If heating oil costs are putting a dent in your wallet and you have encountered numerous times where you were running low on heating oil and needed to hastily order more, you may feel as if you are on a nonstop merry go round that is spinning out of control. Take the reins in your hands when it comes to managing your heating bill and oil deliveries by using the strategies listed below.
Calculate Usage
One way to determine how quickly you will run out of heating oil is by determining how much oil is used on a monthly basis. Gather your heating oil bills to determine this. The easiest way to determine your usage is by looking at each bill and adding the amounts of oil that have been purchased for a specific timeframe.
Add the amounts together and divide the total by the amount of months that the oil was used. The amount calculated will provide you with a rough idea of how much oil is consumed each month. If you are confused by this step, reach out to a customer representative at the heating oil delivery services and request more in-depth information about your oil consumption.
Sign Up For A Recurring Bill And Deliveries
Your oil company may offer an incentive to their customers that involves billing the same amount each month, based upon an average. Instead of needing to pay a large amount for heating costs during the winter and a low amount in the summer, you will be responsible for the same amount each month. This will eliminate the guesswork involved in figuring out how much you owe.
If the oil company offers a recurring delivery service, take advantage of this. Oil can be scheduled for delivery on a more consistent basis. This will eliminate the likelihood that you will run out of heating oil at any time.
Use Tactics To Save And Create A Budget
Saving money toward bills may not be at the top of your list of favorite activities, but doing so will eliminate being bombarded with a large bill at the last minute. Determine how much money you will need toward your heating bill and the amount of time that you have to pay the bill. Divide the total by the number of days to come up with an amount that is needed each day.
Multiply this number by seven to determine how much you need to save each week. Create a budget that includes the amount needed for your heating bill plus additional bills and household expenses so that you do not fall short and have enough money to pay for all of your necessities.