Here are 6 tips on how to reduce your home heating bills this winter

A variety of technologies are available for heating your house. In addition to furnaces and boilers, heating options include wood and pellet heaters, active solar heating, and heat pumps, which are used for both heating and cooling. In addition, a combination of proper insulation, air sealing, and energy-efficient windows and doors will help ensure that your home is both comfortable and energy efficient.

Here are 6 tips on how to reduce your home heating bills this winter.

1.  Learn to love socks. If your feet are cold, your whole body will feel cold, so make a point of wearing socks around the house in the winter. The next step if you’re still feeling cold: Bundle up in a sweater or a blanket rather than cranking up the heat.

2.  Lower your thermostat. You likely won’t notice a huge difference if you turn it down just a few degrees, a move that can shave 5 percent to 10 percent off your heating bill. It’s especially wise to turn down the heat whenever you leave your home for several hours.

3.  Consider a programmable thermostat. They cost between $30 and $100, but that’s money you’re sure to make back over the course of a year because your heating bills will drop. A programmable thermostat allows you to adjust the heat on a predetermined schedule, so you can lower the heat when you’re not home or when you’re sleeping.

4.  Use ceiling fans to your advantage. Homes that have better ventilation and airflow can be more energy efficient in the summer and winter months. If you have ceiling fans in your apartment, you have more control over ventilation than you know. Ceiling fans can be used strategically to achieve better airflow: counter-clockwise will push hot air up in the summer and clockwise will trap heat inside to keep your rooms warmer during cooler months. Turn your ceiling fan on a low setting to gently push hot air back down.

5.  Keep your furnace clean and unblocked. Keeping your furnace and vents properly maintained will reduce energy consumption and help you save. Check your furnace filter monthly, and replace it when it gets dirty.

6.  Take advantage of the many plans that your local heating companies offer during the summer and fall months.    These 4 companies in Berkshire County offer a variety of options that you should look at today.

 

Mirabito Energy Products

Mirabito Energy Products is the Berkshires ONLY full service energy provider. We provide reliable energy services and products for families and businesses throughout upstate New York, Western Massachusetts, and Connecticut and have been family owned and operated since 1927. We were also named the 2017 Best of the Berkshires “Best Home Fuel Service.”

We Offer:

• A Full-Service Department
• 24/7 Emergency Service
• Equipment Sales & Installation
• Service Agreements
• Automatic Delivery
• Price Protection Programs
• Variety of Products Including: Heating Oil, Propane, Natural Gas, Coal, Gasoline, Diesel Fuels, Kerosene
• No Tank Rental Fees, Delivery Fees or Hidden Fees for our Propane customers
• Fleet Fueling Programs

Let us help you control your winter heating expense with Budget Cap, Prepay Cap and Prepay Fix plans. Plans are available for oil, propane and kerosene. For more information on our programs, visit: http://www.mirabito.com/energy-products/price-protection-programs/

Our People Make Energy Different. Visit us today!

Website: www.mirabito.com
Location: 33 Daly Ave, Dalton, MA.
Phone: 413-684-0078

West Oil Company

Since 1949, West Oil Company has been providing quality fuel delivery and dependable service to the communities of Northern Berkshire and Southern Bennington Counties.  Our customers are single family homeowners, multi-family residences, businesses, schools, churches, banks and municipalities.  Trucking and construction companies, as well as service stations, depend on us too.  We also serve the area’s tourist industries: restaurants, B&B’s and ski areas.
We offer:

• Premium Fuels
• Superior Customer Service
• Competitive Prices
• Prompt Fuel Delivery
• Automatic Delivery
• Convenient Payment Plans
• Guaranteed Fuel Prices
• Heating System Repairs, Maintenance and Installations
• 24 Hour Emergency Service
• Oil Tank Protection Plan
• Payment Options and Fixed Price Programs

Dependable, friendly service and a commitment to quality are not only our mission, but the attitude generated by our whole team.

Business Hours: Monday through Friday:  8 AM to 5 PM,  Closed Saturday and Sunday
Website:   www.westoilcompany.com
Location:   593 Ashland Street, North Adams, MA 01247
Phone: (413) 664-4000

Whitneys Farm Market

Whitney’s Farm Market offers Top Quality Hardwood Firewood.
Our Firewood is Seasoned, Cut, Split, and Screened.
We screen our Firewood to remove loose Bark and Debris.
We offer FREE delivery with the purchase of two or more cords to Northern Berkshire towns and regular delivery fees apply for all other locations (see store for details)

We have a Buy More Save More Season Special Now in progress.
Purchase 1 cord for $260+ delivery charge, 2 cords for $495, and 4 cords for $925.

We carry Premium Dry Creek Hardwood Wood Pellets for $259.99/ton or $5.99/bag.

Fork Lift delivery is available and regular delivery fees do apply.

Check out our updated pricing page:
http://whitneysfarm.com/pricing/

Link for Dry Creek website
http://www.drycreekpellets.com/

Business Hours: Monday through Saturday:  9 AM to 7 PM,  Sunday 9AM to 6PM
Website: http://whitneysfarm.com
Location:   1775 S. State Road, Rte. 8, Cheshire, MA 02115
Phone: (413) 442-4749

Preite oil

Preite oil Family owned & operated for 37 years. We offer expertise in Oil Burner Service, Repair and new Installation, Automatic Delivery.
We accept Fuel Assistance Customers and offer Auto Delivery we call “Pay as you go”.

Our Prepay & budget plans have limited supplies so please call for pricing.

We work with “Mass Save” that offers rebates on replacement of Boilers and Furnaces that are more than 30 years old.

We Offer:

• Installation of Heating Systems
• Annual Tune Ups
• Repairs
• 24/7 Emergency Service Available

Business Hours: Monday through Saturday:  9 AM to 7 PM,  Sunday 9AM to 6PM
Website: http://preiteoil.com/
Location: 758 State Road, North Adams, MA.
Phone: 413-664-6906

Pittsfield ZBA Member Recognized for 40 Years of Service

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
12:23PM / Thursday, April 25, 2024

Albert Ingegni III tells the council about how his father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo who died at age 94 in 2020, enjoyed his many years serving the city and told Ingegni to do the same. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — It's not every day that a citizen is recognized for decades of service to a local board — except for Tuesday.

Albert Ingegni III was applauded for four decades of service on the Zoning Board of Appeals during City Council. Mayor Peter Marchetti presented him with a certificate of thanks for his commitment to the community.

"It's not every day that you get to stand before the City Council in honor of a Pittsfield citizen who has dedicated 40 years of his life serving on a board or commission," he said.

"As we say that, I know that there are many people that want to serve on boards and commissions and this office will take any resume that there is and evaluate each person but tonight, we're here to honor Albert Ingegni."

The honoree is currently chair of the ZBA, which handles applicants who are appealing a decision or asking for a variance.

Ingegni said he was thinking on the ride over about his late father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo, who told him to "enjoy every moment of it because it goes really quickly."

"He was right," he said. "Thank you all."

The council accepted $18,000 from the state Department of Conservation and Recreation and a  $310,060 from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Safe Streets and Roads for All program.