oil heat is economical.
If you adjust for inflation, the price of heating oil is actually less than it was in 1980!
In fact, oil heat has been a better buy than gas heat for 11 of the past 12 winters.
Plus, competition among local oil heat companies helps to ensure a better value.
oil heat is efficient.
Thanks to major advancements being made in oil heat burner technology, some oil heat systems now boast efficiency ratings of over 90%!
Another fact is that modern oil heat equipment actually burns less fuel.
The average annual fuel consumption in 1973 was 1,294 gallons; in 2001 it was 800 gallons!
oil heat has minimal impact on the environment.
The environmental impact from using oil heat is much lower than the alternatives, especially electric heat and wood.
The air pollution emissions from oil burners are insignificant, and oil storage tanks do not pose a threat to the environment because oil heat is non-toxic, non-carcinogenic and biodegradable.
oil heat is clean.
Today's oil heat burns 95% cleaner than before.
In fact, according to Brookhaven National Laboratory Report Number 52249, entitled "Emissions Characteristics of Modern Oil Heating Equipment," the technological improvements in combustion equipment have reduced total emissions to the environment by 68 million tons a year.
oil heat is safe and non-explosive.
It will not burn in a liquid state.
In order to light heating oil on fire, you must heat it above 140 degrees, the temperature at which it begins to vaporize.
In contrast, when natural gas or propane leaks, even at room temperatures, an explosive mixture of air and fuel forms rapidly.
Moreover, oil heat poses one of the least risks of carbon monoxide poisoning to you and your family.
oil heat is dependable and secure.
We will not run out of oil heat anytime soon.
There will always be a plentiful supply, even during the coldest winter months.
In fact, the United States has a Strategic Petroleum Reserve with a capacity of 700 million barrels - the world's largest emergency oil stockpile - in addition to a two-million-barrel heating oil reserve.
There are over 36 oil producing countries, and the U.S. is not dependent on any one country or region for its supply.
An oil heat tank ensures you of an ample supply of fuel safely stored on your property.
With oil, you have control over your heat.
There is no need to worry about the weather, pressure drops in the gas pipeline or broken gas mains.
Because heating oil is safe, the oil heat tank can be located anyplace that's convenient - above ground, underground, in the basement, etc. (Propane tanks, conversely, need to be placed 50 feet from the home.)
And wait until you see all the attractive aboveground tank enclosures that coordinate perfectly with your home's décor.
oil heat gives you personal service.
We at Lehigh Fuels provide courteous, prompt, personal attention.
Try getting that from your local utility!
oil heat means cozy home comfort.
Fact is, when surveyed about their comfort, oil heat customers around the country said they find oil heated homes to be cozier than gas or electric-heated homes.
While we can't measure it, warmth, comfort and a nice cozy feeling are definite heating oil pluses.
oil heat means choice:
And we're glad you chose Lehigh Fuels as your dealer!
Moreover, you are free to choose from our "menu" of full services - everything from service contracts to payment plans to automatic delivery.
On the other hand, there is only one big utility.
oil heat customers prefer oil heat.
According to oil heat industry research, 95% of oil heat users are satisfied with their dealer's overall performance and feel they do a good job delivering oil and servicing heating equipment.
A majority (70%) feel that the gas utility would not give the same personalized service as the oil heat dealer.
They prefer oil heat for all the reasons mentioned above ... and more!
Conserve heat around your home during colder months:
- Let the sun shine in. Windows on the south side of the house get the most sunlight. Eastern windows get sunlight in the morning. West facing windows receive sunlight in the afternoon. Open shades and drapes during the daytime and close when the sun goes down.
- Close your kitchen vent, fireplace damper and closet doors when not in use.
- Install glass doors on the fireplace for added insulation.
- Have your fireplace chimney cleaned and inspected regularly, and burn only fully-dried hardwoods for the most heat output.
- Remove or cover air conditioning window units, or cover them well.
