Seven Efficiency Tips For Heating Season

The leaves are falling here in Fairfield and Westchester counties, with peak colors arriving all around the area. Soon, temperatures too will be dropping – and heating bills will be rising right alongside.

Want to keep those heating bills as manageable as possible? Try these energy-saving tips to reduce your energy usage—and keep those dreaded winter bills a little lower too.

1. Let the sunshine in – Keep curtains open in sun-facing windows to absorb solar heat during the day, then close them once the sun goes down to retain that heat. Consider installing insulated window treatments, which you can replace with light-reflective ones in the spring.
2. Use your thermostat – A programmable thermostat makes it easy to control temperatures and reduce your energy use—many exist nowadays that can even be controlled on-the-go via smartphone! When you’re asleep or not home, dial your thermostat back five to seven degrees and you could save about 7 to 10 percent on your annual heating bills.
3. Weatherize – Simple measures like caulk, door sweeps and weather stripping can reduce drafts and keep the air you paid to heat indoors where it belongs. The average American home loses anywhere from 10 to 20 percent of its conditioned air through spaces around windows and doors, plumbing penetrations and chimneys, ductwork, and in other places throughout your home. Seal the deal!
4. Add insulation – Much like weatherizing, insulation helps keep warm air in and cold air out during the fall and winter (it does the reverse in summer, making it one of the most cost-efficient investments you can make in your home comfort).
5. Change your furnace air filter regularly – A clogged air filter can make your furnace overwork to heat your home, which will raise your bills and increase the likelihood of a heating system breakdown. Check your air filter once a month during heating season, replacing or cleaning it as needed (depending on the model).
6. Service your equipment – An annual heating tune-up keeps your heating system running at peak efficiency and reduces the likelihood of repairs; it will also keep your warranty coverage in effect (hint: annual preventative maintenance for your oil-fired system is included in our Essential Plan and Essential PLUS Plan, along with priority service, repair discounts, and more).
7. Replace older equipment – Just because your boiler or furnace is running doesn’t mean it makes sense to keep it. A 15-year-old heating system could be operating at 60 percent efficiency – a far cry from the upper 90s range of most modern furnaces and boilers. Saving 35 cents per gallon of fuel adds up pretty quickly – often quickly enough to cover the replacement cost of the equipment in just a few years, especially when you factor in government and manufacturer rebates.

Considering an upgrade for your heating system this fall? We can help. Contact Casey Energy today to learn more about high efficiency boiler and furnace installation in northern Westchester and Fairfield counties!