A clothes dryer can really come in handy, especially during the cold months when outdoor drying becomes impossible (unless you like your jeans frozen solid!). But whether you use a gas- or electric-powered dryer for your clothes, the energy bills can add up quickly – unless you make some sensible choices about how you handle your laundry.
Try these 6 tips to get more from your clothes dryer in the months ahead:

1. Pre-dry your clothes using your washing machine’s fastest spin cycle – A load of clothes can contain half a gallon of water or more after an economy washing cycle – minimize that amount with a good spin before drying.
2. Clean your lint filter – A clogged lint filter can dramatically affect dryer efficiency and dry times, potentially adding 20-30 percent to your bill.
3. Keep dryer vents clean – If your dryer has an exhaust leading to the outside, clean it regularly; not only will it improve efficiency, it will also prevent carbon monoxide build up in your Pennsylvania home.
4. Don’t overload – To dry your clothes quickly and completely, a clothes dryer needs to be able to circulate warm air easily between clothes; when too many clothes are packed in, warm never reaches them.
5. Dry lightweight items before heavier loads – Your clothes dryer takes a while to build up enough heat to dry heavier clothing; dry your lighter clothes first, then take advantage of the dryer’s residual heat to help take care of the heavy stuff.
6. Try adding a dry towel to a load of damp clothes – A dry towel wicks moisture from wet fabrics, which could cut off several minutes of drying time.

Of course the best way to save money on energy bills from your clothes dryer is to replace your old, inefficient tank with a new, high efficiency, whisper quiet model. Ace-Robbins features top quality gas- and electric-powered clothes dryer options from Maytag, Whirlpool and Amana – visit our Tunkhannock showroom today to see them for yourself!

When it comes to cooking efficiency (and precision temperature control), it’s hard to beat a gas cooking range or gas cooktop. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get even better performance from your equipment with just a little investment of time and effort.
Try these simple tips and tricks for getting more from your gas range:

1. Keep an eye on the color of your flame – A healthy gas stove burns blue rather than yellow; if the flame is yellow, it’s time for maintenance – or a gas range upgrade.
2. Check the seal on your oven door – Gaps or tears in the seal let heat escape, wasting heat.
3. Keep your oven window clean – Opening the range door to check on your food costs you heat…and money.
4. Keep the burner flame as low as possible – A higher flame won’t necessarily cook your food faster, but it will definitely use more gas. Modern cookware is extremely conductive and holds heat very well – most of the time you don’t need as much flame as you think.
5. Use the right-sized burner for your pot – Putting a small pot on a large burner can waste 40 percent of the burner’s heat. Match the burner to the job and you will save gas (and money) every time you cook.
6. Cook in batches – Use all the space in your oven once you turn it on – you can always freeze portions for later.
7. Use glass or ceramic dishes – Glass and ceramic dishes are the most efficient materials to use in the oven, so you don’t need as high a cooking temperature to cook your meal.

For quality gas ranges and gas cooktops from top brands like KitchenAid, Whirlpool, Maytag and more, trust the pros at Ace-Robbins. To learn more, or to see our full line of quality cooking and other home appliances, visit our Tunkhannock showroom today!

When it comes to comfort and safety, your furnace might be the most important appliance in your home; it’s also the most costly to operate.
In this second post of a four-part series on getting better performance from your appliances, we will take a look at getting more your furnace so you can enjoy reliable heat and lower bills all winter long.

