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Saving on Heating Expenses

Most places in North Dakota have been enjoying a relatively warm November, but that won`t last long. And that means you`ll soon be paying more to heat your home. Experts say there are some basic steps anybody can take to cut down on the monthly bill.

But if you`re serious about it, you`d better start now, before any more snow falls.

The last leaves are dropping, which means winter will soon arrive, and energy experts say homeowners should start planning for next month.

"A lot of the caulkings are water-based. They aren`t going to work when it`s below freezing. A lot of the adhesives on the weather stripping won`t stick to cold surfaces," said Jeff Hintz, owner of Kirkwood Ace Hardware. "Now`s the time they should be out doing this stuff."

Sealing up your windows with clear plastic may do the job just fine. The plastic ranges in price from around $15 to around $40 for heavy duty vinyl.

Hintz said, "The drafts through the windows, the doors, cracks of the house are a huge thing. You can save a lot of money patching those up. "

Many people who want to save on heat will simply dial back the thermostat. And just about any hardware store in town also sells programmable models that`ll keep the indoor temp at a constant rate.

"Every one degree you set it back, you can expect to save about one percent on your heating bill," said Mark Hanson with MDU Resource Group.

Or if you plan to stay in your home for at least five years and you have at least $10,000 saved up, investing in spray foam insulation can be a wise decision. Experts say it can cut your bill in half during the winter.

"You`re going to keep all of your air and filtration on the outside of the building, where with fiberglass, cold air has a chance to get inside the wall cavity," explained Pro-Foam Insulation owner Mike Murray.

Murray says the foam not only helps in the winter and summer, it also adds to the value of the home, which will put a little more change in your pocket.

If you`re in the market for a new furnace, Hanson says there are rebates currently available through the federal government. They expire at the end of the year.

You can find out more on how you can save by going to MDU`s website.