You could be forgiven for not thinking about your home’s air conditioning during the winter. It probably hasn’t clicked on in many weeks.
But now that spring is upon us in New Jersey, it’s worth thinking back to how your A/C equipment was fairing last summer. Did it struggle on the hottest days? Did you notice warm air from your vents or leaking liquid? What about grinding or clanging noises from your equipment?
If so, now is the best time to contact Dixon Energy’s expert technicians for A/C service. We’ll see if you need a cooling system repair or if it might be time for an A/C replacement. In the early spring, we’ll have plenty of time to secure equipment for you and get it installed before temperatures really start to rise.
Different cooling systems have different lifespans. Generally speaking, central A/C systems last between 10 and 20 years. Ductless mini-split equipment lasts between 15 to 20 years.
Deciding between repairing and replacing your home’s cooling equipment can be frustrating, especially because new A/C systems are significant investments. Here’s a cheat sheet to help you weigh crucial factors in making a decision:
| Factor to consider | Repair if… | Replace if… |
|---|---|---|
| System age | It’s less than 10 years old since the warranty is still in place and may cover much of the cost. | It’s over 10 years old, especially if it uses outdated and expensive R-22 refrigerant. |
| Efficiency rating | It’s 14-SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) or higher, which is the new federal minimum rating. | It’s lower than 13-SEER. Lower efficiency systems are more expensive to run and don’t keep you as reliably comfortable. |
| Cost of repairs | The necessary repairs are less than 50 percent of the price of new equipment. | The necessary repairs are more than 50 percent of the price of new equipment. |
These are pretty good metrics for determining if you should repair or replace your home’s A/C system. However, we know that some borderline circumstances are harder to assess. You can always contact the team at Dixon Energy to look at your equipment and make recommendations.
In Elizabeth, Morristown, Rockaway and other communities in northern New Jersey, Dixon Energy is the most trusted team for A/C installations.
Whether you are interested in an industry-leading central air system from Amana or curious about an efficient heating and cooling solution with a Fujitsu ductless mini-split, we have you covered. Don’t let installation and equipment costs stop you from taking advantage of the energy (and expense) saving technologies of today’s state-of-the-art cooling equipment. We can help you get competitive financing through the National Energy Improvement Fund (NEIF).
Your journey to a more comfortable home this summer begins by contacting Dixon Energy. We’re ready to help you right away!
Did you know that spring is the ideal time to replace struggling heating and cooling equipment? Once temperatures are milder in New Jersey’s Morris, Union, Somerset, and southern Sussex counties, you won’t need to rely on your furnace or boiler as much. And it won’t be so hot that you have to depend on air conditioning yet. That’s a perfect balance where you can upgrade your HVAC equipment without risking your family’s comfort.
At Dixon Energy, we handle more heating and cooling equipment installations than just about any company in northern New Jersey. We understand that investing in new HVAC systems is a significant expense. But we can help you reduce upfront costs and offer fantastic financing options!
That depends on the type of heating or cooling equipment you’re thinking about replacing. Here is a general idea of how long various HVAC systems last before needing to be replaced:
If your heating or cooling equipment is approaching 15 years of use, you are missing out on technologies that will keep your home more comfortable, more efficiently.
This is a significant benefit not only for your family’s comfort but also for your bottom line. The average home’s heating and cooling accounts for 43 percent of its energy use. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, upgrading your equipment, combined with “appropriate insulation, air sealing, and thermostat settings,” can reduce your home energy use by up to 50 percent!
While these energy savings are no doubt appealing to you, purchasing and installing new heating and cooling equipment can be an expensive proposition. But Dixon Energy can help!
We offer competitive loan rates through the National Energy Improvement Fund (NEIF), allowing you to finance your home comfort equipment upgrade over three, five or 10 years.
We might also be able to help you qualify for rebates through Oilheat New Jersey or through our manufacturer Energy Kinetics. These rebates can save you hundreds of dollars on your installation.
Finally, as part of the Inflation Reduction Act, you can also receive a generous federal tax credit for installing energy-efficient furnaces, boilers, central A/C systems, heat pumps and other home comfort equipment in 2023!
