September 24, 2015
Fall is officially here. The school year’s underway, football is back, and the leaves on the trees are ready for a new hue. Along with all of this, we welcome cooler temperatures after a long, hot, and humid summer.
If you checked out our Heating Season HOW-TO Guide last month, we have even more tips to share as you prepare for colder weather. Taking some of the most common homeowner inquiries we receive, we’ve put together the following Q&A segment to give you more helpful information for the heating season ahead.
ASK THE EXPERT
Q: How do I know that heating with oil is safe for my home and family?
A: Heating oil is non-explosive, so you can be sure each winter that you are heating your home with a safe, dependable fuel provided by a nearby company you can trust. Rather than risking a prolonged heating emergency, know that we are just a call away if you experience a heat loss or if you are in need of an immediate fuel delivery.
- Approximately 8.1 million households in the U.S. rely on the safety and comfort of heating oil as their main heating source.
- Aboveground heating oil tanks can be inspected easily and routinely to prevent fuel leaks and to keep your property safe.
- If your oil heating system malfunctions, it will produce clear warning signs like smoke, odors, or soot before releasing carbon monoxide, unlike other fuels which provide no cautioning of the gas.
Not only is heating oil safe for your home, but it is also safe for our environment, as the fuel is low in emissions and there are programs available to replace your oil tank proactively to help prevent oil leaks.
Q: How can I keep my home warm this winter without using more oil than budgeted?
A: This is an important question because we want to offer you options and help reduce any unnecessary costs.
- Tune-Ups: Scheduling your tune-up before the start of the heating season will help to ensure your system is operating properly to reduce the amount of oil you burn.
- Heat Pumps: While oil is your primary heating source, there are options available for supplemental heat sources like ductless mini-split heat pumps, which use electricity. These can be used for secondary home heating to lessen your fuel bill, and they can also be used for primary home cooling in the summertime.
- Thermostats: You may also want to consider adding a programmable thermostat to your home to help control the indoor temperature 24/7 depending on your daily routines. Programming this device is easy and allows you to save energy while you’re away from your property. For most homeowners, savings are around 15% in annual energy costs.
Q: What can I do to make sure that my home doesn’t become dry and stuffy during the winter months?
A: Indoor air quality may become an issue in the colder months when outdoor air is already dry and your heating system is working hard indoors to keep you warm. The following are some solutions that can help.
- Replace the air filters in your home energy equipment regularly. This is done at the time of your annual equipment maintenance each fall.
- Add an air purification system or humidifier to your home. These systems come in all shapes and sizes, and we offer affordable models that will help to improve your indoor comfort and health this winter.
Q: What are some quick, easy, and low-cost DIY ways I can lower energy costs?
A: Here are a few ways to insulate your home properly and keep outdoor air from entering.
- Plug air leaks around your windows and doors
- Apply caulk and weatherstripping where necessary
- Add window treatments that can improve energy efficiency
These small improvements can add up to make a significant difference if you live in a home with drafty windows and entryways. To learn more about what can help your home in particular, ask us about scheduling an energy audit.
For more expert heating tips and answers to your energy-related questions, General Manager Kurt Massa is happy to help! He can be reached at (215) 248-4300.