It’s hard to imagine it as we’re sweating our way through August here in and around Limerick, PA, but Labor Day is just a few weeks away – which means that cool days and nights won’t be far behind. It also means that it’s time to start thinking about annual maintenance for your home heating […]
A well maintained central air conditioner can last 15 years or so, according to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Good news, right? Even better news is that one of the best ways to maintain your central air conditioning system is also the easiest: check your air filter once a month during the cooling season, […]
Summer has officially arrived here in Southeastern PA – and with it will come summer air conditioning bills. Here are 10 tips to stay cool and save money this summer: Turn down the AC at night – Program your thermostat to keep temps slightly warmer when the family is asleep. Just a few degrees will make […]
We had some brutal stretches of cold last winter here in Pennsylvania – particularly in January, when record-setting temps gripped the region (we know, you’ve probably blocked out your memory of that time – but trust us, it happened). Our seesaw winter made for some unpredictable heating bills – and some unpleasant surprises – for […]
Now that spring is in full swing here in Pennsylvania, it’s time to start looking forward to the warm days and nights ahead (they will arrive…we promise!). The question is, will your central air conditioner or ductless mini-split system be ready for the challenge when those days and nights finally arrive? Here are seven things […]
Spring has arrived here in Northeastern PA – great news for Phillies fans, not so great news for those of us with allergies (if you’re both, what can we say – it’s going to be an up and down couple of months for you). If you’re prone to springtime allergies, don’t settle for suffering – […]
We’ve had a quite a seesaw year weather-wise in Pennsylvania so far this year, where we have now experienced a 30-degree temperature shift within a 24-hour period four times since the holidays. Talk about up and down! As we adjust to what may be the “new normal” here in PA, it becomes more important than […]
You probably don’t think a whole lot about your chimney liner, but having one that works correctly is a critical health and safety issue in your Pennsylvania home. The problem is that your chimney liner (if your chimney even has one – many pre-1940s homes don’t) is exposed to some pretty harsh operating conditions, including […]
The New Year is upon us – which means it’s time to make some resolutions that will lower your energy bills, relieve some stress, and make your Pennsylvania home more comfortable. Need a few suggestions? Here are three promises to keep in the year ahead. Take control of your heating oil bills – Paying bills […]
When most people think of a water heater, they think of a big metal tank in their basement. But it doesn’t have to be. Today, you can get a water heater that’s the size of a suitcase and can be mounted on a wall – a big advantage if you’re pressed for space. That same […]
If you live in a home with a fuel-burning appliance (a furnace, boiler or water heater, for example), then you probably know at least a little bit about the potential dangers of carbon monoxide (CO). But how much do you really know about CO? Here are 7 CO basics that will help keep your family […]
The air inside your home could be anywhere from two to five times more polluted than the air outside of it – and one contributor to that poor air quality is a build-up of microorganisms like mold spores, fungi, viruses and pollen. Left unchecked, these microorganisms can cause respiratory discomfort and even lead to more […]
September is here, which means that cool Pennsylvania days and nights aren’t far ahead for us. Is your heating system ready for the challenge of the coming fall and winter? Regular annual maintenance is the key to keeping your furnace or boiler running better for longer – and for avoiding the expensive repairs that come […]
Looking for great ways to stay comfortable with lower energy bills this summer? Here are seven ways to save this cooling season. Install window reflectors – Absorbed heat from the sun can make your air conditioner overwork to keep your house cool. When you install light-reflecting window treatments, you minimize the greenhouse effect in sun-exposed […]
An indirect hot water maker is one of the most energy-efficient, economical, and smartest ways to heat water available today – yet it’s an option that many people have never even heard about, let alone considered. So what is an indirect hot water maker? Basically, an indirect water heating system uses the energy generated by […]
A high heating bill can be quite a shock around the end-of-year holidays – especially if a good old-fashioned Pennsylvania cold front settles in for a while. But there’s a way to avoid those unpleasant surprises and make your monthly bills much more predictable: sign up for sign up for Oehlert’s SmartPay Budget Plan. With SmartPay, […]
Many people choose window air conditioners if they don’t have the ductwork to support a central A/C unit. But there is an alternative to those loud, light- and view-robbing brutes: a ductless mini-split air conditioner. A ductless system consists of two components – indoor air handlers and an outdoor condenser or heat pump – which […]
If you’re considering a new home air conditioning system and haven’t shopped for one in a while, you may be surprised at the alphabet soup of acronyms you’ll encounter in your search. One of the most important of these is SEER, which stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. Here are four SEER questions and answers […]
Ever notice an odd smell when you turn on your air conditioner or furnace for the first time in a season? That smell may be a buildup of microorganisms in your HVAC system and ductwork – a sign that you could have poor air quality in your home. But there’s good news: installing a germicidal […]
According to the EPA, your electric bills are more than likely about 30 percent higher than they could be – and your indoor air is not as healthy or comfortable as it should be. A key factor affecting each of these issues is the humidity level in your house. Turning up the thermostat may increase […]
One of the best things about automatic delivery is that it virtually eliminates the chance for inconvenient and potentially dangerous heating oil run-outs. But automatic delivery relies on an average on how much oil you’ve used in the past (along with the current weather) to determine when you’re ready for a re-fill. That means that […]
A heating system is a big investment for any homeowner, and like any investment you have to think long and hard when it comes time to making big decisions about its future. Key among those decisions is whether to fix or replace your furnace or boiler the next time it breaks down. While there are […]
If you’ve been looking for a more efficient and environmentally responsible way to heat your home you need to know about BioHeat. Oehlert Bros. Inc. has been exclusively delivering BioHeat for over eight years to our heating oil customers. And starting in 2015, we are using super clean burning Ultra Low Sulfur heating oil which […]
Finding a reliable heating system contractor who can help your system run well for longer is critical to keeping your home comfortable and your bills low this winter. Like any investment, It pays to shop around. Here are 4 questions you should ask a heating system contractor before you hire them: How long have they […]
Fall is almost here – and with it comes the stress of another Pennsylvania home heating season. Fortunately, Oehlert Brothers offers products and services that can help you cope. Here are three great ways to help you sleep better at night this fall and winter: Enroll in an Oehlert Service plan – Routine maintenance for […]
You use hot water every day to wash your clothes, your dishes, and yourself – so it’s no wonder that your water heater guzzles up to 30 percent of the energy used in your home each month. If you want to cut that number down, there are four ways to do it: 1. Use less […]
Summer’s here – which means it’s time to take on the heat in what experts are expecting to be a very hot season. The question is, will your A/C be up for the battle? As we hit the dog days of July and August, you’ll need to run your AC through its paces – and […]
People sometimes ask, “Is an annual A/C tune-up really necessary?” Our answer is an emphatic YES! Buying a home cooling system is a major investment for your Pennsylvania home – one you should protect, just as you protect your car with regular oil changes. We strongly recommend having your air conditioning system professionally maintained every […]
Did you know that the air in your home could contain up to 100 times more pollutants than outdoor air? Considering the fact that you inhale about 15,000 quarts of indoor air every day, that’s a scary number. The good news is you can significantly improve air quality in your home by making some smarter […]
Air leaks or “drafts” occur when unintentional outside air enters your house through cracks or openings. This does not only make your house uncomfortable, but wastes energy and costs you money! Step one: Find the source of the draft. Check these common places for air leakage: Window panels for cracked/broken seals. Baseboards for gaps. Under […]
