Sounds bizarre right? Why would anyone buy heating oil in the middle of the summer when it is hot outside? You only buy it when you need it, correct? Not so fast.

There are a couple reasons why yo should buy heating oil in the summer. You know the saying “the early bird gets the worm”? Well, it applies here too.

Availability

Heating oil is a very popular way to heat households. Over 5.7 millions homes use heating oil. Blizzards and ice storms can interrupt the flow of heating oil in the winter time. It is a fact of life. By buying heating oil now, you can ensure that it is taken care of now and avoid the hassle of any shortages that may occur in the winter. Being prepared always makes life easier down the road. Having a full tank of heating oil going into the fall months is an example of excellent preparedness.

Price

Heating oil prices are often at their best in the summertime when demand is low. That is how the free market economy works. As demand rises, so do the prices. You can actually save a few bucks by getting the tank filled during the “off-season”.

You can call our office at any time to discuss the current price of heating oil. We are here for your heating and cooling needs.

In this article we will go over some common Air Conditioning Problems people experience with their AC systems. It is important to be mindful of the system that can make or break your comfort levels this summer.

Refrigerant Leak

Does your air conditioner seem to be cycling on and off more frequently than it used to? This can be a sign of a refrigerant leak.

The refrigerant is the liquid that your system uses to cool the air by passing it through coils and compressing it. As the liquid compresses or decompresses it will either adsorb heat or disperse heat. But if there is not enough coolant in the closed system then your unit must work harder to make up for the difference.

Malfunctioning Thermostat

This is a problem many people don’t realize they have until they have already started replacing or trying to “fix” other parts of the unit. It is important to remember that a thermostat is just another piece of equipment and it can go bad at any time. This can result in everything from faulty readings to your system not running when it should, hence causing uncomfortable temperatures.

Dirty Filter

We all know that the filter needs to be clean to allow air to pass through the cooling system. But, this fact can slip our mind if we are preoccupied with other aspects of our lives. Having a relatively clean filter is very important to the function of an AC unit. And if you are worried about the cost of replacing it often, just be assured that a clean filter will pay for itself in the long run, many times over.

The newer generation of thermostats allow the user to program them far in advance. Many of them can even be connected to an app on your phone. You can program the thermostat to cool (or heat) the house only when you are expected to be there.  Let’s say you keep your house at 75 degrees in summer. You can program the thermostat to allow it to raise the temperature to 82 degrees between 9:30 am -4:30 pm and then start cooling again before you are expected home at 5:00 pm. This same logic can apply to heating the home in winter.

On weekends, a person can program the thermostat to always stay on. The person can also plan for Holidays when they know they will be home all day or away for the weekend. Studies have found this type of energy savings will save you 10% on your heating & cooling bill. That is basically like saying you get a month or so of free cooling or heating.

A brand new digital thermostat can cost as little as $20 on Amazon. The better ones complete with app management may run a bit more but are well worth it in the long run.

We have all read the temperature suggestions from various sources over the years. Many of them recommend 68 degrees in the winter and 78 degrees in the summer. I have found that rarely do people’s personal preference actually match up to those numbers. The best advice is to keep the temperature whatever you like but make sure the heating and cooling devices get a rest while you are away. After all, saving money is the ultimate incentive for any family.

Spring may not fully have sprung yet, but before you know it the cool and mild temperatures of spring will have come and gone and we will be into the heat of summer. What better time to check your AC system to make sure it is fully functioning. If it is broken, we would be happy to fix it for you. Just contact us at 434-845-0971.

Here are some AC tips that you should consider before firing up that Air Conditioner this summer.

1. Check the ducts for damage. Take a look at your duct work. If there is damage to it, you could be losing valuable cold air and the price of your electric bill will increase for sure.
2. Check the vents. Make sure vents are clear of clutter. Make sure nothing is blocking them.
3. Look at your thermostat. Is it functioning properly? Is it very old? It may be time for a new thermostat.
4. Check the drain line. There is a drain line that drains condensation from the cooling coils (inside unit). If this drain is damaged or blocked, this can cause major problems down the road.
5. Change your air filter. Even if the filter isn’t that dirty, if it has been sitting all winter, it could definitely stand to be changed. Get a new filter for as little as 5 bucks.
6. Check your circuits.  Make sure they are working and electricity it getting to the unit(s).
7. Clean the outdoor evaporator coil. This is a very important step. The metallic brushing around your fan can collect dirt over time. If they get clogged then your fan has to work harder to blow away heat from the evaporator coil. Not only that, your entire unit can malfunction because of an overheating outdoor unit. Make sure to take a garden hose and thoroughly spray the dirt from the external casing of the outdoor unit.
8. Visibly check the lines going into and out of the external unit. If you see corrosion or damage, the piece probably needs replacing.

These quick tips can help you run into major problems down the road when you really need that cold air to fight 90 degree heat. Think of this like a checklist that a pilot uses before he or she starts up their plane engine.