Don’t let the warm weather on the first day of winter fool you, now is the best time to prepare your home heating system! Winter has arrived, even though, instead of Jack Frost, it seems the Heat Miser is in charge of the weather patterns along the East Coast, in the Northeast and across Long Island as Christmas approaches.
This spate of warmer-than-normal winter weather is due to this year’s predicted “Godzilla” or “Bruce Lee” El Niño. This winter’s El Niño is expected to be the strongest one on record – even stronger than the El Niño patterns recorded in years past, such as El Niño 1982-83 and 1997-98, both of which had significant weather impact on the country.

However, Old Man Winter will have his way, and temperatures will dip in January and February – it’s still winter after all! Given the forecast, they probably won’t drop as dramatically as they have during the past two winters, but Long Island homeowners don’t want to be caught off guard when they do.
That’s why the home heating experts at Tragar Oil, your Long Island green energy company, are advising homeowners to take advantage of the nicer weather and make sure their homes are prepared for frigid temperatures – if they haven’t done so already.

Preparing Your Home Heating System for Winter

One of the most important things homeowners can do to prepare their homes for winter is to take care of their home heating systems and make sure their oil or gas heating systems are in good working order. The best way to do that is to schedule their annual heating system tune-up as soon as possible with a full-service home heating company such as Tragar Oil.
The experts at energy.gov agree that annual heating system inspections and regular maintenance will prevent any unexpected and costly repairs when homeowners need their heating systems to work the most during the winter months.
Even if temperatures stay on the mild side, the air is still cool and homeowners will still reach for the thermostat to remove the winter chill. A heating system tune-up by a trained technician will ensure good working order for their systems. Homeowners should also consider upgrading their fireplace with a wood stove and gas insert, according to energy.gov.

More Tips to Prepare Your Home for Winter Weather

In addition to showing your home heating systems some annual TLC, there are a number of things homeowners can and should do to winterize their homes. Compiled by Tragar’s heating professionals, these tips will also help you save money and energy this winter no matter how cold it gets:

• The CDC recommends installing weather stripping, insulation and storm windows, insulating water lines that run along exterior walls, cleaning out gutters, and repairing roof leaks.
• PSEG Long Island advises moving furniture and drapes away from heating registers, radiators and baseboard element covers; removing or covering window air conditioners to reduce drafts; installing insulated or lined drapes on windows; opening curtains and blinds facing the sun on sunny days for added warmth; and closing those same curtains and drapes at night to keep warm air inside.
• The American Red Cross urges homeowners to have their chimneys cleaned and inspected every year, just like their heating equipment.

Contact Tragar Oil today to learn more about how to winterize your home this heating season. Our green energy experts can answer any questions about how to save energy and money this winter, and advise against costly mistakes homeowners can make with their heating systems. Don’t forget to ask about our free, no-obligation quote! Happy Holidays!