10 Ways to Save on Your Heating Oil Costs

1. Proper Maintenance

Call for a checkup. Proper maintenance will help your heating unit run more efficiently. Electric and oil heaters should get professional attention at least once a year and gas heaters every other year. A yearly service plan is a great way to make sure proper maintenance is completed on your heating oil system. Also, here’s a step you can take all on your own: Remember to check the filters in your heating system and make sure they’re clean and clear. Dirty filters lead to higher heating costs.

2. Don’t Buy Fuel During the Night or During Holidays

Delivery fees for fuel will change based on when the delivery is made, so keep in mind that these fees will be higher if you order extra fuel on holidays or after dark. This is simply because delivery men need to get paid extra in order to do their job during atypical hours. If you are running low on fuel then keep an eye on the fuel gauge and plan your purchase during weekdays before nightfall so you won’t be charged extra delivery fees.

3. Radiators

Keep furniture away from radiators. The foam in upholstered furniture is a very effective heat insulator and prevents it getting into your room.

4. Keep Your Fuel Tank Full as Often as Possible

One of the worst mistakes you can make with your furnace’s fuel tank is waiting until it gets empty before you refuel it. Not only do you run the risk of forgetting that your tank is empty and may have to deal with no heat, you also run the risk of allowing your furnace to include any harmful residue laying at the bottom to get mixed in with the new oil. This will have a bad impact on the purity of your oil, which will lead to inefficient heating and oil contamination.

5. Check for Drafts

Light a candle. Not for warmth, but for the purpose of doing a little sleuth work. Hold the flame near windows, doors and light fixtures and look for smoke moving in a horizontal direction. If you see it, that means you’ve spotted an air leak, and it likely means heat is escaping your home easily. To solve that problem, install some low-cost caulking or weather-stripping, or consider adding some insulating material.

6. Check for Proper Insulation in Your Home to Conserve Heat

One of the easiest things you can do to conserve heat and fuel during winter is to stop as many air leaks as you can within your own home. These locations often include vents in the kitchen or fireplace dampers that should be closed when they are not in use. You can also prepare before wintertime by making sure the walls of your attic and basement are properly insulated. This will really help keep extra heat inside your home so you don’t have to crank the furnace up as much.

9. Turn Down Your Thermostat when You’re Out of the House

This one may come off as a no-brainer but it’s one tip that many people surprisingly don’t use. Turning down the thermostat when you’re out shopping or at work is a great way to save extra on fuel charges as there is no point to keep an empty house heated up. While you may return to a cool house it will only take moments for it to heat back up when you return. The money you’ll end up saving will really make this tip pay off.

You can also turn down the thermostat by a couple of degrees at night when you’re going to bed as you probably don’t need as much heat while you’re sleeping as you do when you are awake.

10. Don’t Get Tempted by Contracts

BONUS!! 11. Always Look for Extra Service Fees

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For more tips and hints or to schedule your heating system tune up give us a call at 908-534-2125 or contact us through our website.

Oil Hot Water Heater – Heating Oil Use

You might have been expecting a simple equation that explains how many gallons of heating oil translates into how many gallons of hot water, but it unfortunately is not quite that simple. Several aspects of your home and living conditions will have an impact on how efficient heating oil will be with heating up your water.

• Is your home heating oil is used only for hot water, or is it also used for your main heating?
• How often you take showers? And how long those showers are your showers? Two five-minute showers each day will keep you in the expected range of used up heating oil, but four 10-minute showers for example will tell a different story on your bill.
• How many people live in the home? The more people, the more hot water is used for showers, washing clothes, washing dishes, etc.

The Rules of Thumb for Heating Oil for Hot Water

As previously discussed, there are many factors that determine how many heating oil gallons you will be going through. Lucky for you, there are some rough guidelines that you can use to help figure out your own usage.

New Jersey Summer

During the summertime it is very common for a house to go through approximately 25 gallons of heating oil per month. This is because summertime is, of course, already hot and the hotter temperature will help reduce the heating oil for hot water used.

New Jersey Winter

Predictably, this means you can expect this number to increase during the colder seasons, right? Well surprisingly that is wrong! Many houses will use less heating oil for hot water specifically because they are already using more oil overall to let the furnace heat up their entire home. The work and heat from the furnace adds a bonus heating effect that provides hot water as well!

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Ready for some Heating Oil for Hot Water? Contact Us to Schedule Your Delivery

If you have any other questions, inquiries or requests concerning heating oil for hot water then feel free to get in contact with one of our professionals at Van Doren Oil Co. at any time! Feel free to get in contact with us if you need to restock your heating oil.

What is the freezing point of heating oil?

While water begins to freeze and solidify at 32°F, heating oil freezes at 16°F. Instead of turning into a hard substance like ice, heating oil turns into a thick, gel-like wax. This occurrence is also referred to as “gelling”.

