How one couple beat high cost of heat

PHILADELPHIA – Sean and Sylvia Forman were too young to notice the nation’s last energy crisis. But like many others who realize they were lulled into complacency by cheap oil and natural gas during the 1980s and `90s, this time they are paying close attention.

Some people are driving less, or looking into efficient vehicles such as the new gas-electric hybrids. The Formans are putting their money where their house is – fertile ground for energy savings, especially in a region such as the Northeast with its cold winters and abundance of older homes.

Even before this winter’s spike in heating-fuel prices, the average Philadelphia household spent more than $3,000 a year for heating, cooling, lighting and appliances – twice the national average.

Last year, heating, cooling and powering their modest twin home set the Formans back about $2,800 – enough to explain why Joe Revlock and a crew from Philadelphia’s nonprofit Energy Coordinating Agency were busy there this winter, looking to stem energy leaks.

Knight-Ridder