New York — After two years of flat or lower fuel prices, many residents will pay sharply more to heat their homes this winter, according to government forecasts out in early October.
There are a number of ways residents can blunt the expected rise in heating bills — beyond putting on a turtleneck:
- Think of the sun as a heater, and your drapes as a blanket: Open drapes when you are getting direct sunlight, then close them at night to keep heat from escaping.
- Make sure the damper in your fireplace is closed when you aren’t using it.
- Keep air vents clean and uncovered so heat can easily flow throughout your home.
- Shut off kitchen fans and bathroom fans as soon as they are no longer needed.
- It takes more energy to heat water in cold weather. You can lower the temperature of your water heater a bit and still get a hot shower, and use cold water to do laundry and rinse dishes. Also, insulate pipes that move hot water around the house.
