heatingoilinfo

Ways to reduce heating bills: Part Three – Boiler Replacement

In this series we have aimed to provide you with some new and useful tips to help you make significant savings on your fuel bill.If you have any hints or tips for others which we have missed out, please leave them in the comments box below.

The final part of our tips and advice on reducing heating bills is the most expensive option to consider and focuses on replacing your old boiler with a new and efficient condensing boiler.

OilSave advice states that “If your oil boiler is more than six years old, replacing it with a modern condensing model will significantly improve your energy efficiency”.

In a standard boiler, a higher percentage of energy is lost through the flue (chimney) as waste heat when compared to a condensing boiler, which is able to recover the waste heat and use it to more efficiently heat your home. As well as you saving money, condensing boilers are much better for the environment as they significantly reduce your homes carbon footprint.

Through our OFTEC registered engineer, we have found that many boilers in Northern Ireland run at 55% efficiency – this means a large proportion of your fuel bill is going straight up the chimney! However a new oil condensing boiler will have an efficiency of up to 97%! By replacing your old, inefficient boiler with a condensing boiler, OFTEC has calculated that it could save you around 20% per year on your fuel bills*.

If you want to know how efficient (or inefficient!) your boiler is, you can book a boiler performance check up with our OFTEC engineer (available throughout the greater Belfast area) by clicking here. Recommendations will also be provided on ways that your boiler’s efficiency can be improved.

Read more @ http://www.valueoils.com/

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Fracking – ValueOils.com investigates

The term ‘Fracking’ has recently been seen in UK headlines and reported in the news after protests took place in the village of Balcombe in West Sussex. Until recently, fracking was a term that not many people were familiar with – and there are different theories on the pro’s and con’s of fracking. Here we investigate the 5 W’s of fracking.

Who is fracking?

Almost half of the world’s fracking is being carried out in North America. Other countries that the technique include the Netherlands, Poland and China. However it is banned in a number of countries including France and Bulgaria.

What is fracking?

Fracking is a shortened term for Hydraulic Fracturing. It is a technique which involves mixing chemicals, sand and water and injecting it at a high pressure into rocks, below the earth’s surface. This creates tiny fractures in the rocks, often less than 1mm in width, which allows fluids such as shale gas and petroleum to migrate to the well. Fracking has been commercially carried out since 1949, and there are more than 1 million Gas and Oil wells in North America using the technique.

Where and when is fracking taking place in the UK?

Fracking is not currently taking place in the UK; however it has previously taken place in Lancashire, near Blackpool and was put on hold after some earth tremors were observed. The protestors in Balcombe, West Sussex fear that fracking will take place there. To date, it has yet to be decided if fracking will be allowed to take place at this location

Why are they fracking?

As mentioned earlier, fracking techniques are being used across the United States, where the cost of energy has dropped substantially, mainly due to fracking. In the UK it has been estimated that shale gas resources could be up to 50% larger than conventional gas resources, which could benefit the local economy through royalty payments and an estimated 70,000 jobs could be created. It could allow the UK to become increasingly energy self sufficient and not have to rely heavily on foreign countries for energy. The impact of implementing this technique on the whole economy could be substantial.

Why are people protesting?

Each well requires a large number of tankers to bring supplies to the site
It can take between 1 -8 million litres of water to complete a fracking well
Nearby ground water can become contaminated with chemicals
There are fears that fracking can cause minor earthquakes and damage the environment

Reduce your heating bills: Part One – Boiler Servicing

With fuel costs remaining high, ensuring your heating system is running at maximum efficiency could see you save £££’s throughout the year.

As a general rule of thumb it is advised to have your boiler serviced annually. This means your boiler will run efficiently and any potential problems can be spotted at an early stage. When we complete a boiler service our OFTEC registered engineers provide an efficiency report at the end. Many boilers start in the region of 50 – 60% efficiency and at the end of the service are running at 87 – 93%+ efficiency. In some cases, we have seen boilers lower than 40% efficient – so if you haven’t had your boiler serviced in a long time it could save you a lot of money throughout the year just by having it serviced.

At current fuel costs if you order 500 litres of heating oil at around £300 and your boiler is running at 50% efficiency, a large percentage of your heating budget is going straight up the chimney – based on the average usage of around 2,000 litres per year, you could be looking at significant savings!

The benefits and parts included with our boiler services are:

Replacement Flexi-hose

This is a safety issue and an old flexi hose may crack and leak – having this replaced annually will prevent any issues.

Replacement Nozzle

A new nozzle will help the vaporisation process – it breaks the oil into tiny droplets and aids the ignition process.

Replacement In-line filter cartridge

The inline filter prevents any deposits of silt and condensation from making their way into the burner.

