Protect Your Home From Rising Energy Costs

Home heating costs are expected to make double-digit leaps this winter, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Residential oil prices during the upcoming home heating season are expected to increase 31 percent over last year and consumers this year will likely pay an average of $2,644. Natural gas customers also are expected to see significant price increases — about 22 percent over last year with an average cost of $1,059. These figures represent national figures, but in the Inland Northwest, we can expect to pay less. In September, Avista requested just a 1 percent increase for Washington customers and 4 percent for its Idaho customers. The figures reflect a rapid drop in wholesale natural gas prices from the highs set in the summer. The regional utility earlier had anticipated a double-digit rate hike, and notified customers of this possibility as early as July. Whether homeowners live in this area or other parts of the country, many are investing in home improvements to help save them money by reducing their demand for home heating fuel and their home’s overall energy consumption. Windows can play a large role in a home’s annual heating budget. Poor performing windows can account for up to 40 percent of a home’s heat loss during the winter. With today’s high cost of energy, that’s money going right out the window. Paul Delahunt, president of Renewal by Andersen, says replacing old, leaky windows with new, energy-efficient windows can have a big impact on helping reduce your energy bills — making today the perfect time to tackle that window replacement project you’ve been thinking about. Choosing energy efficient windows Because windows have an impact on both heat loss and heat gain, your decision on what type of windows to buy will be among the most important decisions you will make in terms of energy use. Delahunt offers advice for choosing the most energy efficient replacement windows: * Look for the ENERGY STAR label. Products with the ENERGY STAR label can help you achieve substantial savings on heating and cooling costs. * Invest in windows with Low-E glass. The state-of-the-art transparent metallic films in Low-E glass regulate and optimize the amount of heat and sunlight that is allowed inside a home - helping to increase energy efficiency. * Look for the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) label. It means the window’s performance is certified and provides an “apples-to-apples” comparison between products. * Check the U-Factor. A window with a lower U-Factor has better insulation properties - in colder climates, a factor of 0.35 or lower is recommended. * Make sure windows are properly installed to provide long-term energy efficiency. Energy efficient windows — Helping to achieve a better environment Energy efficiency has long been a concern for homeowners. But as energy prices rise and environmental issues intensify, Delahunt says more homeowners than ever are seeking windows that will help achieve both energy efficiency and comfort in the home, while protecting their families and the environment. Homeowners considering home improvement projects are increasingly interested in ensuring the products they install don’t degrade the indoor air quality of their home. Some building materials can release toxins into the air through evaporation — a process called off-gassing. This off-gassing can continue for years after the products are initially installed which means you continue to breathe these chemicals as you live and sleep in your home. For more information on replacement windows and energy efficiency, visit www.renewalbyandersen.com.