Six free ways to lower heating costs
Filed under: Bargains, Home, Real Estate, Saving Money
Amidst the doom and gloom of the economy, there comes, occasionally, a glimmer of hope in the way of a bargain about to happen. According to the latest info from the Department of Energy (DOE), that bargain will come in the cost of heating your home this winter.In a report released this week, DOE's Energy Information Administration said heating oil prices are projected to average $2.75 per gallon, a reduction of about 17% from the 2007-2008 heating season. Propane prices are projected to average $2.22 this winter, a decrease of 10% from last winter. And natural gas prices are projected to average $13.02 per thousand cubic feet, a slight increase of 2% from last winter.
Bottom line, it's looking like heating your house this winter is going to be close to an all time bargain.With this part of the economy actually working in your benefit, there are a few things you can to actually drive heating costs down even further, without spending a dime:
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Do windows – Keep window shades open and curtains pulled back during the day to take advantage of the sun's energy. At night, keep shades tightly drawn to both insulate the glass and reduce drafts caused by convection, which occurs when warm heated air strikes the cold glass, chills and then falls on you as you are stretched out on the couch, causing an uncomfortable draft.
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Set your thermostat – Yes, we know figuring out how to program your clock set-back thermostat sends you psychologically back to the days you spent staring at a blinking VCR. But do it! Programming your heat to go down when you are sleeping or not home, and back up only when you are active in the house can cut heating costs by a whopping 10%.
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Laundry later – Running your dryer not only dries your clothes, it also sends lots of excess heat into the house. Time your dryer cycles to supply heat when you need it, like during the day when you first get home from work. Running the dryer when you go to bed is a waste since you are already tucked snugly beneath the covers.
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Reverse spin: Ceiling fans' reversible motors can spin indoor air into comfortable savings year-round, pushing warm air down in the winter and pulling cold air up in the summer. Add even more savings by installing an Energy Star-qualified model, which is up to 50% more energy efficient than a conventional fan.
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Put out the fire – Even though the thought of a roaring fire conjures up scenes from a Norman Rockwell print, you'll save some dough if you skip the fireplace as a source of home heating. Most fireplaces are a home heating vacuum cleaner that sucks expensive, heated air right up the chimney. Instead, use them selectively as you would any luxury expense – because that is exactly what they are to run.
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Skip the budget plan – If your fuel supplier offers a so-called budget plan where the cost of heating is spread over a 12 month period of time, cancel and pay for only what you use. Unless your income is such that you can not take the least bit of fluctuation, it's never been a better time to just pay for what you need.
Tom Kraeutler is the Home Improvement Editor for AOL and co-author of My Home, My Money Pit: Your Guide to Every Home Improvement Adventure. He delivers expert tips to help save on heating costs each week as host of The Money Pit, a nationally syndicated home improvement radio program.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-14-2008 @ 7:06AM
mark tyrol said...
How To Reduce Your Energy Bills / Energy Conservation Begins at Home
Imagine leaving a window open all winter long -- the heat loss, cold drafts and wasted energy! If your home has a folding attic stair, a whole house fan or AC Return, a fireplace or a clothes dryer, that may be just what is occurring in your home every day.
These often overlooked sources of heat loss and air leakage can cause heat to pour out and the cold outside air to rush in -- costing you higher heating bills.
Air leaks are the largest source of heating and cooling loss in the home. Air leaks occur through the small cracks around doors, windows, pipes, etc. Most homeowners are well aware of the benefits caulk and weatherstripping provide to minimize heat loss and cold drafts.
But what can you do about the four largest “holes” in your home -- the folding attic stair, the whole house fan or AC return, the fireplace, and the clothes dryer? Here are some tips and techniques that can easily, quickly and inexpensively seal and insulate these holes.
Attic Stairs
An easy, low-cost solution to this problem is to add an attic stair cover. An attic stair cover provides an air seal, reducing the air leaks. Add the desired amount of insulation over the cover to restore the insulation removed from the ceiling.
Whole House Fans and AC Returns
An easy, low-cost solution to this problem is to add a whole house fan cover. Installed from the attic side, the whole house fan cover is invisible. Cover the fan to reduce heating and air-conditioning loss, remove it when use of the fan is desired.
Fireplaces
A recent study showed that for many consumers, their heating bills may be more than $500 higher per winter due to the air leakage and wasted energy caused by fireplaces.
An easy, low-cost solution to this problem is to add a fireplace draftstopper. Available from Battic Door, a company known for their energy conservation products, a fireplace draftstopper is an inflatable pillow that seals the damper, eliminating any air leaks. The pillow is removed whenever the fireplace is used, then reinserted after.
Clothes Dryer Exhaust Ducts
An easy, low-cost solution to this problem is to add a dryer vent seal. This will reduce unwanted air infiltration, and keep out pests, bees and rodents as well. The vent will remain closed unless the dryer is in use. When the dryer is in use, a floating shuttle rises to allow warm air, lint and moisture to escape.
If your home has a folding attic stair, a whole house fan, an AC return, a fireplace, and/or a clothes dryer, you can easily, quickly and inexpensively seal and insulate these holes.
Mark D. Tyrol is a Professional Engineer specializing in cause and origin of construction defects. He developed several residential energy conservation products including an attic stair cover, an attic access door, and is the U.S. distributor of the fireplace draftstopper. To learn more visit www.batticdoor.com
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11-15-2008 @ 12:22PM
joncdodge said...
How about your electric bill?
A Myth Buster: Leave lights on? Or turn them off and back on again to save energy?
http://www.curiousread.com/2007/11/myth-busters-leave-lights-on-or-turn.html
JD
11-14-2008 @ 8:52AM
Jose said...
When our furnace was down for repairs we dragged out a little 1500w (5100BTU) electric heater and found that it heats our space very well. In fact, with the price of natural gas so high, we have decided to get three (3) more of those litle inexpensive elecrric heaters and use them instead. Four of them put out as much heat as the large furnace and I think we will save money. Besides, about 30% of our furnace heat went up the vent stack. Remember, a cheap elecric heater puts out as much heat as a larger one if both are rated 1500watts (5100BTU). Some makers package their 1500w heaters in large fancy housings but they put out no more heat than their baby brothers. One mail order company offers a 1500w heater all fancied up, and wants several hundred bucks for it. Gigantic rip-off!
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11-15-2008 @ 10:40AM
ira said...
Excellent advice! I learned a lot about spending, SAVING and living a "richer" life from the book "How to Become Filthy Rich on Your Current Income" at www.how-to-become-rich.com. If people read books like this one they would be a lot smarter and have more money.
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11-15-2008 @ 11:02AM
Jerry said...
I found that insulating floors, a big money saver. Having lived in many different homes, I find that most do not have insulation in their floors. All the homes iI lived in, had crawl spaces that once insulated, lowered my heating bill drastically. Alot of work, but well worth it.
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11-17-2008 @ 12:42AM
loretta said...
why is the printing so small that you can't read it? what has happened ? I cannot read any of the articles because the printing is so small.
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