Flue Analysis/ Efficiency Test

Similar to the emissions test carried out on a car when at MOT the engineer will use a device which calculates the efficiency of the boiler – once the service is carried out your boiler will be much more efficient than it was before the service.

Safety Inspection & Recommendations

The engineer will check your tank and fuel line and ensure there are no safety issues. If any parts are required, you will be advised at the time and the likely cost of these.

OFTEC CD11 Form & 18 point check

Included with all boiler services carried out by ValueOils.

Oil tank & Fuel Inspection

The oil tank will be checked for cracks or damage and the fuel inspected for sludge content / water which can build up over time.

Refractory Lining

This is effectively insulation on the boiler and will help to prevent your boiler from heating the earth below it, and making sure as much heat as possible goes into your home to help keep you warm.

To check if boiler servicing is available in your area, click herehttps://www.valueoils.com/Service/Boiler-Servicing and enter your postcode – it could end up saving you £££’s this year! If you have any questions or queries please get in touch below and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

Ways to reduce heating bills: Part Two – Eco Heat

Many of our depots across the UK use an additive to treat fuel which can help you save on your heating costs long term.

Customers often ask us what the benefits of upgrading their order to Eco Heat are – so please keep reading if you would like to find out (we list many of the benefits on our order process – Step 2a – if Eco Heat is available in your area). The key benefits of upgrading your order to Eco Heat are:

Helps maintain peak performance of heating system

This product guards against fuel degradation, the corrosion of metal storage tanks and associated pipe work, the adverse effects of fuel interaction with copper containing fittings and pipe work and serves to inhibit the build of deposits in storage tanks

Reduces fuel related service problems

By using eco-heat you are less likely to have to call an engineer out due to a filter being blocked etc

Reduces deposit build up in boiler

Using Eco Heat will ensure that there are reduced deposits of dirt and soot in your system boiler – this will aid efficient burning.

Improves system efficiency

Eco-Heat stabilises fuel and ensures that the fuels burns at its most efficient, this in turn lowers carbon emissions from your boiler.

Heating Oil Prices Surge in July 2013

Heating oil prices traditionally tend to be lower in the summer than the winter due to the laws of economics and supply and demand. Although we can never be sure when UK weather is concerned, it is almost a certainty that demand for heating oil will be substantially higher in the UK during the cold winter months.

In the last week temperatures have been soaring throughout the UK, with many areas seeing temperatures hit 25oC – Andy Murray had to battle temperatures of almost 40oC courtside to win his first Wimbledon Final – that’s 104 Fahrenheit!

However, along with the high temperatures, heating oil prices rose almost 3 pence per litre – this amounts to an additional £30 on a 1,000 litre order. So what has triggered this unpredicted rise in the price of heating oil?

Egypt

There has been further political unrest recently in Egypt with President Morsi being removed by what has been described by some as a military coup.

How does political unrest in Egypt translate to higher oil prices in the UK?

Egypt has control of the Suez Canal and the Suez-Mediterranean Pipeline, through which over 2 million barrels of oil a day were shipped from the Red Sea to Europe and North America in 2011. Egypt’s political upheaval continued to fan concern that unrest in the most populous Arab country may spread throughout the Middle East. The unrest in Egypt has caused traders and analysts to worry that supply through the Suez Canal and Suez-Mediterranean Pipeline could be disrupted and this has forced prices to quickly rise.

Exchange Rate

Last week a report indicated that UK Inflation rates fell which caused Sterling to substantially and instantly drop against the Dollar. In theory if inflation is low it means that the Bank of England can keep interest rates low for a longer period of time which means less confidence in investing in Sterling therefore causing the UK currency to weaken. On top of this, positive news coming out of US job markets have strengthened the US currency, and as Sterling dropped against the Dollar we saw oil prices trading significantly higher for the following 3 days.

Will heating oil prices come back down again?

Unfortunately we just can’t answer this question. Heating oil prices are unpredictable and the above are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to factors which are affecting the price of oil. What we can tell you is that no matter where you are in the UK, you can rely on us for a safe, fast and courteous delivery service at some of the most competitive prices around.

Heating oil beginners: how to place an order

ValueOils.com has been specialising in processing online heating oil orders since 2006 and a lot has changed since then. We have tried to make our website as user-friendly as possible, but if it’s your first time visiting or you aren’t exactly sure how to go about placing an order, please keep reading for all you need to know.

How to get a price

This is a key consideration for heating oil users, as prices can vary from distributor to distributor. To make things easy, we provide a quick quote on the homepage of our website. Our heating oil prices are transparent and we won’t offer a better deal to a new customer than an existing customer, or over the phone. To get a quote, simply fill in your postcode, quantity required and email address and we will provide you with a quote straight away.

What delivery option should you select?

