Virtually all homeowners enjoy saving money on fuel costs throughout the winter. Fortunately, even though certain costs are linked to supply and demand and one can do little to change such factors, there are ways to anticipate the amount of fuel necessary to comfortably make it through winter. We know it can seem difficult to plan for the winter. Fuel prices tend to go up and down. When looking for the best heating oil prices, PFO Heating & Air Conditioning is here to help by offering affordable and reliable heating oil delivery near me.
By finding the best heating oil prices near me…
you will be able to save on home heating costs. In this article, we will cover some of the best ways to budget for your heating oil this year. Also, we will add a few energy efficiency tips on how you can further reduce these expenses.
How To Budget
Contents
Gallons Per Hour
Oil burning furnaces typically burn approximately 0.92 to 1.7 gallons of fuel per hour when the furnace is running. Depending on the design and age of the furnace, certain models use more or less than the amount considered average by the manufacturer. For this reason, determining a benchmark enables homeowners to calculate as accurately as possible the approximate amount of fuel the furnace will burn.
Manufacturer’s Plate
The best way to discover this information is to simply take a flashlight and search for the manufacturer’s plate on the furnace’s burner or on the burner nozzle. This metal label typically gives capacity specifications in the form of gallons burned per hour. This makes it much easier to estimate the amount of fuel needed when temperatures are cold outside.
Energy Bills
To estimate more specifically, homeowners should also gather as many energy bills as possible from previous months and years.
Then, evaluate the quantities used. For example, if one has 12 months worth of bills, the usage can simply be divided by 12, which will give the person their monthly average for the year.
Analyzing Weather
The phrase “heating-degree day” is used by the weather industry. It describes any day where outdoor temperatures are lower than 60°F. It is helpful to know a rough estimate of days per year that one is likely to require heat.
Weather forecasting companies, as well as the Farmer’s Almanac, keep statistics about weather over time that can help homeowners estimate future fuel consumption. It is also possible to obtain other information from these sources, such as any unusual weather patterns predicted for a specific winter season.
For example, it might be relevant to discover whether consistently mild periods have occurred during certain times. You can also check to see if temperatures have dipped to abnormally low numbers during specific months for several years in a row. Analyzing weather patterns also helps people prepare for longer than average winter seasons.
Money Saving Tips
In addition to estimating the approximate amount of fuel needed for winter, you can also follow these money-saving tips. These tips will help you maximize your fuel oil usage:
Replace Old Furnaces
Experts recommend the replacement of heating systems that are older than 20 years of age. Installing modern furnaces can result in savings of 15 to 25% on fuel. Also, even if your furnace is relatively new, make sure that you schedule an annual heating system tune-up before the heating season begins.
Programmable Thermostats
It is also wise for homeowners to speak to their heating fuel suppliers about programmable thermostats. Once installed, such devices typically pay for themselves in approximately one year by lowering the homeowner’s energy costs.
Insulation
Although it may be common knowledge, many property owners fail to ensure their homes are well insulated. Consumers should make sure that proper insulation is in place in:
- exterior walls
- floors that have cold spaces underneath
- ceilings where drafts enter the home
Heating Oil Near Me Lambertville NJ
Estimating fuel costs is not an exact science. However, you can follow the aforementioned tips in order to save money and conserve resources.
Be sure to contact PFO Heating & Air Conditioning for reliable heating oil delivery service. We offer three different pricing plans for your convenience along with different delivery options. This allows you to budget accordingly and pay for your heating oil in the manner that it works for you. Need a furnace tune-up? You can trust our Nate-certified HVAC specialists to get your heating system tuned up so that it performs at its highest efficiency. This also helps reduce your home heating costs. We are among the few providers in NJ to hold a Carrier Presidents Award Dealer distinction.
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We service Baptistown NJ 08803, Blawenburg NJ 08504, Flemington NJ 08822, Frenchtown NJ 08825, Hopewell NJ 08525, Lambertville NJ 08530, Pennington NJ 08534, Pittstown NJ 08867, Princeton NJ 08540, Quakertown NJ 08868, Ringoes NJ 08551, Rosemont NJ 08556, Sergeantsville NJ 08557, Skillman NJ 08558, Stockton NJ 08559, Three Bridges NJ 08887, Titusville NJ 08560, Trenton NJ 08601, and surrounding areas.
Contact us now at (800) 253-9001 and to find out more!