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Seasonal Prep

How to Keep Your Home Comfortable During the Holidays

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winter seasonIn the winter, your home heating system does two important jobs – keeping you comfortable when you’re home and keeping your home safe when you aren’t. No one wants to come home to frozen pipes, whether it’s an unexpected cold snap while you’re at a holiday party that ran long or when you come back from a weekend visiting relatives. And, of course, you want to be as comfortable as possible in the winter without wasting energy and money.

Thinking about your home’s temperature might not be the first thing on your list when you are getting ready to travel or heading south for the winter. Yet if you don’t think about it, you could come home to an ugly mess.

What Should I Set My Heat to When on Vacation?

When taking a winter vacation, the best temperature to set your thermostat is usually 55 degrees, but that’s not always the case.

The U.S. Department of Energy says it’s important to keep your floors and walls that likely have pipes in or under them at about 55 degrees Fahrenheit. However, if your heat isn’t central or doesn’t heat the exterior walls and floors as efficiently, you might need to have the thermostat set higher to maintain 55 degrees where the pipes are. This is especially important if you are leaving the house unoccupied for a large portion or all of the winter. Some other precautions and home preparations for winter vacations can help you save energy and ensure no mishaps happen.

What Temperature Should You Leave an Occupied Home in Winter?

As explained above, a minimum of 55 degrees Fahrenheit is important to avoid frozen pipes – but you might need to set the temperature warmer if you have pipes that go through exterior walls or crawl spaces, especially if those areas are not well insulated. Ideally, if you are leaving your home unoccupied for the winter, you should install alarms to monitor if the area near your pipes gets too cold or if you should have an unexpected break.

If that’s not possible, State Farm suggests enlisting a trusted friend or neighbor to check the house regularly, including checking for cold spots near the pipes. Having someone who is local check the interior of your home while you are away, especially for snowbirds, is an important part of coming home to a house that is just as comfortable as when you left it.

Additionally, Long Island’s cold, wet winters aren’t great for your home furnishings if they are not kept at a reasonably warm temperature. Everything from your car to your curtains and clothing can end up smelling like mildew or even mold if the temperature in your house varies drastically from week to week.

Should Snowbirds Turn Off the Water Heater in the Winter?

While some plumbers recommend turning off your water heater when you leave for the winter, Popular Mechanics says that’s not the best idea. Turning the heat down on the water heater can help you save energy without risking the water tank freezing if the house should lose power for an extended period of time. Snowbirds should take the time to winterize their house if they are going to be gone for several months, but even then, keeping your home warm to about 55 degrees is the safest way to avoid a big plumbing bill when you come home gain.

Tragar Express Can Help Keep Your Home Comfy This Winter

The best option for keeping your home and all your belongings in good working order and odor-free this winter is to maintain an even warm temperature inside. Whether you are here or enjoying the Florida sun, Tragar Express can help by keeping your heating oil stocked when you need it. Contact us today!

Signs Your Oil Boiler Needs Servicing or Replacing

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technician servicing a boilerYour home’s heat begins with the oil burner. Without it, your water boiler won’t produce hot water, and the furnace won’t supply hot air for your home. Regular maintenance can help extend the life and efficiency of your boiler. Whether that includes basic maintenance you can do yourself or scheduling a professional, every bit helps.

Do Boilers Really Need Servicing?

Nothing lasts forever. An issue with your boiler can lead to many negative consequences ranging from having no heat for your home, warm water, or even dangerous carbon monoxide poisoning.

One of the main reasons to have your boiler serviced is the long-term saving on your utility bills. An efficient boiler will use less energy to run and cost you less.

Do You Need Your Boiler Serviced Every Year?

Most energy companies suggest having boilers serviced once a year. Most people schedule their servicing during the winter when their boiler is actively being used, which will help make any issues more noticeable. However, some opt to wait until summer, viewing it as easier to repair the system when you’re less likely to need it. Whichever time frame you choose, the more important point is to do it consistently once a year.

What Happens When You Don’t Service Your Boiler?