Depending on where you are based in the UK we offer various delivery windows and options. We would always recommend that you order your heating oil well in advance of running out, especially if you are based in a remote location. This allows us to schedule your delivery before you run out, using the standard delivery option. If you are running low we have various express options and these are listed when you get a quote along with the latest time that you can expect delivery. You then select your preferred delivery option on the 2^ndstep of the order process.

Instructions for the driver

Is your address difficult to find or not listed on a SatNav? Or maybe your tank is hidden behind some bushes. To help our drivers and make your experience as smooth as possible you can enter any additional information on the first step of the order process. On most occasions our drivers can deliver without you being present however, if you need to be there to open gates etc leave your number here and they can give you a call to let you know when they are on their way.

How can you pay / 3D Secure

To keep our overheads to a minimum we take payment by either debit or credit card – our website uses a Pre-Authorisation to secure payment on your card. A Pre-authorisation is a temporary hold on funds from your bank account or credit card balance. At the time of placing your order, the “available balance” on your bank account will be reduced by the “pending transaction value”. Once delivery has been completed and delivery confirmed the funds will be taken permanently.

We also offer the chance to spread your bills by paying in advance using our pre-payment scheme this means you can save throughout the year and not have to pay the full amount in one go if you have built some savings up. Our website uses the latest 3D secure technology to ensure your card cannot be fraudulently used.

Advice: Heating Oil Security

Heating oil theft is a persistent problem. During winter, when fuel tanks generally have more oil stored, incidents of oil theft rise. The number of reported oil thefts will rise and fall according to seasonal changes. However it is important to make sure your heating oil is secure all year round.

In this blog I will advise on how to prevent the theft of heating oil and help to make you aware of the options that are available. The cost of oil theft can be damaging in many ways – stay one step ahead.

Here are some questions to consider when keeping your oil safe from burglary:

Where is your tank? Is it easily visible or accessible?

Ideally it should be concealed from the view of the public and within view of your house, so you can keep an eye on it. This makes it harder for thieves as they are more likely to be spotted. Most will not have a say on the position of their tank but it can be re-sited. If your tank is easily visible to passers-by they will be more likely to attempt a theft. Installing a fence or planting bushes are two methods of concealing your tank.

Does your tank have a lock?

Make it difficult for any potential thief and install a lock on your tank. To purchase your own tank lock and read more information please visit our shop.

Does your tank have an Oil Level Gauge?

Oil Level Gauges alert you when oil levels in the tank fall. There are a wide range of gauges available and they alert via an alarm or even by text to your mobile.

Is your property too open?

If your property is easily accessible it will be more appealing to thieves. Consider ways to make it difficult for unwanted visitors to enter. Examples include high fences around the perimeter of your property, locked gates, thorny bushes and an alarm system. Alarms similar to indoor burglar alarms are available for open spaces such as gardens. This will alert you to any intrusion on your property.

Is your property too dark?

Darkness and low visibility will be attractive to thieves. Consider installing security lights which are triggered by footsteps. If your property is not close to any streetlamps you could install your own lights. You would then be in a better position to spot intruders attempting to stay hidden.

Have you considered installing surveillance equipment?

CCTV cameras may not improve the aesthetics of your home but they are a very big deterrent to potential thieves. The sight of a camera is likely to stop any attempts at theft of your home. If it doesn’t deter, it provides visual evidence of the incident, which can then be used to track down the perpetrators.

Are you putting yourself at risk?

The best option if you spot anything suspicious is to report the matter to the police. Dealing with criminals on your own could put you at serious risk. Make sure your own safety is secure as this is ultimately more important than your heating oil!

Do you communicate with your neighbours?

You could consider communicating with your neighbours if you are leaving your property for extended periods. They will be able to keep an eye out for you and spot any suspicious visitors to your home.

Overall it is important to remain vigilant at all times. Thieves can strike when you least expect it or when you are at your most vulnerable. Regularly check your tank for any signs of damage or tampering. This could alert you to any attempted thefts.

By following these tips your heating oil should be safe in your tank to keep you nice and warm for those cold nights.

How to save on your heating oil bills

As a nation we waste around £11billion of energy every year, meaning for every £3 spent on heating your home £1 is wasted through poor energy efficiency! With winter on its way Value Oils want to help reduce your heating bills, thus saving you money. Follow our top ten tips on how to not only reduce your heating oil bill but also save money on your electricity bills.

Boiler servicing: Many boilers in Northern Ireland operate at 55% efficiency- you could be literally burning your money, Value oils can offer boiler servicing. Watch your emails for special promotions on Value Oils for boiler servicing – they could save you £’s!

Shop around: Don’t go with the first price check on line, make a few phone calls this could save you as much as £20. Also keeping an eye on oil prices throughout the year can help and ensuring you buy more when the price is low. Click here to get an instant quote from Valueoils.com

Valueoils.com vouchers: Watch out for our vouchers which can save you money on your heating oil throughout the year. To ensure you receive these simply click here.

