As winter descends on us here in the Seacoast region, it’s understandable that the idea of turning up the heat in your home has you a bit nervous because you’re worried about heating oil or propane bills.
But there are some things you can do right now that can help lower your heating costs so you don’t let Old Man Winter take a bigger bite out of your wallet.
Get a heating system tune-up. Regular maintenance of your furnace or boiler with an annual tune-up helps it run at peak efficiency, which can save you money. Ask us about our service plans!
Block drafts. As much as 15 percent of the heated air in your home — that you paid to heat — can be lost to drafts in your home. Those drafts also let cold air in, which means you’re paying more because your boiler or furnace has to work harder to keep your home warm. The most common places for those drafts are doors and window. Some weatherstripping, caulk and door stops can help stop those drafts and keep the heated air in and the cold air out.
Be smart with your thermostat. You can save up to 10 percent on your heating bills with proper thermostat usage. A programmable thermostat from P. Gagnon & Son makes it easy, as you can control the temperature in your home so that it will be using less fuel when you’re away and then have your home warm and comfortable when you return.
Think about upgrading your heating system. Is your furnace or boiler more than 15 years old? It may be running at only around 60 percent efficiency. A new, efficient furnace or boiler can have efficiencies of around or above 90 percent, meaning you’ll recoup your investment in a few years thanks to the fuel savings.
Keep a clear space for heating. Heated air needs to be able to circulate around a room for efficient heating. When it’s blocked by obstructions like furniture or curtains, your heating system will work harder, using more energy and fuel, and costing you more money.
Get dependable and safe heating oil delivery and propane delivery from P. Gagnon & Son. Contact us today to learn more!