- Some simple steps to make your winter heating costs more manageable -

- Don't heat spaces you don't use. Close doors and warm-air registers in vacant rooms.

- Over the past five years, natural gas prices have increased by as much as 136 percent.(x) Look into competitive natural gas suppliers, of which Direct Energy is one. Many offer fixed-rate plans that allow you to lock in a rate for a defined period, rather than endure the uncertainty of your local utility's variable rate.

- Don't let heated air escape up your chimney. Make sure the damper is closed when your fireplace is not in use.

- Be kind to your hard-working furnace. Before each heating season, have it serviced by a qualified technician. A tune-up could save you 3 percent to 10 percent in heating costs.

- Install a programmable thermostat on your furnace to automatically adjust the temperature setting. Lower it at night and when you go to work. You could realize savings as high as 10 percent on your heating bill.

- If your furnace is more than 18 to 20 years old, it may be more cost effective in the long run to replace it with a newer unit offering more efficiency and lower operating costs. When you purchase a new high efficiency furnace and a 5-year flat price gas plan from Direct Energy before October 28, 2005, you'll get free gas for the winter and coupons worth over $1,300 toward other products and services such as windows, doors and protection plans.(xx)

- Inspect your insulation and don't let heat escape through poorly fitted windows and doors. Seal all leaks with caulking and weather stripping. If you have single-pane windows, replace them with energy-efficient, double-pane, gas-filled windows with low-e coating.

- Check your furnace filter each month, and replace or clean it when dirty to reduce heating costs and improve furnace efficiency.

About Direct Energy

Direct Energy is North America's largest energy solutions provider, with over five million residential and commercial customer relationships. Direct Energy provides customers with choice and support in managing energy costs through a portfolio of innovative products and services. To learn more about Direct Energy or its energy efficient products and services, call 1-800-348-2999 or visit www.directenergy.com.

Editor's Note:

These tips are brought to you as a public service by Direct Energy and are based on information from the Direct Energy Web site: http://www.directenergy.com/alberta/home_essential/energy_ideas/fall_ideas.aspx?WT.svl=nav   

http://www.directenergy.com/alberta/home_essential/energyideas/winterideas.aspx 

http:// www.directenergy.com/ontario/home/save_energy/default.aspx?WT.svl=nav

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(x) Ontario Natural Gas price increase figure based on a weighted average of Enbridge Gas Distribution and Union Gas Limited system supply prices at the start and the end of the comparison period.

(xx) Customers will get three months free natural gas based on the average consumption. Average consumption means the average household consumption of natural gas by an Ontario consumer which is typical for the months of January, February and March (or, from January to June for purchases qualifying for 6 months worth of gas).