Learn more about the Amish heater and EdenPure space heater

The calendar indicates that heating season is  upon us, but the Home & Garden blog team doesn't need to look at a thermometer or watch the Weather Channel to know it's starting to get colder here in the New York City metro area and elsewhere around the country.

Nope, all we've got to do is look at the traffic to and comments about heating appliances on the Home & Garden blog and ConsumerReports.org. Specifically, readers are looking for information about the Heat Surge Roll-n-Glow Electric Fireplace (aka the Amish heater), EdenPure space heaters, and pellet stoves.

• If you're considering the Heat Surge appliance, read our review of the Amish heater as well as our post about some consumer complaints to the Better Business Bureau. And remember, although Heat Surge claims its heaters will help you save on your heating bills, the only way to do so is to employ zone heating. (Note: According to a customer-service representative at Heat Surge, heaters made in 2009 were updated with a stronger blower and other changes affecting heat distribution. The company also says it plans to add a thermostat on future versions, possibly in 2010. The model we purchased and reviewed early this year might have incorporated some or all of the updates.)

• If you're pondering buying an EdenPure space heater, read "Are EdenPure Space Heaters Just a Lot of Hot Air?"
 
• If a pellet stove seems like a viable heating option, learn more about these appliances in our October 2009 report and our previous buyer's guide to pellet- and wood-burning stoves.

Essential information: "Don't Let Energy Savings Go Up and Out the Chimney" covers proven ways to save energy during heating season. And learn about space heaters, programmable thermostats, and weatherizing your attic. If you're in the market for new heating equipment, get up to speed on the $300 million State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program, aka cash for clunkers for appliances.

Product Preview: Toro Power Clear 180 gas-powered snow blower

If you're in the market for a new snow blower—perhaps one tested for our October 2009 report on snow blowers (like our full ratings, available to subscribers)—you probably don't want to wait too long to buy one. One morning soon enough you'll wake up to find your driveway and walks blanketed by a thick layer of snow that needs removal. Just ask the folks in Colorado who were recently greeted by a major snowstorm.

At the 2009 Green Industry and Equipment Expo, outdoor-power-equipment makers announced many new electric- and gas-powered snow blowers, one of which in particular caught my eye: the Toro Power Clear 180 (shown), which costs about $400 and is sold at Toro dealers and some Home Depot stores. The 180 is one of several Power Clear models Toro announced, and we hope to provide our first impressions of it soon.

The single-stage, gas-powered Toro Power Clear 180 replaces the Toro CCR Powerlite 38182, which we had judged a Don't Buy: Safety Risk because it and the similar 38172 lacked a key safety feature, a handlebar control to stop the auger when released. The Power Clear has a bail that stops the engine as per a voluntary industry safety standard, and releasing it should eliminate the safety risk associated with the 38182/38172. (The company has discontinued the 38182 and 38172, though they might still be available through some online retailers and on eBay.)

The Power Clear 180 has some other enhancements over the 38182/38172. It's powered by a four-cycle overhead-valve engine and provides an 18-inch clearing width, 2 inches wider than that of the 38182/38172. As with other single-stage snow blowers, the design of the Power Clear keeps the blades in contact with the ground, propelling the unit, and this model has a locking deflector on the chute, which means the snow leaving the chute stays at the set height. Finally, both the chute and handle on the Power Clear fold down for easier storage.—Ed Perratore | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: Check out our free buyer's guide to snow blowers for more details. And to find the right model for your home, use our interactive feature "Snow Blowers: Which Is Right for You?"

The MythBusters look at destructive force of hurricanes

You might not be able to fool Mother Nature, but based on an episode of MythBusters that ran last night on the Discovery Channel, it might be possible to at least work in conjunction with her.

With Hurricane Ida in the news and preparing to make a mess of the weather on parts of the country even as it was downgraded to a tropical depression, MythBusters aired its "Hurricane Windows" show, in which hosts Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman investigate whether you can lessen the damage caused by a storm by leaving windows open on a trailer or a home.

