Stay Warm, Save Money
We're not surprised if you start to shiver when you hear that natural gas costs are predicted to increase up to 70% this winter, and that prices for propane, oil, and electricity aren't far behind. But save your parka for the ski slopes: you don't have to stay cold to save money this winter. We have strategies for keeping you warm while your heating costs drop.

Savings start with installing an efficient heating system and solid insulation.

High-Efficiency Heating—More Heat for Less
Even if your old furnace runs well, it may be converting only a fraction of fuel energy into heat. That means it's literally burning up a chunk of the money you spend on fuel. In fact, if your furnace is over 20 years old it's probably more expensive to keep using it than to replace it. So if it's time to make the switch choose a heating system that generates the maximum amount of heat for the fuel you purchase: some newer high-efficiency models convert 90% of available fuel energy into heat! The high efficiency unit may be more expensive, but your fuel savings will pay for the extra cost in 3-4 years, which is a fraction of the furnace's lifetime.

Make Sure All Your Heat is Reaching You
After investing in an efficient heating system don't forget to repair and seal ductwork. Up to 60% of heated air can be lost in leaky ducts long before it makes it to the your living room. Also remember that *you* hold the power to govern the thermostat. If you nudge it down for working and sleeping hours you won't be around to notice the drop in temperature, but you'll sure know it when your heating bill drops by 14%.

Effective Insulation Starts With Windows
Unless you can count on the neighbors to pitch in on your energy costs you'll want to keep your heat to yourself by carefully insulating your home. Your home's most vulnerable point is its windows.

Frosted windowpanes might sound romantic around the holidays, but you'll have a change of heart when you open your New Year's heating bill. If ice forms on your windows that's a bad sign: it means your heat is escaping. But you can prevent this by choosing windows with a high insulating value. Double panes and gas fills create a thicker barrier between you and the outdoors, making it harder for heat to escape.

Panes with reflective coating (called "low-e" panes) reflect heat back into your house rather than allow it to radiate outside. A window with these thermal properties can be 4 times more efficient than a typical single pane window, and installing them can decrease your heating bill by one-third. This means the replacement project could pay for itself over time.

Alternative Heating—Other "Fuels for Thought"
If you're dizzy from fluctuating oil and gas prices, take a balanced look at alternative energy sources. Heat pumps transfer heat into your home from the outside air or the ground, wood or pellet burning furnaces use biomass to generate heat, and radiant heat sources can harness solar energy. Different climates have different heating needs and different fuel types cost less in some regions, so consider alternative fuels that may be more economical in your location. Consult with Carew Heating & AC about what's best for your area.

Invest in Your Home Now, Stay Warm Winter After Winter
Remember the definition of an investment? It's "something acquired for future financial benefit". Yes, these projects can be expensive. Like a high-efficiency furnace, windows with high insulating value are an investment. So take a look at the road ahead. If you make good choices now you'll see a profit waiting