A forecast of colder weather, low inventories of heating fuels such as oil and natural gas, and high crude oil prices all figure into the forecast of higher bills. For average homeowners, this is hardly good news, since home heating represents the largest share of their energy costs. But it could also serve as a wake-up call to steer home builders and homeowners toward energy efficiency. There are many ways, inside and outside the home, to keep winter at bay and energy expenses down. Properly insulated walls and roofs, and well-sealed windows and air ducts ensure that heat does not escape.
Programmable thermostats are able to regulate indoor temperatures according to individual schedules.
For many people, saving money is the chief incentive for home winterization. But winterization also benefits the environment in many ways. Cutting back on heating fuel consumption means reducing pollution. Warm up to ENN's winter energy conservation quiz . The U.S. Department of Energy predicts higher heating bills for Americans this winter.