Seasonal Tips

• Windows and doors are usually the source of the greatest heat loss in the home. Consider addressing those items and ensure your home is sufficiently insulated, especially in the attic.
• Call to have your furnace tuned and serviced annually, preferably in the summer. We will perform a Combustion Efficiency Test at that time.
• Never let your tank fall below 1/8 full.
• Consider installing an automatic thermostat to lower the heat when you're not at home and at night. Lowering the heat to 60 degrees at night can save you 10 to 20% on your oil bill.
• Close the damper in the fireplace when not in use.
• Open drapes, blinds and curtains during the day to let the sun in, and close them at night to keep the heat in.
• If you have ceiling fans, reverse the direction of the blades to push the heat toward the ceiling and back down the walls in the winter time.
• Repair any hot water leaks in your faucets; run your dishwasher and clothes washer with full loads only.
• When snow becomes deep, please provide a path to your fuel pipe so that our drivers have easy and safe access. Also make sure that any vents on your heating appliances are clear of snow.
• A full, or practically full, tank of fuel oil provides the greatest protection against the high moisture content of the summer air that will condense inside your tank.
• Never abandon your home in the winter time when a malfunction could cause substantial damage from frozen water pipes. A person to watch the home, a "Winter Watchman," and/or devises provided by some security companies are all good tools to help ensure your mechanical equipment is functioning properly in your absence. Please provide Viking Fuel's telephone number to any person watching your home while you're away.
• We are available to offer advice to customers regarding the protection of their homes in the winter time.
• Our licensed technicians provide A/C tune-ups in the spring for a small fee (the outside temperature must be at least 65° F).
• Never run a whole-house exhaust fan without opening a window and closing the basement door.