Five keys to getting more from your furnace

1. Check the furnace air filter regularly – One of the most important maintenance tasks you have as a furnace owner is to check and replace or clean your air filter regularly. Many manufacturers recommend checking your air filter every three months or so, but we recommend doing it more often – about every 30 days or so, especially if you have pets. This will prevent your furnace from having to overwork to keep your home comfortable.
2. Get routine heating maintenance every year – A furnace will lose about five percent efficiency each year it does not receive professional heating maintenance. If you want to avoid that performance drop-off and prolong the life of your equipment, prevention is the key.
3. Weatherize and insulate your home – Make sure your attic and the rest of your home has enough insulation to keep warm air in and cold air out of your home (the insulation in most Connecticut homes – especially older ones – often doesn’t comply with R-Values recommended by the U.S. Department of Energy). Air leaks around doors and windows can be a big problem, too – use inexpensive measures like caulk, weather stripping and door sweeps to keep drafts at bay.
4. Give your furnace a break with a programmable thermostat – You can cut your annual heating bills by as much as 10 percent per year by turning down the heat when you are out of the house or asleep. Running your furnace less often will also save wear and tear on your equipment, which could prolong the life of your equipment.
5. Make sensible upgrades – There will come a point when replacing your furnace will be more sensible than sinking money into heating system repair. If your equipment is more than 12 to 14 years old or has been experience a drop off in performance, an equipment upgrade might be the best way to go to get more bang for your furnace buck.

Time for a furnace upgrade? We can help! Contact the pros at Ace-Robbins to get a FREE, no obligation estimate on a high efficiency furnace (or boiler) installation for your northeast Pennsylvania home!
Next week: Tips for your furnace

Today’s high efficiency appliances do more work with less energy than ever before – but that doesn’t mean you can’t make small changes to squeeze a little more performance out of them.
In this first of a four-part series, we will take a look at getting more from one of the unsung heroes of home comfort: your water heater.

Getting the most from your water heater

Let’s face it: without a water heater, many of our most important comforts would disappear – hot showers and clean clothing and dishes, to name three important ones.
Those comforts come at a cost, though: water heating is the 2nd largest operating expense in your home, typically accounting for 14-18 percent of your utilities each month according to the Department of Energy (DOE).
The good news is with some simple adjustments, you can stay on the low end of that number, or even below it. Here are five suggestions to get more water heating bang for your buck in your Pennsylvania home:

1. Lower your water heater thermostat – Water heaters have a default temperature setting that is higher than needed for your appliances and taps. Aim for a temperature of 115 to 120 degrees for the best balance of economy and comfort.
2. Insulate your hot water pipe – Water sitting in uninsulated pipes in your cold basement will experience “standby heat loss” as it waits to be used. By insulating the pipes between your water heater and your appliances and taps, you can minimize that heat loss and improve overall water heating efficiency.
3. Insulate your storage tank – There’s that standby heat loss again – this time in your hot water storage tank. By insulating your storage tank with a jacket, your water heater won’t have do its job twice.*
4. Get preventive maintenance – Deposits build up in your water heater’s storage tank over time, forcing it to work harder to deliver the same performance*. Like any appliance, it pays to maintain your water heater to avoid costly repairs.
5. Use less hot water – Install flow restricting showerheads to reduce your hot water usage by up to 50 percent without affecting shower pressure. You can also take shorter showers, fix leaky faucets, and use higher-efficiency appliances.

*You can also avoid this problem entirely with a tankless propane water heater – contact us to learn more).
Time for a water heater upgrade? We can help! Contact the pros at Ace-Robbins to get a FREE, no obligation estimate on a high efficiency traditional or tankless water heater installation for your northeast Pennsylvania home!
Next week: Tips for your furnace

When it comes to reliable propane and heating oil delivery in our Pennsylvania service area, there’s really only one choice: Ace-Robbins. But when it comes to having your heating oil delivered to your home, you actually have two choices: Automatic Delivery and Will Call Service from Ace-Robbins.
Let’s take a close look at each option.

Automatic Delivery

How it works
With automatic delivery – available for your heating oil or propane – we estimate how much fuel you are likely to use based on your past usage and the current weather (if you have recently become an Ace-Robbins customer, we will base your delivery total on similar-sized homes in the area). Your Ace-Robbins delivery crew will come at a convenient time for you once your tank reaches about one-quarter full.
Pros

• No tank watching
• No runouts* or restarts
• No need to call for / schedule a delivery
• Priority service in periods of high demand

Cons

• You rely on us to schedule your deliveries rather than managing the process yourself (many would consider this a “pro”!)
• If you make a significant change in your home or lifestyle (build an addition to your home, add a new family member who needs additional heat on in the house, etc.) without letting us know, our computer estimates will be off, potentially resulting in a fuel run-out.

