With autumn arriving here in North Carolina, we’re swapping out our sandals for shoes and our sweet teas for pumpkin spice lattes.
We will also soon be turning off the air conditioning and turning on the heating systems in our homes. Before that happens, we offer five things you can do to make sure your home’s propane-fired furnace or boiler is ready to keep your home warm and cozy all winter as well as help cut your energy costs.
Life can be hectic. If you fail to check your propane tank levels on a regular basis, you could run out of propane and have no heat in your house. When you’re an Automatic Delivery customer, we use your current propane usage history and weather conditions to forecast when you’ll need more propane, and we schedule a delivery ahead of time so that you have propane before you run out. Getting your propane is work-free and worry-free!
There’s no better way to keep track of your propane supply than with TankWatch’s wireless propane tank monitoring! TankWatch uses wireless and cellular technology to track your propane supply all day, every day. The monitor sends Parker Gas a notification once your propane tank has reached a specific level, and we deliver your propane. The TankWatch app allows you to track your propane usage on your smartphone or tablet, or online.
A home’s heating system should be maintained by a professional service technician on a regular basis to ensure that it is running at peak performance. That energy efficiency can help you save big on your heating energy costs this winter. The service person is also able to thoroughly inspect your furnace or boiler and make any needed repairs before problems or breakdowns occur.
If you use a furnace for forced-air heating, now is the time to vacuum and clean the registers, ensuring that they function properly and do not distribute dust or allergies throughout your home. Remove any obstructions, such as drapes or furniture, hear the vents in order for air to flow freely. If you haven’t had your ductwork cleaned in the previous five years, get it done now. Cleaning your ductwork is not only beneficial in keeping the air in your house cleaner and safer, but it will also enable ductwork cleaners to discover and repair leaks in your ductwork, saving you money on your heating bill.
Some quick do-it-yourself labor and caulk, weatherstripping, and expanding foam can help you eliminate drafts from your doors, windows, and exterior walls. That alone can save you 10% on your heating costs!
Programmable and smart thermostats are great investments in your home’s comfort and energy efficiency. They are reasonably priced and can be found at your local home improvement store or online.
These are the recommendations from the U.S. Department of Energy for programming your thermostat in cold weather:
Get the reliable propane delivery service you need to keep your home comfortable this winter. Become a Parker Gas customer today!