Your Home & Water Damage

Is your Home Vulnerable to Water Damage?

If you have running water in your home, the answer is always yes, your home is at risk of water damage. But there are a couple other factors that are important to look at both inside and outside your home.

• Do you live near/on a body of water?

• Do you live near wetlands?

• Do you live at the bottom of a hill that collects rain water?

• Is your washing machine hose more than 5 years old?

• Is the line to your ice maker or dishwasher more than 3 years old?

• Do you have an air handler for your AC in the attic?

• Has your boiler and water heater been properly maintained?

• Is the plumbing in your home old and outdated?

• Do you have young kids or mischievous pets?

If you checked yes to any of these questions, which we are sure you did (who changes their washing machine hose every 3-5 years!), then you need to seriously consider water protection in your home. Our smart home solution, Winston, has water sensors that can be placed in high risk areas of your home. If the sensor detects water, you will not only get a notification on your phone, the water main to the house will automatically shut off. When water leaks into your home, every minute counts, this simple system that can save your home and save you thousands of dollars.

Learn more here!

Pull the Plug...on Electric Water Heaters

Pull the Plug...on Electric Water Heaters

Did you know that in 2015, the Department of Energy raised the energy efficiency requirements for water heaters? Probably not, but that’s what we are here for! If you haven’t thought about swapping your electric water heater out for a new propane water heater, consider the facts below. A propane tankless water heater will give you abundant hot water, reduce your energy usage, save you money AND valuable floor space. Start by taking a five-question water heater quiz here to find out if yours is due for a replacement.

PROPANE TANKLESS WATER HEATERS

Quick Facts:

• Delivers endless hot water

• Heats water only when needed

• Compact size saves approximately 9-16 square feet of floor space

Efficiency & Environmental:

• 50-60% lower CO2 emissions compared with electric storage tank systems

• Has the highest efficiency rating of water heaters on the market today

Cost Savings:

• Saves more than $150/year in energy costs compared with typical electric storage models

• Rebates of $250-$600 are available in Connecticut!

Learn more here!

What's A Heat Pump

What's a Heat Pump?
And how can it Cool your Home?

Most would automatically assume that a piece of equipment called a ‘Heat Pump’ would have a function related to heating. While this is true, the name is deceiving as a heat pump actually has duel functionality and can be used to both heat and cool a home. In the summer time, a heat pump and an air conditioner are essentially the same thing, they both take heat from inside the house, transfer it through a refrigerant and deposit it outside, leaving the inside cool. What makes the heat pump different is that it can be reversed so that instead of depositing the hot air outside, it pushes it inside to heat your home (hence the name!).

Another great feature of heat pumps is that they don’t require ductwork which adds to their versatility. And while they are typically not used as the single heat source for a home, they are a great way to offset your energy bill in late fall and early spring when the days are cooler.

The 4 more common uses for ductless heat pumps:

• As a supplement to a central AC system/heating system: for spaces that were added on to a house or are located at the furthest end of the existing ductwork

• For rooms that need additional heating & cooling: such as a sunroom or for a space that requires independent temperature control such as a home office

• As a cost efficient alternative for an additional living space: such as bonus rooms, studios, cottages & barns, garages, finished attics & basements

• For homes/spaces that cannot accommodate conventional ductwork: older homes and antique homes typically do not have space to install ductwork

Learn more here!

Generators: The AC of the Decade

Generators: The AC of the Decade

In 1980, only 50% of homes in the Northeast had central air conditioning in their home in comparison to over 85% today. Not only has air conditioning become standard equipment in the home but most of us would say we couldn’t live without it!

So what’s the next must-have for your home? Standby generators. Over the next 20 years, the market is predicting that 30 – 50% of homes in the U.S. will have a standby generator. If reminiscing about Super Storm Sandy isn’t enough for you to commit to a generator, here are a couple other facts to consider:

• Power outages that have duration of 24 hours or more have tripled since 1978 in the U.S.

• 40% of the U.S. power grid is over 40 years old

• Demand for electricity in the U.S. will increase by 18% in the next 10 years while grid improvements will increase by only 8.4%

• Demand for electricity is expected to rise by 30% in the next few decades (ii)

With the wind storms that have occurred already this year and the Atlantic Hurricane Season beginning on June 1st, there is no time like the present to protect your family and home from damaging power outages. Our generator team handles the entire installation process, making it seamless and easy.

