Top 10 Tips to Keep Your Heating System Bill Under Control
By using oil to heat your home, you’ve already chosen one of the safest and cost efficient heating systems. However, implementing a few changes in your home can further reduce your heating costs. Consider these 10 tips below to make this your most comfortable New Jersey winter yet:
1. Caulk around Windows, Doors and Other Gaps
Cold air can sneak into the home through spaces in exterior walls, forcing your heating system to work harder than it needs to. Caulk the gaps between the windows and walls, and be sure to fill spaces where pipes or cables enter the home.
2. Use Plastic Film on Windows and Doors
Covering your windows and glass doors with transparent plastic is an easy and inexpensive way to reduce your heating bill. The film is sold at most home improvement stores and can shave about 14 percent off your heating bill.
3. Eliminate Gaps between Doors and Thresholds
There’s no reason to allow warm air to leave your home. Attach a seal to the bottom of the door and make sure it brushes against the threshold, keeping the warm air inside the house.
4. Rearrange the Furniture
Sometimes it’s impossible to eliminate drafts completely. Move the furniture out of reach of those cold drafts and you won’t be tempted to turn up the thermostat, but make sure it isn’t blocking a heat source.
5. Open the Curtains
Let the sunshine warm your home for free. Open curtains and blinds during the day to take advantage of the sun’s rays, then close them at night to keep the heat inside.
6. Choose Heating Oil That Lowers Fuel Consumption
Oil additives can help keep your system clean and lubricated while also reducing the amount of fuel used. Treating oil with UltraGuard extends the life of your heating system and helps to ensure you are satisfied.
7. Keep Your Home Properly Insulated
New, more efficient insulation can help keep your home warm, and the cost of having it installed will likely pay for itself quickly. Don’t forget to make sure the hot water tank is properly insulated as well.
8. Consider Upgrading Your Windows
Windows account for around a third of your home’s total heat loss. Installing storm windows can reduce heat loss by as much as 50 percent, and replacing older, single-pane windows with double- or triple-panes will significantly reduce future heating bills.
9. Install a Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat allows the temperature to be reduced at night and while you’re away during the day, reducing heating costs during those times. Consider investing in a smart thermostat, which allows the heat to be adjusted even when you’re not at home.
10. Have Your HVAC Unit Inspected Once a Year
Don’t wait until the first chilly day to discover your furnace isn’t working properly. It’s worth bringing in a trusted professional to clean the filters and check for needed furnace repairs before it needs to be switched on.
Point Bay Can Help You Keep Your Costs Low
Choose the Gold Plan from Point Bay Energy Heating and Cooling, which covers wear and tear on your furnace and includes an annual cleaning. Call today at 732-349-5059 or fill out a contact form on the website.