Natural Gas Efficiency Programs Deliver Savings for Customers
As energy demand grows across the United States, gains in energy efficiency are helping manage costs for customers, reduce emissions, and enable the natural gas system to serve more households with less energy. Natural gas utilities are investing in programs that help customers use energy more efficiently while maintaining the safe, reliable service they depend on.
Recently, AGA released its annual Natural Gas Efficiency Programs Report, detailing the impact of natural gas utility energy efficiency programs and investments during the 2024 program year. Utilities that participated invested $1.36 billion and helped customers save more than 331 million therms (unit of measurement for heat energy) of energy – equivalent to 33.1 trillion Btu. More than half of all program spending – 56% – went directly to financial incentives that helped customers adopt and implement energy-saving measures.
The report was developed through a survey that assessed ratepayer funded natural gas efficiency and low-income weatherization programs operated by U.S. natural gas utilities and third-party administrators.
The findings show:
- Nearly 100% of reported programs have been operating for at least a decade, including 27% that have served customers for 20 years or more.
- Participation in utility energy efficiency programs increased by approximately 99,000 customers from 2023 levels, with an $8 million increase in utility spending on programs for low-income residential customers demonstrating a commitment to supporting those most vulnerable customers.
- The report found an 85% increase in industrial-sector energy savings, alongside gains of 8% in the commercial sector and 7% in the low-income sector.
Respondents reported nearly $1.39 billion in planned efficiency-program budgets for 2025.
Together, these results demonstrate the sustained value of natural gas energy efficiency programs. Long-running investments are helping more households and businesses manage their energy use, lowering costs for customers and supporting broader efforts to reduce emissions.
For more information, access the full report here.