Posted: December 1, 2025

Improving the Efficiency of Your Heating Oil System

Valiant can help you shrink your furnace or boiler’s fuel usage.

With average temperatures dropping every day in Fairfield, Hartford, Litchfield, Middlesex and New Haven Counties, our customers are turning to their heating oil furnaces and boilers. Reliable home heating is vital for homeowners across Connecticut. It is also a major driver of your home’s energy spending.

In this article, we’ll discuss how you can boost the efficiency of your oil heating system, a process that Valiant Home & Energy can help with.

How Efficient Are Heating Oil Systems?

One of the fantastic things about having an oil-fired heating system is that you start from a place of really robust heat production. Heating oil can generate roughly 138,500 Btu per gallon. That makes it one of the most effective ways to warm up a New England home. And today’s oil heating systems are more efficient than ever before, boasting fuel efficiency ratings as high as the mid 90% range.

Valiant Home & Energy supports this efficiency by delivering Bioheat® fuel — a renewable blend of ultra-low-sulfur heating oil and biodiesel. It burns more efficiently than traditional heating oil, reducing emissions, lowering maintenance and improving energy performance. With the highest Btu content of any alternative fuel, Bioheat fuel provides reliable, powerful warmth while helping protect the environment.

How Can You Support Your Oil System’s Efficiency?

There is some relatively simple upkeep that you can undertake to keep your home’s heating equipment running at its best possible efficiency, plus some tips to reduce how often you need to run your equipment:

• Check and Replace Air Filters Regularly. Inspect your furnace filter monthly and replace it if it’s dirty or clogged. Clean filters improve airflow, reduce strain on your system and boost efficiency.
• Keep Vents Clear. Ensure all vents are open and free from obstructions like rugs or furniture so warm air can circulate freely.
• Bleed Radiators Each Year. For boiler systems, it’s good to release trapped air from radiators to keep heat evenly distributed throughout your home.
• Use a Programmable or Smart Thermostat. Set back your thermostat by 7–10°F for about eight hours a day to save up to 10% annually on heating costs.
• Reverse Ceiling Fan Direction. Run ceiling fans clockwise on a low setting during winter to push warm air downward and reduce furnace or boiler use.
• Let in Natural Sunlight. Open blinds and curtains on sunny days to let natural heat warm your home and reduce heating system runtime.

How Can Valiant Make Your Home More Energy Efficient?

One thing that sets Valiant Home & Energy apart from other home heating providers is that one of our top goals is to help you use less energy. One of our most popular services is the Home Energy Assessment.

This efficiency audit can make your home more comfortable, lower energy costs and reduce your carbon footprint. Using blower door testing, we pinpoint air leaks, duct issues, and wasted energy, then recommend effective fixes to stop drafts and improve system performance. We’ll also identify available rebates and financing options to help you save more. Beyond comfort and savings, these audits can reveal hidden safety hazards like carbon monoxide leaks or mold. Schedule yours today and start enjoying a safer, more efficient home.

Have You Arranged a Heating Tune-Up with Valiant Yet?

The most effective way to restore your heating oil furnace or boiler to maximum efficiency — not to mention lowering the chance of breakdowns and extending your heating system’s life expectancy — is to have it tuned up by a certified oilheat technician once a year.

Valiant Home & Energy has you covered. Our team specializes in comprehensive maintenance services for heating systems. We will ensure everything runs smoothly and efficiently, all winter long. For the average homeowner in our part of Connecticut, the efficiency boost this maintenance offers can result in nearly $270 in annual savings!

For the maximum peace of mind, we strongly encourage you to enroll in a Total Care Plan. With this service plan coverage, you receive an annual boiler or furnace tune-up and a 14-point inspection. But if your system does need repairs, Total Care coverage guarantees you a 20% discount — not just during business hours but also on nights, weekends and holidays.

To enroll in a Total Care Plan or arrange a heating tune-up or Home Energy Assessment, contact the Valiant team today.