How low (of a temperature) should you go?

When summer finally arrives here in Southeastern Massachusetts many homeowners (specifically those whose homes have central air conditioning) ask themselves this age old question: “what temperature should I set and keep my air conditioning to?” While the answer, of course, varies from household to household and person to person and ultimately comes down to your comfort level and preference, there is some general guidance you can follow to increase the efficiency of your central air conditioning system.

The recommended central air conditioning settings

Again, the best central air conditioning temperature setting is the one that keeps you, your family and your home comfortable and your utility bills manageable. That being said, here are some recommendations and tips regarding the temperature settings on your central air conditioning system:

• 70-78° Fahrenheit: This is the recommended temperature range for the daytime when you are hanging out at home.
• 85-88° Fahrenheit: Set your thermostat temperature to somewhere in this range when you plan to be out of your home for a while. You can also simply turn your air conditioning off completely as long as you don’t have any animals or plants that could potentially overheat. All of this will help save you money on your energy bills!
• 78° Fahrenheit: If you are looking to cut down on the amount of money you are spending on your cooling costs, try increasing your home’s temperature to 78° Fahrenheit. This is the ideal energy-saving temperature.
• 60-67° Fahrenheit: As reported by the Cleveland Clinic, this lower temperature range is ideal for sleeping and recommended to help you get a better night’s rest.

Finding the ideal central air conditioning temperature for you and your home requires some playing around with your thermostat so don’t be afraid to experiment until you find what is most comfortable and manageable in terms of costs for you.

How to make the most out of your central air conditioning system

There is more to just the temperature on your thermostat when it comes to keeping your home cool. Here are some additional things you can do to help your air conditioning system do its job effectively:

• Natural sunlight adds extra heat to your home so keep your blinds, shades and curtains closed.
• Try not to use things that add additional heat to your home when it’s a hot day. This includes ovens, clothes dryers and blow dryers.
• Make sure your home’s vents aren’t being blocked or covered by furniture, curtains or rugs.
• Keep heat out of your house by adding weather stripping to your doors and windows.

Central air conditioning maintenance from W.H. Riley & Son

Professional, routine maintenance is the most important part of effective and efficient air conditioning. This is where W.H. Riley & Son comes in!

Our service technicians take the time to check every part of your central air conditioning system, including your refrigerant supply and filters. We can handle any wear and tear and can catch any small issues before they turn into large and expensive problems.

Contact W.H. Riley & Son today so we can help keep your central air conditioning system working and running all summer long!

How the fuel helps boost productivity

Most of us prefer to be as efficient as possible when we are behind the wheel of a vehicle. We prefer to take the shortest route to our destination, make as few stops along the way as possible and prepare in advance as much as we can before we embark on our journey. What we choose to fuel our vehicles with is no exception to this way of thinking. And that is where diesel fuel comes into play.

How diesel fuel makes your vehicles more efficient

Commercial vehicles such as buses and trucks need to be powered and fueled by something just as our everyday cars do. Many business owners rely on diesel fuel to get this job done. That is partially due to the fact that diesel fuel powered engines can operate more efficiently than gasoline engines.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, gasoline engines typically only score in the 12% to 30% range when it comes to efficiency, meaning that that is the percentage of vehicle fuel that is used for actual driving purposes. The remaining amount of fuel goes to powering accessories or simply disappears as a result of ineffectiveness. Diesel engines, on the other hand, use about 40% of their diesel fuel for driving purposes, which means less is lost.

School buses, public buses, transportation companies, waste haulers and delivery companies use diesel fuel for their vehicles. Both drivers and business owners within these types of industries can take matters into their own hands and add efficiency to their diesel fuel powered vehicles by:

• Strategically planning out driving routes: This will eliminate drivers driving back and forth unnecessarily and covering the same route over and over again. Additionally, if you plan to do more driving during non-rush hour times you will help reduce the amount of diesel fuel you are using. With a more streamlined process, chances are that you’ll increase your company’s productivity and efficiency.
• Properly maintaining your vehicles: Like most appliances and equipment, vehicles that use diesel fuel need regular and routine maintenance. This helps optimize overall vehicle efficiency. This maintenance should include oil changes, oil tune-ups and checking the tire pressure on your vehicle’s tires.