In typical MythBusters fashion, Savage and Hyneman pulled out all the stops to determine the veracity of the myth, even using the University of Florida's wind machine to create hurricane-force winds. No spoiler alert here: Watch the different parts of the episode on the show's site to see what happens. (The screen shot shows the duo observing a trailer getting battered by Category 2 winds.)

The 2009 Atlantic hurricane season, which wraps up at the end of November, has seen lower-than-normal activity, as noted in our August storm-season update and as reported on Weather.com: "2009 will go into the record books as a very uneventful hurricane season, except for late season Ida." To be prepared for a weather-related event no matter when it happens, use the advice on our Storm & Emergency Guide.—Steven H. Saltzman | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: We haven't tested roofing shingles or siding for their ability to withstand hurricanes or tornadoes, but our reviews of these building materials can help you find products that will look good and last. Watch our video on how we test shingles.

CBS' 60 Minutes looks at vulnerability of U.S. smart grid

Last year, we told you about how vulnerable a smart grid could be to cyber-attacks. Last night on CBS, 60 Minutes ran a report by correspondent Steve Kroft called "Sabotaging the System," which looked at the country's vulnerability to cyber-attacks.

"If I were an attacker and I wanted to do strategic damage to the United States, I would either take the cold of winter or the heat of summer, I probably would sack electric power on the U.S. East Cost, maybe the West Coast, and attempt to cause a cascading effect. All of those things are in the art of the possible from a sophisticated attacker," Mike McConnell, a retired Navy admiral, told 60 Minutes.

Watch the 60 Minutes report. And if you're worried about Internet security, check out our Guide to Online Security. e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: If you're concerned about losing power at home during an emergency—be it caused by hackers or by Mother Nature—check our our report on and ratings of backup generators (ratings available to subscribers). e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Q&A: Which type of pricing plan should I choose for the natural gas I use at my home?

I'd like to try to save money on my natural-gas bill this winter. Can I lock in a price for the season?

You can, but only if locking in a price is an option where you live. If you're in a state where utility companies handle both the supply and the delivery of natural gas, you can't lock in a price since utilities may offer only variable-rate plans, in which you pay the current market price.

But if you live in a state in which the supply and the delivery have been unbundled, you can shop around for the lowest price from natural-gas suppliers, aka marketers.

To determine whether this "customer choice" is available where you live, check the Natural Gas Residential Choice Programs map from the Energy Information Administration or go to the Web site of the public-service or public-utility commission in your state, which might include a list of reputable marketers.

Marketers offer a range of pricing options, including fixed-rate plans, in which you lock in the price for the life of your contract; variable-rate plans; and capped-variable-rate plans, in which the price floats with the market but not above a set limit. Marketers might also offer deal sweeteners to get you to sign on with them, such as 10 percent off your highest gas-use month or a $75 debit card.

"Fixed-rate plans are for the risk averse," says Steven J. Maslak, president and CEO of Gateway Energy Services, a natural-gas marketer with 300,000 customers in eight states. Yes, you'll lose out if the price drops, but, says Maslak, "you'll be singing hallelujah if a hurricane hits the Gulf of Mexico" and prices start to climb. A colder-than-expected winter or geopolitical unrest somewhere in the world could also drive prices up suddenly. (The chart, from GES, shows the recent price drop for natural gas.)

The EIA's recent projection that average U.S. consumers who heat with natural gas will pay 12 percent less this year than they did last winter might tempt you to lock in the price with a fixed-rate plan. But, remember, the EIA's projections, which are relative to the previous year, can change. For example, in September 2008 the EIA projected a 20 percent increase in winter-heating bills. By December 2008, the EIA had projected a 2 percent decrease. So opt for a variable-rate plan if you don't mind rolling the dice and dealing with prices that fluctuate monthly.

That element of uncertainty might make the capped-variable-rate option a good middle ground. You benefit from falling prices without taking too big a hit if the cost of natural gas goes up.

