Expert Sources from Lennox Provide Tips for Increasing Home Comfort and Lowering Utility Bills this Winter

While this winter has been relatively mild so far, homeowners throughout the country are facing higher heating bills. In fact, according to the Energy Information Administration, U.S. consumers are expected to pay on average $921 to heat their homes during the traditional home heating season (from October through March), compared with $786 during the last heating season.

Homeowners who heat their homes with heating oil are expected to pay the most—$1,394 on average or 16.3 percent more than last year—followed by propane users ($1,252 or 13.6 percent more than last year), natural gas users ($920 or 24 percent more than last year), and electricity users ($753 or 5.1 percent more than last year).

To help homeowners weather the cold winter months, representatives from Lennox Industries, a leading provider of customized home comfort systems, can provide consumers with practical tips for increasing home comfort while saving money.

Tips for lowering heating bills. Following are some simple tips from Lennox to help lower utility bills this winter:

• Seal cracks around windows and doors with caulk or weather stripping.
• Keep blinds open during the day to allow sunlight to enter and heat the home.
• Install a programmable thermostat to adjust the temperature at certain times of the day, automatically keeping the temperature lower when you're away or sleeping at night.
• Clean or replace the natural gas furnace filter every three months to ensure the furnace is running at full efficiency, and check to make sure the home's heating vents are open and not blocked by furniture or curtains.
• Consider replacing an older furnace with a newer, more efficient model.
• Insulate the water heater with a water heater jacket that can be purchased at most hardware stores, and lower the temperature setting on the water heater to save energy.
• Add extra insulation to the attic.
• Make sure roof shingles are intact and flashings around chimneys, skylights, antennas and vents are sealed.