Treating Transmission Troubles

No car owner wants to hear that the problem the car is having is in the transmission. Transmissions are one of the most expensive parts that a car owner might have to replace – if the car is old enough, it sometimes makes more sense to replace the car entirely than to replace the transmission. But I’ve found that there are ways to save when you need transmission work! Not only are there ways to save money on a new or rebuilt transmission, there are also ways to locate transmission problems and have them fixed before they become too serious. This blog is designed to help you take better care of your transmission, and avoid paying too much for transmission repairs.

Home Heating Oil: Four Tips For Reducing Your Bill

Automotive Blog

Millions of homes across the globe use natural gas and oil to heat their homes. Although it is often thought of as a more affordable alternative than electric heat, that is not always the case. If you use oil to heat your home and the bill shocks you, consider making some small changes.

Use these four tips to help reduce your overall heating costs:

1. Know Your Purchase Options

There are typically three purchase options in America: market, fixed, and capped prices. The option you choose will largely determine what you pay:

  • Market: The market price reflects the price of the oil on delivery day. So if oil prices are rising and falling constantly, you will never know what you pay. However, you may be able to make a large order when prices are low and pay much less.
  • Fixed: The fixed price option locks you into a contract. No matter what the prices are doing, you will always pay a specific price. This is nice as your costs won't fluctuate, but it can make the oil more expensive when prices are low.
  • Capped: The capped price option is similar to the fixed option, as you are still in a contract. Instead of paying a fixed amount, the price still varies—however, it will never go above a certain price.

Each option has pro's and con's. It is up to you and your needs to determine which is best for you.

2. Be Wary of Extra Fees

Extra fees can quickly eat up any discounts you currently have on your home heating oil. When you make a purchase—or when you have it delivered—ask to see a breakdown of what you are paying for. Be on the lookout for any additional fees such as delivery charges, premiums, or fuel costs.

If you do notice extra fees, contact your home heating oil company and discuss alternative options. You can also ask for ways to save—or talk about eliminating services to save money.

3. Ask About Discounts

Most home heating oil companies offer discounts for their services. If you need to save money on your heating costs, don't be afraid to call the company and ask about any discounts they offer. You may be able to snag a great deal for special circumstances, such as being a senior citizen. You may also be able to get a discount for having a larger—or smaller—tank, or for filling up less often.

4. Buy Oil in the Off Season

If you need to top off your tank, consider doing it during the off season. Oil prices tend to rise when it is in demand—usually the winter months—so consider filling up during summer. Even if one tank won't last you throughout the entire winter, you can save a significant amount by filling up during the off season months.

Even if you can't drastically reduce your home heating oil bill, you can make a dent in it. Use these tips, along with a home energy audit, to help you save on your home heating fuel bill this winter.

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23 February 2015