Want to Save Money This Winter? Preparation Now is the Key

HOUSTON, Sept. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Last winter hit hard across much of the United States, blanketing the country with snow and sending temperatures plummeting.  If early weather prognosticators are correct, this winter could see even colder temperatures thanks to resurging La Nina weather conditions.  Colder than normal weather often means greater energy usage and higher utility bills.

MXenergy, a Constellation company, is encouraging homeowners to act now to help protect their homes and wallets when winter approaches.

"Just as in so many other areas in life, when it comes to energy savings preparation is the key," says Marjorie Kass, MXenergy managing director of marketing.  "The time to make your home more efficient for winter and lower your energy costs is not when brutal temperatures are here but rather now in order to maximize savings."

MXenergy Winter Efficiency Tips

Seal It Up:  Proper insulation is one of the most effective efficiency improvements homeowners can make.  Check doors and windows for drafts and install weather-stripping where needed.  Check to make sure your attic has adequate insulation and that the attic hatch is properly sealed.  Don't forget to examine air ducts and electrical outlets for drafts and seal leaks.

Take Care of Your Furnace:  A properly maintained furnace is a much more efficient one.  Have your furnace serviced annually by a licensed professional.  Change filters at least once a month and should your furnace need replacing make sure to look for a high efficiency Energy Star model.

Simple Steps:  Cutting energy costs doesn't have to cost you money.  Simple actions such as closing off empty rooms, closing your fireplace flue, and opening blinds in the morning to let in the sun and closing them at night can all help decrease costs.  In order to prevent trapped ceiling heat, run ceiling fans during the day in a clockwise direction to properly disperse heat throughout the room.  Consider landscaping on the northern and windward sides of your home for added protection.

Maximize Your Savings:  Many parts of the country have restructured energy markets that enable consumers to shop for energy.  If you have a choice in energy providers, now is a great time to research available rates and lock in savings for the coming winter.

"Locking in a low fixed rate now with a reputable energy provider ensures price stability and protects against potential price increases when cold temperatures do arrive," says Kass.

About MXenergy

MXenergy, a Constellation company, is one of the fastest growing retail natural gas and electricity suppliers in North America, serving approximately 500,000 customers in 41 utility territories in the United States and Canada. For over 11 years, the company has provided millions of customers with a choice in how they purchase energy to run their homes and businesses.  Founded in 1999 to provide natural gas and electricity to consumers in deregulated energy markets, MXenergy helps residential customers and small business owners control their energy bills by providing both fixed and variable rate plans. MXenergy is committed to best practices in environmental conservation, supporting local communities through various outreach programs and is a member of the Chicago Climate Exchange.  For more information about MXenergy please visit www.mxenergy.com.

About Constellation Energy

Constellation Energy is a leading competitive supplier of power, natural gas and energy products and services for homes and businesses across the continental United States. It owns a diversified fleet of generating units, totaling approximately 12,000 megawatts of generating capacity, and is a leading advocate for clean, environmentally sustainable energy sources, such as solar power and nuclear energy. The company delivers electricity and natural gas through the Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE), its regulated utility in Central Maryland. A FORTUNE 500 company headquartered in Baltimore, Constellation Energy had revenues of $14.3 billion in 2010.

SOURCE MXenergy