What are My New Hampshire Heating Oil Options?

September 9th, 2013

In New Hampshire, heating oil is a fact of life: seeing common use as a way to combat our notoriously cold winters. In the United States, the standard heating oil is known as No. 2 oil, or regular fuel oils. It’s used as the standard in most homes, and has replace a number of older oils because it burns more cleanly than they did. (Those older types – known as #6 oil and #4 oil – are still used in commercial power plants and other industrial capacities.) #2 oil is also preferable as a fuel because it’s comparatively hard to set on fire accidentally, requiring a high-voltage spark and oil set at the right pressure.

You might also see #1 oil, also called K1 kerosene which is essentially filtered kerosene. It’s not as efficient as #2 oil, but is more refined and has a lower pour point. It’s often sold as lamp oil in high-end shops, though it rarely sees use in oil furnaces. Instead, home heating oil sometimes appears as a “kerosene mix,” which is a combination of #1 and #2 oil (usually with about 10-20% #1 mixed with 80-90% #2). It will function in your heating system, though it may not burn as efficiently.

Recently, another option has raised its heat. Biofuel – created from vegetable oils such as soybean oil – can be blended with #2 oil or even used straight. It burns efficiently while reducing greenhouse gasses and can be produced in the United States without being exported from somewhere else.

If you have questions regarding New Hampshire heating oil options, talk to an expert before making any decisions. HB Energy offers both traditional heating oil and Bio Heat (a blend of #2 oil and Biofuel), as well as providing diesel fuel and propane. Contact us today and let us help keep your home warm this winter.

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Happy Labor Day!

September 2nd, 2013

On the first Monday of every September, we celebrate Labor Day in honor of workers everywhere who strive to make our local community and country great. We enjoy the holiday like any other business as a time for BBQ, hanging out with friends and family, and celebrating the end of summer. It also means the start of the NFL and college football seasons.

The origins of Labor Day are disputed, as is the case with many other holidays. Some cite Matthew Maguire, the machinist and secretary of the Central Labor Union of New York, while others cite Peter J. McGuire of the American Federation of Labor. Whomever the original founder, by 1894, the holiday had become widely recognized and was designated a federal holiday by Congress and President Grover Cleveland immediately following the Pullman Strike. This strike pitted US Marshals and US Military against employees of Pullman Palace Car Company outside Chicago, as workers sought to protest wage cuts and the firing of union representatives. At the time, the holiday was a way of repairing ties with workers and recognizing the importance of their contributions.

Today, we see Labor Day as an opportunity to recognize all the people who work hard to contribute to our county. Thank you, and Happy Labor Day from all of us! 

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Signs That Could Indicate Your Southern Vermont Electrical System Has Troubles

August 29th, 2013

The electrical system is a staple of the home, providing light, heat and power for modern appliances. When trouble arises, it disrupts the flow of your life, and can prove costly as well as inconvenient. Residents of Southern Vermont pride themselves on their self-sufficiency, but troubles with your electrical system usually necessitate a service call from an expert. Here are some signs that indicate potential trouble with your electricity.

  • Tripped breakers. Tripper circuit breakers are usually the most obvious sign of faulty electrical wiring. They trip in the event of an overload, cutting power to that circuit and preventing further damage in the process.  If the breaker keeps tripping, it suggests a significant problem.
  • Flickering lights. If your lights flicker or dim, it may just be a problem with the light bulb. It could also be a loose connection with the wiring or problems with the fixture. Try replacing the bulb with a fresh one. If it doesn’t solve the issue, you should consult an electrician.
  • Warm fixtures. If you’re using a bulb with too much wattage or your fixture lack proper insulation, they could feel warm to the touch. That’s a problem because it means the fixture could overheat, creating a fire hazard.
  • Burning smell. Similarly, if you detect a burning smell whenever you turn on a light, it suggests an overload issue or a problem with faulty wiring. Turn off power to the light panel at the circuit panel and contact an electrician immediately.

For over 20 years, HB Energy Solutions has Offered electrical services to Southern Vermont. We offer 24-hour emergency service and off a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all our work. If your electrical system is experiencing troubles, call us today to set up an appointment.

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I Smell Sewage: Should I Schedule Plumbing Repair in New Hampshire?

August 22nd, 2013

The smell of sewage in your home or business can be a cause of great concern. Is there a plumbing leak? Are there gases or waste products in my house? Should I schedule plumbing repair? Whether you live in New Hampshire or Vermont, it’s imperative you get plumbing problems fixed right away.

If the sewer line has ruptured, you can spot signs beyond the smell that can alert you to the problem. The ground in your yard may become soggy, or you might notice that the grass is greener and more vibrant than the surrounding plant life (which means it’s being fertilized by the sewage form the line). You may also hear a bubbling sound or see bubbles in your toilet.

