Last updated 2 days 19 hours ago
With summer upon us, you probably aren’t very worried about your furnace working optimally. Your hot water heater, however, is another story. We depend on hot water day in and day out for laundry, comfortable bathing, and hygienic dish washing. If your hot water heater is on its last leg and you are looking to upgrade, it would be wise to read up on the different advantages that gas and oil water heaters offer so that you can make an informed decision about what type of hot water heater is best for your home.
Performance
The first quality most people look for in a hot water heater is performance, as nobody wants a hot water heater that takes an hour to heat up and after all of that doesn’t even dispense enough hot water for a decent shower. In this area, gas and oil hot water heaters are evenly matched, capable of meeting consumers’ hot water demands day in and day out for years so long as they are properly maintained.
Costs
When weighing water heater costs, it is important to consider both initial expenses and the annual costs that you will incur from using and maintaining your appliance. Oil heaters cost between $100 and $300 more to install than do gas hot water heaters, but they are less expensive to run. Homeowners with oil hot water heaters spend more than $100 dollars less per year operating their hot water heaters than those who use gas.
Lifespan
Gas water heaters have an expected life of 13 years, whereas oil heaters can only last for about eight years. Many consumers consider eight years to be a long time and do not consider this factor too important to their decision, but it still may help you make yours.
In our experience serving the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area, Griffith Energy Services has learned that consumers like to have choices. We also know that different types of fuel are more appealing to homeowners than other types for a variety of reasons. Because of this, we offer both oil and gas fired hot water heaters, as well as the host of maintenance and heating oil delivery services that make it possible for water heaters to run efficiently for as long as they are built to last. To arrange to have an HVAC technician install a new oil or gas fired hot water heater in your mid-Atlantic home or business, call (866) 698-6524.
Last updated 9 days ago
The thermostat is the main control panel for your home’s heating and air conditioning system. You set the temperature you want the house to reach, and the thermostat’s internal thermometer will activate the HVAC system when the air is either warmer or cooler than your ideal temperature.
In order to make sure that your thermostat gives you an accurate reading, do not install it near appliances that radiate heat, such as computers, televisions, stoves, or water heaters. Mounting your thermostat on a wall near an outside door that is frequently opened and closed during the winter can also affect its readings. Also, always set your thermostat to the exactly temperature you want. Setting your thermometer to 65°F when you really want your home to reach 75°F will not speed up the cooling process—it will just cause your air conditioner to work longer than it needs to, especially if you forget to dial back the thermostat.
If you have any questions about using your thermostat to control your air conditioner or oil-fired heater, call Griffith Energy Services today at (866) 698-6528.
Last updated 16 days ago
Air conditioners, like other home appliances, do not last forever. Many of the elements, including the evaporator coils, condenser coils, compressors, and blower are sensitive and subject to breakdown once the air conditioner reaches a certain age. You might need to buy a new central air unit if you notice any of the following signs:
Loud Noises During Operation
Your air conditioner should operate relatively quietly, though of course you will hear a soft noise when it starts up and shuts down. If you hear loud whining or banging noises while it’s running, there is likely a problem with the blower motor or one of the other mechanical components of your air conditioner. Have a repair professional inspect your air conditioning unit if it makes strange sounds and you can avoid more expensive failures down the road.
Long Running Times
A properly working air conditioner won’t have to run very long to get your house to a comfortable temperature. If your unit continuously operates for half an hour or longer, it is not running at peak efficiency. You may be spending much more money than you need to in order to keep your house cool. Change the filter and if this doesn’t help the problem, schedule a maintenance appointment with an HVAC professional.
Excessively High Energy Bills
One of the principle signs that your air conditioner needs to be serviced or replaced is a sudden spike in your air conditioning bills. Keep records from year to year, and make sure that your electric bills are not significantly higher than the last year’s. Even if you don’t notice strange noises or your air conditioner seems to be operating normally, an increase in your energy bills can still indicate that the time has come to replace your air conditioner.
Griffith Energy Services provides Baltimore homeowners with complete HVAC service, including air conditioner maintenance and installation. During the winter months we also offer heating oil delivery to homes and businesses throughout the area. Call us at (866) 698-6524 for more information.
Last updated 23 days ago
Although many homeowners think of pollution as an outdoor phenomenon, the air inside your home can actually contain a higher concentration of contaminants than the air outside. When the air inside your home is rife with pollutants, you are suffering from poor indoor air quality.
Indoor air quality can have a significant impact on your health, especially if you suffer from allergies or respiratory sensitivities. Pollen, dust, and other contaminants can cause breathing problems for you or your loved ones, especially during the hot summer and cold winter seasons when you keep your home closed up to protect against extreme temperatures outside.
For air quality improvement and other HVAC services, contact Griffith Energy Services at (866) 698-6524. We also offer heating system installation and heating oil delivery.
Last updated 29 days ago
Many factors contribute to poor indoor air quality in Baltimore-area homes: pollen, pet dander, dust mites, mold spores, and other pollutants. Dirty HVAC system filters and dirty air ducts can also negatively affect the air quality inside your home. To maintain good indoor air quality and minimize pollutant levels in your home, you can follow the tips below.
Change Your HVAC Filter Regularly
Whether you are running your oil heater in the winter or your air conditioning in the summer, you need to ensure that your HVAC filter is clean. When the filter is clogged, air cannot flow efficiently through the ducts or the blowers, and dust particles may be stirred up inside your home. Replace your disposable filter once every three weeks to maintain good indoor air quality.
Schedule Routine Air Conditioner and Heater Tune-Ups
Your heating and cooling appliances themselves can be sources of indoor air pollution if they are not properly maintained. This is especially problematic if your furnace produces carbon monoxide, as this colorless, odorless gas can cause severe health problems and even death if it is present in high concentrations inside your home. Regular HVAC tune-ups can help you avoid carbon monoxide poisoning and also cut down on other combustion or refrigeration related pollutants.
Open Up the Windows When the Weather Is Mild
Because outdoor air can often contain lower overall concentrations of pollutants than indoor air, opening the windows in spring or fall not only lets cool evening air in, it can also improve your indoor air quality without wasting any extra energy. Be sure to use fine screens on your doors and windows, both to keep pollen out and to prevent pets and children from accidentally getting out of the house. Resume shutting your windows once outdoor temperatures soar or plummet.
For help with indoor air quality, air conditioning, and heating services, call Griffith Energy Services today at (866) 698-6528. We can help you breathe easy and stay cool this summer.