You can count on the Dixon team to help you find the right equipment, install it promptly and be there for years to come to ensure it operates efficiently.
If your heating or A/C systems have been struggling, don’t wait for a total breakdown to contact us. Request a service appointment today.
On frosty nights like we experience this time of the year, it’s a relief to have robust propane heat. You and your family can stay warm and toasty, no matter how cold it gets outside.
Of course, you need a reliable propane delivery company to be confident in your home’s heat, hot water and gas-fired appliances. In Morris, Somerset and Sussex counties, Dixon Energy keeps countless propane tanks filled all year round. But if you’re calling us every time you need a delivery, you could be risking a propane runout.
When your home’s furnace, boiler, water heater, stove or dryer (or some combination) depends on propane, running out of fuel has significant ramifications. Your family’s safety could be at risk if it’s below freezing outside.
You’ll need to schedule an emergency delivery, but there are other steps our team will need to take. A technician must perform a leak/pressure test before your tank can be filled and your propane equipment restarted.
Most of our customers avoid having to track their tank levels by signing up for free automatic propane delivery. With automatic delivery, Dixon Energy handles all your planning for you. We calculate your propane tank level using your usage history and current weather data. Then we deliver more fuel before you run low.
Automatic delivery is a no-stress option for customers, but it depends on data projections. If you want complete precision in your propane supply, we suggest you enroll in our TankUtility wireless propane tank monitoring.
Tank monitors use wireless and cellular technology to transmit round-the-clock data about the propane levels in your tank. Who gets this information?
Dixon Energy can track the exact amount of fuel in your tank in real time. That way, we know the precise moment you should receive a delivery.
You also have access to this information, which you can view using the TankUtility app on your smartphone or tablet. Don’t want to get off the couch? Just check your phone! Worried about your propane supply while you’re on a tour of Italy? As long as you have a signal, you can see how much fuel you have!
Wireless tank monitors are handy for people who need to check propane deliveries for properties they aren’t close to. This includes:
Our team can get you set up with a TankUtility monitor in a matter of minutes. Then, you can begin enjoying unparalleled confidence and make propane runouts a thing of the past.
Are you interested in propane tank monitoring? Feel free to contact us to learn more about this service. Our team members are standing by to take your call!
When families in Morris County, Union County, and other parts of Northern New Jersey think about their energy spending, they don’t always consider the impact of their water heater. But the average home uses approximately one-fifth of its energy to generate hot water for bathing, laundry, dishwashing and other purposes.
You want to ensure that your water heater can get the job done. Otherwise, you’ll be looking at shorter showers and higher energy bills.
When we talk to homeowners about a water heater replacement, we’re often asked whether it makes more sense to go with a propane or electric unit. In our experience, propane water heaters have the edge when it comes to efficiency, affordability, and eco-friendliness.
Let’s do a comparison of propane vs. electric water heaters.
Because of their superior recovery rates, propane water heaters can produce twice as much hot water in the same period as electric water heaters. Electric units have a recovery rate of about 20-22 gallons per hour, but for propane water heaters, it’s often higher than 40 gallons per hour. Want unlimited hot water on demand? A propane tankless water heater will do that!
Why is propane so much more efficient at producing hot water? Its flame is exceptionally hot, generating more than twice the Btu’s per cubic foot as natural gas.
In general, gas-fired water heaters are slightly pricier than electric products. You can expect to spend a bit more money upfront, but because of propane’s superb efficiency, this price differential disappears quickly.
The Propane Education and Research Council (PERC) performed a study comparing propane and electric water heaters in 2,400-square-foot homes. They found that a house with a propane product will spend about $355 less per year on energy compared to an electric one. You could recoup the additional installation cost in as little as one year!
Propane is a green fuel, emitting less carbon in combustion than most other fuels. It’s also methane-free and emits virtually no particulate matter. Propane was designated as a clean alternative fuel in the 1990 Clean Air Act and the 1992 National Energy Policy.
While electric water heaters may not emit greenhouse gases in your home, the electricity powering them does create emissions. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, almost one-half of New Jersey’s electricity is generated from natural gas.
If your water heater is over eight years old, it’s time to start considering a replacement. You don’t want to end up in a situation where your current unit fails, and you’re left without a hot shower while we secure equipment.
