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Why There’s A Whistling Noise During Home Heating Oil Delivery
If you’ve only just started using home heating oil, you’re likely unfamiliar with everything that happens when a heating oil tank is filled. The good news is that your heating oil delivery company will guide you through this process step-by-step. It’s quick and simple, especially when these heating systems are in good condition. If your very first oil delivery was just completed, then there may have been a few surprising events or developments that you still don’t fully understand. For instance, there is often a distinctive whistling sound that comes from the tank area. This shouldn’t cause any worry as it is only the oil tank vent alarm. Whistling is actually a sound that your system is supposed to make during a heating oil delivery.
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What Causes The Whistling Noise When Heating Oil Is Delivered?
Keep reading to learn more about this whistling sound and why it’s an important part of both heating oil systems and the oil tank refilling process.
The Source Of The Whistling Sound
While natural gas is delivered via installed pipelines, heating oil is brought to each home individually on a large truck. Heating oil is stored in tanks that are connected to home heating systems. The amount of oil in a tank gradually decreases over time as more oil is used to heat a home. Once the oil is gone, it is replaced by air within the tank. When the storage unit is ready to be refilled, fresh oil will push the air inside of the tank bank out. Home heating oil tanks all have an oil tank vent alarm that creates a whistling noise when the air exits. It is a vital, audible signal that can be clearly heard at the actual delivery truck.
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When Does The Whistling Sound Stop?
The whistling of the oil tank vent alarm will sound as the air continues passing through the vent alarm while exiting out of the vent pipe. This noise only stops when the tank is full given that there is no more air inside of the tank to escape. Once this happens, the heating oil delivery driver will stop the flow of oil from the truck. This is a manual task and thus, having a signal that indicates the right time for manual shut-off is absolutely essential. After all, home heating oil tanks come in varying sizes. The volume of each tank can be difficult to know especially when these tanks are buried underground. The good news is that knowing tank volumes isn’t a must given that the whistling sound will track the state of each oil refill.
Why It’s Important For Tanks To Have Vent Alarms
The process of refilling a heating oil tank is heavily reliant upon the vent alarm, and thus, this component must work perfectly. Heating oil delivery companies make it a policy to dismiss orders if a functioning whistle does not exist. They will try to refill a tank by first opening the tank nozzle and allowing a small amount of oil to flow through. The vent alarm should sound immediately. If it does not, the delivery company will stop service right away by shutting everything down.
When there is no whistling sound, this means that there are problems with the tank or around this component. With the absence of a vent alarm, oil delivery companies will not be able to know when the tank is full. This makes any fuel oil delivery effort a risky and fruitless one. This could result in oil being spilled on the ground. As such, this is not a risk many home heating oil companies are willing to take.
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Why The Vent Alarm Might Not Go Off During A Heating Oil Delivery
- Faulty Oil Tank Connections: One reason why a whistling sound might not be produced during refilling is that there’s no actual tank connected to the pipes. Although this is a rare issue, it can and does occasionally occur. For instance, if you have just purchased a home, you may be attempting to refill a tank that has already been excavated before you bought the home, and without you knowing about it. It might be that the tank connections are severed.
- Seal Damage: Damaged seals or an opening that allows for air to escape rather than passing through the vent alarm is another likely problem. It might be that the tank is not sealed. Air should only flow in a single direction and this is through the vent pipe so that the whistle sound is triggered. Any holes or gaps will need to be filled before refilling services can proceed.
- Vent Pipe Problems: There are also times when the vent pipe is the source of problems. The vent pipe might be blocked with insects that have built nests in its interior. All blockages will need to be extracted to ensure smooth, unobstructed airflow. If these problems are left unchecked, pressure can build to exceedingly high levels and eventually cause tank damage.
- The Whistle Is Broken: There is also a chance that the whistle is busted. This component also has small holes that can be home to insects or trapped debris. The whistle will need to be unplugged so that air can pass and resume its whistling sound during refilling.
Our drivers at Townsend Energy will always check your tank for a whistling sound at the start of refilling. We can also send out a technician to diagnose and repair the problem, or to make any necessary parts replacements. Call us now if you have questions or concerns about home heating oil delivery.