It may also be that your plumbing system is having issues with its drain traps or vents, which keep sewage smells from entering your house. If that’s the case, then you need to summon a trained professional as quickly as possible to discover the problem. Your vents or traps may be faulty, with a broken seal or an inability to hold sufficient amounts of water in the system. Clogged vents happen too, and with the clogs can come a suspicious sewer smell. Again, however, a qualified expert can conduct repairs: replacing the seal, plugging any leaks and cleaning clogged vent pipes no matter where they are in the house.

Repairs can thus run a broad gamut from a simple clog or faulty seal to a wholesale installation project. Regardless of the source of the sewage smells, however, you need a reliable and professional expert on your side to help. You also need to trust them to accurately assess the causes and to implement a solution that’s going to work.

At HB Energy Solutions, we are fully insured and licensed, with a dedication to 100% customer satisfaction. We provide free estimates so you know what to expect before going in. Pick up the phone and call today if you need plumbing repair in New Hampshire.

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Basic Components of Your Electrical System

August 14th, 2013

Every modern home has an electrical system, designed to run our lights, appliances and other devices that make modern living possible. In Southern Vermont, electrical problems can be more than an inconvenience, with cold temperatures and inclement weather outside creating all manner of problems. It helps to understand the basic components of your electrical system, so that you know what happens when there are problems and can give a service professional some basic idea of where to look.

Electricity in your home starts with the circuit breaker panel, which is connected to the main power supplied by your city or municipality. The breaker panel usually contains the main breaker, which covers the whole house, as well as individual breakers that run power to different specific outlets inside the house.

Electrical wiring goes out from the breaker box to each of the individual outlets in your home.  The wires have to meet certain codes, both federal and local, in order to be rated safely. Most circuits in the modern home have two conductors: one “hot” and one “neutral.” A third conductor, which grounds the electricity and channels it directly into the ground in the event of any emergency, is connected to every outlet in the home. Older wiring, such as “knob and tube” wiring used in the early decades of the 20th century, is no longer considered safe. If you live in an older home, check with a professional to see if your wiring is still up to code.

The wiring connects to the outlets in your wall, which let you access the electricity and power the lights and appliances in your home. Some outlets contain “mini-breakers” that shut off the power when an appliance overload them.

When your electrical system experiences problems, you should contact a trained service professional immediately. HB Energy employs trained professionals who can safely handle all kinds of electrical issues, and we serve most communities in Southern Vermont. Call us for an appointment today; we’re dedicated to your satisfaction and will work hard to correct your problem the first time, every time.

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Air Conditioning Repair and Your Thermostat

August 6th, 2013

Your air conditioning system and the quality of its operation depends on the proper function of many different components. One of the most important of these components is also the one that you have the most direct interaction with. You probably don’t deal with your condenser or evaporator coils very frequently, but during the summer months you probably adjust your thermostat daily. When you rely on a mechanical device so much, it is important that you are certain it operates properly. Don’t let a malfunctioning thermostat jeopardize your comfort this cooling season. Here are a few tips about your thermostat from the Southern Vermont air conditioning repair technicians at HB Energy.

Problems with your thermostat may manifest themselves in a number of different ways. You may notice that your air conditioning system shuts down before target temperatures are met. This may have to do with a thermostat issue. It is possible for your thermostat to misread the temperature. If it thinks that your living room is 68° when it is actually 75°, for instance, then there is no way that you can expect your air conditioning system to function properly. Contact an AC repair technician immediately if your thermostat seems to have trouble regulating the cooling of your home.

Never overlook the very real possibility of user error at the thermostat, though. Before you decide that your thermostat is actually damaged, make sure that you have set it properly. If it has accidentally been switched to the “heat” setting, or if you have misread the display and set it for a higher temperature than you meant to, you do not really need the services of a professional air conditioning repair technician. If there is no obvious cause of any problem, though, it may well be broken or even poorly placed. If your thermostat is a spot not indicative of the true temperature in your house, simply relocating it may do the trick.

For more guidance on successfully operating your thermostat and when to schedule air conditioning repair in Southern Vermont, just call HB Energy.

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Common Causes of Inefficient Air Conditioning in New Hampshire

July 29th, 2013

As a homeowner, you deserve to get efficient and consistent air conditioning in your home. But if notice that your energy bills keep going up, it can mean that you have a problem with your air conditioning system. So what could be causing your air conditioning system to operate inefficiently? Here are a few common causes.

  • Clogged air filter – By far the most common cause air conditioning problems is a clogged air filter. Your AC uses an air filter in order to protect the insides from dust, dirt and other debris that might get in from the outside air. If the air filter doesn’t get regularly replaced, it can restrict the flow of air through the system which will greatly reduce its efficiency.
  • Over-sized system – Another common cause of inefficient air conditioning operation is an air conditioning system that is too large for the home. This will cause it to short-cycle, which means that it will turn on and off again very quickly. This starting up and shutting down uses a lot of energy and will reduce your AC’s efficiency.
  • Clogged coils – Your air conditioning system uses two different sets of coils in order to cool your home. On the inside are evaporator coils over which a fan blows the warm air from your home in order to cool it. In the outside unit are the condensing coils that exhaust the heat from your home. If these coils get clogged, it will restrict the flow of air and cause you to lose efficiency.
  • Low refrigerant – Your air conditioning system uses a compressed refrigerant in order to carry the heat out of your house. If you don’t have enough refrigerant in your air conditioner, then it will have to work extra hard in order to cool your home which reduces its efficiency.

