ENERGY CONSERVATION WILL KEEP
CONSUMERS WALLETS WARM THIS WINTER
Some simple steps to make your winter heating costs more manageable
COLUMBUS (September 14, 2005) - Consumers feeling pain at the pump were being warned about misery at the meter even before Hurrican Katrina slowed natural gas production in the Gulf of Mexico. While it's still too early to know the storm's long-term impact on pricing, one fact is apparent: Energy prices are at record levels and the future of energy prices remains unclear.
"We are concerned with rising natural gas costs and expected higher bills, and we want to help consumers prepare," said Mike Beck, vice president of sales and marketing for Direct Energy. "Conservation is a smart strategy for the coming winter heating season. And the time to act is now."
As a public service, Direct Energy offers the following conservation tips to help you heat your home without blowing your budget in the months ahead.
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Ask your natural gas utility to put you on budget billing. It won't save you money, but it will spread the high cost of cold-weather payments throughout the year.
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Check into competitive natural gas suppliers, of which Direct Energy is one. Many offer fixed-rate plans that allow you to lock in a rate for a defined period, rather than endure the uncertainty of your local utility's variable monthly rate.
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Don't let heat escape through poorly fitted windows and doors. Seal all leaks with caulking and weather stripping. If you have single-pane windows, replace them with energy-efficient, doule-pane, gas-filled windows with low-e coating.
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Add clear plastic sheeting to windows to cut down on drafts.
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Inspect your insulation. At minimal cost, you can upgrade insulation in your exterior walls, crawl spaces, basement and attic.
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Consider installing roof vents and inlets in your attic to improve ventilation.
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Be kind to your hard-working furnace. Before each heating season, have it serviced by a qualified technician. A tune-up could save you 3 percent to 10 percent in heating costs.
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Check your furnace filter each month, and replace or clean it when dirty to reduce heating costs and improve furnace efficiency.
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Keep heating vents clear of furniture and draperies, and keep dampers open. Vacuum dust and pet fur from warm-air registers and cold-air returns.
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Install a programmable thermostat on your furnace to automatically adjust the temperature setting. Lower it at night and when you go to work. You could realize savings as high as 10 percent on your heating bill.
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Your water heater is an energy glutton. Set the thermostat in a range between 110 and 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Another way to conserve is to wrap the heating in an insulating blanket.
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Don't heat spaces you don't use. Close doors and warm-air registers in vacant rooms. Avoid heating uninsulated areas such as garages and crawl spaces. Keep your garage door closed as much as possible.
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Don't let heated air escape up your chimney. Make sure the damper is closed when yur fireplace is not in use.
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Open drapes and blinds on sunny days to take advantage of the natural heating. Close drapes and blinds when the sun sets.
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Get into the layered look. Put an extra sweater on your back, another blanket on the bed. It's the easiest way to keep the cold at bay.
About Direct Energy
Direct Energy is part of the Centrica group of companies, the largest non-utility retail energy provider in North America. In Ohio, Direct Energy serves more than 196,000 residential and commerical customers. The North American operations have grown to more than 5 million customer relationships. Globally, the Centrica group of companies is a leading provider of energy and other essential services with more than 31 million customer relationships. For more information, visit www.directenergy.com |
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