How to Reduce Your Heating Oil Bill
With fall in full swing, the one thought on everyone’s mind is – winter is just around the corner. The approach of cold weather means that heating your home is a top priority. But what can you do to help reduce your energy bill during those months?
Consider some of these tips below.
Upgrade to a programmable thermostat.
Nowadays, technology exists to help make all our energy use more efficient. A programmable thermostat is a great way to help manage the hours in which you would like the temperature to rise or fall based off your family’s needs.
One way to implement this is by lowering the temperature in your home while you are at work or away. Reducing your thermostat a few degrees while you are out of the house can have a significant impact on your heating bill. On the flip side, the programmable thermostat can also help you ensure that you are always coming home to a warm house too.
Use a humidifier.
Did you know that humid air feels warmer? During the colder winter months, consider utilizing a humidifier to keep yourself more comfortable. You can likely drop your thermostat a degree or two and not feel the difference if you have increased the humidity in the room between 30% and 50%.
Humidifiers vary in size and capacity. You can install individual units in your bedroom or common areas where you know you and your family will be spending the most time.
Open curtains, drapes, and blinds during the day.
The sun is the greatest energy source there is (and it does not cost anything). While the sun may not feel as strong in the winter as it does in the summer, its warming effects should not be underestimated. Opening your window curtains, drapes, and blinds to allow direct sunlight in can directly impact the temperature of the house. Try to open the south facing window treatments during the day to maximize the amount of sunlight pouring in.
At the end of the day, be sure to close the curtains, drapes, and blinds again to keep the heat inside. Window treatments are actually quite effective at insulating heat within the home and mitigating any cold drafts from the window.
Wear warm clothes around the house.
It may seem obvious, but don’t forget – bundling up in a few extra layers can make a difference! Before running to crank the thermostat up, ask yourself if you are dressing appropriately. Are you in thin clothing? Can you swap your lightweight pajamas for some cozy flannels instead?
This can also apply to your bedding at night. It is a great idea to have a set of winter blankets and sheets. Warmer fibers that retain heat will keep you comfortable in colder temperatures. Heavier comforters, an extra knitted blanket, and some cozy socks can go a long way.
Use a discount heating oil company.
Many heating oil companies solely offer annual service contracts. This means that the price per gallon you pay is marked up to cover the anticipated cost of service calls, replacement parts, and so on. If you take good care of your burner/furnace, you might be paying extra to cover these markups for services you are not even using.
That is when discount (or “will-call”) heating oil companies like Just Fuel come in. We do not markup the cost of fuel to cover additional repair or labor services. Instead, we offer everyday low prices strictly on the fuel to save you money. We source all our fuel directly from the biggest terminals in the area.
