Conservation Tips

Congratulations! By using Oilheat, you're already saving money! And as an Oilheat customer, you can continue to cut costs and keep New Jersey beautiful when you upgrade or replace your old equipment with products that have received the ENERGY STAR® rating. Created by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), only the most energy efficient products have earned the ENERGY STAR.

Did you know that if just 1-in-10 households bought ENERGY STAR equipment, over 17 billion pounds of pollution would be removed from the air? Plus, ENERGY STAR products can help you save hundreds of dollars per year. For example, by upgrading to an ENERGY STAR rated oil-fired furnace or boiler, you can reduce heating bills by almost 30%! And in case you're wondering where to find one, the Energy Star web site www.energystar.gov lists dozens of technologically advanced, clean-burning, environmentally friendly oil-fired boilers that have earned the coveted ENERGY STAR.

As much as half of the energy you use goes to cool and heat your home, so why burn money - literally - when you can reach for the ENERGY STAR! To find ENERGY STAR qualified Oilheat products, contact us today. For additional information, check the ENERGY STAR web site or call its toll-free hotline at 1-888-STAR-YES (782-7937).

Cold Weather Conservation Tips:

Sunshine! Windows on the south side of the house get the most sunlight. Eastern windows get sunlight in the morning. West facing windows receive sunlight in the afternoon. Open shades and drapes during the daytime and close when the sun goes down.

Correct air leaks around windows, doors and electrical outlets.

Repair weather stripping and caulking.

Check your threshold for any gaps between it and the door. Use a bottom seal that can be attached to the bottom of the door - it should brush up against the floor to seal up the threshold. It virtually stops drafts.

Keep radiators free of dust for top efficiency.

Turn your thermostat back when not at home. By turning your thermostat back 10 to 15 degrees for 8 hours, you can save about 5 percent to 15 percent a year on your heating bill - a savings of as much as 1 percent for each degree if the setback period is eight hours long.

Get an automatic setback or programmable thermostat, which, when used properly, can shave $100 off your annual energy bills.

Replace any cracked glass in your windows.

Seal off your attic-circulating fan with polyethylene and tape.

Make sure your ceiling has at least six inches of good thermal insulation.

Wrap your pipes, to guard against heat loss and prevent them from freezing.

Keep ductwork in good repair with duct tape or duct insulation. Your home could be losing up to 25 percent of its hot air before it reaches the vents!

Re-glaze window glass (glazing is the putty that seals the glass to the frame). You can use a putty knife or glazing gun. Re-glazing stops air infiltration on the sash (window frame) itself. You can then install a V-strip to stop any leaking that would go around the sash. This also makes the window easier to operate up and down.

Avoid using space heaters. They're expensive to operate, and can be dangerous, too.

Warm Weather Conservation Tips:

Close unused rooms and their vents.

Keep drapes, blinds and shades closed during the day to block out the sun.

Clear furniture away from air conditioning vents.

Install an attic fan - it can cool your attic by nearly 30 degrees!

Keep cool air in by installing insulation and weather-stripping.

Plant shade trees due west of west windows. It could reduce your air conditioning bills by up to 25 percent!

Cook on the grill to keep cooking heat outside the home.

When cooking inside, use a microwave instead of a conventional oven. It uses less than half the power and cooks food in about one-fourth the time.

Turn the air conditioner thermostat up to at least 78 degrees or higher, or use a programmable thermostat. Turn air conditioners off when no one is home.

Install reflective window coatings to reflect heat away from your home.

Year-Round Conservation Tips:

Close off rooms you don't use - and remember to shut the vents inside.

Use compact fluorescent lights. They last up to 10-13 times longer than standard bulbs and use 75% less energy.

Install dimmer switches. In addition to enhancing the mood, they'll extend the life of your bulbs and help you save up to 60% on your lighting costs.

Install motion activated switches that automatically turn lights on and off.

Lower the temperature of your water heater from 140 to 120 degrees. You'll save 3%-5% in water heating costs for each 10 degree reduction. Or consider a timer to turn your water heater off when not in use.

Install water-conserving fixtures, such as showerheads, faucets and toilets.

Fix leaky faucets, especially hot water faucets. One drop per second can add up to 165 gallons per month - more than a person uses in two weeks.

Take showers instead of baths. A five-minute shower will use about 7.5 gallons of hot water; filling a bathtub can use up to 20 gallons.

Install ceiling fans. They could cut your energy bill by 40%.

Don't keep your refrigerator or freezer too cold. Recommended temperatures are 37 to 40 degrees F for the refrigerator and 5 degrees F for the freezer.

Don't leave the fridge door open! Every time you do, up to 30% of the air inside can escape. The same can be said for your oven.

Use less water and use cooler water when doing laundry. The warm or cold water setting on your machine will generally do a good job of cleaning your clothes. Switching your temperature setting from hot to warm can cut a load's energy use in half.

Consider air-drying clothes on clothes lines or drying racks. Air-drying is recommended by clothing manufacturers for some fabrics.

Use a covered kettle or pan to boil water; it's faster and it uses less energy.

Repair and weatherize your storm windows.