Heat Rises...So May Your Bill

We may be having an Indian summer, but with dropping temperatures just around the corner, you can expect a rising heating bill (http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=2&aid=130388). According to energy officials, the cost of heating oil and natural gas is anticiapted to increase this winter.

Syracuse’s National Grid says residents that own heating oil furnaces will feel the impact much more than natural gas users. Households that use heating oil can expect to see about a four hundred dollar increase this winter. Those that use natural gas will see about a fifty dollar increase (http://www.neada.org/).

A local heating distributor says people do not need to spend big bucks on a more efficient furnace. Simply making some changes at home can mean big savings on your heating bill. Here is a list of some things you can do.

• If you keep your thermostat at a typical 72 to 74 degrees, lower it to 68 to 70 degrees.
• Dress in layers around the house
• Add some additional insulation around windows.