Can heating oil freeze? Heating oil for homes is more valuable during the winter months than any other time of the year. But because this oil is purchased and used during the coldest season so often, it can raise a few concerns about the effects of the cold on this important commodity. One of the most common concerns that customers raise during winter is whether or not the fuel heating your home and freeze and become useless.

Knowing the truth of this situation can really be a lifesaver because no one wants their reserves of heating oil to suddenly become useless in the middle of an especially cold night. Now, let us take a closer look at the possibility of a heating oil freeze.

How Heating Oil Freezes

It is true that heating oil can freeze if the storage tank gets too cold. The good news is that heating oil has a lower freezing point than water, but the bad news is that it is not that much lower.

While water begins to freeze and solidify at 32°F, heating oil typically freezes at around 16 degrees Fahrenheit. This means you should watch out for the weather and for days that drop to 16°F or below. This type of weather in New Jersey is rare, but it does happen.

Heating Oil Gelling

The way heating oil freezes is also different from that of water. Instead of turning into a hard substance like ice, it turns into a thick, gel-like wax. This waxy substance makes it very difficult for the heating oil to move through your heating system’s pipes and can cause damage to the heating oil system.

This frozen gel can get stuck in and subsequently clog the tank, the oil lines, the nozzles and the oil filter. If this happens, you may need to pay extra for repairs or entire replacements of parts.

How to Prevent Heating Oil From Freezing

Avoiding heating oil freeze is easy to do if your heating oil tank is placed indoors. If the tank is outdoors, however, then you will have to take some extra preventative measures to make sure your heating oil will always be ready to go.

Heating Oil Additives

One of the best ways to protect your heating oil from freezing is to add a specific fuel additive that will mix with your heating oil to keep it from reaching freezing points. This will preserve the quality of the heating oil as well and fortify it from temperatures that are below 16°F.

Oil Tank Insulation

Another proactive step you can take is to make sure all the piping of your heating system is properly insulated and has no cracks. These kinds of damages to the system will allow cold drafts to seep in which will put your heating oil at a greater risk of freezing.

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Seek Professional Help from Van Doren to Avoid Heating Oil Freezing

While dealing with heating oil freeze may be a huge inconvenience, there are ways to make things much easier on your end. When it comes to inspecting your heating oil system to make sure it’s in good condition or getting the right heating oil additive to protect it from gelling and freezing, Van Doren will help you with whatever heating oil concern you bring to us.

The heating oil we sell at Van Doren comes pre-treated with an anti-gelling agent.

Get in touch with us today for help protecting your heating oil.

How Much Heating Oil Will You Use Each Winter?

There are essentially two primary factors that will determine how much heating oil you will use during the winter: how long you have your furnace on and the size of your home. Obviously, the bigger your house and the longer your furnace is left on, the more heating oil you will use in the winter.

Heating Oil Tank Sizes

There are several sizes that heating oil tanks come in, ranging anywhere from 300 gallons to 1,000 gallons. The basic rule you can follow is that a 300 gallon oil tank should work for homes with a max of two bedrooms. Three and four bedroom homes will require a tank that’s around 500 gallons.

Average Heating Oil Use Per Hour

It’s also very important to keep in mind that an oil furnace should burn around 0.8 to 1.7 gallons of oil per hour. That means that if you keep your furnace on for 10 hours a day on average while using a 500 gallon oil tank, you’ll need to refuel your oil tank after 28 days.

Additional Factors

While we’ve covered the two biggest factors that go into how you will use your heating oil, there are several other factors to keep in mind so that you can have the most accurate assessment of how to prepare for winter.

Outdoor Temperatures

The temperature outdoors is something to always pay attention to. On warmer winter days around the 50-degree range, you will probably only require around two gallons spent per day. Keep in mind though that the very cold days that are around 10 or 15 degrees Fahrenheit may have you spending up to 8 gallons of heating oil each day. Visit the link below to learn more about average temperatures throughout the state of New Jersey.

Age & Condition of Furnace

Another important factor to keep in mind is the age and condition of your heating furnace. Older furnaces or furnaces that haven’t been well maintained for a few years will burn through more oil than is necessary. If you believe your furnace is burning far too much oil it should be checked by a specialist for repairs or be replaced.

Size of Oil-Burner Nozzle

The last thing to keep in mind that many people do not consider is the size of your oil-burner’s nozzle. This is tied into the previous point because older furnaces are more likely to use larger nozzles which will burn through more oil. Newer furnaces will have smaller nozzles which are over three times more efficient.

Summary

How much Heating Oil Will You use During Winter

1. How long the furnace is run
2. Size of your home
3. Outdoor temperatures
4. Oil furnace age and condition
5. Size of oil-burner nozzle

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If you require advice on how to best use your heating oil during winter or need new equipment to keep your heating system in top shape, Van Doren Oil is guaranteed to prepare you with excellent heating for the coming cold months here in New Jersey. Get in touch with us today!

