Thermostat settings, filters and air leaks drive most energy bills, more than the equipment brand. A smart thermostat helps if you use its schedule. A furnace that runs nonstop on a below-zero night is usually normal.
Price ranges on this page are national figures published by HomeGuide for 2026. They are not our quotes. Your house, the equipment you choose, the venting and the ductwork move the real number up or down. Last checked October 2026.
Why is my gas bill so high in winter?
A high winter gas bill is usually caused by cold weather, a drafty house, a high thermostat setting, or an old and inefficient furnace. Detroit's heating season is long, so small losses add up. Check the filter, air leaks around doors and windows, and attic insulation.
If the bill jumps without a cold snap and you have not changed anything, check the gas rate on the bill, look for a water heater problem, and have the furnace checked for short-cycling.
Is a smart thermostat worth it?
A smart thermostat is worth it if you are away on a regular schedule and will use its away and sleep settings. It saves little if someone is home all day at one temperature. HomeGuide lists a smart thermostat at $200 to $450 installed.
It must match your system. Heat pumps, two-stage furnaces and boilers need the right model, and many smart thermostats need a common wire that older homes lack.
What temperature should I set at night and when away in winter?
Many households keep 68 degrees when home and awake and set it lower at night and when away. Turning the heat down when you leave does save money, because the house loses heat more slowly when it is cooler inside.
Do not set it so low that pipes on outside walls can freeze in a Detroit cold snap. If you leave for days in winter, keep the heat on and have someone check the house.
The thermostat says heat is on but the furnace isn't running, or the thermostat is blank. What now?
A blank thermostat usually has dead batteries, a tripped breaker, an off furnace switch, or a furnace safety switch that has cut power. Check those first. If the thermostat calls for heat and the furnace isn't running, check the furnace switch, breaker and filter, then the door panel.
If the thermostat still is blank or the furnace still does not respond, call us. A blown fuse on the control board or a failed transformer is a common cause.
My furnace runs nonstop when it is below zero. Is that normal?
Yes, a furnace that runs almost constantly when it is below zero is usually normal. Most furnaces are sized to keep up on a typical cold day, not the coldest night of the year. It is a problem if the house loses ground, if rooms go cold, or if the furnace runs constantly on a mild day.
Why can't my AC keep up in a heat wave?
Most air conditioners are sized for a typical summer day, not the hottest day of the year, so in a Detroit heat wave the house may not reach the setting. A dirty coil, low refrigerant or an attic with poor insulation makes it worse.
Keep blinds closed on the sunny side, keep the filter clean and hose off the outdoor coil gently. If it falls far behind on ordinary days, call us.
How should I set a thermostat for a heat pump with auxiliary heat?
With a heat pump, set the temperature and leave it, or use small setbacks. Big setbacks make the system call for expensive auxiliary heat to catch up. Use a thermostat made for heat pumps, and check that the auxiliary or emergency heat setting is off except in a breakdown.
The only way to get a real price for your home is an on-site visit and a written quote. Call or text (313) 488-2188.