It seems hard to think about winter weather during the dog days of summer. But now is a smart time to start thinking about managing winter bills. Especially because the things that affect heating oil pricing—crude oil, geopolitics, and the weather, are all unpredictable.
That’s why we offer several ways to help make sure you’re protected from price volatility. Think of it as a flu shot for heating costs: Even if prices do go up, you’ll be protected from big fluctuations, no matter which option you choose.
Take a look at these budget-friendly payment options to keep your heating costs from spiking:
Even when fuel prices are low, this plan is the most popular. That’s because our Monthly Budget Plan helps you to avoid unexpected high invoices, no matter how cold it gets or how much fuel you use.
We use an average based on your past fuel use to spread your costs evenly over 12 months, cutting winter bills nearly in half and making it easier for you to budget your expenses.
The point is to keep your fuel costs level and manageable, so even if we have a particularly harsh winter or prices spike, we’ll adjust your payments so you don’t get hit with a large balance in the summer. Likewise, if it’s a mild winter, we can adjust and reduce your payments: The point is to help you save while avoiding big fluctuations.
When you choose our Pre-buy program, you buy your all your heating oil or propane at the start of the season. This lets you take advantage of lower off-season pricing, and eliminates the worry about the price of fuel going up.
When you opt for this plan, you’re automatically enrolled in our Automatic Delivery service, which delivers even more peace of mind: You don’t have to remember to order heating oil or propane, and you don’t have to worry about running out.
Our Fixed Price Program for heating oil and propane is exactly what it sounds like: We agree on a fixed price ahead of the heating season and you’re locked in at that price. No matter what happens with fuel prices, your price won’t go over the fixed amount.
Whichever option you choose, letting the pros at Junction handle all your heating and cooling needs is a smart choice: You can count on us for reliable deliveries, superior service if you need repairs, and expert installations if you need to replace or upgrade equipment. And, no matter what happens with prices next winter, our price protection plans are designed to help you keep costs manageable.
If you’d like to sign up for a plan, now is the time to enroll. Contact us today to sign up or to learn more about how we can help you save.
Numerous contributing factors including ongoing supply chain issues and geopolitical conflict have surged energy prices across the board. This is not just for the oil and propane to fuel your home, but also at the gas pump and at the grocery store. While we can’t control fuel prices at-large, our longtime customers know we always look for ways to help keep their propane costs manageable.
That said, several of our customers who enrolled in one of our pricing and payment plans for their propane found that they were better protected from the worst of this past winter’s price spikes.
We know every budget is different—that’s why we offer three options. Read on to learn how each works and discover the best option for you.
We use an average based on your past fuel use to spread your costs evenly over 12 months, cutting winter bills nearly in half and making it easier for you to budget your expenses.
The point is to keep your fuel costs level and manageable, so even if we have a particularly harsh winter or prices spike, we’ll adjust your payments, so you don’t get hit with a large balance in the summer. Likewise, if it’s a mild winter, we can adjust and reduce your payments. The point is to help you save while avoiding big fluctuations, no matter if you use propane OR heating oil!
When you opt for this plan, you’re also automatically enrolled in our Automatic Delivery service, which delivers even more peace of mind! You don’t have to remember to order propane, and you don’t have to worry about running out.
Ready to enroll? Click here to get started.
Ready to enroll? Click here to get started.
If you’re using propane, letting the pros at Junction Fuels handle all your heating—and cooling—needs is a smart choice! You can count on us for reliable deliveries all year long, as well as superior service if something goes wrong, and expert installations if you need to replace or upgrade equipment! And, no matter what happens with prices next winter, our price protection plans are designed to help you keep costs manageable.
If you’d like to sign up for a plan, now is the time to enroll. Review your options at the links above or contact us today to learn about all the ways we can help you save.
You may have heard that a tankless water heater can provide virtually unlimited hot water. It’s the main selling point, for most people, because it sounds like magic. Especially if you’re the one getting a lukewarm shower on those busy mornings when everyone needs to get out and you’re the last in line for the bathroom.
What’s more amazing? A high efficiency tankless water heater can actually help lower energy bills. How is this possible, without a keeping a tank of water hot all day and all night? (And, paying to keep that water hot 24/7.)
Here’s the technology behind the magic of a tankless water heater:
Tankless water heaters save energy by instantly heating water when you need it. When you turn on the tap, water flows through the unit and is heated instantly by a propane-fueled heating element. When you turn off the tap, the unit stops heating water. Compare this to the cost of operating a traditional water heater, which requires you to keep a tank holding many gallons of water hot and ready to use all the time. As a result, you can enjoy virtually unlimited hot water—while seeing savings of up to 40%!
