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Don't Let Soaring Energy Prices Put a Cold Spell on Your Winter

(NAPSI)-Does your wallet say "ouch" every time you fill up your car's gas tank? Be prepared, because soon it will be your home's gas bills that will be tugging at your purse strings.

With the winter months approaching, experts with the Energy Information Administration predict natural gas prices will shoot to record highs, causing homeowners to spend 69 to 77 percent more than last year. Fight back against the energy crunch with these simple ideas:

• Dodge Drafts and Seal Leaks. Drafts can enter a house at a variety of locations, adding 10 percent or more to your energy bills. For a quick fix, caulk around windows and doorframes to minimize air infiltration. Try an easy-to-use, acrylic caulk, such as Polyseamseal All-Purpose Adhesive Caulk for a durable, weather-resistant seal. Visit www.polyseamseal.com.

• Focus on your Furnace. Did you know that dirty furnace filters restrict airflow causing your system to run longer, thus increasing energy use? Replacing your filters monthly increases energy savings and reduces dust and pollen in the air. It is also a good idea to service your furnace annually to ensure your furnace is running at peak efficiency.

• Insulate Windows. Since windows do not provide the same insulation value as your home's walls, about 30 percent of a home's heat escapes through windows, which translates into a 50 to 75 percent increase in fuel bills. For an inexpensive way to insulate your windows, try Duck brand's Roll-On® Window Insulator Kit. These kits are easy to install on a variety of window sizes with no measuring and cover your windows with a transparent film to help keep warm air inside and cold air out. Also, for gaps at the bottom of doors, try Duck brand Adhesive Door Bottom Seal to block drafts from entering under doors. Visit www.duckproducts.com.

• Prepare for Freezing Temperatures. Ice and snow can wreak havoc on roofs, so be sure to clean off debris and replace loose shingles with a high quality, weatherproof adhesive, such as PL Roof & Flashing Sealant. In addition, pipes can freeze in extremely cold weather, which can cause them to rupture. An insulating pipe wrap will keep pipes functioning in freezing temperatures. Visit www.stickwithPL.com.

• Choose the Cheaper Choice. Did you know you may be paying more for gas or electric than your neighbor? In recent years nearly half the states have deregulated gas and electric utilities. Without a monopoly of one energy provider, consumers are given the choice of vendors, which often leads to lower prices. To find out if "customer choice" programs are available in your state, visit www.eia.doe.gov.

This article is provided free by North American Precis Syndicate. Please e-mail Mark whenever you use this article in your publication or Web site so he can help NAPS track its distribution. (Type into the e-mail address field.) Thanks!