Will Call

How it works
You keep track of your own oil level and call us when you need a delivery.
Pros

• You call the shots! You have complete control over the monitoring and delivery call-in schedule for your heating oil deliveries.

Cons

• A minimum 24-hour notice is needed for a delivery request* – more is strongly recommended, especially during a storm or cold snap (a good rule of thumb is to call when the level of your tank reads about 25 percent full). If you are a Will Call customer, it is critical that you keep a close eye on your fuel levels during periods of extreme cold in order to avoid a costly and potentially dangerous fuel run-out. You are probably using fuel more quickly than you think!

The bottom line

As you can see, Automatic Delivery has some significant advantages over Will Call – a big reason why most of our customers take advantage of this convenient service from Ace-Robbins.
Still, if you prefer to watch the fuel level of their storage tank, that’s no problem – with our large fleet of trucks, we can get fuel to you quickly and reliably when others can’t!
For reliable heating oil deliveries in the northeastern Pennsylvania, no one beats the pros at Ace-Robbins! To join the Ace family of customers – or to switch from Will Call to Automatic Delivery – contact us today.
*Ace-Robbins is not responsible for run-outs if you do not provide enough notice for delivery. In some cases, we can make a same-day emergency heating oil delivery if you have a run-out or you’re close to running out, but extra charges may apply.

At Ace-Robbins, we work hard to make life simple for you – which is part of the reason we offer conveniences like our EZ Pay Plan. But one of the best ways we know to simplify life for you in this or any heating season is to make us your dual-fuel provider.
If you use both heating oil and propane in your northeast Pennsylvania home, there is a chance you get each of these fuels from a different supplier. Why go through the hassle of getting two invoices or dealing with two delivery and customer service teams when you can get it all from Ace-Robbins?
When you sign up for dual fuel delivery with us, you’ll get the same great pricing and expert service you get from us as a heating oil or propane customer alone, with the added bonus of having less paperwork and an easier way to pay your bills.
Our team of experts can visit your home to assess your propane needs and get you up and running safely and quickly. One you’re connected, you’ll get your propane deliveries on time, every time, in any weather – just as you have in your many years as a heating oil delivery customer.
Making your heating season easier and more convenient than ever this year – switch your propane service over to us today. Contact us to learn more.

One of the quickest avenues through which to lose money as a homeowner is through a draft in your dwelling. In a very short length of time, drafts can easily skyrocket your heating bill. Not only do they create a cooler environment in the home than you desire, drafts also make your furnace run longer and work harder. Similarly, when the weather turns hot, the draft can cause cool air to be lost from your home.
Additionally, the constant turning on and off of your heating system and air conditioner may lead to extra repairs. For these and other reasons, locating drafts in your home is essential, particularly just prior to winter. There are several ways to find the location of such drafts and subsequently boost your home’s energy efficiency:

The Challenge Of Older Homes

Finding drafts is often a challenging endeavor, especially in old dwellings. The precise location of the draft can be somewhat elusive. Your first course of action should be to simply use your senses to locate the draft. For instance, place your hand close to the areas around your home’s doors and windows. These are usually primary locations for drafts, especially if the doors and windows have poor seals or are very old. Additionally, such areas may feature little or no insulation.

Effective Ways To Detect Drafts

String, candles, and thin swatches of fabric help detect areas through which drafts run. These methods determine the strength of each draft. Always make sure to note the direction of each draft when using this method, as well as whether or not the air is hot or cold.
In certain instances, the drafts’ locations are easily detected through the use of the flashlight. To use this method, you simply shine the flashlight at the door where you suspect a problem exists and see if someone on the other side of the door can see a shaft of light coming through from the flashlight. Also, you can place a very thin paper beneath the door when it is closed. Pull the paper out, and see if it frees itself easily. If this is the case, you have probably detected a major draft source.

