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Related Terms:

Promotional price: Because they want you as a long-term, full-service customer dealers will offer you a promotional price much like a long-distance or credit card company will. The promotional price is usually much less than some of their "veteran" customers pay however it is also is usually short term.

Contract and Cap prices: A price protection program such as contract or a Cap price is an attempt to offer you the best price after the promotional period is over.

Budget pricing: Your dealer may sell you a budget plan to ensure that they have a steady cash flow.

Discount Price: You don't have to sign up to a full service dealer. If you really want the best price you can often get that from a discount dealer. Discount dealers will sell you the oil without a service contract.

Furnaces and Boilers



	A furnace works by drawing air into a heat exchanger, where it is warmed by flame. A blower then sends the warmed air through the house via the ductwork, where it enters the room through a register in the floor or wall. Indoor air is circulated continuously through the system, so a filter is used to collect dust, pollen and other airborne particles. A boiler works by heating water and circulating it through pipes to radiators (baseboard), where it warms the surrounding air. Unlike a furnace air is not forced continuously through the home.

In principal, all central heating systems work the same whether they are fueled by oil, gas, propane, or electricity. They have three basic components that work together to keep your home warm:

1. The furnace or boiler - serves as a heat source.

2. The ductwork or radiator - circulates the heat around the house

3. The thermostat - turns system on/off and controls temperature

In addition an oil heat system includes a tank (your oil supply is stored locally in a tank) and sometimes a separate water heater. If your system is broken or otherwise not functioning properly you may want to visit our troubleshooting folder.

SELECTED LINKS
GENERAL INFORMATION
·	Overview of how an oilheat system works

·	Energy Advisor

·	Types of Heating Systems

·	A Consumer Guide to Energy Savings

FURNACES/BOILERS
·	How a furnace works

·	How an oil burner works

·	Furnace Tune-up and maintenance

OIL TANKS/WATER HEATERS
·	Map of state that regulate underground oil tanks

·	Frequent Questions About Underground Storage Tanks (USTs)

·	On removing a tank from the basement

·	Michigans home oil tank guide and FAQs

·	NY State underground tank guide

·	On selecting a new water heaters

·	Water Heaters Explained

DUCTS/THERMOSTATS
·	Lower-your thermostat calculator.

·	Everything you need to know about duct cleaning.

·	Will duct tape fix faulty ducts?

·	A complete explanation of home ventilation.

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