When it comes to making business decisions, you obviously have to spend a lot of time and effort in thinking and in weighing several options and factors, the purpose of which is to avoid deciding on something that you will later regret. Since everything about business is money, you definitely don’t want to waste it when making purchases, improvements, and upgrades for the convenient and smooth functioning of your business. Now one of those crucial decisions you are to make is what fuel source to use in the workplace’s heating system.
Well, it’s really not that much of a surprise that majority of businesses in this country utilize oil for heating their establishments, and the obvious reason is because heating oil is cost-effective. There have been so many negative things associated to it but the fact that it has been in use for a century by both residential and business settings says a lot about its reliability.
So if you’re a business owner who recently moved into a new place for your business, you probably are thinking of the other options you have when it comes to the heating system you’re going to use. We’re not blaming you for that, but at least we also get the chance to convince you that oil is the best. See the reasons below:
1 – Heating oil is absolutely safe and efficient.
Nothing is more important than safety in the workplace. So if you want your business to thrive in a safe working environment, you need to provide protection for your employees and clients by using oil for heating. The reason why it is the most practical source of heating is because the heat produced by oil is not flammable and won’t explode. This is particularly important in a business or office setting in which the heating equipment is expected to be used quite often. Additionally, even if there is a leak or spill of oil in the tank, there will be no resulting poisonous fumes. You definitely don’t want your clients or customers to complain about an odor inside your establishment that is indicative of a leak.
Provided you have heating equipment that’s properly maintained and is running smoothly, it means that you are burning heating oil cleanly. What happens then is that the soot that is being naturally produced during the burning of oil will remain inside the tank, resulting to zero emissions. This is contrary to the previous image of oil as the dirtiest fuel used for heating. As a matter of fact, it is now one of the cleanest and greenest sources of heating today, thanks to better and improved manufacturing process.
With the help of technology and the integration of the latest innovations in oil production, there now are heating equipment designed to be as efficient as possible, and the good thing is this includes those powered by heating oil. And considering that on average, a natural gas furnace is to be replaced in ten to fifteen years, you therefore are going to save a lot by switching to heating oil furnace because you don’t have to replace it for the next twenty years.
Lastly, when you go for oil for your business establishment, you will never run out of it especially during the heating season. It means that you and your clients will be comfortable for the entire winter season.
So you think you know everything about saving energy at home to reduce your monthly energy bills. Well, it may be true that you’ve read and tried doing many of those conventional tips such as turning the light off when not in use or installing a programmable thermostat for your heating and cooling systems, but the thing is we are quite certain that there are some that you still aren’t aware of.
Saving energy is quite a broad topic in general. It involves a lot of things and stuff, including those that talk about how to save on heating oil during the winter, how to minimize the use of the air conditioning system during the summer, installing weather strips, and more. But for this article, we’ll give you a bunch of tips we believe that you will find very helpful for the simple reason that you haven’t heard of or tried them before.
For instance, see these tips from Telegraph UK, in the article called “Ten energy-saving tips you haven’t heard before.”
Block your chimney
An unblocked fireplace can mean money up the chimney – hundreds of pounds each year. You can cap your chimney or, if you use it occasionally, block the draught with an inflatable chimney balloon. Another alternative is the ingenious Heatsaver transparent perspex fireplace shield that lets you see your fireplace but seals it when not being used – and is easily removed when you want to light your fire.
Get shower savvy
Modern high-power showers can use as much water in five minutes as it takes to fill a bath. Energy-efficient shower heads and faucet aerators can reduce the amount of water delivered from taps and shower heads by 50pc but still allow you to enjoy an invigorating shower. You save on your water bill (if you have a meter) and on the energy required to heat your water.
Draught-proofing
Draught-proofing is one of the cheapest and most efficient ways to save energy but is often overlooked. Savings of £55 a year are possible, according to the Energy Saving Trust. Where it is practical you should seal windows, doors, loft hatches and pipework leading outside.
Don’t forget the letter box. The British-invented Ecoflap letterbox replaces the brush, seal and gravity flap draught excluders you traditionally get on letterboxes and uses the wind to blow it shut.
