Monday, January 28, 2019

Common Heating Myths That You Might Use

high home heating costsWinters are frigid and long and heating your home can be very expensive. Many homeowners spend thousands of dollars to heat their homes. Since some winters can be colder and longer than others, it is not uncommon for your heating bills to be higher. Because of this, you may be looking for ways to save on your heating bills.

Many people scour the internet looking for ways to save money and, unfortunately, end up learning money saving myths. Many of these myths seem realistic. However, they are counterproductive.

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Heating Myths That Might Cost You Money

Below is a list of the most common heating myths that you may have always believed to be true.

Myth #1 Duct Tape Can Properly Seal Your Ducts

Based on its name, you would think that duct tape is a great tool to seal ducts. However, this claim is a myth. Standard duct tape can get loose, and it can easily fall off. Duct tape should only be used as a temporary measure to seal the ducts. It shouldn’t be a long-term solution. If you have leaks in your ducts, it is essential that you hire a licensed HVAC contractor to fix the problem.

Myth #2 You Can Save Money By Installing Energy Efficient Windows

how to make your home more energy-efficientIf you install modern energy saving windows, you can save money by reducing the amount of heat that is lost through your windows. Over time, the amount of money that you can save can be significant. However, these windows are costly. They are so expensive that it can take decades for you to start seeing a return on your investment. For this reason, installing energy efficient windows to save money is a myth.

Myth #3 Installing Programmable Thermostats Can Save You Money

It is true that installing programmable thermostats can save you money on your heating costs. However, most people who install these thermostats fail to program them correctly. If you don’t program your thermostat properly, your heating bills can increase. Just installing these thermostats won’t save you money. You need to program them correctly if you are going to see a change in your monthly bills.

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Myth #4 Using A Fireplace Will Keep Your Family Warm And Save You Money

A fireplace is excellent to add light and ambiance in your home. It can improve the comfort in the house; however, a fireplace won’t save money on your heating bill. To safely use your fireplace, you will need to keep the flue open to release gases. When you open the flue, the air that has been heated by your home’s heating system will also go through the flu. To keep your home warm, your heating system will need to work harder which will cost you more money.

Myth #5 Heating The Entire House Will Keep Your Pipes From Freezing

frozen plumbing pipesIf your pipes freeze, they can expand and then burst, resulting in a severe water leak. Also, when the water pipes are frozen, the water won’t come from your faucets. There is a myth that many people believe that if your heating is running all the time, your pipes won’t freeze. The only way to keep your pipes from freezing is to turn off the water supply from the meter and keep your faucets open. You can do this at night and during the day when nobody is home. If you are going to be home, you should allow your faucets to drip. Doing so will keep the water flowing, and flowing water is harder to freeze.

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Myth #6 Cranking Up Your Thermostat Will Heat Your Home Faster

Cranking up your thermostat won’t make your heater work harder to heat the home. It will operate normally. Cranking up your heater won’t heat the home faster, it will just waste energy.

 

Conclusion

If you are looking for an HVAC company that you can trust, you should contact Point Bay Fuel. We offer a verity of heating system services that will ensure that your heating system is functioning correctly and efficiently all winter long.

When trying to keep your heating bills down, furnace maintenance is essential. When you schedule a tune-up with Point Bay Fuel, any minor issues with the system will be caught and repaired. Regular maintenance will prevent a complete breakdown on a day that you need your heating system the most. Therefore, regular maintenance appointments are essential. Making regular appointments will also keep you from paying expensive heating costs. To schedule an appointment, give us a call today.

Call Today: (732) 349-5059

Contact us now by calling (732) 349-5059 to speak to one of our home comfort specialists!

The post Common Heating Myths That You Might Use appeared first on Point Bay Fuel.

Monday, January 21, 2019

Tips For Making Home Heating Oil Deliveries Easy During The Winter

home heating oilWhenever you’re reliant on heating oil to keep your home warm, it’s critical that you keep oil in the tank. This task can be a major challenge during the severe months of winter.

