In 2019, more than 5.5 million households in the United States used heating oil to keep their homes warm. It’s an effective and affordable way to heat your home in the winter months.

When heating your home this way, you need to have heating oil delivery. It’s a process that can sound intimidating for some, but it’s actually quite simple.

Let’s have a look at what the process of home heating oil delivery is and what you can do to make it go smoothly.

What to Expect With Heating Oil Delivery?

The process of heating oil delivery is simple and quick. Before the delivery truck ever makes a trip to your home, the company should first assess your oil usage.

The professionals at www.sperrs.com believe that a company should assess your oil usage from the season before to get an idea of how often you’ll require a fill-up. At this time, they’ll also give you an idea of the budget you’ll need to prepare for.

You should also confirm your address and where the fill-up spot is located at your home.

On delivery day, the truck will arrive ready to fill your system up. They’ll go to the part of your home where the fill-up spot is located and start the process. Once they’re done, they’ll put their equipment away and go on their way.

The process is convenient and quick!

What Can I Do to Help Heating Oil Delivery Companies?

To make the process easier, there are a few things that you can do to help. The delivery company will always appreciate your thoughts in making their jobs easier and quicker.

You’ll benefit from this too, as it will make your life easier as well. Here are a few things to do to prepare for your delivery.

Give Them Some Space

Upon arrival, the delivery truck will need a place to park. If you have a driveway, you can move your cars if needed to give them the best access to your home.

If you don’t have a driveway, make sure that there is adequate room for the truck on the street. You can move your cars to give them the space that they need before arrival.

Do a Little Cleaning

For the delivery driver to complete the home heating oil delivery, they need a clear path. This helps them get their job done faster.

If you have things like a flower bed around where they need to work, try to work out an alternate path nearby that they can take to get the job done.

Don’t Forget About Your Pets

While the delivery driver may like your pets, it’s best to keep them both safe. You should try to keep your pets inside your house or inside a secure area while the driver is there.

Keeping them out of the way makes the delivery much easier and as safe as possible.

You’re Ready for Your First Heating Oil Delivery

Knowing the process is important when it comes to getting heating oil delivery. With these tips, you’re prepared to have the entire process go smoothly.

Did you like this article on home heating oil delivery? Read more of our lifestyle articles for more!

Read Also : The Benefits of Heating a House With Propane

Quality air conditioning has become a necessity in residential homes. During the hot summer months, your air conditioner can help you and your family stay safe and healthy inside your home. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), running your air conditioner is one way you can reduce your risk of heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

Make sure your AC stays in top condition throughout the hot season. Follow these 5 easy yet effective maintenance tips for optimal system performance:

Clear obstructions around the unit

Proper and smooth airflow is important for efficient air conditioning. If the space around your AC unit is too crowded, it will restrict airflow to and from the system. Household items like paint cans, paper boxes, and other containers that are stored near or around air conditioner systems can also pose a risk of fire. Industry experts highly recommend providing at least 1 foot of clearance on all sides of the unit to allow your AC to operate properly.

Replace your AC air filter

Unchecked air filters are usually the cause of AC efficiency issues. Dust and dirt can accumulate on your filters over time, lowering the cooling performance of your AC. According to the United States Department of Energy, replacing your dirty air filters with clean ones will ensure the efficiency of your AC and lower the system’s energy consumption by up to 5 percent to 15 percent. 

Adjust your thermostat

Using your thermostat wisely will let you enjoy optimal cooling in your home without the high energy bill. The DOE says you can save as much as 10% a year on air conditioning by setting your thermostat back 7° to 10°F for 8 hours a day from its normal setting. To save you from the hassle of manually adjusting your thermostat every time you arrive and leave home, you should invest in a smart thermostat. Smart thermostats allow you to control your HVAC system even when you are not at home. 

Keep your curtains down during the heat of the day.

