Wednesday, October 1, 2003

Five tips to cut your heating bills

The bad news for natural gas customers is getting worse. Families that shelled out an average of $540 for the 2000 season now face a bone-chilling boost to $860, the federal Energy Information Administration says.

With winter just around the corner, now is the time to give your home a “check-up.” Here are five tips from the Comfort Institute in Washington on what to look for and take care of so your home is ready for those cold north winds.

* Have your duct system tested for air leaks. Many think that windows and doors are the major cause of a home's air leaks. But according to recent research by the Department of Energy, gaps, cracks and disconnections in the typical home's duct system are much more significant. The DOE states that the typical duct system loses 25 percent to 40 percent of the energy put out by the central furnace, heat or air conditioner. Leaks are usually the biggest problem.

* Ask your heating contractor to perform an Infiltrometer "blower door" test. The blower door is a computerized instrument originally invented by the Department of Energy. It pinpoints where your home's worst air leaks are, and also measures how leaky the overall house is. While most homes are still far too leaky, some are now quite tight, and need mechanical ventilation to ensure the air inside is fresh.

* Have your heating system cleaned and tuned by a qualified contractor. A tune up and filter change is a good investment. It reduces the chances of breakdowns in the middle of winter, improves safety, and pays for itself through more energy efficient operation. For a free report, “How To Identify a Good Heating and Cooling Contractor,” go to www.comfortinstitute.org.

* Install a programmable set-back thermostat. Turning down the thermostat 8 degrees for eight hours a day will save 8 to 10 percent on home heating costs. An easy way to take advantage of these savings is to lower the thermostat temperature while away from home or sleeping. Ask your heating contractor about new models which are much easier to program.

* Consider replacing your old furnace or heat pump. Just like a car, heating equipment doesn't last forever. If your system is more than 12 years old, and you are planning to stay in your home more than a few years, many authorities recommend considering replacing it before it fails permanently. A new system is safer, more dependable, and can pay for itself through energy savings as it is up to twice as energy efficient.

However, recent research has found that many newly installed systems have energy wasting mistakes. Check out the free report “Tips and Secrets To Buying A New Heating and Cooling System” at www.comfortinstitute.org.

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