For many homeowners the rising cost of oil has become an area of concern. This concern has led consumers to the eager pursuit of a more economical means of heating. Before undertaking the expense of converting, consider some of the benefits of oil. You might also be interested in some ways to cut your costs.

THE BENEFITS OF OIL HEAT

One reason that oil heat is the preferred choice of many is its safety. It is non-explosive and does not present the environmental hazard that some heating fuels do. New or well maintained furnaces are odor-free. Another benefit of oil is its efficiency. The heat of an oil flame is hotter than that of any other home heating fuel. Older burners can be replaced by burners that operate cleanly and more efficiently. A factor that attracts consumers, not available with all heating methods, is having a choice of which company they buy oil from. From one company to another there are slight variations in price. This situation creates competition for your patronage. Better customer service is the result.

As a way of reducing the cost, why not buy a thermostat timer? By programming it to lower the heat at times when you are not home or are sleeping, you can conserve oil. By servicing your furnace or boiler annually you can keep your system running at optimum levels. Conserving hot water can reduce oil costs too. This can be achieved by installing a water saving shower head. Other ways of cutting heating costs are weather-stripping, closing dampers and making sure that radiators are free of objects and a build up of dust. Maximize on sunlight by opening curtains in the day. With just a few practical measures you can economize and enjoy the comfort and reliability of oil heat this winter.