Every October, the U.S. Department of Energy's National Energy Awareness Month puts a spotlight on the same idea: the cheapest fuel is the fuel you don't have to use. For Maine and New Hampshire homeowners heating with oil or propane, a handful of straightforward, low-cost steps taken now — before the season's first cold snap — can meaningfully reduce how much fuel it takes to keep a home comfortable all winter.
Why October Is the Right Time to Weatherize
Weatherizing a home is much easier in mild fall weather than in the middle of a January cold snap, and improvements made now pay off for the entire heating season ahead. Since older New England homes often lose a significant amount of heat through drafts, gaps, and under-insulated areas, October is the ideal window to find and fix those issues before your heating system has to work overtime to compensate.
Quick Wins: Sealing & Insulating
Some of the most effective efficiency improvements are also the least expensive:
- Weatherstrip doors and windows where you can feel drafts, using inexpensive foam or rubber strips.
- Caulk gaps around window frames, exterior pipe penetrations, and where siding meets the foundation.
- Add or top off attic insulation, since heat rising through an under-insulated attic is one of the biggest sources of winter heat loss in older homes.
- Use a door draft stopper on exterior doors you use often.
- Close off unused rooms and their heating vents or radiators if you don't need to keep them warm all winter.
- Reverse ceiling fans to run clockwise on low speed, which pushes warm air near the ceiling back down into the room.
None of these require a contractor, and most can be done in a single weekend.
Getting the Most from Your Heating System
Weatherizing the building envelope is only half the equation — your heating equipment itself plays a big role in efficiency:
- Schedule annual burner or boiler service to keep your system running at peak efficiency instead of losing output to soot buildup or worn components.
- Bleed radiators or check baseboard heat for trapped air, which can make heating uneven and less efficient.
- Install a programmable or smart thermostat to automatically lower the temperature at night or when the house is empty.
- Keep vents, radiators, and baseboards clear of furniture and curtains so heat can circulate properly.
Schedule burner service before winter
Smart Ordering & Delivery Habits That Save Money
Efficiency isn't just about the building and equipment — how and when you buy fuel matters too:
- Enroll in Automatic Delivery so you're never paying a premium for an emergency delivery because a tank ran unexpectedly low.
- Ask about Price Protection to lock in a rate before winter demand drives prices up.
- Consider a Budget Plan to spread costs evenly; it won't reduce total usage, but it makes planning easier.
Learn about Automatic Delivery
Fielding's Price Protection & Budget Plan
U.S. Department of Energy's home weatherization and energy-saving resources
Conclusion
You don't need a major renovation to use less heating oil or propane this winter — a weekend of sealing drafts, a burner tune-up, and a smarter delivery plan can add up to a real difference by spring. Use National Energy Awareness Month as your reminder to get it done, and call Fielding's at
1-800-491-3194 if you'd like to schedule service or talk through your delivery options.
Contact Fielding's Oil & Propane
