Soaring costs and tight supplies of heating oil and natural gas coupled with predictions of colder-than-normal temperatures in parts of the country mean it will cost significantly more to heat your home this winter.
The Alliance to Save Energy urges consumers to act now to improve home energy-efficiency rather than panic after the fact when high winter energy bills cause "sticker shock." An energy-efficient home is a strong defense against winter winds, rain, sleet, snow, and chill, says the Alliance, and also protects the environment and increases national security by cutting wasteful energy use.
The Alliance recommends three things that homeowners can do now to cut heating bills this winter by up to 50 percent:
· "Insulate" yourself from price shocks. Appropriate insulation for your climate based on R-values can increase your comfort and reduce your heating costs up to 30 percent. Start with attic insulation, followed by exterior and basement walls, floors, and crawl spaces. Insulate and seal attic air ducts.
• Check your home for air leaks-otherwise you're paying to heat the outdoors. Seal leaks between moving parts (between door and frame) with weather stripping. Caulk leaks between nonmoving parts (between window frame and wall).
• Install a programmable thermostat that "remembers" for you to lower the temperature during the day, when perhaps no one's home but the gold fish. You don't have to rely on your memory when you're in a rush. The programmable thermostat meets your daily and weekend patterns and comfort needs.
The Alliance's new consumer Web site offers consumers a large selection of additional tips to lower home and vehicle energy bills and extensive resources to meet any need, at www.ase.org/consumers.
The Alliance to Save Energy is a coalition of prominent business, government, environmental, and consumer leaders who promote the efficient and clean use of energy worldwide to benefit consumers, the environment, economy, and national security.
