Get your home ready for the 2011-2012 heating season!
While it seems we may be stuck with high fuel bills for yet ANOTHER winter, we've found some tips and tricks to help you conserve your energy use and save $$$, all while being eco-friendly at the same time (and who doesn't love multi-tasking?!?)!
1. Block Drafty Windows and Doors
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, up to 30% of energy use can be wasted through drafty doors and windows. You can create a simple draft snake with a rolled-up towel, or flex your crafting muscles with these cute DIY draft snakes using those neck ties you give Dad every Father's Day.
2. Stop Leaky Faucets
If you have ANY leaky faucets: fix them! Tubs, showers, and sink faucets do leak from time to time. If you feel warm or hot water leaking from a faucet just picture it as oil going down the drain, literally. Click here for a step by step guide on fixing a leaky faucet on your own.
3. Reverse Your Fans
Switching the blades on your ceiling fans from the cooling, counter-clockwise flow you're used to, to a clockwise flow will circulate warm air in your living space and help reduce your heating costs by up to 10%!
4. Reduce The Temperature on Your Water Heater
Typically, installers will set your new hot water heater to a temperature of 140 degrees F. Unless you're the type to take a scalding hot shower, 120 degrees F is a more than adequate temperature setting for most residential homes and doing so can reduce your water heating costs anywhere from 6%-10%.
To further defray your water heating costs, you may want to install a tankless water heating system. An on-demand water heating system can save you 14%-25% energy consumption and tax credits may apply to this installation.
5. Get Your Boiler or Furnace a Tune-Up!!
Just like your vehicle needs an oil change every 3,000 miles, so does your heating unit! Nozzles, filters, and strainers should be changed and the chimney base of your unit NEEDS to be vacuumed EACH YEAR in order to maintain it's optimal efficiency. What you think you're saving by skipping a cleaning/tune-up will just accumulate each month of the heating season in your fuel bill!
Rocky & Marciano Fuel Oil often runs Tune & Vac specials in the late summer & early fall months. Call us to schedule an appointment or to set up a free estimate on updating your equipment at (631) 467-6646.
While it seems we may be stuck with high fuel bills for yet ANOTHER winter, we've found some tips and tricks to help you conserve your energy use and save $$$, all while being eco-friendly at the same time (and who doesn't love multi-tasking?!?)!
1. Block Drafty Windows and Doors
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, up to 30% of energy use can be wasted through drafty doors and windows. You can create a simple draft snake with a rolled-up towel, or flex your crafting muscles with these cute DIY draft snakes using those neck ties you give Dad every Father's Day.
2. Stop Leaky Faucets
If you have ANY leaky faucets: fix them! Tubs, showers, and sink faucets do leak from time to time. If you feel warm or hot water leaking from a faucet just picture it as oil going down the drain, literally. Click here for a step by step guide on fixing a leaky faucet on your own.
3. Reverse Your Fans
Switching the blades on your ceiling fans from the cooling, counter-clockwise flow you're used to, to a clockwise flow will circulate warm air in your living space and help reduce your heating costs by up to 10%!
4. Reduce The Temperature on Your Water Heater
Typically, installers will set your new hot water heater to a temperature of 140 degrees F. Unless you're the type to take a scalding hot shower, 120 degrees F is a more than adequate temperature setting for most residential homes and doing so can reduce your water heating costs anywhere from 6%-10%.
To further defray your water heating costs, you may want to install a tankless water heating system. An on-demand water heating system can save you 14%-25% energy consumption and tax credits may apply to this installation.
5. Get Your Boiler or Furnace a Tune-Up!!
Just like your vehicle needs an oil change every 3,000 miles, so does your heating unit! Nozzles, filters, and strainers should be changed and the chimney base of your unit NEEDS to be vacuumed EACH YEAR in order to maintain it's optimal efficiency. What you think you're saving by skipping a cleaning/tune-up will just accumulate each month of the heating season in your fuel bill!
Rocky & Marciano Fuel Oil often runs Tune & Vac specials in the late summer & early fall months. Call us to schedule an appointment or to set up a free estimate on updating your equipment at (631) 467-6646.