The winter is the peak season for many heating oil delivery companies. Not only that but when weather conditions are severe, it can slow down fuel deliveries significantly. Many oil suppliers will not deliver fuel when they arrive at a home that has not had a path shoveled. Therefore, it is important to prepare your home when you have ordered heating oil.

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Preparing For Home Oil Deliveries In The Winter Season

During the winter, it is important to keep things easy for your delivery driver. There are a few key steps that you must take when preparing your home for a heating oil delivery.

Check To Ensure That Your Location Is Visible

It is important that your heating oil delivery company can find your home with ease. Check to ensure that your house number is displayed clearly so that the driver can spot it right away. This way, your driver can get your home heating oil to you without any issues and can start the actual delivery process as quickly as possible. If the house number is not visible, your delivery could be postponed until the unit is easier for drivers to spot.

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Create Ease Of Access For Your Fuel Supplier

home fuel oil delivery serviceIf it will be necessary for the driver to pass through any gates to access your inlet, leave these gates open or make sure that your driver can access them with ease. Keeping access gates locked is a sure way to have your heating oil delivery get returned for rescheduling. Unlocking your gate is something that you want to remember if no one is going to be in the home during the time of your delivery window.

If your fill pipe is situated in a fenced yard and you happen to own a dog, make sure that your dog isn’t around when your delivery driver passes through. The absolute best strategy for ensuring a safe and seamless delivery is to make sure that your fence travels beyond the fill pipe so that there are not any problems with access.

Clear The Area Out Before Your Oil Delivery

Your delivery driver is going to need direct access to the inlet upon arrival. As such, it is important to get rid of any debris. Your driver will carry a large hose to the inlet, and thus, both your provider and the necessary equipment should be able to move through this space safely and easily. Make sure that all rocks, branches and other debris and potentially hazardous obstructions are cleared from the walkway that travels to your inlet from the street or driveway. If there are bushes surrounding your inlet, keep these trimmed so that your provider can easily access the entry point.

Remove All Snow And Ice On The Day Of Your Heating Oil Delivery

snow blowerIt is important for your driver to be able to do his or her job safely.

In certain cases, when drivers identify significant hazards on the premises, they may not be able to complete their deliveries and will often have to reschedule them. The hose is heavy, and if your walkways are covered in snow and ice, this is dangerous. Many delivery drivers will do what it takes to deliver the oil that a household needs. However, no one wants to fall and get hurt in the process.

Get rid of recent snowfall by shoveling your driveway. Your driver should not have to climb over or wade through snowbanks in order to reach the site.

Remember that ice can also be a problem on your paths. You definitely don’t want your provider slipping and falling while trying to carry the hose to the inlet.

You can avoid the high costs of scheduling an emergency delivery by having your heating oil delivered regularly. Always check to ensure that your driver can easily and safely access the delivery point and that all potential hazards on driveways, walkways and in the yard have been eliminated.

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Conclusion

Take advantage of these tips to make sure that your home heating oil deliveries are always smooth and easy. For first-rate service and heating oil at competitive prices, call Point Bay Fuel right now.

We additionally perform heating system maintenance and repairs for improving the overall functionality and efficiency of your home heating equipment. Get in touch with Point Bay Fuel for all of your home heating requirements.

Call Today: (732) 349-5059

Contact us now by calling (732) 349-5059 to speak to one of our home comfort specialists!

 

The post Tips For Making Home Heating Oil Deliveries Easy During The Winter appeared first on Point Bay Fuel.

Monday, January 14, 2019

Common Issues Your Furnace Can Experience

HVAC serviceIf you don’t have your furnace checked and maintained regularly, it is at risk of breaking down. Even if your heater is relatively new and it is a great brand, it is still at risk.

Several issues can occur if you fail to have your system maintained. These include:

  • persistent noises
  • inadequate heat in the home
  • poor air quality
  • discolored pilot light

The issues that can stem from a malfunctioning heating system can be dangerous as well, some of which include a carbon monoxide leak. If your heating system is malfunctioning, it can create a health or safety hazard in the home. Therefore, it is a good idea to know the causes and signs of some heating system issues so you know when to call a professional HVAC contractor for help.

