Experts Predicting Harsh Winter; Is Your Heating System Ready?
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Wed, Nov 18, 2009
Conserve Energy and Decrease Your Gas Use
A bumper acorn crop has naturalists predicting a harsh winter from the Midwest through the Northeast. The reasoning goes that more acorns mean fatter squirrels; and when squirrels start packing in the calories, it’s a sure sign of a cold winter coming. Whether you subscribe to the acorn theory of weather prediction or hail from the wooly caterpillar school of meteorology, you’d better prepare for a cold, snowy winter this year. From the venerable Farmers’ Almanac to the statistics-driven scientists at the National Weather Service, meteorologists are warning that while weather conditions may be warm and dry across America’s western states, Midwesterners should prepare for frigid temperatures and plenty of snow this winter.
Heat Your Home for Less this Winter
The good news is that it should cost you considerably less to heat your home this coming winter. Compared to last year, natural gas prices have dropped considerably and are expected to remain low all winter. According to the American Gas Association, plentiful domestic natural gas supplies and lower wellhead prices have driven down the cost of natural gas in the U.S. Consumer suppliers have taken advantage of decreasing market prices to increase winter storage quantities. Consumers are expected to benefit from lower fuel bills all winter, a welcome relief for cash-strapped Ohioans.
Even though gas bills are expected to be lower this winter, heating costs can still take a big bite out of your budget. Follow these tips to conserve energy and decrease your gas use:
- Schedule a thorough furnace inspection and cleaning with your heating/cooling professional. Annual inspections ensure that your furnace will run efficiently and safely all through the heating season.
- To boost efficient operation, have your heating professional set your furnace’s internal thermostat for the longest and, therefore, fewest number of cycles. This simple adjustment can decrease energy use (and increase savings on your gas bill) by as much as 15%.
Reduce your winter heating costs with a heating performance check.