Neglecting your boiler can lead to the following:

  • Oil leaks
  • Filters and hoses clogged with sludge
  • Nozzles can be worn away
  • Steam line corrosion
  • Complete system failure

This can have an adverse effect on the fuel-to-air mixture. There can be bad smells, strange noises, and messy stains. Essentially, minor problems create more significant problems down the road.

Is It Illegal to Not Have Your Boiler Serviced?

If you are a landlord or other property manager, it is your legal responsibility to provide heat to your tenants and have your boiler serviced. Having it serviced and ensuring basic maintenance is performed works in your favor, as any repairs caught before they become major problems are less costly than replacing an entire system. Regular maintenance is also required in most product warranties.

What Is Done During a Boiler Service?

An HVAC professional will thoroughly clean the interior of the boiler. As mentioned before, boiler cleaning should be done every year. This will save you money and extend the boiler’s lifespan because removing the build-up of soot allows it to burn more efficiently. They will also:

  • Check the oil supply lines for sludge clogs
  • Change filters
  • Replace nozzles
  • Run an efficiency test to measure temperatures, CO2, smoke, and combustion efficiency.

How Long Does Oil Boiler Servicing Take?

The average inspection and servicing can take up to three hours, though typically only 1-2 hours. During the servicing, the HVAC technician will examine the unit for pieces that need to be replaced as part of the normal wear and tear of the system.

Can Anyone Service a Boiler?

New York City requires every boiler to be inspected annually by either a Licensed Master Plumber or a Licensed Oil Burner Installer. Most ordinary boiler maintenance and repair shouldn’t require a permit, but they must be performed by either the Licensed Oil Burner Installer or Licensed Master Plumber.

Call Tragar Express for Home Heating Oil Delivery

Tragar Express has been providing reliable, efficient, friendly HVAC service to Long Island homeowners since 1956. This includes our COD oil delivery. For the best heating oil prices and customer service experience, contact us

Carbon Monoxide Safety Reminders for Heating Season

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carbon monoxide detectorCarbon monoxide (CO) is known as “the silent killer”. This colorless, odorless gas can build up in your home without your knowledge. It can make you sick – or worse – before you’re even aware it’s there.

November is Carbon Monoxide Awareness Month, and the National Carbon Monoxide Awareness Association (NCOAA) wants you to know that as stealthy and dangerous as CO is, there are precautions you can take to keep you and your family safe this heating season.

What Causes Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Winter?

Carbon monoxide is formed by the incomplete combustion of fuels. It is a colorless, odorless gas found in fumes produced whenever you burn fuel like gasoline, natural gas, oil, or even wood. It can build up indoors and poison people and animals who breathe it, as CO molecules displace the oxygen in their bodies.

Why Is Carbon Monoxide Poisoning More Common in Winter?

Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs more frequently in the fall and winter. This is because people are more likely to use gas furnaces and heaters during colder months, and heating appliances and fireplaces are common causes of CO poisoning. At the same time, houses are tightly sealed against the cold, so there’s no ventilation to help dilute the carbon monoxide as it builds.

What Appliances Can Leak Carbon Monoxide?

Heating systems are among the most common sources of carbon monoxide leaks, but anything that burns fuel can become problematic. Your clothes dryer and even your gas or wood stove can emit carbon monoxide. Some other carbon monoxide sources are:

  • Space heaters
  • Boilers
  • Fireplaces
  • Water heaters
  • Grills
  • Generators
  • Lanterns
  • Power tools
  • Lawn equipment
  • Motor vehicles
  • Tobacco smoke

How Do You Protect Your Home from Carbon Monoxide?

  • Ensure your fuel-burning appliances are well-maintained, properly vented, and used only as directed.
  • Never use an outdoor appliance indoors.
  • Don’t use an oven to heat your home.
  • Never run your car inside your garage unless the garage door is open.
  • If you’re running your car while scraping snow and ice off the exterior, be sure the exhaust pipe isn’t blocked by snow.
  • Install carbon monoxide detectors in your home and change the batteries regularly.

