Effective Ways to Make Your Oil Furnace More Economical

We’re all enjoying the current dip in oil prices, but history tells us that the energy markets never stay at the same level for very long. This period of low utility cost is a great time to invest in making your oil furnace more economical.

You can reduce the amount of heating oil you use by maintaining your furnace with upgrades and by making investments around your home to reduce your overall energy demand. Here are a few suggestions:

• Schedule regular service calls. Have your HVAC contractor perform routine maintenance and repairs on your oil furnace at least once a year. Cleaning and lubricating moving parts, checking airflow, adjusting the burner and sealing leaks in your ductwork will all keep your system running longer and more efficiently.
• Change your filter regularly. Keeping a clean air filter in your oil furnace can reduce your energy costs, extend your furnace’s lifespan and keep your indoor air cleaner. How often you should change your air filter will vary depending on several factors, such as if you have pets inside your home and if you live on a dusty road.
• Reduce energy loss in your home. Check your attic insulation and make an upgrade if it’s not sufficient for our mid-Atlantic winters. Look for air leaks around doors, windows and holes in walls where pipes or electrical wiring enters your home. Make sure to seal leaks with expanding foam insulation or caulk, and to replace worn weatherstripping so doors and windows seal tightly when they’re closed.
• Manage your thermostat wisely. Keep your home at a colder temperature when nobody is there or at night when people are sleeping. Programmable thermostats are relatively inexpensive, and they can remember to make energy-saving temperature adjustments for you.

At Sobieski Services, Inc., our goal is to help our customers in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey learn more about energy and home comfort issues – especially HVAC and plumbing issues – so that they can save money and live in healthier, more comfortable homes.

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