Did You Know?
NEWS...NEWS...NEWS...NEWS...NEWS...NEWS...NEWS...NEWS...NEWS...NEWS...NEWS...NEWS...
A new law requires all Massachusetts homeowners who heat their home with oil heat to upgrade thier
heating systems. The law went into effect on July 1, 2010, and the deadline for compliance was
September 30, 2011. Call today to schedule this service.
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From ...The Massachusetts Oilheat Council:
"Don't Be Swayed By Misleading Gas Utility Advertising Consumers need to know that National Grid’s current radio advertising campaign in Massachusetts paints
an unfair and misleading portrait of Oilheat and the retailers who dutifully and effectively serve over 950,000
homeowners across the state.Oilheat systems for both space heating and hot water production are highly efficient
and rival those systems fueled by natural gas. Moreover, the heating oil sold in Massachusetts is becoming
cleaner and greener every day as more retailers offer a fuel that is blended with advanced biofuels and ultra low
sulfur heating oil. And full-service heating oil dealers pride themselves on unsurpassed customer service by
making sure their customers never run out of fuel, and by responding to customer needs 24 hours a day, 7 days per week."
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Newer oil furnaces have an average life expectancy of 15-20 years longer than a gas furnace. What’s more,
modern oil burners produce significantly less U.S. particulate emissions each year. That means when you
heat your home with oil, you are reducing your carbon footprint. If you choose bioheat heating oil, you reduce
it even more.
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You may be surprised to learn that oil heat is more efficient than gas, and that oil heat can be considerably
cleaner. Heating oil burns an average of 16% more efficiently than gas, which means you use less fuel and
get more heat.
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Hot water heaters fueled by oil have a recovery rate that is twice as fast as a gas heater, which adds value
to your home, while increasing efficiency.
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Oil heating fuel is now among the cleanest heating fuels available. It’s is by far the safest type of heating,
environmentally friendly, and dependable.
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Simply having your home’s heating system professionally inspected and tuned up annually can
save fuel! A properly maintained heating system is not only likely to work better but it will also last longer.
What’s more, it can save your life. Malfunctioning systems increase the risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning
and may cause fires.
Keeping your furnace clean, lubricated, and properly adjusted can save 10 - 50 percent (or more!)
on your heating bill. Maximize your furnace’s efficiency by replacing or cleaning furnace filters once a month
during the seasons it operates. Dirty filters restrict airflow and increase energy use.
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Today’s furnaces are about 25 percent more efficient than they were in the 1980s. If your furnace
is more than 15 years old and breaks down frequently, installing a new one can not only save money, but reduce
emissions of greenhouse gases. Look for models carrying the Energy Star label, which are about 15 percent more
efficient than standard ones.
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On average, households use 650 gallons of heating oil during the heating season.
Heating oil produces the hottest flame of any home heating fuel, warming up homes faster and
with less fuel and consistently keeping them at the desired temperature. Oilheat has consistently
cost less than other heating options over the past decade.
In the Northeastern states about 39 percent of households use oil to heat their homes. Maine has
the highest usage with about 87 percent.
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More than 950,000 households in Massachusetts use oil heat and more than 9.5 million in the
United States. There are more than 900 oil heat businesses in Massachusetts.
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Replace an old furnace and save. Today’s furnaces are about 25 percent more efficient than they were
in the 1980s. If your furnace is more than 15 years old and breaks down frequently, installing a new one can
not only save money, but reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. Affordable Oil Burner Service can help
you select the best system for your situation and install it.
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39% of households in Massachusetts heat their homes with oil.
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EASY TIPS TO START CONSERVING ENERGY!!!
Lower your thermostat. For every two degrees you lower the thermostat, you’ll save about 4 percent on heating
bills and reduce emissions by about 6 percent. You may not even notice the difference, especially at night. Don’t
overdo it, however, especially if anyone elderly lives in your home. Because of the potential danger of hypothermia,
the National Institute on Aging recommends that the thermostat be set no lower than 68 to 70 degrees F in homes
with older people.
Consider a programmable thermostat. One of these can help you cut heating costs as much as 20 percent by
automatically lowering the temperature 5 degrees at night and 10 degrees during the day when you’re not home. If
your home has several heating or cooling zones, such as a finished attic or basement, consider a programmable
thermostat for each one.
Reduce hot water temperature. Save 7 to 11 percent of water-heating costs by keeping your water heater at the
"normal" setting or 120º. Just be sure the owner's manual for your dishwasher doesn't require a higher setting.
Shorten showers. Showers account for two-thirds of your water-heating costs, so even shaving off a
few minutes can help. By cutting the time you spend in the shower by half, you can save up to 33% on
your hot water heating costs. Replacing a showerhead that’s more than 12 years old with a low
flow model can save up to half the hot water used for showering.
Contact Affordable Oil Burner Service™ for professional advice on how to save heating costs.