Home Heating Oil: How To Stay Within Your Budget

Heating oil prices are much higher during the colder months of winter than they are in the late spring and summer. However, homeowners don’t have to spend a fortune to get the heating oil that their household needs this winter. In this article, we will discuss a few home heating oil delivery tips that will help cut your spending on fuel oil, and in general, how to limit your home heating costs.

Buying Bulk Heating Oil In The Off-Season

The market for oil is a volatile one. As a consequence, there are seasonal increases and dips in oil heat prices. These prices. however, tend to follow clearly defined trends. Ultimately, prices for fuel are higher during winter than they are in the warmer summer months. The period of peak demand falls between October and March. Due to this fact, if you understand the price movements or trends, you can time your heating oil purchase to ensure the lowest costs. Purchasing your fuel during the off-season can produce significant savings in your overall fuel budget.

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Get A Winter Tune-Up For Your Furnace

Just ahead of winter, have an HVAC technician perform ongoing maintenance for your furnace. A winter tune-up will keep your heater working efficiently all winter long. As such, it won’t have to use as much heating oil to keep your home at a suitably warm temperature throughout the winter. This will keep both your use of heating oil and your energy costs far lower.

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Cut The Costs Of Water Heating

As per the Department of Energy, water heating accounts for approximately 12 percent of the heating costs for the average U.S. household. The good news is that you may be able to cut this portion of your budget without having to invest in new water heating equipment. Ultimately, you can reach this target my making a number of free changes in your habits like:

• spending less time in the shower
• washing the majority of your laundry in cold water
• using less hot water
• reducing the temperature of your water heater by about 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

Make Sure That Your House Is Energy-Efficient

To reduce your spending on heating costs, you need to increase the overall energy-efficiency of your home. Among some of the things that you can do are:

• Maintain optimal settings for your thermostat: The Department of Energy suggests setting the thermostat between 68 and 70 degrees F when you’re at home. At night, or when you’re away from the home, set the thermostat to just 60 degrees F. When you do this, you’ll reduce your yearly home heating costs by as much as 10 to 20 percent. This translates to a 2 percent reduction in your energy bill for every degree that your thermostat is lowered throughout the winter. For the best possible savings, purchase a thermostat that’s programmable. These units will automatically control your indoor temperature based upon the programming you’ve supplied.
• Seal any air leaks: All homes have a few, small-sized cracks and gaps. These are often found around the windows and doors. Gaps like these lead to escaping air, which results in heat loss when the outside temperatures are cold. Worse still, your heating system will have to work harder as a result. This means that it will be consuming far more heating oil. Experts assert that unsealed gaps and cracks can result in the same amount of heat loss as an open window. The good news is that you can easily seal these leaks off by using caulk, weatherstripping, and expandable foam.

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Fuel Oil Delivery New Brunswick NJ

To find the best heating oil companies near me, do not only focus on local fuel oil prices alone. Heating oil prices, along with the quality of the delivery service needs to take an important role when choosing a fuel delivery company. You want a company that provides trusted service and high quality fuel oil. When you need affordable and reliable fuel oil delivery, be sure to contact Skylands Energy. We also offer heater maintenance and repairs. Make sure that your heater is ready for the winter by scheduling a professional inspection and cleaning of your system. This helps reduce energy costs and ensures that you stay nice and comfortable during extreme temperatures. Call our office to schedule an appointment.

Call Now: (908) 707-1776

We service East Brunswick NJ 08816, Edison NJ 08817, Franklin Park NJ 08823, Highland Park NJ 08904, Metuchen NJ 08840, Middlesex NJ 08846, Milltown NJ 08850, New Brunswick NJ 08901, North Brunswick NJ 08902, Parlin NJ 08859, Piscataway NJ 08854, Sayreville NJ 08871, Somerset NJ 08873, South Bound Brook NJ 08880, South Plainfield NJ 07080, South River NJ 08877, and surrounding areas.

Contact us now at (908) 707-1776 to find out more!

