The P. Gagnon & Son Blog

Save On Energy With Propane This Winter

home energy savings maineThere’s an extra nip in the air here in the Seacoast region. Flannel is quickly becoming the default setting for both shirts and sheets. That may create some dread as you worry about higher propane usage, and the higher propane bills that go with it.

Energy Saving Tricks

Fear not! We have a few tips to help you save energy, and some money, this winter.

  1. Get your heating system serviced. Proper maintenance helps your propane heating system run at maximum efficiency, which means you’ll use less energy to keep your home warm. That lowers your energy costs. Also, annual service helps spot problems before they become bigger and more costly. Enrolling in a P. Gagnon & Son service plan is a great value!
  2. Change your air filter. An air filter left unchanged will eventually get clogged. That makes your propane furnace work harder, using more energy, to heat your home. That leads to higher energy bills. Make a note or set a reminder on your phone calendar to change your air filter on schedule. It should be changed at the longest every three months. If someone in your home has allergies, or if there are pets in your home, make that once a month.
  3. Put your programmable thermostat to use. The U.S. Department of Energy says that if you lower the temperature on your thermostat by between seven and 10 degrees for eight hours a day, you can save up to 10 percent on your heating costs. A programmable thermostat lets you lower the temperature while you’re at work, and set it to have the house warm by the time you get home. You can also turn it down a few degrees when you’re sleeping. If you don’t have a programmable thermostat, now is a great time to get one.
  4. Eliminate the drafts. Weatherstripping and caulk around doors and windows, and sealing any cracks in exterior walls, will help keep the warm air inside and the cold air outside where it belongs. That means your heating system won’t have to work as hard to keep your home warm.
  5. Update the setting on your propane water heater. Did you know that heating water makes up around 18 percent of your home’s energy usage? If you set your propane water heater’s temperature setting to 120 degrees, you can save hundreds of dollars a year in energy costs. Lowering the temperature also reduces the risk of injuries from scalding. You can also save money if you’re going away over the holidays by turning the setting on your water heater to “Vacation” or the lowest temperature setting. That way, you’re not heating water you’re not home to use.

Plan now for more savings next year

Make a New Year’s Resolution to take control of your propane costs in 2020! The P. Gagnon & Son SimplePay plan lets you spread your propane costs out over 10 even monthly payments, making it easier to manage your monthly budget.

Our Fixed Price program lets you use SimplePay and also locks in your propane pricing at a fixed rate, meaning you won’t have to deal with price spikes that may happen depending on markets.

Have questions about our payment options and pricing plans? Get in touch with us and we’ll be glad to help!

P. Gagnon & Son offers reliable propane delivery and service for our Seacoast region neighbors. Become a customer today!