What Are Those Red Flags?
posted by Doug @ 1:48pm, Friday, January 6th, 2012.
Have you seen the small red flags we've placed by your oil fill pipes? They're there for a reason - to mark where your fill pipe is so your delivery driver can find it when there is snow on the ground, and ensure a timely and safe Oilheat delivery.
There's something else you can do to ensure on-time deliveries this winter - shovel and maintain a path to your oil fill pipe. You make it easier for our drivers to deliver to your home when they don't have to step over piles of snow or risk slipping on ice.
Remember, your safety is always our prime concern. If you are a senior citizen or have medical issues, please don't do anything that might put your health at risk.
Until our next blog entry, have a happy, healthy, prosperous new year from your friends at Harris Comfort!
Happy Holidays from the Harris Family!
posted by Doug @ 8:51am, Friday, December 23rd, 2011.
Whether you've been our customer for many years or just a few weeks, we value your business. The reason behind our success as a comfort leader in Bucks County for over 50 years is simple: loyal customers like you. Thank you!
As 2012 quickly approaches, we rededicate ourselves to our mission of providing "Comfort Year Round." We know you have many comfort choices - but you've told us you've remained our steadfast customer because of the Harris Comfort Difference: friendly people ... high-quality products ... and prompt, dependable, full service.
The Harris Comfort Difference also means personal service from a family-owned business. If you call us, there's a pretty good chance there's a Harris in the office to serve you. We're not a large, impersonal entity - and we like it that way. As we like to say, we're "still family and still local."
Again, thank you for your patronage, and we wish you a happy and healthy holiday season and a warm and wonderful winter.
Seal and Insulate in November to Save Energy All Winter
posted by Doug @ 1:23pm, Tuesday, November 8th, 2011.
With another cold winter bearing down on eastern Pennsylvania and western New Jersey, this is a great time to button up your home, improve you energy efficiency and reduce your home's winter energy needs.
Many homes are riddled with air leaks and insulation shortages that let cold air in and warm air out and increase the cost of staying comfortable, according to the U.S. Energy Star website. Energy Star has published a very helpful booklet, The Do-It-Yourself Guide to Sealing and Insulating with Energy Star, which explains how to find and fix air leaks. The booklet is available online on the Energy Star website.
The booklet explains important truths about air leaks. "You may feel drafts around windows and doors and think these leaks are your major source of wasted energy," Energy Star explains. "In most homes, however, the most significant air leaks are hidden in the attic and basement. These are the leaks that significantly raise your energy bill and make your house uncomfortable."
Leaks can be found in the attic behind knee walls, at wiring holes and plumbing vents, around recessed lights and other places where you might not think to look, according to Energy Star. The booklet helps you determine whether you can tackle the job yourself and explains how to discover leaks systematically and plug them.
Insulation is vital, but it doesn't compensate for air leaks, according to Energy Star. "Even if you have enough insulation in your attic, sealing attic air leaks will enhance the performance of your insulation and make for a much more comfortable home," the booklet states.
The booklet lists the materials and techniques you'll need to tighten up those big leaks and explains how to insulate the attic - or improve the insulation you already have - once you've sealed the leaks.
By acting now, you can take advantage of the federal government's tax credits for energy efficiency, which expire at the end of this year. Work you do in 2011 can qualify for a credit on your 2011 federal income tax.
Other great ways to cut your heating costs are to have your system tuned and to upgrade to higher efficiency heating equipment. Please call Harris Comfort (215-968-7477, 215-788-4596 or 609-386-4658) or contact us online to schedule a tune-up or request a free heating system evaluation.
There are some great online resources that can help you understand home sealing and insulation and make some cost-saving improvements before the fierce cold arrives. Here are a few:
Harris Comfort's Energy Conservation Tips
Energy's Star's Do-It-Yourself Guide to Sealing and Insulating with Energy Star
Air Seal and Insulate with Energy Star
Energy Star's recommended levels of insulation
Energy Savers page on air-sealing an existing home
Energy Savers page on adding insulation to an existing home