The Importance of Oil Furnace Inspections

Making sure that your oil furnace is in good condition will have a great impact on the efficiency of the oil itself. There are many benefits to using an oil furnace that is operating optimally.

Yearly Furnace Inspection Cost

While yearly furnace inspections may sound like a chore to keep up with, it really can end up saving you money. Many furnace inspections are inexpensive or sometimes included in a yearly maintenance plan. The cost of an oil furnace inspection is worth every penny, especially considering the cost of an emergency repairs should your furnace fail due to a lack of maintenance and upkeep.

How Oil Furnace Inspections Work

While there is no universal method that all inspectors follow, most oil furnace inspections will do most if not all of the following steps:

Step 1: Check for Blocks or Leaks

An important part of any furnace inspection is checking the vent system for any blocks or leaks. This is to ensure that all connections to and from the furnace are working as intended.

Step 2: Check the Furnace Wiring

The wiring of the furnace also needs to be examined for any signs of damage. The furnace’s filters also need to be checked for similar reasons, but generally these components should be examined more than once a year.

Step 3: Check Drainage System

One of the most important parts of a furnace inspection is to make sure the drainage system is not damaged or is not subject to blockage or leaking. If the drainage system is not working properly then the furnace can be at risk of moisture and corrosion damage.

Contact Van Doren Oil for Your Next Oil Furnace Inspection

Oil furnaces should always be inspected by a trusted technician or specialist that knows how to examine your furnace with a fine-tooth comb. Our specialists at Van Doren Oil has years of experience with heating furnaces and will be able to give the most in-depth inspections to make sure your furnaces are in perfect condition.

Can you remember the last time your furnace was inspected? If not, contact us today to schedule your next oil furnace inspection.

4 Factors on How Long a Full Oil Tank Will Last

1. Type of Heating System

The type of system can drastically influence how long a full tank will last. If your oil furnace is also used to heat your home’s water systems, oil will be used up much more quickly than if it’s just used to heat your home.

Additional Heating Sources

Any other heating sources, such as wood fired or electric heaters will reduce the demand on the oil burner, meaning a tank of oil can last longer.

Condition of Heating System

The condition of your heating system will also make an impact. If it’s a new, efficient boiler, a tank of oil will see you through much longer than an older system. Cleaning and maintenance will make some improvements to efficiency, as will any necessary repairs and upgrades.

2. Your Home

The age, size, and condition of your home is another important factor. Older homes often have poorer insulation, with air leaks that reduce the effectiveness of your heating system. The burner has to work harder to maintain optimum temperatures.

Larger homes also require a lot more to effectively heat them, so they’ll use up more oil than smaller homes.

3. Your Local Climate

Where you live can have a dramatic impact on how long a full tank of oil will last. If you’re in a warmer, temperate environment, a full tank of oil will last you much longer than in areas with very cold winters. In some states such as here in New Jersey (New Jersey Climate), it’s not unusual to have to refill your oil tank at least once a month during winter.

4. Temperature Settings

If your thermostat is set to high temperatures throughout much of the year, you’ll go through a full tank much more quickly than if you set it to cooler temperatures. Ask yourself how warm you really need it to be.

In addition to your temperature preferences, consider what other personal habits you have that could affect the efficiency of your system. If you leave curtains drawn while the heater is going, or leave the thermostat on high even when you’re not home, you’re minimizing the lifespan of your full oil tank. Similarly, if anything obstructs your vents, or you don’t allow the sun in on warmer days and you instead use your heater to warm your home, you’re wasting resources.

Improve How Long Your Full Oil Tank Will Last

There are small things you can do to stretch a full tank of oil to service your home for longer.

One of the best ways you can get an accurate prediction of how long a full tank of oil lasts is to use a tank gauge and monitor the levels over a period of time. You’ll soon get a sense of the speed at which your home is burning the oil.

For more tips on how to improve your heating oil costs visit our blog post on “4 Ways to Save on Your Heating Oil Costs“.

Contact Van Doren Oil Company

We are committed to making sure you and your family stay warm. With our range of services we can assist you in keeping your fuel oil tank full and your heating system functioning efficiently. Contact us today for a heating system tuneup or to schedule your fuel oil delivery.

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Fluctuating Oil Prices

Some people don’t have a clue what goes into influencing the prices of oil and we can’t blame them for that. Economics is a pretty vast subject, but you don’t need to be an expert to understand a few basic principles about fluctuating oil prices. The best way to think about oil prices is to apply them to the seasons. When you think of it that way, it becomes surprisingly simple.

Seasonal Pricing

Take winter for example. Since this is the coldest time of the year, the demand for heating oil will go up and therefore so will the price of heating oil. You will typically see heating oil prices beginning to rise in the end of fall and see them peak in winter. In other words, the coldest months of the year are when purchasing heating oil will put the biggest dent in your wallet.