You’ll save space as well as energy: Tankless water heaters are compact—about the size of a suitcase—and can even hang on a wall, freeing up room in your basement or utility room. That said, there are different sizes designed to fit different needs. Rather than total gallons, their output is measured in a flow rate of gallons per minute. The more hot water you need at the same time will require a higher flow rate.
There are also condensing and non-condensing type units. Condensing models have a second heat exchanger that loops exhaust back into the system to heat water more efficiently. This type is slightly more expensive, but also delivers higher energy efficiency. Non-condensing units are less expensive, and are very low maintenance, but will be less effective with our cold winters and lower ground temperatures.
The main downside to a tankless water heater is price—but these units pay for themselves in savings in the long run, versus a storage tank style, which will cost you more over time.
Your water heater works hard for you. The typical American household uses between 60 and 65 gallons of hot water a day for bathing and showering, washing dishes, laundry, cleaning and other tasks. That’s a lot of hot water—and a lot of energy.
If you want to learn more about the benefits and energy savings that come with a tankless water-heating system, we’re here to answer all your questions. The teams at Junction Fuels and A.L. Bellimer Services has the experience and knowledge to help you select the right size and type of water heater for your home and install it expertly. Contact us for more information today.
Heating oil sludge is the leading culprit of many heating system problems. That thick, black mixture of dirt, rust, and oxidized fuel can clog filters and force your equipment to work harder to provide heat, reducing efficiency. Left unchecked, it can cause heating system breakdowns. And if you have an older tank, that gunk can corrode your tank from the inside out and lead to a tank failure, which can be very costly to remediate.
If your heating oil tank sits empty in the warm summer months, condensation forms on the interior walls of the tank. Because water is denser than heating oil, it drips down and sinks to the bottom of the tank, where it becomes an ideal environment for bacteria and other microorganisms to turn it into sediment or sludge that corrodes your tank.
The line that draws oil to your furnace is located several inches above the bottom of the tank to avoid pulling sludge into the supply line. However, when you get a fuel delivery, it can stir up the sludge from the bottom of the tank and it can get drawn into your system.
While it’s possible to get rid of sludge, it’s far easier to prevent it. Here are three measures to stop or slow the formation of sludge in your tank.
Over time, some sludge will accumulate in your tank. If enough sludge accumulates, you’ll need to get rid of it. Your best option is working with a waste-oil contractor. They can drain your tank quickly and safely, saving you money on repairs, improving performance and preventing bigger problems.
If your tank is very old, you may want to consider replacing it. Older tanks are made of steel and have varying thicknesses, some with only single-wall construction. They are much more susceptible to corrosion. Newer tanks are made from plastic and fiberglass and are designed to last 50 years or more.
Need to schedule a spring fill up or end of season maintenance? Contact the team at Junction Fuels today.
As Vermont winters go, this past season was certainly not the worst we’ve had in recent memory. Not too much crazy cold, not too much snow—your heating system didn’t get as much of a workout as it likely has before. But that’s no reason to skip your tune-up! In fact, it’s a smart reason to schedule your tune-up right now. Coming off a less demanding heating season, you may not have noticed little signs that your equipment needs some attention.
Did you know four out of five system breakdowns can be prevented with regular maintenance? Our techs perform multipoint checks and run diagnostic tests so we can identify those small problems and correct them before they become expensive, late-night breakdowns.
Our in-house team of experts works to provide expert heating service all year long. Here’s just a sample of what a professional tune-up includes:
A heating system is no small investment. Whether your equipment is only a year or two old—or edging closer to 20 years old—regular maintenance is the best way to keep your equipment running optimally.
Regular maintenance also keeps your warranty valid—which is important when any problems occur or if a part fails before it should. Most manufacturers require regular, professional maintenance to keep warranties valid.
When your heating system is performing at peak efficiency, you’ll use as much as 10% less fuel. That means your home will feel more comfortable without running up your fuel bill to crank the heat. That keeps money in your wallet every day.
Plus, by preventing breakdowns you save on the cost of expensive and unplanned repairs.
Even with the best maintenance, breakdowns can happen. That’s why a service plan makes great sense for older systems that are more prone to breakdowns as they age, and for newer systems to keep them running like new.
