When thinking about ways to save this winter, it isn’t just about the price of your fuel, but the efficiency of your heating system that plays a huge role. Replacing your repair-ridden furnace or boiler or upgrading from an older inefficient model can mean big savings on your home’s energy bills – up to 40% to be exact!
Save Now On An Energy Kinetics (EK) System 2000
Save Now On An Energy Kinetics System 2000
Last month I mentioned that our office recently upgraded our heating equipment. We now run a high-efficiency Energy Kinetics (EK) System 2000. There are a lot of things to love about this piece of equipment, not the least of which is the big savings on our monthly energy bill.
We think it would be great if you fell in love with an EK System too. Here are a few things to help sway you:
Case studies from both EK and our own customers have shown a 40% reduction in their energy bills
Engineered to be super quiet, as in quieter than your microwave!
Installation now will ensure you’re all set come heating season – we’re offering $500 off through August 31st
Visit Quinoco.com/ek2000 or call 860.583.4609 to enjoy these savings before they’re gone!
Electrification: Is It Feasible?
Electrification - is it feasible?
Climate policy and reducing carbon emissions continues to be a hot topic amongst policymakers and community leaders. The discussions are good ones but is widespread electrification feasible?
Up for debate is electrification of home heating in New England with the thought that this electricity would be generated from renewable resources in order to achieve net-zero emissions. This plan seems simple and straightforward, but it most definitely makes a lot of inaccurate assumptions.
Currently, renewable fuels generate only 12% of New England’s electricity. [1] During heightened demand periods, this percentage decreases as the grid relies on backup fuel from oil, coal, and liquid natural gas. Coupled with the fragile state of the electric grid and the fact that more than 80% of homes in New England are currently not heated with electricity, an electric only plan is problematic. [2]
Former US Secretary of Energy, Ernest J. Moniz, stated in a 2020 Boston Globe piece, “[New England’s decarbonization] success would come earlier if the oil and gas industry uses its capabilities and workforce to advance net-zero solutions while avoiding stranded workers, stranded communities, and stranded assets.” [3]
And this is exactly what our industry is doing! We have SmartBiofuel which continues to get cleaner every year AND a commitment to reaching a net zero carbon footprint by 2050; a goal that is not attainable for electricity. If you haven’t heard about our industry’s initiative, learn more at quinoco.com/heating-oil.
“Quinoco Energy has been our supplier since we purchased our home in 2013 and I’ve never considered changing. Their products and services are exemplary! Their service supervisor and technicians are not only skilled and knowledgeable but polite and considerate as well. I’ve never considered changing because relationships are built on trust, not cost.”
- Quinoco Customer, Bristol
No Heat? Let's Start Over!
No Heat? Let’s Start Over!
Losing heat in January is a homeowner’s worst nightmare. But many times, your heating system shuts itself off because it needs a quick reset. Follow our Heating Restart Checklist to quickly get up and running again.
Make sure your thermostats are in heat mode and set above room temperature.
Check the gauge on your oil or propane tank to ensure that you are not out of fuel.
Check your electrical breaker to make sure it is not turned off.
Check that the heating system burner switches are in the ON position. The switches are located at the top of the basement stairs or outside of the utility or mechanical room, and on the heating system itself.
Once you’ve verified that all of the switches are on, you can try to reset your furnace or boiler:
To reset your system, locate the red reset button on the heating system itself. The button is located towards the bottom of the unit.
Press and hold down the reset button for 5 seconds and then release.
The system should start automatically within 10 seconds.
If you’ve completed these steps and your heat still isn’t turning on…
Then it’s time to bring in the professionals! Please call us at 860.583.4609 to schedule an appointment with one of our Technicians.
Avoid the Cold with Quinoco
Avoid the Cold with Quinoco
It’s not only cold in the winter, but it can be costly! This season, we’ve compiled some of our favorite tips to save money and energy while avoiding any unnecessary time spent cold.
Consider your heating equipment
No one likes to be surprised by aging, poorly maintained or failing heating equipment! If your heat was struggling to keep up last winter, there’s no time to wait… schedule an appointment with our Comfort Specialist to review your equipment options and enjoy savings through November 30th.
