Increase Your Commercial Heating Oil Efficiency

Heating oil can be a valuable asset when it comes to heating your commercial space. A commercial building that runs off heating oil is often safer, more efficient, and less expensive to manage than a commercial building heated by an alternate fuel source.

Heating costs can represent a large portion of your operating budget during the winter months, so you need to be proactive when it comes to improving the efficiency of your commercial heating oil.

Make a few simple changes that could yield significant savings by allowing you to stretch your heating oil supply over a longer period of time.

1. Turn Down the Thermostat

The temperature setting inside your commercial space can have a direct impact on the efficiency of your heating oil usage. If you don't have a programmable thermostat, consider getting one. This type of thermostat allows you to automatically run different heat settings based on the time of day.

You can lower the temperature inside your commercial space during the nighttime hours when no employees or customers are present. Statistics show that lowering the temperature on your thermostat for at least 8 hours a day could yield a 10% annual savings on heating costs.

Lower your nighttime thermostat setting to about 7 to 10 degrees below the daytime setting to achieve maximum efficiency and extend the amount of time your heating oil reserve will last.

2. Seal Duct Leaks

Your oil furnace or boiler relies on a network of air ducts to deliver heated air throughout your commercial space. These ducts are typically made from aluminum, and they can sustain some damage over time.

Disconnected or damaged air ducts allow a lot of the heated air generated by your furnace or boiler to escape before it is delivered to the occupied space within your commercial building. Your heating system will have to work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature, increasing the amount of oil that is burned each day.

Repairing or replacing damaged air ducts can reduce your heating costs by up to 20%. This reduction in heating costs is the result of your heating oil store lasting as long as possible.

3. Clean Your Heating System

Commercial spaces can often be much dirtier or dustier than residential spaces. This means that your furnace or boiler can become dirty much faster than you would expect. A dirty furnace or boiler cannot run efficiently.

Each of the components that contribute to the production of heated air will have to work harder, which results in a significant increase in the amount of heating oil that you use on a daily basis. An experienced technician should be called in to give your furnace or boiler a thorough cleaning and mane any adjustments needed to maximize heat output.

A properly cleaned and tuned heating system will run at maximum efficiency and use as little heating oil as possible.

4. Keep Your Tank Full

Make sure you set up a delivery schedule that will allow you to refill your heating oil tank before it gets too low. The closer the tank gets to empty, the more likely your heating services will be negatively affected by sludge.

Sludge is an accumulation of rust, debris, and other contaminant particles that sinks to the bottom of your heating oil tank. When heating oil levels are extremely low, this sludge can get pulled up into your fuel lines. Clogs will form and restrict the proper flow of oil through your heating system.

By keeping your tank as full as possible, you will more efficiently use your heating oil and avoid sludge-related repairs in the future.