Weatherization Tips Yield Warmer Houses and Lower Fuel Bills

October 26, 2004

NORFOLK, VA - October 26, 2004 - Industry experts are predicting higher energy prices this winter, which will send homeowners searching for ways to economize on their fuel bills. Weatherizing your house now can maximize your heating efficiency and control your heating costs this winter.

Although Virginia Natural Gas (VNG) has ample supplies of natural gas for the upcoming winter heating season, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that natural gas prices will continue to be high because of growing energy demands. The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration recently predicted that this winter will see below-average temperatures across the mid-Atlantic region of the United States.

VNG, which delivers natural gas to 260,000 customers throughout Virginia, has tips to help customers keep the chill at bay and manage their heating bills. Weatherization not only saves money, but it also prevents the waste of valuable energy resources.

“Making homes more energy-efficient is a way for consumers to save on their bills,” said Jodi Gidley, vice president of VNG. “The investment of an hour with a caulking gun and some extra insulation will pay off for homeowners.”

According to Gidley, natural gas heating systems and appliances offer homeowners the highest total energy efficiency.

“Natural gas heat is warmer,”she pointed out. “Air from a natural gas furnace is up to 25 degrees warmer than air from an electric heat pump. Many consumers find that when the temperature drops below 35 degrees, a heat pump is less effective for heating homes at a constant temperature.”

Gidley said natural gas water heaters are less expensive than electric models to operate, and they heat water up to twice as fast: “Homeowners can cut water heating costs by 50 percent by using natural gas,”she added.

Consumers should also investigate VNG’s budget billing plan to eliminate “swings” in monthly gas bills, said Gidley. “You'll pay fixed monthly amounts throughout the year based on your actual gas use, and we periodically review your accounts to keep payments in line with fuel charges and usage factors.”

Families whose energy bills are a financial burden may qualify for the Virginia Weatherization Assistance Program, said Gidley.

“VNG is proud to team with the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development to ease the impact of high home energy bills,” she said. “If you qualify, professional crews will visit your home and determine what weatherization measures best suit your house.”

To find out if you qualify, call the hotline below for your area:

• Chesapeake, Hampton, Norfolk, Suffolk, Virginia Beach - 757-858-1397
• James City County, Newport News, York -757-229-9332
• Charles City, Hanover, New Kent - 804-233-2827
• Essex, Gloucester, King & Queen, King William, Mathews - 804-758-2386

Consumer Tips:
These weatherizing and conservation tips can save money. For help with these projects, Gidley advised contacting the VNG Gas Advantage at 1-800-427-8876 to a qualified heating and air conditioning contractor or a home improvement specialist:

• Have your furnace checked to make sure it is working at optimum capacity. Now is a good time to have your other fuel-burning appliances such as gas stoves and water heaters examined as well.
• Consider installing a programmable thermostat, which can be a big energy saver. Different temperature settings can be programmed for different times of the day and night or even the days of the week.
• Change the disposable filters in your furnace before you turn it on for the winter. Remember to change the filters several times during the season.
• For safety’s sake, make sure your smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detectors are working. You should have an alarm and a detector on each floor of your home. Check the batteries regularly.
• Check for appropriate insulation in the walls and attic. If your basement is unfinished, the floor above the basement should be insulated.
• Find out if your insulation has the correct R-value, which is a measure of insulating value. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulation ability.
• Close the damper on your fireplace when it is not in use.
• Insulate pipes so they won’t freeze.
• Add weather-stripping and caulking to windows and doors. As much as 30 to 40 percent of a house’s energy load is attributed to outside air penetrating the home.
• Add weather-stripping tapes that adhere directly to door and window frames for a tight seal. Add a door sweep for more insulation.
• Install storm or thermal windows and doors.
• Lower your water heater’s thermostat setting to 120 degrees.
• Install a low-flow showerhead to save on hot water.
• Use the passive solar energy of your home by opening drapes and blinds during the day. Close them at night to retain heat.
• Lower your thermostat at night and when you are not going to be at home for several hours. Close off unoccupied rooms; close heating vents in those areas.
• Set the thermostat for 72 degrees F. in the daytime and drop it to 65 degrees at night. Not only will you save on energy costs, your house will not feel overheated.

Personal Tips:

• Take showers instead of baths. Showers use less hot water than baths.
• Wear layers of clothing or insulated clothing indoors.
• Put extra blankets or a down comforter on your bed.
• Wash clothes in cold or warm water instead of hot.