Most heaters that fail haven’t been seen annually by a qualified HVAC company. It is important to have your heater looked at once per year from an efficiency and safety perspective. All heaters have fail safes to keep them from causing catastrophic failure. Your heater has flame sensors, pressure switches, and other items to keep them running safely. Most service repairs for heaters are needed when they are first turned on at the beginning of the heating season. And of course many homeowners do this the same chilly night. Before that chilly night comes, test your heating system by turning it on and letting it run for thirty minutes. If it doesn’t work, you will have more flexibility scheduling the repair and won’t be left out in the cold! Oehlert Bros. provides heating service plans that provide the annual inspection/tune-up and cover repairs (parts & labor).

5 Tips to Fix or Troubleshoot Your AC Problem FAST!

When the heat is rising in your home and you have discovered your Air Conditioning system is not working, check these items first before calling for a repair.

1. Check your electrical breakers. If a breaker has tripped, reset it and see if your A/C runs.  If it trips again, you likely have a failing air conditioner that needs some diagnosis.
2. Check your air filters. During the cooling season, the filters should be changed once per month.  If you haven’t changed them since last season or ever, air flow can be severely restricted.  Clean filters will also save you money by allowing your system to work more efficiently.
3. Check for frost and ice on the inside and outside refrigerant lines. If there is significant buildup on the indoor unit, your evaporator coil could be a block of ice. This happens when there is a low refrigerant charge or restricted air flow. The first thing to do is turn off your system to allow the ice to melt. This will make a repair call shorter so the system can be tested.
4. Check both inside and outside units to determine whether one or both units are running. This will help answer some questions when you call for a repair.
5. Check your PECO SmartSaver device. Some of you have a device attached to your outside unit which allows PECO to shut down your unit temporarily during peak electric demand. Before you call for a repair, be sure to check the PECO device and see if the RED light is on. If so, your A/C unit has been shut down for a short period.

Protect your system with an  A/C Service Plan for smooth sailing though the summer. A pre-season tune-up as well as repair, parts & labor are included.  Your A/C system will run more efficiently and the chance of a breakdown will be reduced.

Steve Oehlert, President
Oehlert Bros. Inc. Home Heating & Cooling

Choosing the right boiler for your home is a very important task. There are so many makes and models available, that it makes choosing the right contractor critical. The Energy Experts have extensive experience and the right tools to assist you with making the best choice for your home. A new boiler is a long term investment that you want to make sure keeps your home and budget comfortable.

Here is some helpful information on the different types of boilers available to you.

A domestic boiler is a large home appliance in charge of heating your home. A domestic boiler can be powered by a variety of fuel sources among the most popular is natural gas. Essentially a domestic gas boiler works by heating water and distributing it through a system of pipes that extends into every room to heat your home. If you need to purchase a new domestic gas boiler for your home, here are some points to keep in mind.

• Look for the AFUE rating, which stands for annual fuel utilization efficiency. The Federal Trade Commission requires that domestic gas boilers have a minimum rating of 75%, but more efficient models are available to you.
• Ask a professional how the domestic gas boiler operates. The basic operation will affect its overall efficiency. The more efficient the process, the more money you can save. The most efficient process is completed by condensing gas within a second heat exchanger. A mid-efficiency domestic gas boiler will use exhaust fans, combustion air, and flowing combustion air. While the least efficient domestic gas boiler uses natural draft flow.
• Check out the size options for domestic gas boilers. There are many factors that go into sizing a boiler, and the contractor working with you will help you determine the right size for your home. However, remember that you need to choose a domestic gas boiler that has at least the capacity to heat the amount of square footage you have in your home.
• Pay attention to the total cost of the domestic gas boilers you are choosing. Make sure to look for a domestic gas boiler that fits your budget and factor in your return on investment.