Other Ways to Save
In addition to joining the Fuel Buyers Group, here are some other ways to lower your home energy costs.
Saving Through Efficiency – Making the Most of Your Energy Dollars
Your Thermostat — Saving Money by Degrees Smart thermostats are a great option for anyone with a traditional heating system, but you can save a lot of money (especially in an expensive season like this one) with your old-school thermostat, too. According to the U.S. Department of Energy and other independent research, you can save 1-3% of your total heating bill for each degree you turn your thermostat down. With prices soaring this year, the average homeowner in New York State could save hundreds of dollars by cutting the heat from, for example, 73 to 69 degrees. If you choose to make a change, do not crank it down all at once. Try a one-degree reduction every couple of days until you find a temperature that balances your comfort and your budget. The same is true in reverse when it comes to the air conditioner and your summer electricity bill. Sealing Leaky Ducts For homes with forced air heating, your ductwork is responsible for carrying warm air from the furnace to every corner of your home. If your ducts have improper or loose connections, leaks, or holes, it can really cost you. In many cases, up to 30% of heated or cooled air is lost before it reaches the rooms it is headed for. Stop the hot air from escaping your duct system (and the money from escaping your wallet) by making sure that ductwork is properly sealed. Making Use of Zoned Heating and Cooling Multi-zone heating is one of the biggest cost savers available. In fact, studies have shown that homes with properly regulated heating zones use 30% less fuel than comparable single-zone homes. These systems allow you to heat or cool only the parts of the house that you are using. You can also set your preferences to automatically move the temperature with you throughout the day and night. Making the Most of Your Fans When temperatures are mild, fans are the way to go. A little breeze can go a long way to make your home more comfortable – and ceiling, floor, and window fans are generally very efficient, using little electricity even if they are on all day. Ceiling fans can be especially helpful, even in winter. Many people have never touched (or even noticed) the little up and down switches on their ceiling fans. Those tiny switches, which control the direction of the fan blades, can have a big impact on heating and cooling bills. In cold weather, the blades should turn clockwise, forcing warm air that wants to rise down and around the room. In warmer months, the blades should be spinning counter-clockwise, creating a steady breeze to help keep the room cool. In the summer, you can reduce cooling costs and increase comfort by using your fans and air conditioning together. Ceiling fans or floor fans (but not window fans) help create a wind chill effect, letting you achieve the same level of comfort while setting the AC thermostat a little higher. Avoiding Summer Heat Gain Almost 50% of summer heat gain is from your windows. In fact, covering windows during the hottest parts of the day can reduce your air conditioner’s workload by 25% – saving you hundreds of dollars. Another great way to reduce heat gain is to avoid heat and moisture generating chores during the hottest part of the day. Things like laundry, dishwashing by hand or machine, and cooking, can increase the temperature in your house and the cost of your electric bill. Boosting Your Heating and Cooling with a Heat Pump Many homes have spaces that are hard or even impossible for traditional HVAC systems to reach. If that is the case, a mini-split heat pump can be an efficient, effective, and affordable option. They can keep you warm in winter, cool in summer, and in some cases even replace your existing heating system. Best of all, they use no fossil fuels – which is great for the planet and your wallet! Find out more about this affordable state-of-the-art energy solution by visiting the NYS Clean Heat website. Need help finding an installer? If you live on Long Island, the Fuel Buyers Group can connect you with a vetted home services company that will give you exclusive member credits for installation and service. Tune-Up and Cleaning The best way to keep your heating system in efficient and safe working order is to be sure to have your heating system tuned and cleaned annually. Many energy suppliers offer a free annual check, or cover one with a service contract. The benefits of getting an annual tune-up and cleaning include:- Efficiency: Keeping your system free of dust and grime ensures that your furnace runs as efficiently as possible – saving you a lot of money.
- Consistency: If your furnace is clean and operating efficiently, you will not need to worry about losing heat when you need it most.
- Prevention: Catching any problems now will avoid costly emergency repair calls in the winter.
