Page 16 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2021 Top 5 Tips to Cut Costs and Winterize Your Home Windows – Check for leaks around the edges where the window is hinged, slides or meets another unit. Clean the tracks of any debris that might be interfering with seals. Lock windows once winter sets in and apply a quality exterior caulk to seal any leaks. Doors – Feel around the perimeter of the door for any cooler air coming in. Check the weatherstripping around the door, including the door sweep attached to the bottom. Apply exterior-grade caulking to seal gaps if necessary. Attics, Basements and Crawlspaces – Leaky ductwork is a primary escape route for warm air, so inspect all visible ductwork openings that can be easily accessed. Check for any holes that go through the main fl oor to the basement or attic, for small openings in the ductwork, electrical or plumbing connection. Caulk or foam around them or use foil tape or mastic to seal any leaks. Pipes – Disconnect, drain and store any garden hoses as the weather turns cold. Any exposed water pipes in uninsulated spaces such as in a crawlspace, attic, or exterior wall should be protected with foam insulating sleeves. Burst pipes from freezing can cause some of the most expensive repairs in the home. HVAC – Change air fi lters on a regular basis. Operate the system on the "auto" fan setting on the thermostat. Ensure proper airfl ow by inspecting ducts for dust buildup and obstructions. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, HVAC preventative maintenance can help save homeowners up to 25-percent in energy cost. Dropping Temperatures, Rising Costs • This winter is forecast to be slightly colder across the country than last year. • Natural Gas - Nearly half the homes in the US use natural gas for heat, and they could pay an average $746 this winter, 30 percent more than a year ago. This could be the most expensive winter for natural gas heated homes since 2008-2009. • Electricity - The second-most used heating source for homes is electricity, making up 41 percent of the country, and those households could see a more modest 6 percent increase to $1,268. • Heating Oil - Homes using heating oil, which make up 4 percent of the country, could see a 43 percent increase – more than $500 – to $1,734. • Propane - The sharpest increases will probably be for homes that use propane, which account for fi ve percent of US households. MBTA actively seeking to hire new employees and expand its workforce Hundreds of well-paying positions are now open at the ‘T’ T he MBTA is aggressively hiring new employees to join its dynamic workforce. It takes many people to move over a million trips a day, and the 6,500-person MBTA is redoubling eff orts to hire hundreds for open positions – from train and trolley operators to administrative and technical positions, and especially bus drivers – who are in high demand to transport Massachusetts residents to work, play and everywhere in between. Prospective candidates looking for a rewarding career where they can have a positive impact on the entire region should visit mbta.com/careers for more information on open positions and to learn about the MBTA’s many benefi ts and incentives. “The MBTA plays an integral and essential role in keeping Massachusetts moving. The T is a diverse and exciting place to work, and we’re actively hiring and training new employees, especially bus drivers, right now to join our ranks and play a signifi cant part in revitalizing the region post pandemic,” said MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak. “The MBTA is being proactive in recruiting new individuals to join our team and fast-tracking the hiring process, and will continue to work closely with local and state career centers and our community partners to recruit new individuals to join our team. We off er a variety of growth opportunities to employees and encourage members of the public to visit our website to learn more about our many open positions and beginning their career at the T.” The MBTA has gone to over 20 online and in-person career fairs across the region this fall and is updating the way it hires to make it easier and faster to start a T career, such as Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) permit “events” at Registry of Motor Vehicle locations (CDL permits are encouraged in applying for bus operator positions), a revamp of the interview process and streamlining the application process. The T has also launched an aggressive recruitment campaign, more than doubling the size of its Human Resources recruiting department since Labor Day 2021 with more anticipated to join soon. A Human Resources team was also recently created that is dedicated to vehicle operator hiring, especially MBTA bus operators. The MBTA off ers competitive salaries, extensive healthcare benefi ts, free public transit, training programs, tuition assistance, employee assistance programs and an emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion. MBTA employees also receive attractive retirement plans, paid vacation, holidays and sick time and fl exible spending accounts. Members of the public can view open positions online and visit the MBTA website for more information on insurance and other benefi ts. For full information visit mbta.com/careers, or connect with the T on Twitter @ MBTA, Facebook/TheMBTA or Instagram @ theMBTA.
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