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Furnace Repair Beachwood NJ: Common Issues Your Furnace Can Experience

In this article, we discuss a few common furnace issues that you should look out for.

Dirty Or Clogged HVAC Air Filter

dirty HVAC filterOver time, the air filter in your furnace can get clogged or dirty. If this happens, it can reduce the airflow. It can also put more wear and tear on the furnace. This problem will cause it to work harder which will decrease its overall lifespan. To keep this from happening, you should change your air filter every month. Also, you should schedule an annual cleaning with a certified HVAC tech.

Common Thermostat Issues You May Experience

If your thermostat is not functioning correctly, it can cause heating issues in the home. A few common thermostat issues include incorrect calibration, mismatched components, wiring issues, and dust and debris build up. If your thermostat is old or if the wiring is faulty, the connection between the thermostat and the furnace could be broken. If you have a defective heat anticipator, your heater will begin to short cycle. Because many things could be causing your thermostat to malfunction, you should not try to troubleshoot the problem on your own. Instead, you should call a certified HVAC tech to get to the root of the problem and make the necessary repairs.

Cracked Heater Exchanger: Causes & Problems

gas furnaceThe heat exchanger consists of a passageway and a metal chamber. This part of the furnace is responsible for separating the combustion process from the interior of your home. This part is essential in keeping your home free of carbon monoxide. Over time, the thin metal cover on the exchanger can crack. If this occurs, you are going to have issues with your furnace.

In most cases, it will keep your furnace from blowing hot air to heat your home. It can also create a carbon monoxide leak that can be deadly. To be sure this doesn’t happen, you should have your furnace inspected before the heating season begins. If the HVAC contractor finds a leak, the heater exchange can be replaced.

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Symptoms Of Blower Motor Issues

If you have a forced air HVAC system, it will contain a blower that circulates the heated air. Without routine maintenance, the blower motor can malfunction. There are a few reasons why this can occur.

  • Dirt Accumulation: Over time, dirt and debris can build up in the blower motor causing it to stop working.
  • Mechanical Failure: If there is a mechanical failure, the blower motor will stop working. The bearings can wear out which will cause a malfunction. If the switch is worn out, the blower motor will run continuously. This will cause the system to circulate cold air. If the belt drive is worn out, it will make it difficult for the blower to start up. These are all things that can be caught during a routine maintenance check.
  • Electrical Failure: Few types of electrical failures can cause the blower motor to fail. If there isn’t enough voltage going to the capacitor, it can also create an electrical malfunction. This problem isn’t something that you can or should try to fix on your own. It takes the skills and knowledge of an HVAC contractor to find what is causing the problem and then fix it.

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Conclusion

Some of the issues that can occur with your HVAC system are apparent. If you suspect that there is a problem, you should call an HVAC tech. Other problems aren’t as easily seen. For this reason, it is essential to have your system maintained annually. Doing so will prevent an inconvenient breakdown.

When trying to find a reputable HVAC company, you should contact Point Bay Fuel. We offer a variety of heating system services that will ensure that your system is always running efficiently and adequately.

Furnace maintenance is essential in keeping your heating costs down this winter. When you schedule a tune-up appointment with Point Bay Fuel, you can be sure that all minor issues are repaired. Since regular maintenance will prevent a complete breakdown on one of the coldest days of the year, you should make scheduling an appointment your priority. It will also avoid expensive repair costs. To schedule an appointment, give us a call today.

Call Today: (732) 349-5059

Some of the areas that we service include Bayville, Beachwood, Ocean Gate, Toms River and these zip codes 08721, 08722, 08740, 08753 as well as all surrounding areas in Ocean County, New Jersey.

Contact us now by calling (732) 349-5059 to speak to one of our home comfort specialists!

 

The post Common Issues Your Furnace Can Experience appeared first on Point Bay Fuel.

