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10 Steps To Lowering Your
Home Heating Bill

With energy prices rising, it´s important to make your home more fuel efficient.

´Today´ contributor Lou Manfredini offers some advice…..

As we head into the thick of fighting the winter chill, the bad news is that energy costs have risen up to 70 (or greater) in some areas. The good news, however, is that there are steps you can take to lower your energy bills, but still stay warm and cozy. Below are some great tips:

1. Service your heating system every year.

It is some of the best money you will spend. Cost for a service call to clean the unit and change filters in both the furnace and humidifier? An average of $75.00 to $100.00, depending on where you live. Also, if you are considering replacing your heating system, buy the highest efficiency unit you can. The payback for the increased cost can be recouped in as little as three years and then the savings keep coming! Once cleaned, you need to change the filters regularly. Upgrading to a pleated filter is recommended, as they do a better job of trapping airborne particles than the cheaper spun fiberglass filters.

2. Install a programmable thermostat.
A must! There are many different brands on the market that range in price from $40.00 to $100.00. You can program it to lower the temperature while your are at work or sleeping, and save up to 30% in a well-insulated home. What is more, outdated thermostats are the weakest link in conserving energy. According to the government’s Energy Information Administration, only about 15% of U.S. homes are equipped with modern programmable thermostats. Honeywell®, a leader in control technology, estimates that homeowners can receive one to three months of free heating and cooling by installing a programmable thermostat. So, what are you waiting for?

3. Add weather stripping around windows and doors.
A project that any homeowner can do. This also has a real impact on the drafts and conserving energy. Door thresholds, window caulking, and plastic window film can go a long way in saving your money this winter, as well. If you live in a drafty house, you could save up to 20% with an investment of as little as $25.00. If you are not a DIY’er, contact a professional to help.

4. Utilize or install ceiling fans in your home.
Remember learning that heat rises in physics class? Well, running the fans slowly and in reverse will keep that warm air circulating and keep you more comfortable. The bonus? The time your furnace runs will be reduced. So will your monthly bill. The Reiker Room Conditioner has an integrated heater in it to take the chill out of a room with the added safety of the unit being suspended from the ceiling. The cost is around $399.00. For information, you can visit: www.buyreiker.com.

5. Check the arrangement of your furniture.
Really and truly. Many times people put couches and chairs over the vents and in front of baseboard radiators, decreasing the efficiency of the units. By restricting the airflow, you increase the use of your furnace or boiler, and ultimately the energy used to heat your home.

6. Wrap your water heater or consider installing a tankless water heater.
More than 20% of a tanked water heater’s energy is used while it is on “standby,” keeping the water hot for the next use. Adding a blanket of insulation around the water heater can help reduce its standby energy use. And, it only takes about $20.00 and 20 minutes to install. Tankless water heaters have been around for over 75 years, almost all of Europe heats their water with these units. They create hot water on demand, so there is no stored water needing to be continuously heated. (Think about when you are asleep or away.) And, once they are on, ten people can take a shower in a row and never run out of hot water. Cost? Around $350.00 to $500.00, depending on the unit. This is a little more than a standard heater, but you should recoup the cost increase in just two years. Some of these units qualify under the new energy bill that took effect January 1, 2006, and you may qualify for a tax credit of up to $300.00. Ask your accountant about it.

7. Be smart about the temperature you set in your home.
According to the EPA, you will save up to 3% on your energy bills simply by turning down your thermostat just one degree. If you have a colder room in your home, it is cheaper to use a small, portable safe electric heater to get the chill out, rather than turning up the thermostat for the entire home. Make sure you use these heaters at least three feet from any combustible item, and do not plug them into an extension cord. Also, make sure the heater you use is in good working condition, and has a UL listing. Safety first!

8. Install thermopane windows in your home.
You will increase your home’s energy efficiency up to 70%. Multi-pane windows can have R-values of as high as 9.1. The higher the R-value, the more resistant the glass is to losing heat. Conversely, your typical single pane glass has an R-value of 1.

9. Make sure your ceilings and attics are properly insulated.
Heat rises, and if there isn’t enough insulation in the space above, your money is literally going through the roof. Most ceilings and attic spaces should have at least an R-30 rating, although some areas of the country recommend R-40 to R-50 rating.

10. Let the sun be your guide.
Why not? It is free energy. During the day, open up those drapes and blinds and let the sun heat your home. At night, draw the curtains to keep the heat inside.

Bonus Tip:

Light Bulbs
Replace the five most used light bulbs in your home with compact fluorescent bulbs and save up to $60.00 a year on your electric bill.

By Lou Manfredini

Home contributor, Today show

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