Junction fuels offers two affordable options to suit any budget and keep you covered in the event you do need a repair. The cost of the plan includes seasonal maintenance, so you have no reason to skip it.
Coverage also includes 24/7 emergency service, for real peace of mind, plus 25% off non-covered parts and labor, and a $200 heating system installation credit!
Why wait for the busy fall season to get prepped for next winter? The benefits of your tune-up won’t wear off over the summer. Once your tune-up is done, it’s ready for when you turn the heat on again in the fall.
So, be sure to schedule your tune-up sooner rather than later. You’ll stand a better chance to get your choice of appointments, because once September rolls around, those convenient time slots get booked fast!
Contact us today to get started.
When it comes to adding warmth and charm without the mess or hassle of logs and embers, plenty of your neighbors are discovering the ease and style of a gas fireplace. One thing that always surprises people is the realistic look and actual warmth of a gas fireplace. This is no plastic log over a lightbulb!
People always ask, “How do you choose the logs you use in a gas fireplace?” Well, the logs in a gas fireplace are made from cement, ceramic, or ceramic fiber blends that are carefully crafted and painted to look just like real wood logs. You can even specify a species of wood you want to display. Gas logs are made to withstand high heat and can last for several seasons depending on how much you use your gas fireplace.
It is! It’s quite common to convert an existing fireplace to work with a gas log set, or a gas log insert. But the best part about a gas fireplace is that you don’t even need a chimney to make that happen. The professionals at Junction Fuels can make it easy to add a gas fireplace to virtually any room in your Vermont home.
Whether you’re converting a wood-burning hearth or adding a new gas hearth, the main choice you need to make is between ventless and direct vent designs.
Direct vent and vent-free technology are two great ways to add a gas fireplace even if you don’t have a chimney or flue. All that’s needed is access to propane gas.
A direct vent gas hearth can be installed almost anywhere. That means you can incorporate cozy charm into just about any room, including living rooms and family rooms, but also kitchens and dining rooms, too. Create your dream master suite or a spa-like bathroom escape, just by adding a gas fireplace. You can also convert traditional fireplaces to a maintenance-free propane hearth with a gas log insert.
Aesthetically, you want your log set to be in proportion to your fireplace. The size of the fireplace and the size of your burner will help you determine the size of your gas log set. You need to allow space for control valves, gas lines, and other elements so the width of your burner should not be the exact width of your fireplace.
In any case, we can help make sure you choose the best size for your hearth.
Propane-fueled fireplaces add ambiance—but they also provide efficient supplemental heat without the mess, smoke, and ash of a wood-burning fireplace. Plus, a gas hearth is much safer, too.
No more playing with matches and waiting for tricky kindling to catch—you can turn on and adjust the flame with a wall switch or even a remote control and turn it off when you are done. No waiting for embers to burn out or worrying that they will flare up again by mistake.
Nothing beats the cozy charm and ambiance of a fireplace. Let our team show you just how easy and affordable installing a gas fireplace or stove can be this late winter season. We service and install everything we sell, and we stand by our work.
Contact us for more information today or to find out more about our current selection.
There’s nothing worse than waking up in the middle of the night and thinking, “Gee, it’s cold in here!” before you realize your heat is off.
Or maybe your system just doesn’t seem to be keeping your rooms as warm as usual. No matter the situation, when your furnace or boiler is on the fritz, we’ve got your back! We’re always here to lend a helping hand and our in-house team of service technicians can get you back up and running fast.
However, sometimes there’s an easy fix that you can handle yourself that can help you avoid the expense of a service call—and free up our techs to help others. Try these troubleshooting steps before you call us:
1. Check Your Thermostat
Make sure your thermostat is set to a temperature at least 5° above room temperature and set to “heat.” Is it the batteries? Try installing fresh ones just to be sure.
2. Check the System Switch
Did the switch for your heating system accidentally get turned off? This happens more often than you’d think. Don’t overthink it, just turn it back on.
3. Check Your Fuel Supply
If you haven’t checked your tank gauge in a while, there’s a good chance you’ve run out of fuel—especially if it’s been very cold recently, or if you’ve been spending more time at home during the day. If you’re out, know that we’re on call 24/7 for emergency deliveries.
4. Check Fuses and Circuit Breakers
Circuit breakers can easily trip. Check the breaker that your heating system is on and turn it on if it’s off.
5. Check the Air Filter
When the air filter on your furnace gets clogged, the system will shut down as a part of its safety protocol. Replace it and set a reminder on your calendar to check it once a month.
