As days get colder, residents of Southwest Virginia will spend more time indoors to seek relief from the weather. Heating and cooling uses more energy and drains more energy dollars than any other home system. Yet, a large portion of that energy is wasted due to correctable problems in the home, and a few simple steps can help reduce home energy costs.

One of the most important parts of the house to maintain is the duct system, a branching network of tubes in the walls, floors and ceilings which carries air from the furnace and central air conditioner to each room. Ducts that leak heated air into unheated spaces can add hundreds of dollars yearly to heating and cooling bills. If the supply ducts are leaking, heated or cooled air can be forced out unsealed joints and lost. Although minor duct repairs are easy to accomplish, more difficult jobs should be handled by a qualified professional using the appropriate sealing materials.

Fireplace efficiency can be increased by following simple steps. The fireplace damper should be closed unless a fire is going. Keeping the damper open is the equivalent of keeping a 48-inch window open during the winter. Heat loss from the fireplace can be reduced by lowering the thermostat to between 50 and 55 degrees, opening the dampers in the bottom of the firebox or opening the nearest window slightly - approximately 1 inch - and closing doors leading into the room when the fireplace is in use. In addition, the seal on the flue damper should be as tight as possible and the fireplace hearth should be caulked. Following these tips will increase the efficiency of the fireplace.

One of the easiest routes to energy efficiency is proper thermostat settings. Savings can be as much as 10 percent each year by simply turning the thermostat back between 10 and 15 percent for eight hours. This change can be accomplished automatically without sacrificing comfort by installing an automatic setback or programmable thermostat. The ability to adjust the temperature according to a pre-set schedule allows individuals to reduce operation of their heating system when they are asleep or when the house or parts of the house are not occupied.

I am also working with my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to help families cope with home heating costs by strengthening the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) which provides financial assistance to low-income individuals to pay a portion of their home heating costs. It is essential that we fully fund this program in order to ensure that households that rely on LIHEAP funding will not be forced to forgo other household necessities in order to heat their homes. I am pleased to report that with my strong support Congress recently approved, and the President signed into law, appropriations legislation increasing funding for LIHEAP by $2.5 billion above the 2008 level. This increased funding will help an additional 2 million households nationwide pay rising home energy bills and will increase the average grant from $355 to $550.

The federal LIHEAP program provides funds for the Commonwealth’s Energy Assistance Program, which is administered by the Virginia Department of Social Services. The Fuel Assistance application is due December 1, 2008. To qualify, a one-person household’s maximum gross monthly income cannot exceed $1,127. For a household of four, the maximum gross monthly income is $2,297. If you wish to apply for the Virginia Fuel Assistance program, contact your local Department of Social Services.

Rick Boucher is Congressman for the 9th District of Virginia, which includes the New River Valley. You can catch his Capitol Commentary regularly at the New River Voice.