Monday, January 7, 2019

Your Heating System & The Dangers Of Carbon Monoxide

CO leak and furnace repairWhen the temperature outside drops, you rely on your heating system to keep your home comfortable. As long as the house is warm, most people don’t think much about their heating systems.

While it may appear that your heating system is working properly, you should understand that there could be an underlying deadly risk. If carbon monoxide is leaking from your heating system, it can be deadly to anyone exposed to it for long periods of time. What’s worse, if there is a carbon monoxide leak, you might not know about it until it is too late.

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Heating System Repair Brick NJ: The Effects Of Carbon Monoxide

Most people know that carbon monoxide is deadly; however, many people don’t know how dangerous it really is. Each year, about 200,000 people in the United States end up in the emergency room due to carbon monoxide exposure. Of those people, 400 die due to unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning because they didn’t take the proper precautions.
Carbon monoxide poisoning is very dangerous. At first, there are no symptoms. The gas is odorless, tasteless, and colorless. This makes it impossible to know that you are being exposed. When a person is exposed, going to the emergency room is the only way to save their life.

How To Avoid A Carbon Monoxide Leak In Your Heating System

HVAC contractor and heating systemBy taking proper precautions, carbon monoxide exposure can be greatly reduced. The best way to keep everyone in the home safe is to have your boiler or furnace maintained and inspected every year. When this is done correctly, there is no chance of carbon monoxide being released into the home.

If there is a crack in the combustion chamber, if the exhaust piping is compromised, or if the combustion process isn’t functioning properly, your heater can leak carbon monoxide. The older your heating system is, there is a higher chance of a carbon monoxide leak.

When you have your heating system checked annually, it can prevent problems before they become major ones. It takes just a very short time for a heating expert to check for leaks and to make sure that the carbon monoxide is being exhausted outside correctly. Regular checks can also help save you money on your heating costs. Even if a carbon monoxide leak isn’t found, there could be issues that are causing your system to work less efficiently than it should. Since heating bills can be expensive, annual checkups are essential.

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Safety CO Detectors Usually Work

carbon monoxide detectorHaving your heating system inspected and tuned up isn’t the only thing you should do to protect your family from carbon monoxide poisoning. It is essential that you have a functional, properly-installed carbon monoxide detector in your home. This is especially true if you live in a cold climate where you need to use your heating system often. These detectors are easy to install, and they run on batteries that only need to be changed at daylight savings time.

There is a downfall of carbon monoxide. These detectors cannot detect small levels of carbon monoxide. They will only alert when there is a great deal of the gas inside the house. Since exposure to just a small level of carbon monoxide over long periods of time can be dangerous, your detector might not help. For additional protection, you should put multiple carbon monoxide detectors around your home. The key is proper placement. You should put one carbon monoxide detector close to your heating system. You should also have at least one detector on each floor of the home.

If your carbon monoxide alarm goes off, you should get out of the house immediately. When you are outside, you should call 911. Not only will first responders help to clear the building, but they will also be able to see if anyone in the house is showing any signs of exposure.

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Final Thoughts

Heating systems are essential during the winter. However, carbon monoxide poses a huge risk if you don’t have your unit properly maintained. When you have your unit inspected each year, you will have peace of mind that you will be safe this winter.
If you haven’t had your heating system maintained this year, contact the professionals at Point Bay Fuel. We have been in business since 1906, and we take pride in providing reliable, affordable, and trustworthy service.

Point Bay Fuel provide a variety of services including heater maintenance, heater system repair, and installation. When you look us up, be sure to check out our fuel delivery service as well.

Call Now: (732) 349-5059

Some of the areas we service include Allenwood, Brick, Lakewood, Toms River, and these zip codes: 08720,08723,08701,08753, as well as all surrounding areas in Ocean County, New Jersey.

Contact us now by calling (732) 349-5059 to speak to one of our home comfort specialists!

 

The post Your Heating System & The Dangers Of Carbon Monoxide appeared first on Point Bay Fuel.

