Home Comfort Survey Results

How have your home comfort needs changed?

Thank you to all our customers who participated in our Home Comfort Survey!

Whether the whole family has moved in to ride out coronavirus together or you’ve been working from home since March, did you know these changes to your home can significantly impact your home’s energy use?

In addition to better understanding our customer’s changing needs, we were also able to make adjustments to specific delivery schedules to better accommodate a customer’s unique situation.

Resolutions for your home!

2021 Resolutions for your Home

January is often a time for reflection on the year past and an opportunity to plan for the year ahead.

As you consider your goals for 2021, we have a few resolutions for your home - after all, we are spending lots of extra time at home lately!

Learn to Breathe Easier

In tumultuous times, it’s always important to pause and take a breather. And while meditation and breathwork is great for your mental health, the quality of the actual air you breathe is just as important for your physical wellbeing.

Our Comfort Specialists are here to help manage your indoor air quality. We offer solutions that can remove over 99% of airborne particles and reduce the presence of coronavirus in your home by 99.92%.

Learn more about indoor air quality at GaultEnergy.com/home-air-quality.

It’s Time for your Annual Checkup

Just like an annual physical is important to your health, an annual tune up for your heating and cooling equipment can diagnose problems before they become big ones and set the stage for a healthy year of usage!

Annual tune ups are a regular part of the maintenance our service plan customers enjoy, and can be done at any time during the year. Call or email us to schedule your tune ups for the year!

And, if you’re thinking about replacing your air conditioning or heating equipment in 2021, schedule an appointment with one of our Comfort Specialists now! Equipment manufacturers are still experiencing delays due to the coronavirus so it’s important to plan ahead.

Experience Outdoor Living at its Finest

There’s no better way to escape the doldrums of winter than to plan for spring! Start building out your project list and meet now with designers, contractors, and of course Gault Stone & Landscape Supplies so you can hit the ground running come spring.

Outdoor living is more important than ever and we expect to see outdoor kitchens and dining, pools and living areas to continue trending across Fairfield County. We’re particularly fond of the culinary opportunities available in outdoor kitchens – pizza ovens, smokers, grilling stations – the list goes on!

For more information and inspiration, visit GaultStone.com.

Thank you Gault!

Gault’s Everyday Heroes

As an essential business, we knew this winter would be tough but our team has risen to the challenge all while keeping our customers and each other healthy and safe. In honor of their tireless efforts, here’s a selection of just a few Gault Heroes!

“Just a few days ago, my furnace died. It was c-c-c-cold here on the water in Fairfield. I requested that Mike Acquino come make the call. Mike is just great. He is so knowledgeable and as pleasant as can be. He diagnosed the problem, gave me a quote and today, just one day after that, your guys came to install my new furnace. They got the job done, they wore masks, they took off their shoes, they were very nice to work with. Couldn’t ask for more.” Andy, Fairfield customer

“Just wanted to send a big thank you to your team for an emergency call out and follow-up that we had this past Saturday. We really appreciated the quick response on the phone, new COVID-19 protocol ensuring everyone’s safety and the prompt arrival of a technician. Technician, Matt Yost, was a particular superstar, phoning and arriving right away. His professionalism, clear explanation and general kindness went a long way to reassuring us in a situation that may not actually have been, but was alarming to us. We are very thankful to you all for such professionalism during such a stressful time!” Sheri, Westport customer

“Wanted to briefly highlight Harry’s professionalism on Friday when he worked on replacing my old unit/installing the new Trane AC system. He was there the longest given what he had to do, started around 9am and left late afternoon. He was professional, kind, answered all my questions and was an overall pleasant experience. The system works like a charm and I cannot express how happy I am to be able to cook and not melt in my kitchen. Place was cleaned up and spotless when they left.” Angelica, Weston customer

If you’ve had a great experience with a Gault Hero, we would love to hear about it!

Email info@gaultenergy.com and we’ll share it with the entire Gault team.

Goodbye 2020... Hello 2021!

A Note From Sam

I think we can all agree that we’re looking forward to the great things that will come in 2021!

Here are a few lessons we learned in 2020 that I’m holding onto this year:

Keep moving ahead:

Gault has been around a long time – since 1863. We’ve survived economic depressions and wars. We’ve enjoyed the highs of expanding the business and the growth of our family. And today, just like in the past, we continue to take one day at a time with the ultimate goal in mind – YOU FIRST.