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Your HVAC Filter Is Important To Your Indoor Air Quality

When it comes to saving money on your energy bills, there are plenty of things that you can do. One of the most simple things that improves the energy efficiency of your home is to make sure that you have the correct HVAC filter on your unit. Not only does the correct filter help reduce energy costs but a clean filter does too. This is something that all homeowners should have on their HVAC maintenance checklist.

There are some homeowners who will try to save money by buying off-brand filters or using makeshift filters. It is important to understand that not all HVAC filters are created equally. If you use the wrong one, it can result in a higher energy bill. Higher energy bills aren’t the only problems that the wrong HVAC filters can cause. If you use the wrong filter, it can allow a high level of pollutants and allergens to get into the home. This, in turn, can affect your respiratory system. In this article, we will share a variety of reasons why it is so important to use the correct HVAC filter in your home.

 

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Hazards Of Using The Wrong Air Filter

When you buy your HVAC system, it will have a filter that has been installed by the manufacturer. Some units have HEPA filters, some have traditional fiberglass replacements, and some use a hybrid. It is important that when it is time to replace the filter that you use the same one that is installed in your heating system or AC unit. Luckily, determining which filter you should use is easy to find. All you need to do is an internet search using the manufacturer’s name and the serial number on the filter. In just minutes, you will be able to find the correct filter for your system.

There are some types of filters that will filter the dust through the air naturally. These filters won’t need to be replaced as often. However, if your unit doesn’t have enough suction power to aerate the dust properly through the filter, it can result in blockages and a potential electrical shortage.

If you are unhappy with your filter and you want to upgrade, you should consider a permanent electrostatic filter. These filters work using a static electric charge to attract the dust to the pre-filter. As the dust builds up, the electrostatic charge and the airflow will cause the dust particles to collide and become more substantial. This dirt will collect in the accumulator chamber. Because of this, you won’t need to replace and service the filter like you would with traditional filters.

Facts About Air Quality

If you install the wrong filter, it can cause the pollen and dust in the home to increase to dangerously high levels. If anyone in the home has allergies, this can result in a major flare-up. There are studies that have proven exactly how dangerous using the wrong filter can be.

• The wrong HVAC filter can cause pediatric asthma. Studies have shown that the cases of pediatric asthma have increased by close to 73 percent. The wrong HVAC filter can greatly increase the risk of asthma in children.
• The indoor air quality can be up to 100 times worse than the air outdoors. According to recent studies, the air quality indoors can be anywhere from 2 to 5 times more polluted than the air outside. If this isn’t bad enough, there are reports that state that older homes with inadequate HVAC systems can potentially have up to 100 time more pollutants suspended in the air than the air outside has.

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HVAC Maintenance Edison NJ

There are many homeowners who don’t change their air filters as often as they should. When this happens, contaminants and pollutants in the air can permeate the HVAC system. Also, if you use the wrong filter, it can block the airflow based on the amount of dust that builds up inside the filter.

When this happens, the system will need to work harder to push out the adequate amount of air. This will make it difficult for your system to keep your home comfortable. Also, the wrong filter can make the air quality in the home dangerous for your family.
It is important that you make sure that you check the manufacturer’s website to find the correct filter. You can also contact an HVAC professional. Not only can the tech help you find the correct filter, they can also inspect the unit for problems. They can recommend HVAC maintenance tips as well as potential upgrades for your system.

For high quality HVAC services, contact Skylands Energy. Our NATE certified contractors have the skills and experience to find the best possible solutions to improve your indoor air quality. They can maintain your heater or air conditioner so that your system generates healthier air inside of your home. Not only does this respiratory issues, but it makes your HVAC system perform more efficiently, reducing energy costs. Skylands Energy also offers affordable and reliable fuel deliveries. We are a trusted name when it comes to your home comfort. Be sure to call our office to schedule an appointment.

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We service Edison NJ 08817, Fords NJ 08863, Highland Park NJ 08904, Keasbey NJ 08832, Metuchen NJ 08840, New Brunswick NJ 08901, Piscataway NJ 08854, Sayreville NJ 08871, Somerset NJ 08873, South Plainfield NJ 07080, and surrounding areas.

