Fifteen energy saving, and money saving, tips for your home this coming winter.

Nov. 1, 2011 - PRLog -- Winter will certainly announce its arrival within the next few weeks for anyone living in the Western and Central New York areas, and the arrival won’t just bring colder temperatures, wind, and snow either. 

Winter also means taking a stormy hit in the pocketbook as well, with more energy budget money flowing out of the house to cover winter’s rising cost of heating.

“Your home’s heat will literally fly out your windows, doors, and up through the roof,” said Brian Paterson, vice president of New Buffalo Impact (NBI), 34 Peuquet Parkway, Tonawanda, NY based home energy improvement company. 

New Buffalo Impact is a nonprofit corporation established in 1998 to assist homeowners, both single and multi-family, to achieve energy savings in their homes. NBI provides homeowners with a complete assessment of suggested energy related improvements and solutions.

“There’s an extensive list of energy saving tips, but there are a few “can’t do without ones” if someone is serious about saving money on home heating,” Paterson continued. 

Paterson recommends the following fifteen home energy improvements tips to help keep the heat in, home heating costs under control, and old man winter out. 


   Install an energy-efficient furnace.  


   Clean your furnace filters monthly, or replace if necessary.  


   Switch to a natural gas heating system.


   Insulate your home to recommended R-values.


   Insulate around windows and doors.


   Weather-strip and/or caulk all areas of  leaks around windows and doors.


   Set your thermostat at 60° F when you are sleeping or not at home.


   Set the thermostat to 68° F when you are at home.


   Turn down the thermostat further if you are  away for an extended time.


   Keep window shades and drapes open to let in the sun’s radiant heat.


   Warm a room with a space heater.  .


   Use tfireplace sparingly and close the flue to eliminate drafts when not in use.


   Purchase fireplace inserts, doors or covers.  


   Control air flow into and out of your home to ensure energy efficiency.


   Install ENERGY STAR windows, doors and appliances.

Paterson also recommends having an accredited professional conduct a high tech comprehensive home energy audit to provide details on any energy saving measures a home owner should take including: insulation, doors, windows, air sealing, and energy efficient heating and cooling systems.  NBI is an BPI Accredited Contractor and an ENERGY STAR partner.  

In addition to conducting Comprehensive Home Energy Assessment, New Buffalo Impact performs the necessary home energy improvement work as well, including insulation, air sealing, windows and doors, furnaces, air conditioners, and energy efficiency appliances.

Paterson said, “We recently began offering a free, or reduced cost, Comprehensive Home Energy Assessment in conjunction with Green Jobs - Green NY.  In addition, we are now able to assist a home owner in getting a Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® incentive on the cost of eligible energy efficiency improvements up to $3,000. We are also offering an additional NBI 10% cash back incentive on top of the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR incentive.”

Paterson also pointed out that NBI works with home owners to identify, and apply for, other various financial assistance programs.  

NBI also offers a cash referral incentive to former customers in conjunction with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s (NYSERDA) Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program.

NBI vice president Brian Paterson explained, “ The “Customer Referral Incentive” is available to NBI customers who refer friends and family who then have a free or reduced cost home energy assessment, and also complete at least $3,000 of energy efficiency work between now and December 31, 2011. Our customers will get $100 dollars for every friend or family member who qualifies.”

Paterson added that once the work is done, the referred family member, or friend, having the work done will also receive the same cash incentive.

More information on New Buffalo Impact is available online at http://www.newbuffaloimpact.com, by e-mailing inquiry@newbuffaloimpact.com, or by calling NBI at (716) 881-1477. 

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New Buffalo Impact is a non profit company and energy efficency resource that not only conducts a comprehensive home energy audit, but also performs the necessary home energy improvement work including insulation, air sealing, windows and doors, furnaces, air conditioners and the purchase and installation of energy efficiency appliances.