If you want to top off your tank and even buy a little extra reserve in bulk, then late spring and summer time will be the best time purchase heating oil. It may seem a little excessive to some but it will save you both time and money in the long run. Not only are prices higher in the cold months, but so is demand. Stocking up months in advance will save you the hassle of having to deal with many other people also purchasing heating oil during the busy winter days.

Spring and Summer are the Best Times to Purchase Heating Oil

You don’t need to worry about oil going bad either. Heating oil can last up to two years when it is stored properly, so it will definitely be good to use if you stock up in July and continue using it all the way into December and beyond.

While purchasing oil before late fall is a good way to save money, it certainly isn’t the only method available to you. Some oil companies offer equal payment plans in bundles that will have you paying the same lower prices, even during the typically more expensive winter season. If you know that you are going to need to refuel on heating oil in a few months, this would be a fantastic way to prepare yourself for harsh snowy days in advance as well as potentially save a few hundred dollars.

Like many things in life, timing is everything. Make sure you purchase heating oil for your home at the right time so that you – and your wallet – can have as comfortable a winter as possible.

Contact Van Doren to Purchase Heating Oil

Van Doren Oil Company is one of the most equipped oil companies in NJ to handle any oil heat system service or heating oil delivery. We have a dedicated full-time staff which enables us to provide the consistently high level of service our oil customers have come to expect. Give us a call (908-534-2125) or contact us to purchase heating oil today!

The truth is that there could be several differences even between just two oil companies and knowing what distinguishes these companies could make all the difference for you.

An oil company needs to be, above all else, reliable. When it is the dead of winter and you need to have oil resources delivered to your home as fast as possible, you want an oil company that will meet your needs no matter what. To help give you a sense of what to look for in an company, we will describe below the most essential aspects of what makes a company the right choice for you.

3 Factors to Consider When Choosing an Oil Company

1. Pricing and Fees

A lot of people’s gut instinct will be to compare prices from one company to another. While we do recommend doing this, pricing alone doesn’t come close to telling the whole story. A more expensive oil company is not guaranteed to be superior, and a cheaper one isn’t guaranteed to be worth the extra few bucks you’d be saving either.

Prices should definitely be taken into account, but only after you have assessed the rest of their services. Then, make a judgment call for yourself to see if they are appropriately priced compared to the rest of the competition. Paying attention to delivery, maintenance, payment options and also any convenience fees are things you should keep a lookout for.

It is also important to take note of whether an oil company asks you to sign a contract with them. There are both pros and cons to this method. Signing up with an oil company that locks you in for, say, six months could spare you some stress in the future knowing that they will always be ready to serve you. On the other hand, you may hear of a similar company with services and resources that you want for a lower price, but can’t switch companies due to the signed deal you made.

2. Emergency Services

While no one likes to think that it will happen to them, the truth is that preparing for an emergency situation is simply the responsible thing to do. That’s why your oil company should be capable of responding in such a scenario.

Our recommendation is to choose an oil company that has 24/7 oil emergency services so that no matter when you call for some oil resources you are guaranteed to get the help that you need.

Whether you need heating oil to be delivered to your location ASAP or heating system repairs, it is important to make sure that your chosen company is capable of providing you with the resources or maintenance that you need whenever you ask for it.

It would also be a good idea to look into delivery times. Response time is as important as their fees are when it comes to aspects that you should take into consideration.

3. Research the Oil Company’s Reputation

It is common nowadays thanks to the internet to look up reviews of a product or a service before going ahead with the purchase. The same rule definitely applies when choosing an oil company, so you should take full advantage of this.

A company might make certain promises on their website, but it is more reliable to look at what their customers and clients are saying about them. All you really have to do is type in the company’s name into a search engine and look to see if they are receiving positive or negative feedback. Various websites (such as Google Maps) and forums should be able to give you a sense if this company is worth signing up with.

Look for specific remarks about the quality of the company such as things we’ve already discussed like if their pricing is fair, do they have on-demand service, and are they fast and responsive with heating oil delivery.

A little tip from us would be to prioritize the reviews of existing customers rather than past ones. They have a more up to date perspective on how the company is currently functioning and their words will serve as a more accurate reflection of the company’s quality.

How to Choose an Oil Company Conclusion

We hope you now have a better sense of how to choose the right heating oil company for you. As long as you keep all of this in mind, you can rest easy knowing that you have made a decision that is informed and responsible.

Contact Van Doren Oil

Van Doren Oil Company is one of the most equipped oil companies in NJ to handle any oil heat system service or heating oil delivery. We have a dedicated full-time staff which enables us to provide the consistently high level of service our oil customers have come to expect. Give us a call (908-534-2125) or contact us to get started today.