ICPA’s Energy Conservation Technicians Can Help Cut Home Heating Bills

Energy Conservation Technicians Are Ready To Help Connecticut Residents Reduce Costs, No Matter What Fuel They Use

June 24, 2008 ( Cromwell , Conn. ) – The Independent Connecticut Petroleum Association today unveiled materials that will help consumers cut their home heating costs this winter, no matter what fuel they use to stay warm. Everyone is aware that electricity costs have risen dramatically in the last few years, gasoline prices have spiked, heating oil costs have risen and natural gas commodity costs have gone up 83% just between January and June this year.  All of the energy sources we rely on are rising in cost and while government sorts out how to deal with that reality, all of us can reduce the burden of those costs now.

“Energy conservation is the best way to lower costs and our trained, state licensed Energy Conservation Technicians work every day to help consumers keep their heating and cooling systems not just running, but running at peak efficiency to help control costs,” Gene Guilford, the executive director of the ICPA, said. “There are a number of good investments that consumers can make to reduce the amount of energy they use, and our Energy Conservation Technicians can help people make the most cost-effective improvements.”

The ICPA materials include a brochure called “Controlling Energy Costs,” developed by the organization’s Technical Education Center . It spells out specific ways people can use less fuel, reduce their carbon footprint and take advantage of tax breaks for improving energy efficiencies. The brochure is available directly from ICPA members, or on the ICPA website at http://www.icpa.org/ControlEnergyCosts.pdf

Among the recommendations:

•   An annual energy conservation check-up for home heating systems – keeping the system running cleanly and efficiently can cut fuel consumption by 5 percent or more.

•  Programmable thermostats. For very little money, using a programmable thermostat cuts fuel usage by as much as 5 percent and pays for itself almost immediately. Make sure to have a licensed professional install the thermostat so that it works properly and does what you need it to do!

•  Insulate heating pipes. Inexpensive insulation on heating pipes or ductwork raises efficiencies and lowers costs by as much as 5 percent.

•   Replace old, drafty windows with Energy Star certified windows – replacing older windows with new high efficiency windows can save up to 15 percent

•  Insulate the home – a home energy audit can reveal where better insulation could help, and improved insulation can cut fuel use by as much as 30 percent.

•   Upgrade an outmoded heating system – new Oilheat systems can achieve efficiencies as high as 96 percent and can cut fuel usage by nearly 50 percent.

“Our materials make specific recommendations about how people can cut their home heating oil bills and take advantage of tax programs aimed at encouraging energy conservation,” Guilford said. “These are specific things people can do right now to cut their costs well before the next heating season.”

Consumers can learn more about the full range of their energy conservation options, including loan programs to help make energy efficiency improvements very easy, by going to http://www.icpa.org/ConsumerInfo.htm

ICPA represents more than 540 Connecticut based independent businesses. These businesses employ 13,000 Connecticut citizens and supply the majority of our state's 1,600 motor fuels outlets and 350 heating fuels dealers. ICPA's offices are at 10 Alcap Ridge, Cromwell, CT  06416.  For more information about today's Press Release, contact Gene Guilford or Chris Herb.