he winter heating season is quickly approaching and by now we all know the bad news that this year our heating in the Northeast is going to cost us a lot more than last year.
In most U.S. buildings, heating and cooling accounts for about 56% of the energy use, making it the largest energy expense for most of us. Typically, each summer, many heating-oil providers offer customers the option to sign up for price protection programs, which allow them to lock in prices on heating oil or natural gas well before a chill starts to tinge the air. However, after months of sharp increases in heating oil prices, many providers are suspending the programs this year, leaving consumers to weather the rise and fall of oil and natural gas prices on their own.
According to the Energy Information Administration, the absence of these programs means property owners will need to brace themselves for a costly heating season ahead, as heating oil prices are projected to rise 29% to $4.46 per gallon in the fourth quarter of 2008 from $3.16 per gallon during the same period last year.
Those who use natural gas to heat their buildings shouldn’t expect to fare much better. The EIA projects the average price of natural gas to rise 27% year over year from $12.65 per thousand cubic feet in the fourth quarter of 2007 to $17.21 per thousand cubic feet in fourth quarter of 2008
These bleak projections don’t factor in possible disruptions in crude oil and natural gas production that could occur during the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June to November.
When looking for ways to save energy, think about not only improving your existing systems but also consider the energy efficiency of replacing aged equipment/products.
Now is the time for property owners to start thinking about ways to conserve on energy consumption with in the following areas:
Heat & Cooling
- Check filters on all of your heating & cooling equipment
- Have a programmable thermostat
- Insulate water pipes and ducting
- Cover unused open vents
- Install insulated window treatments to keep unwanted heat out in the summer and cold in the winter.
- Check insulation in attic, ceilings, exterior and basement walls, floors and crawl spaces to see if it meets the levels recommended.
- Check for air leaks include cracks around windows and doors, gaps along baseboard, mail chutes, cracks in brick, siding, stucco or foundation or where external lines enter building. Plug air leaks with caulking, sealing or weather stripping to save 10% or more on your energy bill.
If your HVAC systems or windows have been in place for a number of years, it may be beneficial to replace these products with new energy efficient products which will not only add value to your building but save you dollars in the long run.
Lighting
The quantity and quality of light around us determines how well we see, work, and play. Light affects our health, safety, morale, comfort, and productivity. In our daily life we can save energy while still maintaining a good light quantity and quality by:
- Turning off decorative outdoor lights or using outdoor lights with a photocell unit so they will turn on only at night.
- Take advantage of daylight by opening curtains at windows.
- Use sensors on interior light switching to automatically turn on or off lights as needed.
- Install fluorescent light fixtures for all ceiling and wall mounted fixture that will be on for more than 2 hours each day.
- When replacing light fixtures use only Energy Star labeled fixtures.
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