You have lots of things to worry about in the summer, from keeping your air conditioning running well to making sure your kids have what they need for camp. When it comes to your home comfort, Main-Care Energy has the resources and dedication to help you out in the summer and all year long. It’s part of our 360° of Service commitment. Our team is there for you every hour of the day and every season of the year for just about every aspect of our home comfort.
In the hotter weather, many homeowners in Glens Falls, the greater NY Capital Region and the Hudson Valley (not to mention parts of Massachusetts and Vermont) aren’t thinking about heating oil. But it’s a good idea to pay attention to how much fuel you have in your heating oil tank and make sure it’s filled well in advance of the winter. In this post, we’ll tell you why.
Keeping track of your heating oil levels is key to staying prepared during colder months, and it’s easier than you might think. Start by locating the tank gauge, usually found on top of the tank as a glass or plastic tube with markings like F (Full), ¾, ½, ¼ and E (Empty). A colored float shows the current oil level. To ensure the gauge is accurate, remove the casing and gently press on the float. If it bounces back, it’s working properly; if not, it may need service. Finally, read the gauge like a car’s fuel gauge; if it’s at ¼ or less, it’s time to schedule a heating oil delivery.
Many homeowners assume that heating oil usage drops to zero during the summer, but that’s not always the case. If your home has an oil-powered water heater, it continues to operate year-round. On average, water heating alone can consume about half a gallon to a gallon of oil per day. For larger households with greater hot water demands, this number can be even higher.
As temperatures begin to cool in the fall, your furnace or boiler will start to kick in, gradually increasing your fuel consumption. On a mild 50-degree day, your heating system might use less than a gallon of oil to keep your home comfortable. But when temperatures drop to around 30 degrees, daily usage can climb to two gallons or more. And as the mercury plunges below 10 degrees, you could see consumption rise to three or even four gallons per day.
If your heating oil tank is less than one-third full, we strongly encourage you to arrange a heating oil delivery soon. Here’s why:
Want to take a to-do off your list this summer — plus the other three seasons, too?
If you aren’t currently signed up for our automatic delivery schedule, now’s the time to do it. Main-Care Energy eliminates the risk of heating oil run-outs with this free offering. Our advanced monitors track your usage and schedule deliveries before you run low, so you never have to check your tank or call for fuel. Our customers love it!
Reach out to our heating oil delivery team today to enroll in automatic delivery and add some extra peace of mind to your life!
In not-so-surprising news, the summer has arrived in our part of the Northeast with a vengeance. In Lake George, the Hudson Valley, the New York Capital region, plus western Vermont and beyond, temperatures have soared to sizzling levels.
At times like this, a well-operating central air conditioning system is an absolute must. It makes your home livable and safe. With that in mind, let’s discuss some of the ways you can support your home cooling equipment while it’s working overtime this summer. The Main-Care Energy team is also available to assist in maintaining your A/C system.
When your cooling equipment’s airflow is restricted, it ends up working harder to keep you comfortable. Additionally, your equipment can become dirty with dust, pollen and sundry debris, impeding its performance. Here are three ways you can ensure your equipment’s airflow is unimpeded:
Ice buildup on your evaporator coil or clogs in the condensate drain line can disrupt your air conditioner’s ability to cool your home effectively. While it’s possible to clear these blockages on your own, many homeowners choose to rely on a professional HVAC technician for a thorough and hassle-free solution.
If you find that your A/C unit is leaking refrigerant, do not attempt to fix the issue yourself. Reach out to Main-Care Energy right away. Our technicians have training, certification and experience to handle refrigerants.
There are several ways that you can lower your A/C usage without sacrificing comfort this summer. Making these simple adjustments will slow wear and tear on your equipment and reduce your monthly electric bill in the process:
The most essential way to prevent breakdowns, extend your A/C system’s lifespan and boost your home’s cooling efficiency is to arrange an annual A/C tune-up from an HVAC professional. At Main-Care Energy, we employ the most thoroughly trained and experienced HVAC team in the region. We’ll clean, inspect, test and calibrate your home cooling system to ensure it’s running at peak performance with minimal risk of malfunctions.
For total peace of mind, you can safeguard your A/C system with a Main-Care Energy Protection Plan. This coverage includes an annual tune-up, priority emergency service and reduced costs on repairs.
Get in touch with the Main-Care Energy team today to arrange maintenance service or enroll in an A/C Protection Plan.
We get it — part of the joy of owning your home is taking care of some improvement projects yourself. It can be incredibly fulfilling to repaint a room, mount some new bookshelves, install a light fixture or switch out some old doorknobs.
