Buyers look to their real estate agent as an expert and may ask questions about how they can save energy and money when they move into their new oil-heated home. Here are four tips you can pass along that your client may appreciate.

Run ceiling fans in reverse

Warm air rises, so if a home has ceiling fans, especially in a part of the home that has high ceilings, your client can run their fans in reverse to push the warm air down. This keeps rooms more comfortable and will reduce energy usage a bit too.
Average annual savings: 2%.

Use a smart programmable thermostat

Programmable thermostats allow your clients to set temperatures so they aren’t wasting energy when they aren’t home or are asleep. Today’s smart thermostats can be controlled remotely, providing greater control over energy usage. This relatively inexpensive investment can potentially cut energy usage by at least 5%—sometimes even more!
Average annual savings: 5%.

Replace the system’s burner

The burner on an oilheating system is a key part of your client’s equipment and subsequently has a significant impact on a home’s energy efficiency. If the burner is more than 20 years old, your client could potentially replace the burner and improve energy efficiency.
Average annual savings: 10%.

Replace the entire heating system

The most impactful action your client can take is to replace an older system with a new, higher efficiency oil furnace or oil boiler. While this will cost the most of any energy-saving step, it will also save the most.
Average annual savings: 25%.