ACEEE
NEWS RELEASE
TOP
5 "MUSTS" FOR CONSUMERS TO CUT WINTER HEATING BILLS
FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
October 28, 2004
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Consumers can do more than hope for
mild weather this winter as they watch heating oil and natural gas
prices hit record highs. They can take actions that will reduce
their bills and offset soaring energy prices. The American Council
for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) offers 5 practical steps
for consumers to take right now at little or no cost:
- Change
furnace filters. Monthly replacement of furnace filters in forced-air
heating systems can save as much as 5% on heating bills.
- Insulate
windows with coverings. Close blinds and drapes at night to keep
cold air out and open them in the day to let warm sun in. Cover
windows with insulating shades or plastic sheeting to cut down
heat transfer from inside to outside.
- Install
a programmable thermostat to set different temperatures during
the night and day. Program it to warm up the house in the morning,
keep it cooler during the day while residents are away, and warm
it up again in the evening until bedtime. Consumers can save about
2% on heating bills for every degree thermostats are turned down.
- Seal doors
with draft-reducing weatherstripping and door sweeps to cut down
on spaces where cold air can enter the house.
- Lower the
water heater's thermostat to the lowest level that meets your
hot water needs, typically to 120°F (midway between the "low"
and "medium" setting on many units). Each 10-degree reduction
will save 3% to 5% on water heating costs.
In addition, consumers with older furnaces should consider replacing
them with a top-rated energy-efficient model. "Consumers who replace
an older heating system can yield savings of 20% to 30%, particularly
if the existing system is more than 20 years old," said Jennifer
Thorne Amann, co-author of the Consumer Guide to Home Energy
Savings and an ACEEE Senior Associate. "Take a look at our Web
site to find the top-rated systems," she added. The site also contains
a wealth of energy- and money-saving tips, including lists of the
most energy-efficient appliances.
The Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings, 8th Edition
can be viewed at www.aceee.org/consumerguide.
It can also be ordered in hard copy for $13.95 ppd. via the Web
site or from ACEEE Publications, 1001 Connecticut Avenue, N.W.,
Suite 801, Washington, D.C. 20036; 202-429-0063 phone or 202-429-0193
fax.
#####
About ACEEE: The American Council
for an Energy-Efficient Economy is an independent, nonprofit organization
dedicated to advancing energy efficiency as a means of promoting
both economic prosperity and environmental protection. For information
about ACEEE and its programs and publications, contact ACEEE, 1001
Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 801, Washington, D.C. 20036-5525
or visit http://aceee.org
|