But what about propane tank installation? If you’re adding some high-efficiency gas equipment to your home — whether that be a furnace, water heater, stove, gas log or some other high-end product — you should leave the installation and connection of the propane tank to a trained professional. Here are five reasons why.
Home propane tanks are considerably larger and more complex than the cylinder you attach to your grill. They may require excavation or a concrete slab for proper placement. Without the right equipment and processes, the tank installation could become impossible and lead to an injury.
At Main-Care Energy, we have the training and experience to install and connect your propane tank in one day.*
Generally speaking, propane is an exceptionally safe home fuel — if your tank is installed and connected correctly. Connecting a propane tank to your home’s appliances requires expertise, precision and the right tools. Even the smallest error in attaching pipes, fittings or valves can lead to significant safety hazards.
The Main-Care Energy team prioritizes your safety by ensuring every connection is secure and rigorously tested. Our meticulous approach not only safeguards your home but also maximizes the efficiency of your propane system.
Home insurance companies, equipment manufacturers and state and local governments all have a vested interest in safe home propane tank installations. You need an installer with the training and experience to ensure compliance with all relevant codes and regulations. A professional installation will help you avoid fines, voided warranties and issues with your home insurance policy.
The size of your propane tank is crucial for maintaining a reliable and efficient energy supply for your home. A tank that’s too small means frequent refills, while an oversized tank takes up unnecessary space. Finding the right size depends on factors like your home’s square footage, the number of propane appliances and your daily energy use. At Main-Care Energy, we take the guesswork out of this process by assessing your energy needs and recommending the ideal tank size for your specific requirements. As your needs change, we’re here to help with seamless upgrades.
Moreover, choosing the right tank location is about more than looks. Safety codes, refueling access and distance from buildings or ignition sources must all be considered. Our team ensures precise placement, prioritizing safety, convenience, and compliance with local regulations.
Even if you manage to avoid any considerable safety hazards or regulatory issues with a DIY tank installation, there’s a strong chance that fuel will not be arriving at your propane appliances most efficiently. A relatively small issue with pipe sizing or material can result in financial losses due to wasted propane usage for years to come.
When homeowners want to add propane service in Catskill or elsewhere in the Hudson Valley, the New York Capital Region, Western Vermont and Western Massachusetts, they come to Main-Care Energy. We carry propane tanks in a wide range of sizes and offer a hassle-free same-day tank swap.* And if you are a tank lease customer, our team handles all the installation, testing and upkeep for you!
Join the family of Main-Care Energy customers today to begin receiving top-tier propane tank leasing, propane delivery and a full slate of HVAC services!
* Same-day tank swap is not available during certain times of the year. Some restrictions apply. Contact us for details.
Have you recently installed a heat pump as your primary heating and cooling system in your home? Are you considering doing so but aren’t sure what to expect?
Heat pumps operate differently than traditional HVAC equipment like furnaces, boilers and central air conditioning. As such, homeowners can be confused about whether they are running correctly, especially when it’s swelteringly hot or freezing outside.
Allow us to take you through how these heating and cooling systems work and what their typical runtimes are.
Heat pumps work by moving heat from one place to another rather than generating it. These systems are composed of two primary components: an indoor air handler unit and an outdoor unit. The two are connected by a conduit that houses power cables, tubing, communication lines and condensate drain lines. A single outdoor unit can support multiple indoor air handlers, offering versatile heating and cooling options.
In colder months, heat pumps extract heat energy from the outside air and transfer it indoors to keep your space warm. When set to cooling mode, they function like air conditioners, pulling heat from indoor air and releasing it outside through the outdoor unit. Efficient and adaptable, heat pumps provide year-round comfort with ease.
Several factors influence how long your heat pump operates, even if you and a neighbor have similar homes. Heat pump runtimes can vary due to differences in environment, insulation, and usage. Here are some key factors that impact your system’s runtime:
On average, a heat pump runs in cycles for about 2–3 hours per day. However, this can fluctuate based on the factors listed above. During extreme weather conditions, your system may run continuously to maintain a comfortable environment.
When the weather heats up, your heat pump becomes a key ally in keeping your home cool and comfortable. To maximize energy efficiency and maintain a pleasant indoor environment, set your thermostat to 78°F while you’re at home. Most heat pumps allow individual air handlers to operate independently, so consider turning off or reducing cooling in rooms you don’t use frequently.
