Reasons To Schedule It Now
Memorial Day weekend will be here shortly, and with it comes the unofficial start of summer. So, we’re sure that one of the last things on your mind is scheduling a heating oil system tune-up. But while it may seem strange at first, late spring and early summer are actually the best time to get your system maintenance done.
Here are three reasons why.
- Heating emergencies don’t happen in the summer or early fall. When you set up your tune-up for spring or summer, you will not be in competition for an appointment time with fellow New Jerseyans who are experiencing no-heat emergencies. Even if you don’t need anything beyond a tune-up, you’ll have a harder time securing an appointment when heating oil service providers are handling emergencies all over your New Jersey service area, which is often the case at the beginning of the heating season in fall.
- Your tune-up will not wear off. When you get a tune-up months before the heating season, the service that’s done to your oil furnace or oil boiler will stick. So, you don’t have to worry that the work done in the summer will no longer have an effect by winter—this is simply not the case. Also, your tune-up might reveal a need for a big repair or even a replacement system, in which case an early appointment will enable you to get those tasks done with plenty of time before the first cold snap.
- Preventive maintenance extends the life of your current system. Proper maintenance is the key to making your heating oil boiler or heating oil furnace last. When your New Jersey heating oil service provider performs your annual tune-up, it ensures that your system is always working at its maximum potential. This will help you use less heating oil.
Look Beyond Your Heating System For Savings
Besides taking care of annual maintenance for your heating equipment, it also makes sense to look for other ways to conserve energy. Here are a few ideas.
Weatherize And Insulate
Now that outdoor temperatures are tolerable, it’s a good time to caulk any air leaks around exterior doors and windows that might have widened over the winter. While you’re at it, try replacing door weatherstripping that might have worn away.
In terms of insulation, most homes are under-insulated. Adding enough to meet recommended R-values is one of the most cost-effective ways to improve your home’s overall efficiency and comfort. Read the Energy Department’s Guide to Home Insulation.
Change Filters Regularly
If you have a forced-air system (one with vents rather than radiators or baseboards), the most important self-maintenance task you have is to check your air filters regularly, cleaning or changing them when needed. Clogged filters rob your furnace of efficiency by making it overwork to keep you warm; that means higher heating bills and more wear and tear on your equipment. The same principle applies if you have a central air conditioning system in your home.
Use The Sun’s Free Heat In The Winter
During the cold months, keep curtains and shades open in sun-exposed rooms to absorb all that free heat and energy during the day, then close them at night to keep it in at night. Do the reverse in the summer by closing curtains and shades during the day to block solar heat. Smart window treatments can help manage solar energy throughout the year.
Close Your Fireplace Damper And Keep Vents, Baseboards, And Radiators Clear
An open fireplace damper is like an open window; close it when you are not using your hearth. Move any furniture, drapery, or rugs away from air vents, baseboards, or radiators. This helps improve airflow and keeps heat circulating into rooms.
To learn about how you can positively impact your home’s energy efficiency through upgrades to old heating oil boilers and heating oil furnaces, please go here.