As your full service comfort company, we care about saving you energy, money, time - and maybe even some headaches. So, here are some tips and resources to help you along the way.
The best way to "go green" - and save money - is by maximizing your fuel efficiency. At Roberto Fuel, we are conservation experts, and we help many customers upgrade their heating systems to maximize efficiency and minimize emissions. When you replace an older heating system with a high-efficiency model, you can reduce consumption by 30% or more. We can also help you with smaller conservation steps like installing a programmable thermostat or a new energy-saving burner control.
One "green" move we recommend to all our customers is to get their heating system tuned before cold weather comes. A well-tuned system uses 5% less fuel and burns cleaner, with reduced emissions. Your Roberto Fuel service plan may include your annual tune-up.
Follow these warm weather and cold weather energy-saving tips and you'll find a decrease in your annual energy bills.
Correct air leaks around windows, doors and electrical outlets.- Repair weather stripping and caulking.
- Replace any cracked glass in your windows.
- Make sure your ceiling has at least six inches of insulation.
- Wrap your pipes to guard against heat loss and freezing.
- Have your fireplace chimney cleaned and inspected regularly.
- Check the threshold for any gaps between it and the door; use a bottom seal that can be attached to the door to stop drafts.
- Get a heating system tune-up before the heating season begins.
- Keep ductwork in good repair with duct insulation.
- Remove air conditioning units from windows.
- Close your kitchen vent, fireplace damper and closet doors when not in use.
Keep the coils of your central or window air conditioner free of dust and dirt.- Make sure the output of your air conditioner is right for the size of your room or house to ensure optimum efficiency and comfort.
- Change or clean your air conditioning filter monthly during the cooling season to improve efficiency and the life of your air conditioner.
- Look for an air conditioning unit that is ENERGY STAR® approved.
- Cook on the grill to keep cooking heat outside the home.
- Install reflective window coatings to reflect heat away from your home.
- During the day, block the heat from the sun by closing windows, doors and curtains.
- During the hot summer afternoons, avoid using appliances.
- Open windows on cool summer days and nights. A good rule of thumb is not to open windows when the outside temperature is warmer than the inside of your house.
Install a programmable thermostat. When used properly, it can shave $100 off your annual energy bills.- Use compact fluorescent lights. They last up to 10-13 times longer than standard bulbs and use 75% less energy.
- Choose a high-efficiency water heater. An indirect oil-fired water heater produces an almost endless supply of hot water with a very fast recovery time.
- Keep your oven door closed! Every time you open the oven door, the oven temperature can drop 25 degrees. Use the oven light or a timer to avoid wasting energy.
- Wash clothes in the coolest water possible — 80% of the cost to run your washer is used for heating the water.
- Install dimmers and motion sensors wherever possible.
- Take showers instead of baths. A five-minute shower will use about 7.5 gallons of hot water; filling a bathtub can use up to 20 gallons.
- Clean refrigerator coils once a year to extend the life of your fridge.
- Choose a high-efficiency dishwasher — they use 25% less energy than conventional models.
- Since your dryer retains heat, dry loads back-to-back.
For more conservation advice, please visit these helpful websites:
