Efficiency is something we talk about in the heating industry a lot, but customers may not have a clear idea of what that actually means when it comes to their heating system and what they can do to help their system be more efficient.
First, let’s quickly review how your heating system works. If you have a furnace, heating oil runs through the feed pipe to the heating chamber. When you turn your furnace on, the burning of the oil warms the air and your ducts and vents help distribute this warm air evenly throughout the house. If you have a boiler, the burning of the heating oil warms the water in the boiler, instead of warming air, and creates steam. The steam is carried through pipes into the radiators around your house which heat up and warm the air in the room.
Efficiency in your furnace or boiler is measured by how much energy the system converts to heat, how much is lost in this process, and how much fuel the system uses to do this. An energy efficient furnace will convert more energy to heat using less fuel. Efficiency is key to keeping your fuel costs down. Many newer furnaces can reach efficiencies of 98%, meaning 98% of the energy the furnace converts becomes heat in your home.
However, just having the latest furnace isn’t the only way you can ensure you’re using your heating fuel efficiently. There are a number of things to take into consideration when trying to be as energy efficient as possible with your heating oil. Think about the number of rooms in your house, number of rooms in use, the outdoor temperature, the type of thermostat you own, and your radiator temperature settings. All of these can have an impact on your fuel efficiency and factoring them into your decisions about your heating can help you be more efficient. For instance, if your system has the ability to only heat certain rooms it’s advisable to turn the heat off in rooms that aren’t occupied. Consider keeping doors closed to trap the heat where you need it most. Using a smart thermostat can allow you to manage the temperature relative to the outdoor temperature and also automatically turn down the heat when you leave the house or go to bed. Want to learn some more tips for reducing your heating bill, check out our blog here.
The last thing you can do to make sure your furnace is as efficient as possible is to keep up with your annual cleaning and inspection, so all the parts can continue to work as they should. This will keep your efficiency up and costs down in the long run! West Nova Fuels and Superline Fuels are always happy to help you make sure your heating system is working at its best. Learn more about our equipment servicing here.