Natural gas prices ease this winter

“We had problems getting enough loose fill insulation to meet the demand, and jobs were backed up,” said Raymond Tripp, company president.

This winter, experts don’t expect such spikes, but that’s no reason to forget about conservation, especially when remodeling, they say.

“Anything can happen,” said Cara Shaefer, director of energy management and conservation for City Utilities. Energy efficiency “is not just thinking about one heating or cooling season. It’s thinking in the long term.”

Natural gas, which heats most Springfield homes, cost $1.37 per therm in October 2005. It hit a high of $1.55 per therm in November 2005 but now sits at less than a third – 44 cents per therm – of the peak price.

“We would expect natural gas to be much cheaper than last year when prices were literally extraordinary,” said Ray Ross, CU’s director of pricing.

But, he added, that’s barring any unforeseen events.

Last year, natural gas prices jumped as the result of a long, hot summer and because of hurricanes Katrina and Rita in the Gulf of Mexico.

This year, storms, production problems or other situations could still arise, causing prices to jump once again.

To conserve heat, one of the most cost effective changes a homeowner can make is to improve insulation, Shaefer said. Through 2007, there is also up to $500 in federal tax credits for such improvements, Tripp added.

Residential costs for electricity are about 15 percent higher than last year, which were about 21 percent higher than in 2004. Those increases are primarily due to increases in the cost of fuels used in power generation, Ross said.

Conservation tips

To conserve electricity, homeowners who are remodeling should choose Energy Star certified appliances, which can cut electrical usage significantly, Shaefer said.

To help spur energy conservation efforts, CU has rolled out several programs to encourage it.

First, there is a $15 rebate program for installing programmable thermostats. Details are available by calling (417) 874-8200.

Second, CU expanded its rebate program on compact fluorescent light bulbs, which use one-third the energy of and last 10 times as long as regular incandescent bulbs.

In the past, CU has sponsored a 5,000-bulb program. Starting Oct. 14, 20,000 discounted compact fluorescents will be for sale at Westlake Ace Hardware, 2350 S. Campbell Ave.

Quick fixes

City Utilities offers 10 inexpensive and easy suggestions for conserving energy this winter.

1. Prevent drafts around doors and windows. Weatherstripping around doors and windows will help keep cold air from seeping into your house. A rolled-up towel or rug may also do the trick.

2. Raise the humidity. By keeping the humidity in the home higher, lower temperatures will be necessary for comfort. For example, 75 degrees and 10 percent relative humidity feels the same as 70 degrees and 50 percent humidity.

3. Wrap the water heater. Don’t lose heat through the tank walls. Also adjust the water temperature to between 120 F and 130 F.

4. Don’t heat an empty (or sleeping) house. Install a programmable thermostat or manually adjust it to lower the temperature when occupants are away or asleep.

5. Use the sun. Open shades and draperies during the day to take advantage of the sun’s heat. For each average-size, south-facing window, homeowners can save about $5 in heating costs during the winter.

6. Remove window air conditioners or seal around them. Heat may be lost around window units, and sealing them off will protect them.

7. Notice outlets and switches. If cold air is leaking through your electrical outlets, seal them with foam gaskets, available at most hardware stores.

8. Close the damper. If you don’t, warm interior air will disappear up the chimney.

9. Maintain your furnace. Replace clogged or dirty furnace filters to help the furnace work more efficiently.

10. Check your ducts. You may be losing up to 25 percent of your heat through your ductwork. Seal it, especially in crawlspaces and attics.[[In-content Ad]]