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HOME ENERGY SAVING TIPS
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The hurricanes of 2005 have caused the price of energy to increase significantly this season, and many families are seeing higher home heating oil and natural gas bills as a result of these increased prices. While programs like the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) can assist families in paying higher bills, the current funding levels are not enough to help all those in need. LIHEAP is vital to so many New Hampshire families, and I will continue to fight for increasing funding to this important program.
I have created this webpage to assist constituents in finding more information about how to make ones home more energy-efficient, along with information about how to obtain home heating assistance. I hope this page proves to be helpful, and strongly encourage user feedback.
WHAT IS LIHEAP AND HOW CAN I APPLY FOR IT?
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally-funded program to help eligible low-income homeowners and renters meet their home heating and/or cooling needs. The program is administered at the state level. LIHEAP may be able to offer you bill payment assistance, energy crisis assistance, and/or weatherization and energy-related home repairs.
To determine your eligibility for LIHEAP or to apply for assistance:
Contact your local Community Action Agency.
Or contact Celeste Lovett, Fuel Assistance Program Manager, Office of Energy and Planning at: (603) 271-8317
SOME ENERGY SAVING TIPS FOR YOUR HOME
There are some simple steps you can take to make your home more energy-efficient, thereby saving you money on your home energy bills:
Look for appliances that have the ENERGY STAR label. These products meet strict efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy.
Plug electronic devices such as TVs and DVD players into power strips and turn off power strips when not in use.
To reduce lighting energy use, replace incandescent light bulbs with florescent lamps and use lighting controls such as dimmers and occupancy sensors.
Adding insulation to your attic is a relatively easy and very cost effective way to reduce heating costs.
Set thermostats between 65 and 70 degrees during the winter, and at 58 degrees when away from the house for an extended period of time. By installing a programmable thermostat, you can automatically turn down your heat at night or when youre not at home.
Water heating is the third largest energy expense in your home. You can cut down on your water heating bills by insulating your water heater or turning down the thermostat on your water heater.
Change or clean furnace filters once a month during heating season.
Seal leaks around doors, windows and other openings such as pipes or ducts, with caulk or weather-stripping. Install storm or thermal windows and doors or double-paned glass.
(Sources: U.S. Department of Energy, American Gas Association)
LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION
NH Office of Energy and Planning
NH Saves
Oil Heat Council of NH
EPA's Energy Star Program
U.S. Department of Energy
LIHEAP Information (from U.S. DHHS)
RELATED PRESS RELEASES
Bradley Supports Initiatives That Will Help to Lower Gas Prices (5/4/06)
Bradley Tours Schiller Station, Discusses Renewable Energy (4/13/06)
Gregg, Sununu, Bass, Bradley Announce $1.5 Million in Weatherization Grants for New Hampshire (4/3/06)
Gregg, Sununu, Bass, Bradley Announce $8.3 Million in Additional LIHEAP Resources (3/23/06)
Bradley Successful in Bringing LIHEAP Measure to the House Floor for a Vote (3/16/06)
Bradley Urges House Leadership to Bring LIHEAP Measure to the House Floor for a Vote (3/9/06)
Statement by Congressman Jeb Bradley on the Release of Emergency LIHEAP Funds (1/5/06)
Bradley: "Additional LIHEAP Funding Urgently Needed to Help New Hampshire Families (12/22/05)
Statement by Congressman Jeb Bradley on the Conference Report for the Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriation Bill (11/17/05)
Bradley: "Increase in LIHEAP Funding a Step in the Right Direction" (11/17/05)
Bradley Leads Bipartisan Effort to Increase LIHEAP Funding (11/15/05)
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