Energy Saving Tips For The Spring Season

With the amount of time we’re spending in our Massachusetts homes so far in spring 2020, we’re using our home comfort systems more than we normally do – and that’s bound to be reflected in our energy bills.

To try to offset some of the cost of that extra juice, it’s important to do everything we can without sacrificing comfort.

Tips For Saving Energy

1. Install or program your thermostat – Why pay to heat (or cool) the house when there’s no one home – or when you’re asleep? Today’s programmable thermostats are smarter and simpler than ever – and with the energy they save they could pay for themselves in as little as one year. If you already have a programmable thermostat but don’t know how to use it, now is the perfect time to learn.
2. Adjust the temperature of your water – Most water heater manufacturers use a default water temperature setting of about 140 degrees – more heat than you usually need for a good hot shower or load of wash or dishes*. Drop the maximum temperature by 20 degrees and you’ll shave 10-15 percent off your water heating bill with no loss of comfort. Here’s a video to show you how.
3. Use ceiling fans – Ceiling fans work great – especially in combination with your home HVAC equipment. Adjust the rotation of your fan (see manufacturer’s instructions for reversing fan spin) to blow rising warm air back into the room when heating, and to draw sinking cool area into the living space when cooling.
4. Change your laundry habits – Always run your washing machine with a full load. Skip warm and hot water washes (today’s detergents work equally well on cold and warm settings), and dry your clothes on a line or rack rather than with a dryer. If you must use a dryer, consider switching from an electric model to an ENERGY STAR®- rated propane clothes dryer, which uses less energy.
5. Keep after your HVAC filters – This simple step will increase your furnace’s efficiency by as much as 10-15 percent AND increase the lifespan of your system. Check your filter at least once every 30 days, changing when needed.
6. Service your equipment – You wouldn’t skip maintenance on your car, would you? Don’t do it with your furnace or boiler, either. Without routine service, your heating system will lose efficiency and become less reliable over time. A Pioneer Service Plan will make sure that doesn’t happen.
7. Consider sensible upgrades – A new, high-efficiency furnace or boiler can save you 30 percent or more on your monthly energy bills – enough to offset the cost of replacement in just a few years, especially when you consider other incentives that can reduce the cost of installation.

Looking for other ways to save money on a home heating system in Worcester County, MA? Pioneer Oil and Propane can help. Contact us today to learn more.

Please note: At Pioneer Oil and Propane, your safety and comfort are always our priority. Please see our COVID-19 Service Update Page to learn more about how we are working to keep your family and our crews safe and your home comfort systems working through this challenging time.

* Maintain 140° temperatures if anyone in your home has a compromised immune system