Mike Waldron, 202/586-4940
October 7, 2005
DEDHAM, MA – With higher home heating costs expected this winter, U.S. Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman and Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney today highlighted easy, inexpensive ways consumers can save money by reducing home heating bills. This visit to New England is Secretary Bodman’s first stop on the national “Easy Ways to Save Energy” campaign.
“As a longtime Boston resident, I know how tough New England winters can be,” Secretary Bodman said. “Because of tight oil and natural gas markets and the damage to our energy infrastructure caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, consumers can expect to see higher energy bills this winter. There are, however, simple, inexpensive, yet extremely effective measures consumers can take to reduce their energy bills.”
“As a state, Massachusetts and its people have led the way in pursuing energy efficient programs for our homes and businesses,” said Romney. “This year, it's especially important for consumers to know that winter doesn't have to burn a hole in their wallet. Families can save hundreds of dollars by following some common sense tips.”
Secretary Bodman and Governor Romney’s visit to Lowe’s also highlights the company’s October 8, 2005 kick off of energy saving How-To Clinics at its 1,200 stores nationwide. Held each Saturday at 1 p.m., these clinics aim to educate consumers about the many ways they can conserve energy and money this winter.
In launching the national “Easy Ways to Save Energy” campaign on Monday, October 3, 2005, Secretary Bodman announced that the Department of Energy will take a comprehensive approach to improving energy efficiency for consumers, businesses and the government. The campaign features:
For Consumers:
- An informative “Energy $avers” guide outlining easy ways to improve home energy efficiency available through the Department of Energy, or, online at http://www.energysavers.gov/;
- An aggressive public education effort including online, print, radio and television ads featuring the “Energy Hog” - a character similar to McGruff the Crime Dog and Smokey the Bear;
- An “Energy Hog” curriculum to be used by teachers in grades 3-8 featuring web-based games and take-home activities;
- A series of radio public service announcements in English and Spanish featuring energy saving tips that have been distributed to 4,500 stations across the United States;
For Business:
- Industrial Energy Saving Teams that will be dispatched to help improve the efficiency of 200 of America’s most energy-intensive factories;
- Department of Energy is making the Energy $avers guide available to be reprinted and distributed by manufacturers, retailers and local utilities;
For the Federal Government:
- Secretary Bodman has directed teams of qualified energy experts to deploy to federal facilities to identify quick and easy ways to save energy this winter. The federal government is the largest consumer of energy in the United States.
Easy tips for consumers include:
- Making sure your home is properly insulated. Proper insulation in attics, ceilings, floors, crawlspaces and exterior and basement walls can save 30 percent on home heating bills;
- Installing a programmable thermostat. Turning down a thermostat from 72 to 65 degrees for eight ours a day will save up to 10 percent on your heating bill;
- Replacing existing light bulbs with Energy Star qualified fluorescent lights in the lamps and fixtures in your home; this can save up to 50 percent on lighting costs.
For more on the Department of Energy’s “Easy Ways to Save Energy” campaign, visit http://www.energysavers.gov/ or call DOE’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy toll-free hotline at 1-877-EERE-INF (1-877-337-3463).