If the cooler weather here in eastern North Carolina has you dreading the prospect of winter and the higher propane usage and propane bills, we at Parker Gas get it. We live here, too.
But we have some tips that can help you save energy and money this winter.
Have annual maintenance done on your heating system. Regular service not only helps keep your heating system running at peak efficiency, it can spot and repair problems before they become bigger, and more expensive, problems.
Change your air filter regularly. If you don’t change your air filter, it will get clogged and force your propane furnace to work harder to heat your home, meaning higher energy costs. You should be changing it at the longest every three months, and once a month if you have someone in your home with allergies or a respiratory problem, or if you have pets.
Stop drafts. Keep the warm air in and the cold air out by using weatherstripping and caulk around doors and windows.
Use your programmable thermostat. According to the United States Department of Energy, lowering the temperature on your thermostat by between seven and 10 degrees for eight hours a day can save you up to 10 percent on your heating costs each year. With a programmable thermostat, you can set it to be cooler while you’re at work, and to be warmer by the time you get home. Don’t have a programmable thermostat? This is the time to upgrade to one!
Have the right temperature setting on your propane water heater. Water heating accounts for around 18 percent of your home’s energy use. By keeping your propane water heater at 120 degrees, you can save hundreds of dollars a year and also reduce the risk of scalding. And if you’re going away over the holidays, turn your temperature setting to “Vacation” or the lowest setting.
Use propane space heating. If you have drafty rooms, a propane space heater can supplement your home’s heating system in that room and take the burden off your furnace or boiler.
You can save even more money on your propane bills next year by signing up for the Parker Gas Easy Pay automatic payment plan. Instead of paying more in the winter months when you’re using more propane for heating, you can spread your propane costs out over 11 equal monthly payments. And, as an Easy Pay plan customer, we give you a discount of 3 cents per gallon! That discount could save you hundreds of dollars a year.
And if you use our automatic payment system that makes your payments automatically on time every month from your credit card or checking account, you’ll get a $15 credit!
Lock in your propane price for the whole year with our price protection plan. You’ll have the security of stable propane costs free from any pricing fluctuations.
Find out more about all the ways you can save on your propane costs. Get in touch with Parker Gas today and become a customer!