With winter soon to arrive, many homeowners are rethinking their budgets and trying to find a way to manage the cost of heating. While heating your home will always be an added expense, there are ways to reduce the cost of staying comfortable and safe through the coldest months of the year. Here are a few tips to save money on home heating oil:

• Drafts — Make sure your house isn’t leaking heated air out into the winter cold. Windows are a good place to start, and you can re-caulk where necessary to ensure tight seals. The space between your door and threshold is another drafty spot.
• Vents and Dampers — Close off vents in rooms where you don’t regularly spend time. Make sure your fireplace dampers remain closed when you aren’t using them, and shut doors to spaces that don’t have vents. You should also make sure your vents remain unobstructed and clean, too.
• Insulation — Wherever there’s a possibility of losing heat, make sure you have plenty of insulation. This could mean additional insulation for your attic, for your floors or for your exterior walls. Pipes also deserve insulation, as they can lose heat when moving heated air or water.
• Age — Once you pass the 20-year mark, nothing is guaranteed with your heating system. Yes, it costs money to upgrade or replace a heating system, but newer models can actually deliver more powerful, more efficient heating. In most cases, these systems also cost less money over the course of the winter.
• Programs — Installing a programmable thermostat helps your heating system work more efficiently. If this is not a possibility at your home, make sure you’re turning down the thermostat any time you won’t be there for an extended period of time.
• Tune-Ups — A heating system tune-up can help ensure you’re getting the most efficient, most powerful heating experience this winter. Smart Touch Energy’s maintenance group can help tune-up your heating system.
• Windows — Consider upgrading to glass that reduces heat loss without reducing visibility. You can also consider opening shades and drapes on sunny days to help naturally heat your home, and then closing them when the sun goes down to prevent loss of heat through window drafts.
• Planning — Get ahead of the season by locking in your prices early. When demand for heating oil spikes, prices go up. Try filling your tank or locking in prices in the summertime when heating is the last thing on most homeowners’ minds. You can also comparison shop among providers and find the best deal for you and your home.

As a homeowner, you have plenty of ways to save money on home heating oil. Contact us today to learn more about saving money on home heating oil at your residence.