And don’t forget, it takes a lot of energy to heat water – in fact, it’s the second highest source of energy usage. If you set your water heater to a couple of degrees cooler, it will save you some money on your energy bill and you’ll still enjoy all the hot water you like.
Stop air leaks and drafts in their tracks
There are lots of places where cold air can seep into your home: doors, windows, attics, basements, and fireplaces. To prevent drafts, consider installing weather strips where possible to stop the cold air from getting in. We know there’s something special about a fire on a cold night, but when it’s not in use, make sure you close the damper. Warm air circulating through your home can escape through the chimney and make your heating system work harder.
Temperature control is a must!
There are lots of ways to impact the temperature in your home and save money. A smart thermostat will let you to preset your preferred temperatures, so it turns down or up automatically based on your schedule. Knocking down your thermostat a degree or two can save you over the course of the heating season, sometimes up to 10% on your fuel usage. And you might be surprised to hear it, but turning your ceiling fan clockwise will create an updraft, moving warm air downward into the rest of the room.
Are you interested in more tips?
Follow us on Facebook @QuinocoEnergyServicesInc and Instagram @QuinocoEnergy where we share more great energy saving ideas for holiday lights, home décor, and more!
Comfort Specialist & Equipment Expert
Have you met Mike?
You may have noticed we reference our Comfort Specialist quite a bit… if you haven’t already met him, let us introduce you to Mike Fields! With 23 years in the business, Mike is a trusted expert who keeps your needs and budget in mind during every appointment. Here are a few things to know before Mike comes out to visit your home.
We get lots of calls about replacing your equipment but our most popular items: Energy Kinetics Boilers and Trane Air Conditioners.
Every visit is unique – sometimes it might feel like we’re interviewing you but what we’re really doing is figuring out your needs and determining solutions in order to provide the best recommendations that are right-sized to your home’s requirements.
Before we arrive, we appreciate a little prep: clear a path to the equipment and work area, secure pets in another area of the home, and determine your budget.
And lastly, we take a consultative approach to appointments. Mike will provide you with equipment options and walk you through the installation process, including billing and permitting so you can make an educated decision on your replacement.
If you’re interested in replacing any HVAC equipment in your home, Mike is waiting for your call! Schedule an appointment today at 860.583.4609.
15 Ways to Save Energy This Winter
15 Ways to Save Energy This Winter
1. Schedule your annual tune up
Don’t be caught by surprise when you turn your heating equipment back on! Your tune up is a great preventative step to ensure that your equipment is running smoothly and is ready for the season.
2. Eliminate air leaks/drafts
One way that cold air can seep into your home is through doors, windows, attics, and basements. To prevent drafts, you can install weatherstrips to stop the cold air from getting in!
3. Switch to a smart thermostat
Jump on the technology bandwagon! A smart thermostat allows you to preset your temperatures, so it turns down or up automatically based on your schedule.
4. Turn your ceiling fans clockwise
Fans may keep you cool during the warm months, but they can help your home’s energy efficiency as the weather changes. By turning your fan clockwise, you can create an updraft moving the warm air downward into the rest of the room.
5. Don’t forget your fireplace
There’s something special about a fire on a cold night, but when it’s not in use, make sure you close the damper. Warm air circulating through your home can escape through the chimney.
6. Adjust your water heater
It takes a lot of energy to heat water – in fact, it’s the second highest source of energy usage. If you set your water heater to a couple of degrees cooler, it will save you money and you’ll still enjoy all the hot water you like.
7. Let the sunshine in
The sun is a great source of free heat on bright sunny days!! But as we know, windows and doors are a way for that warm air to slip through the cracks. Consider getting insulated curtains to keep some of that free heat in overnight.
8. Close doors and vents in unused rooms
Maybe you’re an empty nester or maybe you only use a few rooms during the work week – either way, if you close doors and vents in rooms that aren’t in use, you’ll redirect the warm air to the spaces you’re in and use less heat overall.
