In fact, according to the Consumer Energy Council of America, “Switching fuels is an expensive gamble and not one that CECA recommends.” The best way to save energy is to use less! Below you will find some of our best suggestions to help you lower your heating and cooling bills:

1. If your heating system is more than 15 years old, upgrade to a new high-efficiency system. You can save as much as 35% on your fuel bills and improve your comfort. Learn more about upgrading.

2. If you’re not ready to upgrade, make sure you get an annual tune-up of both your heating and cooling systems. Regular maintenance can save you up to 10% of your total home energy costs.

3. Invest in a home energy audit. An audit will uncover heat loss in your home and provide recommendations such as air sealing and insulation to improve your home’s efficiency. Typical savings in our area are approximately $100 per month, year round! Rebates and financing are available in New Jersey! To find a reliable energy auditor in your area, please contact your local fuel dealer.

4. Lower water heating costs. An oil-fired water heater means low-cost access to virtually unlimited amounts of hot water. Its efficiency means extremely low operating costs over the life of the unit. Oil-fired water heaters have recovery rates as high as 120 gallons per hour. That means plenty of hot water for the whole family.

5. Use Advanced Power Strips wherever you leave appliances like toasters and televisions plugged in when not in use. The power strip will block the current so no energy is wasted. This simple device could save you $100 a year!