6. Check the Boiler
If you have a steam boiler, check the water level gauge. It should be at least half-full. Call us if it isn’t. Have a hot water boiler? You can skip this step.
7. Reset the System
If none of the previous steps work, push and hold the Reset button for 30 seconds. Only do this ONCE. Doing it more than once floods the combustion chamber with too much heating oil. That’s an expensive repair job on top of any other repairs you may need.
If none of these steps resolves the problem, call us and we’ll dispatch a technician to get you up and running as soon as possible.
Some heating system problems are easy to prevent. An annual tune-up is the best way to make sure your boiler or furnace is running at peak efficiency. It not only helps keep heating costs down, but regular maintenance also prevents many of the problems that lead to breakdowns. Our affordable service plans include annual maintenance and can also help you save money on repairs if you do require a service call!
Whether you need an oil-fired equipment or propane system repair, the experts at Junction Fuels are here for you, and we’re always happy to help. We’re your neighbors, and we care about our reputation in the community. That’s why we go out of our way to exceed your expectations. Contact us to become a customer today.
If you’ve never given much thought to your heating equipment before, you may use the words “boiler” and “furnace” interchangeably. In casual conversation, it might not make a difference but if you’re shopping for or building a new home, or if you’re looking to replace your current heating system, understanding the difference is important.
As you start to do your research, you’ll discover they are not the same. So, what’s the difference between a boiler and a furnace? In a nutshell, the main difference is how they distribute heat. A furnace uses a system of ducts to blow heated air throughout your home. A boiler heats water to create steam to spread heat via baseboard radiators or flooring systems.
If you’re navigating home heating equipment for the first time, here’s what you need to know:
There are two types of boilers. Forced hot water boilers heat water to between 170 degrees and 200 degrees and provide instant heat through pipes throughout the house. Vents in the baseboard then disperse the heat throughout the house.
Steam boilers create steam and sends it to radiators as a vapor. When the vapor cools, it returns to the boiler to become steam again. It’s important that the water level doesn’t drop below a certain level, and steam boilers have a gauge in front to show the water level. If the water level gets too low, the burner will not fire, and the boiler will not provide heat.
A furnace uses a heat exchanger to warm air, which is then blown through ductwork to warm your home. Registers in the floors or ceilings of your living space allow warm air into your spaces and feature a damper so you can control the flow.
Supply registers, which deliver warm air, are usually located under windows or in the ceiling near outside walls. Return grills are typically located closer to the interior of the home and bring air back to your system. They do not have a damper.
Furnaces and boilers can be run with oil, propane, natural gas, or electricity—although except for natural gas and propane, the equipment is not interchangeable. In the northeast, most homes will use oil or gas for heat. Electric heat just takes much longer to reach a comfortable temperature and maintain it—driving up your energy usage. That means, even without geopolitics driving energy costs up, electricity costs you more.
Heating oil is a great option because it has a higher BTU output per gallon, so you use it more slowly than propane. That means you could pay less to heat your house with heating oil, even if the per-gallon cost of propane is less.
Today, home heating oil is ultra-low sulfur. It burns much more cleanly, with significantly fewer particulate emissions even from the already low levels of the past few decades. What’s more, new heating oil boilers and furnaces now burn fuel 99.9% cleanly, according to studies conducted at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Brookhaven Laboratory.
Propane is also a great option! Propane generates more Btus than an equivalent amount of electricity, and it delivers more than twice the Btus of natural gas, so you need much less propane to produce the same amount of heat or energy. It’s also a smart choice if you also want to run other appliances on propane.
It’s the preferred fuel for cooking, and it’s great for all kinds of heating—washers and dryers, water heaters, spas, and hot tubs—as well as for powering backup generators.
One of the biggest decisions you make about your home, particularly here in Vermont, is how you are going to heat it. You have plenty of options—but some are better than others. Whether you are updating, replacing, or starting from scratch, the pros at Junction Fuels can answer all your home-heating equipment questions.
Contact us today to get started on upgrading your home’s heating system.
If you’re wondering about the best way to heat your home, or you’re purchasing your first home, you have a lot to think about as energy prices remain extremely volatile. While there are several options—like propane, natural gas, and electricity—the best choice for central Vermont’s damp cold winters is oil heat. Those other fuels just don’t provide the same heating energy. And if you think heating oil is a “dirty” fuel…think again. Today’s ultra-low sulfur heating oil is as clean an option as any of those other fuels. But what is ultra-low sulfur heating oil? Let’s answer that.