Learn more here! When the next big storm hits, you’ll be glad you did.

i. Residential Energy Consumption Survey, US Energy Information Administration. http://www.eia.gov/consumption/residential/reports/2009/air-conditioning.cfm
ii. Kohler Co.

Get Your Ducts in a Row

Get Your Ducts in a Row

Most would consider air conditioning more of a necessity than a luxury. It's hard to live without it in the heat of the summer. For many homes where ductwork proves to be tricky, homeowners are still using window units or going without air conditioning, even though a ductless system is a fantastic alternative.

The 4 most common situations in which ductless systems are used as a solution:

• As a supplement to a central AC system: for spaces that were added on to a house or are located at the furthest end of the existing ductwork

• For rooms that need additional heating & cooling such as a sunroom or for a space that requires independent temperature control such as a home office

• As a cost efficient alternative for an additional living space such as bonus rooms, studios, cottages & barns, garages, finished attics & basements

• For homes/spaces that cannot accommodate conventional ductwork: older homes and antique homes typically do not have space to install ductwork

In addition to the cooling benefits of a ductless system, these ultra-high efficiency units can also be used as a supplemental heating source which is a great way to offset your energy bill in late fall and early spring when the days are cooler.

Do you have a tricky AC situation? Let our Comfort Specialists help you diagnose and determine a solution so you can stay cool all summer. Plus, we’ll help you take advantage of some great rebates that are available.

Learn more about ductless systems here.

Proudly Propane: Clean American Energy

Proudly Propane: Clean American Energy

There is a new official face representing the propane industry in a nationwide campaign called ‘Proudly Propane’. His name is Blue, a friendly dog, and the narrator of the campaign that travels around with his bobtail driver who he calls, ‘propane man’. The campaign is both fun and entertaining (who doesn’t love the image of a dog riding in the passenger seat of a propane truck) and Blue’s message is simple, ‘Propane is man’s best fuel’.

Blue touts propane as being clean and reliable and giving people the freedom to live where they want and how they want. In Blue’s terms, ‘propane is just so doggone smart’. Here are few reasons why we think propane is ‘so doggone smart’:

• It’s Clean – Propane was approved under the Clean Air Act of 1990 and is a low-carbon fuel that produces significantly fewer greenhouse gas emissions than most other energy sources.

• It’s Efficient – Propane equipment, including furnaces and hot water heaters, are rated with some of the highest efficiency ratings for equipment on the market today.

• It’s Reliable – Propane is a proven energy source that you can count on, even when the electrical grid is down. Having propane stored at your home guarantees you’ll always have adequate gas pressure as well as ample supply.

• It’s Readily Available – The United States is the world’s leading producer and exporter of propane which means that it is abundantly available. And, Gault’s own propane storage facility in Bridgeport ensures that our customers will never run out, regardless of weather.

• It’s Versatile – Propane is the only fuel able to power almost every appliance in your home making it convenient and easy. Propane can be used for home heating, water heating, cooking, clothes drying, fireplaces, generators, pool heaters, grills & outdoor kitchens, decorative lampposts and MORE!

We might dare to say that we love propane almost as much as Blue does; we have even converted some of our vehicles to run on propane. So, if you are in need of updating or replacing equipment or appliances in your home, be sure to keep propane in mind and let us walk you through all of your options. And, if you already use propane at your home and haven’t switched to us for delivery, it’s easy, just give us a call and we will handle the rest.

Check out Blue’s TV commercials here.

5 Reasons to Replace/Upgrade Your AC

5 Reasons to Replace/Upgrade Your AC

ACCORDING TO THE EXPERTS

We have many experts and specialists at Gault but when it comes to knowing when it’s time to replace your air conditioning system, no one knows better than our technicians and Comfort Specialists; they work on, diagnose and replace hundreds of systems every year. That’s why we decided to poll them on what they think are the top five reasons to replace or upgrade your air conditioning this season. Check out the results below!

