Three significant changes you can make now to combat the hike. CLEVELAND, Sept. 3
CLEVELAND, Sept. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- There isn't much you can do to lower
the price of natural gas, but you can decrease consumption. And with natural
gas projected to increase 35% over last year, homeowners need to take action
now. Here are three changes you can make to significantly reduce your natural
gas bill.
Replace drafty windows with ENERGY STAR windows. Energy loss through
windows can account for up to 30% of your home's heating bill. While the
financial investment to replace energy-poor windows with high-performance
windows can be significant, the long-term savings is substantial. Sven Kramer,
general manager, of Stanek Windows comments, "If you could replace the windows
in your car and save 30% in gasoline consumption for the life of your car,
you'd probably do it."
If you're considering purchasing replacement windows, look for an ENERGY
STAR label. ENERGY STAR products meet strict efficiency guidelines set by the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. Tips
on reading and interpreting these labels are on Stanek Window's website:
www.stanekwindows.com.
Add insulation. Only 20% of homes built before 1980 are well-insulated.
Reduce your heating and cooling costs by up to 10% with a combination of
proper insulation and sealing.
A quick tip to determine if you have enough insulation: Measure the
thickness of insulation in your attic and crawl spaces. If you have less than
seven inches of fiberglass or rock wool, or less than six inches of cellulose,
you should consider additional insulation.
Give your water heater a break. Water heating can account for 13% of
natural gas bills. The most common ways to reduce water heating costs are to
use less water, turn down the temperature on your water heater to 120 degrees
Fahrenheit, insulate your water heater and replace an old water heater with a
new, more efficient one.
If you have a water heater that's more than seven years old, consider
replacing it. Make sure you look for the ENERGY STAR and EnergyGuide labels.
Stanek Windows is located in Clearwater/Tampa, Cuyahoga Heights/Cleveland
and Waukesha/Milwaukee. The company offers a full line of ENERGY STAR windows,
as well as patio doors, exterior doors and gutter protection. Established
1987.
SOURCE Stanek Windows