Ultra-low sulfur heating oil is the result of dramatic enhancements in the refining process that has produced fuel that burns 95% cleaner than it did in the 1970s. Traditional heating oil has a sulfur content of up to 4,000 parts per million. In contrast, ultra-low sulfur heating oil has a sulfur content of just 15 parts per million.
As a result, the heating oil we deliver to fill your tank burns so cleanly, producing such negligible emissions, that the Federal Clean Air Act doesn’t even regulate it anymore.
What makes ultra-low sulfur heating oil a better way to heat your home? Heating oil in general has a higher BTU output per gallon than other types of fuels. That means it will warm up your home faster than other types of fuels. It’s also true of ultra-low sulfur heating oil…but because it burns so cleanly, it’s even more efficient, and it’s easier on your equipment, too.
When it comes to pricing, every type of heating fuel is reacting to pressures in the market. The global economy and any issues that affect the supply of crude oil will affect how much you pay to heat your home.
On a local level, seasonal demand always plays a big role. When temperatures are colder than normal, people use more heating fuels, driving prices up. That’s why we secure large amounts of heating oil year-round, especially during summer, when the costs tend to be lower, so we can pass on savings to you in the winter when you need them most.
But we like to make sure you’re protected from the volatility. That’s why we offer our Monthly Budget Plan. It you off the heating oil price roller coaster by spreading your costs evenly throughout the year helping to cut winter bills nearly in half and making it easier for you to budget your expenses.
We also offer Pre-Buy and Fixed Price programs that you can enroll in each fall season. Please note these plans are closed for the 2022-2023 season, but here’s how they work so you can take advantage in the years ahead:
When you’re looking for a new heating oil provider for your home or business, you want a company that puts customers first. That inherently means offering fair, transparent pricing, but it also means offering true reliability, with products and services designed to make your life easier. Families and businesses in the Woodstock area get all that and more from Junction Fuels! Contact us today to learn more or to get started on becoming a customer.
Most folks who’ve lived in the northeast have—at least once—lived in a home heated with heating oil, or even kerosene. But those who’ve previously lived in a warmer climate region may be more familiar with electric heat.
So, the idea of heating a home with propane might seem odd or unfamiliar. Most people think propane is just for grills and camping. But as electric rates go up and the cost of oil remains unpredictable, many homeowners are looking for a domestic fuel source with less volatile prices and a more abundant supply. Others are wondering if oil or electricity is the fuel greenest choice on the market. And once they learn the details, more and more people are discovering the many benefits propane has to offer! But what exactly is propane?
Propane is a byproduct of natural gas. Because it is compressed and stored in a liquid state, it is sometimes referred to as Liquid Petroleum Gas or LPG.
Propane is one of the cleanest, most versatile, and most efficient fuels around. It’s a domestically sourced alternative fuel that can provide steady, reliable heat at an affordable price. Propane also offers exceptional performance and efficiency in a wide range of home appliances at a much lower cost than electricity.
Here’s what you probably didn’t know about propane, and why so many customers in eastern Vermont are making the switch:
Propane generates more Btus than an equivalent amount of electricity, and it delivers more than twice the Btus of natural gas, so you need much less propane to produce the same amount of heat or energy.
Also, propane appliances are incredibly efficient, so they waste very little fuel in the combustion process. On the other hand, about two-thirds of the energy used by a power plant to generate and transmit electricity is wasted along the way.
Because propane is so efficient, it’s a smarter choice than electricity for a wide variety of appliances, in addition to heating your home.
For example, propane water heaters generate much more hot water at a cheaper cost per gallon. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, homes that heat water with propane rather than electricity can see average annual savings of $174.
The same technology that makes propane ideal for space heating and water heaters makes it a smarter choice than electricity to power all kinds of appliances that use hot water or heat:
While it’s a highly flammable gas under certain conditions, leaks are rare, and propane is a safe and clean-burning way to heat your home and water. Like natural gas, propane has a distinct rotten-egg smell to help you quickly notice leaking gas.
Propane can also help keep your home and family safe year-round. When storms knock out power, a propane-fueled backup generator will keep your lights and everything else running until the utility companies can make repairs. In addition, a gas stove will continue to work during a power outage. Now that’s some peace of mind!
Whether you’re ready to make the switch to propane, or have more questions, the professionals at Junction Fuels have the knowledge, experience, and resources to answer all your questions. And we can get you started with the right size propane tank for your needs, reliable propane delivery, and more.
Contact us for more information or to get started today.