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I Th <br /> e KiplingerLetterlie <br /> FORECASTS FOR MANAGEMENT DECISIONMAKING <br /> 1729 H St. NW, Washington, DC 20006-3938 • KiplingerForecasts corn • Vol. 82, No. 37 <br /> I <br /> IDear Client: Washington, Sept. 16, 2005 <br /> Those high energy bills CAN be reduced. CURRENT FORECASTS <br /> Conservation is the surest way to go. . . <br /> Early <br /> IIwellworth a thorough evaluation of energy use. Source Current <br /> Early <br /> i Summer <br /> 2006 <br /> Federal and state energy departments, utilities <br /> and equipment vendors offer free energy audits. Crudeoil $64 $62 $65 <br /> (per barrel) <br /> II <br /> ENERGY <br /> Pricey fuel has reduced payback periods Naturalgas <br /> to six months on lower-cost options. . . (perMMBtu $1125 $12.50 $9.50 <br /> tuning up air-conditioning/heating systems, at wellhead) <br /> II sealing ducts, buying programmable thermostats <br /> and installing energy-miser lighting fixtures. Regular <br /> An average 20% savings is within reach gasoline 5290 S240 $z 60 <br /> (per gallon) <br /> IIby adopting all such heating/lighting measures. <br /> Bigger investments will also pay off, Diesel fuel $2.87 $2.45 $2.65 <br /> (per gallon) <br /> I especially for manufacturers. Payback periods <br /> on replacement of energy-guzzling equipment <br /> now average about two years vs. three in 2003. Heatingoil $2.60 $290 $2.60 <br /> On natural-gas-fired items. . .boilers, dryers, (per gallon) <br /> IP <br /> heating systems. . .the payback is just one year. <br /> Sensors for compressed-air devices Electricity <br /> (per kWh) 8.9C 9.8C 9.4C <br /> can cut fuel use by 10% by matching pressure <br /> Ito needs. Mercury Marine, a boat engine maker <br /> in Wis. , slashed about $500,000 from its $7-million-a-year electric bill. <br /> High-efficiency motors with sensor technology use 10% less fuel. <br /> I <br /> Smart meters allow managers to continuously monitor power costs <br /> and reduce juice to specific mach nery or systems to help save money. <br /> Utilities must offer these meters to all customers at reasonable prices. <br /> I <br /> Installing chiller systems can cut cooling expenses for factories <br /> and commercial buildings. Water chilled by low nighttime temperatures <br /> is pumped into cooling systems during the day to cut the AC load. <br /> IAlso consider interruptible contracts for electricity <br /> or natural gas. They offer big discounts if users agree to let providers <br /> reduce supply when necessary. Users should have backup power systems. <br /> IISeek bulk-buying discounts by banding with trade associations <br /> or using energy brokers that aggregate orders for a variety of fuels. <br /> Weigh the feasibility of using local alternative-fuel options. . . <br /> I <br /> tapping landfills or wastewater plants for methane gas or buying waste <br /> from paper mills or furniture makers to burn. The Department of Energy <br /> offers free maps showing available local alternative-energy options. <br /> IOperating trucks? Try battery packs or small separate engines <br /> to power AC and heating systems while idling. Installing rounded covers <br /> Irmr <br /> over boxy trailers and low-rolling-resistance tires also saves fuel. <br /> The Kip/rger Lerer(ISSN 1528 7130)Is published weekly for$84/one year,$154/two years$222/three years Subscription inquiries 800 544 0755 or sub services@krphnger corn <br /> by The Kiplinger Washington Editors 1729 H SI NW,Washington,DC 20006 3938 Editonal information Tel,202 887 6462,Fax,202 778-8976, <br /> Penodtcals postage paid at Washington,DC <br /> POSTMASTER Send address changes to The Krphnger Letter PO Bo.3295 Harlan IA 5,593 E-mail letters@krplrnger corn,or Web site,KrptingerForecasts corn <br /> 1 <br />