For installing a carbon monoxide detector, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and replace the detector after the suggested length of time, typically every 5-10 years. Additionally, have an evacuation plan. Make sure your family recognizes the sound of the alarm and has an evacuation plan to leave the house and call 911 if it goes off. In addition to having an escape plan, everyone in your home should be able to recognize the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Initial symptoms include mild headache and shortness of breath, followed by severe headache, nausea, dizziness, and fatigue.

Continued CO exposure can lead to irritability, impaired coordination, confusion, and loss of consciousness. It is very easy to dismiss the early symptoms, but that could be a deadly mistake. There are many similarities to symptoms of the flu, but if you don’t have a fever, body aches, or swollen glands, suspect CO poisoning and act accordingly. It’s better to be safe than sorry because heavy concentrations of CO can kill within minutes.

Tragar’s Companies Can Keep Your Family Safe and Warm

It’s important to know what appliances in your home are fuel-burning and to make sure they are maintained properly. The good news is that the experts at our parent company Tragar Home Services can check your HVAC systems and recommend any necessary repairs to keep the air in your home clean and safe.

Tragar Express provides discounted oil-on-demand delivery services with the ability to shop and place orders 24/7. We have more than 60 employees to help ensure speedy delivery and excellent customer service year-round, regardless of the weather. Contact us online or give us a call directly at (855) 426-3645 and let us know how we can help you.

Gas Heat vs. Oil Heat

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home heating systemAutumn is here, and the cold weather looms in the not-too-distant future. It’s a good time to get a jump on making sure that you and yours stay toasty warm through the cold months ahead. Which does a better and more efficient job, gas heat or oil heat?

First, let’s start with an essential definition. AFUE ratings are the baseline measurement we will be using. In the simplest terms, the AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) is the percentage of your fuel that is converted into energy.

Energy.gov designates high-efficiency heating systems as having 90% to 98.5% AFUE, and mid-efficiency heating systems have a rating of 80% to 83%. Anything lower than that is considered low-efficiency.

Is Oil Heat or Gas Heat Safer?

There are a number of reasons that oil heat is a safer overall choice.

  • Heating oil is not flammable like gas.
  • Oil has a distinctive smell, which can allow you to identify leaks. Gas, which is toxic, does not have an odor without the use of additives.
  • With oil, the possibility of an explosion is not an issue.

Additionally, gas heat systems require a pipeline to deliver the gas to your home. A leak in this pipeline can be very dangerous and can take weeks or months to repair.

How Efficient Is Oil Heat?

Due to modern methods of oil production and combustion, oil heat generates more heat than gas heat, about 140,000 BTUs versus 100,000 for the same amount of fuel, according to RegionEnergy. Additionally, efficiency ratings on newer heating systems usually fall into the 83-95% AFUE range, classifying them as high efficiency. The older the unit is, the lower the probable AFUE rating.

Is It Cheaper to Heat with Gas or Oil?

While both are subject to fluctuations due to supply and demand, the gas markets tend to be more stable, resulting in steadier fuel prices. The machinery and heating systems for oil-based systems are generally much cheaper and more widely available than gas-based ones. They also tend to last roughly twice as long.

Which Is Better Oil Heat or Gas Heat?

The answer may vary according to your needs, but it is worth noting that roughly 5.3 million households in the United States used heating oil (distillate fuel oil) as their main fuel, with approximately 82% of those households in the Northeast. Get more information on making the choice between oil heat and gas heat in our pros and cons article.

Your Trusted Long Island C.O.D. Heating Oil Provider

Tragar Express specializes in maintaining the trust and confidence earned over the past six and a half decades. If you need residential heating oil, let us show you our 5-star service and the best pricing in the area.

Conserve both your time and money by taking advantage of our online C.O.D. (Call On Demand) heating oil delivery service. If you place your order before 10 am, you can even arrange for same-day oil delivery. Contact us online today or call us at (855) 426-3645 and start saving on your heating oil!