Solar panels
Government subsidies on solar panels continue falling – but so do the costs of installation. According to EvoEnergy, Britain’s largest independent solar panel installer, a well-designed 3.8kW solar system costing £6,600 could receive feed-in tariff (generation and export tariff) payments of £583 a year, and save £237 a year on electricity bills. The installation cost would be repaid in eight years. The feed-in tariffs will continue for 20 years, index linked and tax-free. That’s an average return on investment of 7.4pc a year.
Eco lighting
Lighting accounts for 8pc of typical household energy bills. Replacing one traditional light bulb with a compact fluorescent bulb of the same brightness will typically save around £3 a year, or £55 over the lifetime of the product, according to the Energy Saving Trust. LED lights are becoming increasingly popular and use 10pc of the energy of a typical light bulb.
If you want to read the original article, you can do so by visiting this link.
Of all those mentioned energy-saving tips above, the installation of solar panels is the only one that would require you to spend at least a thousand bucks. The reast are so affordable that you can actually start doing them as soon as you’re done reading this post. You see, stuff like installing energy-saving LED lights shower heads may not give you substantial results in a short period, but once you embrace using them, you’ll be amazed at how much you’re saving the whole year round.
Next, let’s go to the website called HomeToLove.com.au, where there’s an article titled “5 ways you never thought of saving energy in your home.” See them tips below:
1. TRACK YOUR ENERGY CONSUMPTION
It’s much easier to avoid shockingly large bills when you track your daily energy usage online. Most of the big energy providers now use smart meters allowing customers to access energy monitoring services online for free. AGL IQ breaks down your usage so you can see how and when you’re using the most energy. It also allows you to compare usage month by month and offers you advice on how to reduce your consumption.
2. TRY OUT NEW TAPWARE
The tapware you install can have a big impact on your household bills; particularly if you opt for mixer taps in your bathroom or kitchen. While they’re a timeless and stylish choice, practically speaking, they come with a likelihood of incidental hot water usage. The good news is, not all mixer taps are made the same. The Roca L20 Basin Mixer, for example, features an innovative cold Start Technology system whereby the water flow is always cold to start with meaning that hot water is only activated when necessary.
3. STEER CLEAR OF STANDBY MODE
Your TV still uses energy when it’s on standby mode so try to get into the habit of switching it off at the wall when you go to bed each night instead. It’s a five-second step that will help you reduce energy wastage so it’s well worth it. If you find yourself constantly forgetting and having to get out of bed every night, it might be time to switch to a smart TV so that you can control it from the comfort of your warm, cosy bed!
4. RETHINK YOUR LIGHTING PLAN
If you’re about to embark on a home renovation project, carefully consider how much natural light each room gets, how much time you spend in there and what you’ll need lighting for. This will help you get the maximum energy efficiency out of your lighting options. If you can’t afford to rewire your home, try adding in some floor or table lamps to replace the need for costly overhead lighting all of the time. Changing to energy efficient bulbs will also have a positive impact on your energy usage.
5. SET YOUR FRIDGE TEMPERATURE PROPERLY
Keeping things ice cold takes, you guessed it, energy and money. Believe it or not, there is an optimum temperature to set your fridge and freezer to and it might not be the automatic setting that your appliances came with. Energy Australia advises that your fridge be set to 5°C and your freezer be set to -15°C as a guide. This is cool enough to store or freeze your produce, but not so cold that it’ll eat into your energy bills.
It may be true that traditional energy-saving tips like installing proper insulation and letting the sun in during winter mornings are more popular and commonly practiced by homeowners, there are other simple ways like setting your refrigerator’s temperature properly and pulling the plug on appliances when not in use that can also make a big difference. It’s just a matter of getting yourself aware of what they are and how they can be done.
Feel like you’ve been spending way too much on heating during winter? The first thing you should know is you’re not alone. If you’re using heating oil, it’s common to fret about the costs of heating since the price of oil usually fluctuates. But it does not mean you don’t have a way to cut those costs. There in fact are some simple yet effective ways to do that.
Say for instance, FamilyShare.com talks about ways to go around a scenario when heating oil prices are high. See these tips from the article “5 effective ways to reduce your home heating oil bill.”