Managing Home Energy Costs
Automatic Delivery Avoid the added expense of emergency deliveries and costly system restarts by getting on, or staying on, an automatic delivery schedule with your supplier. We can help you with the process if you need to make a change. When supplies are low and the temperature drops, it often becomes difficult for local delivery terminals to keep up with demand. Being on automatic delivery insulates from short supply by making sure that your tank does not get low in the first place. The smaller, more frequent deliveries that you will get are also a lot easier on your wallet than paying for hundreds gallons all at once. Budget Plans for Level Billing Lowering your energy use is good for the planet, and it saves you money. But no matter how much you reduce your usage, the bills keep coming! The Fuel Buyers Group recommends that all of our customers consider a budget, or level billing plan, to help spread out the cost of heating your home and protect you from huge bills in the winter. Many customers have found themselves with two deliveries during a cold snap – and a bill for hundreds of gallons. We require all of our suppliers to give our members 30 days to pay (much longer than the industry average), but time definitely flies when there is a thousand-dollar bill to pay. Instead, your supplier can estimate your annual usage, multiply by the projected price per gallon, and set a monthly billing amount. It might feel strange to pay a heating bill in July, but you will be protecting yourself from an unwelcome burden this winter. Natural gas and electric utilities and many ESCOs offer similar plans as well. Finding Out What Assistance You Are Eligible For There was a time not so long ago when the biggest obstacle to greening your energy use was that so little reliable information was available and so few products existed. Now, for many consumers, the problem is just the opposite! With all of the incentives, grants, loans, new products, and constantly changing recommendations, it is hard to know where to begin. NYSERDA’s New York Energy Advisor Website helps cut through to what is available to eligible New Yorkers now to start saving energy and lowering bills. The website is designed to be a one-stop shop that asks you a few easy questions and then directs you to financial resources available through the state and your local utility. Saving on Gasoline The Fuel Buyers Group is dedicated to helping you heat and cool your home more efficiently, but another big source of consumer pain is the gas pump. The New York State Division of Consumer Protection (DCP) Has compiled the following list of tips to save you money at the gas pump and on the road: At the Pump- WAIT until your gas gauge reads ¼ tank before filling up in warmer weather. Your vehicle gets better gas mileage with a lighter load, and keeping the tank full can waste money.
- CHOOSE the lowest octane recommended for your car.
- COMPARE the price advertised on the gas station’s sign and on the pump to make sure that they are the same. If not, ask which price is the one you would actually be paying.
- DOUBLE CHECK that the price per gallon remains the same throughout the entire time you are pumping. Be aware if the price per gallon changes or the number turns back or advances quickly.
- MAKE SURE that the gas pump reads $0 before you begin fueling and stops running when you finish pumping, so you know you are only paying for the gas being dispensed into your vehicle.
- KNOW the size of your gas tank and how many gallons of gasoline it holds so you can make sure that you are getting what you are paying for at the pump.
- ASK your gas station if they have different prices for payment in cash or credit. Some stations offer gas at several cents less per gallon if you pay in cash.
- USE a gas price tracking app to compare prices at local gas stations, and try to use a station that is on your route so you are not driving extra miles. Driving out of your way to save money at the pump may not save you anything.
- AVOID filling up right before a holiday or weekend when gas prices tend to be higher.
- WATCH OUT for scams. Scam artists prey on desperate consumers during difficult economic times or when certain commodities become difficult to obtain or ultra-expensive. Approach alleged fuel saving programs, devices, or chemicals with skepticism. Remember that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is
- CUT BACK on needless driving around. Make lists of errands, and try to have them all in similar locations.
- MAINTAIN your vehicle in good condition. Your vehicle will get better gas mileage if you have the oil changed and tire pressure checked regularly. Get a tune-up from a certified mechanic.
- CLEAN out your vehicle and carry only what is necessary. Extra weight in your car lowers your gas mileage. Consider removing roof racks and towing devices mounted on the outside of the vehicle when not in use.
- CHANGE your driving habits. Your vehicle will get better gas mileage if you do not accelerate fast or overuse your brakes, commonly referred to as “riding your brakes.” To save gas, stay at or under the speed limit, and drive at a consistent rate of speed. Consider using cruise control when practicable, and do not idle your car in a parking lot or driveway.
- CONSULT maps, internet directions, or a GPS system to ensure you are taking the most efficient route and reduce the likelihood of getting lost and driving unnecessary miles.
The Health and Safety of Your Home Energy Systems
Service Contracts Many of the suppliers we recommend require that all customers have a service contract. Even if your supplier does not require it, skipping the contract can have costly consequences. Although older systems are, of course, at the greatest risk, any heating system can break down. Some customers are scared off by the price tag – some contracts can run to hundreds of dollars based on your individual needs – but even run of the mill problems can surpass that on labor alone. Many contracts have generous parts coverage as well, and having a contract can move you to the front of the line when something goes wrong. Tune-Up and Cleaning The best way to keep your heating system in efficient and safe working order is to be sure to have your heating system tuned and cleaned annually. Many energy suppliers offer a free annual check, or cover one with a service contract. The benefits of getting an annual tune-up and cleaning include:- Efficiency: Keeping your system free of dust and grime ensures that your furnace runs as efficiently as possible – saving you a lot of money.
- Consistency: If your furnace is clean and operating efficiently, you will not need to worry about losing heat when you need it most.
- Prevention: Catching any problems now will avoid costly emergency repair calls in the winter.
- Tilt switch: Shuts the unit down if it is not in an upright position.
- Automatic overheat shutoff: Automatically shuts down the unit in case of overheating.
