Looking for ways to supplement your oil heating system? You’re not alone. One survey shows that 37% of households use a secondary heating source to supplement the main heating source.
Saving costs on your heating oil can come in the form of using less by changing habits. You might also use alternative heat sources, but keep in mind that those heating sources also have costs associated with them.
Customize your approach to saving money on heating costs with these ideas.
Keep the System Running Well
The first step in saving on heating oil is simply taking care of your system. This is important no matter what type of fuel source your heating system uses.
When your system is well-maintained, it runs efficiently. That means it’ll use less heating oil, and you can save money on your overall heating costs. Your oil supply lasts longer, so you don’t have to buy as much fuel.Schedule regular maintenance on your system. Signing up for an annual service contract ensures you stay on top of that maintenance.
Make Thermostat Changes
Do you crank up your thermostat to make your home toasty? The higher temperatures feel great, but they also burn through the heating oil much faster.
Lower your thermostat a few degrees to supplement your heating costs. You likely won’t notice the small adjustments to the thermostat, but it can save on your oil heating.
A programmable thermostat can also help control your energy costs. This lets you automatically set the thermostat to lower temperatures when no one is at home or at night when you want your home a little cooler.
Improve Energy Efficiency
When your home isn’t efficient, your heating system has to work overtime to keep the space warm. One way to support your oil heating system is by getting rid of those energy losses.
If you live in an older home, it could lack insulation. Poor insulation makes it difficult to retain the heat your HVAC system creates.
Consider hiring a pro to add insulation into your walls and ceilings to hold in more heat. Instead of actively creating heat, the supplemental insulation traps more heat inside your home to make it feel more comfortable.
Another source of heat loss is through inefficient windows, cracks, and gaps. These leaks can happen anywhere, but they’re often in your foundation and near windows or doors.
Seal up any openings to keep your heated air inside your home and the cold air outside.
If the windows are the problem, consider replacing them with energy-efficient models. This can reduce drafts and heat loss through the glass.
Use Sun Power
The sun is a natural way to heat your home. While installing solar panels to produce energy may be an option, you can use the sun’s heat without any expensive simply by opening your curtains.
On sunny winter days, pull up your drapes and let the sun flood your rooms. The sun provides a little extra warmth inside your home.
This open works best if your windows are energy-efficient. Windows can account for 25 to 30% of your heating energy use because of the heat loss they can cause.
If you have old windows that let in drafts, any heat you gain from the sunlight might be lost from the cold air that blows through the windows. Keeping the curtains closed can stop those drafts from coming in.
Try Electric Heat Sources
Electric heat sources come in different forms, including space heaters, baseboard heaters, and heat pumps.
Many of these heating options are easy to control and allow for heating in a specific area. You might install baseboard heaters in the bedrooms and only use them at night to sleep comfortably.
Space heaters are versatile because you can move them where you need extra heat. You can also run them for just short periods of time when and where you need a little extra heat. This keeps the spaces you’re using comfortable without increasing the turning up the thermostat and heating the entire home.
Whether or not this option saves you money depends largely on the electric costs in your area. Electric pricing varies significantly based on location.
If you live in an area with cheap electric rates, you may save money by running electric heat sources more. But if electric rates are high, you may spend more using those alternative heating sources than you would using your oil heating full-time.
Run Ceiling Fans on Reverse
If you have ceiling fans in your home, reverse the direction for the winter months. This is a simple way to supplement your heating oil without adding anything new to your home.
Most ceiling fans have reversible motors, controlled by a small switch. When you flip the switch, the fan pushes the warm air near the ceiling down into the room. Instead of being trapped up high where no one can feel it, the heat flows down to your level.
Purchase Oil When It’s Cheapest
Do you pay attention to oil prices, or do you just wait until your tank’s low to refill? Heating oil prices can fluctuate frequently, so it’s a good idea to know what you’re paying.
Keeping an eye on oil pricing helps you know when you buy. If you have an idea of the typical pricing, you can spot a decrease easily.
When you notice a drop in pricing, order an oil delivery to fill up your tank. You can get as much oil as possible at the lowest price.
Keeping your tank full also prevents you from needing an emergency fill at a high price. If you’re tank is almost empty, you’ll have to have it filled, even if the oil prices are currently high. You may end up paying a lot more because you can’t wait for prices to go down.
Save on Oil Heating
If your home has oil heating, you have lots of options for saving on your heating costs. Making small, proactive changes to your home and the way you use heat can help you save money.Explore our residential fuel delivery services to see how you can get affordable oil to keep your home comfortable.