1. Shop around
You may feel comfortable with your current heating oil company and wish to stay where you are. However, there is nothing wrong with shopping around. It’s only giving you the opportunity to compare prices and decide what is best for you for the upcoming winter season. In addition, you want a company who provides great service and has your best interest at hand.
2. Lower your thermostat
While you are at home, raise the thermostat to 73 degrees or higher. You have elderly or children at home who need shelter from the rising temperatures. Nevertheless, if no one is home, it’s preferable to lower the thermostat 10 degrees lower. If it’s a hassle to manually remember to increase and decrease the temperature on the thermostat, consider investing in a programmable thermostat. Once you set the programmable thermostat to specific times, the thermostat will automatically increase the temperature at the time of you and your family’s arrival and decrease when no one is home.
3. Seal all open spaces
If you feel a draft coming through the bottom of any of the doors or there are cracks in any of the windows, make sure to cover those spaces immediately. Remove all air conditioners from your windows or cover them the best way possible. Moreover, keep all closets doors and vents shut. Also, keep your vents clean.
4. Speak to your oil company for a fixed rate
Yes, the prices of oil fluctuate. One day the price is at its lowest and the next day at its highest. You are skeptical of locking in to one rate. However, if a certain rate fits your budget, then it is a good idea to lock it in. That way you will avoid unpleasant surprises each month and not be subjected to the market fluctuations.
5. Schedule for service
During this time, a technician will check for the boiler efficiencies. If you have an old boiler, it’s beneficial to speak to your company about investing in a modern boiler. Even though a new boiler may not fit your budget at that time, it’s something to consider in the near future. It will help limit any hardships an old burner can bring.
Following one or all the above tips will get you a step closer to beating your heating oil bill. Your goal is to keep your family warm but without burning a hole in your budget.
Be reminded that every winter means another season of using your home heating equipment to the maximum. But you don’t need to go that way all the time. By making sure your system is running efficiently, there can be huge savings on heating oil.
In the article titled “Save on Heating Oil” by Erin Huffstetler on the other hand, the focus on saving oil this winter is learning how to purchase it smartly. Good thing she has all the tips you need.
Comparison Shop
Just because you had the cheapest provider last year, doesn’t mean you have the cheapest provider this year. Call around to compare oil prices; and if you find a better deal, go after it. Not sure whom to call? Look up “heating oil supplier” in the phone book for a list of companies in your area.
Tip: Before you switch companies, give your current provider a chance to match their competitor’s price. If they’re willing to deal, it’ll mean less work for you.
Fill Up Off Season
Oil prices tend to go up with demand, so have your tank filled in the summer when everyone else is thinking about iced tea and air conditioning.
Join a Co-op
Fork over $25-$30 for a membership to a fuel co-op to gain access to discounted oil rates, and you could shave as much as 20% off of your heating costs. How’s that for a return on your investment?
Snag Every Discount that You’re Eligible For
Call customer service, and ask them to run through all available discounts with you. If you hear anything that you qualify for (and aren’t getting), work with them to get it set up.
Choose the Best Pricing Option for You
Heating oil prices are constantly on the move. Choose a pricing plan that makes the most of those movements, and you could save big. Here’s an overview of your pricing options:
Market Price- You pay whatever the going rate is on the day of delivery. There’s no contract, and you have to schedule deliveries when you need them. A good option, if you only want to fill up when prices are low
Fixed Price- You lock in a price for the year. It doesn’t go up or down – even if the current rate moves up or down. A good option, if you think increases are likely or you want to limit budget surprises
Capped Price- You’re protected from large increases (rates can’t go past a certain level), and your prices can still go down, if the current price drop. A good option, if you think a price drop is likely.
Avoid Extra Fees
Don’t let a bunch of hidden fees gobble up all your discounts. Each time you call to schedule a delivery, ask for a breakdown of your bill. If anything sounds excessive or unnecessary, question it.
Some Fees to Look Out For: delivery charges, fuel surcharges and premiums charged for deliveries made after hours, on weekends or during bad weather
Do you find this article interesting? You can get more from this blog by clicking the link.
