Energy
Efficiency is Best Investment for Countering Rising Winter
Heating Fuel Costs, Says Alliance to Save Energy
Washington, D.C., October 9,
2007 /Alliance to Save Energy/ -– Consumers facing higher
winter heating costs of 4 to 22 percent – depending on which
fuel powers their home – can use energy efficiency to keep
those costs in check while remaining comfortable, advises the
Alliance to Save Energy.
According to the Winter Fuels
Outlook released today by the Energy Information
Administration (EIA), projected costs for natural gas, heating
oil, propane, and electricity are all expected to increase
this winter compared with the costs for the winter of
2006-07. This increase continues a trend that began in the
winter of 2001-02 and was broken only last year when heating
costs fell or held steady with those of the year before.
EIA is projecting that the
average U.S. household will have to spend about $88, or 10
percent, more than last year on heating fuel this winter, for
a total of about $975 in heating costs. The largest increase
will hit users of heating oil, who face a 22 percent, or $319,
increase. Natural gas costs are projected to increase by 10
percent, or $78; propane by 16 percent, or $221; and
electricity by 4 percent, or $32.
“Energy efficiency is the
best way to counter this continuing trend of rising winter
heating costs,” Alliance President Kateri Callahan advised.
“Not only can energy efficiency lessen the increase in winter
energy bills fed by higher fuel costs, it also will ensure
that consumers remain warm and comfortable in their homes this
winter, regardless of the weather."
Callahan continued, “The
Alliance also encourages consumers to take advantage of the
last few months during which they can receive a federal income
tax credit of up to $500 for certain energy-efficiency home
improvements. Those tax credits will expire at midnight on
December 31, 2007.”
Consumers can learn how to
arm themselves against rising fuel costs with simple yet
effective energy-efficiency measures at
www.ase.org/consumers.
Information about the federal
income tax credits is at
www.ase.org/taxcredits, a site developed by the Alliance
in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy.
About the
Alliance to Save Energy
The Alliance to Save Energy is a
coalition of prominent business, government, environmental,
and consumer leaders who promote the efficient and clean use
of energy worldwide to benefit consumers, the environment,
economy, and national security.
Source: Alliance to Save Energy
CONTACT: Ronnie Kweller T:
202-530-2203, C: 202-276-9327 or Rozanne Weismann T:
202-530-2217
Website:
www.ase.org/taxcredits
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