Will Gas Dip Below $3 a Gallon This Summer?
Consumer advocate Clark Howard is predicting that there is a better than 50/50 chance that gas prices will dip below $3 per gallon and fall into the $2 range this summer. The U.S. is currently sitting on its greatest stockpile of oil in the last 22 years.
Howard believes that our increased oil reserves in conbination with the following factors will contribute to lower prices at the pump:
- France has elected a new socialist president
- The disruption in Greek elections
- Continuing political and economic uncertainty in Europe
- China’s economy is slowing down
- Americans are buying more fuel efficient vehicles
- There appears to be less talk of going to war with Iran
According to MilwaukeeGasPrices.com, the current national average at the pump is $3.76 per gallon and the average price in Milwaukee is $3.80 per gallon.
It’s extremely difficult to predict where gas prices are headed. However, there is one thing that we know for sure – we hope Clark Howard is right with his prediction!
Receive an Annual $50 Credit with We Energies Energy Partners Program
If you’re looking for a way to save some money on your electric bill, the We Energies Energy Partners Program offers a $50 credit each summer if you allow them to control your central air conditioner during periods of high demand for energy.
If you sign up for the program, We Energies will install a small radio device near your central air conditioner. This device allows We Energies to cycle the air conditioner between noon and 11pm from May 15th through September 15th of each year. According to We Energies, cycling air conditioners usually takes place on weekdays between noon and 8pm.
Three options are available:
- $50 credit – your air conditioner may be cycled off up to 6 continuous hours in one day
- $40 credit – your air conditioner may be cycled off up to 4 continuous hours in one day
- $12 credit – your air conditioner may be cycled off up to 45 minutes, run 15 minutes, and continue this cycle up to 8 hours in one day
Here’s a look at when We Energies has actually cycled air conditioners off:
- 2011 – None
- 2010 – None
- 2009 – None
- 2008 – None
- 2007 – Cycled once for 30 minutes
- 2006 – None
- 2005 – Cycled 4 days for a total of 2.5 hours
- 1999 to 2004 – None
To learn more or to enroll, visit the We Energies Energy Partners program webpage. Be sure to read the terms and conditions carefully to ensure this program is right for your situation. We Energies recommends that individuals with health problems that require central air conditioning do not participate in this program.
So do you think this is a good deal? Leave a comment and let us know.
We regularly feature energy savings tips to help Milwaukee area consumers reduce their utility bill. Follow this link to see all of our previous energy savings tips.
Me2 Program Helps Homeowners Lower Their Energy Bill
The Milwaukee Energy Efficiency Program, also known as Me2, is a federally funded program to help homeowners and businesses in the City of Milwaukee finance energy efficiency upgrades to their properties.
Here’s how the program works. A homeowner can contact a Me2 Advocate, who will set up a a free no-obligation home visit. If Me2 is right for you, the next step would be having a certified Energy Consultant visit your home and detect opportunities to save energy. The assessment costs $100 but if you make the recommended energy upgrades you’ll receive a rebate of the fee.
The Me2 program also helps homeowners take out loans to improve the energy efficiency of their home and offers $1,000 grants, special pricing from Sears Commercial, and possible federal tax credits.
To learn more about the Me2 program, check out the Milwaukee Energy Efficiency program website.
How to Apply for Energy Assistance in Milwaukee
The Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) provides energy assistance to more than 200,000 Wisconsin families on an annual basis.
According to WE Energies, qualification is not based on whether someone is behind on their energy bills. Instead, the benefit amount is determined by a number of factors, including household size, income level and energy costs. A Wisconsin family of four earning less than $46,700 a year may be eligible for assistance.
Wisconsin residents can call 866-432-8947 or visit the Home Energy Plus website for more information.
Time for a Fall Furnace Tune-Up?
If you haven’t turned on your furnace yet, you’ll probably need to soon. The nice warm weather we’ve had recently has vanished and we’ll be facing temperatures in the 30′s next week. To help ensure your furnace is running efficiently, we suggest you make sure that you’ve changed your furnace air filter recently and that you get your furnace serviced every one to two years.
Energy Star recommends checking the filter every month. If the filter looks dirty after a month, change it, and at a minimum, be sure to change the filter every 3 months. If you don’t change your air filter on a regular basis, the air flow will slow down and your HVAC system will need to run harder, leading to wasted energy. In addition, a dirty filter may lead to dust and dirt accumulating in the HVAC system which could lead to expensive repairs.
Most furnace manufacturers recommend an annual tune-up. If you are in need of repairs or an annual tune-up, we have compiled information from several Milwaukee area furnace experts, including some decent furnace tune-up coupons. If you are aware of any other quality HVAC contractors in the Milwaukee area offering a deal, please contact us and we’ll add the information to our post.
1st Choice Heating and Cooling has four coupons on their website, including coupons for $5 off any service if you provide them with your email and $25 off a service call (does not apply to diagnostic charges or tune-ups). Coupons expire 12/31/2011.
Allied Heating & A.C., LLC has a coupon for a $79 furnace tune-up. Expires 10/31/2011.
Burant Heating and Air Conditioning LLC has a coupon on their website for $10 off a regularly priced $105 performance tune-up.
Burkhardt Heating & Cooling has a coupon for $20 off any service over $100.
RJ Heating and Air Conditioning LLC gets kudos for listing their prices up front. $84 for a gas furnace cleaning, $99 for an oil furnace/boiler cleaning, and $25 for a carbon monoxide text.
Seider Heating and Air Conditioning – Lists their prices in a FAQ. Tune up prices for a gas furnace or gas boiler is $99.95. Tune up for an oil furnace is $169.
You can also use a free service called Service Magic to search for contractors. After filling out a little information on the Service Magic website, they will match you up with up to four contractors. Contractors can compete for your business and you have the opportunity to review comments from past customers in order to help you find the best match for your needs.
Interested in saving more money by conserving energy? Check out our other helpful energy savings tips.