In the end, you just have to realize that in order to save on heating oil and energy expenses come winter time, you just have to find ways to use less of it. The fact is the price of oil is something you don’t have control over. Therefore, you can’t hope it’ll be affordable forever.
Your oil-fired burner is one of the most essential equipment at home. It is responsible for keeping you warm and comfortable in the entirety of winter. There is good reason why majority of homes in America use heating oil to fire up their heating equipment – that’s because it is the most effective. The oil-fired system is currently the main source of heat that is converted into warm air and used for hot water heating. Commonly referred to as pressure burners, let’s talk about this type of system, particularly focusing on its definition, how it works, and repair guide.
Petro.com, in the article “How Your Oil-Fired Heating System Works,” has a straight up explanation on how your oil-fired heating system works:
Oil-fired heating systems distribute heat in one of three ways: warm air through vents, hot water through baseboards, or steam through radiators.
Your thermostat senses that the room temperature has fallen below your thermostat setting and sends a signal to your heating system to provide heat for your home.
When your oil burner is engaged, heating oil travels from the tank to the burner by way of a pump where it becomes a fine mist mixed with air. The fuel/air mixture is then injected into the burner where it is ignited in the combustion chamber.
Heating System Types
Depending on the type of system you have, water-based or warm air, the system works differently to disperse heat throughout your home.
There are two main types of water-based systems: hot water systems and steam systems. Water is heated in either a cast iron or steel boiler before it is dispersed throughout your home.
In a hot water system, the heated water is circulated through radiators or baseboards.
In a steam system, the water turns to steam and rises through pipes to the radiators. In a warm air system, your furnace heats air. A blower then sends the heated air up through the ducts and out of vents in your floors or walls. The air gets drawn back to the furnace through a return duct and the cycle repeats.
Finally, the emissions from the combustion of fuel and air exit the system through a flue pipe that runs out of your home through the chimney.
And while it looks like this system is a modern concept, oil-based heating to produce warm temperature inside a space is actually one of the oldest methods out there. Oil has been used for more than a century now, particularly in heating, and the most obvious reason for that is because it has remained to be effective.
Meanwhile, HowStuffWorks.com offers a good account of the type of repairs or maintenance you can do with your oil furnace. In the article “How To Repair Oil Furnaces,” the website reveals the fact that this type of heating system is a very complex one, which means that any DIY repair job isn’t recommended. It is best that serious repair issues must be handed out to a qualified service technician.
An oil furnace is a complex assembly.The maintenance and repair work for this type of furnace is limited to simple parts: the filters, the blower, the motor belts, the switches, and the thermostat. Electrodes, an oil nozzle, air tubes, a transformer, a pump, and other components require special tools and testing equipment and are best left to a professional for service.
To become familiar with your oil furnace, remove the access panel covering the burner blower by removing the retaining screws around the rim of the housing. You can access the air blower and filter through a metal panel on one side of the furnace. The panel is held by either hooks or retaining bolts; slip the panel up and off the hooks or remove the bolts and lift the panel off. Most furnaces have switches and reset buttons located on the motor or in a switch box outside the furnace housing. These are usually identified with stamping or labels, such as DISCONNECT SWITCH, RESET, and so on. The stack control sensor, a safety device that monitors burner operation, is positioned in the stack and held with a series of retaining bolts.
There’s not much you can do to fix an oil furnace, but routine maintenance can forestall many problems.
Check out a list of tips from this very same post about how you can ensure that your furnace runs smoothly by clicking this link.
Lastly, here’s a more comprehensive explanation about how the distribution of heat happens and what happens to the byproduct, courtesy of eHow.com:
Distribution of Heated Air Throughout the House
As the air in the heat exchanger reaches a certain temperature, a blower begins to force the heated air out through a system of ducts that lead to each room of the house. To replace it, cold air is returned to the furnace from ducts in each room that are part of a separate return system. The returning air passes through an air filter so as to keep dust and suspended matter out of the furnace blower. After being heated in the exchanger, the air is circulated by the blower into the rooms of the house through the heating ducts, which are typically hand-adjustable either on the grilles in each room or (in older installations) by using valves in the ductwork closer to the furnace. Once the thermostat signals that the temperature has risen to the selected level, the atomization and combustion process in the furnace is halted. Since hot air remains in the ducts, however, the fan keeps blowing for a preset period of time to ensure that all of the warmed air reaches the rooms. This is the reason why, when the furnace begins blowing again on its next cycle, the air coming out of the vents is initially cool.
