Winters in South Bend, Indiana, are especially long; The cold weather arrives sometime in November and properly lasts until the end of May! My friend and I frequently experience temperatures in the teens and even well below zero. My heating bills are consistently a concern. The boiler blasts at maximum capacity round-the-clock for months at a time, and i have invested into a top-of-the-line, Energy Star rated boiler, hoping to reduce utility bills. I chose a boiler with a 96% AFUE rating that features both adjustable-speed technology and zone control. It cost me a small fortune however is steadily paying for itself. The adjustable-speed operation allows the heating system to automatically adjust output and supply only the exact amount of heat necessary to maintain perfect comfort. This avoids temperature swings, and the energy waste of a system continually starting up and shutting down, then zone control is especially helpful because I can customize temperature control settings room-by-room. I’m not forced to maintain perfect comfort in empty spaces. I can cater to the particular requirements of the room plus personal preferences. It’s possible to keep study rooms cooler than the residing room. I can set a lower temperature in the study room when I’m running the oven… Although I am very ecstatic with the new boiler, I continue to look for ways to trim energy usage. I make sure to open the blinds during the afternoon to take advantage of warmth from the sun. I’ve added insulation to the attic, caulked around the windows and installed weatherstripping on exterior doors. The weather in South Bend means relying on the boiler for around eight months, which is fancy.