ACEEE NEWS RELEASE
ACEEE
OFFERS CONSUMERS HELP TO REDUCE HIGH HEATING BILLS
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October
18, 2007
Washington,
D.C.—Last
week the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) projected
this winter's heating bills to be dramatically higher than last
year. The crunch is due to tight production capacity, weak petroleum
inventories, and high worldwide fuel demand, plus predictions of
a winter 2% colder than average. By acting now, consumers can save
money, improve their comfort, and protect the environment with simple
energy-saving measures. In cold climates, even deeper savings can
be realized in many regions by investing in energy-efficient heating
equipment that will reduce energy bills now and long into the future.
ACEEE suggests
that consumers take these "top ten" steps to get ready
for winter:
- Seal air
leaks in ceilings/attic floors, at baseboards and electric outlets
in exterior walls, and around exterior windows and doors.
- Seal leaky
air ducts at joints, starting at the furnace air handler, and
insulate ducts that run through unheated basements or attics.
- Hire a professional
to tune up existing heating equipment, including changing air
filters.
- Turn off
lights, and home office and entertainment equipment when not in
use.
- Install
an ENERGY STAR-rated thermostat and program it to set back temperatures
when you are asleep or away.
- Insulate
hot water pipes leading from your water heater, and install low-flow
showerheads and faucet aerators.
- Replace
incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs.
- Consider
replacing an old refrigerator, clothes washer, or water heater.
- Check your
attic insulation and consider improving the "R-value"
to R-38.
- Invest in
energy-efficient, right-sized heating equipment with the help
of a good contractor.
Households
in the Northeast and Midwest will be hit hardest this year by higher
fuel prices. In the Northeast, households with oil- or propane-burning
furnaces and boilers can expect to pay on average 21% more to keep
warm, with EIA predicting oil prices in the range of $2.88/gallon.
This price is up 16% from last year and almost double the $1.50
seen in 2004. Likewise, households that burn natural gas in northern
regions will see 13% higher fuel bills. "Households in the
North should assess whether to replace their furnace or boiler now,
before the season starts," said ACEEE Senior Associate Jennifer
Thorne Amann. If the existing boiler or furnace is older than about
20 years, and/or has a standing pilot light, it is obsolete and
wasting huge amounts of energy. Households in cold and even moderate
climates should consider replacing such a unit with a new, high-efficiency
condensing unit. In most of the country, high-efficiency gas boilers
and furnaces (with AFUE ratings of 88% and higher) can be highly
cost-effective.
Electricity
prices remain at an all-time high in most regions of the country
and are expected to rise another 7% this winter in the Northeast.
In cold climates especially, electric heating can be very expensive
to operate. Cold-climate and geothermal heat pumps may be a viable
option for a Northeastern home, but these units will not work for
everybody. If you think you're out of options, however, upgrading
heating equipment is not the only way to save this winter. According
to ACEEE Researcher Katie Ackerly, "Installing compact fluorescent
light bulbs in your five most-used light fixtures and turning off
electronic appliances can shave real money off your bills."
Residents in
the South and West that depend on electricity for heat can expect
a 4% increase in heating costs. In these climates, the best options
to save this winter are to tighten up the house and invest in a
high-efficiency heat pump, particularly in houses that currently
use baseboard heaters. This upgrade will not only save in the winter,
but throughout the cooling season as well. Southern and Western
households with natural gas will get the most "bang for the
buck" by hiring a professional to tune up their furnace, repairing
ductwork, and investing in a high-efficiency furnace fan.
Whatever energy
savings goals you choose to tackle this winter, it is very important
to find an energy auditor or heating system contractor who understands
both your heating system and your needs. "Most equipment is
vastly oversized, and most forced air systems are so leaky, under-insulated,
and badly installed that they waste about 20% of the expensive fuel
you buy," said Buildings Program Director Harvey Sachs. Advice
on choosing a quality contractor can be found at www.aceee.org/consumerguide/contractor.htm.
To find out
more, ACEEE's Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings provides
numerous tips on low-cost ways to save energy in all areas of your
home. The new 9th edition of this consumer-friendly resource is
now available at bookstores everywhere and online at www.aceee.org/consumer.
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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 economic prosperity, energy security, and environmental protection. For information about ACEEE and its programs, publications, and conferences, contact ACEEE, 529 14th Street N.W., Suite 600, Washington, D.C. 20045 or visit www.aceee.org. |
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