Contact us today or give us a call at (908) 707-1776 if you have any questions.

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Don’t Fall Victim To Furnace Short Cycling

Your home heating system typically works harder, cycling on more frequently, as the weather gets colder. Nevertheless, you should also be aware of a condition known as short cycling, recognized by repeated on and off cycles. Although this can seem like a major nuisance, it is important to address it immediately. Rather than dealing with this for months on end and trying to conduct some furnace troubleshooting and repairs yourself, homeowners should schedule a furnace repair. Bernardsville NJ homeowners don’t have to spend a fortune to fix a problem like this. When looking for furnace repair near me, know that Skylands Energy is here to offer affordable heater repair for those who are experiencing heating system issues, such as short cycling.

By fixing your short cycling furnace…

you can avoid an array of problems. One of those problems could be the demise of your entire heating system. Higher energy bills are among the problems as well.

What causes short cycling, and how do you repair this problem? In this article, we will cover some of the primary causes of furnace short cycling.

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Improperly Sized HVAC System

If the issues with short cycling started soon after the installation of a new heating system…

the problem can be significant. This is often the result of a heating unit that is simply too large for the space it is intended to heat. What happens is that the air temperature fluctuates rapidly between cold and hot. This causes the equipment to remain in an ever changing cycle of heating and cooling in rapid succession. This can shorten the heating system’s lifespan and drives up energy bills.

Most homeowners are happy when their furnace quickly warms up the home. However, there is certainly a benefit to this but an efficiently operating system is top priority. You may have noticed that your furnace has been short cycling from the time it was installed. If so, it could be that an error was made when the HVAC technicians measured the indoor space. To remedy this, contact an experienced and reputable HVAC contractor and ask them to perform a load evaluation.

Over Heating

There is a safety mechanism on your home’s heating system that monitors the surrounding temperatures. It shuts down the equipment when there is a risk for over heating.

When the heat exchanger becomes excessively hot…

the burner automatically switches off. This is the condition called ‘short cycling’. This can also happen when there are cracks in this component. It is important that you let it operate in this condition for any length of time.

When your gas furnace is not working properly, it is possible that the heat exchanger is cracked. When this happens, carbon monoxide leaks into your home. Carbon monoxide is a odorless, poisonous gas that can kill you and your family. You should have a trained professional check your system as quickly as possible when you suspect your system is short cycling. This is particularly important when a damaged heat exchanger is the cause. A licensed HVAC technician can track down the problem and determine what will correct it.

Other Causes

Sometimes the unit itself is not the cause for short cycling but rather a faulty thermostat is. You can have this tested and repaired to get your unit functioning properly again. Even the placement of this device can affect how well it performs. When it’s near another heat source, the readings are incorrect. This causes the heater to turn off before the home is heated to the desired temperature. If you believe that this is not the cause, then you will have to continue with your gas furnace troubleshooting.

Other causes of short cycling:

Clogged Filters: Warm air can accumulate within the unit when the filters are dirty and signal the furnace to turn off. Also, have an HVAC service company complete a tune-up on your system annually. This tune-up will include cleaning or changing the air filters.

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Flame Sensors: A trained professional is the only person that should do any type of maintenance on your heating system. Rust buildup on the flame sensor of a gas furnace can prevent it from functioning properly. Since a furnace operates with flammable substances and high voltages, it is best to call in a certified service technician for any repairs.

 

Furnace Repair Bernardsville NJ

You might think that short cycling is an insignificant issue, especially when the unit is still maintaining warmth inside the home. Nevertheless, when the unit is turning on and off too frequently, it puts all the unit’s components under undue stress. This adds up to a lot of extra wear and tear on the motor, belts and other components. Always contact an established HVAC company operating in your area to perform necessary maintenance and repairs.

Skylands Energy is a name known for offering professional and trusted HVAC services. We have been in the heating and cooling industry for quite some time which means that we have the adequate experience and knowledge to service your system. Our services are always professional, friendly, and affordably priced. When your furnace is short cycling, be sure to call the pros at Skylands Energy.

