Mid-Coast Energy has answered by expanding its service department and adding Nicholas Falabella of Newcastle to the service team. Service manager and company co-owner Dave Gamage reports a higher than normal number of calls for heating system cleanings and tunings.
It seems that savvy homeowners are catching on to the fact that not only do regular service cleanings save fuel, but the routine also minimizes breakdowns- a situation that everyone hopes to avoid in the middle of a cold January night. The result has been a significant increase in the number of requests for maintenance agreements so far this season.
According to Gamage, volatile fuel prices have prompted many homeowners to comparison shop for oil prices, opting to buy oil from the dealer offering the best price that particular month – while maintaining a relationship with an independent service company who does not sell fuel such as Mid-Coast Energy. Gamage explained that “even though oil companies also offer heating systems repair and maintenance services, all too often the customer must agree to purchase oil only from that company; people want the freedom to find the best deal that they can for fuel.”
“This year has proven particularly busy as many people took advantage of the tax credits for new systems,” said Gamage. “People have come to trust that we will try to keep old systems going as long as possible and will tell you truthfully if you can go another year…or it’s just plain shot.”
No one likes to hear that they do need a new system, but the new high efficiency ratings can provide some comfort, with reports of heating bills at 25 percent less and considerably lower emissions. In fact, improvements in furnaces and oil burners alone over the past few decades result in systems that burn over 95 percent cleaner. The new systems save homeowners about 500 gallons of fuel each year when compared to systems used in the 1970s.
In Mid-Coast’s continuing effort to be on-call and available for its customers, it has added two new, energy-efficient Fort Transit vans to its existing fleet. The service vans are used daily by technicians and were chosen for fuel efficiency, reportedly saving eight to nine gallons per mile. For lots of energy saving ideas for the home this winter, go to midcoastenergysystems.com.
