As the days grow colder and oil prices continue to fluctuate, many are expecting some high utility bills this winter, in addition to paying high prices for gasoline. Bill Keith, host of PBS’s Home Tips Show, offers a few suggestions for saving energy at home:
- Consume less. It’s easy, Keith says, to get used to a 680 house in winter.
- Check your attic insulation. The biggest heat loss in a home is through the attic.
- Windows and doors also allow heat to escape. If you have an old door, make sure you have a storm door. Replace single-pane windows with insulating thermopane or install storm windows.
On the road, experts offer these tips to save gasoline:
- When the weather is warm, drive with the air conditioner off in stop-and-go traffic. Use the air conditioner when driving over 60 mph, the speed at which open windows can create drag and decrease fuel economy.
- Check local gasoline prices at www.gasbuddy.com or www.gaspricewatch.com.
- Fill up before you are low on gas so you have the option of choosing an inexpensive station.
- Keep tires properly inflated. Under-inflated tires lower fuel economy.
- Watch your speed. Driving 75 mph instead of 65 mph will lower fuel economy by 10 percent…70 mph instead of 55 mph lowers it by 17 percent.