Emissions
From the combustion chamber, the by-products of the burnt oil and air mixture rise up a chimney to be vented into the air. These emissions consist primarily of carbon dioxide, nitrogen and water. In recent years, oil-burning furnaces have become far more efficient than earlier models. The flame retention burner, introduced in the 1960s, burns up to 15 percent more efficiently with a smaller, hotter flame and also directs the air more closely for an optimal mixture with the oil. More recent advancements include electronically-controlled high static air pressure to control accumulation of particulate matter, which is claimed by manufacturers to decrease particulate emissions by as much as 95 percent.
Once you learn more about your oil-fired heating system, it’s time that you start learning how to properly maintain it. Yes, we told you that the repairs must only be done by pros, but it doesn’t mean you do nothing. Proper maintenance is your job as the owner and doing it right will correspond to your equipment working efficiently.
A heat pump is a type of device that does more than what its name implies. It works by using a minimal amount of energy for moving heat from one place to another. In essence, it works pretty simple. However, it actually is more complex than you think. For one, it is used in homes to pull heat out of the air or from the ground in order to produce warm temperature inside the living space. But what most people don’t realize is that it also can be reversed in order to cool a building.
To learn more about this device and why you should consider having one, have a look at some information we compiled online. Let’s start with the post “How Heat Pumps Work” from HowStuffWorks.com:
One of the biggest advantages of a heat pump over a standard heating ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) unit is that there’s no need to install separate systems to heat and cool your home. Heat pumps also work extremely efficiently, because they simply transfer heat, rather than burn fuel to create it. This makes them a little more green than a gas-burning furnace. And they don’t just heat and cool buildings. If you’ve ever enjoyed a hot tub or heated swimming pool, then you probably have a heat pump to thank. They work best in moderate climates, so if you don’t experience extreme heat and cold in your neck of the woods, then using a heat pump instead of a furnace and air conditioner could help you save a little money each month.
There is a lot more to learn about this device if you click this link.
Based on the explanation above, clearly the most important advantage of a heat pump is the fact that you no longer need to pay for a costly installation. They’re really best used for small and tight spaces, where there are no more than two rooms. You also can take full advantage of it if you are living in a moderate climate. But if you’re an area where winter reaches below freezing temperatures, it may not be the best option.
A very innovative variety, called the geothermal heat pump is one of the most efficient ways to heat your home. See this video from This Old House that discusses how this type works:
Here is a more detailed discussion of the functionality of a heat pump, courtesy of Trane.com:
Think of a heat pump as a heat transporter constantly moving warm air from one place to another, to where its needed or not needed, depending on the season. Even in air that’s seems too cold, heat energy is present. When it’s cold outside a heat pump extracts this outside heat and transfers it inside. When it’s warm outside, it reverses directions and acts like an air conditioner, removing heat from your home.
One advantage of a heat pump is that it moves heat instead of generating heat, giving you more energy efficiency. Also, it is powered by electricity, so you can save substantially on fuel consumption. For example, a Trane XL20i heat pump is among the HVAC industry’s most efficient, with a rating up to 19.00 SEER and 9.00 HSPF.
Note that heat pumps are best for moderate climates, and a supplemental heating source may be needed for lower temperatures. As a year-round solution for home comfort, Trane heat pumps can become a key part of your matched system. An independent Trane dealer can help you decide if a heat pump system is right for you.
The most important thing we learned from the explanation above is that a heat pump is substantially more energy efficient because instead of generating heat, it only will distribute or move it. Most varieties these days use electricity, but as we showcased in the video above, there’s also a geothermal type that is obviously more expensive in installation, but will be a lot cheaper to operate in the long run.