More things to know about diesel fuel

On top of being able to add to a vehicle’s efficiency, diesel fuel also:

• Is cleaner and better for the environment than it hs ever been.
• Allows vehicles to reach peak power at speeds under 65 miles per hour and to stay below 2000 revolutions per minute (RPMs) to maintain this peak power. Engines powered by gas need to maintain a considerably higher RPM than this.
• Lets you avoid using spark plugs.

Diesel fuel from W.H. Riley & Son

If your southeastern Massachusetts business needs on-road diesel fuel to stay up and running, know that you can count on W.H. Riley & Son. We can deliver the on-road diesel fuel you need where and when it’s needed. Alternatively, you can pick it up at one of our locations.

Contact W.H. Riley today to learn more about the diesel fuel services that we offer.

Some things to know about ductless AC systems

It will probably come as no surprise to homeowners that they have a choice when it comes to what kind of air conditioning system they can use to cool their homes. There are window units, central air conditioning systems and ductless AC systems. While the various kinds of systems differ in certain ways, there is one general commonality and that is an air filter.

Ductless AC filters

Most forced-air HVAC systems are equipped with air filters and ductless A/Cs (also commonly referred to as mini-split systems) are no exception. In fact, taking care of a ductless A/C’s filter is one of the most important things you can do to maintain your air conditioner’s system. The recommendation is to check your A/C filters about once a month to see if they need to be cleaned or replaced. Here is how you can do this:

• First and foremost, make sure your air conditioner is turned off completely.
• Next, locate your system’s air filter. You can usually find these in your ductless A/C’s indoor air handlers (just open the doors to these air handlers gently!).
• Slowly and carefully take the filter out to avoid getting dust and debris into the actual air conditioner itself.
• If you have a washable filter you can either vacuum or rinse it with water. After you clean the filter, either dry it or let it air dry. Once the filter is dry, put it back in the air handler. Your system is now safe to turn back on!
• If you use disposable filters, simply replace it with a new filter.

How clean or dirty an air filter is has a direct impact on how effectively and efficiently your air conditioner will work – after all, you can’t get proper air flow if an air filter is clogged with dirt, dust or debris. On top of that, a clean air filter improves the quality of your indoor air and, in turn, decreases allergy symptoms, spells of dry skin, itchy eyes and respiratory illness.

Advantages of ductless air conditioners

As we mentioned above, there are options when it comes to the type of air conditioning system a homeowner can add to his or her home. Each A/C option comes along with its own advantages. Here is a look at what ductless A/Cs have to offer:

• Convenience: If you live in an older house or building that doesn’t have ductwork, ductless systems can be a perfect cooling solution for you. Miini-split ductless systems are also ideal for hard-to-cool areas such as room additions, basements and garages.
• An easy installation process: It usually only takes about a day to get a ductless A/C system installed and working.
• Efficiency: Ductless air conditioners are known for being efficient. In fact, most of them have a SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) of at least 20, which is considerably above the required rating of 14.
• Environmental friendliness: Those who are environmentally conscious may prefer using a ductless A/C seeing as they use less electricity than both central air conditioning systems and window A/C units.

Ductless air conditioning from W.H. Riley & Son

W.H. Riley & Son has homeowners in southeastern Massachusetts covered when it comes to ductless air conditioning systems. We can install a new mini-split system for you and then maintain that system to make sure it stays up and running for many summer seasons to come.

Contact us today to learn more about the air conditioning services we offer!

When you find yourself in these situations act quickly!

It is pretty safe to say that the vast majority of us utilize modern plumbing in one way or another. And what comes along with using modern plumbing is knowing and understanding what constitutes a plumbing emergency. After all, understanding this will help you know when you need to spring into action and could help you avoid a major plumbing issue.

Major plumbing problems

The basics to understanding what is considered a plumbing emergency is fairly simple: if your plumbing issue could cause serious damage to your property or if it is a potential health or safety risk, consider it an emergency. Give this problem your immediate attention and make whatever repairs necessary.

