Major Differences Between Heating Oil & Natural Gas

Heating fuel determines much of the behavior of a heating system. This is usually the primary consideration when choosing an HVAC unit.

Your choice of heating fuel…

will have a massive impact on your monthly bills, comfort level, and overall safety. In this article, we will discuss the differences between natural gas and heating oil.

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Financing And Sourcing Option

Natural gas tends to be sourced from a single company. With this kind of setup, customers have limited options when it comes to service packages and everything else. However, this is not a problem for those that choose fuel oil since there are lots of sources for this fuel. There is greater variance from one company to the next. You can really customize your experience and get better deals if you shop around.

Get a delivery schedule that works for you. Find a fuel delivery company that can offer good financing options. Essentially, it is important that you find a company that is known for fast, reliable, and affordable high quality heating oil deliveries.

Ecological Stress

There are plenty of myths surrounding these fuels. Many assume that natural gas is better for the environment because of the things they heard from other people. The name itself suggests a more benign heating source. Anything natural should be good, right? Not always, as it turns out.

Natural gas is actually considered as the more destructive of the two because of its composition. The main ingredient is methane which is known to contribute to global warming. Methane is up to 25 times worse than carbon dioxide when it comes to climate change as per the EPA. Heating oil is more ecologically sound, especially if you use blends with biodiesel that result in sulfur-free fuel. The overall contributions to particulate emissions is less than half of a percent. This is a far cry from competing heating fuels that scientists warn us about. So, when it comes to heating oil vs. natural gas, fuel oil is far more environmentally friendly than natural gas.

Efficiency

Heating systems of all types have improved tremendously over the past decades. This means that they can convert the same amount of fuel into a greater amount of heat so you don’t have to use up as much to warm the house. Using heating oil provides homeowners with the option for energy efficient heating. New models of boilers and oil furnaces are particularly impressive. Their AFUE rating can reach and even exceed 95%. They are also easy to repair and maintain so the cost of ownership is much lower. A study estimated that a new oil furnace can provide homeowners with 40% savings. They can also last longer while causing less headaches along the way.

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Safety

Another thing to consider is the volatility of the fuel.

Natural gas explodes when there is a leak and a source of ignition.

In this type of situation, fire consumes the house and the people inside and around the home are put in a dangerous situation. That is why it would be prudent to check for leaks periodically if you depend on natural gas. This is not a concern when you use heating oil to heat your home. Heating oil does not explode so the family is kept safe. You don’t have to be on constant high alert when it comes to the pipes and equipment. There is no need to spend money and effort on gas leak inspections or gas detectors.

Price

Oil heat prices tend to be cheaper…

when you compare home heating oil prices to natural gas costs in many parts of the US. This is no doubt partly due to the abundance of crude oil sources. There are a large amount of oil deposits still waiting to be captured which ensures a continued supply. This is different for natural gas consumers who have to deal with interruptibles when the demand is high and supplies are lacking.

Homes that use heating oil have enjoyed low prices for decades and the trend is likely to continue for the future. Since natural gas is not as abundant and shortages do occur, prices tend to go up as well. With the steady demand of natural gas, homeowners usually need to find alternative heating sources if they do not want to pay inflated prices.

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Home Heating Oil Raritan NJ

The majority of US households depend on either heating oil or natural gas. The advantages of the first makes it much more appealing to consumers.

When looking for heating oil companies near me, be sure to choose Skylands Energy. We offer highly competitive prices with exceptional delivery services. You can count on us to deliver your fuel safely, quickly, and professionally. We offer discount heating oil and well as automatic delivery service. Skylands Energy also has NATE certified contractors on staff. We offer a full line of HVAC services. Our experienced contractors can fully maintain your system to ensure energy efficient operation and improved comfort levels in your home. We are your one stop shop for your home comfort. Be sure to contact us today to schedule a delivery or to schedule a heating system tune-up.

Call For Service: (908) 707-1776

Some of the areas we service include: Bridgewater, Flagtown, Raritan, Somerville and these zip codes: 08807, 08821, 08869, 08876 as well as all surrounding areas in Somerset County, New Jersey.

Contact us now at (908) 707-1776 to find out more!

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Are You Feeling Grateful For Your HVAC System This Thanksgiving?

With the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday knocking on our door, it’s time to share about things we feel grateful for. Each of us has so many blessings in our lives that sometimes we forget about the little things, like our home’s HVAC system.

Throughout the year our home’s heating and cooling system works hard, making us feel nice and comfortable inside. This is especially true when there are extreme temperatures outside. In this article, we will discuss some of the things that your heater and AC system do for you and what you can do to return the favor.

