September 30, 2005

Protect Your Home from Rising Energy Costs

COLUMBUS, OH – Congresswoman Deborah Pryce (R-Upper Arlington) today submitted the following editorial:

While it may take months to fully assess the costs of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita to our Gulf Coast region, the economic effects of the two disasters are already being painfully felt by the America consumer. All of us were dismayed by the immediate spike in gas prices at the pump, but another jolt to the family budget lurks on the horizon: natural gas prices.

Just as the price of crude oil skyrocketed after the hurricanes pounded Gulf Coast refineries, natural gas prices were also impacted by the storms. After Katrina, the U.S. Department of Energy tapped into the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, which helped prevent fuel costs from continuing to soar. Unfortunately, however, unlike crude oil, there are no natural gas reserves to tap. Most of Ohio’s imported gas comes from Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico, where damaged platforms, processing plants and rigs will curtail supply availability and influence price in our region. The Ohio Consumers’ Counsel, the state’s advocate for utility consumers, predicts that the average Ohio heating bill could rise by as much as 75% this winter, and as we enjoy the first cool days of autumn, families need to prepare immediately for the bills coming due this winter.

The U.S. Department of Energy and the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel recommend a number of common sense, preventative steps we can all take to help cushion the blow of rising energy costs. Most of these measures are quick and inexpensive, but over the course of several winter months, they can significantly reduce the cost of your energy bills.

Inadequately insulated homes are the greatest threat to energy efficiency. Check the level of insulation in your exterior and basement walls, ceilings, attic, floors, and crawl spaces, and look for holes or cracks around your plumbing fixtures, switches, and electrical outlets that can leak air into or out of your home. Seal up the largest air leaks in your house – the ones that whistle on windy days, and be sure to seal drafty windows and doors in the rooms where you spend the most time.

Poorly maintained appliances can also sap our energy budgets. Have your furnace inspected and serviced, and be certain to change your furnace filter every month. In addition, installing a programmable thermostat can cut down on unnecessary heating and could cut heating costs by nearly 10 to 15%. Replace incandescent bulbs and fixtures with compact fluorescent lamps or standard fluorescent lamps. Insulate your water heater tank, as well as the first six feet of the hot water supply line (the pipe closest to the tank) using an insulation blanket and pipe wrap. Make certain your fireplace dampers are closed properly. Consider replacing your showerhead with a low flow device to save on water heating costs, and replace or fix leaking hot water faucets. Clean your dryer's lint filter frequently so air can circulate freely and dry clothes faster.

To help avoid an inordinately high heating bill during the holiday season when you can least afford to pay it, you might consider applying for “budget billing,” whereby your natural gas expenses are prorated over 12 months, thus lessening the impact of extraordinarily high gas bills during peak months. To inquire about the program, you should contact your gas company, or call the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel at 1-877-PICKOCC (1-877-742-5622).

While utilizing these cost-saving approaches can reduce your monthly bills, some Ohio families will still have trouble making ends meet this winter. Every state receives federal funds to assist low-income households with energy, primarily through two programs. The first, the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Weatherization Assistance Program, disburses funds to every state, which in turn "weatherize" low-income households. A recent study shows that for each dollar invested in weatherization, the program delivers $1.88 in non-energy benefits and saves $1.78 each month on energy bills for low-income households.

The second program is the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), administered by the Ohio Department of Development. LIHEAP provides block grants to the states to help reduce energy bills of low-income households through bill payment assistance, energy-efficiency improvements and other measures. To determine if you meet the income eligibility requirements to participate in either program or to obtain an application, contact the Ohio Department of Development toll-free at 1-800-282-0880.

Like many other commodities in our economy, natural gas is subject to the forces of supply and demand, and unfortunately, supply has been diminished. However, with some planning and foresight, it does not necessarily have to be a long, cold, and expensive winter.