Stay positive:

It would have been easy to focus on the sad and discouraging news on TV and in papers daily. Instead, I challenge you to look for what’s worth celebrating, what’s heartwarming and good for the soul - we can all use a little more light and levity in our lives in 2021.

Embrace change:

I can’t remember the last time our business had to be as flexible as it is today! We’re constantly adjusting our business practices for the safety and wellbeing of our employees and customers. With more people home, we’ve even had to expand some of our teams, practically unheard of lately!

If 2020 was a year where we had to roll with the punches, I hope 2021 will be a year of accomplishment.

Happy New Year,

Sam Gault

President

Gault Family Companies

HOW HEALTHY IS THE AIR YOUR BREATHE?

HOW HEALTHY IS THE AIR YOU BREATHE?

2020 has been a test in keeping our homes and families safe, healthy and germ-free. Not only have cleaning products been flying off the shelves, but we’ve received a lot of inquiries about managing your Indoor Air Quality.

Here are some frequent questions our Comfort Specialists receive:

WHAT IS INDOOR AIR QUALITY?

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) looks at the quality of the air within and around your home related to pollutants and their corresponding health concerns like viruses, headaches, asthma, allergies, heart disease and cancer. Some common indoor pollutants can be from pesticides, radon, excess moisture and building materials.

WHY SHOULD I IMPROVE IT?

We’re all spending a lot more time indoors this year so let’s make it as healthy as possible! Improving your IAQ not only helps you combat health concerns like COVID-19, but it can also remove lingering smells inside your home, reduce allergy and respiratory related flare-ups, encourage better sleep and help lower your energy costs.

HOW CAN GAULT HELP MANAGE MY INDOOR AIR QUALITY?

Since COVID-19 hit, we’ve been providing our Cooling Protection Plan customers with an upgrade to their system’s HEPA air filters during our annual maintenance visit. These new filters are better quality with a higher MERV rating designed to help remove more particles from the air. If regularly replaced, HEPA filters can remove up to 99.97% of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria and other airborne particles inside your home.

WHICH APPROACH IS BEST FOR MY HOME?

Every home is different and one of our IAQ Specialists can help you build a plan to improve your home’s air quality.  Gault also offers a full range of Indoor Air Quality solutions for your home ranging in cost, implementation requirements and use.

Ready to learn more?

Click here to review Gault’s approach to managing Indoor Air Quality and what solution makes sense for your home and family.

GAULT ONLINE & NEW BILLING INFORMATION

GAULT ONLINE & NEW BILLING INFORMATION

Account Information at your fingertips

Digital customer service continues to transform business today and that’s why we introduced Gault Online - our online customer portal last year.

Creating your account is quick and easy! To get started, have your account number(s) handy and go to GaultEnergy.com/MyAccount and click Create Account.

After setting up your profile, you can manage your Gault account activity within the customer portal:

Updates to our Billing Address

Even if you choose not to use the Payment feature, Gault Online is another way to communicate with us and find out the latest news and updates. For example, we recently announced a change to our billing address.

In case you missed it, we decided to partner with a processing center in order to streamline our billing process and build upon our You First mission. Going forward, all mail-in payments should be sent to:

Gault Family Companies
PO Box 789557
Philadelphia, PA 19178-9557

If Gault is set up as a payee with your online bank’s bill pay system, please confirm:

• You have the correct Gault account number listed in the payee set-up

• If you have multiple Gault accounts, that each account is set up as separate payees

Please reach out to Customer Care at 203.227.5181 or info@gaultenergy.com if you have any questions.

5 REASONS TO REPLACE YOUR HEATING SYSTEM THIS SEASON

5 REASONS TO REPLACE YOUR HEATING SYSTEM THIS SEASON

1. Age

A study done by the National Association of Home Builders concluded that the average lifespan of a furnace is 15-20 years and a boiler is 13-21 years. If your unit is nearing or in those age ranges, it is time to call a Gault Comfort Specialist to have us do an analysis of your system.

2. Maintenance

Annual maintenance of your unit is critical in making sure that everything is working properly and safely. If your unit has not been properly maintained and requires frequent repairs, replacement will not only guarantee the reliability of the unit, it could also be more cost effective.

