How To Cut Down On Your Heating Bill This Winter
We’ve had a mild fall so far, but we all know how quickly that can change here in Staten Island and New Jersey. Whatever the weather case may be, your heating equipment is going to continue to work hard to keep you comfortable, and you’ll pay for that work with your hard-earned money.
House Weatherizing Tips
If you’d like to find ways to part with as little cash as possible on your heating bills this winter, here are five of the most cost-effective investments you can make in your SI or NJ home:
- Caulk and weather stripping – Homes (especially older ones) are constantly leaking air through cracks around exterior doors and window frames. Simple measures like caulk or weatherstripping can keep those leaks to a minimum.
- Insulation – About a quarter of the warm hair that escapes from your home comes as a result of inadequate insulation; insulate your attic and crawl spaces to proper R-values and you’ll experience an immediate drop in heating bills. For more insulation tips, check out this page from the U.S. Department of Energy.
- Replacement air filters – A clogged air filter makes your furnace work harder than it has to when heating your home. Over time, that overwork will raise your bills and could even cause premature breakdown of your system. Check your filters regularly during heating season – once a month or so, especially if you have pets that shed – and replace them as needed.
- A programmable thermostat –A programmable thermostat can reduce heating costs by 10 percent or more by controlling temperature when no one is home – or when you’re asleep and won’t notice the difference.
- Equipment maintenance – An annual heating tune-up pays for itself in retaining efficiency that would otherwise be lost. Routine care also prevents long-term equipment wear and tear and can even keep your warranty in place. No matter how you slice it, professional preventive care is a must for your propane or oil-fired heating equipment – if you haven’t had it this year, schedule a tune-up before the real winter weather hits. The best way to do that? Sign up for a Rucci Service Plan, which includes an annual maintenance visit plus priority service, repair discounts, and more.
It’s not too late to service your heating equipment for winter 2020/21! Contact us today for heating service in New Jersey or Staten Island, or to sign up for a Rucci Service Plan for your oil-fired heating system.