What can you do to lower your heating oil bill?
From the U.S. Energy Information Administration:
You can arrange to have your tank filled in late summer or early fall when prices are generally lower. Talk to your heating oil dealer about participating in a budget plan to help stabilize your monthly bill. You can also talk to your heating oil dealer about "cap" or fixed price protection programs, which can help keep costs down. You can obtain a home energy audit to ensure that your furnace and appliances are running efficiently before the season begins. You can achieve conservation gains by weatherizing your home, i.e., installing the proper insulation in your house and around your hot water heater. Quick and easy fixes such as caulking and weather stripping windows and doors to seal out cold air also help save energy. Installing a programmable thermostat and reducing temperature settings on your thermostat, especially when you are not at home, are other ways to reduce your heating fuel costs.
Lastly, both Federal and State energy assistance programs are available to heating oil customers who have a limited budget. For example, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a Federal program that distributes funds to States to help low-income households pay heating bills. Additional State energy assistance and fuel fund programs may be available to help households during a winter emergency.
To find out if you qualify for assistance in Sullivan County contact:
Southwestern Community Services
Keene 352-7512 /352-7513
Claremont 543-0148 / 542-9528
Toll Free: 1-800-529-0005
On the Web at
www.scshelps.org
Southwestern Community Services, Energy Assistance Program:
http://www.scshelps.org/energyassist.htm
Fuel Assistance programs, NH Office of Energy and Planning:
http://www.nh.gov/oep/programs/fuelassistance/index.htm
US Dept of health & human services, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program:
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/liheap/
TOP TEN ELECTRICITY SAVING TIPS:
For one month…
· Replace five lights with ENERGY STAR® light bulbs and save 62 kwh for a total savings of $9.
· Turn off lights, appliances, TVs, stereos, computers, when not in use. You will save 58 kwh and $9.
· If you have a large television (greater than 32"), turn it off when not watching. You can save 50 kwh and $8.
· Unplug your electric space heater or hot tub and save $41 (or 270 kwh).
· Unplug and recycle your old, second refrigerator and you can save $23 (150 kwh).
· Washing your clothes in cold water can save you 63 kwh—or $9.
· Repair leaky faucets and save on your electric hot water. You can save 40 kwh or $6.
· Unplug chargers, laptops, anything with remote control or "instant on" features and save $4 (29 kwh).
· On your electric dryer: clean dryer filter, clean and straighten exhaust hose/duct and vent outside. You will save 23kwh—or $3.
· When buying new appliances, always choose ENERGY STAR. This can save you 75 kwh—or $11.
Remember, savings will vary significantly from home to home. Data based on 500 kwh monthly residential usage at 15 cents per kwh per month.
AUTOMOBILE ENERGY SAVING TIPS:
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Drive sensibly. Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gasoline.
·
Consider buying a highly fuel-efficient vehicle. A fuel-efficient vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, or an alternative fuel vehicle could save you a lot at the gas pump and help the environment. See the Fuel Economy Guide (http://fueleconomy.gov) for more on buying a new fuel-efficient car or truck.
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Combine errands into one trip. Several short trips, each one taken from a cold start, can use twice as much fuel as one trip covering the same distance when the engine is warm.
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Replace clogged air filters to improve gas mileage by as much as 10% and protect your engine.
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Get regular engine tune-ups and car maintenance checks to avoid fuel economy problems due to worn spark plugs, dragging brakes, low transmission fluid, or transmission problems.
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Keep tires properly inflated and aligned to improve your gasoline mileage by around 3.3%. Also, switch to radial tires as they reduce friction and can gain from 5%-7% additional fuel mileage.
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Use the grade of motor oil recommended by your car's manufacturer. Using different motor oil can lower your gasoline mileage by 1%-2%. Additionally, change your oil frequently and keep fuel filters changed and clean.
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Check into telecommuting, carpooling and public transit to cut mileage and car maintenance costs.
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Reduce drag by placing items inside the car or trunk rather than on roof racks. A roof rack or carrier provides additional cargo space and may allow you to buy a smaller car. However, a loaded roof rack can decrease your fuel economy by 5%.
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Clear out your car; extra weight decreases gas mileage.
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Use air conditioning only when necessary.
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Using cruise control on the highway helps you maintain a constant speed and, in most cases, will save gas.
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When you use overdrive gearing, your car's engine speed goes down. This saves gas and reduces wear.
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Avoid high speeds. Above 60 mph, gas mileage drops rapidly.
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Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration, and hard braking) wastes gas. It can lower your highway gas mileage 33% and city mileage 5%.
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Idling gets you 0 miles per gallon. The best way to warm up a vehicle is to drive it. No more than 30 seconds of idling on winter days is needed. Anything more simply wastes fuel and increases emissions.
·
For more information, go to
http://www.nh.gov/oep
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Below are descriptions of residential energy efficiency programs available to electric utility customers:
Energy Star® Lighting Program
Residential customers who purchase Energy Star® rated light bulbs and fixtures can receive rebate coupons redeemable at participating retailers. Other lighting and select energy savings products will also be made available from a mail order catalog. A typical Energy Star® rated Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) lasts up to 10 times longer than an equivalent incandescent bulb and uses 75% less energy.
Rebate levels available for energy efficient lights and fixtures are: $2 towards compact fluorescent light bulbs; $10 towards exterior light fixtures; $15 towards interior light fixtures; and $20 towards torchiere lamps.
Energy Star® Appliance Program
Customers will receive a $50 rebate coupon towards the purchase of an Energy Star® rated washing machine when purchased at a participating retailer. Energy Star® clothes washers use 35% to 50% less water and 50% less energy per load, and also significantly reducing drying time.
Home Energy Solutions Program
Customers can receive up to $4,000 in rebates and services for qualified energy efficiency improvements under this program, known as the Residential Retrofit Program. Improvements include insulation, thermostats, lighting upgrades, efficient refrigerators, and a customized report helping customers analyze their home. This program is targeted first to customers with some permanently installed electric heat, and will then be offered to those customers with high electric use.
Income Eligible - Home Energy Assistance Program
Qualified low-income customers living in an apartment or house, either rented or owned, can receive up to $4,000 in services (additional funds may be available if customers also qualify for the NH Weatherization Assistance Program), including a customized report analyzing their home, improvements including insulation, thermostats, lighting upgrades, and efficient refrigerators, and recommendations on how to use energy more efficiently.
NH Energy Star® Homes Program
The NH Energy Star® Homes Program encourages customers to take advantage of the benefits of building or renovating a single or multi-family energy efficient home with rebates up to $3,000. Energy Star® construction results in reduced monthly operating costs, improved homeowner comfort and a higher resale value, and environmental benefits.
Other links that have information about saving energy and fuel assistance:
Stay Warm NH:
http://www.staywarmnh.org/
NH Electric Cooperative: http://www.nhec.coop/
National Grid: http://www.nationalgridus.com/granitestate/home/energyeff/energyeff.asp
NH Office of Eneregy and Planning: http://www.staywarmnh.org/residentialtips.htm