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We service Basking Ridge NJ 07920, Bedminster NJ 07921, Bernardsville NJ 07924, Brookside NJ 07926, Far Hills NJ 07931, Gladstone NJ 07934, Liberty Corner NJ 07938, Lyons NJ 07939, Mendham NJ 07945, Millington NJ 07946, Mount Freedom NJ 07970, New Vernon NJ 07976, Peapack NJ 07977, and surrounding areas.

Contact us now at (908) 707-1776 to find out more!

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Why Do Heating Oil Prices Rise And Fall?

Consumers who use fuel oil as their primary source of heat are sometimes unaware of why changing prices never seem to stabilize. They wonder why the price they pay one season changes considerably by the next one. There are really no simple answers. There is a variety of factors, however, that affect the price of oil. In this article, we will discuss some of the reasons for fluctuations in oil prices.

Crude Oil Costs

The United States Energy Information Administration states that the price of crude oil has the biggest effect on prices of fuel oil in general. For example, approximately 10 years ago, crude oil costs accounted for over 50 percent of the average price of one gallon of fuel oil. Simply put, the high prices attached to crude oil have a similar effect on the cost of heating oil. It also works the other way around, with the price of heating oil affecting the cost of crude oil. Some determining factors with regard to the price of crude oil include the supply output from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. This organization is also referred to as “OPEC.” Political events and the demand from other areas of the world for oil are also contributing factors.

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Weather

Heating oil prices usually rise during extremely cold winters. For example, a rise of seven cents per gallon of heating oil occurred during the winter of 2013-2014. This was one of the coldest winter seasons in recent history. Heating oil prices also soar when severe weather events take place. This includes hurricanes and tropical storms. This is because when a tropical storm makes landfall, it typically has an effect on temperature. In almost all cases, its impact causes temperatures to dip. Obviously, this results in higher heating oil costs.

In addition, severe weather also makes it more difficult for suppliers to get products to their clients. It may also lead to lack of oil inventory. Because this directly affects supply and demand, it causes prices to go up. The United States Energy Information Administration also states that heating oil companies in the northeastern United States must frequently purchase oil from the Gulf Coast or Europe if there is a heating oil shortage. Due to logistical challenges, this causes the prices of heating oil to rise.

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Government Policies

Regulatory changes also affect the price of oil. It can either fall or rise depending upon the impact. Stringent safety requirements are one example of a regulation that may affect prices. This is often because refineries scale down production when changes in regulatory requirements occur and as one might suspect. This causes prices to rise. However, if regulatory changes are put into place during warm months, refineries typically end up with an excess of inventory, which causes prices to fall.

Additional Factors

Oil prices vary from one region or neighborhood to the next. For example, heating oil is less expensive in neighborhoods that have many suppliers who are competing with each other. Similarly, a person can expect to pay less for heating fuel if he or she lives in town that is close to a fuel refinery. These are just a few examples of some of the reasons prices fluctuate throughout the country.

Other Heating Options

The demand and availability for alternative heating options may also have an impact on traditional heating oil prices. These alternate methods of heating a home include

• fireplaces
• natural gas
• geothermal heat pumps
• kerosene
• electricity

One must keep in mind, however, that these options are associated with certain limitations, especially with regard to efficiency, affordability, and safety.

Heating Oil Prices Flagtown NJ

Weather, regulatory changes, pricing factors, alternative heating options and the price of crude oil are all factors that affect heating oil prices and fluctuations in fuel costs.

For reliable and trusted heating oil delivery services, contact the professionals at Skylands Energy. We offer different service plans that you can choose to suit your fuel delivery needs. Also, we have other services that will help keep you nice and warm throughout the cold NJ winters. Our services include coal delivery, plumbing services, heater repair, heating system maintenance, and heater installations. Whatever your home comfort needs are, Skylands Energy can take care of you. Be sure to contact us today to speak with one of our specialists.

We service Belle Mead NJ 08502, Flagtown NJ 08821, Hillsborough NJ 08844, Manville NJ 08835, Neshanic Station NJ 08853, Raritan NJ 08869, Readington NJ 08870, Somerville NJ 08876, Three Bridges NJ 08887, Zarephath NJ 08890, and surrounding areas.

