How can I lower my energy bill?
While the factors that contribute to higher fuel prices cannot be controlled by propane retailers or consumers, there are some simple steps customers can take to lower their energy bill year-round.
The industry encourages homeowners to save on energy costs by:
- Exploring fuel payment plan options to spread your projected annual costs over many months, balancing the costs of seasonally higher bills. Wayman Oil offers level billing for your convenience.
- Set up a regular delivery schedule. Consider filling your tank before the start of the heating season rather than waiting until it is empty. With Wayman Oil route service, we make sure your tank will never be empty.
Customers can also lower their overall energy bills by making a few small changes in the home:
- Protect against drafts by caulking and weather-stripping around windows, doors, and other openings such as ducts, fans, and vents.
- Inspect and tune-up your residential heating system regularly for efficiency. A properly working heating system is more efficient and will save you money.
- Change your furnace filter monthly. Clean filters will help your heating system work more efficiently. If on a monthly payment plan, use receipt of your propane bill as a reminder.
- Invest in a furnace thermostat timer that can save money by lowering your home’s temperature when you are not at home. You can cut annual heating bills by as much as 10 percent per year by turning your thermostat back 10-15 percent for eight hours per day.
- Switch to a propane water heater, which provides significant energy efficiency over an electric water heater. Over time, propane water heaters can cost one-third less to operate and recover hot water twice as quickly as electric water heaters.
- When using a water heater, turn it down from the standard 140 degrees to 130 degrees. You could save more than 10 percent on your water-heating bill.
- Increase your water heater’s efficiency by draining it every six months to remove lime deposits and sediment.
- Install flow-restricting showerheads. You can reduce hot water usage by up to 50 percent without affecting shower pressure.
- Run washing machines –and clothes dryers– with a full load.
- Close vents and doors in unused rooms. Make sure your attic and basement are properly insulated.
How do I maintain my propane appliances?
- All appliances using propane must be properly maintained in order to operate safely, properly and efficiently.
- Only a qualified service technician has the proper training to install, service, maintain and repair your appliances. Make sure you have a qualified service technician install and service your appliances.
- Contact a qualified service technician to perform an appliance inspection once a year.
Can I smell propane?
To make propane easier to detect in the event of a leak or spill, manufacturers deliberately add a chemical compound called ethyl mercaptan to give it a strong, unpleasant smell like rotten eggs, a skunk’s spray or a dead animal.
What is propane?
- Propane is a safe and widely used fuel. It is sometimes called liquefied petroleum gas, LP gas or LPG.
- Propane is transported and stored as a very cold liquid. It can cause a ‘freeze burn’ or frostbite if it contacts the skin.
- Propane is delivered to a home as a liquid and is pumped into the storage tank. The liquid changes to gas vapor before it leaves the tank.
- Propane will not ignite when combined with air unless the source of ignition reaches 920 degrees Farenheit.
What do I do if I have an after hours emergency or if I run out of propane after normal business hours?
I’m a Wayman Oil customer. What do I do if I have an after hours emergency or if I run out of propane after normal business hours?
- If you run out of propane call our office number anytime day or night. If we can’t be reached after office hours an emergency number is provided.
- If you have a propane emergency (fire, explosion, gas leak) first call 911 and then call our emergency number (316) 207-1591.