Living in comfort is one thing and living in comfort while saving energy in the process is another thing. In winter time, we can’t dare turn off our heating equipment; in the summer, we make it a habit to turn on the air conditioning system all day long. While no one’s stopping us from what we want to do just to stay comfortable, the thing is we’re really becoming as impractical as someone who’s running his car idling overnight. You see, the way we want to be comfortable at home is making us spend so much money on it. But it doesn’t have to be that way always. There are so many ways to save energy while still making sure you have a comfortable and ideal home to live.
During summer, you don’t have to completely rely on your AC to cool down. Take this set of tips from a blog post titled “100 Ways to Save Energy at Home,” from Progress-Energy.com:
Switch your ceiling fan to turn in a counter-clockwise direction In the summer; in the winter, run it at low speed, but clockwise.
Close your exterior doors and windows tightly when the AC is on. Save even more by turning off kitchen and bath exhaust fans.
Change or clean your AC’s air filters at least once a month to keep your system running at peak performance.
Make sure your AC has a rating – or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) – of 15. Not only will your AC be more efficient, you could also be eligible for a rebate up to $300.
Make saving automatic: Set your thermostat fan switch to “auto” to save energy.
Leaving it in the “on” position keeps air running constantly.
Block the sun from overheating your home! Inside, use shades, blinds and drapes.
Outside, use awnings, trees and shrubs.
Insulate your walls with injected foam insulation to help you save energy by keeping hot outside air from seeping through porous block walls – check with your local building supply company for details.
Give your AC tune-up. Running an inefficient AC system can result in high monthly bills. Plus, you could qualify for a rebate.
Want some more energy saving tips for cooling? See them here.
Admit it – you’re not really that concerned as to how efficient your AC is working, as long as it is working. But the fact is it might be overworking because it isn’t properly cleaned and maintained. Also, make an effort to install a programmable thermostat that helps you control and manage temperature inside your home.
Here’s a very detailed infographic on how you can save energy during the hot summer months (photo credit: MVEC.net)
Next, Alliance to Save Energy campaigns for a better world by “using less and doing more.” The website also contains several tips that can help you save energy. These tips are so common and mundane that you’ll be surprised why you’re not even doing them right now.
Wash clothes in cold water to save $63 a year.
Use your window shades. Close blinds on the sunny side in summer to keep out the hot sun, and open them in winter to bring in warm rays.
Turn off all lights, appliances and electronics not in use. A power strip can help turn off multiple items at once.
Change to new and improved light bulbs. Reduce energy use from about a third to as much as 80% with today’s increasing number of energy-efficient halogen incandescents, CFLs and LEDs.
Look for the Energy Star label, the government’s symbol of energy efficiency, on a wide range of consumer products to save up to 30% on related electricity bills.
Use low-flow faucets and shower heads to save on water bills.
While those tips seem to be very easy to perform, it actually takes commitment and dedication to integrate them in your mundane life. Most people don’t even take them seriously because the act of “not doing” them appears to be harmless. However, once you religiously do them and then compare the difference in energy bills you pay, you’ll be amazed with the results.
Finally, take the time to see this video about how to save energy in winter:
It looks like this year’s heating oil prices are going to be lower than last year’s pricing which is great news for home owners and renters that heat their houses with oil. Here are some industry experts that are sharing their knowledge and inside information with us regarding oil pricing this Winter.
In a news article on WTVR, Channel 6 CBS, they are making the case that oil prices are declining as indicated in the quoted snippet below:
Crude oil prices tumbled below $44 a barrel on Monday as the supply glut in that market persists. The average price of a gallon of gas now stands at $2.20, down from $3.05 a year ago, according to AAA.
Now investors are betting El Nino will lower already weak demand for natural gas. That would be a big change from the past two winters that slammed many parts of the U.S. with freezing temperatures.
“With El Nino increasingly the major buzz word for this winter, which has historically meant a mild winter, (natural gas) producers may be increasingly grasping at straws,” Barclays analysts wrote in a recent report.