Why It’s Important to Have Your Boilers Cleaned Seasonally

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boiler cleaningAs the weather starts to turn crisp and cooler, Long Island homeowners perform annual activities like fall clean-ups, getting out winter clothing, prepping their gardens for next year, etc., but having their boilers cleaned is equally important. Hopefully, annual HVAC maintenance is already part of your routine.

Not sure if you have a boiler? Or are you unsure what a boiler is? A lot of people refer to all heating systems as “a furnace”. In reality, if your HVAC system heats air and distributes it throughout your home, it’s a furnace, whereas boilers heat water for either a steam or hot water heating system. So if your home has baseboard heat or radiators, you have a boiler.

Do Hot Water Boilers Need to Be Cleaned?

Yes, and not only do hot water boilers need to be cleaned – they should be cleaned every year. As with any other system, regular cleaning can prolong the functional life of the system.

Generally, boilers are cleaned in the off-season, meaning March through fall. That said, our expert HVAC professionals at Tragar can clean your boiler any time of the year so if it needs to be done in the middle of winter, give us a call.

How Often Should a Boiler Be Cleaned?

Your boiler should be cleaned once a year, every year. Ideally, it should be cleaned at the end of winter, so it’s clean and ready for whenever the cold weather starts again. Though, cleaning can be done any time of the year if necessary. It’s good to get in the habit of doing it the same month every year, so you don’t forget.

How Do You Clean a Boiler?

WikiHow has a tutorial on how to clean a boiler. However, for best results, a boiler should be inspected before cleaning and receive any routine maintenance required. That is best done by a professional, and it’s generally smarter to have your boiler professionally cleaned as well.

What Happens If You Don’t Clean a Boiler?

Not cleaning your boiler can lead to a breakdown and shorten the life expectancy of your HVAC system. Even if something severe doesn’t happen, neglecting cleaning can cause the boiler to be less efficient and even cause heat distribution inconsistencies.

How Often Should You Service a Boiler?

Whether fueled by natural gas or home heating oil, a boiler or a furnace should receive routine maintenance once a year. Annual service can detect and prevent potential problems in advance, and it can ensure the system runs efficiently. Annual maintenance is also a requirement for most furnace and boiler warranties as well, so it helps protect your investment.

Call Tragar Express for Home Heating Oil

Tragar has been providing outstanding HVAC service to Long Island homeowners for more than 30 years. For the best heating oil prices and service, contact us online or call (855) 426-3645.

Is Summer the Best Time to Schedule Your Heating Oil Delivery?

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summer oil deliveryAs the heat of summer arrives on Long Island, the thought of heating oil is far from the minds of many, but the economical often say it’s the best time to buy it. Does this folk wisdom still hold true, or have market fluctuations changed the equation? Let’s break it down a bit.

What Month Is Heating Oil the Cheapest?

Like many things, it all comes down to supply and demand. The cost of heating oil and heating oil delivery depends on the time of year because the cost fluctuates throughout the year due to demand levels from consumers. In times of low demand, the price drops, making the summer the best time to get oil. Oil is usually at its least expensive prices between April and September.

Is It a Good Time to Buy Heating Oil?

Since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine global heating oil prices have risen sharply. The current market price of heating oil is high, and it is quite likely to remain so for at least a couple of months, and it could go higher once temperatures drop. For these reasons along with saving time, money, and fuel, you should consider getting your heating oil delivered in the summer. Check your tank and place an order now in case that trend continues.

Should You Keep Your Oil Tank Full in Summer?

Yes, it is advisable to keep your tank at least half-full (preferably more) during the warmer part of the year. Empty space in your tank is space that allows condensation to form. The heat and humidity of the day followed by cooler nights is prime for creating condensation which drips down into the bottom of the tank because it is denser than heating oil. Over time, this breeds bacteria and creates sediment that can create problems with your oil tank. This sludge, as it is known, can clog your fuel lines and sometimes even cause your heating system to shut down.

If you keep your oil tank full during the summer, it prevents this condensation from having a place to form and corrode the tank from the inside. As you can see, condensation is at the root of multiple issues.

