Press Releases

10 Tips to Save More on Heating Oil This Winter

Washington, D.C., September 12, 2012 – Experts are predicting a harsh winter this year, a stark comparison to last year, one of the warmest winters in recent history. However, consumers who heat with oil can save on heating costs this upcoming season by being proactive and taking a few small steps to conserve energy.

Thanks to the many advances made in heating oil technology, today’s heating oil equipment is more efficient than ever. However, to get the most out of your equipment, you need to pair it with the right efficiency and conservation measures.

The heating oil industry’s Energy Communications Council (ECC) recommends doing simple things to save energy and lower heating costs:

1. Fill in gaps around windows and doors with caulking;
2. Cover older windows with weather-resistant plastic sheathing;
3. Insulate your attic;
4. Wrap exposed pipes with proper insulation to prevent both heat loss and freezing;
5. Replace your manual thermostat with a programmable model, and lower it just a few degrees while at work or sleeping;
6. Open shades and drapes when the sun is out to help warm your home. Close them when the sun goes down to reduce heat loss through drafty windows;
7. Eliminate any gaps between your door and threshold by adding a seal to the bottom of the door – it should brush up against the threshold to fill any gap;
8. Close your kitchen vent, fireplace damper and closet doors, and remove, cover or close air conditioning units and vents when not in use; and
9. Move furniture away from heating elements, as it can block heat from circulating;
10. Remember that hot water uses fuel too. Take notice of how much you use while bathing and washing dishes, and make an attempt to reduce consumption.

Homeowners should also carefully consider higher cost efficiency initiatives. While these investments are somewhat larger than that of simply caulking a window, the potential savings are larger as well. Such investments are:

• Making sure you have good insulation in exterior walls, ceilings with cold spaces above, and floors with cold spaces below.
• Installing and closing storm windows. Consider new glass that is designed to decrease radiant heat loss without lowering visibility.
• Considering having a solar water heating component installed. This small, easily installed system is virtually maintenance free and warms the water your family uses on a daily basis, using the free heat from the sun.

Finally, take a moment to ask your local heating oil dealer about Bioheat®, a cleaner burning, renewable product that can be blended seamlessly with the heating oil you already use. It lowers emissions and cuts down on the amount of traditional heating oil used. In states where ultra-low sulfur heating oil is sold, biofuels can be blended, creating a fuel suitable for burning in the world’s most efficient heating equipment.

For more information regarding practical energy saving tips, contact your local heating oil dealer, your state or regional heating oil association, or visit www.heatingnews.org and www.oilheatamerica.com.