Open the Door...

To a More Energy Efficient Home!

Using oil to heat your home is a great way to get the most out of your energy dollars. That’s because it’s such an efficient fuel, especially when used in combination with a modern, high-efficiency system. To save even more, here are some simple, creative and inexpensive ways to save energy in your home. Following these tips can reduce your bills anywhere from 5% to 50%.

Set the temperature of your refrigerator between 38° and 42°. Refrigerators set 10° lower than needed can use 25% more electricity. Set your freezer between 0° and 5°.

With a wood-burning fireplace, more heat can be lost up through the chimney than is produced by the fire itself. To reduce heat loss, follow these suggestions when using a fireplace:

1. Lower the thermostat setting.

2. Open the window nearest the fireplace about one inch and close doors leading into the room.

3. Install glass fireplace doors so your fireplace uses less heated indoor air for combustion.

4. To reduce loss of warm air up the chimney, Keep the chimney damper closed when the fireplace is not in use.

Allow free movement of heat around vents, radiators or baseboards. Avoid blocking them with furniture, drapes or rugs. Dust your heat outlets regularly. A dirty vent, radiator or baseboard hinders heat output.

3 ways to cut water heating bills

1. If your water heater is in an unheated space, insulate it with a “jacket.” Read installation instructions carefully.

2. Upgrade to an oil-fired water heater.You could save over 30% on your water heating bills and get more hot water on demand.

3. Fix hot water leaks promptly. If you have a leak that drips once a second for one month, you lose enough hot water for 16 baths.

Your ceilings should have a minimum of six inches of quality, thermal insulation. In the average home, about one-third of heat loss occurs through ceilings. Heated air seeps through ceilings into the attic because of gaps in drywall and around hatches, light fixtures, pipes and chimneys. Warm air in an attic can cause moisture problems and result in ice dams forming on the roof. An ice dam is a buildup of ice that prevents melting snow from draining off the roof.

To find house leaks: On a windy day, hold a lit stick of incense next to windows, doors, electrical boxes, plumbing fixtures and other places where cold air can enter your house. If the smoke moves horizontally, you’ve found an air leak. It can be fixed by caulking, sealing or weatherstripping.

Thanks to new technology, an oilheat system installed today can have an efficiency rating as high as 95% and is ultra clean. This can add up to tremendous savings for you! In fact, technological advances have saved consumers millions of dollars in fuel costs and conserved more than six billion gallons of oil.

If your heating unit is more than 20 years old, consider an upgrade to a new oilheat system. You can save as much as 40% on your fuel bills and enjoy greater comfort than you ever thought possible.

Have your oilheat system serviced professionally to keep heat output and efficiency at the highest levels possible. Regular service minimizes breakdowns and can extend equipment life by as much as 10 years. And an annual tune-up can increase system efficiency by as much as 5% a year.

Make the most of your oilheat system when you make home improvements. If you’re adding a spa or heated pool, oil is the perfect fuel choice, and nothing beats in-floor radiant heat for an extension on your home.

Close draperies and shades in the summer to keep out heat and in the winter to keep heat in. But in the winter, don’t block off south-facing windows during the day; let the sunlight in to warm your home.

ENERGY CONSERVATION?

See how you’re doing with energy conservation by completing this self-audit. Give yourself points for every item that applies and add up your score at the bottom.

My oilheat system is less than 15 years old.....................................30

I get my heating system tuned up annually. ...................................15

I have a programmable thermostat. ..............................................15

I have a high-efficiency, oil-fired water heater................................15

My attic, ceiling and other areas are properly insulated. ..................15

My radiators/vents/baseboards are not obstructed. ........................5

I have plugged leaks around my windows and doors. .......................5

YOUR TOTAL _____

RATE YOURSELF

0-25: Roll up your sleeves and get to work. You could be saving a lot more money.
26-50: Keep looking for ways to save energy.
51-75: You’re doing well! You’re energy conscious, but there are more ways to save.
76-100: Congratulations. You can start a new career as an energy consultant.

For more tips, talk to your local oilheat professional. They have many ways to help you increase your comfort and save money in your home.