UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- With natural disasters pinching fuel supplies -- and energy demand expected to remain strong -- many homeowners are bracing for soaring home-heating bills this winter. But a Penn State Extension energy specialist says there are steps you can take to minimize the effects of rising home-energy costs.

"Some analysts are predicting fuel oil costs to increase another 30 percent per gallon and natural gas to rise another 50 percent per one million BTUs," says Dennis Buffington, professor of agricultural and biological engineering in the College of Agricultural Sciences.

"The cheapest energy is the energy we don't use because we have adopted conservation measures and become more efficient in our consumption," he says. "Although some of these measures require an up-front investment, they will more than pay for themselves in the long run."

Buffington offers a few tips to help reduce heating costs in the home:

--Make sure your house is well-insulated. "Insulation, especially for an older house, may be the most important thing to look at," he says. "A house that was considered to be well-insulated in 1970, when energy prices were perhaps one-tenth of what they are now, would not be considered a well-insulated house today." Buffington says homeowners should install -- or have a contractor install -- additional ceiling, wall and attic insulation, where possible.

--Check your windows and doors. "Drafty or single-pane windows can cause a lot of heat loss," says Buffington. "Use weather stripping or caulk to seal cracks or openings, and if you don't have storm windows, have them installed. If your windows are older or in poor condition, consider replacing them with new, energy-efficient windows."

--Turn your thermostat down. Buffington recommends reducing the temperature on your thermostat at night and when you'll be out of the house for an extended period of time. Wear sweaters or sweatshirts in order to keep the temperature in your home a few degrees lower.

Other home energy-saving tips:

--When buying new appliances, look for the Energy Star label, indicating that the appliance meets strict criteria for energy efficiency.

--Turn off lights when not in use, and where possible, replace incandescent bulbs with fluorescent fixtures. "The average home uses about 20 percent of its electricity for lighting," says Buffington. "If a light is used for more than three hours per day, consider compact fluorescent bulbs. They cost more, but they use only one-fourth of the electricity for the same amount of light, and they last about 10 times longer."

Buffington emphasizes that monetary self-interest isn't the only reason to save energy. "Not only can homeowners save as much as 30 percent on their energy costs, but they also contribute to cleaner air and a healthier environment."

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EDITORS: Contact Dennis Buffington at 814-865-2971.

Writer/Editor: Chuck GillOffice: 814-863-2713