Save Energy with Propane This Heating Season

Heating season has officially begun this week here in Massachusetts as temperatures dip below the freezing mark and the days shorten as we push toward December.

As the real cold hits, heating bills in your propane-powered MA home will invariably go up – but you have at least some control about how much they go up. If you want them to keep your bills as low as possible without sacrificing comfort this winter, try following these energy saving tips:

For your heating system

• Keep furnace filters clean – Pushing air through a clogged filter will make your propane furnace overwork, which means higher bills for you; check for furnace’s air filter once a month and change it when needed.
• Get routing heating maintenance – Small heating system issues can quickly grow into bigger, efficiency-robbing problems, so always try to catch them early. The best way to do it? Get routine preventative maintenance every year – preferably early in the season, so you can enjoy the benefits of professional service for as long as possible.
• Seal air leaks – Add caulk and weather stripping around windows, doors and other openings to keep the cold air out and the air you paid to warm in.
• Add a propane hearth – If you have a fireplace, consider investing in a propane gas fireplace insert, which slots into your firebox. A propane fireplace insert operates at about four times the efficiency of a wood burner – and you can turn it on and off with a push of a button.
• Invest in a programmable thermostat – Turning your furnace down for eight hours a day can reduce your annual heating bill by as much as 10 percent.
• Add a propane space heater – A high efficiency propane heater will take the edge off a large or drafty room – and some of the heating load burden off your propane furnace.

For your water heater

• Drain it – Remove sediment by draining your water heater twice a year; this will extend its life and increase its energy efficiency.
• Run a little cooler – Most propane water heater thermostats are set higher than needed to get the job done in your taps and appliances. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends a temperature setting of 120 degrees to balance efficiency and comfort.
• Lower the flow – Low-flow shower heads and aerators can cut your hot water usage in half without affecting the shower pressure.
• Replace your electric model – A propane water heater costs up to one-third less to operate and recovers hot water twice as fast as an electric water heater.
• Go tankless – Take efficiency up a notch by swapping your storage tank water heater for a tankless model, which could save you up to 50 percent on your bills compared to an electric storage-type water heater.
• Fill ‘em up – Why pay to heat water twice? Use full loads in the dishwasher or washing machine.

For your propane stove, cooktop, or range

• Keep an eye on the flame – If the flame on your propane range burns yellow rather than blue, it is wasting energy and needs maintenance.
• Check heat seals – Tears in the seal around your oven let heat escape.
• Clean your oven door – With a dirty oven door, you’ll have to open the door to check on your food – and that costs you efficiency.
• Manage the flame height – Most people cook with more flame than needed for today’s highly conductive cookware. Turn down the heat and save some money.
• Use the right burner for the job – Putting a small pot on a large burner can waste 40 percent of the burner’s heat. Match the burner to the job at hand.
• Cook in batches – Use all the space in your oven once you turn it on – you can always freeze portions for later.
• Use glass or ceramic dishes – Glass and ceramic dishes are highly efficient materials to use in the oven, so you don’t need as high a cooking temperature to cook your meal.

Save money this fall and winter with propane equipment and propane services from Pioneer Oil and Propane – contact us today for more tips on saving money this heating season!