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Why You Should Feel Grateful For Your HVAC System

It Provides Comfort

Your home’s HVAC system is responsible for heating and cooling your home. This is something you probably don’t give much thought to until you experience a power outage or a maintenance issue with it. Once this happens, we become grateful for the system keeping us warm in the winter and cool in the summer. When it’s not there, you will most certainly miss it.

It Cleans Our Air

Something more that our home’s HVAC system does for us is keeping the air inside our homes clean. This is thanks to the filter inside of the heater or air conditioner. These filters help clean the dust, dirt, and other allergens from our home’s air. In doing so, the HVAC system’s filter helps prevent respiratory issues so that we and our families stay healthy.

It Operates Efficiently

It’s important for your HVAC system to run efficiently so that your home’s energy costs don’t skyrocket. Considering how costly home maintenance is, this is important. Maintenance is a small price to pay for reduced energy costs and clean air. Also, many HVAC systems now come with an Energy Star label, meaning that they are more energy efficient than ever. Of course, we must do our part to make this happen.

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Showing Your HVAC System Your Gratefulness

There are some things that you can do in order to show your HVAC system that you feel grateful for all it does for you and your family. This starts with you scheduling regular tune-ups by one of your local heating and air conditioning companies and changing the filter on a regular basis too. These small things help your HVAC system run more efficiently. With this in mind, you should know that the little things your heater or A/C unit needs include:

• Filters changed regularly
• Keeping your outdoor unit clean
• Checking to make sure there aren’t any leaks in your ducts
• Having your vents cleaned
• Maintaining a clean house
• Doing your part to make sure you have an energy efficient home
• Scheduling a yearly tune-up

 

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General wear and tear are bound to occur with your HVAC system considering how much you and your family use and depend on it. The cost of maintaining an efficient system is little in comparison to this. It’s also important to understand that the better you treat your home’s HVAC system the more efficiently it runs. This maintenance also ensures that you have better indoor air quality. This means that everyone in your home is healthier, just like your HVAC system is. As always, be sure to contact reputable heating and air conditioning contractors in your area.

HVAC Contractor Raritan NJ

Taking the time to show your HVAC system that you’re grateful for all it does for you throughout the year is beneficial to everyone and everything involved. You can actually think of these things as giving your HVAC system a kind of spa treatment because they help keep it from working too hard. Another benefit here is that when your HVAC system is given a spa treatment you benefit. It works much more efficiently and it also improves your indoor air quality.

When looking for heating and cooling contractors near me, be sure to contact Skylands Energy. From our many HVAC contractor reviews, you can see that our services are skilled, affordable, and friendly. We offer many different home comfort services including heating and cooling system maintenance, installations, and repairs. We also deliver home heating oil, kerosene, and coal. Take advantage of all the services that we can do for you. Call our office today to schedule an appointment.

Call Now: (908) 707-1776

Some of the areas we service include: Bridgewater, Flagtown, Raritan, Somerville and these zip codes: 08807, 08821, 08869, 08876 as well as all surrounding areas in Somerset County, New Jersey.

Contact us now at (908) 707-1776 to find out more!

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Is It Time To Replace Your Heating System?

A lot of homeowners are unsure if their furnace should be repaired or replaced when something goes wrong. They are often torn between heating system replacement cost and the advantages to be gained from doing so. The US Department of Energy says that the typical furnace will outlive its usefulness and efficiency within 20 years. If that sounds like your heater, then it is likely time to have it upgraded. Although it is true that this can be expensive, you will gain a number of benefits.

When you replace your outdated heating system…

you will see that your energy costs decline and the comfort of your home increases. Also, there will be no need to worry about a furnace breakdown during the coldest part of winter.

At Skylands Energy, we offer affordable heating system replacements. Raritan NJ and surrounding area homeowners, sometimes, are not even aware when it is time to replace their heater. Many are not aware of this fact until a much needed heating system fails in the depths of winter. You can avoid such situations by understanding the clear signals your heater is demonstrating. The purpose of this article is to enlighten you on the telltale signs to look for.

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Frequent Repairs

One good indicator that it is time to replace your heater is frequent repairs. Honestly, if you spend 50% of what it costs to replace your heating system, you should consider a replacement. If you do decide to repair your unit, make certain to hire a reputable HVAC company for the job.

It is not unusual for some homeowners to repeatedly have their heater repaired without even considering furnace replacement. They may have already spent more that the costs of upgrading the equipment, and that makes no sense. When the frequent cost for repairs comes anywhere close to the expense of replacing your heating system, maybe you should start shopping around for a new one. In fact, a truly reliable HVAC company should recommend an upgrade anyhow if you call them out for repairs frequently.