Tragar Express Is Long Island’s Trusted C.O.D. Heating Oil Provider

Well known and trusted on Long Island, Tragar Express specializes in providing 5-star service and the best pricing in the area for residential heating oil. Take advantage of our online C.O.D. (Call On Demand) heating oil delivery service.

You’ll get big savings as we pass on our savings directly to our customers! You can even arrange for oil delivery on the same day if you order before 10am. Contact us online today or call us at (855) 426-3645 and start saving on your heating oil!

How Summer Weather Affects Your HVAC System

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hvac system repairWe’ll soon be working our HVAC systems extra hard to keep us cool during the Dog Days of Summer. The “Dog Days” is actually an ancient reference tied to the coincidental sunrise rising of Sirius, the Dog Star. While the star doesn’t have an actual effect on our temperature, its appearance in our morning skies traditionally coincided with the hottest and most humid of our summer months.

So as it gets hotter, and we strive to keep cool, let’s learn what this means for our HVAC systems.

Can Hot Weather Affect an AC?

Your air conditioner operates in a continuous cycle of compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation. The amount of heat and the speed it transfers depends on the difference between the temperature of the outside air and the refrigerant in your system. So the hotter it is outside, the more your system has to work.

You can help improve the efficiency of your system by making sure the outside of the unit is clean and clear of debris. A clean air filter both improves indoor air quality and helps operation.

Does High Humidity Affect HVAC?

High humidity can increase the amount of work your system has to do in order to cool your home. If the unit is the wrong size for the space (too big or too small), an outdated model, or periods of extreme weather can all tax your system and cause humidity problems.

You should consult a professional if your interior humidity is too high and you are noticing a musty or damp smell, your indoor air feels moist, or if your windows are fogged.

Does Heat Affect Your HVAC System?

As the heat rises outside, the compressor in your HVAC system is going to have to work harder. The compressor compresses the refrigerant (as a gas) and raises its temperature to put it under pressure. This forces it through the outdoor coils where it releases its heat and condolences into a liquid. The now-liquid refrigerant returns indoors to absorb heat from your home. It then travels to the compressor to become a gas and start the process over again.

Does Outside Temperature Affect Air Conditioners?

Sustained periods of extreme temperatures can have an adverse effect on your devices. It’s not generally recommended to run your AC when it is below 60℉ because there is a risk of freezing. Constant operation on the hottest days (temperatures greater than 100℉) to keep us cool can put a strain on the system. Much like ourselves, these devices aren’t meant to run indefinitely.

Because the unit needs to run more during hot days, the fans may be accumulating dirt and debris at a faster rate. In an effort to help prevent this, be sure to check and clean it regularly.

Call Tragar Express For Discounted Oil Delivery On Long Island

Tragar Express is the trusted source on Long Island for discounted oil-on-demand delivery services with the ability to shop and place orders 24/7. We have more than 60 employees to help ensure speedy delivery and excellent customer service. Contact us online or call (855) 426-3645 today and let us know how we can help you.

Should You Keep Your Oil Tank Full in the Summer?

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filled heating oil tankThere’s a lot of uncertainty out there lately regarding the prices of a great number of things. With increasing inflation, prices going up at the pump, and rising energy costs, homeowners are looking for ways to save what they can, especially on Long Island, where things are already pretty expensive. In fact, this year, heating oil is more expensive than ever on Long Island.

You may be looking at your home energy costs and trying to find ways to save money in the long term. Many of us know that heating oil is cheaper in the warmer months as it’s not in as much demand as it is in the colder months.

So, would it be more cost-effective to order your heating oil during the off months when possible? Is it possible to not need any heating oil in the summer at all to save money as well?

Do You Need Heating Oil in the Summer?

There are a number of reasons why you would want heating oil during the warm summer months. As noted earlier, oil costs are higher in the colder months as demand is higher, so you’d be spending more money filling up your oil tank from the months of October through March. That should be enough reason to want to make sure you have plenty of heating oil during those summer months before the prices go up. This way, you aren’t spending money that you don’t have to in fall and early winter.