In colder months, heat pumps perform best when set to a consistent temperature. Unlike traditional furnaces or boilers, which cycle on and off, heat pumps are designed to operate steadily rather than cycling intermittently. We recommend starting with a temperature around 68°F for optimal comfort and performance.
On particularly frigid nights, when temperatures drop below freezing, your heat pump may struggle to maintain desired comfort levels. For these extreme conditions, we suggest using your oil or gas heating system as a backup option.
To keep your heat pump operating smoothly, reduce wear and tear and lower energy costs, you need to invest in proper upkeep for your equipment. Routine maintenance keeps your heat pump running at top performance and efficiency. Annual inspections by Main-Care Energy’s HVAC technicians can catch and fix issues early.
The best way to ensure your heat pump gets the attention it needs is with a Main-Care Energy Home Protection Plan. Our plans offer annual preventative maintenance for your cooling equipment, along with priority emergency service, discounted or complimentary repairs and additional benefits. Most importantly, you’ll have total confidence that your heat pump will run dependably to keep you and your loved ones comfortable and safe.
To enroll your HVAC system in a Home Protection Plan or schedule your annual heat pump maintenance, please get in touch with us today.
For countless homes in Rutland County and throughout our Northeast service region, propane is an absolute necessity. It provides heat in colder months and hot water all year round. It powers efficient, high-performance ranges, dryers and standby generators — plus quite a few indoor and outdoor amenities.
Propane provides this energy with a dedicated on-site tank, so you don’t need to be connected to a gas utility. And when you have a dependable propane delivery partner like Main-Care Energy, you can be confident that there’s a dedicated team ready to get to your home when you need more fuel. But how often should you plan to receive a propane delivery? In this post, we’ll break down how you can plan and budget for your propane service.
No two households use propane in the same way, and propane consumption is rarely uniform from month to month. Here are some key variables that will impact how often you need a propane delivery:
Knowing how to read your propane tank’s gauge is essential to keeping your tank from running out unexpectedly. Your propane tank is equipped with an easy-to-read gauge, typically located beneath the dome lid on top. This gauge resembles a speedometer, with numbers around the edge and a pointer indicating the percentage of propane remaining, not the number of gallons.
Running out of propane is a serious issue. Not only does it put your gas appliances and systems out of commission while we work to get an emergency propane delivery to you, but it can also lead to some additional costs and inconveniences. For example, in the event of a propane tank run-out, we’re required to perform a safety leak test before refilling your tank and relighting any pilots on your propane equipment.
We recommend that you always contact us when your tank reaches about 25% to prevent the unpleasant surprise of a propane run-out.
At Main-Care Energy, we proudly deliver 360° of Service. That means you can count on us to be there for your total home comfort every hour of the day and every season of the year. As part of this commitment, we offer ways to make tracking your propane usage and stabilizing your spending less stressful and more consistent:
Main-Care Energy proudly serves the New York Capital Region, the Hudson Valley, Western Vermont and Western Massachusetts. Become a customer today to start taking advantage of our world-class propane delivery service.
At Main-Care Energy, we believe that you should always feel comfortable and safe in your home — every hour of the day and every season of the year.
If your home’s air conditioning equipment is over 15 years old and isn’t cooling your space like it used to, now is a good time to look into a replacement. We understand that a new A/C installation can seem like a big and disruptive process. However, it can pay off considerably in better home comfort, cleaner indoor air and lower summer energy bills.
To make your A/C replacement process go as smoothly as possible, follow these four practical tips.
Just because you’ve had one type of home cooling option in the past doesn’t mean you need to stick with it when you upgrade. For example, many homes in our service area of the Hudson Valley, the NY Capital Region and Western Vermont lack the ductwork that a central air conditioner requires. A lot of homeowners mistakenly believe that inefficient and unattractive window units are their only option.
Main-Care Energy installs high-efficiency ductless mini-split systems that can provide long-term home cooling and incredible energy savings.
With so many A/C products on the market, choosing the right one and planning for the installation can feel head-spinning. However, a professional HVAC partner will have the tools, training and experience to make your A/C installation go smoothly.
A professional can assess your current cooling system and determine if it is properly sized for your home. They can recommend a larger or smaller A/C, if necessary. Professional technicians can also take care of the additional work that can come with an A/C replacement, like additional ducts and electrical fixes.
Cooling equipment can be a sizable investment, but there are many ways to reduce the upfront costs of your A/C investment while still taking immediate advantage of the increased comfort and reduced energy spending that comes with a cooling upgrade.
At Main-Care Energy, we can assist with competitive financing for up to 10 years. The approval process is incredibly simple, taking less than five minutes!
