Tips for Managing Winter Heating Bills
With the already high cost of natural gas supply expected to rise again, Ameren is committed to helping customers keep their energy bills as low as possible this winter.    One step you can take is to install a new high-efficiency furnace. Although older furnaces and boilers had efficiencies in the range of 60 to 70 percent, modern heating systems can achieve efficiencies as high as 97 percent, converting nearly all the fuel to useful heat for the home. So even if the initial cost seems high, you can realize energy savings over time.    If you decide to replace an old heating system, consider the most efficient unit available. Ameren offers the following tips for selecting and installing an efficient pulse-fired gas furnace:
	Before installing a new furnace, review your usage for previous bills during winter months to determine how much you might save with an energy-efficient model.
	Look for the ENERGY STAR® logo. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that ENERGY STAR–labeled heating and cooling equipment, when properly sized and installed, can save consumers 10 to 40 percent on heating and cooling bills. ENERGY STAR furnaces are highly efficient, use less energy than conventional systems and help reduce pollution associated with energy use.
	Pay attention to furnace size. Besides raising purchase cost, over-sizing of furnaces may result in less energy efficiency, due to excessive on-off cycling.
	Properly seal ducts. An average home loses more than a quarter of its heating energy through leaky ductwork. Poor sealing of ducts can also generate comfort problems and, in some cases, cause back-drafting of gas-fired furnaces and water heaters.
	Improve furnace efficiency by replacing filters on a regular basis.
More information:
		See Ameren’s energy-saving poster, Cut Your Home Utility Bills – Conserve!
		Request Ameren’s Weatherization Tips video or DVD.