Working With Professionals

Another great way to accurately detect draft locations in your home and ultimately make it more energy efficiency is to hire a professional. Such individuals have the experience and equipment to locate all of the drafts in the house and help you choose the best solution. Professionals are trained to find drafts in a variety of areas that you, as the homeowner, will overlook. For example, professionals usually begin by checking fireplaces, dryer vents, utility line inlets, windows sashes, weather stripping, baseboards, electrical outlets and switch plates.

Heating System Tune-up Falls PA

Even well insulated homes have major drafts of which you are not aware. Therefore, make sure you deal with all problem areas simultaneously, if possible. Working with a professional to achieve a more energy-efficient home is also wise course of action. Not only will your home be more comfortable, you will also be able to save money on your energy bill. This is because even a top notch heater and cooling system cannot keep your home at an appropriate temperature if a major draft exists. It is also wise to schedule regular checkups so that your system runs in the most efficient manner possible. Professionals have the experience and training to notice problems in advance, before major repairs become necessary.
To further reduce your energy costs, try to find affordable, high-quality heating oil. The best way to accomplish this task is to comparison shop. By implementing all the aforementioned tips, you can reduce your energy costs and create a more comfortable environment for you and other residents of your home.
For a heating expert in your area, be sure to contact Ace-Robbins. We offer affordable, reliable, and trusted heater service plans, heating oil delivery services and propane delivery services. We also offer heating system installation and repairs. Contact Ace-Robbins to discuss how to resolve any of your home heating needs. Our professional and certified technicians have the experience and skills necessary. We have been in business since 1961 and since then, we have been providing excellent customer experiences.
We service Clarks Summit PA 18411, Dalton PA 18414, Factoryville PA 18419, Falls PA 18615, La Plume PA 18440, Lake Winola PA 18625, Ransom PA 18653, Taylor PA 18517, Tunkhannock PA 18657, Waverly PA 18471, and surrounding areas.



Contact us today or give us a call at (570) 836-3232 if you have any questions.

Having a backup generator is a great way to protect your family, your home, and your belongings during a winter power outage – but only if it is ready to go at a moment’s notice, when you need it most.
To make sure it does, it pays to take some time to develop a readiness plan for your backup generator that enables you to prepare for and respond to a severe weather power outage.
Here are some items to include in your plan:
Pre-winter

• Review the operating manual – Don’t wait for the storm to arrive before you learn how to use your generator.
• Get professional maintenance – Invest in an expert inspection before you need to rely on your generator during the winter.
• Run your system – Run your standby generator for a few minutes at once every three months to make sure everything is in working order (you will increase the run-test frequency during the winter months, as you will see below).
• Develop a “Plan B” – Know what you will do if your generator does not start.

During winter

• Fill it with propane – Make sure your backup generator has enough propane to get you through at least a week without power, since conditions may delay propane deliveries.
• Increase run-test frequency to twice per month – What happens to a generator that hasn’t been run all winter? The same thing that happens when you leave your car in the driveway for three months during the winter without starting it. In the colder months, run your generator for at least half an hour once or twice per month to lubricate moving parts and maintain important seals.

During severe winter weather

• Keep access to your generator clear – Clear at least a 12” pathway open to your generator and keep its gas line accessible for refueling.
• Document generator operation – Keep track of how often and for how long your generator is called into service, along with any problems or repairs that may occur.

Postseason record keeping

• Review /Revise your readiness plan – After the storm, and again when winter ends, assess what worked and didn’t work in your plan, making changes as needed.

Do you have enough propane in your generator to run it for a week during a Pennsylvania power outage? If you don’t, schedule a propane delivery today so you’re ready for anything!

