It may be summer right now, but heating your home shouldn't be the last thing on your mind while you're enjoying the warm weather.
As quoted by CNN:
The global benchmark for oil surged 3.5 percent earlier this month to $71.04 a barrel — the highest since late 2014. And according to U.S. government estimates, the average price of oil will rise to $2.74 per gallon this summer, an increase of 14 percent compared to last summer.
With rising oil costs, it's important to know the best ways to save time and money on finding home heating oil. Here are a few tips to help you get the best deal:
Get the Best Price
Getting the best price may seem like what this article is all about, but there's more to it than that. By using Slick, you simply enter your zip code and get a free price check within seconds. You see exactly what you will pay and when you will get your home heating oil.
How it works: Slick pools together with your neighbors to get the best deal possible. It's basically the best prices through logistics because orders are grouped together with exclusive pricing through the delivery companies. You pay online and everything is seamless so that you get what you need, when you need it, and at a price that's the lowest possible.
Save Time
Most people agree that time is money and by using Slick, you're saving time spent on finding home heating oil in addition to finding the best price. Think of it as a one-stop shopping experience where you don't have to browse online listings, hoping to find someone you can trust. You won't have to make numerous phone calls only to find that the company is out of oil, and you won't have to deal with unanswered messages or companies who couldn't care less.
Along with saving time and money, here are a couple of other tips on saving more on your heating costs in the long-run:
Buy Early
Along with getting the best price possible, buying early is always a good idea. Most commodity prices rise with demand, so it makes sense to get your home heating oil before you actually must have it. Oil prices rise and fall, but you're guaranteed to pay more in the middle of winter or if there's a winter storm approaching and you've run out.
Keep the Thermostat Low
Thermostats can be sensitive, especially newer models, so even one degree can make a huge difference in your savings over the course of a season. Green Home Guide states that for every degree you turn down your thermostat (you have to leave it there for this to apply), you save 1-3 percent of your heating bill. That's an industry figure so try to keep it lower than usual -- even if it's just a degree or two.
Maintenance is Your Friend
You must keep up with your maintenance in order to save money. This means making sure you have enough insulation and that your boiler has been serviced at least once each year.
An Affordable Combination
All of these tips are ideal for making sure that your home heating oil is affordable and that you will save money this winter.