAC company in Portage, told news Channel 3 that several factors contribute to cold homes and the desire to crank the heat up.
That includes inefficient or broken equipment, along with rising natural gas prices.
“This morning, I had a call where the chimney cap was knocked off for the fireplace and it was a direct vent fireplace, so it was letting tons of cold air come in through the chimney,” said Shawn Freeman, general manager at Temperature Pro. “You could put your face up to the fireplace and it felt like a fan was blowing on you. So that will that’ll significantly impact utility bills.”
Freeman also offered advice about how to keep your home warm without breaking the bank.
“You can go from a lot of type the type of furnaces that are out there, so, 80 efficient, and now, you can go up to 90, 97% efficient,” said Freeman. “So, that makes a big makes a big difference in the utility bills.”
If you are a Consumers customer, and you’re looking for ways to keep your utilities bill low, you can visit their website here.