7 Ways to Save on Home/Central Heating Oil Costs this Winter - By: Andre Issey

The price of heating oil has risen to levels many of us couldn't have imagined as recently as just a few years ago. This leap in rates has sent many people searching to find ways to save on their monthly utility bills, particularly during the winter months. While paying for home/central heating oil is unavoidable for many people, there are a number of ways to reduce how much you pay and the amount your home uses. Here are 7 of the best.

Comparison Websites
Due to online comparison websites and easy access to company websites, prices are more transparent than ever. There are a few online comparison websites dedicated to heating oil companies in the UK. Using these sites has replaced ringing around heating oil businesses as it is more efficient in terms of time and money, i.e. they very quickly let you know which companies offer the best value. Be mindful however to check that your chosen comparison website has the most up-to-date information.

Bulk Buying
When comparing prices take into account the fact that buying large quantities may be far cheaper than buying smaller quantities and having to unexpectedly top up again.

Lower Your Thermostat
The simplest way to lower heating bills is to lower the thermostat. Sacrificing a slight amount of comfort could well be worth it when the next utility bill arrives. Marginally re-setting the thermostat downwards by a few degrees during the winter days will make a noticeable difference in oil usage. Moreover, at bedtime, the thermostat should be reduced even further.

Replace Your Air Filters
Dirty air filters make the heating unit work much harder (i.e. use more oil) than it has to, so regularly check the filter to see if it needs replaced.

Use Good Insulation
Insulation in the walls and under floors or ceilings in your home trap warm air or cool air inside and keep the external air from penetrating the house. When insulation is too thin or improperly installed, or nonexistent, the consequence can be a heating unit that is constantly labouring to warm the home. Adding extra insulation to the home, particularly above the top floor in the attic, will trap more heat inside during winter, and make the home far easier to cool during warm weather.

Use the Kitchen
When working in the kitchen there are a couple of good ways to help with the heating oil usage: either turn the stove-top exhaust fan off immediately after the job is complete or do not use it at all. These fans can suck out an entire houseful of air in about an hour. Moreover, after using the oven to cook a meal, open the oven door partially and allow the heat from inside to escape into the house. This will raise the air temperature in the areas near the kitchen and can have an influence on the rest of the house, depending on its size.

Dress Warm
The easiest solution to dealing with rising heating oil costs is to put on more clothes. Wearing many layers of thin clothing is better than a few layers of heavy clothing.

About the Author

The author works for a company who know a lot about sourcing the cheapest home heating oil in the UK by comparing home heating oil prices and comparing central heating oil prices.

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/Andre-Issey/54899

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