Dixon Energy installs and services top-rated propane water heaters — both traditional and tankless. We’ll help you find the best product for your home, and then we will install it right away.
Are you ready to find an efficient, cost-effective propane water heater? Get in touch with us right away for a free consultation.
With energy rates at their highest levels in years, families from Randolph to Denville — and countless other communities in northern New Jersey — are looking for ways to save money on their home heating bills.
But before you take a drastic step like switching fuels or changing out your heating equipment, you should look at a small home comfort device that can significantly impact your energy bills: your thermostat.
Many people only think of their thermostat when the house feels too cold or hot, and they adjust their temperature. But it can be an effective tool for controlling your fuel consumption. Investing in a smart thermostat like the RedLINK products from Honeywell that Dixon Energy installs can save you significant money without sacrificing comfort.
Many New Jersey families have programmable thermostats that allow them to preset temperatures at different times of the day. This enables them to reduce their energy consumption when they’re asleep or not at home.
Smart thermostats are the next technological advancement.
All thermostats connect to your heating system, signaling it to turn on when your indoor temperature drops below a certain level. Smart thermostats also connect to your home’s wireless network. This allows them to communicate with your smart devices. You can track and change temperatures from your phone or tablet, whether you’re upstairs in bed or on the other side of the world.
Smart thermostats also have learning capabilities to make temperature adjustments throughout the day, particularly when they sense you aren’t home.
The U.S. Department of Energy says most households can save 10 percent in annual heating costs by lowering their thermostats by 7°-10°F for 8 hours a day.
With a smart thermostat, you can program multiple fuel-saving temperature reductions in advance. You can track and adjust them from your wireless devices. And your thermostat will build off this, looking for more opportunities to save energy.
This all contributes to lower heating oil or gas bills in the winter.
Additionally, smart thermostats provide a vital safeguard for when you’re on vacation. If there’s a sudden cold snap while you’re out of town, you can turn on the heat remotely to prevent frozen or burst pipes.
Are you looking for a cost-effective way to reduce your winter fuel use? We recommend that you start by installing a RedLINK smart thermostat. In addition to the energy-saving features mentioned above, the RedLINK offers the following features:
With these features, the RedLINK smart thermostat more than pays for itself with convenience and cost savings.
Getting set up is easy. Just contact the friendly HVAC professionals at Dixon Energy, and we will install your smart thermostat right away!
When was the last time you had a service technician look at your furnace, boiler, or air conditioning equipment?
If you’re having trouble remembering, it’s probably time to call Dixon Energy. We’ve kept HVAC systems humming in Morris, Somerset, Union, and southern Sussex Counties for decades. We know from experience that HVAC service is crucial and how often you should have it done.
Generally speaking, you should have your heating and cooling equipment serviced once a year. There are occasions when you can get away with a less frequent tune-up, like when your home sits vacant for part of the year and your system doesn’t need to run as often.
HVAC service is like a check-up for your heating and cooling equipment. It’s an opportunity for our technicians to see how your equipment is doing. We can clean and calibrate anything that needs it and confirm how efficiently your system is running.
There are some significant benefits to regular HVAC service, including:
Overall, the benefits of regular HVAC service are well worth the cost of a yearly tune-up.
The best time to get a system serviced is when you aren’t using it.
Consequently, the winter is an excellent time to have your air conditioning serviced, and the summer is a good time to service your furnace or boiler. Maintenance doesn’t “wear off.” You can rest easy knowing you’ve already taken care of your routine maintenance well before your equipment needs to click on.
That said, if you’ve neglected maintenance for your heating system, don’t hesitate to arrange heating service in the winter. It’s better to get it done than to face a system failure instead.
If you never want to miss your annual HVAC maintenance again, protect your heating and cooling equipment with an affordable service plan. Each of our plans comes with a free annual tune-up. We also guarantee priority 24/7 service and discounts on repairs.
To learn more about service plan enrollment — or to schedule your annual HVAC service — get in touch with the Dixon Energy team today.
When was the last time you thought about your heating oil tank? If you’re like many of the customers we serve in Morris, Somerset, Union and Sussex Counties, the answer is probably: the last time you got an oil delivery.
