1. Verify that all thermostats are set to heat

2. Verify that thermostats are set 5 degrees higher than the current room temperature

3. Verify that all electrical circuit breakers are on

4. Verify that the system’s power switches are on - these are usually located at the top of the basement stairs and on the unit itself

5. Verify that your propane tank is at least 1/8 full

6. If all the above are true, reset your system by holding down the red reset button on the heating system for 5 seconds. The system should automatically start within 10 seconds

A propane gas leak in your home smells like rotten eggs (for your safety, a strong odorant is added to propane so you can detect a leak). Make sure your family knows the odor, and what to do if they smell it (see below). We also highly recommend that you install safety measures in your home, such as propane leak and carbon monoxide detectors, for further precaution.

1. Extinguish smoking materials and other open flames

2. DO NOT turn light switches, appliances or thermostats on or off, and DO NOT use the telephone. An electric spark could ignite the gas

3. Quickly get everyone out of the building

4. Close all gas tank or cylinder supply valves

5. Call 911 from a neighbor’s phone, or remain outside and use your cell phone

6. Stay outside until the problem has been corrected

1. Lift the cover on the top of the propane tank that fuels your generator

2. Locate the gauge on the top of the tank

3. The gauge reads as a percentage of volume you have in your tank - 80% is considered a full tank

In an emergency, it may be necessary to turn off your propane tank off to shut off the supply to your home.

1. Lift the top cover on the tank

2. Locate the valve on the top of the tank

3. Turn the valve clockwise until you cannot turn it anymore

1. Verify that all thermostats are set to heat

2. Verify that thermostats are set 5 degrees higher than the current room temperature

3. Verify that the system’s power switches are on - these are usually located at the top of the basement stairs and on the unit itself

4. Verify that your oil tank is at least 1/8 full

5. If you have forced hot air, verify that your air filter is not blocked

6. If all the above are true, reset your system by holding down the red reset button on the heating system for 5 seconds. The system should automatically start within 10 seconds

If your heating system is working properly, you should not smell oil in your home.

An oil smell could come from a leak, combustion or burner troubles, heat exchanger failure or exhaust system problems. Contact us and a Technical Expert will correct the problem.

Home heating oil is not flammable—if a person dropped a match into a tank of heating oil, it would go out as if it were dropped into water. Before home heating oil can burn, your furnace’s nozzle must vaporize the oil as it enters the fire chamber. Homeowners can rest assured that their family and property are safe when they heat their home with oil.

Yes! A new oil-fired heating system can reduce your energy consumption by as much as 40 percent!

No! Working with a fuel-burning system is a job for a licensed professional. For the sake of your safety, do not attempt to fix propane equipment yourself. Contact us for any service or repairs.

A boiler uses hot water (think of boiling water) to heat your home, and a furnace uses warm air, also referred to as forced air.

The standards for energy efficiency are set by the U.S. Department of Energy with either a HSPF or AFUE rating assigned to every piece of heating equipment.

HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor) is how the heating efficiency of heat pumps are rated; the higher the HSPF, the more efficient the units are.

AFUE (Average Fuel Utilization Efficiency) is the measurement of efficiency for gas- and oil-fired heating equipment. The rating is shown as a percentage indicating how much fuel is used to heat a house – and how much is wasted. The higher the percentage, the better the efficiency.

All equipment has a lifespan - 13 to 20 years for boilers/furnaces, 7 to 13 years for water heaters, 10 to 20 years for oil tanks, and 20 to 30 years for propane tanks.

Regular maintenance is critical to keeping your system working at peak efficiency, which can help you save money on your monthly utility bills, prevent breakdowns, and extend the lifespan of your system.

1. Verify that all thermostats are set to cool

2. Verify that thermostats are set 5 degrees below the current room temperature

3. Verify that all electrical circuit breakers are on

4. Verify that all furnace and air handler switches are turned on

5. Check for any signs of ice on the outside unit. If there is ice, turn the unit off - the ice must melt before a Technical Expert can be sent to the home

It is recommended that A/C filters be changed once a month during peak cooling months. You are able to change filters yourself. If you do not know how, ask your Technical Expert during their next visit.

The standards for energy efficiency are set by the U.S. Department of Energy with a SEER rating assigned to every piece of A/C equipment. The higher the SEER, the greater the efficiency.

On very hot days, it will take several hours to cool a house, and during these days, it is beneficial to leave the A/C running in order for the system to keep up with the daytime heat. On moderate days, the temperature can be raised in your home by four or five degrees while you are away.

All equipment has a lifespan - about 10 years for your central A/C system.

Regular maintenance is critical to keeping your system working at peak efficiency, which can help you save money on your monthly utility bills, prevent breakdowns, and extend the lifespan of your system.

There are many benefits to adding a propane monitor to your tank at this time of year. Your propane fireplace will be roaring and let’s not forget about all the cooking!

Thanks to the additional guests at your home, you’ll see swings in the usage of your propane. A monitor on a smaller propane tank or one that gets used sporadically can provide peace of mind when you’re busy entertaining. When you’re getting low, we’ll get a notification and be right over!

All our service plans include an annual service check to provide regular maintenance on your equipment. From oil or gas (propane/natural gas) heat service plans to your central A/C or ductless units, a visit from our licensed Technical Experts will diagnose any problems and get you ready for a healthy year of usage.

Many people think they need to have their A/C maintained in the spring and their heat in the fall, but truthfully, all that matters is that it’s done once a year. Call us today to get all your maintenance needs on the schedule for 2024!