3. Cost

Regardless of your fuel type, replacing an old, inefficient system can save you up to 40% on the fuel you use every year.

4. Efficiency

New heating units have higher efficiency ratings. Heating systems are rated with AFUE percentages indicating how much fuel is used to heat a house—and how much is wasted. Minimum AFUE ratings for heating equipment installed today are as high as 90%, meaning only 10% of fuel is not used to heat the home.

5. $500 in savings from Gault!

Receive $300 off* the installation of a new heating system and a FREE ($200 value) one year protection plan with the purchase of a new heating system.

Call us today at 203.227.5181 or visit gaultenergy.com/heat2020 to schedule an in-home consultation with one of our Comfort Specialists and let us help you save this upcoming season.

*Offer one per household. Does not apply to previously quoted or sold heating systems.

Is your home ready for Fall months and the cold winter months ahead?

Is your home ready for Fall months and the cold winter months ahead?

Not only will your home be prepared, you might even see long term savings on your home expenses!

• Inspect your home heating system for age and needed maintenance

  • Newer and more efficient boilers and heating systems can save up to 40% of your annual fuel consumption. Reach out to Gault Energy & Home Solutions to evaluate and service your current system.

• Check and clean gutters to ensure proper water drainage away from your roof and foundation

• Install a smart thermostat to customize your heating and cooling use and understand your biggest energy drains in your home

  • Speak with one of our Gault Energy & Home Solutions technicians before purchasing to ensure you have the right model for your home along with proper installation.

• Drain all hoses, outdoor faucets, and sprinkler systems before fall’s first freeze

• Winterize your yard and outdoor accessories before planning for spring

  • Consult with Gault Stone & Landscape Supplies to expand your livable space outside with cozy fire pits, versatile patios, and more! Visit gaultstone.com for inspiration and to get started!

• Check windows, doorframes, and insulation to prevent heat loss

Reduce Virus Spread with Indoor Air Quality

Reduce Virus Spread with Indoor Air Quality

YOU ARE WHAT YOU BREATHE

As many people begin to make preparations for COVID-19, it's important to think about the quality of the air you're breathing in your home and how it could potentially affect you and your family. Indoor air is up to 8 times more polluted than outdoor air which is why Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is one of the EPA's top 5 health threats!

Many large corporations, specifically sports teams have recognized this and have been focusing on improving IAQ in their office buildings and locker rooms to reduce sickness and improve productivity. At our own office, we have had a system installed in our HVAC system for years and we’re excited to announce that it is available for home installation. The system is called AtmosAir and it uses ionization to restore air to its natural state; no pollution or contaminants. Air ions are nature’s method of cleaning the air, the higher the level of ions, the more pristine the air quality. AtmosAir is designed to increase air ions in an indoor space to similar levels to that of a mountaintop.

BENEFITS OF IONIZATION:

• Reduces Mold, Bacteria, Viruses, Germs: the reproductive cycle is interrupted and colony forming units decrease.

• Reduces Particles: particles are neutralized and literally fall to the floor to be vacuumed up the next time you clean.

• Controls Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): gets rid of all odors including cooking odors.

• Neutralizes Static: neutralizes all charges in the air and eliminates static electricity.

Click here to learn more and schedule the installation of your AtmosAir system!

TOP 5 REASONS TO REPLACE/UPGRADE YOUR AC THIS YEAR

Top 5 Reasons To Replace/Upgrade Your AC This Year

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

1. 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 maintenance sometimes making it more cost effective to replace a system rather than continually repairing it.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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. Any unit using R-22 will ultimately need to be replaced as the refrigerant supply declines.

5. 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.

To set up an appointment with a Comfort Specialist, click here.

Home is where the Heat is

Home is where the Heat is

With the latest high efficiency equipment on the market today, replacing your existing heating system can reduce your fuel consumption by up to 30%! That’s a huge savings without having to make any lifestyle changes. Imagine trying to reduce your electric or water usage by 30%, not only would it be a lot of effort and work, it seems nearly impossible!

In addition to direct savings on your fuel costs, a new system will also save you on maintenance and repair costs and improve your home’s total comfort which we consider priceless! If you already know that your system needs to be replaced before winter, are unsure or just need some honest advice, give us a call. Our Comfort Specialists and technicians have years of experience in diagnosing and installing systems and can guide you in the right direction.

Click here to learn more and for special savings! 

