Heating Oil Saving Tips

They say that if you are still using a heating equipment that feeds on oil, you should replace it and switch to either gas or electricity. So many homeowners figured it to be the right move but ended up spending more than what they initially thought would be a money-saving decision. It may be true that gas and electric-powered heating systems are more affordable (at least in some aspects), but it does not mean that it’s all worth it to switch when you have the old but reliable heating oil to depend on.

You need to understand that there’s really no need to switch to another fuel source for heating since there are so many practical ways to save on heating oil, and fortunately for you, this article is all about those ways.

So if you are interested in saving money on heating for the whole year, continue reading…

First, let us what Petro.com has to say about this. The website is a leading authority when it comes to discussions and tips about heating in general. We found this article, “15 Steps for a Leaner, Greener & Easier Way to Manage Your Oil Heat Bill this Winter” that can help you a lot in terms of figuring out ways to save on heating. Here’s an excerpt:

HEAT SAVING TIPS: EASY DOs

Get a heating system tune-up — it will ensure you get the maximum performance out of every drop of heating oil burned.

Open shades and drapes when the sun is out to help warm your home. Close them when the sun goes down to reduce heat loss through drafty windows.

Turn down the thermostat at night and when you are away from home; even slightly lowering your thermostat during the day may save you up to two percent on your heating bill.

Insulate pipes to guard against heat loss and to prevent them from freezing.

Stop heat loss by eliminating any gaps between your door and threshold. Use a seal that can be attached to the bottom of the door – it should brush up against the threshold to fill any gap.

Caulk or re-caulk exterior spaces between the windows and walls of your home.

Close your kitchen vent, fireplace damper and closet doors, and remove, cover or close air conditioning units and vents when not in use.

Do not place furniture in front of radiators; it will block heat from circulating.

Find more information on how to save on heating oil from this article by clicking the link.

As the title above suggests, those tips are very easy ones to follow, which means you don’t get to have an excuse not to do them. But you do need some high level of commitment to make everything work in your favor. Remember that you have to build some kind of dedication within you to start saving.

Next, let’s read some valuable tips from Today.com about how to reduce your heating oil bill in general.

1. Opt for a price cap

Oil users will see the biggest jump in fuel costs, no matter what. How you pay for oil could save you money. Fuel companies usually let you buy oil as you need it, but many give you an option to “lock in” a price. That means you pay a set price throughout the winter. If you think prices will go higher, you can lock in a set price now and pay that all winter long. Or, you can buy a “price cap,” guaranteeing a per-gallon price that will not go higher over winter. If prices come down (perhaps just wishful thinking), you’ll still benefit from the lower prices, but you’ll never pay more than the “capped” price. It’s probably best to ask for that price cap now, because consumer oil prices are likely to go up just as wholesale prices have. And just in case prices fall, you don’t want to be locked in at a higher price.

2. Install a programmable thermostat

A programmable thermostat can save about $150 a year in energy costs if your home temperature is set back 8 degrees in the winter for an 8-hour span during the day when no one is home, and 10 hours at night. Cost: Less than $50

3. Do system maintenance

Now is a good time to give your heating system an annual checkup. Contact your oil company or the company that installed your furnace or boiler to go over the system, which should cost $100-$150.

4. Get an energy audit

Think about hiring an energy expert to assess your home and do a professional “energy audit” — a room-by-room assessment of your energy use and review of your energy bills. Your state or local government energy office can help identify a local contractor who performs audits. Your gas or electric utility company may even send someone to your home for free to do an assessment and make recommendations. Depending on what they find and what improvement you make, you could cut your energy bill significantly.

Read the original post from this link.

Unlike the previous set of tips, these ones will require the help of a professional. For instance, the installation of a programmable thermostat may not be something you’re confident in doing on your own. Likewise, system maintenance and energy audit are two things that will help you understand how you’re using energy for heating, but they too need the expert’s hand.

So instead of contemplating on switching from heating oil to gas, propane, or electricity, it makes more sense to take care of your heating system instead so that you no longer have to pay more while using less.