Poll Stats
Respondents: 26 (14 Technicians, 12 Comfort Specialists)
Total Years of HVAC Experience: 512
Total Years of Service at Gault: 248

• Financial Savings: 100% of the group put financial savings as a top reason for replacement. The biggest savings being on electricity; a new, high-efficiency system can save you up to 38% on your electric bill. Other savings are seen in the reduction of maintenance costs. Older systems often require more frequent maintenances sometimes making it more cost effective to replace a system rather than continually repairing it.

• Efficiency: 96% of the group put increasing efficiency as a top reason for replacement. New units have higher SEER ratings; the higher the SEER, the less electric energy the unit uses in comparison to its cooling output making it more energy efficient and environmentally friendly. Greater efficiency also bring other benefits such as being more cost effective.

• Age & Reliability: 61% of the group put age and/or reliability as a top reason for replacement. If your system is more than 10 – 15 years old, it is reaching its life expectancy and has a higher chance of breakdown or failure. Being proactive, not reactive will ensure your unit will be running and reliable during the hottest weather.

• Refrigerant Phase Out: 61% of the group put the phase out of the refrigerant R-22, also commonly known as Freon as a top reason for replacement. R-22 is part of an EPA phase out plan for ozone-depleting substances which will make it unavailable by 2020. Any unit using R-22 will ultimately need to be replaced.

• Comfort: 43% of the group put factors that increase comfort as a top reason for replacement. New units are much quieter, cool faster and more consistently, remove humidity more effectively and create better air quality. This is especially relevant if conditions in your home have changed since your AC was originally installed; for example, a renovation would make your current unit not properly sized for your home.

Some others factors that didn’t make the list include: increasing the value of your home for resale, updating the look and appearance of the units outside your home, the ability to add air cleaners and other tech features like wifi thermostats and sensors.

What Our Fuel Is Made Of

What Our Fuel Is Made Of

Bio: For the past 5 years, Gault has been delivering a product called Bioheat, a blend of ultra-low sulfur heating fuel with a bio component called biodiesel. Biodiesel is a heating oil replacement that is produced from a variety of renewable resources, such as plant oils, animal fats, and even algae, making it one of the most sustainable fuels on the planet. Learn more about Bioheat at gaultenergy.com/bioheat.

• WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU?

  • It’s Clean – If fact, emissions of greenhouse gases from Bioheat are lower than those from natural gas.

  • It’s Cleansing – Bioheat is a smoother fuel with a high lubricity which means that it cleans your tank and heating system as it burns which helps to extend the life of your equipment.

Ultra-Low Sulfur: Ten years ago, trucks were spewing black soot out of their stacks as they drove down the highway – have you noticed that that doesn’t happen anymore? This is the result of reduced sulfur in the fuel. Just like the auto industry, the heating oil industry has been drastically reducing the sulfur content in our fuel and we are fast approaching a major milestone – in 2018, all heating oil delivered in Connecticut will be mandated to be ultra-low sulfur heating oil.

• WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU?

  • It’s Clean – The lower the sulfur content, the less sulfur dioxide your system emits – sulfur dioxide contributes to acid rain and haze.

  • It’s Efficient – Your heating system runs more efficiently which reduces the amount of fuel you use and helps lower the amount of equipment maintenance needed.

Additives: Fuel additives is where many heating oil companies differ when it comes to the quality of fuel they deliver. Before delivering to your home, we mix an additive into our fuel called Avalux, one of the most advanced additives on the market. Avalux helps to stabilize and protect the components of the fuel, especially in cold weather.

• WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU?

  • It’s Cleansing – Avalux acts as a detergent that cleans your tank and heating system. It also prevents corrosion and degradation of the fuel which helps to extend the lifetime of your equipment.

The Pricing Game: Don't Get Caught In It

The Pricing Game: Don't Get Caught In It

In the heating business, September is the unofficial start of our season as the phones ring off the hook with homeowners securing their fuel for the upcoming winter. With hundreds of companies out there trying to win your business, many companies will throw low ball prices out to try to entice customers to switch, and that’s when the pricing game begins…

Don’t get sucked into a deal that seems too good to be true, because it probably is! Here are some things to look out for:

• The Fine Print – the devil is in the details. A low price may only apply to the first fill the company makes, or it could be for a certain amount of gallons or for a set time which often won’t last you the entire winter.

• Service – we know that price is important but never at the expense of good service. A low price might equate to a company having a large service area which will cause them to have a longer response time and for some companies, this means that their customer service department is in another country!

