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Warming up to winter

Get your house ready for the big chill with these chores

House Doctor | Gary Dymski

November 17, 2005

In case you've been vacationing on Mars, here's a news flash: It's going to cost more to heat your home this winter.

If you have an oil-fired furnace, you can expect to spend about 32 percent more than last winter, an increase of about $378. If you heat your house with natural gas, your bill may be $350 -- or 48 percent -- higher. Even propane and electricity will be more expensive -- a 30 percent or $325 increase for propane, a 5 percent or $38 jump for electricity.

These numbers are courtesy of the Energy Information Administration, an analytical arm of the U.S. Department of Energy. Of course, everybody knew higher heating costs were coming when Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf of Mexico, damaging the area's offshore oil rigs, refineries and pipelines, and reducing daily supplies of natural gas and oil.

So most of us will dig deeper into our pockets in the coming months to battle Mother Nature's cold shoulder. But we might not have to dig as deep as we think.

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By paying attention to small details -- from dialing down thermostats and caulking window and door trim to buying energy-saving light bulbs -- you can keep your household energy energy bills in check.

Here's an indoor/outdoor checklist for winterizing your home with special attention on energy savings.

INDOORS

Replace standard incandescent bulbs with newer compact fluorescent bulbs. They may be more expensive than traditional light bulbs, but don't scoff at the energy-saving alternatives. A four-pack of incandescent 60-watt bulbs costs about $1 at home centers and hardware stores, while a single 15-watt compact fluorescent bulb costs about $4. Both have a light output of about 900 lumens, but the compact fluorescent bulb is the wiser buy. Here's why:

The compact fluorescent number is nearly four times more efficient and lasts 10 times longer than a standard bulb. Besides, only about 5 percent of the energy in a standard bulb is used for light; the other 95 percent generates heat.

Replacing a 60-watt incandescent in a high-use area like the kitchen with a 15-watt compact can save about $22 over five years or the estimated life span of the energy-saving bulb, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. OK, so that won't send the kids to college. But no one uses just one bulb, so multiply that savings by the number of bulbs in your home. You get the idea.

And many retail stores offer instant rebates from $1 to $14 per package. These can reduce the cost to almost the same as standard-bulbs.

Install a programmable thermostat. Dial back the thermostat 10 percent to 15 percent for eight hours each day, and you can save as much as 10 percent annually in heating and cooling costs. Or install a programmable thermostat to do it for you. Program the heat to a lower temperature during the day when you're at work and the kids are in school or late at night when the family is sleeping. When everyone is up and about at home, the thermostat can be programmed to a warmer temperature.

Digital programmable models are more expensive -- expect to pay between $29 and $99 -- compared to about $39 for a traditional dial-style thermostat. Buy only an Energy Star-rated thermostat. And, if you can't master installation yourself, be sure to use a licensed heating and cooling contractor.

Use clear shrinkwrap to insulate windows. Shrinkwrap is a quick fix for drafty windows. Trim the clear plastic with a utility knife or scissors to fit over the interior of the window frame, then secure it with two-sided tape, which is included in the installation kit. Give it a blast of warm air from a hair dryer, and the plastic shrinks, creating a tight, nearly unnoticeable insulation layer.

There are even window-insulation kits large enough to cover patio doors and picture windows. Packages with material for up to nine standard-size windows cost about $14.

Another approach is to apply removable weatherstrip caulk that seals out drafts and moisture. The caulk, made by DAP, can be applied on the inside or the outside of the glass and peels away without damaging painted surfaces.

Have the heating system inspected by a qualified service technician. Systems that use oil heat should be inspected and serviced annually, preferably in the early fall before the cold hits. Systems that use natural gas should be tuned up every two years. Tune-ups cost about $150 and could save as much as 10 percent on fuel usage.

Not only do regular tune-ups increase fuel efficiency, they also can increase the life-span of a furnace. In addition, properly maintained heating systems are safer and cleaner to use, and release smaller amounts of carbon monoxide, smoke and other pollutants.

While you're at it, test smoke alarms and carbon-monoxide detectors. Replace batteries annually. In newer homes, where these devices are hard-wired, they can last about 10 years.

Use precut foam pads to insulate outlets and switches on exterior walls. Try this test: Wave an open hand over the face of an electrical switch or outlet on the inside of an exterior wall. If you feel a rush of cold air, stop it by installing a foam insulator -- a precut, gasket-like device that fits snugly behind the switch-plate and outlet covers.