Care For Your Equipment

Care For Your Equipment

Did you know that as much as half of the energy used in your home goes to heating and cooling? That's why it's imperative to take care of your equipment and ensure that it is running at its maximum efficiency. Here are some easy things that you can do to help your equipment help you!

1. Receive Regular Maintenance 

Just like how a tune-up for your car can improve your gas mileage, yearly maintenance on your HVAC equipment can improve the efficiency and your comfort.

2. Change Your Air Filter

A dirty air filter will slow down air flow and make the system work harder and thus less efficient.

3. Program Your Thermostat

So many of us have smart thermostats but don't actually program them! According to Energy Star a programmable thermostat can save you over $180 every year in energy costs. If you don't have one, give us a call. 

4. Upgrade

If your heating system is 15 - 20 years old and if your AC is 10 - 15 years old, it's time to have one of our Comfort Specialist's do an analysis of your system. It could be doing more harm than good from an efficiency standpoint.

Don't miss our special savings on a new central AC system through July 15, 2018! Click here to learn more. 

Have a Plan for Severe Weather

When Severe Weather Strikes

Have A Plan....And A Generator

We are officially in Atlantic hurricane season (June 1 - November 30) and it is predicted to be above-average with a projected 14 named storms, seven hurricanes and three major (Category 3 or above) hurricanes. Having already experienced several storms and sustained power outages in the area this year, there is one important lesson for us all - BE PREPARED! Here are some basic guidelines to prepare your home and family for potential severe weather. For more information and emergency checklists, visit the American Red Cross website at redcross.org. 

1. Create a Family Disaster Plan

• Decide ahead of time where to go if you are at home, school, work, outdoors, or in a car when severe weather hits

• Agree with family members on a designated place to meet if separated

• Designate a friend or relative outside the area as your contact if you are separated

2. Know the Difference Between a Watch and a Warning

• Watch - Conditions for severe weather are possible in the area within 36 hours

• Warning - Severe weather conditions have been reported by spotters or radar and are expected to hit the area within 24 hours

3. Inspect your Home and Yard for Potential Hazards

• Remove outdoor items that may become airborne during a storm (lawn furniture, trash cans, toys, hanging plants)

• Trim or cut down weak trees and branches that could easily be broken off by high winds

• Keep rain gutters, window wells, drain lines and down spouts clear to prevent flooding in high rains

4. Secure Backup Power

• Have flashlights on hand, never use candles for light

• Have an automatic standby generator installed by Gault and you'll never be left powerless again!

Learn more about Automatic Standby Generators from Gault and schedule and in-home consultation here!

Get Conditioned for Summer

GET CONDITIONED FOR SUMMER

Many homeowners go through a battle year over year as to whether or not it is time to replace their air conditioning; do you prepare now and replace it or take the risk of making it through one more summer? Whether you felt like your equipment was on its last leg at the end of last season or it is simply outdated, there are some telltale signs that now might be a good time.

1. Your air conditioner is more than 10 years old

2. Your equipment needs frequent repairs

3. Your utility bills continue to climb each cooling season

4. Some rooms in your home are too cold and others are not cold enough

5. Your home has humidity problems

6. Your air conditioning unit is noisy

Upgrading to a new high-efficiency air conditioning system can address all of these problems; improve your home’s total comfort and can save you up to 38% on your utility bill.

Our Comfort Specialists and technicians have years of experience in equipment diagnosis and replacement, so whether you are certain that you need a replacement or are still unsure, let us help you to make an informed decision.

Learn more & save!

Water Damage

DON'T GET CAUGHT UNDER WATER

14,000 people in the U.S. experience a water damage emergency each day which costs homeowners and insurers $9 billion annually! In the Northeast we unfortunately are more susceptible to water damage due to risk of frozen pipes. And if you’ve experienced any water damage in your home (which is 37% of us according to insurance industry research), you know that there is no messing around when it comes to protecting your home.

Our smart home system, Winston, has water protection solutions that allow you to monitor and control your home from your smartphone—anywhere, at any time. This simple system can save your home and save you thousands of dollars.

Winston Water Protection Package (check our special savings here!)

• 5 Water Sensors: Water sensors are placed in high-risk areas and will notify you via text or email when water is detected.

• Automatic Water Shut-Off Valve: Connected to your home’s main water supply, the shut-off allows you to remotely turn off water to the home as well as set up automatic shut-off when water is detected by a sensor.