Now let’s look at some specific emergency plumbing situations:

• A loud banging noise: Otherwise known as a water hammer, you will hear this loud banging noise when a water valve is suddenly shut off. Hearing this noise is a pretty big warning sign that there is an issue with your plumbing system that needs immediate professional attention.
• A pipe that has burst: A burst pipe can cause a flood and flooding can lead to extensive water damage in your home or on your property.
• Water lines that are leaking or damaged: When water lines are damaged or are leaking, this wastes water, increases your utility costs and has the potential to cause major destruction to your property.
• A blocked or overflowing sewage system: This can cause raw sewage to back up in your house and no one wants this. You will find yourself with an incredibly unsanitary and hazardous situation if this occurs.
• Pipes that are frozen: Anyone who lives in an area where the weather gets super cold is at risk of their home’s pipes freezing. If a frozen pipe was to burst, you could get water damage once the pipes thaw.
• Blocked drains: A clogged drain in a sink, toilet or bathtub can cause flooding, which can potentially damage your property.
• A malfunctioning water heater: When a water heater is not working properly you can experience leaks, water that is dangerously hot or not get any water flow at all – all issues that you want to avoid whenever possible.
• Zero water supply: A sign of a water main break or another serious plumbing issue is not having any water flow coming from your home’s taps.
• A toilet that is overflowing: It will probably come as no surprise that an overflowing toilet can lead to a flood and then water damage in your bathroom.
• Gas leaks: If not attended to promptly, a gas leak can lead to an explosion or a fire. If you ever think you smell gas or sense that there is a gas leak, leave the area immediately and contact emergency services.

Partner with W.H. Riley & Son for all your plumbing needs

W.H. Riley is a full-service plumbing company that can help both homes and businesses throughout Southeastern Massachusetts with all their plumbing needs. Our plumbing professionals can handle installations, repairs and maintenance.

Don’t wait until you’re experiencing a plumbing emergency to find your plumbing partner. Contact W.H. Riley & Son today!

Ensure your AC is working to the best of its ability

Anyone who lives here in Southeastern Massachusetts certainly wants to make sure their central air conditioning system is working and functioning properly, especially as temperatures rise here in the area. That is why it is so important to maintain your AC system. After all, maintenance is what is going get your AC system ready to tackle the warm weather.

Central air conditioning maintenance tips

Here is a brief checklist you can use to make sure you are maintaining your central air conditioning system to the best of your ability:

• Give your outdoor condenser unit a good cleaning: If an air conditioner’s condenser unit (this is the unit that lives outside) is covered or blocked your home won’t get adequate airflow. So give the unit a good cleaning and make sure it isn’t covered by things like debris, leaves, twigs and nests.
• Inspect your thermostat: If your AC’s thermostat seems to be acting funky, replace the batteries. You should also consider upgrading to a programmable thermostat as these make managing your HVAC system easy and convenient and can help save you money on cooling costs.
• Inspect your electrical lines: You want to make sure that all your electrical connections and circuit breakers are where they should be. Any wiring problems can increase the risk of your AC unit losing power.
• Clear your vents: Just as a blocked condenser unit won’t allow for proper airflow, the same goes for the vents within your home. Check to make sure the vents in your house aren’t being blocked by furniture, curtains or drapes.
• Take a look at your filters: A clogged or dirty AC filter won’t get you good airflow either. In fact, a super clogged air filter can put you at risk for complete AC failure. We recommend checking your air filters at least once a month and cleaning and replacing them whenever necessary.
• Make sure your ductwork isn’t leaking: You definitely want to seal up any leaks in your ductwork and fix any duct joints that look out of place or are exposed. Leaks in your ductwork can contribute to you losing up to 15% of the air your central air conditioning has worked hard to make cool!
• Clear the drain line: You want to make sure you are preventing any water from finding its way into your house and your home’s foundation (all this can cause major problems!). A clean and clear drain line will help with this.

Professional air conditioning maintenance from W.H. Riley & Son

On top of all the above tips and tricks, you definitely want to make sure that your air conditioning system is being professionally maintained as well. This will give you peace of mind that your AC is working properly, will help avoid small issues turn into huge, costly repairs, will keep your system working efficiently and will extend the lifespan of your AC unit.

W.H. Riley & Son is here to help with this. We can come inspect your AC system and make sure it is in the best shape possible.