Your home’s heating oil tank is essential to keeping your family warm during the coldest winter nights. But many households aren’t sure how old their tank is or how long it will last. Here are some of the frequent questions we receive about heating oil tanks.
The most common size for heating oil tanks is 275 gallons. This size will serve a two to three-bedroom home. There are also 330- and 400-gallon tanks, which sometimes work better for larger homes.
Today’s heating oil tanks come in horizontal and vertical models that can fit in oddly shaped or cramped spaces in basements or garages.
Heating oil tanks last a long time, generally between 15 and 20 years, but sometimes more. If your tank is approaching 15 years, it’s a good idea to have a technician look at it. Oil tanks generally fail because of corrosion on the inside, which you won’t be able to see easily.
At Dixon Energy, we can replace your oil tank with a new, state-of-the-art model and remove the old tank safely and cleanly.
In New Jersey, you are permitted to abandon an underground heating oil tank, provided you have a permitted contractor properly handle the mandated process. As a general rule, removing your old underground tank is a good idea to prevent a possible hazardous leak in the future. But our team can decommission your underground tank under New Jersey regulations.
Heating oil is one of the safest home heating options around. Unlike natural gas, it does not explode. If you were to drop a lit match into a bucket of heating oil, it would go out like you dropped it into water. Heating oil will only burn if you heat it to 140 degrees and vaporize it (which is what your furnace or boiler does).
Additionally, home heating oil does not emit fatal fumes, so there is no suffocation risk.
The one notable risk is a tank leak, which can lead to an expensive decontamination process.
Heating oil tanks are equipped with an alarm chime that warns the oil delivery worker that the tank is overfilled.
If you’re concerned that your current heating oil tank might fail — because of rust, condensation or fuel puddles near the tank — please contact our office. We will get someone to you quickly to assess your tank’s health. If it needs repair, we can handle that. And if you need to replace it, we’ll help you identify the best model for your home.
Don’t hesitate — get in touch with Dixon Energy today.
Propane is one of the most versatile fuels on the market. You can heat an entire home with it. You can just power one appliance, or you might fall somewhere in the middle.
For many people in Morris, Somerset, Union and Sussex Counties, a 20-pound propane cylinder will do the trick to power their grill. Others need more expansive propane storage at their homes, and Dixon Energy is here to help them choose the right stationary propane tank.
We offer a wide range of aboveground propane tanks, so we can always find a model that works for a customer’s home systems and appliances.
When discussing the different propane tank sizes, it’s essential to consider precisely how much fuel they hold. Propane expands and contracts as the temperature fluctuates. Water does the same thing, but propane’s volume increases 17 times more than water. Our propane delivery team must account for these fluctuations, so we always leave 20 percent empty space in the tank. This is called the “80 percent fill rule.”
With that in mind, here are some standard tank sizes, how much fuel they hold and what kind of homes they serve.
When a new customer comes to Dixon Energy, we ask some questions to identify the best propane tank for them:
Do you only need to power a range and a clothes dryer, or do your heating and hot water depend on propane? We also consider the size of your home when considering how much propane you’re likely to use in a given month.
If you have an infant or an older adult in the house, you may need to keep the temperature higher. If someone works from home, you can expect the heat to run all day in the winter. This all goes into our calculations.
We know how frigid the winters in northern New Jersey can get, and we account for them. If you live in a region that sees roads shut down because of massive snowfalls, you may need extra fuel storage to buffer you when deliveries are delayed.
If you need a knowledgeable propane delivery partner who won’t let you run out — regardless of the challenges — you can count on Dixon Energy. Our friendly technicians will work closely to help you find the right propane tank. Then, we’ll get you set up fast and provide reliable fuel delivery for years to come.
We can’t wait to show you the Dixon Energy difference. Contact us to become a customer.
A lot of our customers in Morris, Somerset, Union, and southern Sussex County want to know whether using the heating oil we deliver is good or bad for the environment. They often think of the heating oil their grandparents used, with its black smoke and soot.
Today’s heating oil is lightyears ahead of that product.
