Written on: October 30, 2018

Temperatures are dropping here in fast here in PA, but as we know the REAL heating season is still ahead of us – and soon you will have the heating bills to prove it.

If you want to keep those heating bills as low as possible, here are seven great ways to do it:

1. Use your programmable thermostat – According to a study by the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, about nine out of ten Americans say they “rarely or never” program their thermostat. Be the one out of 10 who does – it’s one of the easiest ways to save 10 percent or more on your energy costs. Target a default heating system temperature of 68 degrees to balance comfort and energy efficiency when people are home; drop the temperature six to eight degrees when they are not.
2. Change your HVAC air filters – A clogged air filter will make your furnace overwork to keep you warm; that overwork means higher bills, more heating equipment repairs, and a shorter lifespan for your heating system. Check your furnace’s air filter once a month during heating season, cleaning or changing it when needed.
3. Use the sun – Did you know your window treatments can lower your energy bills? Choose options that make it easy to expose your room to the sun during the day and insulate your room at night. You can learn more about energy efficient window treatments here.
4. Use ceiling fans – Many ceiling fans can reverse their spinning direction, which enables them to either push air away or draw air towards them. In the winter, you want to set the rotation of your fan blades so they push rising warm air back into the room (the opposite is true in cooling season).
5. Seal air leaks – Much like a clogged air filter, an air leaks force your heating system to overwork to keep you comfortable – which means you will pay more to heat your home and spend more on maintenance for your heating equipment, too. Inexpensive measures like caulk, weather sealing, and door sweeps are effective ways to keep warm air in and cold air out (you can read up on some air sealing basics on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) website). Insulation helps a lot, too.
6. Maintain your heating equipment – Preventative maintenance is the key to keeping your heating systems running efficiency and reliably: not only will an annual heating system tune-up lower your heating bills, it will also prolong the life of your equipment, delay costly repairs, and even keep your equipment warrantees in force.

   The best way to get your heating equipment maintained? Sign up for a Walton Service Plan. Available for heating oil-, natural gas-, and propane-fired systems, your Service Plan includes:

   • A precision heating tune-up
   • Priority service
   • Loyalty Credits
   • 24-hour emergency oil service
   • Discounted or FREE (depending on the level of plan you choose) parts-and-labor coverage most of your heating system
7. Invest in sensible heating system upgrades – You could save as much as 30 percent on your annual fuel costs when you invest in a high efficiency heating system upgrade – enough to offset the cost of a new heating unit in just a few years.

Did you know that you could save up to $750 when you replace your qualifying oil-fired equipment this fall or winter? These funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis for a limited time early – so contact us today to learn more!