Getting Ready for Heating Season: Five Early Steps

Believe it or not, Labor Day is just a few weeks away – and before you know it, it will be time once again to reach for your sweatshirt and turn the thermostat from “cool” to “heat.”

But we’re not quite there yet, which is a good thing because it gives you time to get your home ready for the cooler weather ahead here in Middlesex and Norfolk counties. You still have time to tackle some of the more important tasks you may have put off earlier this summer – tasks that can save you some headaches (and money) down the road.

For example, now is the perfect time to call a heating expert for routine maintenance on your gas and oil heating equipment. Once Labor Day hits, you’ll be fighting the crowds for a convenient appointment time with one of our licensed, bonded heating technicians – by putting off your heating maintenance by even a few weeks, you might find yourself at the end of a line of customers that stretches into October!

While you’re waiting for your heating service appointment, here are five things you can do right now to ease the transition to fall in your home:

1. Get to know your thermostat. Now is a great time make sure your thermostat is working properly, and to learn how to program it if you don’t know how to already (it will be a great investment of time, considering proper use of your thermostat could save you 10 percent or more on your heating bill). If you don’t have a programmable thermostat, make the smart call and install one – it will more than likely pay for itself in the first year of use.
2. Assess your insulation. Most Massachusetts homes (especially older ones) are under-insulated, which is too bad when you consider that insulation is one of the most cost effective ways to lower your heating and cooling bills. For further tips on where and how much to insulate, check out this post from the U.S. Department of Energy (D.O.E.).
3. Fix drafty windows and doors. Air leaks are the enemy of energy efficiency year-round, and summer is a great time to address them. Check the around and under your doors and windows to make sure they’re draft-free. If they aren’t, use caulk, weather-stripping and door sweeps to plug any gaps. For more tips on air sealing, check out this D.O.E. post.
4. Tackle critical roof repairs. Fewer people invest in roofing projects during this summer, which means you’re more likely to find a qualified roof expert to do the job. Skip those roof repairs and you could end up with efficiency-sapping drafts, or even a mold problem – something you definitely want to avoid.
5. Replace old heating equipment. Remember those busy heating experts who won’t have time to maintain your equipment after Labor Day? They won’t have time to install your new boiler or furnace, either. If you’re planning a heating system upgrade, get a FREE, no obligation estimate now so you’ll have some time to schedule a heating system installation before busy season starts.

Stay ahead of the crowd and get a convenient appointment for your heating maintenance by scheduling a summer visit from the experts at Needham Oil Complete Heating & Cooling! And remember: if you’re looking for a heating expert in our Central MA service area, nobody beats Needham. Contact us today to learn more.