Thursday at 1:30, Steve Watson, customer operations supervisor for Aquila in Lawrence, will talk about home winterization and other natural gas issues.

Moderator

Hi, everbody. Steve Watson from Aquila is here today to answer your questions about home weatherization. He’s accompanied by Curt Floerchinger, director of communications from Aquila, who could answer your questions about gas prices. Feel free to keep your questions coming.

Moderator

I’m Terry Rombeck, a reporter at the Journal-World, and I’ll be moderating today’s chat.

Steve Watson

Thank you for inviting us today. We look forward to communicating with some of your readers and our customers.

Moderator

We had a story in today’s paper about Aquila asking for a gas rate increase. Could you tell us a little about why Aquila is seeking that?

Steve Watson

This is Curt. Our primary purpose for the request is to recover the nearly $7 million investment we make each year in operations and maintenance of the massive natural gas system utililized in providing our customers with safe reliable service. Costs continue to rise, and our process improvement and cost-cutting measures have seen measurable success, but it can’t keep up with inflation and other increases.

Moderator

Curt, you were saying that our topic today, weatherization, is tied to the request for an increase. Can you explain that for us?

Steve Watson

Sure. We have a tradition of support to the people and communities we serve. We realize that energy efficiency and coversation are important initiatives, and we support those efforts through energy assistance and education programs. We want to increase those efforts for an even greater effect in helping customers control their energy usage and therefore their bill. Our new weatherization program is one example. The Aquila Weatherization Team of employee volunteers is working with local assistance agencies and organizatons to weatherize homes of customers who need help in doing so. But everyone should consider the weekend weatherization efforts that at little cost can reap big savings. That’s where Steve’s expertise will benefit your readers today.

Moderator

Here are two related questions for you to address, Steve.

sandysslick

I leave in a rental unit and do not care about material costs, they are less expensive than high heating bills. I have two doors that leak in cold air on all four sides. I have, in the past, used advhesive foam. It either does not seal well or makes the doors very hard to close. What is the most effective way to seal these doors?
Thanks
“THE GAS IS ON”

nlf78

What is the best way to winterize your front door for the season? I haven’t been able to find anything that can help seal the crack along the bottom of the doorway without it getting in the way of opening and closing the door alot.

Thank you.

Steve Watson

This is Steve Watson. Foam is still a good choice. You just need to find the right thickness. A “door sweep” if properly installed shouldn’t effect the opening and closing of the door. There are many styles and sizes of sweeps available. Your local hardware store expert should be able to show you how to adjust the sweep up or down to fit. Also, check the screws in your door hinges. If the hinges are loose that can impede the opening and closing of the door.

sblack

We have a double wide mobile home and was wondering how we can retain the heat in our house rather than it drifting under the house where the skirting is?

Steve Watson

First suggestion would be to check under the home to make sure the insullation is up and intact. Often, insullation will droop or fall away from the flooring and need to be reattached or replaced. Also, make sure the skirting is up and intact. Make sure any gas, water or electrical pipes or conduit entering the skirt are sealed around. Check the bottom of the skirting where it meets the ground. Often, ground erosion causes dirt to fall away from the skirt, allowing cold air to infiltrate.

november_sky

Steve,

Do ceiling fans really work…as far as circulatiing heat goes? I mean, in the summer time they keep you cool…so am I to believe that in the winter time ceiling fans also keep you warm?

Just curious. Thanks!

Steve Watson

Yes, especially in vaulted ceilings. Heat’s natural tendancy to rise causes large amounts of conditioned air to stack up at the ceiling. A ceiling fan will push the conditioned air down into the living space. In winter, it will mix the cool air at the floor and the warm air at the ceiling. Always use the fan’s slowest speed to reduce the draft effect.

Moderator

We’ve talked about several options for keeping warmer in the winter. What else should people be doing this time of the year to prepare their homes for colder weather?

Steve Watson

Some simple, low-cost, easily done projects would be addressing doors, both foam stripping along the sides and an adjustable door sweep along the bottom. Plastic sheeting has come a long way in design and function for making windows more energy efficient. It no longer looks like you put a trash bag on your window. When installed properly, they are relatively invisible and don’t mar the looks of your home. Everyone has windows in the house we don’t open the curtains in much. Those are perfect candidates for plastic window treatments. Be sure your windows are caulked. Many people forget to lower the glass in storm widows at the onset of winter. That can allow a large loss of energy. Walk around the permimeter of your house and look for cracks where air can enter. If you go to the basement during the day and leave the lights off, look for sunlight coming through anywhere. Those cracks should be filled with foam insullation. During the day, if it’s sunny, open the blinds on the side of the house the sun is coming in. Take advantage of the passive solar heat. Look at your attic insullation. If you can’t add to it at this time, think about increasing it to the manufacturers suggested depth as soon as you can.

Moderator

Where can people learn more about this?

Steve Watson

We have a long list of energy efficiency tips on our Web site, aquila.com. Assistance agencies also are listed there.

Moderator

That does it for today’s chat. Thanks, Steve and Curt, for coming in to answer questions today.

Steve Watson

Thank you. We always enjoy speaking with the customers we serve about energy-related issues and appreciate this opportunity.