Why are heating oil prices going up?

If you have an oil furnace in your home you may have noticed how the price of heating oil has been going up. And a less noticeable change if you use natural gas to heat your home, but still going up.

Why???

Because of the war in Iran also effects heating oil and natural gas prices.

Crude oil is used to make heating oil, so when the price of crude oil goes up dramatically, you can expect the price of heating oil to also go up. Natural gas is also effected by these price changes, but the impact is more delayed and less severe.

So how long will the Iran War last? 

The average war in the Middle East varies dramatically.

The Iraq War (the major phase of it) lasted 8 years. Iraq has relatively flat terrain and had (at the beginning) a population of 25 million.

The Afghanistan War lasted 20 years because it was mountainous terrain and Afghanistan had a population of 21 million at the beginning of the war. The USA eventually gave up and withdrew.

Iran meanwhile...

Mountainous terrain. Population of 90 million.

It would take decades to win a war in Iran, and the USA would eventually give up and leave, which would leave Iran continuing to control the Strait of Hormuz.

Thus we should expect oil prices to stay high for years (possibly decades), because it takes a long time for other countries to increase production.

So... Whenever you reach the point where you need to replace your furnace, what should you replace it with?

Well, the cheapest alternative to natural gas is to get a heat pump. It works like a reverse AC unit. You're pumping warm air inside and letting cold air outside.

 And if you want to save more money then you can also consider hiring a home inspector to come look at your house and they can suggest ways to improve the energy efficiency in your home.

Things like:

• Sealing leaks.
• Adding attic insulation (and the attic hatch).
• Checking to see if your furnace needs servicing. 
• Replacing an old inefficient furnace with either a high efficiency furnace or a heat pump.
• Weatherstripping doors.
• Plugging old chimneys.
• Replacing caulking.
• Insulating heating ducts in areas like the garage, which shouldn't be heated.
• Improving thermostat control.
• Fixing drafts. 

A quick one hour inspection could help you save a lot of money on your energy bills.

 

Looking for a home inspector in Ajax ON? Get a trained and certified home and property inspector from Moffat Inspections in Ajax.

3 More Common Plumbing Problems That You Can Fix Yourself

Did you enjoy last month's blog post titled 3 Common Plumbing Problems that you can Fix Yourself ?

Good news! Here are three more common plumbing headaches you can handle without a service call. 

Slow-Draining Shower or Bathtub 

How to fix: Hair and soap buildup are the usual culprits. Remove the drain cover and use a drain snake or even a bent wire hanger to pull out debris. For minor buildup, a mixture of baking soda and vinegar followed by hot water can clear the clog. 

Tip: Clean your drain regularly to prevent future slow-draining showers. 

Leaking Toilet Tank Bolts 

How to fix: If water is pooling around the base of your toilet, check the tank bolts inside. Tighten slightly with a wrench or replace rubber washers if they’re cracked or worn. 

Tip: Don’t overtighten; it can crack the porcelain. 

Low Water Pressure in Faucets 

How to fix: Mineral deposits often clog the aerator at the faucet tip. Unscrew the aerator, soak it in vinegar for 30–60 minutes, then rinse and reinstall. 

Tip: Clean faucet aerators every few months for smooth water flow.

Many plumbing problems are simpler than they look. 

With basic tools, a little patience, and some DIY know-how, you can save money and avoid unnecessary visits from your plumber.

3 Common Plumbing Problems that you can Fix Yourself

You don't always need to hire a plumber. There are times when you can fix things yourself.

Below are 3 Common Plumbing Problems that you can Fix Yourself: 

Clogged Drain or Sink 

How to fix: Use a plunger or a drain snake to remove blockages. For minor clogs, a mixture of baking soda and vinegar followed by hot water often works.

Tip: Avoid chemical drain cleaners—they can damage pipes. 

Running Toilet

How to fix: Open the tank and check the flapper; if it’s worn or misaligned, replace it. Adjust the float to stop water from constantly running.

Tip: Toilet repair kits are cheap and easy to install with no tools required. 

Leaky Faucet 

How to fix: Turn off water, remove the handle, and replace worn washers or O-rings. For cartridge or ceramic disc faucets, swap the cartridge if needed. 

Tip: Bring the old part to the hardware store to ensure an exact match. 

 

Absolutely do not pay a plumber $200 to come fix a problem that you can fix yourself in less than 5 minutes.