You may also qualify for HVAC rebates and tax credits for installing high-efficiency A/C equipment.
A new air conditioning product may be a significant investment. But you can ensure that you get the longest service life, the most dependable operations and the highest possible efficiency with regular maintenance.
Main-Care Energy offers our A/C customers a way to guarantee comprehensive maintenance with our Home Protection Plans. These plans include annual preventative maintenance for your cooling equipment, plus priority emergency service, discounted or free repairs and other benefits. It’s the best way to ensure the highest return on your A/C investment!
Are you interested in exploring your home cooling upgrade options? Main-Care Energy does more A/C installations than just about any company in Bennington County, the rest of western Vermont and the Hudson Valley and New York Capital region. Get in touch with us to request a free estimate.
With a bit of luck and some mild weather, you won’t need to call upon your home’s standby generator too often throughout the year. But when a power line in your neighborhood goes down, or soaring summer temperatures cause a grid overload, you want to be 100% certain that your generator is ready to go. With proper maintenance, your home generator can provide reliable service for 25 to 30 years. That said, you need to take care of it.
In Orange County and throughout the Hudson Valley, New York’s Capital Region and Western Vermont, Main-Care Energy installs, maintains and repairs gas-powered standby generators. Here are four general tips for ensuring your generator is ready when the grid fails.
Just like you wouldn’t leave your car collecting dust in a garage for months on end, it’s important to give your standby generator a test run occasionally. To keep your system running smoothly, we suggest conducting a 20 to 30-minute test every few months. This helps ensure optimal performance and allows oil to circulate effectively throughout the system.
For more specific testing guidelines, consult your owner’s manual or talk to a Main-Care pro.
Your generator needs adequate space to operate safely and reliably, but Mother Nature often likes to encroach on outdoor equipment. So, take a moment at the beginning of each season to remove any debris, leaves or overgrown plants surrounding the generator. Maintain a minimum clearance of five feet from any flammable materials for safety.
You don’t need to be an electrician or HVAC professional to give your home’s standby generator a routine visual inspection. Your manual can outline specific things to look for, but here are some general upkeep tips for our eyeball inspection:
If you notice any leaks, corroded batteries or other wear or damage that could impair the reliability or safety of your generator, contact our team right away for a service visit.
While homeowners can handle a certain amount of generator upkeep themselves, these systems need professional maintenance at least once a year. Main-Care Energy offers comprehensive maintenance and repair service for generators. In particular, our customers love our Generator Protection Plan. With this service plan protection, you receive:
With a Generator Protection Plan, you can have total peace of mind that your system will run at peak performance whenever you need it.
Interested in enrolling your generator in a service plan? Need to schedule your annual generator maintenance? Contact our team today. We’re here for your home comfort needs and always deliver 360° of Service!
The trucking industry is navigating a complex landscape when it comes to diesel fuel. Despite ongoing challenges for diesel producers and users, the U.S. remains the world leader in crude oil production — a title it has held for the past six years. This underscores the prominent role diesel and other crude oil products play in our country’s economic competitiveness.
At the same time, the industry is evolving with the increasing integration of lower-carbon alternatives, such as biodiesel and renewable diesel. These fuels not only significantly reduce carbon emissions but also enhance diesel performance by improving lubricity and increasing the fuel’s flashpoint. The result? Safer, longer-lasting diesel engines that align with environmental goals while continuing to meet the demands of trucking companies.
In this blog, we’ll explore the challenges facing trucking companies that rely on diesel, along with the innovations that forward-thinking companies like Main-Care Energy offer clients in the Northeast.
Fleet operators who rely on diesel in the Hudson Valley, the New York Capital Region and parts of Vermont and Massachusetts are encountering challenges that hinder both productivity and profitability. Here are some of the key issues:
We are always cognizant of the challenges our diesel customers face in Ulster County and throughout our service area. Our diesel team offers the following services to make fleet fueling a breeze:
If you need world-class diesel services, look no further than Main-Care Energy. Become a commercial fuel customer today and never worry about dependable diesel again.
We have some excellent news for you if you heat your home with oil. Heating oil is just about the safest way to keep your home warm when outdoor temperatures are inhospitable. Heating oil won’t explode in its liquid form. That’s why your furnace or boiler’s burner needs to heat and vaporize this fuel to make it combust. If you were to drop a lit match into a bucket of liquid heating oil, it would extinguish.
