When winter weather hits, you need to start thinking of ways to lower your home or business energy bills. Whether you’re a homeowner or a renter who pays your own utilities, you’ll be happy to learn that a few simple steps can help you save big on your energy costs this year.

10 tips to lower your home heating bill.

• Adjust the thermostat at night – Adjusting your thermostat can save up to 10% per year on your bill. Programmable thermostats can help you to do this automatically, or you can do it manually before bed. Talk to your heating oil provider about installing a programmable thermostat.

Get a heating system tune-up – If you’re a homeowner, getting your heating system tuned up annually can help you save on your energy costs. Your home heating provider will not only make sure it’s running as efficiently as it can but also that it’s up to the job of keeping you warm through a harsh winter.

Learn why you should schedule a heating system tune-up during summer

• Replace your furnace or water heater - If your furnace or water heater is older than 10-15 years, it may be time to replace it. According to energy.gov, new high-efficiency heating systems can be as much as 34% more efficient in terms of annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE). Old furnace and boiler systems typically have efficiencies in the range of 56% - 70%, while their modern counterparts can achieve efficiencies as high as 98.5%.
• Use ceiling fans to your advantage – In the summer ceiling fans are a great way to keep cool, but in the winter, they also serve a purpose. If your fan has 2 direction modes, reversed fans can help to circulate warm air in the room which means you’ll need to crank up your heat that much less.
• Dial back the hot water – Hot water heaters typically come factory set at 140 degrees, while 120 degrees is perfectly warm enough for most. Lower your water heater's temperature and save a little bit on your energy costs.
• Find and fix plumbing leaks – Leaky faucets, boilers and pipes can cause your energy and water bill to rise. Have a plumber check out your pipes before winter sets in to ensure you don’t have any leaks. It’s also a good idea to ask a plumber about home winterization.
• Weatherstrip your doors – The kind of leaks that let in air are also an issue. Make sure that your windows are sealed tight, and that there are no drafty areas by doors.
• Install storm windows – You can protect your home and heating bill by installing storm windows and screen doors to block out the cold.
• Change air filters frequently – For homeowners with natural gas heating systems, changing your air filters frequently can help avoid airflow blockage which can hamper efficiency.
• Get your chimney cleaned – While it’s not exactly related to what you may think of as your heating system, a fireplace can be a great way to turn off your heat altogether at times and really save. To do that safely, you’ll want to get your chimney professionally cleaned before you have any fires burning.

Save on home heating with Petro.

With these tips in mind you can make your home a warmer and more energy-efficient place to hunker down for winter. Need help saving on your energy costs? Call the experts at Petro Home Services today for a heating system evaluation. We’ll tell you where we can help lower your bills with a better system.