Hot water may not be an official necessity, but it’s a modern convenience that is pretty hard to live without. If you enjoy warm showers, clean dishes, and white laundry loads, hot water is important. Your water heater is probably what uses up a significant portion of your home energy after your furnace, especially during the winter. Whether you have an electric or gas water heater, there are ways you cut your hot water energy bill back a little bit or even a lot, depending on how far you’re willing to go toward conservation. Carolina Fuels, a reliable company offering air conditioning and furnace repair in Eden as well as delivery of many types of heating fuels, suggests these 10 ways to cut your hot water energy bill.

• • Take shorter, cooler showers. This one is hard, because a hot shower is such a luxury, especially when it’s cold outside. By shortening the length and temperature of your showers you can help your water heater use less energy. And besides saving energy, there are other reasons a shorter, cooler shower is beneficial. It’s also better for combating dry skin that so often plagues us during dry, cold winters. It also helps to prevent dry scalp issues that can lead to dandruff.
  • Replace shower heads and faucets with low flow models. A low flow shower head reduces the amount of water used during each shower. Low flow faucets can conserve a lot of water too in the kitchen and bathrooms.  
  • Do most of your laundry in cold water. When it comes to your multi-color loads, there’s really no advantage to using hot water and it could cause your colors to run. When it comes to white loads, if you use bleach, wash in hot water but rinse in cold to save some energy.
  • Set your water heater to a lower temperature. Aim for around 120 degrees and your water heater will save a lot of energy it would normally expend to heat the water to a higher temperature and preserve that temperature in the holding tank.
  • Run your dishwasher less often. Wait until you have a full load of dishes before running your dishwasher.
  • Fix leaky plumbing. Letting a faucet drip can waste an amazing amount of water, and sometimes it’s the hot water that’s leaking, meaning your hot water heater is working overtime.
  • Add insulation to your water heater. Water heater insulation can be purchased and applied on your own, but make sure you follow the directions to avoid problems. Consider having a professional apply the insulation.
  • Get a new water heater. Upgrading to a new energy-efficient water heater will save you a lot in energy costs. Especially if you purchase an on-demand or tankless water heater.
  • Get a new dishwasher. An older dishwasher will use much more water than a newer one will. Newer dishwashers also have more advanced heating elements so that it self-heats and doesn’t require as much hot water.
  • Get a new washing machine. A high-efficiency washing machine will also use less hot water when you do need to run a warm water load. 

Call Carolina Fuels for Water Heater and Furnace Repair in Eden

If you need a professional to evaluate your water heater’s condition and energy usage, Carolina Fuels can help. In addition to furnace repair in Eden, Carolina Fuels provides a wide range of energy audit services. If you currently have an electric water heater, you may find that you can save the most money by switching to a propane water heater. Call Carolina Fuels to find out how you can save energy today: (336) 623-9741.

Looking for ways to cut back your heating costs this season? There’s actually a lot you can do to pay less to heat your home. Some of these tips involve your heating system itself, others deal with your home insulation, and still others are about heating fuels. Your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning or HVAC service in Greensboro can perform an energy audit on your home to determine where you’re losing energy, how to stop that loss, and prevent it in the future.  

Reduce Heating Costs with Routine HVAC Maintenance 

One of the easiest and most effective ways to reduce your heating costs is to schedule routine maintenance for your heating system. Over the months and years that your system runs, it accumulates dirt and dust that can build up throughout the various parts of your heating system, reducing its efficiency. Maintenance involves cleaning, inspecting, lubricating, and repairing your system, which restores it to top condition for the best possible performance. A clean, tuned up heating system will lower your energy costs during the cold weather months.  

Stop Losing Valuable Heat: Add or Repair your Insulation 

Poor or insufficient insulation is forcing your heating system to fight a losing battle. If the warm air your heating system creates can just seep out and cold air can seep in, you’ll never achieve a comfortable indoor air temperature. Your heating system will cycle on and off repeatedly, taking a beating in the process. The solution is to improve your insulation. Seal cracks, replace weather stripping around doors, and add insulation to places where there isn’t enough or any at all. If you’re not sure where you are losing heat, your HVAC service in Greensboro can do an energy audit, which will pinpoint cold spots in your home. Experts can then advise you on how to better insulate your home, or take care of the insulation improvements for you.  

The Heating Fuel you Use and How you Purchase It Can Reduce your Heating Costs 

Not all heating fuels are created equal. There have been many studies done to compare the cost of the main energy sources for heating: natural gas, propane, oil, and electricity. These energy sources are difficult to compare because they are all measured differently and they all create different amounts of heat from what seems to be the same amount of energy. If natural gas is already established in your home, it is one of the most cost-effective options for home heat. However, if you wish to use a gas log fireplace in addition to your home heating system, you may save money using propane for it separately. If you have an older home that happens to have an oil furnace, you’ll find that although oil seems to be more expensive to purchase, you can get more heat out of a smaller amount of oil when compared to propane or gas. Propane is another popular choice. You can save on energy costs by using propane for other appliances as well as home heat, such as your range and clothing dryer. You don’t typically have a choice which natural gas company provides your service, but you can choose from whom you purchase propane and oil.  

