A little effort now can lead to big savings later!

Halloween is getting closer. That means the time to turn on the furnace or boiler in your home here in southern New Jersey or eastern Pennsylvania is also getting closer too!

Are you worried about rising energy costs for heating your home? Don’t be! We have five tips to help you take control of those costs so you can spend more money on Halloween candy, as well as that bag of peanut butter cups that surely will be all yours.

These tips won’t just help you save money in the fall: By doing these things now, you can keep saving money throughout the heating season!

Schedule a tune-up for your furnace or boiler

Annual professional maintenance of your home’s heating system helps it run at its peak efficiency. You will use the least amount of energy possible heating your home without having to give up any comfort. A tune-up also lets your service technician spot and fix problems before they lead to reduced efficiency and big repair bills.

Program your thermostat the right way

Did you know that proper use of a programmable thermostat can cut your home’s heating costs by 10% or more? Here’s how to program your thermostat for better efficiency.

• When you’re at home and awake, set the thermostat for 68°.
• Lower temperatures by 10° for the hours you’re asleep or out of the house.

Use the sun to heat your home

Have you heard of solar heating? It’s easy and you don’t need any special equipment to do so. Simply leave your curtains or blinds open during the day to let sunlight come into your home and warm it passively. Close them at night to retain that heat as long as possible.

Don’t let your heat go out the door … or window!

There are enough drafts around doors and windows, and through walls and ceilings, in an average American home to equal leaving a window open. You can fix this with some easy DIY work with caulk, weatherstripping, and expanding foam. Your heating costs can be reduced by up to 20% by getting rid of drafts!

Turn down the water heater

Most water heaters come with the temperature set to 140˚ Fahrenheit, which is unnecessarily high most of the time. Not only is that high of a temperature not energy efficient, it creates a serious scalding risk, especially for infants, children, and the elderly. Lower the setting to 120˚ and your water will still be plenty hot, while your energy bills will thank you for the slight decrease.

Blue Flame has a dedicated staff of propane pros who are always ready to help you. They live in the communities they love to serve, and they understand the needs you have as a propane user. This knowledge and relationship help us to deliver not only propane, but quality and dependability—all backed by a half-century of propane experience. Want propane delivery you can count on? Become a Blue Flame customer today!