Getting through the winter - heating bills expected to increase
by SHELBEY BIDELL Amherst Bee Correspondent

As homeowners prepare for higher heating bills this winter, they can save money by following some simple steps to make their homes more energy efficient.

National Fuel Gas Co. has estimated that customers could see their heating costs rise by as much as 10 percent during the months of November through March, averaging $1,070 for the entire season.

The utility will offer its customers a program to get through the winter months by making their heating costs more affordable.

National Fuel has launched a Conservation Incentive Program to aid customers financially when they purchase certain products, according to spokesperson Julie Coppola Cox.

"The Conservation Incentive Program will give rebates for high energy equipment such as water tanks, furnaces, and programmable thermostats that were purchased on or after Nov. 1, and the redemption process will begin Dec. 1.," Cox said. "It will help the customers save on the biggest piece of their bills."

Customers who purchase a programmable thermostat starting Nov. 1, for example, will receive a $25 rebate as long as the system is ENERGY STAR-rated. Any unit is considered ENERGY STAR-rated if it meets a set of energy-efficient guidelines set by the government.

The systems typically offer four convenient, pre-programmed temperature settings that anticipate when heating or cooling a home is convenient for the customer. People must send in a receipt, the make and model number, and the UPC barcode label from the product in order to receive the rebate.

National Fuel also advises its customers not to submit any information about their equipment for a rebate before Dec. 1.

Additional information concerning required documentation, qualified products and rebate amounts can be found online at www. natfuel. com.

For low-cost and no-cost tips on saving heat this winter, Colleen Ryan, a spokesperson for the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, suggests a number of ways to help reduce bills.

Homeowners can effectively conserve heat and save money by using insulation, especially in the attic, and checking all windows for leaks. People who feel drafts should consider weather-stripping or caulking their windows to keep the heat from escaping. People who have fireplaces should make sure the damper is tightly closed when not in use, Ryan said.

By following these simple steps, people can save up to 20 percent off heating costs, according to ENERGY STAR's Web site.

NYSERDA advises people to open their shades on sunny days to take advantage of solar energy inside the home. They also recommend using a programmable thermostat to regulate the amount of heat used.

When people use and operate an ENERGY STAR-rated programmable thermostat properly, it can save them an average of $150 per year.

"Programmable thermostats automatically lower the temperature at night or when no one is home, which is a great way to save while you're at work for

"Homeowners can also save this winter by taking simple measures in making sure their furnaces are tuned up and working properly. If customers can afford to upgrade and get something that's ENERGY STAR rated, it's going to save them money," said Christopher Reading, the service manager of Belknap Heating and Cooling in East Amherst. "If your furnace is 15 years or older I would look at getting something more energy efficient."

A new furnace can cost anywhere from $1,600 to $5,000, depending on its size and efficiency, according to Jerry Sullivan, owner of Sullivan Heating and Cooling in Cheektowaga. Customers who go from an older unit with 60 to 65 percent efficiency, to a newer unit with 95 percent efficiency can typically save up to 40 percent off their heating costs.

When customers consider upgrading to a more energy-efficient unit, Sullivan said to make sure the contractor properly sizes the furnace by doing an actual load calculation.

Along with these tips, National Fuel is willing to help its customers afford their heating bills this winter.

"We want them (customers) to call if they're having problems so we can put them onto a program that's right for them," Cox said. "Don't let your bills accumulate until it becomes a problem."

(Editor's note: Bidell is a junior at Buffalo State College, majoring in journalism.)