It’s natural to expect your oil heating costs to rise during the winter months, and not just because temperatures are dipping. Spending more time indoors, hosting extra family members over the holidays, and cranking up the heat can increase your overall energy usage. If you’re worried about running out of home heating oil before your scheduled fuel delivery, use the following information to manage your usage.

Maximize Your Heating Efficiency

Take the time to check that your home is being heated as efficiently as possible. Start by mitigating heat loss in your house; if there is a large gap between the exterior-facing doors and thresholds of your home, place a seal on the bottom of the door to keep warm air in. Similarly, caulk (or re-caulk) any gaps around your windows. You may also want to insulate your pipes; doing so will prevent them from freezing and guard against heat loss.

You can also reduce your oil usage by simply using your heater less often. Turn down the thermostat at night and while you are away from your home and open your shades and drapes during the day so the sunlight can naturally warm your house.

Speak With Your Fuel Delivery Service

One of the most effective ways to avoid running out of home heating oil is to assess your current system with a supplier. They may recommend switching to a different fuel blend or even upgrading your system, particularly if it’s older than 20 years.

An oil supplier can also advise you on how to minimize your fuel usage with a programmable thermostat. You can adjust it to mirror your schedule; for example, you can program your unit to turn on before you come home from work. They can also tweak your schedule, discuss current price breaks, and recommend best practices to reduce your overall consumption.

As the only independent, family-owned home heating oil supplier in the Juneau, AK, area, Ike’s Fuel places a high priority on customer service and long-term client relationships. This fuel delivery company has been in business for over half a century, and they offer fuel tanks at various sizes to suit your family’s needs. To learn more about their services, call (907) 364-3420, or visit them online if you have any questions.