Energy Efficiency Tips: Reduce your Home Heating Oil Prices
As we all brace ourselves for what we hope to be a mild winter, we still need to think about the ways we can increase the energy efficiency of our homes when it comes to home heating oil. It’s not only important to shop around for the best home heating oil prices in your area, but performing a home energy audit will allow you to address areas of concern before you spend too much money on your next heating bill.
Home Energy Audit:
It’s important to do a entire home energy audit. There are many home improvements that you can do implement yourself in order to increase the efficiency of your home. Check the seals around your windows and doors. Do you feel a draft? Replacing these seals can positively impact your homes efficiency. If you have older windows and doors they may need to be replaced. Today, there are a lot of energy efficient options that can save you money on your home. Also, make sure to keep your doors and windows closed. Anytime you open a door you are letting heat out of your home.
Home Insulation:
Check to make sure your home is properly insulated, if not then your home is not retaining heat as effectively as it could. It’s important to remember that roughly 20-25% of homes built before 1980 are not properly insulated. Adding insulation to your walls and attic space can help retain heat.
Thermostat Adjustments:
Investing in a programmable thermostat can be very beneficial. Even if you don’t have a programmable thermostat following some simple advice can be helpful. Make sure to keep the temperature in you home within a consistent threshold. If you are away from your home setting the thermostat between 60-65 or at 68-72 degrees while you are home, are acceptable temperatures. Turning your thermostat above the desired temperature will not heat your home any more quickly and will only make your furnace work harder.
Service Heating System:
It’s incredibly important to service your heating system. Servicing your heating system on a yearly basis will allow you to maintain an efficient operating system. Think of your furnace like the engine within your car. They need to be maintained in order to operate efficiently. Improper maintenance will create inefficiencies and may have negative effects on your heating oil costs.
Taking the time to evaluate your home in terms of energy efficiency will allow your to save money on your home heating oil costs. As Connecticut heating oil prices continue to fluctuate make sure that you are doing everything you can to decrease your home energy costs this winter by following the tips outlined above. Happy energy savings to you!
About the Author: Rozoil: Learn more at www.rozoil.com
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