Don’t wait until the warm weather is here for your air conditioning tune-up. Contact us today to schedule a visit from one of our trained and certified technicians.

A look at the fuel’s origin

If you are a homeowner here in Southeastern Massachusetts who uses propane, chances are that you are fully aware of everything the fuel can do and all the various appliances and equipment it can power. But have you ever taken a moment to think about propane’s origins and where it actually comes from?

Propane’s origins

There are currently two main ways that propane is produced and made.

1. Natural gas production: This is how most of the propane that is used today is made. Through this process, propane is extracted from liquid compounds as natural gas is being produced. When propane is made this way, it is stored and transported as a liquid.
2. Crude oil refining: The crude oil refining process can produce a variety of products. This includes gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene, jet fuel, heating oil and propane. Since propane is a lighter hydrocarbon, it is easily extracted during the process of crude oil refining.

Propane is also commonly referred to as petroleum gas, LPG or LP.

Fun facts about propane

There is so much more to know about propane on top of where it comes from. Here are some additional interesting, informative and helpful facts about the fuel:

• Propane doesn’t expire or go bad. It also doesn’t become less efficient over time.
• It will only freeze if temperatures hit -44 degrees, which is pretty unlikely.
• About 90% of the propane that Americans use is made domestically here in the United States. This makes it super accessible and also reduces the carbon footprint that is part of the propane transportation process.
• Propane happens to be the only alternative fuel included in the 1990 Clean Air Act and the 1992 National Energy Policy Act.

Why use propane

There are many reasons to consider using propane over other fuels and gases. Some of the benefits and advantages of propane include:

• Safety: Propane happens to be one of the safest fuel options that you can use to power appliances and a heating system.
• Efficiency: Appliances that are powered by propane work more efficiently than electrical appliances.
• Financial advantages: Anyone who uses propane-powered appliances is able to save on their energy bills thanks to how efficiently the fuel works.
• Helping the environment: Propane is the eco-friendly choice when it comes to fuel. It is considered green, clean burning and non-toxic. In fact, propane is one of the cleanest fuels that one can use and it gives off very few carbon emissions.
• Reliability: Propane appliances don’t rely on power or electrical grids so they will continue to work even during a blackout. This means you can count on them all the time!

Get your propane from W.H. Riley & Son

Both homeowners and business owners throughout Southeastern Massachusetts can count on W.H. Riley for their propane! We offer unbeatable customer service, competitive prices, a safety record that our competitors simply do not have and automatic delivery services.

Whatever your propane needs are, the team at W.H. Riley can help. Contact us and let W.H. Riley & Son become your full-service propane provider today!

How a home can benefit from this type of system

For many of us, having air conditioning in our home, whether that is through a ductless ac system or a central air system, is essential and a non-negotiable. This holds especially true for us homeowners here in Southeastern Massachusetts where the summer season can get hot and humid. We simply wouldn’t be as comfortable without air conditioning. So it’s understandable that you would want to get the most that you can out of your home’s air conditioning system and feel like the system you’ve decided upon is absolutely worth it.

Your different air conditioning options

When it comes to air conditioning for your home there are a few different ways you can go:

• Window air conditioners: As you probably can infer from their name, window air conditioners get placed in a window to take hot air out of a room and blow cold air into a room.
• Central air conditioning: A central air conditioning system uses a home’s built in duct work as well as a home’s air handler fan or furnace. As warm air moves along a central air conditioner’s evaporator coil, the air’s natural heat is removed and, therefore, turned into cool air.
• Mini-split systems: Otherwise known as ductless AC, mini-split systems make different cooling zones within a house through a connection between a home’s outer wall and the air conditioning system’s indoor air handler and outdoor condenser or heat pump.

The pros of ductless mini-split air conditioning systems

When deciding on the type of air conditioning system may work best for you and your home, it’s important to consider the benefits of each type. Here is a look at some advantages that a ductless ac system can offer a homeowner:

• Lower costs: Many people consider a ductless air conditioning system to be the most cost effective AC option. This is, in part, because ductless air conditioning systems are extremely efficient and use fewer resources to run and operate. In fact, they have a SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) rating of at least 20 (most standard window air conditioners have a rating of 14). By using a system that uses fewer resources you reduce what you spend on your home’s energy bills.
• They make air cleaner and healthier: Ductless air conditioners decrease the chances of mold and other various microorganisms appearing, which can happen with systems that use ductwork.
• Quick and easy installation: It usually only takes about a day to get a ductless mini-split system installed in a home. And not much is required for installation – you really only need access to an external wall.
• They are environmentally friendly: Ductless mini-split systems are considered to be an environmentally friendly choice since they use less electricity than both central air conditioners and window units.