Turn down the temperature: According to the Energy Saving Trust, turning down your thermostat by one degree centigrade can save up to 10% on your heating bill. You’re unlikely to notice such a small change in temperature, but far more likely to notice the savings!

Insulate your home:You don’t need to double glaze your windows or spend hundreds of pounds having your cavity walls filled to make your house a warmer home – although it does help. Insulation is one of the most cost effective ways to make your home warmer.

Purchase a water efficient shower head:Changing your shower head to an energy efficient one that can save water and cut hot water bills.

Turn off radiators: Turning off radiators in rooms you don’t use. This starts saving heating oil instantly.

Get a free home energy check:Simply visit Energy Saving Trust(http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk) for your free energy check.

Use a chimney balloon:The chimney balloon is an energy saving device that is inserted inside your chimney during warm months when the chimney is not in use, or in chimneys that are no longer functional. It is reusable, meaning you can take it out each winter and replace it in order to stop drafts and energy loss year round.

Upgrade your order to eco heat: Helps maintain peak performance of heating system, Reduces fuel related service problems, Improves the systems efficiency.

How to monitor your heating oil levels

Regular inspection of your heating oil levels is very important. If not checked on a regular basis the following problems may occur. When you run out of heating oil, you will be left with no heating in your house. If this is at a cold time of the year most heating oil companies will be extremely busy. Therefore you could have to wait longer for your delivery. You may also be left with no hot water, for up two weeks. Heating engineers have a call out charge so this will be another cost which could have been avoided. You may also cause damage to your pump; if this happens you can perhaps run into another cost to have this fixed. ValueOils.com recommend to have a set day to check your oil levels – that way you will remember to check on a regular basis. If you can get into a routine of checking your heating oil tank you can save yourself a lot of unnecessary bills. Also you can therefore ensure your home stays warm all winter. Below are a few methods of helping check your heating oil levels.

Electronic Gauge

There are two parts to this first there is the gauge which will be fitted to your oil tank. This allows you to easily monitor the heating oil remaining in your tank by a monitor plugged in in an easy to view location. The second element is an alarm. This will be left inside your house and will sound if you oil levels start to drop low. Therefore reminding you to order you oil.

Sight gauge

Also known as a water gauge this is a transparent tube through which you observe the level of oil contained within the tank. These can become stained with dirt and difficult to read, there is also the possibility if it isn’t installed correctly that water can get into your tank.

Dip stick

Manually checking the heating oil level in an oil tank requires the use of a straight stick. The oil will leave a mark on the stick indicating your oil levels – this is one of the most accurate methods of checking your oil levels.

Knocking tank

This is the most unreliable method of all of the above. Knocking on the tank to determine the amount of heating oil remaining in the tank. This is difficult for even the most trained ear and we would not recommend using solely this method.

Final Thought!

Running out of home heating oil can be a costly experience. As winter is fast approaching temperatures are set to fall. We shall be spending a little more to heat our homes. So to avoid extra costs, make sure to check your oil tank regularly.

How to keep your house warm this winter

Christmas is fast approaching and the last thing you want to do is pay more on heating oil than you have to.
Start saving this winter with ValueOils.com top 5 tips on how to keep warm and save £££s!

The right temperature: Turning your thermostat down by just one degree centigrade can save you 6% on your heating bills – saving you £££’s each year. You probably won’t notice the difference that this makes in your home, but if you do find that you’re cold at home, rather than turning the heating oil up, simply set your boiler to come on a little earlier, that way you won’t be cold while you wait for the house to heat up.
OFTEC approved Service: To save money on heating oil, the fuel efficiency of the boiler is the key! Like any appliance or engine it is important to have your boiler serviced regularly, at least every 12 months to ensure that it is delivering optimum efficiency as even a small percentage drop in performance will be costly in the winter.

Insulate: You don’t need to double glaze your windows or spend hundreds of pounds having your cavity walls filled to make your house a warmer home – although it does help. Insulation is one of the most cost-effective ways to make your home warmer. Hanging thick curtains on the front and back doors, and using cheap draught exclusion strips on windows and brushes on the bottom of doors keeps cold air out and warm air in so your boiler won’t have to work as hard to keep you warm, and you won’t have to work as hard to pay for all that heating oil you’re burning.

Upgrade your order to eco heat: Helps maintain peak performance of heating system, Reduces fuel related service problems, Improves the systems efficiency.

Turn off radiators: Turning off radiators in rooms you don’t use.

By following our top five tips above you can start saving instantly!
http://www.ValueOils.com mobile website is now live. Meaning you can place an order or get a quote from where ever you are, on your phone. As this is a very busy time of year for everyone, this can save you time and help ensure you don’t run out of heating oil this winter.
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