CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Here's a heads up as we enter the colder months. Experts warn that your heating bill could be more than 50% higher than usual.
That's because energy prices are on the rise. Natural gas, which is used to heat almost half of US homes has almost doubled in price since this time last year.
And the price of crude oil has also soared.
Here are some things you can do to keep costs down.
- Caulk the perimeter of your windows to prevent cold air from seeping through.
- Keep sun-facing window blinds open during the day.
- Keep your thermostat set to the lowest comfortable temperature.
WCNC Charlotte is always asking "where's the money?" If you need help, reach out to the Defenders team by emailing money@wcnc.com.
WCNC Charlotte is part of seven major media companies and other local institutions producing I Can’t Afford to Live Here, a collaborative reporting project focused on solutions to the affordable housing crisis in Charlotte. It is a project of the Charlotte Journalism Collaborative, which is supported by the Local Media Project, an initiative launched by the Solutions Journalism Network with support from the Knight Foundation to strengthen and reinvigorate local media ecosystems. See all of our reporting at charlottejournalism.org.
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