In fact, the home heating fuel industry has been making strides in developing a cleaner, more efficient, and renewable product. One of the terms you might have heard recently is Bioheat fuel. This is one of the most eco-friendly energy sources around today. Still, people want to know: How is Bioheat fuel different from heating oil? Which is better?
Let’s break down the differences between these two fuels.
Heating oil is a petroleum product that is similar to diesel. All heating oil is ultra-low sulfur, significantly reducing its negative impact on the environment and air quality.
Bioheat fuel combines ultra-low sulfur heating oil and biodiesel, which is made from organic and recycled ingredients like:
Biodiesel replaces petroleum gallon for gallon, and it reduces greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50 percent in the process. It lowers such harmful emissions as sulfur oxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon dioxide, mercury, and particular matter.
Bioheat fuel is an effective renewable tool for decarbonization that is available to homeowners across the U.S. — right now!
Both traditional heating oil and Bioheat fuel are among the most effective ways to heat your home and water. Heating oil produces roughly 138,690 Btu’s per gallon. Bioheat fuel produces about the same amount. And Bioheat fuel works in oil-fired heating systems without modifications.
It’s worth noting that some research has shown a slightly lower Btu output for Bioheat blends with 20 percent or more biodiesel content. But the difference is marginal and offset by the reduced wear and tear that Bioheat fuel offers
Bioheat fuel burns cleaner in your equipment than traditional heating oil, and this leaves fewer deposits in your heat exchanger. Your heating system will need fewer cleanings, require fewer repairs and last longer before needing to be replaced. All of this means you’ll end up spending less to maintain your heating equipment.
Generally speaking, the price difference between Bioheat fuel and traditional heating oil is relatively small, typically a matter of pennies per gallon. Consider that biodiesel is domestically made by American farmers and fuel producers. It’s less vulnerable to swings in global energy markets than petroleum-based energy.
And as noted earlier, equipment burning Bioheat fuel requires less maintenance and repair, making it more affordable in the long run.
Dixon Energy’s heating oil delivery customers enjoy all the comfort, efficiency and eco-friendliness of Bioheat fuel. If you want to receive this clean-burning home heating fuel, become a Dixon Energy customer today!
Plenty of homeowners in Rockway, Morristown, and other northern New Jersey communities have houses without ducts. And many think that they’re locked into certain heating and cooling options as a result.
But there’s a fantastic solution available that provides cooling and heating options without the need for ductwork. It’s unobtrusive, adaptable and powered entirely by electricity: a heat pump system.
Essentially, heat pumps take transfer warm air between the inside and outside of your living space. They do this using two main components:
A thin pipe connects these components through your wall. You can connect multiple indoor air handlers to a single outdoor unit.
In hot weather, warm air inside your home is blown across the air handler coils, where it’s cooled. Cooler air is blown back into your home, and hot air exits via the outdoor unit.
When it’s cold outside, the process reverses. The heating source is now the air outside. The outdoor unit absorbs heat energy and transfers it inside via the air handler.
In the process described above, you might notice that the heat pump system does not produce heat on its own. It relies on heat from the air. For this reason, heat pumps are most effective for heating in milder times of the year. When it’s below freezing, they may not be able to heat your space fully, and you’ll need to fall back on a boiler or other supplemental heating system.
Despite these limitations for heating, heat pumps offer fantastic cooling during the summer. And during the fall and early winter in this part of the Northeast, you can generally rely on them to keep you warm.
Additionally, heat pump systems provide zoned heating and cooling. This means you can maintain different parts of your home at different temperature settings. Plus, heat pumps typically cost less to run in the summer than central air conditioning. They last longer too.
Even if you have good heating for most of your home with a furnace or boiler, heat pumps offer excellent localized heating and cooling for garages, guest houses, sunrooms and finished attics.
Finally, heat pump installation is a quick, non-disruptive process, often finished in a day or two.
The team at Dixon Energy has experience and training with heat pump installation. We’ll set up your system promptly and with minimal inconvenience to your daily life. We’ll make sure your air handlers are positioned for maximum comfort.
Dixon Energy also handles heat pump repair and maintenance. You can even take advantage of one of our service plans so your system receives annual service.
If you’re interested in exploring the benefits of a heat pump system, we can show you some great options. Contact us today.
