- my iParenting
- quick clicks
- article archive
- expert q & a
- message boards
- research baby names
- prepare a birth plan
- content channels
- ip channel rss feeds
- read birth stories
- read parenting stories
- recommended books
- e-newsletters
- safety recalls
- ip diaries
- ip store
- mom of the month
- dad of the month
- editor's letter
- letters to the editor
 |
- e-newsletters
- Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters
- award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Warm up to Mother Nature
Conserve Energy and Save on Your Heating Bill
By April E. Clark
If saving $300 in heating bills would turn winter into a virtual wonderland for your family this season, then take the advice of the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) and be energy expedient. "Energy efficiency is our best insurance policy against soaring energy prices," says Bill Prindle, deputy director of the ACEEE. "Since energy price deregulation has removed the old ways of keeping energy prices manageable, energy efficiency has become our fastest and cheapest form of energy insurance."
According to the ACEEE, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to "advance energy efficiency as a means of promoting both economic prosperity and environmental protection," conserving energy while saving money this winter can be as simple as investing in high-efficiency furnaces and taking other practical housekeeping measures.
"Consumers can save 30 percent or more on their heating bills by following these simple and often inexpensive steps, many of which pay for themselves in a year or less," says Jennifer Thorne, an ACEEE research associate and co-author of the ACEEE's Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings.
Seasonal preparation and system maintenance is also recommended by the U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Clearinghouse (EREC) for saving money on heating bills. The EREC says to caulk and add weather stripping to windows and doors, repair ducts and replace worn furnace parts to produce noticeable savings and decrease costly service calls. When professional service is necessary, the EREC advises contracting qualified technicians who analyze safety and efficiency issues and offer advice on minor upkeep.
The North American Technician Excellence Inc. (NATE) is a certification program for heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration professionals and is endorsed by the U.S. Department of Energy. NATE suggests cleaning heating filters every two to three weeks and changing them at least twice in the season, sealing ductwork joints with tape or mastic and adjusting the thermostat 5 degrees cooler than normal.
