If you've been hunkered down against the
frigid temperatures that have recently hit much of the country, unfortunately you might have more reason to shiver. As our
Money blog reported the other day, the price of heating oil has risen 7 percent in the last week, and, according to one utility, the cost of natural gas could surge by as much as 24 percent this heating season. (You'll find the latest price data on the
Web site of the federal Energy Information Administration.)
So much for the
earlier forecast of lower heating costs this winter. To keep your expenses down this winter, try these no-, low-, and moderate-cost steps:
1. While you can't predict future energy cost increases, consider
locking in your price for natural gas or heating oil.
2. Check which
federal tax incentives could lower your up-front costs or shorten payback times for energy-efficient or renewable-energy products, including insulation, pellet stoves, water heaters, and furnaces. And learn more about the
$300 million cash for clunkers for appliances rebate program.
3. Find out whether if your local utility will schedule a free energy audit. If it doesn't,
follow our advice so you hire a reputable firm. An audit will run $300 to $800.
4. Be sure one of
these easy-to-correct problems isn't robbing your heating system of peak efficiency.
5. With
zone heating, space heaters can save you money. (The same is true for
electric blankets.) Be sure to
use these appliances safely. Also check out our
free buyer's guide to space heaters and
this post about EdenPure space heaters.
6. Take advantage of the federal government's pending
cash for caulkers program. Learn
how to choose the right caulk and
apply it properly.
7. Keep heated air inside your home and conserve energy.
8. Insulate your attic and
minimize the stack effect.
9. Buy an effective programmable thermostat and
install it yourself, a move that can cut up to 20 percent off your heating bills. The Lux Smart Temp Touch Screen TX9000TS in our
thermostat ratings (available to
subscribers) was especially easy to operate and maintained steady temperatures. But some tested thermostats were so difficult to use that you might end up using more energy.
10. Water heating can account for up to 25 percent of your energy use, so find out whether a
tankless water heater or a
solar water heater can save you money.
—Gian Trotta
Essential information: You'll find many more ways to cut heating costs in our
Energy Saving & Green Living guide and the
discussions on our heating, cooling, and air forum.
