February 2021—Bulletin

MONTHLY BUDGET CUSTOMERS– PLEASE NOTE

Well, here we are at the end of January…mid-point of the heating season believe it or not. So far we’ve really lucked out in that we’ve been able to avoid any truly extreme weather. While we’ve had some snow and frigid weather, it hasn’t been long lasting. I know you snow lovers aren’t liking this but things can change fast. We still have a lot of winter left so stay tuned. The end of January is also the time when we see a ‘tipping’ point in our budget accounts – from credit balances to debit balances. We will start reviewing the budgets this month taking into account projected degree days(temperatures), projected usage and will adjust your budget payment accordingly. Some of you may see changes in your March 1st budget payment and some may see changes in your April 1st payment. So, please check your statement for any changes that might be made. We’re on it… but feel free to call us with any questions.

“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. Lets 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 15 cents per gallon!!! If you use 1000 gallons of heating oil per year, that adds up to a savings of $150 per year!!!

Have more energy savings questions? Call us and we will be happy to help.

SOME THINGS TO THINK ABOUT…

• If con is the opposite of pro, is Congress the opposite of Progress?
• Why is it that doctors call what they do, “practice”?
• Why is it that traffic, causing the slowest time of day on the roads, is called “rush hour”?
• Why are they called apartments, when they are all stuck together?

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 heat-ing 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 of several “No-Heat” calls from our customers. You should do this twice a year. A good schedule to follow 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.
• Feb. 15th—Presidents Day (Monday) 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’s OIL DRAWING WINNERS

1^st Prize: Jim Mc. — Marshfield (27 yr. customer)
2^nd Prize: Bob M. — Duxbury (11 yr. customer)
3^rd Prize: Marcia F. — Marshfield (35 yr. customer)

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!