Many Americans spent the summer trying to cope with the high price of gas. Added to that worry this winter will be the growing cost of home heating.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration forecasts that Americans wil spend 19.8% more on energy in 2008 than they did in 2007.
Considering the average household expenditure last winter was $986, that could mean shelling out almost $1,200 this year on energy costs, according to Maria Vargas, spokeswoman for the Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star Program.
The good news, says Terry Townsend, former president of the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers, is that people do not necessarily have to change how they live to save money on heating costs. They just have to change the way they use energy. |
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Seven tips for saving money and energy
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1. Get your heating and cooling system cleaned and checked
• Heating and cooling systems should be checked about once a year to keep them working as resourcefully as possible.
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2. Get an energy audit
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An energy audit of your home will help identify deficienies and get cost-effective recommendations for improvement. Click here for Colorado energy-audit information.
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3. Seal your home
• Caulk around windows and install weather stripping on all exterior doors. Also, check your ductwork for drafty leaks |
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4. Insulate
• Proper insulation keeps the air your heating and cooling system is moving set at the correct temperature. Consider insulating your hot water tank and at least the first six feet of piping with jackets available at home improvement stores. |
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5. Control the temperature
• Install a programmable thermostat. Visit EnergyStar's website to see which type of thermostat fits your needs. |
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6. Install a humidifier
• Moist 68 degree air feels warmer than dry, 72 degree air and allows you to keep the thermostat lower. |
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7. Update your appliances
• Appliances over 15 years old are not as energy-efficient as newer models, and at that age, maintenance costs begin rising. Energy Star reviews and labels more than 50 kinds of products, ranging from light bulbs to major appliances, to guide consumers to products that are the most energy-efficient, high-performing and cost-effective. |
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excerpted from
www.mediacenteronline.com
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