September is here, and before long, the temperatures will be dropping, giving way to the cold, snowy days of winter. The thought of another harsh winter like the ones we’ve had in the past few years is surely something that would cause Long Island homeowners to shudder and crank up the temperature on their thermostats.

However, before making the mistake of cranking up the heat, there are a number of things homeowners can do to save energy, save money and keep warm as fall and winter approach.

Energy-Saving Tips to Reduce Home Heating Costs

The home heating specialists and green energy experts at Tragar Home Services, your Long Island green energy company, have compiled some energy-saving tips to help homeowners green their homes and lower their home heating costs:

• Seal and Insulate: Replacing old insulation and adding more energy-efficient insulation in walls and attics can cut the amount of heat – and money – that’s lost due to uninsulated or under-insulated areas of your home. Installing storm windows, using door draft guards, weatherstripping current windows and/or replacing old windows with ENERGY-STAR-rated ones will also produce the same results. Caulking cracks and sealing heating ducts will help, too, as will purchasing a water heater blanket.
• Install a Programmable Thermostat: Consider installing a programmable thermostat because “10 percent for every 10-degree set-back in an eight-hour period” can be saved, according to the New York State Department of Energy Conservation (NYSDEC).
• Get an Energy Audit: Getting what’s called a home energy assessment, home energy survey or home energy audit will determine how much energy a home consumes and what measures that can be taken to make a home more energy-efficient. It points out problems that may, when corrected, save significant amounts of money in the long run. According to NYSDEC, homeowners can contact the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) or their local gas (National Grid) or electric (PSEG Long Island) utility because there are also many incentives to help pay for recommended improvements. Calling a full-service home heating company, such as Tragar Oil, will also help you get started with a home energy audit.
• Use Ceiling Fans: Using the same ceiling fans used in the summer to cool off can be redirected so they spin downward and distribute a home’s heat.
• Have a Professional Heating System Tune-Up: Making an appointment this fall for an annual heating system tune-up with the home heating technicians at Tragar will ensure home’s heating system is checked, cleaned and in working order for the winter that lies ahead. Our technicians can also diagnose and fix any heating system inefficiencies that could cause a spike in home heating costs.
• Consider Upgrading to ENERGY STAR-Rated Heating Equipment: Replacing old heating (and cooling) equipment with ENERGY STAR-qualified equipment can cut an annual energy bill by more than $115, depending on location, according to ENERGYSTAR.gov. Tragar’s experts can ensure proper installation and provide post-installation service and fuel delivery for oil and gas.
• Consider Using Bioheat®: Switching from traditional oil to Bioheat® can increase an oil heating system’s energy efficiency because it provides a cleaner and more complete burn than traditional heating oil alone. Bioheat® is traditional home heating oil blended with Biodiesel, a renewable energy resource made domestically from soy, vegetable oil, recycled restaurant oils, and other natural sources. Homeowners considering a way to improve the efficiency of their oil heat, make it more eco-friendly and reduce the associated heating costs this winter, then they should contact the experts at Tragar at (516) 221-2559 to find about the benefits of Bioheat®.

Go Green and Save This Winter With Tragar

To learn more about how going green this winter will save you money and energy, contact Tragar today. And don’t forget to ask about our no-obligation, free estimate!