Whichever way you go, consider a budget-payment option, which levels payments over 12 months and eliminates wintertime spikes. You can also save yourself some money by reading the fine print before signing a contract. For example, marketers usually charge an early-termination fee on a fixed-rate plan, so make sure you understand the terms and verify that the termination fee isn't exorbitant ($200 is average).

Also, check that the price you agree to is "to the burner tip." That means it includes any pipeline, storage, and other ancillary charges that an unscrupulous marketer might try to tack on to the price of the actual fuel.—Daniel DiClerico | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: The best way to save on winter heating costs is to make your home as efficient as possible. Start by installing a programmable thermostat and following our advice for buttoning up your home. For more information on energy pricing, read "How to Buy Green Electricity." Stay on top of the latest news surrounding the cash for clunkers for appliances program.

Fall weather brings fallen trees

The high winds whipping across parts of the Midwest and Northeast in recent days caused major damage to trees in some areas, including a few at my Connecticut home.

Shortly after lunch yesterday, a loud crack and crash signaled that an irresistible force had bested a hitherto immovable object. It turns out a 35-foot white oak had toppled onto my stone fence (shown), which so far this year has been struck by lightning and undermined by moles. Using a neighbor's bow saw and my chain saw, I was able to cut the tree into movable sections and get it off the road.

While fall is a better time to plant rather than prune trees, the high winds also pointed out the need to trim any diseased or overhanging tree branches. The fallen oak missed my power lines, so I didn't have to use a backup generator to provide electricity to my home.

I'm checking my homeowners insurance policy to make sure my coverage is adequate, important given that some companies are limiting coverage and raising premiums.—Gian Trotta | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: Learn how to safely use a chain saw (video) and ladder. Our Fall Cleanup Guide has more advice on projects to do around the home, and our Storm & Emergency Guide will help you prepare for weather-related events at any time of year. Ratings of chain saws and backup generators are available to subscribers.

U.S. households could bank savings on heating costs this winter

Your heating bill could drop this winter, thanks to lower fuel prices and a forecast of slightly milder weather in many areas, according to the latest projections from the U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Information Administration.

The EIA estimates that the average U.S. household will spend about $960 on heating during the October 2009-March 2010 heating season. That's a decline of $84, or 8 percent, from the 2008-2009 heating season. The biggest savings are expected for homes that heat with natural gas or propane. You can save even more money by installing and using a programmable thermostat.

• Natural gas. The EIA expects that the average household that heats with gas save 12 percent this heating season, with those in the Midwest spending 15 percent less. (Check out our buyer's guide to furnaces.) A record high inventory of natural gas has resulted from a huge decrease in demand by the industrial sector and an increase in domestic production, including shale gas.

• Propane. Midwesterners might see an average decrease of 21 percent while those in the West should spend only 5 percent less. One reason for the variation is that the Midwest is projected to have a winter that's about 4 percent warmer while the West could be about 4 percent colder, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

• Heating oil. Oil is used by only 7 percent of U.S. households, the majority of which are in the Northeast. This season, those who heat with oil could save about 3 percent, around $60. Heating oil is averaging about $2.64 a gallon, 2 cents less than last season and 67 cents less than the in 2007-2008.

• Electricity. Those who heat with electricity will spend 2 percent less than last winter , an average of $20.—Kimberly Janeway | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential reading: Our latest report on pellet stoves highlights the pros and cons of this alternative heat source. (Ratings are available to subscribers.) To cut energy use year-round, find out how to save up to $1,500 on your annual utility bills, read our report on solar water heaters, and learn which compact fluorescent lightbulbs top our ratings.

Updated FEMA flood maps inundate many homeowners with unexpected insurance costs

My sister lives in Vermont, not a state historically known for flooding. In fact, since 1978, few states have received less money from the federal government for flood-related damage, according to statistics from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

But while buying a home recently, she was surprised to learn that properties that had been considered outside of a 100-year floodplain—and, as such, didn't require their owners to buy flood insurance, as mandated by the NFIP—now are deemed vulnerable to flooding. The reason for the change? The Federal Emergency Management Agency has issued new flood-hazard maps for the Green Mountain state.