Still, as with any home energy source, there are safety concerns you should keep in mind with regard to your heating oil supply, and it’s essential that you ensure your oil tank is secure. Main-Care Energy is always here to help our customers in Dutchess County and the greater Hudson Valley — plus the New York Capital Region, Western Massachusetts and Western Vermont.
Your heating oil tank is one of the most durable pieces of equipment in your home. These tanks are built to last, with above-ground models — commonly found in garages or basements — offering a lifespan of around 25 years or more. (Underground tanks typically have a shorter lifespan, averaging about 15 years.)
One of the most common causes of heating oil tank failures is internal corrosion, which isn’t always easy to see with the naked eye. But there are some tell-tale signs of corrosion:
Additionally, keep an eye out for any dents on the tank, wobbly legs, broken gauges or cracked fuel lines.
If you notice any of the warning signs listed above, you need to reach out to us to inspect your tank. An oil tank failure is more than a mere inconvenience. If your home experiences a significant fuel leak, you might be looking at a health and environmental hazard that could cost you a considerable amount of money to remedy.
By getting in touch with our team before a tank failure, you can replace your old, precarious tank with a state-of-the-art model.
You’ll be amazed by how much more advanced, aesthetically pleasing and compact today’s heating oil tanks are compared to earlier models. At Main-Care Energy, we install top-rated oil tanks from trusted manufacturers like Roth and Granby. These tanks have double-walling and leak-prevention features.
We also offer TankSure, a protection plan that provides ultrasonic tank inspections and $1,500 of coverage toward the cost of a replacement tank. This coverage offers peace of mind that your heating oil storage tank is getting the best possible care and that you’re protected when the time comes to retire it.
Reach out to the Main-Care Energy team today to discuss your heating oil tank needs. We’re standing by to answer your inquiry and deliver 360° of Service.
After a frigid winter in the Northeast, we’re happily experiencing milder weather. In a matter of weeks, though, we could be dealing with sweltering, hot afternoons in Greene County, the New York Capital Region, the Hudson Valley and Western Vermont. It’s just as important to have a dependable air conditioning system in the summer as it is to have a reliable heating system in the winter.
Depending on your home setup and budget, you may be better positioned to install a central air conditioning system or a heat pump. The Main-Care Energy HVAC team has the training and experience to handle either type of installation. In this article, we’ll look at the differences between these two cooling products and what factors you should weigh in selecting one for your household.
Generally speaking, central A/C systems use a compressor, a condenser coil, an evaporator coil and refrigerant to cool air, which the system then circulates with a blower fan all over your home using ductwork. If your home has a furnace for heat, a central A/C can typically use the same ducts for cooling.
Homeowners control their central A/C system via a centrally-located thermostat. In most homes, one system cools the whole house to approximately the same temperature.
Pros and Cons of Central A/C. Central air conditioning systems tend to be unobtrusive and relatively affordable to install if you have ductwork already. They’re a tried and tested home cooling option that is significantly more efficient than window units. Conversely, they have limited “zoning” options, so you often end up cooling unoccupied rooms. They also don’t have a heating component.
Heat pump systems have had incredible technological advancements in recent years and are becoming more prevalent in the Northeast. A heat pump system efficiently transfers heat between the outdoors and the interior of your home, using an outdoor compressor/condenser and an indoor air handler. The system draws heat and humidity from inside your home and transfers it outside, keeping your space comfortable and cool.
You might have heard of “ductless mini-splits,” which can provide long-term home cooling without ductwork. Ductless A/C uses heat pump technology, meaning you can enjoy efficient home cooling without the need for ducts.
Pros and Cons of Heat Pumps. These systems need no ducts and are adaptable to all kinds of spaces. Their installation can take as little as one day. Heat pumps offer efficient zoned cooling so that you can maintain different temperatures in different rooms. They also provide heating functions, which lowers your reliance on a furnace or boiler.
Heat pumps tend to have slightly higher upfront costs, but they are often eligible for rebates and other financial incentives that can lower the installation expenses. Plus, Main-Care Energy offers competitive financing options with a quick approval process.
Your home’s specific layout, your home comfort priorities and your budget will help determine the best A/C option for you.
If your home has ductwork already — and you’re happy with your current forced-air heating system — then central A/C is probably the best option for you.
Households without ductwork — and those looking for a system that provides both heating and cooling — should definitely explore their heat pump options. Just bear in mind that many of our customers who install heat pumps choose to retain their oil- or gas-powered heating equipment as a backup option for the coldest days of the year.
At Main-Care Energy, we sell, install and service top-of-the-line central A/C and heat pump systems. Contact us today to discuss your options and receive a free estimate.
