COLUMBIA -- October is Energy Awareness Month, and the South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff has information that can assist you in taking steps to be both energy smart and energy safe this upcoming winter season.

Be energy safe

Consumers may be tempted to use cheaper, alternative sources to heat their homes. However, many of these pose serious safety hazards.

* Portable space heaters need a three-foot clearance from anything that can burn and should always be turned off when leaving the room or going to sleep.

* Wood and coal stoves, fireplaces, chimneys, chimney connectors and all other solid-fueled heating equipment need to be inspected annually by a professional and cleaned as often as the inspections indicate.

* Portable kerosene heaters must be fueled only in a well-ventilated area, free of flame and other heat sources, and only when the device has cooled completely. Use only the type of kerosene specified by the manufacturer. Never use gasoline instead of kerosene.

* When turning a heating device on or off, be careful to follow the manufacturer's instructions. When buying heaters, look for devices with automatic shutoff features.

* Be sure that any gas-fueled heating device is installed with proper attention to ventilation, and never put unvented gas space heaters in bedrooms or bathrooms.

* In South Carolina, portable kerosene and natural gas heaters are legal for use in one- and two-family homes, but not in apartments or businesses.

* LP (liquefied petroleum) gas heaters with self-contained fuel supplies are prohibited for home use by NFPA codes.

For more safety tips, visit the S.C. Fire Marshal's Web site at http://www.llr.state.sc.us/firemarshal.asp.

Be energy smart

There are several simple and inexpensive measures that consumers can take to lower their heating bills. Here are a few, and more can be found on the U.S. Department of Energy's Web site at www.doe.gov. Also, visit the ORS Web site at www.regulatorystaff.sc.gov, where you can find several links to energy-saving tips under the Electric page.

* Have your furnace and gas appliances serviced annually by a qualified contractor to ensure safety and maximum energy-efficiency.

* Put on your favorite sweater, and set your thermostat between 65 and 68 degrees during the winter. (Note: warmer temperatures are recommended for homes with infants or with ill or elderly individuals).

* Seal leaks around doors, windows and other openings, such as pipes or ducts, with caulking or weather-stripping.

* If pipes or ducts run through unheated areas, insulate them.

* Use draperies, awning, blinds or shutters on all windows to slow the loss of heat through the glass. In winter, keep window coverings open on sunny days to let the sun's warmth in, and close them at night to insulate against cold, outside air.

* Avoid blocking heating registers and air returns with furniture, draperies or carpet.

* Consider storm or thermal windows and doors or double-paned glass. A less-expensive alternative is plastic sheeting, which can be temporarily fastened over doors and windows to retain heat.

* Purchase some inexpensive, pre-cut insulation gaskets, and seal out the cold air entering your home through electrical switches and outlet plates.

* A dirty furnace filter can drive up the cost of heating your home. Change or clean filters in heating and cooling units twice a year.

* Check to see if your attic, crawl space or basement has recommended levels of insulation. Add insulation as needed.

* Your fireplace is one of the most inefficient heat sources you can use. It sends your energy dollars right up the chimney -- along with volumes of warm air. Keep your fireplace damper closed unless a fire is going. Keeping the damper open is like keeping a 48-inch window wide open during the winter since it allows warm air to go right up the chimney. If you never use your fireplace, plug and seal the chimney flue.

Questions? ORS can help

The Consumer Services Division of the Office of Regulatory Staff is available to assist you with your utility bills by helping to arrange payment plans with your electric and gas utility companies and by directing you to social service agencies that may have available funds to assist you in meeting your energy costs. If you have an issue regarding a high utility bill, contact the utility company first. If you are unable to resolve your issue by working with the utility company, call the ORS for assistance at 803-737-5230 or toll-free at 1-800-922-1531. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday (except state holidays).

The Office of Regulatory Staff is a South Carolina agency whose mission is to represent the public interest in utility regulation by balancing the concerns of the public, the financial integrity of public utilities and the economic development of South Carolina. For more information, visit the ORS Web site at http://www.regulatorystaff.sc.gov/.

Special to The T&D

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