• Winston HUB: The HUB is the control center for you Winston system. Connected to your homes Ethernet, it allows you to connect all Winston products together wirelessly.

Learn more & save!

Fuel For Thought

Fuel For Thought

By now, the cold snap and the ‘Bomb Cyclone’ that hit in early January is out of everyone’s minds but it’s important and timely for Connecticut residents to understand what happened to the energy sector during this time as the state just released their final Comprehensive Energy Strategy (CES). The CES, which is prepared by the DEEP, is to act as a roadmap for policy makers in regards to state energy programs and policies over the next several years.

The main focus of the CES is to switch much of the heating and transportation sectors towards electricity as a way to reduce greenhouse gases. This means switching heating systems from fossil fuels to electric heat pumps and advancing electric vehicle infrastructure throughout the state.

With an emphasis on electricity as a way to reduce fossil fuel usage, it seems ironic that the plan makes no mention or proposed action towards the fact that electricity is produced by fossil fuels – currently mostly natural gas. And if you consistently read our bulletins, you already know that natural gas produces more greenhouse gas emissions than Bioheat heating oil. But more importantly, when the temperatures dropped in January and the price of natural gas spiked, where did the power plants turn to generate electricity? To oil!

During a normal period, oil makes up less than 1% of the electricity generated in Connecticut, during the cold snap, it represented nearly 40% which diverted millions of gallons from homes. And this is certainly not a new concept, in fact, many large natural gas customers like power plants are actually incentivized during periods of high demand to switch to alternative fuel sources. This practice can wreak havoc on supply and inflate prices which falls back on consumers and local fuel companies.

Our number one goal is to provide the best service to our customers no matter what the market conditions are. We also strive to educate our customers in all facets of energy so they can make informed decisions. If you are interested in reading more on the Connecticut CES, visit ct.gov/deep.

When to Replace your Oil Tank

When to Replace your Bioheat Tank

The products and services we provide to homeowners are all extremely important and affect our lives every day – heat for our homes, hot water, protection from power outages, etc. And even we can admit that they aren’t considered fun or exciting things that anyone actually WANTS to buy. For this reason, homeowners often let their equipment, especially their bioheat heating oil tank, go way past their life expectancy. Because really… when was the last time you caught yourself wanting to purchase a new Bioheat tank!?

When to replace your Bioheat tank:

While there are a couple signs on the outside of the tank that will indicate that it should be replaced (corrosion and wet marks), most damage is unseen. Older tanks often have moisture and sediment that have built up over time which can cause corrosion and create holes. If not replaced in time, the tank could start to leak. If you have any question about your tank, reach out to us to come take a look.

Benefits of a new Bioheat tank:

With the cleanliness of fuel today, the biggest benefit of putting a new tank in is that it will last a long time and will never see the problems of tanks from many years ago. The bio component in Bioheat acts as a cleanser that actively cleans the inside of the tank and prevents buildup. With the percentage of bio planned to increase over the next several years, installing a new tank now is a great investment. Also, having a new tank helps your heating equipment run more efficiently.

Our recommendation for a new tank:  

• Outdoor tanks double walled, environmentally certified models last approximately 10 years in the elements.

• Indoor tanks should also be environmentally certified to safely last their 20+ year life expectancy. 

So don’t forget about the tank in your basement, replacing it is quick and easy – we are in and out in one day.

Click here for more information and exclusive savings!

Heating Fuel 2018: What's Happening

Heating Fuel 2018: What's Happening

The heating fuel industry in Connecticut is fast approaching a major milestone. In July of this
year, all fuel delivered in the state is mandated to be ultra-low sulfur heating oil (ULSHO) with
a sulfur content standard of 15 ppm (parts per million). As a comparison, our fuel has had a
sulfur content of 500 ppm since 2014 and before that, 3,000 ppm.

So what does that mean for you? The fuel that we deliver to your home is going to be
significantly cleaner than it ever has been. The lower the sulfur content of the fuel, the less
sulfur dioxide your system emits which contributes to things like acid rain and haze. It will
also allow your heating system to run more efficiently which can reduce the amount of fuel
you use and lessen equipment maintenance.

