Falling Fuel Costs (Midwest)
Thanks to lower fuel prices and expectations for a slightly milder winter, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) projects that households in the U.S. will spend less on heating fuel this winter compared to last year. In the Midwest, where over 70 percent of households use natural gas for heating, EIA projects that households will spend about 15 percent less on natural gas between October and March.
Viewer Tip: The amount you spend on energy this winter also depends on the size and energy efficiency of your home, the type of heating equipment you use and your thermostat settings. These low-cost tips from the Alliance to Save Energy will help you increase energy efficiency at home and save money on your energy bill:
- Ditch filthy filters. Check your furnace filter each month and replace it if it looks dirty. A dirty filter slows air flow and makes your heating system work harder.
- Drop a degree. Turning the thermostat down by just one degree can save up to five percent on energy costs!
- Let the light in. Allow sunlight to heat your home naturally by opening curtains on on west- and south-facing windows during the day. Close them at night.
- Close vents. Heat family members and pets, not empty space. Close vents in unoccupied rooms to save energy and direct heat to where you are.
Seasons: Fall, Winter
(Sources: Energy Information Administration. “Short-term Energy and Winter Fuels Outlook.” October 6, 2009 Release. Available from: www.eia.doe.gov; Alliance to Save Energy. “Lower Winter Fuel Costs + Mild Weather + Energy Efficiency + Federal Tax Credits = Good News for Consumers.” http://ase.org/content/news/detail/6163)