Skip to main content

The Cold Weather is Here!

Are you ready for the cold weather?

This past weekend we saw and felt the first glimpse of winter or at least the cold weather that is associated with it. A lot of people may have turned on their heat for the first time, if they hadn't already.  That begs the question, were or are you ready for the cold weather?

When it comes to oil heated homes there are a few things to think about when you get ready for the heating season. First think back to last year, were you happy with the amount you ended up paying during the heating season. If you weren't happy there are a few things that you could do now to prepare.  Think back to when your heating system was last serviced or tuned-up. If it's been more than a year, this could be negatively effecting your heating system's performance.  If your system was serviced but you weren't happy, maybe it's time to look into a new heating system. A new heating may not save you money a first but over time you will burn less fuel, saving you money.  You should also make sure that any registers, vents, or radiators are clean and clear of debris.  If the heat can't get to it's destination then your heating system will continue to pump out heat while the thermostat continues to say that the room is cold.

Now if you were happy with your heating bills last year you could possibly save yourself some money by following the tips above.  For those who have followed all the tips above and are happy with their heating situation, I say congrats!

Another little tip that can help to trap in heat produced by the sun is to keep your shades open during the day. This will naturally create heat in your home, to trap this heat in close and draw the shades when you come home.  You should also check your windows and doors for drafts as these can allow cold air to creep in.

I hope that you all have a comfortable and warm winter, more tips to come!

Robert Stahelski

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Being More Energy Efficient in the New Year

What is your New Year's Resolution? Many of us make resolutions to lose weight, get that promotion at work, find our soul mate, or to save or spend less money in the New Year. If your resolution is the later a great place to start is your home. Some of these suggestions might involve an up front cost but will save you money over several years. There are many appliances, devices, and products that we use on a daily basis in our home that could be eating up your money. From your water heater, to your heating system, light bulbs, tv's, and other electrical devices. Water heaters are a great place to start, with a lifespan of 7-9 on average and taking up 25% of your home's energy consumption, an update could help to reduce your monthly bills.  When looking for a new water heater it is important to take in consideration your needs or demands for hot water. How many people are in your home, what type of fuel source do you have in your home, how your want your water to ...

How do you pick your heating company?

What do you fact the most price, service, or reputation? After last winter the thing that anyone wants to hear is that it's going to be cold and snowy again this year.  With the current price of oil pretty low as October 7, 2014 do other factors start to effect your decision to stay with your current provider or jump ship and shop around. The first and most prevalent factor that goes into to picking your heating provider is the price per gallon. With COD or cash on delivery companies the price can be fairly low right now if you visit NewEngland Oil  you'll notice several companies with prices in the low $3.00 range.  The down side with those companies is a lack of a service department. If you're heating system fails in the middle of a cold snap they don't have the staff to come out and fix it.  If price is the most important factor to you, make sure that you're heating system is in good condition or you might have more than the price of fuel to worry about. ...

Annual Maintenance

For a long lasting, energy efficient heating system, annual maintenance is a must. Every year you get an inspection for your vehicle to make sure that everything is running as it should so small issues don't become big problems.  Every so many miles you get a oil change, tire rotation, and have the air pressure checked in your tires. This is to ensure that your car stays at a peck level of operation, the same goes for a long lasting, energy efficient heating system. Annual maintenance, annual tune-up, or any of the other names that all mean having your heating system looked at is the easiest way to ensure that your heating system is running properly and will continue to run.  These type of service allows for a trained technician to thoroughly look over all of the components in your heating system, especially the burner. The burner is where the fuel that is used to heat your home is compressed into a fine mist that is then bur...