Aging Issues: Winterproof Your Residence - Ohio Department of Aging

Aging Issues

Winterproof Your Residence

January 2006

Winter is upon us and it won't be long before the snow and ice settle on our window sills. As the mercury drops and the dials on our thermostats are turned up, we'll feel the sting of the rising heating price.

The average family spends $1,500 a year on energy bills, with nearly half of that spent on heating and cooling. Analysts at the U.S. Department of Energy predict that most Americans will pay 32 to 48 percent more to heat their homes this winter than they did last year. According to the Department, the average natural gas consumer will pay $350 more over the winter. Users of propane, fuel oil and electricity will see similar but less significant increases in cost.

Here are some tips to prepare your home for winter:

Clean or change the filters in your heating system at least once every 2 months.
Seal cracks and gaps in doors and windows with weather-stripping, caulk or other sealant to guard against drafts.
Cover windows and unused doors with thin plastic sheeting secured with double-sided tape to prevent drafts.
Install storm windows and doors.
Remove or cover window air conditioners.
When the sun is shining, open your drapes or blinds and warm your house naturally. Close them at night to reduce heat loss.
Seal the bottoms of doors with rubber sweeps and strips attached to the threshold.
Check the insulation in your home. Add more insulation, or replace old and damaged insulation as needed.
Move carpets and furniture away from vents.
Cover your hot water tank with a store-bought insulation jacket.
Use foil to cover pipes that carry hot water, especially through unheated parts of the house.
Install a programmable thermostat, which can lower temperatures automatically at night and when you're out of the house.
Run ceiling fans clockwise at a low speed to circulate heat that gathers near the ceiling.

The Ohio Department of Development sponsors several Energy Assistance Programs to help low-income Ohioans of all ages meet the high cost of heating their homes:

Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) helps low-income Ohioans of all ages pay heating bills. In 2005, Governor Taft allocated an additional $75 million for the HEAP program to increase individual benefits by 10 percent. In addition, as many as 70,000 more households will be eligible this year, thanks to new guidelines.

Emergency HEAP assists households that have had utilities disconnected, face disconnection or have a 10-day supply (or less) of bulk fuel.

Percentage of Income Payment Plan is an extended payment plan that requires regulated gas and electric companies to accept payments based on a percentage of household income for qualifying customers.

The Home Weatherization Assistance Program helps qualifying low-income homeowners and renters reduce energy consumption while increasing the comfort of their homes.

Contact your Area Agency on Aging at 1-866-243-5678 for more information and assistance applying for these programs.