A great representation of the cleanliness of ultra-low sulfur fuel is in the auto industry. The
use of ULSD (ultra-low sulfur diesel) in trucks was mandated a long time ago and widely
publicized by the EPA for the positive environmental impact that it would have. For the
everyday driver, you will remember that 10 years ago you would have seen black soot spewing
out of the stacks of a truck as it drove down the highway – today, you see nothing. This is the
result of reduced sulfur in the fuel.

With this new mandate for ULSHO combined with the bio that is blended into heating
oil, this product is far cleaner than natural gas and will continue to get cleaner as more
advancements are made. And by the way, this mandate is not only in effect for Connecticut.
On July 1st, every New England state plus Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and New York
will be delivering ULSHO. Talk about a huge environmental impact!

Contact Us Today!

Bioheat Heating Oil: Q&A

Bioheat Heating Oil: Q&A

What is Bioheat?

Bioheat is a blend of ultra-low sulfur heating fuel with biodiesel, a domestic, sustainable heating oil replacement.

What is Biodiesel?

Biodiesel is a heating oil replacement that is produced from a variety of renewable resources, such as plant oils, animal fats, recycled grease, and even algae, making it one of the most sustainable fuels on the planet. Annually, it generates approximately $16.8 billion dollars for the U.S. economy and creates more than 62,000 jobs.

Where is Bioheat made?

The crops used to create Bioheat are grown in the United States and it is blended right here in Connecticut. The blends currently range from B5 fuel containing 5% plant content to B20, which contains 20%.

Is Bioheat cleaner than natural gas?

Yes! Bioheat is cleaner than natural gas. In a 20 year atmospheric life cycle analysis conducted by Brookhaven National Laboratories, emissions of greenhouse gases from Bioheat blends as low as 1.8% have been proven to be lower than those from natural gas.

Does Bioheat cost more?

No, in fact Bioheat can save you money because it helps your heating equipment run more efficiently, which extends the life of the equipment and can lead to fewer tune-ups.

Do I have Bioheat?

Yes! Gault has been delivering Bioheat for the past 5 years. In fact, almost every gallon of heating fuel delivered in Connecticut is Bioheat with more than 600 companies delivering it locally in the state.

What is the future of Bioheat?

The industry is committed to continually improving the product that we deliver; in fact, today’s heating oil burns 95% cleaner than it did 50 years ago and with drastically reduced sulfur content as well as alternative solutions like biodiesel blends, the product will continue to burn cleaner thus cutting greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, if the U.S. followed Connecticut’s lead and switched to a 5% Bioheat blend, the country would burn approximately 187 million gallons less of regular heating oil. If that were a 20% blend, that number quadruples!

Top 4 Reasons to Replace Your Heating System

Top 4 Reasons to Replace Your Heating System

The winner of our 2016 Oldest Boiler Contest captured the sentiment of most homeowners when she said that her and her husband had been focusing on spending money on “things you can see” at their home instead of “the old dinosaur in [their] basement.” And their boiler was almost 100 years old!

Spending money on something that is going to bring you comfort during the coldest time of the year should be an easy decision and yet most people don’t replace their heating system until it breaks down and they are left with no heat! Unless you like freezing pipes in your home, stress and a lot of blankets, we highly suggest being proactive in doing a replacement. Below are 4 things to consider when deciding to replace your heating system.

1. Age: A study done by the National Association of Home Builders concluded that the average lifespan of a furnace is 15-20 years and a boiler is 13 – 21 years. If your unit is nearing or in those age ranges, it is time to call a Gault Comfort Specialist to have us do an analysis of your system.

2. Maintenance: Annual maintenance of your unit is critical in making sure that everything is working properly and safely. If you’re unit has not been properly maintained and requires frequent repairs, replacement will not only insure the reliability of the unit it could also be more cost effective.

3. Cost: Regardless of your fuel type, replacing an old, inefficient system can save you up to 40% on the fuel you use every year.

4. Efficiency: New heating units have higher efficiency ratings. Heating systems are rated with AFUE percentages indicating how much fuel is used to heat a house – and how much is wasted. Minimum AFUE ratings for heating equipment installed today are as high as 90% meaning only 10% of fuel is not used to heat the home.

If you already know that your system needs to be replaced before winter, are unsure or just need some honest advice, give us a call. Our Comfort Specialists and technicians have years of experience in diagnosing and installing systems and can guide you in the right direction.

Learn more here!