web1_Franklin-Maryland.jpg

Penn State loses veteran tackle Andrew Nelson for the season

web1_Goldstein.jpg

Phil Goldstein: Retirees should consider moving 401(k)s to IRAs

<p>Rather than shiver this winter, take steps now to keep your home warm and conserve cash.</p><p>The average American family spends about $2,000 each year on energy costs, yet much of that money essentially floats out the (unsealed) window or gets wasted through other inefficiencies, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. The problem can be exacerbated in Northeastern Pennsylvania, where cold temperatures and an aging housing stock often combine to send people&#8217;s bills through the (thinly insulated) roof.</p><p>For some homeowners, it makes good financial sense to spend thousands of dollars this fall for new windows, or to drop hundreds on adequate attic insulation. (For inspiration, visit <a href="http://insulationinstitute.org" target="_blank">insulationinstitute.org</a>.) Those big expenditures can be recouped in the form of lower energy bills during future seasons spent in the home.</p><p>This week&#8217;s column, however, is devoted to less-expensive &#8211; possibly even free &#8211; methods of containing your heating costs. The following tips, and many more, can be found online at <a href="http://energy.gov/energysaver/energy-saver" target="_blank">energy.gov/energysaver</a>.</p><p>&#8226; Use the sun to your advantage. On cloudless days, open the curtains or blinds on your home&#8217;s south-facing windows so that sunlight can enter and naturally heat the room. At dusk, close the curtains to cut the chill.</p><p>&#8226; Install programmable thermostats. Use them to automatically lower the thermostat setting while you&#8217;ll be sleeping or away from the house for extended times. (Or manually turn back your traditional thermostats during those hours.) You can save 10 percent a year on heating/cooling costs by reducing your thermostat&#8217;s temperature setting 10 degrees to 15 degrees for those eight hours when you&#8217;re snoozing, the Department of Energy estimates.</p><p>&#8226; Reduce the temperature setting of your water heater to 120 degrees. &#8220;Water heating accounts for about 18 percent of the energy consumed in your home,&#8221; according to the department&#8217;s website.</p><p>&#8226; Plug air leaks. Use weatherstripping or caulk to seal gaps around drafty doors and windows. Likewise, apply spray foam insulation or other draft-stopping material in gaps around chimneys, at the spots where pipes penetrate walls and around recessed lights.</p><p>&#8226; Cover older, inefficient windows. Seal a sheet of heavy-duty plastic to the window frame to limit cold-air infiltration. Add insulating drapes or shades to particularly draft-prone windows and sliding glass doors.</p><p>&#8226; Have your furnace, fireplace or other heating system routinely serviced.</p><p>Find and adopt other easy energy-saving ideas before the snow flies, such as buying more efficient light bulbs (and holiday lights), closing off unused rooms and, of course, pulling on a thicker sweater &#8211; rather than cranking up the heat &#8211; when temperatures plummet.</p><p>Don&#8217;t forget to check with your utility company for potential rebates on energy-saving equipment and upgrades. Allentown-based electric provider PPL, for instance, recently had information on its website, at <a href="https://www.pplelectric.com/" target="_blank">pplelectric.com</a>, regarding <a href="https://pplelectricsavings.com/Appliance/Products" target="_blank">potential rebates</a> for certain refrigerators, water heaters and smart thermostats.</p><p>Also, if your family struggles to pay its heating bill, you can apply for assistance beginning Nov. 1 through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. For information on income eligibility and other guidelines, visit <a href="http://bit.ly/29cnJuB" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/29cnJuB.</a> Or call the state&#8217;s LIHEAP hotline at 1-866-857-7095.</p><style>
.neFileBlock {
	margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.neFileBlock p {
	margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;
}
.neFileBlock .neFile {
	border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
	padding-bottom: 5px;
	padding-top: 10px;
}
.neFileBlock .neCaption {
	font-size: 85%;
}
</style>
<div class='neFileBlock'>
<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_MarkJonesMug.jpg">
<div class="neCaption"></div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_MarkJonesMug.jpg</photo0><caption0></caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>Consumer Watchdog</p><p>Mark Jones</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Mark Jones is the Times Leader&#8217;s opinion page editor. Reach him at 570-991-6122 or mjones@www.timesleader.com.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Consumer Watchdog: Save money on home-heating costs without spending a fortune