Wallet Watch newsletter: How to beat heat costs this winter

I love the fall. The crisp cool air of autumn means pumpkins and warm tea, apple-picking and Halloween, and the stark colors of a changing season.

But what's not fun about fall is turning on the heat. With temperature lows in the 40s this week and next week, my household is staring down the barrel of our first oil shipment ahead of this coming winter.

Could there be worse timing for record-high heating oil prices? The average price for heating oil hit $6.37 a gallon on Long Island in late September, a 65.9% increase from the year before.

Thankfully, there are a few ways to save money, Victor Ocasio reports. 

• Get a free home energy assessment from PSEG or NYSERDA to evaluate how efficient your home is at retaining heat.
• Keep up regular maintenance of your home heating system. One easy way to do that is by keeping air ducts and vents clean. 
• Lower the thermostat, and try a humidifier. 
• Test air sealing and insulation.

There are several programs available to help out low-income residents as well. You can read more about how to save on heat here. And if you have any tips, let us know! Personally, my favorite strategy is to always don a wearable blanket during the colder months.

To our readers

We're about to enter a pretty pricey time of year. Halloween costumes into Thanksgiving feasts into holiday shopping, plus record-high heating oil — that's a lot of expenses coming up. 

We can't lower prices, but we can help you navigate them. The Wallet Watch newsletter is designed to answer reader questions and offer personal finance advice. Reach out. We want to hear from you. And maybe we can help you save a few dollars. 

Have a question you'd like to submit? Confused by a bill? Spotted a price hike? Ask our team and we might answer it in the next edition. Email walletwatch@newsday.com or click here.