Ductless mini-splits from W.H. Riley & Son

A ductless mini-split system is a great option for air conditioning if you live in a house or building that doesn’t have ductwork.

The professional team at W.H. Riley & Son can work with you to pick out the ductless equipment that will work best for your home and we can also install it flawlessly.

So if you are in southeastern Massachusetts and thinking about ductless AC or are in need of air conditioning maintenance contact W.H. Riley & Son today!

The two are not the same

You may heat your Southeastern Massachusetts house through a boiler or a furnace. And if you do, you probably know that you need some kind of oil for whichever heating system is in your home in order for it to run and operate. But you may not necessarily know if you need fuel oil or heating oil and you may not even know that there is a difference between these two things. But there actually is.

Similarities between fuel oil and heating oil

Yes, fuel oil and heating oil do differ. However, they do share certain similarities and have similar origins. Here is a look at how they are alike:

• Both fuel oil and heating oil are by-products of crude oil
• They are both made through a process of distillation, which is when crude oil gets refined
• Fuel oil and heating oil are both made out of hydrocarbons that have been taken out of crude oil, purified and then blended

Despite the above elements that fuel oil and heating oil have in common, they are used in different ways and for different things.

How fuel oil and heating oil are different

Fuel oil can be thought of as a general term that includes heating oil. Heating oil is basically one specific type of fuel oil. To break it down very simply, all heating oil is fuel oil, but not all fuel oil is heating oil.

Heating oil is basically only used to heat homes and commercial offices.

Fuel oil can also be used to power a home or commercial heating system. However, it can do more than that. Fuel oil, specifically diesel fuel, which falls under the fuel oil category, can also power certain kinds of vehicles.

When you compare fuel oil to heating oil, you will also find that fuel oil is usually a heavier fuel.

Heating oil from W.H. Riley & Son

If you are looking for heating oil that you can count on in the Southeastern Massachusetts area, look no further than W.H. Riley & Son. Not only is our heating oil top quality, but also it is clean burning, which helps your heating system last longer. Our prices are fair and competitive as well.

W.H. Riley & Son is also happy to offer our customers the option of automatic delivery, monthly payment plans and service plan programs.

Bioheat Plus® fuel from W.H. Riley & Son

In addition to traditional heating oil, W.H. Riley & Son also delivers Bioheat Plus® fuel, which burns more cleanly than regular heating oil and helps your heating system run more efficiently and last longer, all while warming your home.

W.H. Riley & Son is a full-service heating oil company. On top of delivering heating oil, we also offer heating services on and installations of oil heating systems. Basically, we can help keep you warm all throughout the winter!

Contact us today to learn more about the heating oil we carry and our heating services!

Signs it may be time for an upgrade

Since most of the things that we find throughout our homes inevitably do not last forever, replacing items that we live with and use frequently is more or less common practice and nothing particularly out of the ordinary. So it may go without saying that this holds true when it comes to our home’s plumbing system and galvanized pipes.

Galvanized pipes and plumbing explained

Lead pipes were the popular plumbing choice for many years until about 1986, which is when they were deemed unsafe and the Safe Water Drinking Act (which subsequently allowed the EPA to monitor the quality of the water we drink) came into play.

Even though lead pipes were common until the mid 1980’s, galvanized pipes came into the picture prior to this as a safer alternative.

Galvanized pipes are pipes that are made of steel. They are supposed to protect a home’s plumbing system from corrosion and rust with a preventative zinc coating. Galvanized pipes were frequently used within the plumbing industry prior to and throughout the 1970’s.

While galvanized pipes can hold up and last for anywhere from 30 to 70 years, they eventually wear out and rot as a result of corrosion.