• Full Service vs. COD – if you are accustomed to a full service, automatic delivery company, moving to a COD (cash on delivery) company will definitely get you a lower price but the weight is on your shoulders – you need to contact them, and with plenty of notice in order to get a delivery. And there is seldom a guarantee on when they will be able to deliver or that any service will be provided.

• Inflation – a low price is great for new customers but what about the existing? Many companies will increase the price for their existing customers in the second or third year in order to afford the introductory prices they offer to new customers creating an unbalanced environment.

At Gault, we don’t play games, in fact, we want to be as transparent as possible and educate our customers so they can make informed decisions. You won’t see a low ball price offer from us this season but our customers know that our service is unbeatable and prices are fair, that’s why many of you have been with us for not just years, but decades! If you have any questions, concerns or need help picking the right pricing program for the upcoming season, our Customer Care team is here to help.

Propane: The Fuel Choice of Builders

Propane: The Fuel Choice of Builders

With new homes popping up all over Fairfield County, there is no doubt that the construction industry continues to be thriving. When it comes to fueling these homes, propane has become the go-to for all the builders in the area and for good reasons; it not only creates ease during construction but ultimately benefits the homeowner.

• On-Site Storage: Propane tanks used for whole house heating as well as many other amenities are buried underground allowing for better aesthetics. On-site storage also guarantees adequate gas pressure as well as ample supply.

• Efficient Equipment: Propane-fired furnaces have a minimum AFUE rating of 90%, the highest requirement for a piece of heating equipment on the market today. In comparison, an electric furnace has a minimum AFUE rating of 78%, meaning 22% of the fuel is wasted in heating the home.

• Versatility: Propane is extremely versatile and can be used for almost anything in the home including:

  • Heating: Cost-efficient with more comfortable and consistent warmth

  • Water Heating: Faster hot water with up to 50% cost savings in comparison to electric options

  • Cooking: The joy and control of cooking just like the professionals on a gas oven and on a gas range

  • Clothes Drying: Faster drying for up to 20% reduced energy use

  • Fireplaces: Significantly warmer and more energy efficient than electric or wood

  • Generators: Standby generators that power the entire home

  • Outdoor Amenities: Grills, outdoor kitchens, fire pits, fireplaces, pool heaters, and patio heaters can all be connected directly to a propane tank

In addition to these benefits, propane can also bring the ease of relying on just one company for all of a home’s fuel needs. So whether you are in the market for a new home or are looking for ways to update your existing home, propane is an important option to keep in mind.

Learn more about propane.

The True Cost of Converting to Natural Gas

The True Cost of Converting to Natural Gas

When it comes to a customer switching their fuel source from oil to natural gas, we are often the last people to know about it; but we shouldn’t be! As a fuel-neutral company, we provide products and services that range across all fuel types (and yes, this includes the installation and service of natural gas equipment). Most importantly, we provide expert advice when it comes to choosing the right fuel and equipment for your home. Not all homes or families are alike, so they shouldn’t be treated like it; it is important to know all the facts and consult an expert before signing the dotted line.

5 Things You Need to Know About Converting to Natural Gas (that the gas company and many HVAC contractors will not tell you):

• A typical conversion costs between $8,000-$12,000. Converting from oil to natural gas is much more cumbersome and expensive than people think.

• You are the General Contractor of the job. The homeowner often needs to pull their own permits and run the job.

• Response time. It sometimes takes months to get in touch with someone at the gas company – and then it takes even longer to schedule a conversion. After you convert, don’t expect timely responses when you have a problem.

• Payback period for conversion to natural gas is over 15 years, possibly never. The incredibly low cost of heating oil today coupled with the efficiency of new heating oil equipment means the payback period for converting can be NEVER.

• The future of natural gas in Connecticut. The Northeast Energy Direct, a $3.3 billion natural gas expansion project was just withdrawn, meaning that if consumption increases in the area, there will be no additional pipeline to support it. Without the proper supply, prices could escalate and houses could go cold. (To learn more, visit http://cour.at/1WnJhUK)

Whether you have thought about switching to natural gas, propane, geothermal, or back to oil, make sure you give us a call to discuss all of your options. Our Comfort Specialists have years of experience in determining solutions and in many cases, there is a better and more efficient option for your home.