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Robert E. Thomas
Information Specialist
573-882-2480
ThomasR@missouri.edu
Published: Sept. 14, 2005
Story Source: Michael Goldschmidt (573) 884-0905
off rapidly rising home heating bills
COLUMBIA, Mo. - While Americans are feeling the pinch of spiraling
gasoline prices now, they may in for a bigger shock when they get
the bill for heating their homes this winter.
Now, in warm, sunny September, is the time to act to head off those
wallet-busting heating bills, said Michael Goldschmidt, University
of Missouri architect and design specialist.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration had projected that retail
heating oil prices will be at least 17 percent higher this winter
than last year. Natural gas, used to heat more than half of U.S.
households, and propane are expected to rise by a similar amount.
These estimates are likely to be low, analysts now say, pointing out
the added impact on energy costs caused by Hurricane Katrina.
A good place to begin economizing is with your furnace. Furnaces
should be checked and cleaned by a professional at least every two
years. Oil furnaces should be cleaned by a qualified technician
yearly, said Goldschmidt.
Having your furnace serviced by a reputable specialist before the
start of each heating season could reduce your fuel bill as much as
10 percent.
If the furnace is fired by oil or gas, make sure the furnace and
flue outlets are cleaned, filters are cleaned or changed and the
motor is in good working order. Check furnace filters every two
months during the heating season.
Reducing air infiltration and having adequate attic-space insulation
are two keys to lower fuel bills, Goldschmidt said.
"Depending on the size of your house, for a couple hundred dollars
you can probably save 10 to 15 percent on your winter heating bill.
If you project that out over a number of years the savings become
much larger," he said.
Weather-strip doors and windows and use caulk around pipes. A couple
tubes of caulk, which may cost $20, could save you several hundred
dollars, he said.
"Weatherstripping for doors and windows is readily available at most
hardware and home improvement stores. Often, these items are
available at sizes pre-cut to your door and windows. They are very
easy to install and do not require special tools," he said.
Adequate attic space insulation is also important. "In Missouri, we
recommend 12 inches of insulation," Goldschmidt said. If insulation
is inadequate, "Warm air goes right up through the ceiling."
Exposed air ducts in the attic also should be covered or wrapped
with insulation. Warm air in these ducts coming from the furnace
cools before entering the house, making the furnace work harder, he
said.
Setting the thermostat a degree or two lower can make a difference.
It is estimated that there is a 3 percent saving in heating fuel
costs for each degree the thermostat is lowered.
A thermostat setting of 65 to 68 F provides sufficient heat for
normal daytime activity, although children and the elderly may
require higher temperatures. Because less heat is needed when
sleeping, a thermostat setting of 60 degrees is recommended for
nighttime hours.
Turn down heat in unused rooms. During winter vacations or long
periods away from home, reduce the thermostat setting to 50 degrees.
Replacing single pane windows with double- or triple-pane windows
makes a big difference, but such replacement can be costly.
With some homes, levelized billing might be helpful for spikes in
the energy use. Levelized billing is available at many utility
companies. Your monthly bill will be averaged over the last year.
For a more thorough analysis of energy savings, most utility
companies also offer free energy audit programs, he said.