Home is our haven, an escape from the turbulent outside world. That’s why we’ve filled these pages with information that we hope will make you as safe and comfortable as possible — all the time.
The Yellow Brick Road to Savings
Technological breakthroughs have brought in a new era of higher efficiency and tremendous savings for anyone who uses oilheat.
The combination of increasingly efficient oil heating systems and continuous improvements with ultra-low-sulfur Bioheat® fuel is the one-two punch that will help homeowners in the years ahead.
✔️ Some new oilheat systems have efficiency ratings in the 90%+ range, providing more warmth with less fuel.
✔️ Many new oil boilers now incorporate energy-saving controls that can reduce fuel usage by as much as 10% and provide a more even heat.
✔️ High-efficiency oil furnaces feature variable-speed motors that use as much as 80% less electricity.
✔️ The oil boilers and oil furnaces of today are about the same size as a three-drawer filing cabinet. Installing a new heating system can not only free up space, but will save you a lot of money on fuel.
More Dangerous Than Poppies
The wicked witch attempted to use poppies to send Dorothy into a permanent sleep. Carbon monoxide (CO) can do that for real.
CO is created when any kind of fuel is burned, but it’s vented safely to the outside. That’s why it’s important to have all fuel-burning devices serviced regularly by a professional. This will ensure that your equipment is operating properly.
Because CO is a toxic, invisible and odorless gas, you should already have CO detectors installed around your home, especially near all bedrooms. Remember to test the detectors about once a month.
A faulty burner or furnace can cause a CO leak. Other causes of CO leaks can include:
✔️ unvented appliances running for long periods of time.
✔️ back drafts caused by pressure imbalances near the heating system.
✔️ a vehicle left idling in an attached garage.
✔️ a blocked flue.
✔️ a gasoline-powered generator left running in a basement or attached garage.
CO poisoning symptoms include fatigue, dizziness and nausea. If you suspect a CO leak, get fresh air right away by opening doors and windows and leave the house before calling for help.
Oilheat’s CO safety net
As someone who uses oilheat, you can feel better knowing that if your oil burner malfunctions (most often due to a lack of maintenance), the safety devices in the unit will typically shut the furnace or boiler off.
Plus, you will usually see smoke coming out of your boiler or furnace as a warning sign. In contrast, a gas heating system usually does not produce a visual warning sign if there is a carbon monoxide problem
Dorothy Was in Hot Water. Are You?
With hot water usage significantly higher in most homes this year, some people have found that their water heater is not capable of keeping up with the increased demand.
If it’s taking longer for your water to heat, the water doesn’t get as hot as it did before or you simply keep running out of hot water, you are probably ready for an upgrade. And if you notice a slow leak from your tank or rust on the tank or in your tap water, you definitely need a new water heater.
If you think your water heater is failing — the average water heater lasts anywhere from 7 to 13 years — please speak with us about your options in oil-fired water heaters. After installing one, you will benefit from low-cost access to virtually unlimited amounts of hot water.
That’s because the “recovery rate” is as high as 120 gallons per hour. (Recovery rate measures how many gallons of water can be heated in an hour).
This means plenty of hot water for the whole family — something that less efficient gas and electric water heaters cannot provide.
Take the indirect approach
Many of our customers now use their boilers not only to heat their homes, but to produce hot water for showers, hot tubs, washing machines, dishwashers — you name it. And they get it virtually free in the winter.
It’s called an indirect-fired water heater, and if you have a boiler, it can be a phenomenal option.
Anytime your boiler is heating your home, your indirect water heater works for free. A traditional stand-alone water heater has to use gas or electricity to keep that water hot. And that’s a huge waste of money.
If you have a water heater that is 10 years old or older, check out an indirect — and less expensive approach — to heating your water.