Wednesday, January 2, 2019

Why Is It Hotter Upstairs Than Downstairs?

cold downstairs and hot upstairs in homeIf it were a perfect world, all the rooms in every building would be heated at the same temperature at all times. However, in reality, areas of a building that in the upper levels are typically much warmer than rooms in the lower level. For example, you may notice that in your home, it is cooler downstairs than upstairs. Below is some information about why this is the case and steps you can take to resolve the problem:

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HVAC Company Beachwood NJ: How To Maintain Even Temperatures In Your Home

Because freezing temperatures are not uncommon during winter, it is essential to have your heating system serviced before the coldest months of the year. Cleaning the air ducts is essential as well. Also, to boost the performance and efficiency of your heating system, you should replace air filters on a regular basis.

Regular furnace tune-ups improve your indoor air quality as well. You should only hire qualified HVAC technicians with plenty of industry experience to maintain your furnace. Never attempt to make repairs on your own without the help of a professional.

Your heating system works to keep the indoor temperature of your home comfortable during winter. For this reason, it is vital that you implement the appropriate measures to make sure both your upstairs and downstairs have an even level of heat.

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Why Temperatures In Your Home Differentiate

The Warm Air Rises To Your Second Story

hvac ductsIf your home’s ductwork is poorly designed and not appropriately sized, the required airflow will not reach all of the rooms evenly. If the ducts that connect to your home’s upper levels are bigger than those in the lower levels, the majority of warm air will travel upstairs, and this leads to uneven temperatures in your home.

You Possibly Have Improper Ductwork Sizing

When your heating system heats the cold air, the volume of the air increases. Therefore, its density decreases. This process results in warm air being pushed in an upward direction as it is displaced by cold air. If your home features different levels, it is normal for the hottest air to rise to the highest levels of your house. This reason is why it is hotter upstairs than it is downstairs.

Your Thermostat Is In An Improper Location

adjusting thermostatYour thermostat is necessary to switch the furnace on and off at the appropriate times. If the room temperature goes below the desired level, the thermostat initiates the heating cycle.

Because thermostats are typically found in the living room, they are not always efficient in controlling the temperature of upstairs rooms. For example, if the bedroom on the second level of your home has already met the appropriate temperature, but the temperature in the living room drops, the thermostat clicks on, and the furnace raises the overall temperature, thus pushing your bedroom into a higher than desired temperature.

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Best Ways To Maintain An Even Temperature In Your Home

Point-Bay-Fuel-LogoMulti-zone heating can assist you to keep all the rooms of your home at an even temperature. However, this means that various zones in your home will require individual thermostats. This is the best way to make sure that chillier rooms can be heated independently when temperatures drop, without making rooms that are already at the desired temperature too hot.

Although installing this type of heating system can eliminate an uneven temperature in your home, it is essential to have the system installed by an HVAC contractor. They can inspect the system and uncover any issues that require attention. Once they identify these problems, the HVAC professional can make the appropriate repairs or replacements. This way, they can make sure your heating system works efficiently this winter.

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Conclusion

Make sure you contact Point Bay Fuel for all of your heating system needs. Our team of NATE-certified contractors has the skills and experience to find the most appropriate, cost-effective and practical ways to maintain a balanced temperature throughout your home at all times.

We offer top-notch HVAC services. Our top priority is to make sure your furnace functions as energy-efficient as possible. This way, it can provide optimum comfort in your home.

We also offer fuel oil deliveries that are fast and affordable. You can choose from a variety of delivery plans including COD delivery, automatic delivery, discount heating oil and more. We also offer different financing options so that you can customize a fuel delivery service that works best for you.

Schedule a free consultation by calling Point Bay Fuel today.

Call Today: (732) 349-5059

Some of the areas that we service include Bayville, Beachwood, Ocean Gate, Toms River and these zip codes 08721, 08722, 08740, 08753 as well as all surrounding areas in Ocean County, New Jersey.

Contact us now by calling (732) 349-5059 to speak to one of our home comfort specialists!

 

The post Why Is It Hotter Upstairs Than Downstairs? appeared first on Point Bay Fuel.