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Posted: December 21, 2020
Mother Nature has already reminded us how powerful she is, bringing a big snowstorm our way even before winter officially arrived. We can only hope that it’s not a harbinger of things to come for the next three months.
With that in mind, we thought this would be the perfect time to share some tips designed to assure timely deliveries and keep your heating system operating safely and efficiently all through winter.
If you call us to order fuel, make sure to check your heating oil or propane tank regularly—especially in the middle of a cold snap. Remember, if you’re working from home and the kids are learning remotely, you’re going to be using more fuel to stay warm than last winter.
Don’t wait until your fuel level gets too low. We recommend calling when your oil tank is about ¼ full or when your propane tank gauge reaches 30%.
Are you signed up to be on automatic delivery? If you aren’t, we think you should be! Automatic delivery is a free service that takes away the hassle of having to check your tank and order your fuel. It also lowers the risk of running out of oil or propane.
Whether you use propane or oil, you may qualify for a wireless tank monitor, which you can use in combination with automatic delivery. We can install a device that wirelessly monitors your fuel usage in real time, so we will always know the actual amount of fuel in your tank. Read more about automatic deliveries and tank monitors here.
After a storm, clear a path to your oil fill pipe or propane storage tank so your driver can reach it quickly and safely. We also need you to shovel/plow your driveway so it is free of snow and ice. Safety codes prohibit us from trying to navigate slippery driveways. Our trucks need a space wide enough for an ambulance to get through.
If you have an oil or gas furnace, change or clean the air filter a few times during the heating season. A dirty filter compromises efficiency and can even result in a shutdown.
If you have a steam boiler, check the water gauge periodically. Low water levels are a leading cause for boiler shutdowns. Steam boilers should also be “flushed” when the water in the gauge looks rusty. Talk with us if you’re not familiar with this procedure.
If you have a hot water boiler, make sure the water level of the boiler is at half-full. The boiler’s automatic filling system, controlled by the pressure-reducing valve, should maintain the proper water level at 12 to 15 psi of pressure. If there isn’t a pressure-reducing valve, manually feed the boiler by opening up the water feed valve until the boiler pressure reaches 12 psi.
Always feel free to contact us if you have any concerns or questions about staying safe and warm this winter. Remember, we’re The People You Can Trust.
