Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Cold Winter Ahead – Don't Pay Too Much!



It's the thing that everyone dreads hearing, but it's the unfortunate truth: heating costs for 2012 are going to be higher than average. That's not necessarily because of the increase of oil prices, but rather, it can be attributed to the fact that we're going to have a significantly colder winter than usual. The Energy Information Administration predicts that anyone using oil to heat their homes – especially for those who live in the Northeast – heating bills could reach a record cost of $2,500 this winter. That's a whopping 20% increase from the prior year, despite the extremely nominal increase in fuel costs, which is a mere 2%. Natural gas users will see an increase as well, by about 15%, averaging to about $1,000 for the season in the Northeast.

For the Pennsylvania area, there is anticipated to be 18% more days requiring the usage of heaters this year than last year. Since you'll be getting so much use out of your unit this year – both because the temperature will drop, and because there will be more frequent cold days – it's important to ensure that you're not paying too much. Don't forget to take the necessary precautions to keep the cost of heating your home as low as possible.


  • ·         Use a programmable thermostat to make sure that your heater isn't working overtime when no one's in the house.
  • ·         Make sure your unit has clean filters at all times to improve efficiency.
  • ·         Make sure that your local Southampton heating company has done a yearly checkup on the unit to ensure that the inner workings are clean and less prone to issues.
  • ·         If you live in the Southampton area, be sure to shop around for an HVAC company – don't overpay!
  • ·         Ensure that your home is properly insulated to avoid cold air seeping in.

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Newtown: Prepare for a Cold Winter and Maintain your Heating Systems!



If you're in the Pennsylvania area, you probably already know that we're in for a cold one this winter. But are you aware how much time and money you can save on repairs if you maintain your central HVAC unit all year round? Of course, you should have a professional come out and service the unit regularly, but there are little things you can be doing throughout the year to prevent it from breaking down and avoid costly repair bills. Here are a few:

Filters
Nearly all central heating and cooling systems have air filters – and as with any filter, it needs to be cleaned and/or changed regularly. Clogged filters can cause the unit to overheat or stop working, not to mention it is a health issue for your family. Remove it and clean it as according to the manufacturer's instructions. If it still appears to be useable, then put it back into the unit; if not, replace it – they are fairly inexpensive.

Pilot Light
If you use natural gas, make sure to check your pilot light (even in months when the unit is not in use) to ensure that it is still working on a regular basis. If the pilot light goes out, your unit will only blow cold air – and you don't want to find this out in mid-December!

Belts
Belts can wear out pretty easily which can reduce the efficiency of your unit or cause it not to work at all. They should be checked, lubricated and, if necessary, changed on at least a yearly basis.

Cleaning
Units need to be cleaned regularly as dust buildup is common but detrimental. It's most recommended to have a professional do this, since parts of the furnace must be removed or taken apart for a cleaning. Simply have your local Newton heating company visit once a year, and these costs will no doubt be much cheaper than the ones you'll pay if you avoid routine maintenance.

Monday, November 19, 2012

Cold Snap Approaches East Coast



It isn't even winter yet, and the East Coast has already seen its share of harsh weather. If Superstorm Sandy and the Nor'Easter that was hot on its trails are any indication of how the coming months are going to go, we're definitely in for a cold and snowy one. Let's not even go into the fact that economists anticipate (and have some proof of) the fact that heating/oil prices will be on the rise as a result of the turmoil from the storm. Now, more than ever, it's important to make sure your HVAC systems are working efficiently if you're on the east coast. 

Forecasters are already predicting that the final days of November and early December are going to be, perhaps, unprecedentedly cold on the East coast while the rest of the country will be experiencing the contrary.  The northeast in particular is anticipated to have some extremely unpredictable weather this season with lots of ups and downs.

As we know, November kicks off "heating season," and though it hasn't dipped down too low in our neck of the woods quite yet, if it's as predictably unpredictable as it's supposed to be, it's a good time to get in the spirit of the season. Heating companies in Newtown, Philadelphia, and all across Jersey are going to be busy in the coming weeks, so it's best to schedule an appointment for as soon as possible to make sure you won't run into any issues in the future. 

Being ready for winter weather – no matter what it may bring – means winterizing your home and having routine maintenance performed on your HVAC unit. Some are reluctant to dish out the dough, but especially if you're living in the Northeast, it's better safe than sorry because you never know what might come your way.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Sandy Calls for Temporary Fuel Waivers



If you were in Philadelphia, Southampton, or anywhere nearby during Hurricane Sandy, you know all about the damage it left in its wake. Homes and properties were destroyed, streets were left underwater, and millions were left without power for up to a few weeks. The East coast community (and the rest of the country) is doing what it can to come together and pick up the pieces. Neighbors are offering electricity, those in unaffected areas are traveling to provide clean-up supplies and a helping hand, and businesses are offering services for free to those who need them. The government is facing a number of other issues as well.

The officials of the state environment had to, under these rare circumstances, implement two types of fuel waivers temporarily as a result of the storm. This has been decided due to the fact that service teams have been struggling to offer power and heating to Southampton, Philadelphia, Bucks County, and other nearby locations under the limitations. During the time of the waivers being in effect, it was no longer required that the state use Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel fuel in mobile generators and pumps; additionally, the use of heating oil in diesel powered emergency vehicles will be temporarily allowed. In addition, the Department of Agriculture temporarily suspended the requirement of 2% biodiesel for on-road vehicles. 

These waivers have since expired, but the state of Pennsylvania is still recovering. Fuel prices and availability will likely be affected for an indefinite amount of time in some areas, and relief efforts continue to attempt to rebuild destroyed structures.

That being said, this was merely the first influx of bad weather Philadelphia is going to experience. The first ten days of November this year made up one of the coldest starts to the month that has ever been recorded in Philadelphia history. This is to be expected, considering the "Indian Summer" we have experienced, but meteorologists suggest we can expect to return to winter as usual now that the Hurricane has passed. Whether we have other potential power outages on the way or wintry storms to look forward to, it's never a bad idea to take the necessary precautions and winterize your garage, heating systems, and home.

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Philadelphia Weather Change and Your Health



If you live in the greater Philadelphia area, you must have noticed the bi-polar weather we've been having. One day it's 80 degrees and the next it's hitting as low as the high 40's. It seems as though this is also the time of year everyone is getting sick… are these two facts related?

There is a myth that you can catch a cold simply from the cold weather, but in truth, that myth has been busted long ago. You can't contract a virus or bacterial infection as a result of the cold weather alone, though it could affect other factors that could cause you to get sick.

Cold weather can temporarily weaken the immune system, so while you will not be surrounded by any more or less bacteria or viruses, you may be more susceptible to them for a few weeks. In the same vein, if you're prone to stay indoors due to the cold (or all this rainy weather we've been having), you'll be in close quarters with other people for longer amounts of time, and there is always the potential that those people are spreading germs.

There isn't stability in the near future; the weather is expected to do a bit more rising and falling before settling into lower temperatures for good, and the rain will be coming and going as it pleases as well. Make sure if you live near Philadelphia to call your heating and air conditioning expert to get your unit in tip-top condition, because you're going to be spending a lot of time indoors in the weeks (well, maybe months) to come.

We have a cold winter ahead of us, and if the cold affects immune systems like it is said to, then Philly needs to be keeping warm! Bundle up and stay healthy this coming season.