Saving Money up Front with Michigan Oilheat Rebates
Rebates of up to $1000 are still available this year thanks to an equipment replacement program from the Michigan Petroleum Association/Michigan Association of Convenience Stores (MPAMACS) with the support of the National Oilheat Research Alliance. Here’s what qualified Michigan homeowners can get:
The process is easy! Simply visit the rebate section of our website, download the rebate coupon and present it to your heating oil company or installation contractor. When you schedule the system upgrade, you’ll receive the rebate from the installer right away. And the only requirement is that the new system being installed must be higher efficiency than your current system. It doesn’t get much simpler than that!
Read more about choosing the right equipment.
How do you know it’s time to replace your system?
This is an age-old question, especially if you’re facing an expensive repair. Here are some things to consider:
- Age. Oilheat systems can last for decades, but if your system is getting to be in the 30-year-old range, start planning for a replacement.
- Repair vs. replacement costs. If you’re not dealing with small, easy and inexpensive repairs, it’s time to crunch some numbers. If the cost to repair your oilheat system is at least half the cost of replacement, it makes sense to invest in a new system.
- Improving efficiency. An older oilheat system could be operating at around 70% efficiency levels—or even less. That means nearly a third of the heat that’s generated will get wasted. Compare that with new systems, which tend to operate at 85% efficiency or higher. If you can gain a lot in efficiency, it may be best to replace now and reap the energy cost savings in the years ahead—not to mention collecting those instant rebate savings!
More ways you can save during the heating season in Michigan
Here are four tips to help you save on heating expenses this winter:
- Run your ceiling fans in reverse. Most fan models have a switch that allows you to reverse the direction of the blades so that they spin clockwise in the winter. This draws the cooler air upward and pushes the warm air down where you can feel it. In general, you can shave about 2% off your annual heating costs, because you can set your thermostat lower and not notice the difference.
- Install a smart programmable thermostat. Programmable thermostats allow you to set your temperatures so that you aren’t wasting energy by burning fuel when you aren’t home or when you’re asleep. Today’s smart thermostats can be controlled remotely, giving you greater control over your energy usage. This relatively inexpensive investment can potentially cut your energy usage by 5%—sometimes by even more!
- Winterize windows with weather-stripping (for movable joints) and caulk (for nonmoving parts). Also, use a window kit to insulate the inside of your windows to keep cold air out and warm air in.
- Close your curtains and shades at night. This will hold more heat in your home. Open them during the day to let heat from the sun inside.