- Thermostat: Allows you to choose a target temperature rather than just running constantly.
- Safety grille: A plastic cover that keeps the face of the heater cooler to the touch.
- Always place the heater on a hard, flat surface.
- Never put your heater in a high traffic area.
- Keep space heaters at least three feet away from flammable surfaces and objects.
- Avoid leaving a space heater unattended, especially for long periods of time.
- Do not plug space heaters into extension cords or power strips, and always unplug them when not in use.
- Bent, rusty, or wobbly tank legs, or a tank located on an unstable foundation
- Signs of rust, weeps, wet spots, or many dents on the tank's surface
- Drips or any signs of leaks around the oil filter or valves
- Fuel oil lines not covered in a protective casing, even if under concrete
- Overhanging eaves where snow and ice could fall onto the tank
- Stains on the ground, or a strong oil odor around the tank
- Browning, dying, or loss of vegetation around the tank
- Silent overfill whistle while the tank is being filled (Ask a fuel delivery person.)
- Fully or partially blocked tank vent from snow, ice, or insect nests
- Signs of spills around the fill pipe or vent pipe
- Improperly sized vent pipes (Ask a fuel delivery person.)
- Cracked, stuck, or frozen fuel level gauges, or signs of fuel around them
- Water in the tank (Ask a fuel delivery person to check.)
- Oil or oil sheen in your basement sump or French drain
- Silent overfill whistle while the tank is being filled (Ask a fuel delivery person.)
- Fully or partially blocked tank vent from snow, ice, or insect nests
- Signs of spills around the fill pipe or vent pipe
- Well water has strange tastes or smells
- Complaints from neighbors of fuel oil smells
- Using more than the normal amount of fuel
Other Resources
Heating, Cooling, and Weatherization Tips:- U.S. Department of Energy Energy Saver
- New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)
- Energy Information Administration (EIA)
- The New York Times tips to save money while fighting climate change
- The New York Times Wirecutter
- NYSERDA’s New York Energy Advisor Website
- Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Main Benefit
- HEAP Heating Equipment Repair or Replacement Benefit
- HEAP Clean and Tune Benefit
- HEAP Emergency Benefit (for families in need of extra assistance)
- HEAP Cooling Assistance Benefit (currently planned to begin in May 2023)
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Gov. Kathy Hochul’s daughter-in-law is top lobbyist at pharma firm that has sought to influence NY lawmakers (CNBC, August 25th, 2021)
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Blair Horner: New York's Ethics Watchdog Under Scrutiny (WAMC, July 12, 2021)
NY state lawmakers cancel ethics hearing after rule mix-up (New York Post, July 12, 2021)
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Transit riders call on federal government to aid MTA's quest for accessibility (Bronx News 12, June 7, 2021)
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NY lawmakers pass ban on coal tar as driveway sealant (Olean Times-Herald, June 3, 2021)
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New York officials urged to expand early voting to colleges (Spectrum News, June 1, 2021)
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A coalition of civic, environmental, social justice, and community-based charities joined with small business “redemption centers” to call on Governor Hochul and the state legislative leaders “to urge your attention and immediate action to prevent business closings and job losses by supporting legislation to boost the ‘handling fee’ that provides revenues for redemption centers, which are critical to the success of the state’s Bottle Deposit Law.”
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NY State Assembly Passes Historic Climate Superfund Bill to Make Polluters Pay for Climate Damages
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A coalition supporting improvements to the state’s Bottle Deposit Law today released a listing of over 1,000 local charities that benefit from the law. The coalition argued that these charities offer services for those in need and that modernization of the forty-year-old law would enhance the charities’ services.
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NYPIRG Reacts to Speaker Heastie's Comments on Climate Change Superfund Act
A coalition of civic groups today called on the New York State Board of Elections to review the state’s polling locations to see if colleges have on-campus polls as required under the law. The letter is in reaction to the results of a survey conducted by NYPIRG.
NYPIRG analyzed 199 colleges (217 campuses, some colleges have multiple campuses) in New York State, of which 147 have dorms located on their premises. This review of the locations of polling places for college students living on-campus identifies a wide gap between those campuses that have dorms and the number that have polling places.
A statewide coalition representing hundreds of community, environmental, labor, and religious groups today applauded state Senate approval of the Climate Change Superfund Act, which requires Big Oil to cover New York's climate damages – not taxpayers. The groups urged swift action in the state Assembly. The majority of Assemblymembers are sponsors of the legislation.
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Environmental, community, and business groups representing 300 New York organizations today held a press conference to urge state lawmakers to include the "Bigger, Better, Bottle Bill" (S.237B/A6353A) as a "must do" priority for the end of session
NYPIRG Statement on Start of Congestion Pricing
NYPIRG reacted to elements of the final state budget, highlighting the "good," the "bad," and the "ugly."
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