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Minnesota House of Representatives

State Representative Debra Hilstrom

379 State Office BuildingState Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-3709

For more information contact: Christina Gosack 651-296-5524

Posted: 2005-10-20 00:00:00
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NEWS COLUMN

How to Beat High Winter Heating Costs

As winter approaches, area residents are bracing themselves for high heating prices. Natural gas prices this winter are expected to be 50% higher than one year ago, and heating oil prices will be 30% higher. Most of the price increase is being blamed on Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, although prices may stay high because of increased global demand for both oil and gas.

Whatever the cause, there are a number of steps residents can take to reduce their heating bills. These range from turning down the heat to investing in energy-efficient appliances. Minnesota offers energy assistance and weatherization for residents at or below 50% of the state's medium income.

Don't forget: Minnesota's Cold Weather Rule protects you from having your heat cut off from October 15 to April 15, provided you contact your natural gas utility and establish a payment plan.


Keep heating costs low with conservation.
There are a number of steps you can take to lower your heating bills. Here are some suggestions:
· Turn down the heat when you go to bed or leave the house. For every degree you lower your heat in the 60-degree to 70-degree range, you'll save up to 5% on heating costs.
· Replace or clean furnace filters once a month.
· Turn your hot water heater to the "normal" setting or 120°F.
· Seal up leaks around doors, windows, vents or pipes.
· Consider replacing old gas appliances with an efficient Energy Star rated water heater or furnace.
· Don't forget to turn off kitchen or bathroom ventilation fans; they can draw heated air from your home through the exhaust vent.
For more suggestions and instructions on conducting a home energy audit, check out the Commerce Department's Energy Information Center website at www.commerce.state.mn.us (click on "consumer info", then "energy info") or by calling 651-296-5175.

Both Xcel and CenterPoint Energy also offer home energy audits that can help you assess the most cost effective energy-saving improvements to make on your home. Xcel charges $35 for the audit to your next bill, to sign up call 1-800-895-4999. CenterPoint Energy offers two levels of energy audits, one for $25 and another for $100; you can sign up by calling 612-321-5011.


Explore a payment plan.
Most utilities offer their customers payment plans to even out the high winter heating costs over the course of the year. This can be especially helpful for seniors or others living on a fixed income. Contact your utility to set up a payment plan.


Apply for energy assistance.
Assistance is available to customers having trouble paying their heating bills. To be eligible, you must have an annual income at or below 50% of state medium income - $26,089 for a family of two or $44,505 for a family of five.
· Call Minnesota's energy assistance office at 1-800-657-3805 for information about assistance programs. Weatherization assistance is also available.
· The Heating Assistance provider for Brooklyn Center and Brooklyn Park is Community Action for Suburban Hennepin: 952-930-3541, 33 Tenth Avenue South, Suite 150, Hopkins.
· The Salvation Army Heat Share program also offers assistance with furnace repair and heating bills: 612-721-1668, 1841 E Lake Street, Minneapolis.


For more information regarding this or any other issue of state government, please contact Rep. Debra Hilstrom at (651) 296-3709, by e-mail at rep.debra.hilstrom@house.mn, or at 375 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Saint Paul, MN 55155.

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