Save Money on Heating this Season with Berico’s Comfort and Protection Service Agreement 

The best way to cut back on energy costs is to work with Berico, a leading HVAC service in Greensboro. Save money on propane and heating oil when you sign up for regular deliveries. Keep your heating system running efficiently with routine maintenance. Combine all of these in one Comfort and Protection Service Agreement from Berico and you will not only save money, but get convenience and peace of mind. Call (336) 273-8663 and stay warm for less this winter.

The last thing you want to encounter on a cold day is a chilly house. Whether you wake up cold or come home to a frigid house after work, it’s obvious there is a problem with your heating system. It’s unpleasant, inconvenient, and potentially expensive to repair. Want to keep your Burlington furnace repair needs down to just routine maintenance? Consider these 5 common heating system problems and tips to prevent them. 

1. Lack of Heat. When your heating system is running, but the air coming from your vents is not warm, there are a few probable causes. There could be an internal mechanical error with the heat exchanger, pilot, or other parts. If you are experiencing a lack of heat, call your Burlington furnace repair service to diagnose and repair the problem. The best way to prevent this issue is to schedule yearly preventative maintenance in late summer or early fall.  
2. Constant On/Off Cycling. If your furnace seems to turn on, run for a short time, turn off, and then turn right back on again, this is definitely a sign of a system malfunction. Do not let this problem go unattended, because the constant cycling is hard on your heating system. You may have an electrical or mechanical error, or your flame sensor may need to be cleaned. The best way to prevent this problem? Routine furnace maintenance.  
3. Low Air Flow. Is there a lack of air or a low flow of air coming from your vents? This is most likely due a clogged filter, which is an easy fix. Simply replace your filters every 3 months to prevent excessive buildup of dust. If changing your filters doesn’t improve the air flow, there might be a problem with the blower itself. Call your HVAC service for repair.  
4. Pilot Light Issues. If your pilot light is supposed to stay lit and doesn’t, or if the electric pilot starter isn’t working properly, your furnace can’t make heat. In some cases the problem is with the gas or gas line itself, but it could also be internal furnace parts. Call your Burlington furnace repair service for pilot light issues. But if you smell gas in your home, call your gas provider and get out of the house. Preventative measures: you guessed it, routine furnace maintenance.  
5. Thermostat Malfunction. Sometimes thermostats don’t work properly or need to be recalibrated. If your thermostat isn’t properly sensing the temperature or calling for heat when it is needed, your furnace won’t be able to do its job. You may need your thermostat repaired or replaced. Digital thermostats are very reliable and programmable thermostats can help you save energy. If your old thermostat needs to be replaced, consider upgrading.  

Prevent Most Common Heating System Problems with Routine Burlington Furnace Repair 

If you’re only repairing your heating system when something goes wrong, you’re not getting the best performance out of your equipment. Yearly cleaning and maintenance will go a long way toward preventing malfunctions and saving you money on heating costs. Call Alamance Oil at (336) 226-9371 for Burlington Furnace Repair and Maintenance.

Thinking of using propane for home heating in Eden this winter? If you’ve never used propane before you probably have questions about it. Here are 5 commonly asked questions about propane that should help you decide if it’s the right choice for your home. 

1. What is Propane? Propane is a by-product of natural gas and petroleum (crude oil) that is typically manufactured at oil refineries. It is a highly versatile fuel that can be used to heat homes and supply energy to stoves, ovens, clothing dryers, water heaters, and more.  
2. Is Propane Safe? Propane is an extremely safe way to heat your home. Propane is typically stored in liquid form in a tank outside your home, either above or below the ground. It has an odor that resembles rotten eggs that will alert you if there is a leak. Propane tanks and equipment are designed with special features to ensure the highest level of safety.  
3. Will Propane Harm the Environment? After the safety of home and family, people often consider the environment when thinking about heating fuels. Propane is non-toxic, clean-burning, and will not harm the environment. When it burns it does not release any greenhouse gases. You can rest assured that propane is environmentally friendly.  
4. Is Propane More or Less Expensive than Other Fuels? Homeowners want to know that they are making an affordable choice for home heating. Propane home heating in Eden can seem to be more expensive than natural gas when you compare pricing directly, but there have been times when natural gas was more costly. Propane also burns more efficiently than natural gas, so you use less, thus saving money. In addition to price, consider the other benefits of propane, like its versatility (it can power other appliances such as dryers and water heaters, which is more efficient than electric) and the fact that it can be delivered to places where natural gas is not available. 
5. How Will I Know if My Tank is Getting Low? Running out of propane is a valid concern, but it’s completely avoidable. If you’re not sure how much propane is in your tank, have Carolina Fuels check the level and refill it if necessary. Then sign up for regular propane deliveries that will ensure you never run out. 

Switching to Propane Home Heating in Eden is Easy 

Now that some of your questions are answered, you should know that switching to propane is easy if you choose to go that route. A propane tank can be installed on any property, as long as you own your home and land. The tank can be above or below ground, whichever you prefer. If you are simply switching from another propane supplier to Carolina Fuels, the tank swap is free. Regularly scheduled deliveries are convenient and can include complete HVAC maintenance as well for both your furnace and your air conditioner. If you have additional questions about propane home heating in Eden, call (336) 313-0466.