Enormous Heating Costs

If you are questioning whether or not your 20 year old furnace is efficient, remember that heaters do lose much of their efficiency as they age. The DOE has actually determined that the energy efficiency (annual energy utilization efficiency) of the typical heater drops to about 78% when it reaches 20 years of use. This is true even when it is maintained properly. The AFUE is a system of measuring heating unit efficiency. For example,  a furnace with an 80% AFUE wastes 20% of the energy it uses to heat your home. Also, it uses 80% of the energy to heat your home. Therefore, the higher the AFUE rating, the more efficient a heater is.

It is important to note that as the AFUE of your furnace drops, your heating costs go up.

For you to keep your heating costs as low as possible and increase its stability, have a professional HVAC technician replace it with a new one when it gets old and inefficient. This will increase its AFUE to between 93% and 97%. Until it is time to replace your furnace, be sure that you schedule annual tune-ups to optimize its energy efficiency and performance.

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Old Age

A study conducted by the Bank of America and the NAHB (National Association of Home Builders) shows that the average heating system lasts from 15 to 20 years. It pointed out that baseboards used for hot water radiators last from 13 to 21 years.

You can determine the age or your heater in a variety of ways. Some installation technicians write the date it was installed right on the unit. It is even possible to contact the manufacturer with the serial and model number of the unit for a specific date of manufacture and when it was registered.

Yellow Burner Flame

Gas furnaces, that are properly functioning, will have a blue flame with hints of yellow at the tips and inner core. However, heaters that are inefficient produce flames that are mostly yellow. With systems like these, high levels of carbon monoxide are being emitted. The big problem here is that it can cause your family to suffer from carbon monoxide poisoning. This is why you should immediately call a professional HVAC company when you notice the flame has changed from blue to yellow. They will inspect the unit and recommend further action.

Here are other signs of carbon monoxide.

• Water leakage
• Pipe corrosion
• Soot formation around the heater
• Excess amounts of condensation forming on cold spots

It is always best to install carbon monoxide detectors to monitor for high levels throughout your home. The most important areas are within 10 feet of every bedroom. You should also ensure that your furnace is operating properly by having it serviced by a licensed HVAC technician annually.

 

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Uneven Temperatures

An issue is occurring with your heating system when you have to continually adjust the thermostat to help maintain indoor comfort levels. This is not unusual for units that have surpassed 20 years of use. If you are experiencing this, it is likely time to consider upgrading your heating system. Of course, frequent thermostat changes can indicate the fault is with the thermostat itself. However, this could still mean that the heater has outlived its efficient lifespan.

Heating System Replacement Raritan NJ

Skylands Energy offers heating system installations, heater maintenance, and heater repairs throughout Central Jersey. If you are a homeowner or business owner in the area, be sure to give us a call. Our NATE certified HVAC contractors can properly install a new heating system that matches your heating needs. Call us today to schedule a free estimate.

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Some of the areas we service include: Bridgewater, Flagtown, Raritan, Somerville and these zip codes: 08807, 08821, 08869, 08876 as well as all surrounding areas in Somerset County, New Jersey.

Skylands Energy partners with reputable brands like Thermo Pride, Heil, and Mitsubishi. These brands are some of the highest rated HVAC equipment in the industry. By being an authorized dealer for high quality brands like these, you know that, by hiring us, you are working with some of best heating and cooling contractors available. To learn more about Thermo Pride, click here. To learn more about Heil, click here. Learn more about our Mitsubishi product line by clicking here.

Contact us now at (908) 707-1776 to find out more!

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How To Get Heating Energy Efficiency & Save Dollars This Winter

What is your goal for saving on your annual energy bill? Do you want to pay a certain percentage less on a particular bill or do you just want to knock off a certain amount overall per year? Say for instance this past summer, how much money do you think you’d have liked to pay less than what you did? With that amount in mind, what things do you think you could have done in terms of utilizing your air conditioner better you keep some extra dollars in your pocket? While you might not be able to get those dollars back, you still have time to plan for the colder months ahead.

When planning for fall and winter…

you certainly want to make your heating system perform as efficiently as possible. In this article, we will show you how to use less energy, save more money, and do your part to save the planet by reducing your carbon footprint, all at the same time! With winter fast approaching, Skylands Energy is here to offer heater tune-ups to Bridgewater NJ and surrounding area residents. This service caters to those who are interested in using their heating systems efficiently and in a way that saves them money. Also, this helps those who want to pay less, but it also helps those who want to achieve an enhanced level of comfort. This service ensures the best performance from your heater during this time of the year.

