Q & A
Q: What is all this stuff I hear about a “registered” contractor?
A: The State of Pennsylvania has mandated that all contractors register with the Office of the Attorney General and obtain a Home Improvement Contractor Registration Number. Our number is PA027694 and we are required to have it on all of our literature, trucks, advertising, paperwork, etc. There are certain guidelines we are forced to follow in how we present contracts and insurance coverage minimums that must be maintained, and forms that must be presented to and signed by the customer prior to commencing work. In some instances, there arises a need for emergency work to be performed. There is an Emergency Release Form for this as well, and it can be found HERE. Please do not hesitate to call the office for further explanation regarding this registration.
Q: My heater is only 13 months old, why should I have it cleaned & serviced - it's NEW.
A: A lot can happen in a year. A bird could build a nest in the chimney, or a section of pipe could separate, both of which would affect the draft of the appliance, thus making it run inefficiently. Most equipment manufacturers recommend having cleanings done in their warranty packages. If a part were to fail, it would be hard to explain to the factory representative, while he's in your basement, why there's no proof that the heater was ever serviced by a certified company.
Q: My heater is 30 years old - can I just install a new burner and reuse my old heater vessel?
A: It used to be a common practice to "retrofit" old heaters years ago, and it even happens today sometimes. The fact is that some companies don't really know how to correctly "retrofit" a heater and are not aware of the fact that if they did it, it would cost 1/2 the price of a new one. But here's the catch - In most cases, you would be replacing a "low pressure" burner with a high temperature flame retention burner. The chamber may need to be replaced to fit the new flame pattern as well. And on top of that, your end result is that you have a hotter flame used with a 30 year old heat exchanger, etc... Most times it just makes more sense to go new!
Q: I'm not in the best of health and can't climb the stairs to check my oil tank gauge. What can I do?
A: There is a device on the market called "The Rocket". When placed on your tank, this device uses sonar to monitor your oil level, and sends a signal to a receiver that can be plugged into the wall up to 150 feet away from your tank. Similar to a smoke detector, the receiver will flash when you’re getting low, and sound off an audible alarm when you are close to running out. This is a great way to let technology worry about the oil level in your tank. This would also work great if you use alternative fuels like wood or coal, which would prohibit our computers from being able to predict your fuel consumption. You can click HERE for information from one of our past newsletters, or HERE for a look at their brochure.
Q: Your technician was at my house for 1 hr & 40 minutes and you billed me for 2 hrs. WHY?
A: When a service call comes in, the clock starts from the time the tech leaves or departs his last job to go to your home (Travel Time). We include that "Travel Time" in our 1 hour minimum service charge. Some companies call their travel time "Diagnostic Fee" and then charge the call. We try to be as upfront with our charges as we possibly can - we don't want to have hidden fees or surprises when you open your bill.
Q: I found oil cheaper somewhere else. Why should I buy it from you?
A: Before you purchase that "other oil", you need to investigate a few things. Is the oil a premium blend with the proper additives to reduce sludge, waxing and lower the pour point temperature? Or was it shipped in from down South untreated? Most oil companies will not take after hours service calls unless you purchase their oil. Does this "other oil" company have a Service Department to repair your equipment should it fail? Some oil companies only deliver to certain areas on certain days. If you need oil on an off day, you'll have to wait or take care of yourself. Bottom line, sometimes you get what you pay for.
Q: With my rising energy bills, what is the single cheapest investment I can make to lower my usage and conserve oil?
A: At the consumer level, energy saving is really about the "Temperature Setback" of the homeowner. Purchasing an energy saving Programmable Thermostat with Setback options can save 6%-10% of your annual fuel bill. When purchasing a Programmable Thermostat, select a proven manufacturer such as Honeywell or Robert Shaw. We of course, would recommend professional installation by our talented Service Technicians, but this is a job that the above average homeowner can accomplish on their own, further increasing your savings!
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