It’s hard to believe, but 2019 is here – and that means it’s time to make some New Year’s Resolutions. Why not make a few that will relieve stress and make your Pennsylvania home more comfortable?
Here are six promises to make and keep that will save you money, keep you cozy and help you get more peace of mind in 2019:

1. Change your air filters – One of the best things you can do to keep your furnace or air conditioner running efficiently and reliably is also the simplest: check your air filters regularly. Give them a look at least once a month, or even more frequently in the height of the summer and winter when your equipment is running almost constantly. A clogged filter will cost you twice – first by raising your energy bills, and second by wearing out your equipment prematurely.
2. Install / learn to use a programmable thermostat – Another easy way to save money on energy bills? Lower the temperature in your home when you’re asleep or out of the house. Drop temperatures by eight degrees for eight hours a day and you will cut your bills by 10 percent or more. The easiest way to do that? Get (and use) a programmable thermostat – it will pay for itself in the first year you own it.
3. Make life EZ-ier – Stressed by the ups and downs of winter heating bills? Sign up for EZ Pay and stretch those payments out over the course of a year. You will get the same bill every month no matter how much heating oil or propane you use, which means no more holiday season sticker shock surprises in your mailbox.
4. Stay on top of equipment maintenance – Want your home heating and cooling equipment to run better for longer? Never miss an annual tune-up. Better yet, get two – one in the spring and one in the fall. Tune-ups pay for themselves by keeping efficiency high and repair risk low. Want even more value for your heating system upkeep? Go for an Ace-Robbins Service Plan.
5. Make smart upgrades – A time will come when replacing your heating or cooling system makes more sense than waiting around for it to fall apart on its own. Upgrading to new high efficiency equipment will often pay for itself in just a few years, and provide more comfort and peace of mind along the way.
6. Treat yourself – Sometimes you just need to splurge – say, with a new one-click propane fireplace or upgraded kitchen appliances. Or maybe you want to heat your pool or install a propane-powered outdoor kitchen. Whatever you imagine, put it into action in 2019.

Start 2019 out right – save money and enjoy more peace of mind with expert service and equipment upgrades from Ace-Robbins. Contact us today to learn about equipment upgrades for your Pennsylvania home!

Frozen water pipes in your Pennsylvania home can be a problem at best, and a disaster at worst: A simple 1/8-inch crack in a pipe can release 250 gallons of water a day – enough to fill about three average-sized bathtubs.
More importantly, it’s enough to do some real damage to your home, causing structural problems and creating the long-term potential for mold growth.
Needless to say, this is something you want to avoid.
The good news is that by taking a few simple precautions, you can prevent the expense and aggravation that frozen pipes cause. Here are some tips:
Early in the season or in the offseason:

• Insulate pipes in your crawl spaces and attic, where it tends to be coldest.
• Seal air leaks near and around pipes using caulk or insulation.
• Shut off and drain water pipes leading to outdoor faucets.

If it is freezing outside:

• Run a trickle of hot water down your pipes to keep them from freezing
• Make sure your thermostat is set high enough to keep your pipes warm as temperatures drop overnight.
• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow heat to get to un-insulated pipes under sinks.

If you are planning a vacation or own a summer home that sits unused:

• Set the thermostat in the house no lower than 55°F; do NOT turn the heat completely off.
• Ask a friend or neighbor to check your home during cold snaps.
• Shut off and drain your water system before heating season.

If your pipes have frozen:

• Never operate appliances in standing water.
• Never use an open flame to thaw pipes; you may be able to thaw a frozen pipe with a hair dryer if you start by warming the pipe close to the faucet and work toward the coldest section of pipe.
• If this approach doesn’t work, call a professional plumber.

If your water pipes have already burst

• Turn off water at the main shutoff valve in the house; if you don’t know how to do this, consult a professional plumber. Teach everyone in your family where the water shutoff valve is and how to close it.
• Call a plumber.

Want to know the best way to keep your pipes from freezing? Service your heating equipment to keep it working properly and make sure you have a reliable supply of propane or heating oil on hand. If you need help with either, contact the pros at Ace-Robbins today! Ace-Robbins: Serving Bradford, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Susquehanna, Sullivan, and Wyoming Counties.