Below, you will find the top tips for getting a better working heater system to help you achieve greater energy efficiency in your home this fall and winter.

 

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Seal The Big And Small Gaps In Your Home

In order to gain energy efficiency at home, there’s a need to stop energy loss. In other words, you must keep heated air indoors. Invest time in discovering holes or gaps (such as those around window frames and doors). Seal off these gaps so they do not allow heated air to exit. This small DIY job will cost at most $20. But here’s the good part – this simple DIY task can save you as much as 20% on your energy fall/winter energy bill. The best time to do this in the fall when temperatures are starting to drop.

 

Repack Or Reinforce The Insulation

The walls of your home are conductors for heat and cold. They allow each to pass in and out.

If your insulation has lost its original thickness…

this leaves room for heat to flow out. You lose significant heat to the outside as it passes through the exterior walls.

In order to lose less energy in this way, you can reinforce the insulation where it is needed. Add some to the main exterior walls as well as places such as the basement, attic and crawlspace. Think of using the services of a HVAC professional to get this done properly.

Give Your Heater A Tune-up

You’ll be depending on your heater heavily to keep you toasty warm during the cold season. This makes it critical to verify that it is in optimal working condition. A tune-up for your heater should be done around this time. As a matter of fact, property owners are expected to do furnace maintenance annually in order to ensure a well functioning heater for the general safety of building occupants.

During heater maintenance, a licensed technician will carefully clean burners and internal components. He will adjust them to the correct settings to ensure the combustion efficiency of the heating oil or other heating fuel. The heater’s air filters are also replaced to accommodate a smooth flow or air. The fan belt tension is checked and repaired as needed. All this can be accomplished by a competent HVAC company so that your gas or heating oil systems are operating at maximum levels this winter.

Some homeowners are concerned about the furnace tune-up cost. In actuality, doing a regular heater tune-up service will pay off in efficiency and comfort dividends in the long run. Homeowners also prevent from spending way more in repairs or replacement of the entire unit.

They need not worry, because a furnace tune-up checklist is very thorough and involves a range of tasks including those mentioned above. Ideally, it is a good idea to schedule a tune-up service for your heater every fall.

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Turn The Thermostat Down

During fall and winter, some days are less cold than others. Also, there might be less people (or no people) in the house at one time. During times like these, you don’t have to keep the thermostat at the optimal level. For example, you can adjust the thermostat to approximately 10 degrees below the normal temperature setting when leaving the house. Then, reset the thermostat to the optimal temperature when you return. This can also be done when going to bed, as your blankets and bedding will add to your body’s warmth. A more efficient way to achieve these thermostat changes is to install a programmable thermostat. You can make your home more energy efficient and save a lot of money on energy costs over time with these temperature adjustments.

Add Back Moisture To The Air

A great habit to develop to conserve your heat energy in the cold season is to add some moisture to the rooms of your home. This season is known for air moisture loss. This means that you will be inhaling more dry air. Doing this is quite uncomfortable as your nostrils and lungs try to deal with moisture-less air. In terms of energy efficiency, dry air is a poor heat conductor, and is a threat to optimal air quality.

One easy and inexpensive way to treat dry air and lessen the strain on your heating system is to install a humidifier. This will improve the air quality circulating in the room by adding back the needed moisture.

Heater Tune-up Bridgewater NJ

When looking for a furnace tune-up near me, be sure to contact Skylands Energy. Our NATE certified HVAC contractors have what it takes to tune-up your heater.

Our furnace tune-up ensures that your system will perform…

as energy efficiently as possible. Also, scheduling a service like this ensures that you will feel much more comfortable. Pay less this winter while staying warm and cozy in your home. Call us today to schedule an appointment.

Call Now: (908) 707-1776

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We service Bound Brook NJ 08805, Bridgewater NJ 08807, Manville NJ 08835, Martinsville NJ 08836, Pluckemin NJ 07978, Raritan NJ 08869, Somerville NJ 08876, Zarephath NJ 08890, and surrounding areas.

Skylands Energy is an authorized dealer for exemplary manufacturers such as Thermo Pride, Heil, and Mitsubishi. These brands are known for providing the most reliable heating and cooling equipment available. Since we carry such a prestigious designation from these brands, you can rest assured that, by working with us, we have what it takes to maintain your heating and cooling system. An authorized dealer implies that we have demonstrated the skills, professionalism, and experience to service your HVAC equipment. To learn more about Thermo Pride, click here. To learn more about Heil, click here. Learn more about our Mitsubishi product line by clicking here.

Contact us now at (908) 707-1776 to find out more!

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