Tips to Reduce Your Winter Heating Oil Bill

Posted by Jackson Stone on September 27, 2011 at 4:24 am

With winter just around the corner, it's time to make your home more energy efficient in order to reduce winter heating oil costs. (image: ohiosbestrealestate.com)

Winter is just around the corner and heating oil costs are again forecast to rise. But heatingnews.org has offered up a bunch of simple steps homeowners can take right now to help keep their energy bills in check.

Tuning up your oil burner in an annual maintenance check keeps existing heating systems in peak condition and ensures they’re running efficiently. The US Department of Energy says properly serviced boilers and furnaces burn less fuel, reducing heating costs by up to 10 percent. Annual checks are relatively cheap. The cost of a system tune-up is usually recouped through energy savings during the course of a typical winter.

“Tuning up their heating system before the winter arrives is a great way for consumers to lower their heating costs, conserve energy, and help the environment,” Energy Communications Council (ECC), spokesman Kevin Rooney said.

“Just as a failure to perform regular maintenance on the family car lowers miles per gallon and uses more gasoline, the same theory also applies to the family’s heating system.”

But regular boiler tune-ups are just one way homeowners and businesses can save money this winter. Heatingnews.org also recommends wrapping pipes with proper insulation to prevent heat loss or freezing, eliminating gaps around windows and doors with caulking and replacing manual thermostats with programmable models.

Though more expensive, it’s also worth considering replacing your boiler system with a new model if it’s more than 20 years’ old. ECC says today’s oil furnaces are highly efficient. Investing in a new system can lower heating bills for years to come, and depending on the system, pay for itself in just a few years.

And because the newest systems are so advanced in fuel conservation, they also help homeowners to help the environment by shrinking your family’s carbon footprint.

Many heating oil dealers offer automatic delivery based on customers’ usage. But consumers should also consider the financial benefits of a budget payment plan which spreads fuel oil costs across twelve months, rather than being hit with higher bills during winter. This enables homeowners to anticipate their monthly bills and budget accordingly.

“Many oil heat consumers across the country use budget billing because they like the convenience and certainty of having one heating expense figure to plug into their monthly home or business budget,” Rooney said.

TIPS TO SAVE MONEY THIS WINTER

Book in an annual heating system tune-up with your oil dealer to ensure your boiler or furnace is running to maximum efficiency.

Open shades and drapes when the sun is shining 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 so you don’t waste energy.

Insulate pipes to guard against heat loss and prevent freezing.

Eliminate gaps around windows and door with caulking to prevent heat escaping.

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

Don’t place furniture in front of radiators as it blocks heat from circulating.

Consider replacing heating systems that are more than 20 years old. Modern versions can cut heating costs by 15 to 25 percent.

Talk to your heating fuel supplier about installing a programmable thermostat. It will pay for itself through lower energy costs in about a year.

Ensure your home is properly insulated.

For more information on practical energy saving tips, contact your local heating oil dealer, your state or regional heating oil association, or visit www.heatingnews.org and www.oilheatamerica.com.