Not only are oil prices on the decline but we’re also seeing natural gas prices drop which is good news for the other segment of homeowners that heat with gas. However, the declines in fuel are creating some concerns for others as noted in Bloomberg’s article titled,”Energy Prices Retreat With Global Stocks Ahead of Fed Meeting”
Declines in oil and natural gas rippled through world markets, weighing on equities and the currencies of commodity-producing nations as the Federal Reserve begins a two-day meeting amid fresh jitters over the strength of the global economy and the threat of deflation.
Here is a chart showing the seasonality for energy pricing by year:
Here is an interesting video that talks about the projected decline of oil prices for the upcoming year:
Some local heating companies may be worried about the drop in prices but many actually welcome the lower pricing because it ultimately helps their customers. They still make the relative same margins on the fuel delivered so they are happy to see the positive impact for homeowners and renters.
Please share your thoughts on this by commenting below.
Heating your home with oil fuel, propane or natural gas can be a costly endeavor if you do not take some simple steps to conserve energy. This article, brought to you by the Lehigh Valley heating oil advocacy group, Better Home Heat Council of the Lehigh Valley, will highlight some energy savings tips that you can implement to reduce your energy consumption this winter.
Tune up your heating system. This allows your heating system to maximize the heating performance and reduce wasted heating oil.
Monitor the shades or blinds on your windows. Keep them open during the daytime when the sun is shining in to help heat up your house. But be sure to close them when the sun goes down to help trap the heat inside your home.
If you are not home, turn down the thermostat. Also turn it down when you are sleeping at night. Many people find that they get a better night sleep in cooler rooms with an extra blanket on the bed.
Don’t let hot air escape outside of your home through gaps in doors and windows. install weatherstripping to seal the gaps.
Stop air flow from escaping the home through kitchen vents, fireplace dampers or air conditioning units. Be sure to close those vents or cover the AC units with an insulated blanket.
Keep the air flowing freely by not placing furniture in front of radiators.
Propane is an explosive gas that warrants safe handling and caution. Be sure to keep your Allentown propane tanks safe from leaks and damage as a leaking tank may lead to a home explosion. Sadly, propane leaks are the culprit to home fires more often than they should be.
For instance, just last month a propane leak caused an explosion and fire in a Baltimore, MD home. This occurred on August 28, 2014. Luckily no one died however two women had to be transported to the hospital to be treated for burns.
According to the Public Opinion Online, “The home caught fire after the explosion. The explosion likely involved propane which was located in cylinders outside the house, according to State Police Fire Marshal Frank Hershey.”
Another area to be aware of is home grilling with propane grills. Here are some safety tips to adhere to for grilling with propane (and charcoal), courtesy of Texas State Fire Marshal Chris Connealy:
Propane and charcoal barbecue grills should only be used outdoors.
The grill should be placed well away from the home, deck railing, and out from under eves and overhanging branches.
Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grill area.
Keep your grill clean by removing grease or fat buildup from the grills and in trays below the grill.
Never leave your grill unattended.
Always make sure your gas grill lid is open before lighting it.
Here are some safety tips from Lowe’s for gas grills:
In Allentown alone, there are so many fuel oil delivery companies that offer different types of services. Although the main objective is to provide and deliver oil to your home, there are in fact so many ways and terms on doing it. For instance, homeowners can choose from two types of service – automatic oil delivery and one time oil orders.
So what’s the different between the two? Let us break them down…
Automatic oil delivery is described or characterized as a type of heating oil company that will deliver the oil on a regular basis. Also, this type of company will likely provide other services that include the maintenance and service of the heating unit. The other type meanwhile called as one time oil order is that kind of heating oil delivery service that is based on the “as needed” concept. This means that there are some homeowners who choose to purchase oil only when they need it and will not consider hiring the same delivery company for maintenance and heating system service.
So which do you think is the most practical choice for you?
If you still don’t get the picture, let us again discuss the two types, but this time on a more technical basis. For the sake of the argument, let’s call the first one as full services while the second one as discount fuel oil. Be guided that we are talking the same types as mentioned above and there’s more comprehensive discussion about this topic on www.HeatingOilAllentownPA.com.
