How To Budget For Your Winter Heating Oil Costs
Every homeowner likes saving money on home heating costs when the winter months arrive. Certain costs, such as heating fuels, are directly connected to supply and demand. This means that you will not be able to do much to change factors like these.
However, there are other things that people, including yourself, can do to reduce your home heating costs. For instance, there are strategies that you can use that will give you a fairly accurate estimate of how much fuel you’ll need for a comfortable winter.
Fuel prices often fluctuate quite a bit. This gives homeowners the incentive to find the most trusted and reliable home heating oil companies near me. To truly find the best prices for heating oil, Point Bay Fuel is on hand to offer reliable and affordable heating oil near me Beachwood NJ. We deliver affordable home heating oil throughout Monmouth and Ocean County, New Jersey.
When you’re able to find the best prices for heating oil…
you can cut your home heating costs and stay true to your winter budget. This article will cover the top ways to budget for heating oil this winter. We’ll also share a few tips for improving energy efficiency that will help you further limit your spending.
How To Budget For Heating Oil
Contents
Number Of Gallons Used Each Hour
On average, the typical oil-burning furnace burns between 0.92 and 1.7 gallons of fuel each hour. Depending upon the type and age of a furnace, some models might use less or more of the estimated average. Due to this fact, setting a feasible benchmark makes it possible for homeowners to accurately calculate the amount of fuel that their furnaces will burn.
The Manufacturer’s Plate
The easiest way to find this information is to shine a flashlight on the manufacturer’s plate. It will either be on the burner nozzle or on the burner itself. This metal tag will provide the capacity specifications as gallons used per hour. This will allow you to estimate how much fuel you’re going to need once the outdoor temperatures drop.
Energy Bills
To arrive at a more specific estimate…
property owners should round up as many energy bills as they can. Go as far back to find your energy use from prior months and years. The more bills that you can round up, the more accurate your estimate will be.
Next, study the quantities of oil that was used in the past. For instance, if you’ve collected 12 months of energy bills, then simply divide the total annual usage by 12. This will help you find out what your monthly average was for that year.
Studying The Weather
The weather industry uses the phrase “heating-degree day”. This is basically any day on which outside temperatures fall below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. It is very helpful to have a rough estimate of the number of days that will require heat throughout the year.
The Farmer’s Almanac and other weather forecasting companies maintain weather statistics over time. Homeowners can use these to estimate their fuel use in the future. It’s also possible to get other info from sources like these. This includes predictions for unusual weather patterns for a specific year.
As an example, you might want to know whether or not certain times are known for having consistently mild weather. You can even find out whether temperatures have plummeted to especially low levels during specific months over the course of several, consecutive years. Tracking weather patterns can help homeowners get ready for extended weather seasons.
Tips For Saving Money On Your Heating Oil Costs
Beyond estimating how much fuel your household will require, you can also take advantage of these energy efficiency tips. They will help you save money and allow you to optimize your fuel use.
Replace Old, Outdated Furnaces
Experts suggest replacing heating systems that are 20 years old or older. Having modern furnaces installed can help homeowners save as much as 15 percent to 20 percent on fuel. Moreover, even if you happen to have a relatively new furnace, be sure to schedule yearly tune-ups for this system. It is best to do this before the cold season begins.
Invest In A Programmable Thermostat
It’s a good idea for homeowners to talk to their heating company about having programmable thermostats installed. These devices can pay for themselves within just one year of installation by helping people lower their home heating costs.
Add Insulation
While it might be common knowledge, a lot of homeowners still have yet to properly insulate their homes. People should check to ensure that there’s sufficient insulation in their:
- Exterior walls
- Flooring with underlying cold spaces
- Ceilings that allow drafts to flow in
- Attics
Conclusion
Estimating your fuel costs is hardly an exact science. You can, however, use the tips above to both save money and conserve important resources. Also, when looking for heating oil companies near me, be sure to contact Point Bay Fuel. We offer highly affordable local fuel oil prices and skilled heating oil deliveries. Call us today to schedule an appointment.
Call Point Bay Fuel For All Of Your Home Heating Requirements
Contact Point Bay Fuel for high-quality heating oil delivery. All of our oil has UltraGuard in it. This is an oil additive that prevents sludge from forming in your tank. It provides stability to your oil which enhances the performance of your heater. It extends the lifespan of your heating system and your fuel oil tank. We have different delivery options along with different payment options.
We also offer HVAC services such as heater tune-ups which also optimizes your heating system’s operation. Call Point Bay Fuel today to speak to one of our home comfort specialists.
We service Barnegat NJ 08005, Beach Haven NJ 08008, Leeds Point NJ 08220, Manahawkin NJ 08050, New Gretna NJ 08224, Oceanville NJ 08231, Port Republic NJ 08241, Tuckerton NJ 08087, West Creek NJ 08092, and surrounding areas.
Contact us now by calling (732) 349-5059 to speak to one of our home comfort specialists!