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Contact us now at (908) 707-1776 to find out more!

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Prepare Your HVAC System For Stormy Weather

A safe household is one that is prepared for emergencies. With the storm season upon us, you can expect to see strong winds and heavy rain. These require that you are ever vigilant if you are going to maintain a safe and dry HVAC system. There are some steps that will protect your home from damage and avoid expensive repairs or replacement of your heating and cooling system. We understand how frustrating it can be when your AC or heating system has received damage from the ravages of a storm. At Skylands Energy, we offer affordable HVAC repair to help you when you are faced with this kind of situation.

Protecting your air conditioner and heater during stormy conditions…

also protects you from the expense of HVAC repair. This will also keep your unit in good condition so that you can depend on it when you need it most. In this article, we will share some tips that can help you prepare for storm season and keep your HVAC system protected.

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Inspect The Area Surrounding Your Unit

Any time the weather service has issued a storm warning…

take time to inspect the area around your outdoor HVAC unit. What you are checking for is anything, like pots, outdoor furniture, and posts that could damage the unit. Move anything like this to a safer location or secure them in place.

If you have shrubs or trees close to the unit, think about cutting or at least trimming branches. Removing heavy or loose branches can minimize risks from damage caused by these breaking off during strong winds. Better yet, remove nearby limbs and dead trees before a storm is on its way.

Power Off

Did you know that when storms cause power outages, the sudden electricity surge can damage heating and cooling units. For this reason, you should prepare your home before a storm strikes by powering the units off. You may want to first over cool or over heat the house to help it remain at a comfortable temperature when the power does go off. To help with this, make sure to seal off window air conditioners and other openings. This will help maintain a comfortable indoor temperature.

Power Surge Protection

Powerful storms often cause power surges that can damage electrical units. A whole house surge protector can be installed on your HVAC unit to help manage surges and prevent damage. The best source for advice about which type and capacity surge protector your unit should have is a trained and licensed HVAC technician. Taking their advice can ensure the unit offers the appropriate protection you home needs.

Cover HVAC Units

Prior to the onslaught of storms, use a tarp or other strong material to cover the outdoor unit. This will protect your unit from dirt and other debris such as twigs and leaves as well as rain and hail. Keeping the unit dry prevents corrosion and water damage. The tarp should be removed once the storm has moved on.

Secure The HVAC Unit

The ideal situation is when outdoor HVAC units are installed and anchored to flat concrete slabs to protect from floods or strong winds. This will ensure that they will be harder for strong winds or flood waters to wash them away. This is a particularly important step, particularly in those areas that are prone to hurricanes.

Check Units After The Storm

Once the storm has passed…

contact a qualified HVAC technician to have them inspect the unit. They will assess for damage and clean it if needed. This is an important step, especially if debris and soil have become trapped in the unit. At the same time, the technician will check to determine if electrical problems might exist within the unit. Once your contractor has given you the go ahead, turn the HVAC unit back on to help circulate air in the home. Proper air circulation improves indoor temperature, reduced humidity and helps prevent mold and mildew growth.

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HVAC Repair New Brunswick NJ

Skylands Energy offers HVAC repair services. This includes HVAC repairs, heater maintenance, AC tune-ups, and HVAC system installations. We also deliver heating fuels such as heating oil, coal, and kerosene Our work is always friendly, professional, and cost effective. Be sure to call us today to schedule an appointment.

We service East Brunswick NJ 08816, Edison NJ 08817, Franklin Park NJ 08823, Highland Park NJ 08904, Metuchen NJ 08840, Middlesex NJ 08846, Milltown NJ 08850, New Brunswick NJ 08901, North Brunswick NJ 08902, Parlin NJ 08859, Piscataway NJ 08854, Sayreville NJ 08871, Somerset NJ 08873, South Bound Brook NJ 08880, South Plainfield NJ 07080, South River NJ 08877, and surrounding areas.

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Contact us now at (908) 707-1776 to find out more!

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