WASHINGTON -- Whether you use oil, natural gas, or electricity, there are many ways to ensure that you stay warm at home this winter without heating the great outdoors, according to the Federal Trade Commission.
The FTC'S consumer alert “
Weathering the High Cost of Heating Your Home” tells you how to select energy-efficient home appliances, spot problems that waste fuel, shop for the best price on fuel, and avoid bogus energy-saving products and services.
The FTC also has a range of other consumer-oriented publications on energy efficiency.
“Heating and Cooling Your Home” addresses buying heating equipment, and explains the EnergyGuide label that is required on appliances such as furnaces, boilers, and heat pumps.
The label lets you know how energy-efficient a model is compared to others like it.
“Home Insulation Basics: Higher R-Values = Higher Insulating Values” helps you get the most for your insulation dollar by answering basic questions about home insulation.
The FTC enforces a number of energy-related laws, including the R-value Rule, which deals with insulation, and the Appliance Labeling Rule, which covers EnergyGuide labels.
