With energy costs rising and colder-than-usual temperatures predicted across much of the United States, many households are preparing for a more expensive winter. The New York Times recently weighed in on why costs are skyrocketing — and what to do about it — in a recent article, “How to Deal With Higher Home Heating Bills.”
Pointing to the rising fuel prices, inflation, and utility rate hikes that are fueling higher heating costs, the Times article says:
Home heating costs are estimated to rise nearly 8 percent over last winter on average, according to a forecast from the National Energy Assistance Directors Association, which assists states in securing federal funds to help low-income people pay their heating and cooling bills. The average heating bill for the season — October through March — is expected to rise to $976 from $907 last year, the association predicted.
Costs for heating with electricity, however, are expected to increase around 10 percent, the association’s forecast said. That’s mainly because of maintenance and upgrades to the energy transmission grid as well as the rising cost of natural gas, which powers much electricity generation, and the boom in large, energy-hungry data centers built to support artificial intelligence, the association said.
What’s a homeowner to do? The good news is there are things you can do to keep energy costs in check while keeping your home comfortable. Even better? The most effective projects are inexpensive and easy to do. We’ve rounded up a few highlights from the article:
• Take advantage of federal tax credits: There’s still time to act on tax credits for improvements to your home’s efficiency, but you’ve got to move fast because they expire on December 31. You can realize savings of 30 percent, with a cap of $3,200, for improvements like new doors and windows; energy efficient water heaters, furnaces and boilers; and homer energy audits through the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit, and a credit of 30% of the installation cost of renewable energy systems like solar panel, solar water heaters, and geothermal heat pumps through the Residential Clean Energy Tax Credit.
• Check for financial incentives: You might be missing out on financial incentives offered by your state or utility. A quick Google search can help you find what’s available in your area.
• Shop around for better rates: Check with local providers to see if a fixed price on energy will save you money, especially if you use oil or propane to heat your home; be cautious about buying gas or electricity from an independent provider, though, as many of them start off with low introductory rates and can end up costing you more money once they expire.
7 Simple Steps to Lower Your Heating Bills
The Times suggests doing these seven easy DIY fixes to keep heating bills in check:
1. Close the damper to your fireplace when it’s not in use.
2. Add insulation.
3. Set your thermostat to 65 to 68 degrees when you’re home and awake and lower at night or when you’re away; a smart thermostat can do this for you automatically.
4. Drain sediment from your hot water heater. (This blog post explains how to do it.
5. Replace furnace filters when they get dirty.
6. Hire a technician to do a home energy audit to find where cold air is seeping into your house.
7. Tape and insulate duct systems to prevent wasted heat.
In addition to these fixes, Frost King offers a range of products to help make your home feel warmer all winter long, from sealing drafty windows with our window kits to sealing air leaks all over your home.
What if You Can’t Afford Your Heating Bills?
If you’re struggling to pay your heating bills, the Times article suggests reaching out to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to see if you qualify for assistance. Funds for this program are provided by the federal government and distributed by state agencies; you can find the contact in your state here.
