Apollo warns Akron homeowners rising gas prices could boost winter heating bills

Apollo Heating, Cooling & Plumbing is urging Northeast Ohio homeowners to service or replace aging furnaces before winter, citing higher natural gas prices and the risk of inefficient systems driving bills even higher. The company says acting now can help families avoid emergency repairs and make a less rushed decision before the first cold snap.

Why it matters: - Northeast Ohio households are facing higher winter heating costs as natural gas prices rise. - Aging furnaces can waste fuel and push monthly bills higher just as demand for heat increases. - Apollo Heating, Cooling & Plumbing says homeowners who act before winter may avoid emergency repairs, longer wait times and rushed replacement decisions.

What happened: - Apollo Heating, Cooling & Plumbing warned Akron-area homeowners ahead of the heating season that natural gas prices are increasing. - The family-owned HVAC and plumbing company has served Northeast Ohio since 2004. - The company urged residents to schedule furnace service or start replacement planning before cold weather arrives.

The details: - Ohio’s average monthly natural gas bill has doubled since 2020, and current prices are among the highest the state has seen in more than a decade. - The U.S. Energy Information Administration projects natural gas costs will keep rising as demand outpaces domestic production. - The National Energy Assistance Directors Association expects heating bills across the Northeast and Midwest to rise about 10.5% versus last winter. - That forecast assumes the heating system is running properly. - Furnaces typically last 10 to 15 years. - High-efficiency furnaces convert 90% or more of fuel into usable heat. - Older furnaces often run in the 60% to 80% efficiency range. - Apollo General Manager Steve Coss said many Akron homeowners are seeing higher bills without changing anything in the home. - Coss said a furnace past its prime can work overtime to maintain temperature. - Coss said a tune-up can restore lost efficiency and help homeowners get more from the natural gas they already use. - Coss said replacing a furnace before a January breakdown gives families more options than waiting for an emergency. - Apollo’s certified technicians are encouraging homeowners to schedule a professional furnace tune-up. - A tune-up can include inspection and cleaning, which can help restore efficiency, catch developing issues and support safe operation. - Apollo also says homeowners should check furnace age and consider replacement if the system is near or beyond 10 to 15 years old, especially if energy bills are climbing. - Apollo warns that emergency furnace failures in a Northeast Ohio winter can bring higher service costs and longer wait times. - The company says fall is the best time to get a tune-up or replacement estimate before the first major cold snap.

Between the lines: - Rising energy prices make furnace efficiency a bigger budget issue than usual for homeowners. - The message also pushes consumers to buy before peak-season demand strains service availability. - The warning frames maintenance as both a cost-saving move and a risk-reduction step.

What’s next: - Apollo says its team is ready to help homeowners evaluate furnace repair or replacement options. - The company serves communities in Summit, Portage, Cuyahoga, Stark, Medina and Geauga counties. - Apollo is based in Kent, Ohio, and lists itself as a Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer with NATE-certified technicians. - The company says homeowners can get more information at More information.