Money Saving Tips / Benefits of Upgrading / Energy Facts

MONEY SAVING TIPS

• Try Installing a programmable thermostat with multiple settings. This is a low cost solution for reducing energy consumption.
• Make sure that your system is operating at peak efficiency with an annual tune up.
• Dial back a few degrees. You'll save about 3% on your heating bill for every degree that you set back your thermostat full time (Turn it back 8 degrees when you go to work and again when you go to bed, and you can save about 12% on your heating bill.)
• If your budget allows, consider upgrading your equipment.

BENEFITS OF UPGRADING

• A new flame retention burner generally produces annual energy savings of 15-18% and can pay for itself within 3 years. Upgrading to a new high efficiency boiler or furnance can create savings of 20-40% with a payback within 2-5 years when oil prices are over $2.50 per gallon.
• Furnaces and boilers can be retrofitted to increase their efficiency. These upgrades improve the safety and efficiency of otherwise sound, older systems. The costs of retrofits should be carefully weighed against the cost of a new boiler or furnace, especially if replacement is likely within a few years or if you wish to switch to a different system for other reasons, such as adding air conditioning.
• Still using window air conditions? Consider upgrading to central air. Dollar for dollar, your energy bill will be about the same as using those bulky window units, yet you will enjoy more even temperatures throughout your home with central air. Central air also increases the value of your home.
• Upgrading ductwork in forced-air systems, and adding zone control for hot-water systems can also save money.

ENERGY FAQS

• Studies show oil heat heats a home more evenly, makes faster hot water and more comfortable heat than gas heat.
• Oil is safe. Heating oil is not explosive. Should an oil burner malfunction, smoke and odors would alert the occupants of the home. On the other hand, natural gas is extremely explosive and a malfunctioning gas burner may produce toxic levels of carbon monoxide, which if undetected could be very dangerous.
• Comprehensive service plans help ensure that you're achieving maximum comfort system efficiency while shielding you from expensive, out-of-pocket costs. Providing valuable protection of your home comfort system and peace of mind for you and your family, service plans include prompt, around-the-clock emergency service, as well as "priority response" over those customers not enrolled in a plan. Service plans may also cover as many as over 100 system parts, as well as labor. The tune-up aspect of a service contract is in itself a significant money-saver - tests conducted by the Department of Energy have proven that a tune-up can lower a homeowner's annual heating bill by as much as 10 percent. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, oil heat equipment that is maintained annually uses 13% less fuel than units not properly serviced.