Your windows are one of the most common sources of heat gain in your home. According to the DOE, heat gain through your windows is responsible for 25 percent to 31 percent of residential cooling energy use. To help reduce the load on your air conditioner, block heat from entering your home, using window curtains and blinds. 

Fix any air leaks around your home. 

One important factor that affects the efficiency of your air conditioner is the condition of your home. If there are air leaks around your doors, windows, walls, and ceilings, your air conditioner will have a hard time cooling your home. This will force the system to consume more energy than it normally needs to operate. 

Are you having problems with your home air conditioning?

If your air conditioner is not cooling your home properly despite your routine maintenance efforts, do not hesitate to ask for help from your trusted local AC contractor. Always leave your AC repair to the pros instead of doing the job on your own. Schedule an appointment now!

How much does installing an air conditioning system cost? It’s not as simple a question as it sounds.

That’s because the answer is a very wide range—anywhere from a few hundred dollars to ten thousand for a high-end system.

Several factors affect where you’ll fall in that range. Let’s take a closer look at what determines your air conditioning installation cost.

Type of Air Conditioning System

There are many different kinds of air conditioning solutions out there. The one you pick can significantly affect your installation bill.

Central Air

The most common kind of air conditioning in the U.S. is central forced air. A condenser, compressor, and evaporator work together to create cold air and force it through the house via ducts.

This system is popular because it couples well with central heating. It also balances affordability with a whole-house cooling approach. The price of your central air installation can still vary a lot, ranging from $3,000 to $7,000 on average.

Portable Single-Room Units

This category includes the ubiquitous window AC unit, as well as swamp coolers and portable air conditioners. Installation is DIY-friendly, and individual units are often only a few hundred dollars. Attempting to cool an entire house with portable units, however, can be inefficient, expensive, and noisy.

Ductless AC

Ductless AC systems circulate refrigerant between one or multiple in-room air handlers and a single outdoor unit. They offer superior room-by-room temperature control and significantly boost energy efficiency. They also feature one of the highest up-front installation costs.

Geothermal AC

Geothermal AC uses pipes to dump heat deep underground. Though it’s eco-friendly, it’s also one of the most expensive and elaborate systems to install.

A Bigger House Equals a Higher Air Conditioning Installation Cost

It’s essential to pick an AC installation that matches your house size. Appropriate sizing ensures you get the cooling you need. It also increases energy efficiency and unit lifespan.

So it follows that bigger houses will need bigger, more powerful AC units. Your HVAC installer should make a load calculation to figure out how much air your system must handle per minute. That calculation incorporates house size, insulation type, ductwork layout, doors and windows, and other factors.

A load calculation helps you and your HVAC professional figure out your AC unit cost. But don’t forget that labor, as well as any duct and vent work, will also factor into your total cost.

Tax Credits and Rebates for Efficiency

Energy efficiency saves you money and helps the environment, but energy-efficient AC equipment tends to be more expensive. That’s why many governments offer rebates and tax credits for energy-efficient installations. Your HVAC provider can help you find savings through Energy Star and other programs.

Ductwork and Existing Units

Depending on your existing heating setup, you may be able to cut costs by picking a compatible air conditioning installation.

If you already have ductwork for heat, your AC unit can hook up to the same system. Ductwork also reduces your air conditioner replacement cost.

If you don’t have ductwork installed, installing it can become a disruptive and expensive project.

Where You Live and Who You Know

HVAC services vary by provider. Dirt-cheap installations often result in shoddy work. Some HVAC companies overcharge.

If you live somewhere where AC usage is high, market competition may help you find many competitively priced yet high-quality air conditioning installation options.

Must Read -: It’s Getting Hot In Here: 8 Signs You Need an Air Conditioner Repair

Learning More About Air Conditioning Installation Cost

Air conditioning installation or HVAC replacement can be a big and expensive project, so it’s important to do your research.

To learn more about getting the most out of your HVAC unit while minimizing your air conditioning installation cost, read more in our archives.