Replacing galvanized pipes

Galvanized pipes are no longer used within the plumbing industry. This is due to both health reasons and the fact that they can damage a home’s water supply. So if your plumbing system is operating with the help of galvanized pipes, you may want to consider a replacement.

There are also some clear signals that indicate replacing your galvanized pipes might be necessary. These signs include:

• Lower water pressure than what you’re used to
• Noticeably brown or rusty looking water coming out of your sinks, tubs or showers
• Visible rust near the pipe joints
• Ruptured pipes and leaks

The bad news is that the above problems and galvanized pipes themselves can’t be fixed. The only alternative is a full-blown replacement.

The good news is that W.H. Riley & Son is a full-service plumbing company who can help you fully replace your old plumbing system.

Plumbing services from W.H. Riley

Whatever your plumbing needs are for your Southeastern Massachusetts home, the professionals at W.H. Riley & Son can get the job done. We carry and sell top-quality boilers and water heaters and offer the plumbing services they need to keep working properly. Our full service plumbing services include the installation and repairs of faucets, sinks, toilets and electric water heaters.

On top of that, the professionals at W.H. Riley & Son can:

• Install and service your home’s oil heating system
• Install and service heating systems (whether they use propane or natural gas), water heaters and various other appliances such as gas clothes dryers, gas cook tops, gas stoves and gas ovens
• Install and service both propane and natural gas space heaters and generators

When you need a plumbing job done effectively, efficiently and in a cost effective way, turn to W.H. Riley. If you need to upgrade your current home’s pipes or if you are building a new house and need a plumbing service to partner with your contractor, our team can help.

Contact W.H. Riley & Son today to learn more about the plumbing services we offer both home and business owners throughout Southeastern Massachusetts.

Follow these five easy steps

If you are a homeowner, you know that there is plenty to do to maintain your home. There is your standard cleaning and straightening up. Oftentimes there is yard work. Every now and then something has to be repaired and fixed. And your furnace filter needs to be changed.

Changing your furnace filter

Yes, changing the filter in your home’s furnace needs to be added to your to do list. But the good news is that this task is not time consuming. In fact, it should only take you about five minutes, maybe 10 at the most. Changing your furnace filter really comes down to simply switching out your old filter for a new one.

Here is a little more detail about exactly how to change the filter in your furnace:

1. Figure out what size filter you need. Using those measurements, purchase a replacement filter.
2. When you are ready to change your furnace filter, turn your furnace off.
3. Locate your old furnace filter and remove it. If you don’t know where your furnace’s air filter is, read the manual that came with your home’s heating system. If you no longer have the manual, check your furnace’s blower compartment, which is under the cover, or the blower fan’s metal ductwork.
4. Put the new filter in.
5. Turn your furnace back on.

Signs it’s time for a new furnace

Scheduling annual routine furnace maintenance and taking care of things such as changing your furnace’s filter helps keep your equipment up and running and working efficiently. However, no matter how on top of changing your furnace filter you are, it is inevitable that you will have to upgrade to a new furnace at some point.

Knowing when to upgrade and looking out for certain signs that indicate it is time is important since you don’t want to find yourself with a furnace that all of a sudden just doesn’t work. You should consider upgrading and replacing your furnace if:

• You are constantly repairing your furnace: If you find yourself needing a professional to repair your furnace over and over again, you may be facing a fundamental problem that might not even be possible to fix. In cases like this where you keep shelling out cash for repairs, you may end up saving money by purchasing a new furnace.
• You have an older system: There is a good chance that your heating system and furnace is not working as efficiently as it could be if it’s between 10 and 15 years old. This is going to add up in expenses since your system is going to have to work more to get its job done. In fact, another sign that it’s time for an upgrade is if your heating bills are becoming more costly even though the price of oil and propane has remained pretty steady.
• You are feeling colder than usual: A furnace that needs to be upgraded won’t keep you and your home as warm as it did when it was working properly and fully functioning.

Full furnace services from W.H. Riley & Son

If you are in Southeastern Massachusetts and need furnace installation, service or repairs W.H. Riley & Son can help. Our professional team can install a furnace that is right for your home and then keep that furnace up and running with regular maintenance and repair services.

W.H. Riley & Son is a full-service furnace company and we can help keep your home comfortable all year long. Become a customer by contacting us today!