FYI Huntington

Cooler days are on the horizon. As the mercury drops, energy consumption to heat the home tends to rise. Individuals concerned about making environmentally friendly heating choices may wonder just what can be done to stay green -- and save some green in the process.

 

The average North American homeowner spends about $800 to $1000 for the winter season heating his or her home. Those who rely on natural gas tend to spend less overall than homeowners who use propane, electric or oil to fuel their furnaces. Reducing reliance on heating fuel benefits the planet and most people's wallets.

Did you know that, according to the National Fire Protection Association, most people have a false sense of security regarding house fires, believing that they would have approximately six minutes to evacuate their home in the event of a fire?

 

In reality, smoke and fire spread rapidly and can overcome occupants in less than three minutes.

While new homes are being built to be more energy efficient than ever before, thanks to a growing green building movement and increasingly strict building codes, the age of existing dwellings continues to present challenges. More than 40 percent of the housing stock in the United States was built before 1969 and simply wouldn't stand up to today's standards. Yet, much can be done to help homeowners improve their building envelope to reduce energy use and increase efficiency.

For those who live in older homes, the transition to colder weather can be extra disheartening, as the vision of expensive heating bills, chilly rooms and drafty windows dance in their heads. However, it's easy to change the outlook from cold to cozy with a few simple DIY solutions.