Posted by: Noel Jones
I have just heard the good news from Rep. Bob Freeman's office that low-moderate income residents will be able to save on their heating bills this winter because LIHEAP has been extended and increased. See his message below:
LIHEAP program extended, grant amounts increased
Pennsylvania's Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, also known as LIHEAP, will increase cash grant amounts by $100 and extend the program through April 2.
LIHEAP helps income-eligible households pay for heat during the
winter months and is administered by the state Department of Public Welfare. A family of four with an annual income of up to $33,075 can qualify for this assistance.
winter months and is administered by the state Department of Public Welfare. A family of four with an annual income of up to $33,075 can qualify for this assistance.
LIHEAP's closing date has been extended from March 15 to April 2.
For more information, please call the Northampton County Assistance office at 610-250-1700. Applications are also available online.
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If you qualify, call right away, and if you don't, but know a family on your block that might be able to get some help getting through these cold winter months, please give them the phone number above so that they can take advantage of this program!
What's your secret for keeping heating bills down on the cheap during the cold months? We close off certain rooms in winter and seal off key windows with plastic kits, but our oil bills are still pretty atrocious Nov-Feb. And that's with keeping our heat between 62-66 degrees! So I totally relate with the cartoon above!
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8 comments:
you have to identify drafts, they are the worst. AND, it's not always windows! lots of people waste money on new windows (only 15% of heat loss is through the windows)and should instead concentrate on door seals and insulation. check your attic; you should have R-19 or greater (R-30 even) insulation up there (heat rises, after all).
we got tired of the games the oil companies make so we converted to gas last year; best thing I could have done. much cleaner burn (I haven't needed to change the filter yet, while w/ oil it was every few months). we have a thermo-pride furnace in great shape, forced air, and keep our t-stat 64 or less. our 3 stories are very comfortable and economical.
Wish I would have known that before I spend 9K on my new windows!!
I'm really hoping some of the weatherization money will come my way. From what my neighbor says our house is insulated with newspaper!
uh oh. we have oil, and i didn't know that the filter needs to be cleaned...thanks for the info EHB.
everybody please post your tips here--this may be news to more than just this first-time home buyer--thanks!
Nikkita- window salesmen are among the worst there are for markups and scaring you into purchasing. also what they don't tell you is, if you are replacing windows that have sash cords and weights, that whole cavity needs to be filled w/ insulation to be truly effective. but most guys just come in there, tear out the old stuff, silicone in the new vinyl junk and call it a day.
old homes deserve to have the original windows restored.
also, old wood framed houses aren't insulated, and most of your heat is leaving right through the walls. the best investment to make is to have insulation blown in to the cavities between the wall studs.
Noel- oil burners HAVE to have the filter replaced regularly, sometimes every 90 days or so. it's a big flat filter behind a panel on your furnace. look for a twist handle. the measurements will be marked on the filter and you can get a replacement at home depot.
Thanks--I'll go look!
We have removable interior storm windows to maintain the exterior historic appearance.
Earl took off most, soon all, of our exterior storm windows that came with the place 25 yrs. ago. The interior storms actually keep the house completely draft free and the house is now as quiet as a tomb, an amazing difference compared to the exterior storms.
Tim,
I like the exterior type because of the extra protection they afford for the wood framed windows. my 3rd floor windows that never had storms installed were rotted to sawdust.
but I do agree, interior 'invisible' type storms are nice looking.
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