By Aimee Nielson
LEXINGTON, Ky., (Oct. 6, 2005) – With natural gas prices expected to rise more
than 50 percent this winter, Kentuckians are trying to find ways to minimize the
impact on their checkbooks.
The Energy Information Administration reported that natural gas consumers in
Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi and Alabama paid on average $12.20 per thousand
cubic feet (mcf) in the final quarter of 2004 and the first quarter of 2005. The
administration estimates that the cost will increase to nearly $19 per mcf for
the same quarters this winter.
Consumers with all-electric homes will not be immune to higher energy costs.
Utility plants use natural gas to produce power. Electric-only residential
consumers may see an increase of as much as 15 percent, according to a Wall
Street Journal report. The report said those increases will vary depending on
whether a state has a deregulated power industry, which Kentucky does not have.
Linda Adler, University of Kentucky Extension home furnishings specialist,
believes now is the time for consumers to check their homes and take steps
toward saving energy.
“Start by checking the condition of your roof,” she said. “Inspect common
trouble spots and find out how to locate a leak from the inside. If necessary,
hire a licensed roofer to replace any missing or broken shingles and make sure
the flashing around vent pipes, skylights and the chimney is secure.”
Aside from making sure the roof is secure, Adler said checking home insulation
is the most important task in cold weather preparations.
“Check the condition of the weather stripping and caulking around doors and
windows and make repairs now,” she emphasized. “It will help make your house
weather-tight and draft-free. You may even want to consider replacing older
windows with newer, energy-efficient windows.”
The home heating system is often the culprit of higher-than-necessary energy
costs. Adler said it is important to check the heating system each fall and have
it serviced by a qualified professional.
“Check your pilot lights and burners and be sure to change your furnace filters
on a regular basis,” she said. “It really can make a difference. Cleaning and
servicing the heating system now will save you money and help prevent heating
problems during the colder months.”
Most gas companies offer some type of average billing plan that might help
predict costs and help consumers budget their heating costs this winter.
Some easy things to do around the house to prepare for colder weather include:
• placing plastic sheeting in windows for added insulation;
• sealing cracks around windows and doors with caulk or some type of foaming
sealant;
• caulking and sealing leaks where plumbing, ducting and electrical wiring
penetrates through exterior walls, floors and ceilings;
• putting an insulation blanket around water heaters in basements and crawl
spaces;
• placing foam seals under electrical outlets and switch plates on outside walls
to prevent drafts;
• replacing inefficient heat pumps;
• upgrading insulation in the attic to R-38;
• sealing all joints in sheet metal ducts in a forced air furnace with mastic or
appropriate tape and insulating ducts passing through unheated spaces;
• repairing leaking faucets;
• and replacing aging appliances and heating systems with newer energy-efficient
models.
Writer:
Aimee Nielson
859-257-4736, ext. 267
Contact:
Linda Adler 859-257-7771
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