Many homeowners in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut are facing a similar change in the flood status of their properties, according to a recent report in The New York Times on FEMA's five-year, $1 billion effort to draw new flood-hazard maps and identify properties vulnerable to a 100-year flood. That century benchmark indicates there's a 1 percent chance of a flood occurring every year, not that a flood will occur once every 100 years and is the standard used to determine whether a house or other structure must be covered by flood insurance.

As reported in the Times' article, 4,300 properties in New Jersey that had been outside of a 100-year floodplain have been deemed flood prone, requiring owners to buy hundreds of dollars a year in flood insurance. Some homeowners are benefiting from the new maps, since homes that had been in a 100-year floodplain are no longer according to the new maps.

Some critics suggest that the federal government called for the remapping to refill FEMA's payout coffers after 2005's Hurricane Katrina. But FEMA officials insist the initiative was the result of a 1994 order from Congress to update its decades-old flood maps to reflect increased flood risk caused by development and natural changes to terrain.

To find out whether your home or one you're considering buying is affected by the new flood-hazard maps, visit FEMA's Map Service Center. Also read our report on flood insurance and watch the video (above) to be sure you buy the right type and amount of coverage.—Daniel DiClerico | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: Use our Storm & Emergency Guide for advice on planning for and coping with weather emergencies.

Hurricane Bill and the Midwest tornadoes: Short- and long-term planning

Hurricane Bill is strengthening before a possible landfall on the Canadian Maritime coast, while Midwesterners are weathering severe thunderstorms in the wake of Wednesday’s tornadoes that struck parts of Minnesota and Nebraska.

These recent posts can help you cope with natural disasters of all kinds:

• Our Storm & Emergency Guide includes articles, downloads, and videos on the products and procedures that help you assess your risk and plan proactively.

• The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recently issued an updated forecast for a below-normal Atlantic hurricane season but noted a past history of severe storms late in the season.

• Many insurers have reduced coverage and increased deductibles for perils like wind storms and hurricanes, making it even more important for you to make wise decisions about additional flood insurance. Watch the video above for more on flood insurance—Gian Trotta | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Atlantic hurricane activity could be below normal, says NOAA

The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration today released a new forecast of below-normal storm activity for the Atlantic hurricane season, and El Niño is responsible for what's expected to be a quieter storm season.

The Atlantic has yet to see its first named storm this year, and the NOAA is forecasting a 50 percent probability of a near-normal season, a 40 percent probability of a below-normal season, and a 10 percent probability of an above-normal season. Forecasters say there is a 70 percent chance of seven to 11 named storms, of which three to six could become hurricanes, including one to two major hurricanes (Category 3, 4, or 5) with winds exceeding 111 mph.

The new forecast doesn't mean you don't have to be prepared for an emergency. NOAA officials note that other climate factors associated with the high-hurricane activity era that began in 1995, such as enhanced rainfall over west Africa and warmer tropical Atlantic Ocean water, are still in place. They also stressed that devastating storms, including Hurricane Camille in 1969, occurred in years of high El Niño activity and that slow-starting hurricane seasons can still produce major storms late in the year, such as Hurricane Andrew in 1992.

NOAA officials continue to emphasize the increasing danger of inland flooding, which now accounts for the majority of deaths caused by tropical cyclones. (Watch our video on flood insurance, above.) Use the NOAA's Historical Hurricane Tracks tool to see how past storms dating back to 1851 have impacted your area.—Gian Trotta | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: Read "Insuring Your Home: How to Find the Best Coverage for Whatever Comes Your Way" for expert advice on homeowner's coverage. And visit our Storm & Emergency Guide to learn how to prepare for and survive natural disasters.