- Correct air leaks around windows, doors and electrical outlets.
- Repair weather stripping and caulking.
- Check your threshold for any gaps between it and the door. Use a bottom seal that can be attached to the bottom of the door - it should brush up against the floor to seal up the threshold. It virtually stops drafts.
- Keep radiators and baseboards free of dust for top efficiency.
- Turn your thermostat back when not at home. By turning your thermostat back 10° to 15° for 8 hours, you can save about 5% to 15% a year on your heating bill - a savings of as much as 1% for each degree if the setback period is eight hours long.
- Get an automatic setback or programmable thermostat, which, when used properly, can shave $100 off your annual energy bills.
- Make sure rugs and furniture don't block the air circulation from baseboard outlets.
- Replace any cracked glass in your windows.
- Seal off your attic circulating fan with polyethylene and tape.
- Make sure your ceiling has at least six inches of good thermal insulation.
- Install a water heater blanket for greater heating efficiency.
- Wrap your pipes, to guard against heat loss and prevent them from freezing.
- Keep ductwork in good repair with duct tape or duct insulation. Your home could be losing up to 25% of its hot air before it reaches the vents!
- Re-glaze window glass (glazing is the putty that seals the glass to the frame). You can use a putty knife or glazing gun. Re-glazing stops air infiltration on the sash (window frame) itself. You can then install a V-strip to stop any leaking that would go around the sash. This also makes the window easier to operate up and down.
- Avoid using space heaters. They're expensive to operate, and can be dangerous, too.
Conserve energy during warmer months:
- Keep drapes, blinds and shades closed during the day to block out the sun.
- Clear furniture away from air conditioning vents, and close unused rooms and their vents.
- Install an attic fan - it can cool your attic by nearly 30°!
- Keep cool air in by installing insulation and weather-stripping.
- Install reflective window coatings to reflect heat away from your home.
- Cook on the grill to keep cooking heat outside.
- When cooking inside, use a microwave instead of a conventional oven - it uses less than half the power and cooks food in about one-fourth the time.
- Turn the air conditioner thermostat up to at least 78° or higher, or use a programmable thermostat. Turn air conditioners off when no one is home.
- Plant shade trees due west of west windows - it could reduce your air conditioning bills by up to 25%.
Conserve energy around your home all year long:
- Close off rooms you don't use - and remember to shut the vents inside.
- Turn off the lights if you leave a room for more than a few seconds.
- Use compact fluorescent lights. They last up to 10-13 times longer than standard bulbs and use 75% less energy.
- Install dimmer switches. In addition to making for more romantic dinners, they'll extend the life of your bulbs and help you save up to 60% on your lighting costs.
- Install motion activated switches that automatically turn lights on and off.
- Lower the temperature of your water heater from 140° (medium) to 120° (low). You'll save 3-5% in water heating costs for each 10° reduction. Or consider a timer to turn your water heater off when not in use.
- Install water-conserving fixtures, such as showerheads, faucets and toilets.
- Fix leaky faucets, especially hot water faucets. One drop per second can add up to 165 gallons per month - more than a person uses in two weeks.
- Take showers instead of baths. A five-minute shower will use about 7.5 gallons of hot water; filling a bathtub can use up to 20 gallons.
- Install ceiling fans. They could cut your energy bill by 40%. And reversing fans for upward airflow will move warm air down in winter!
- Don't keep your refrigerator or freezer too cold. Recommended temperatures are 37° to 40°F for the refrigerator and 5°F for the freezer. Also, cover food in the fridge; uncovered foods release moisture and make the compressor work harder.
- Don't leave the fridge door open! Every time you do, up to 30% of the cooled air can escape. The same can be said for your oven.
- Use less water and use cooler water when doing laundry. The warm or cold water setting on your machine will generally do a good job of cleaning your clothes. Switching your temperature setting from hot to warm can cut a load's energy use in half.
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