WASHINGTON — The American Gas Association (AGA) announced residential customers could cut their annual heating costs nearly in half by choosing natural gas appliances. These findings come with the release of AGA’s 2014 Representative Average Residential Space Heating and Water Heating Costs Analysis, which compares average annual costs for various types of space and water heating appliances. According to estimates, customers can save up to $1,262 on space heating and more than $300 on water heating costs annually by using appliances powered by natural gas instead of other common energy choices. The cost comparisons are based on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s Representative Average Unit Costs of Energy notice as published in the Federal Register on March 18, 2014.

“These numbers show that natural gas is the clear choice for consumers looking to save on home heating costs,” said Dave McCurdy, AGA president and CEO. “Choosing natural gas means you don’t have to choose between your wallet and the environment. This is because the direct use of natural gas in home appliances is the clean, efficient choice, achieving 92 percent energy efficiency and producing nearly 40 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions than a home with all-electric appliances.”

In 2012, natural gas utilities spent $1.1 billion on efficiency programs, providing valuable tools, incentives, and information to help customers understand and reduce energy usage. Many in the nation continue to struggle to pay their energy bills and these resources, along with assistance to low-income customers provided by utilities and government programs such as LIHEAP, are essential to ensuring that no American needs to choose between energy and other basic needs, said the AGA.