Full Service – A full service heating oil company, in most instances will not just sell and deliver fuel oil, but also provide a wide range of services that a typical homeowner needs during winter season. These services may include but not limited to automatic oil delivery, 24-hour emergency services, capped and fixed price programs, budget plans, maintenance of equipment, 30-day credit, installation and service for new equipment, and others. The full service company is the one you need when you don’t have anyone else to maintain and repair your boilers, furnaces, and heaters. The best thing about opting for this type of service is that while you may pay more for it, you don’t have to worry about issues about your heating system anymore.
Discount Fuel – The discount fuel oil service is in some way the opposite of full service companies. For one, most discounters will not cater the maintenance or the servicing of the heating system, unit, or equipment. The only service or function they provide is to deliver oil to households that need it. In most instances, the delivery is run by cash-on-delivery basis. And because there are no contract or service agreements signed, it is pretty well known that discount fuel companies offer better and more affordable oil prices compared to the full service oil companies.
Final Note
When you’re on the verge of picking what sort of fuel delivery service to call, you have to check the prices. By comparing means you need to see and compare it to industry average. Also, if you are on the side of full service delivery, you have to know what is included in the service agreement, special offers, and even discounts. Keep in mind that you want to save on expenses as much as possible while at the same time making sure you get the kind of services you need.
Oil heating is used in mostly all regions in the United States, especially those that are always struck by the harsh cold of the winter season. The weather is something that’s quite unfriendly to many Americans, and winter is probably the greatest villain of all. It’s a fact that we all feel the hate too much cold. The winter is no season to enjoy the outside. In fact, the same winter season substantially degrades and limits the level of comfort inside our living spaces. Because of this, Americans have been so reliant in different kinds of heating systems just to make sure the family is safe and warm inside, while the snow and winter are terrorizing everyone outside.
However, even if the oil heating system is regarded as a revolutionary mechanism in effectively keeping the living space warm, there are still a lot of skeptics. Now when you actually think of home heating oil in general, what usually comes to mind? For most people who don’t have it, they imagine a scenario while there are flickering lights and the use of flammable and dangerous fuel at home. But then again, that image or perception about heating oil is simply too wrong and brought by false impressions.
Heating oil is actually at the forefront of heating technology. This means that it is considered as one of the most significant and effective methods in home heating. Aside from the fact that it produces better warmth than common gas, it is also a lot safer and cleaner.
1 – Gas heating is more efficient than the new oil heating mechanism.
This myth has completely no basis at all. As a matter of fact, Pocono oil and propane are about 15% more efficient than gas or other fuel. What this means is that it can heat up more quickly without using that much.
2 – Oil is dirty and is a major cause of air pollution.
It’s not true! Oil heating produces the least amount of carbon monoxide. It can be argued that oil burners in the past were very dirty and that’s probably the source of the myth. But today, the new oil heating systems have become cleaner when burning and only creates an almost invisible amount of smoke and soot. Likewise, it has very minimal carbon dioxide or monoxide excretion than that of other sources of combustion we know of.
3 – Home heating oil belongs in the past, not in the present.
This is another myth that’s actually quite outrageous. Most people think that gas as well as electric heating equipment is the new thing, and that may be true. But then again, oil heating has advanced and improved in the last two decades or so. The technology behind it has allows for the rapid rise in popularity and is even considered one of the most efficient heating systems today.
4 – Home heating using oil is dangerous
It has to be noted that every kind or type of fuel intended for burning is dangerous and risky when not done or used properly. That’s actually not surprising. But labeling home heating oilas more dangerous is quite unfair. With the number of homes opting to use oil heating system, it goes on to show that it is one of the safer heating fuel systems out there. The newer and modern heating tanks are built on non-corrosive construction and they are particularly designed to avoid leaks and spills. Heating oil for its part is flame resistant.
So the next time you hear about these common myths about oil heating, you don’t need to believe them anymore. Home heating oil is safe and effective – that’s a fact skeptics cannot deny.
Living in comfort is one thing and living in comfort while saving energy in the process is another thing. In winter time, we can’t dare turn off our heating equipment; in the summer, we make it a habit to turn on the air conditioning system all day long. While no one’s stopping us from what we want to do just to stay comfortable, the thing is we’re really becoming as impractical as someone who’s running his car idling overnight. You see, the way we want to be 