There are other reasons to make sure you get your heating oil over the summer as well. If your oil tank is empty for any length of time, you run the risk of condensation building up and causing damage to your tank over time.

Additionally, there could be leftover sediment after the oil is emptied from your tank. That leftover sediment could potentially be sucked through the pipes in your HVAC system and cause costly damage.

How Fast Does Heating Oil Evaporate?

While it may sound hard to believe, heating oil can actually evaporate from your tank. This only happens in very high temperatures, so you shouldn’t experience much of that outside of heatwaves and similar conditions. Additionally, the evaporation is not fast; you’ll be unlikely to lose a notable amount of heating oil through evaporation.

When Is the Best Time to Schedule Heating Oil Deliveries?

Everyone’s home, family size, and other factors can impact the amount of heating oil used and when it’s necessary to have oil deliveries. It’s important to work with trained professionals that can access your needs and can set up a schedule with you to keep your home comfortable and make sure your home heating isn’t something you have to worry about.

Tragar Express Is Long Island’s Trusted Heating Oil Provider

A trusted name on Long Island, Tragar Express provides 5-star service for our customers during and after business hours. We offer the best pricing in the area for residential heating oil. By ordering online and managing your own oil deliveries, our costs are significantly reduced, resulting in big savings for you! We can even get your oil delivered the same day if you order before 10am. Contact us online today or call us at (855) 426-3645 and start saving on your heating oil!

What is COD Oil Delivery?

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COD oil deliveryCall on Demand, or COD, oil delivery is a service to supply heating oil to your home. It works on a “request as needed” approach instead of an automatic delivery setup.

Sometimes called pay-per-delivery, this option gives you full control over the ordering process. COD oil delivery can prevent you from being locked into a long-term service contract, and it gives you the freedom to shop around to find the company and prices that work best for you and your heating oil needs.

What Is COD Heating Oil?

Simply put, this is the same residential heating oil delivered by truck to your home. In 2012, New York was the first state that required ultra-low sulfur heating oil (ULSHO), or heating oil with a sulfur content of 15 parts per million or less.

While most heating oil is produced from crude oil, some suppliers offer oil blends of petroleum distillate and biofuels. This blended oil is about 5% biofuel by volume.

How Is Home Heating Oil Delivered?

To make sure your oil tank is never empty, you should refill it anytime it gets down to one-quarter full. This will ensure you get your oil before you run out and it becomes an emergency. This has the added benefit of verifying any impurities settled on the bottom of the tank don’t get pumped through the system.

The cost of getting heating oil delivered depends on several factors, such as the time of year. The best time of year for cheapest COD oil prices is during the summer, when the overall demand for oil decreases. More specifically, heating oil is generally cheapest between April and September.

How Do You Prepare for Your COD Oil Delivery?

Scheduling an appointment in the online era has never been easier, but a few other steps will help make sure your delivery runs smoothly.

  1. Make sure your house number is visible.
    This will help the delivery driver find your home.
  2. Check your oil tank’s gauge before and after filling.
    By checking your oil tank’s gauge, you can compare it to your receipt. Some gauges might be a little off due to age, but it’s still useful to have at least a rough estimate of how much oil you received.
  3. Make sure the intake pipe is accessible.
    The driver will need direct access to your intake pipe when the delivery truck arrives. So, make sure it’s clear of all debris, and if it’s in a gated area, leave the gate open. The oil provider will drag a long hose from the truck to the intake. So don’t worry about a big truck tearing up the yard, but make sure there’s a clear path available to the intake.
  4. Keep your pets indoors.
    If you have pets that hang out in the yard, they can be a distraction or impediment to the oil provider. The last thing anyone wants is for a pet to get out of a fenced-in area because it was opened for the hose to deliver the oil.

Tragar Express Is Your Long Island COD Oil Source

Tragar Express provides discounted oil-on-demand delivery services with the ability to shop and place orders 24/7. We have more than 60 employees to help ensure speedy delivery and excellent customer service. And as part of Tragar Home Services, we have more than 60 years of experience serving Long Island homeowners, so you know you can rely on us. Contact us today, and let us know how we can help you.