Secretary Nora Dowd Eisenhower

Again this winter, skyrocketing energy prices will result in higher heating bills. The U.S. Department of Energy predicts home heating oil prices may rise as much as 30 percent and natural gas prices will soar more than 50 percent over last year’s record levels.

Supply problems caused by Hurricane Katrina may make matters even worse.

That is why it is essential for all homeowners and especially older adults living on fixed incomes to prepare their homes now for colder weather. By winterizing your home, your energy bills can be reduced from 10 to 50 percent.

The first step is to prevent cold air from entering your home. Inspect your home and seal any cracks or openings around windows, doors, fireplaces, pipes, electrical outlets and bathroom, kitchen or clothes dryer vents. Weather stripping, caulk, or fiberglass insulation can be used for this purpose. If you own an older home, adding storm windows can reduce heat loss by up to 50 percent.

Have your furnace or heating unit serviced to ensure it is working safely and efficiently. Set your thermostat at 68 degrees and dress warmly. Many fire safety experts advise against using electric space heaters or kerosene heaters. Of course, your home should be equipped with working carbon monoxide detectors, smoke alarms and fire extinguishers.

If you need help preparing your home for colder weather, family members, friends or even neighbors may be able to lend a hand. If these options are not available to you, ask your local Area Agency on Aging or Better Business Bureau to recommend a trustworthy contractor.

There are many other steps you can take to make your home comfortable and energy efficient during the winter months. For more information, you can request a free copy of the brochure, “Energy Savers,” by calling the U.S. Department of Energy at 1-877-337-3463.

Income-eligible individuals and families may qualify for help paying heating bills through the federally funded Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which will open in early November. Contact your county assistance office for details.

Also, check with your utility suppliers to see if they sponsor assistance or weatherization programs.

Whether or not you qualify for assistance, please consider taking steps to make your home more energy efficient. It will help to ease the inevitable “sticker shock” of winter heating bills.

9/16/2005