ZsDEAS Easy Ways To Help Reduce Heating Bills (NAPSA)—Interest is heating up in ways to save on rising energy costs. The U.S. Energy Information Administration predicts that those who heat their houses with natural gas—about 57 percent of U.S. households—will see an average rise of 48 percent in prices. Owners of gas-heated homes should expect to spend an average of $1,096 this winter. Those that heat with electricity—29 percent of U.S. households—should see an average increase of 5 percent, and those that heat with oil or propane should expect increases of 30 percent and above. Below are some tips from Hunter Douglas, a pioneer in energy-efficient window fashions, who developed the Duette honeycomb shadein 1985: * Weatherize—Seal up any holes that air could leak through, weather-strip doors and insulate attic floors. Insulate—Don’t just insulate your attic. Ten to 25 percent of a heating bill goes out the window, literally. Duette honeycomb shades, boasting a honeycomb structure that traps air in the honeycomb cells and high R-values, can dramatically increase energy savings at the window. Insulation is measured in Rvalues andthe higher the R-value, the better a window resists the transfer of heat. By selecting an energy-efficient window treatment, you can increase the R-value up to four times. Duette honeycomb shades with three layers of honeycombcells more than double the energy efficiency of a double-glazed window and nearly quadruple the efficiency of a single pane of glass w= CT Invest in energy-efficient window fashions because 10 to 25 per- cent of your heating bill goes out the window—literally. with a very high insulating Rvalue of4.8. Improve and maintain your mechanical systems—Service and clean your gasoroil furnace at least once a year. Replace your thermostat with a programmable one that allows you to set temperatures at different times. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, turning the heat down from 72 to 65 degrees for at least eight hours a day can reduce heating bills ten percent. Tom Silva of PBS’s “This Old House” suggests removing air-conditioning units in the fall because they invite drafts. Or, use an insulated jacket on the exterior. Landscape—Plant deciduous trees on the south and east sides of your home. Stop chilling winter winds by planting evergreen trees and shrubs on the north and westsides. For more information, contact Hunter Douglas at 1-800-2742985 or visit www.hunterdouglas. com.
