Congratulations, you bought a house! Now what?
Spring is the busiest time of year for residential real estate in the United States. According to Zillow, the best month to sell a house nationally is May with more buyers in the market from May to early June. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or moving from one home to another, there are a few easy steps you can take to make sure your natural gas home is ready for move-in.
- Set up service with your natural gas utility provider. Even if you’re an existing customer, you will need to call your utility to start service. This is traditionally part of the closing process, and it can usually be done over the phone.
- Understand what natural gas appliances are in your home and get acquainted. Do you have a natural gas furnace? Or maybe a natural gas stove or clothes dryer? If you’re moving from a home with electric appliances, this might be the first time you’ve had natural gas appliances. Consult your appliance manufacturers for service and maintenance guidelines. Regular maintenance can maintain your appliance’s function and efficiency, which can keep your bill lower.
- Call 8-1-1 or your utility to have your utility lines marked before you start any digging projects. Ready to landscape your new front yard? Don’t dig until you have your utility lines marked. Natural gas lines are often buried just inches below the ground and can easily be hit by a shovel during simple gardening work. Familiarize yourself with your new home’s utility lines to avoid any major accidents.
You can submit a request through your local 811 or directly through your utility company to have a service technician come to your home and mark your service lines at no charge to you.
- Research energy efficiency programs and rebates from your natural gas utility. Perhaps a home inspector recommended upgrading your home’s insulation before the summer heat peaks or you’re planning to upgrade some of your home’s older appliances. Natural gas utilities often have customer programs that offer rebates or discounts on appliances, home energy efficiency assessments, and other energy efficiency related improvements. Before you select a vendor or contractor, check with your utility about programs that may be available to you.
- Enjoy your new home! There are endless ways that natural gas can make your home the cozy, comfortable environment you’re hoping for, and as a bonus, natural gas customers save an average of $1,132 per year in utility bills compared to all-electric homes.
Fire up your natural gas stove or grill and discover new recipes to try from professional chefs from around the country at CookingWithGas.org.
And go deeper into the possibilities of natural gas in your home through our interactive Natural Gas Home to see how you and your family can benefit from natural gas appliances.