| Since June 2007, the price of a barrel of crude oil has jumped from $60 to approximately $93. Natural gas prices are also up as we enter the heating season. During the heating season, which roughly runs from the middle of October through April, a household's utility cost can skyrocket, often times quadrupling at the height of the winter season in January and February. While high heating costs can put a crimp in the budget of the typical middle class family, depending upon how new and well insulated their home is, a sudden escalation of energy costs can have a devastating impact on economically-challenged households. A spike in the monthly bill can force a family to make a choice between eating and heat. True, there is a state-imposed moratorium that prohibits energy companies from cutting off households for the non-payment of their monthly utility bill during the heating season. But non-payment during the heating season only delays the inevitable a total cut-off of gas and electricity. And, in some cases, it can lead to the eviction of the family from an apartment. And while there are energy subsidies available through Energy Services, they are not enough to cover a family's entire energy tab. While the cost of energy will more than likely continue to consume a higher portion of our household incomes, there are little things that the average renter can do to reduce their energy dependence. While a renter may feel that reducing the energy bill is the landlord's responsibility, more than likely, it isn't the landlord's responsibility to pay that monthly utility bill. And there are steps that any renter -- or home owner for that matter -- can take that can have a substantial impact on their energy usage depending upon the condition of their housing unit. While one measure taken to conserve energy may not make the difference on its own, implementing a number of energy-conserving measures can result in savings and mean the difference between paying that utility bill or facing a cut-off when April rolls around. In the interest of helping economically-challenged renters reduce their energy dependence and make it through the year without a cut-off, The Capital City Hues has teamed up with Madison Gas & Electric and the Wexford Ridge Women Rise Up Program to run a series of articles during the winter months to promote energy conservation. During the next six months, we will be following the energy conservation efforts of Helen Montgomery and Brenda Bollig, two heads of household who live in the Wexford Ridge Apartments. Helen has lived in an older apartment for the past year and is in between jobs, an added incentive to save on her energy bill. Brenda recently moved into a townhouse that had been refurbished. She takes care of her two grandchildren. We will follow Helen and Brenda as they access services and implement measures on their own to deal with the energy monster. In our initial interviews with Helen and Brenda, Charles Warner, our residential services specialist from MG&E who will be our guide through the energy conservation world, remarked how savvy Helen and Brenda already are andcognizant of the impact that energy has on their budgets. With a chill in the air, each of them had already started taking measures to reduce their energy dependence. Yet each of the interviews uncovered measures that each of them could take to drive that monthly utility bill down even farther. Part 2 of this series will report on Helen and Brenda's initial energy assessments and track the measures they can implement on their own. |
| Spotlight on Energy Paying attention to the little things to save energy By Jonathan Gramling Part 1 |
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| CONSERVE ENERGY, SAVE MONEY As outside temperatures drop, families spend more time inside and need to reduce their high energy costs. These simple, basic steps can help lower your monthly bill and improve home comfort. 1) Save heating costs by keeping the temperature 68 deg. F or lower during the day or when you are away. Turn the heat down even further at night while sleeping (no lower than 55 deg. F.) For every 1 deg. F decrease, you can save 1% on your energy bill. 2) Wear sweaters and other warm clothing to be more comfortable at lower temperature settings. Open window drapes during the day to allow in sunlight, close them at night. 3) Apply removable plastic film on your windows to cut down on heat loss and cold drafts. 4) Install compact fluorescent bulbs in your most-used lighting fixtures. They last about 10 times longer than standard incandescent bulbs and can save you roughly $45 per year in electric costs. 5) Cook in a microwave rather than an oven. This heats your food faster and uses less energy. 6) Use the cold water wash cycle on your washing machine to save approximately 25 cent per load. 7) Clean your clothes dryer's lint trap after each load. Your clothes will dry faster, safer, and you will save money. 8) Run the dishwasher only with full loads. This saves energy and detergent. 9) Unplug unused appliances (cell phone chargers, home electronics) especially those with digital clocks and remote control access. These "vampire" appliances use energy even if they are turned off. Implementing even a few of these practices will generate immediate savings on your next energy bill. And sustaining your energy efficient practices will translate into savings on a regular monthly basis. If these energy saving practices aren't enough to make your bills manageable, financial assistance is available to help qualified households with their heating and electric bills. Energy Services, Inc., located at 1225 S Park St is currently taking applications for energy assistance. Call 608-267-8601 for program eligibility information or to schedule an appointment. And for more information on these or other energy-saving options, please contact MGE at 252-7117. We're here to help.-- Charles Warner, Madison Gas & Electric |
| (Above) Charles Warner and Brenda Bollig look to see if her refrigerator is energy efficient; (r) Warner; (center) this AC will be removed and the hole sealed for the heating season |
| (Top right) MGE's Charles Warner inspects a furnace; (r) Helen Montgomery talks about energy conservation. |