Consumer Articles

Keeping the Cold Out: Strategies to Reduce Fuel Winter Fuel Costs

As temperatures drop this winter season, one thing inevitably rises—your home fueling costs. According to preliminary estimates by the federal government, consumers can expect to pay 47 percent more for natural gas home-heat this year than they did last winter, due in part to the impact of Hurricane Katrina on natural gas production facilities. And rising prices are expected for consumers of fuel oil, propane and electricity as well. With this winter’s forecast, ensuring your home is energy-wise is an essential step for all homeowners.

While natural gas usage leads American homes with 62 percent, electricity (27 percent) and heating oil (2 percent) also are consumed by American homeowners and can contribute to energy inefficiencies. Fuel options for homeowners largely depend on the region—in the Northeast, fuel oil or electricity are most prominent while in rural areas, choices are often limited to propane and wood. Elsewhere, natural gas and electricity are the main choices. No matter what your heating fuel options are, homeowners can reduce their costs.

Reducing fuel costs can involve both short-term and long-term solutions and range from simple, inexpensive changes to major home modifications. Here are some ways that you can keep the cold out and the costs down this winter:

Caulk and seal air leaks in your house. By reducing air leaks, an average household can cut 10 percent of their monthly energy bill. While sealing windows and doors can help, usually the worst culprits are utility cut-throughs for pipes (plumping penetrations), gaps around chimneys and recessed lights in insulated ceilings, and unfinished spaces behind cupboards and closets. Your local builder or remodeler can recommend an energy auditor to help spot all the inefficiencies.

Use Energy Wisely. Set the temperature of your water heater to the warm setting (120°F). Also, check if your water heater has an insulating blanket. An insulating blanket will typically pay for itself in one year or less. To lessen heat loss when you use your fireplace and the furnace is on, lower the thermostat setting to 50 or 55 degrees. Some warmed air will still be lost, but the furnace won't have to use as much fuel to keep the rest of the house at its usual temperature. Install a clock thermostat to lower the heat automatically at night. You can save as much as 10 percent on annual heating bills with these simple strategies.

Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Products. You can easily lower electricity bills by choosing to upgrade to energy-efficient appliances and products. Replacing incandescent lights with compact fluorescents can save homeowners up to three-quarters of the electricity previously used by incandescents. The best targets are 60-100 watt bulbs used for several hours a day. Check the fixtures to ensure they will accommodate the slightly larger compact fluorescents. Also use energy-saving settings on refrigerators, dishwashers, and washers and dryers. If you need to replace an aging, inefficient appliance, look at investing in an energy-efficient model. This holds true for appliances powered by all type of fuel, not just electricity.