9. Switch to energy efficient light bulbs
LED lights are known as the most energy efficient lighting. They may cost you more up front but over time they will save you money; they use 75% less energy and last 25 times longer.
10. Leave your oven door slightly open after using it
On a busy day in the kitchen, you probably notice how warm it gets as your oven gives off heat. Don’t let that heat go to waste! Leave your oven door open just a bit to have some extra heat flow when you’re done cooking.
11. Insulate your pipes
Pipes are out of sight, out of mind but they are so important bringing hot water to faucets, showers, and other appliances. Depending on how far the water has to travel, your pipes can be the cause of heat loss. Insulated pipes raise the water temperature, improves your hot water heater’s efficiency and will lead to energy savings over time.
12. Unplug unused electronics
Just because your TV, lamp, and air fryer are “off” when plugged in doesn’t mean they aren’t using energy. These are examples of “energy vampires” because they are taking energy when you don’t know it. Save energy by unplugging items when not in use.
13. Turn down the thermostat & bundle up
Knocking down your thermostat a degree or two can save you over the course of the heating season, sometimes up to 10% on your fuel usage.
Hint: When finding a temperature that you find comfortable, consider putting on a sweatshirt, sweatpants, and use an extra blanket at night.
14. Place rugs on hardwood floors
Rugs aren’t just to make your home look cool and fun. They also add a layer of insulation that keeps your feet off a chilly hardwood floor.
15. Set your holiday lights to a timer
Don’t be silly and keep your holiday lights on all night long - that is another giant energy waster! A smart plug or basic timer for your outlets is an easy solution to save energy and money. To be honest, we also forget to shut them off before bed!
OUR TOP PRIORITY IS TO KEEP YOU AND YOUR FAMILY SAFE and warm this winter
Please call 860.583.4609 or email info@quinoco.com to schedule an appointment with one of our Technicians or Comfort Specialists.
3 Ways To Save This Winter
Three Ways To Save This Winter
In today’s world, everyone has savings on their mind. As we head into the winter months, we have a few simple suggestions for how you can save on your heating costs and still stay warm and cozy!
Conservation
Programmable and smart thermostats can make a big difference in your home energy usage. You can track and manage your home’s temperature, schedule changes in the settings based on time of day and even set up geofencing to automatically adjust the thermostat when you’re a certain distance from home. According to the EPA, you can save about $180 a year just by programming your thermostat properly.
Insurance
Purchase one of our Heating Protection Plans now and save on costly repairs later. Regular maintenance can keep your heating equipment running efficiently, more cost effectively and extend its life. We have a variety of plans for both oil and gas heating systems.
Efficiency
Save up to 40% on the fuel you use this winter with a new heating system. Replacing your repair-ridden furnace or boiler or even upgrading from an older inefficient model can make a big impact on your home’s energy bills. Over the life of this new high efficiency equipment, you’ll see big savings - and our fall savings don’t hurt either!
There are also other ways to stay warm this winter…
…like closing doors to unused rooms or ensuring that doors and windows are closed tightly but switching your focus this fall to Conservation, Insurance, and Efficiency will ensure you reduce your energy use and lower your bills.
5 Reasons to Replace Your Heating System This Season
Five Reasons to Replace Your Heating System This Season
As summer turns to fall, it’s only natural to start thinking about the colder months ahead of us. Lately it’s been more important than ever to plan ahead for home projects or significant purchases. We surveyed members of our team to come up with the top five reasons why you should consider replacing or upgrading your heating system.
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 Quinoco Comfort Specialist to have us do an analysis of your system.
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.
Cost
Regardless of your fuel type, replacing an old, inefficient system can save you up to 40% on the fuel you use every year.
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.
$600 in savings from Quinoco
This fall, enjoy $600 in savings when you purchase and install a new heating system with Quinoco:
$300 off* the installation of a new heating system
+
Free (over a $300 value) one year Silver Heating Service Plan with the purchase of a new heating system
Call us today at 860.583.4609 or visit Quinoco.com/heat2021 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.