How to Reduce Heating Oil Usage
As the price of petroleum continues to rise, it becomes more and more necessary to find ways to minimize personal use of heating oil. Keeping your home warm is essential in cold weather months, but there are ways to reduce the amount of heating oil you consume. By making making some simple adjustments to your home and employing a bit of creativity, you can make your home more energy-efficient and save on the amount of heating oil your family uses. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Make sure that your home is well insulated. Check windows for leakage and use plastic film as an added barrier to cold air. You can find these at most hardware or home improvement stores, and they are fairly inexpensive and easy to install.
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Wash your laundry in cold or warm water instead of hot. There are many laundry detergents on the market today that are safe to use in warm or cold water. Using this tip can result in substantial savings on your heating oil cost.
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Lower the temerature of your hot water heater. Lowering the temperature just a few or more degrees can extend the time before you need to replenish your heating oil.
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Keep your thermostat at 68 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. Most people are comfortable at this temperature, and those who find it a bit chilly can wear thick socks and a long-sleeve shirt.
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Turn your themostat down five more degrees at night and use extra blankets while you sleep. You may find you even sleep better when the air is cooler. Down comforters are very insulating and will go a long way toward keeping you warm at night.
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Leave shades and curtains open on Southern exposed windows during sunlight hours. This will allow sunlight to enter your home and help with keeping you warm.
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Utilize any wood-burning fireplaces in your home for extra heat. Firewood can be bought much more cheaply than heating oil, and can sometimes even be gotten for free. This will greatly reduce your family's dependence on heating oil.
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Tips & Warnings
A strategically placed towel or door "snake" can prevent cold drafts from creeping in under doors.
Always completely extinguish fireplace fires before leaving the home or going to bed.
