How to Save Money on Home Heating Costs this Winter 
 

During the frigid winter months, heating bills in many homes go through the roof. This winter could be worse than usual as the effects of hurricanes Katrina and Rita are likely to cause an increase in heating costs. The U.S. Department of Energy predicts home heating oil prices could rise 30 percent over last year, with gas prices increasing anywhere from 40 to 70 percent. Luckily, there are ways you can control your heating bills.
 

By properly setting a programmable thermostat, you can reap significant energy savings. However, recent Honeywell research indicates nearly 70 percent of homeowners who own programmable thermostats find them too difficult to operate, and lose out on energy-saving benefits.

To eliminate this challenge and enhance your opportunities for lower energy bills, Honeywell developed a programmable thermostat called VisionPRO® that uses touch-screen technology – similar to the technology used in ATMs – to help prompt you through the programming process, making it effortless.

To take full advantage of the energy-saving benefits of programmable thermostats, you should turn your thermostat back 10-15 percent for eight hours, while away at work or sleeping at night. This can result in savings of up to 33 percent on annual energy bills.

“Because homeowners can easily use the VisionPRO thermostat, they’re programming it correctly and saving money each month on their energy bill,” said Eileen Youds of Honeywell. “VisionPRO has also been very popular because it can be removed from the wall for easy programming.”

In addition to using a programmable thermostat, follow these U.S. Department of Energy tips for saving energy dollars during the cold winter months:

• Clean or replace the natural gas furnace filter every three months to ensure the furnace is running at full efficiency.

• Test your home for air leaks, particularly at doors and windows to prevent heated air from escaping. Weatherize those that are leaky.

• Caulk or weather strip gaps around leaky windows and doors. Open blinds or curtains on sunny days to let warm sunshine in, and close them at night for insulation.

•  Install energy-saving showerheads in your home to reduce hot water use without sacrificing water pressure or temperature.