If you need repair, installation or maintenance services for your air conditioning in New Hampshire, just contact us here at HB Energy.

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Simple Ways to Protect Your Plumbing in New Hampshire

July 22nd, 2013

It can be incredibly frustrating if your home’s plumbing system stops working. You use your drains and your water pipes every single day to carry out essential tasks like showering, washing dishes and doing laundry. Because of how important your plumbing system is, most homeowners are interested in things that they can do to keep their plumbing system working well. Here at HB Energy, we offer complete plumbing services and we wanted to share some of the tips that you can use to keep your plumbing system working consistently. Give us a call if you need any services for your plumbing in New Hampshire.

Here are a few tips from our professional plumbers here at HB Energy. Contact us if you need any repair, installation or maintenance for your plumbing in New Hampshire.

  • Regular maintenance – Probably one of the best things that you can do to keep your plumbing system working well is to get it regularly maintained. As your plumbing system operates, it will develop small clogs and leaks that can eventually turn into major issues. By dealing with those problems when they’re small, you might be able to prevent major repairs later on.
  • Protect your drains – Your drains get a lot of use every single day, especially your kitchen sink drain. Not every piece of food waste from your kitchen can go down your drains. Make sure that any animals bones, fruit pits or melted grease and fat don’t go down your drains as these can cause terrible clogs in your home’s drain system.
  • Regular cleaning – Another great thing to do is to get regular drain cleaning. During drain cleaning services, your plumber will thoroughly clean out all of the components of your system. This will allow them to remove any small clogs that might be developing.

If you need any kind of services for your plumbing in New Hampshire, make sure that you call the experts at HB Energy.

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Save Energy with a Quality Air Conditioning Installation

July 15th, 2013

Are you in the market for a new AC? Tired of paying for frequent repairs on your old unit? Whatever your reason for needing a new AC system for your home, there’s nothing more important to the future of your comfort than a quality installation. Air conditioners are complex machines with various components that must cooperate to remove heat energy from the home and cool your air. Your indoor and outdoor units need to be installed by a professional and properly charged with the right amount of refrigerant. Call HB Energy today for all of your air conditioning installation needs in Southern Vermont and New Hampshire.

Let’s take a look at how you can save energy by hiring a quality air conditioning professional for your next installation project:

  • Sizing: Before you even reach the actual installation phase, you need to make sure that your AC is appropriately sized for your home. Only a professional will be able to provide an adequate load calculation of your home and match that to an AC that fits your home’s needs.
  • Options: When you deal with a professional, you have options. Not only do you have central air systems to select from, but you can also take advantage of ductless split heat pumps that provide cooling in the summer and warmth in the winter. A professional can help you differentiate between the various types of system to find one that’s right for your home.
  • SEER: Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio is the rating used in the US for air conditioning units. Every AC has a numeric SEER rating, and the higher the number, the greater its estimated energy efficiency. While energy efficiency depends on numerous factors beyond your AC’s SEER, it’s generally a good guide for purchasing a new system.
  • Refrigerant: During installation, your AC will need to be properly charged with refrigerant. This level is incredibly important to both the energy efficiency and effectiveness of your new system. If it is not completed properly, it can result in inadequate cooling and high energy bills. Your AC technician will make sure your system is charged with the manufacturer’s recommended amount of refrigerant.

Call HB Energy Solutions if you need air conditioning installation in New Hampshire.

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Causes of Uneven Air Conditioning in New Hampshire

July 8th, 2013

Your air conditioning system is a critical component of your home’s comfort. But what if it is only cooling certain sections of your home? This can be incredibly frustrating and is often a sign that you need repairs for your air conditioning in New Hampshire. Read below for a brief explanation of what could be causing this issue.

Air Conditioner is Too Big or Too Small

If your air conditioning system is too large for your home, it will turn on and quickly cool the areas closest to it and then shut off when the thermostat senses that the area is cool. Conversely, if your air conditioning system is too small, it won’t be able to cool enough air. In order to fully cool your entire home, your air conditioner will needs to be properly sized.

Ductwork

Another common cause of hot and cold spots throughout your home could be with your ductwork. It might be the case that the ducts in a certain area of your home are leaking. Any cool air that tries to get through could be leaking outside. It may also be that your ducts are poorly insulated so the heat in your attic warms the air as it passes through the ducts. Uneven cooling can also happen if ductwork in your home is too small for your air conditioning system. In this case, your AC system is trying to pull in more air through the ducts but there simply isn’t the space for it.

If you are having any of these problems or if you need service for your air conditioning in New Hampshire, make sure that you call the experts at HB Energy.  

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