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Report From Parliament - Lower home heating bills

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The leaves have changed colour and have fallen off the trees, sweeping us from the crisp sunny days of fall, to the cool promise of winter.  With each scrap of the shovel, Canadians know that the cold months are upon us.  If you like the chilly air then this is a wonderful time of year to spend outdoors.  If you the warmth of the indoors, you probably find it is even more enjoyable with family and a mug of hot cocoa. 

For some, the worst part about Canadian winters is the snow.  For others it’s the higher home heating bills.  As your Member of Parliament, I’ve supported the Conservative Government’s initiatives like the Home Renovation Tax Credit to help homeowners retrofit their homes to make them more energy efficient. 

However, there are a number of easy things we can do around the house to help lower our heating bill. These include:

•     Inspecting the filters on our furnace and keeping heating vents clear so that hot air can circulate efficiently;

•     Plugging and repairing any leaks in doors or windows which allow heat to escape;

•     Keeping curtains open during the day and closed at night to maximize the effects of the sun;

•     Adjusting the temperature when we’re out of our homes for extended periods, and at night time;

•     Close the damper on the fireplace after use, to keep heat from escaping; and

•     Keeping the doors of unoccupied rooms closed to prevent the heat from escaping into unused closets, utility rooms, and spare bedrooms.

We all know we need to do our part for the environment and to keep our home energy bills lower.  As the cold months begin, I hope everyone continues taking practical steps to lower our home heating bills by using energy more efficiently.

Hon. Gerry Ritz is the Member of Parliament for Battlefords-Lloydminster www.gerryritzmp.ca