February 2018—Bulletin

MONTHLY BUDGET CUSTOMERS – PLEASE NOTE

January is typically the month we start reviewing budget accounts to see if the payment amount and usage is on target. Most of you will receive at least one (most likely two) more deliveries. Due the unprecedented cold weather we experienced around the holidays and also some unexpected price fluctuations, some of you may notice a change in your budget payment amount starting in the month of February (for the remaining 5 budget billing months). Please check your most recent bill. If the amount has changed, and if you have automatic payment set up with your financial institution, please make changes to accurately reflect your new payment amount. Those of you who have automatic charges to your credit card need not do anything-the new amount will be automatically charged. Thank you for the trust you put in us to be your oil service provider, and please call us with any questions.

Q: What did the fish say when it swam into the wall?
A: Damn! (Dam)

“COOL-DOWN” THOSE HIGH HEATING COSTS

At Rand-Handy, we want our customers to save energy and money. Periodically we offer you suggestions as a reminder of how you can save on energy costs. One of the simplest ways, “Lower the Thermostat”. Turning down the thermostat setting from 72 degrees to 65 degrees for 8 hours a day, while you work or sleep, can cut your heating costs by 8-10 percent. For each degree you lower the temperature in your home or office, you can save approximately 3 percent. Let’s make it simple: If you leave your thermostat set at 68 degrees instead of 70 degrees, you can save approximately 6% on energy costs. At todays oil prices, that can save you approximately 18 cents per gallon!!! If you use 1000 gallons of heating oil per year, that adds up to a savings of $180 per year!!! Have more energy savings questions? Call us and we will be happy to help.

WORRIED ABOUT FROZEN PIPES? HERE ARE SOME TIPS THAT MIGHT HELP

• On the really cold nights, keep the thermostats up. If you normally turn down the temperature 8-10 degrees when you go to bed, that’s a period of time where the boiler won’t come on and circulate water through the pipes. A pipe in a cold area with any kind of draft can freeze quickly. (I know, easy for the oil guy to say, right?) Well, the amount of money you may spend keeping the heat up is a lot less than a repair bill for a frozen pipe.
• Open cabinets under the sink in the kitchen and bathroom, especially when they are mounted on an outside wall. This allows air to circulate in the area where the hot and cold pipes are located.
• Going away? Have someone check the house when you are gone. Or better yet, install a temperature sensor that will alert you when the temperature in the house drops too low. Call us for more information on this equipment.
• If you have a room above the garage, or even pipes in the garage, don’t leave the garage doors open any longer than necessary.
• For those of you who use a wood or gas stove for supplemental heat, remember that if the thermostat for your heating system is in this room, and the room is warm, the thermostat won’t tell the boiler to come on. This means that if you have any pipes on that heating zone in a cold or drafty area, they will not have any water circulation through
  them. This makes them at risk for freezing.
• If you have a pipe that is already frozen, do your best to get air moving in the area of the frozen pipe. Even a fan blowing air in that direction will work with a little bit of time. Best to turn off the water and take the pressure off of that pipe. When pipes freeze, the ice can expand and split the pipe. When it thaws it will likely leak and if it is under
  pressure, it can make for quite a mess. If this is a heating pipe, give us a call and we will be right over to help.

A Note from our Service Department

When is the last time you changed the batteries in your automatic, setback thermostat? This is a cause o f several “No-Heat ” calls from our customers. You should do this twice a year. A good schedule to fol low is the same as your smoke detectors in the house. When you change the clocks for daylight savings, it’s time to change the batteries. So if you have not done it in a while, now is the time.

FEBRUARY DATES TO REMEMBER

• Feb. 2nd — Groundhog Day (will he see his shadow?)
• Feb. 14th — Valentines Day. Don’t forget that special someone in your life.
• Feb. 20th — Presidents Day/Washington’s Birthday. Our office will be closed,
  but our emergency service is always available, 24 hours a day.
• Feb. 21st — Maple Syrup begins to run.
• Feb. 26th — Red Wing Blackbirds return.

January OIL DRAWING WINNERS

1^st Prize: Fred K., Marshfield

2^nd Prize: Peter H., Duxbury

3^rd Prize: Paul R., Marshfield

Please note that you can now enter the oil drawing online. Please complete the form at right to be entered in next month’s drawing.

CONGRATULATIONS to OUR Winners!