By Joe O’Halloran
As the winter months slowly approach Long Island, the price of heating a household, for some homeowners, goes through the roof, let alone trying to heat your house efficiently. But you don’t have to fear being left out in the cold this season, if you listen to a few simple pieces of advice from local retailerswho can help you stay warm in the house while cooling your wallet, and feeling good at the same time.
Everyone wants to save money and stay warm, and according to one local retailer both are possible if you allow yourself to look around at all options.
“Anybody can talk about products; the key, though, is to talk about and look at products within a particular price range that people are looking for,” says Steven DiMare of Unified Window Systems.
The CEO of the Hempstead facility, which specializes in windows, doors and attic insulation, says people need to look around before settling on a fixture and make sure the price is right for their budget.
“The first thing people do in a recession is shop around, so the contractors who are trying to get the higher price will not get the amount of jobs compared to those contractors who charge less for the same job,” DiMare says.
DiMare says that although the economy is rough, the federal government is encouraging people to purchase heat-saving improvements for their home with its stimulus package. With the package, certain windows and doors are eligible for a 30 percent tax credit—up to $1500 for the consumer—until the end of 2010.
Les Levy, owner of Window World in Freeport, says the stimulus plan is a win-win situation for both consumers and his business.
According to Levy, the average home on Long Island is 50 years old, and he says most fixtures already in those homes are ineffective.
“Most houses with existing storm windows are inefficient. People try to place wood or cork in visible spaces and that creates larger areas for heat to escape,” Levy says.
“If you see a small trim of light, or if you need to place a rug under a door to prevent a draft, then there is a problem,” he says.
On top of the stimulus package, Levy says his company guarantees a 35 percent decrease in home fuel costs on every job, or they will write a check out for the difference.
A recent Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) report cites the current price of oil at $70.27 (US) a barrel. That price is down 10 cents from August and is expected to fall again.
According to About.com, people can save money on their home heating bills in a number of ways by following simple everyday steps. Among these steps, people can minimize the use of ventilation fans during the winter months, as they tend to take in heated air, keep all heating equipment in good working condition, and use space heaters in rooms that you spend the most time in.