Turning clocks back is a sign that shorter days and colder temperatures are here or on the way and furnaces will be working regularly to keep homes warm and cozy. Early November is also a great time to be reminded of some easy and inexpensive tips that can save energy costs and increase the efficiency of your heating equipment.
+ Seal drafty windows – Most local building supply and hardware stores sell plastic sheeting kits that are easy to install. These kits help eliminate cold air from entering rooms and keep the warm air inside.
+ Check weather-stripping around doors – When weather-stripping gets damaged or loose, cold air can come in and warm air will escape. Replacing where needed and installing a door skirt can tighten your doors’ seals and reduce heat loss.
+ Close the fireplace damper – When you’re not using the fireplace, keep the damper closed to reduce heat loss through the chimney. For an even better solution, consider tempered glass doors and a blower exchange system to blow warm air back in when you’re using the fireplace.
+ Switch ceiling fans to winter mode – In the summer, ceiling fans should run counter-clockwise to create a cooling effect by forcing air down. For winter, adjust all ceiling fans to the clockwise position and run on low. Doing this gently draws air up and forces warm air back down and out.
+ Maintain your furnace – If you haven’t already done so, arrange to have your heating system cleaned and tuned for maximum efficiency. This not only saves fuel but can reduce the chances of your furnace failing at a time when you need it most. Scotia Fuels customers can now book their tune-ups on-line at Scotia Fuels On-Line Tune-Up Booking.
+ Replace furnace filters – Furnace filters should be checked and replaced every few months or even monthly if you have people in your household with allergies or if you own a dog or cat. Basic disposal filters are inexpensive and often all that are needed to help keep your furnace and fan running optimally.
+ Make sure your oil tank is filled – Arrange to have your oil tank filled before you run low to make sure you are prepared in the event temperatures drop significantly or a storm arrives. Better still, arrange for automatic delivery so you’ll never have to worry about an empty tank.
+ Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors – The start of the heating season is a good time to inspect these devices to make sure they are operational, have fresh batteries and are within recommended expiry dates.
At Scotia Fuels, we’re committed to our customers’ comfort and convenience. We will do all we can to make sure you stay warm by keeping your oil tank filled and your furnace working properly. We back that up by having our top-notch service technicians available for service calls any time of the day or night, all week long, including weekends. The labour for this great service is included when you buy your oil from Scotia Fuels.
Not a Scotia Fuels customer? We’d be happy to have you join our list of contented homeowners! Give us a call at 902-453-2121 or contact us online by clicking this link: https://scotiafuels.com/get-in-touch/