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For Superior Heating Oil Deliveries, Call Townsend Energy
Townsend Energy is proud to be a trusted, affordable heating oil supplier in the area. We offer different delivery plans and financing options. This way, you can customize your oil deliveries by choosing which option works best for you. By working with us, you can expect affordable oil prices and fast and reliable fuel deliveries.
Also, when you need maintenance service or repair for your heating system, our professionally certified technicians can help you. Call Townsend Energy today to schedule your appointment.
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Oil Tank Vent Alarm: What Is The Whistling During An Oil Delivery?
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5 Types Of Renewable Energy Sources: The Future Of Energy
Our need for renewable energy sources has never been greater. Environmental scientists recognize that fossil fuels including natural gas, coal, and oil clearly meet our energy needs. But these finite resources are only available in limited supply.
And we are using these renewable resources more rapidly than ever. The demand for energy will always exist, yet we’ll never have enough fossil fuels to meet our current and future needs over the long term.
Renewable energy sources are the future of energy. Not only will they diminish our dependence on foreign oil, which is about 50% at this point. But they will allow us to continue to exist in the future with the same level of safety and comfort that we currently possess.
We’ll take a closer look at 5 green energy sources in greater detail below. They include the following:
- Bioenergy
- Hydropower
- Geothermal Energy
- Solar Energy
- Wind Energy
Keep reading to learn more about these valuable renewable energy sources.
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Bioenergy: The Fastest & Most Cost-Effective Way To Achieve Carbon Neutrality
Renewable Energy Sources & BioPure™ Heating Oil
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Reasons To Avoid Closing Registers For Temperature Control
Trying to save on heating and cooling costs is normal. With this, many wonder if they should keep wall vents open or closed. Some homeowners close vents to unoccupied rooms with the hope of reducing their energy costs. The logic behind this way of thinking is pretty simple.
Homeowners think that when vents are closed, the cooled or heated air will redirect to an area where it’s needed. As a result, they think they are maximizing the use of conditioned air. However, although this may seem pretty straightforward, it costs the homeowner more money in the long run. Furthermore, closing vents actually causes damage to the HVAC system.
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Reasons To Avoid Closing Registers For Temperature Control
In this article, we discuss the importance of keeping the HVAC registers open. We’ll also share some tips on how to save energy with HVAC zoning solutions.
Understanding How HVAC Ventilation Works
Most homes have a closed HVAC system (also called a forced-air HVAC system), which means that the air tends to be motionless unless an external force moves it around. For this reason, the air in a closed system needs to be filtered continuously, so it stays clean and safe to breathe.
In HVAC systems, there’s a part called a blower fan that distributes the air indoors. It also helps the air move to condenser coils to cool it or move towards the heating component, so it’s heated. After that, the air is distributed in different parts of the home.
Depending on the type of HVAC system the home uses, a fan motor is either fixed or variable, wherein a fixed motor generally maintains a steady rate no matter what the air pressure is. A variable motor automatically adjusts depending on the detected pressure.
Between these two, a fixed motor is generally cheaper because it utilizes few components to run. However, systems with this kind of motor have to work harder to distribute the air all around the house.
(978) 717-0490">Call Today: (978) 717-0490Why We Do Not Recommend Closing Your Air Registers
Now that you know, to some degree, how HVAC systems work, here are some reasons why closing the vents is not recommended (and why it doesn’t save you money):
Your Home HVAC System Does Not Work the Way You Might Think
First, HVAC systems don’t come with a sensor to detect whether the air registers are closed or open. This means that even if you close the vent, the unit will continue to run using the same energy level to produce the same air volume.
All the HVAC systems can do is maintain the temperature set on the thermostat. As long as it’s the same, the unit will not minimize the energy it uses. Therefore, you’re generally paying the same energy costs.
Imbalance In Pressure Will Be Created
Opposite from what many believe, closing vents doesn’t save energy. What you’re doing is closing the supply register.
Return registers are the ones responsible for drawing air in the room. With the supply register closed, the continuous drawing of air creates lower pressure, forcing outdoor air to infiltrate through holes, gaps, or cracks.
As a result, the indoor air temperatures destabilize and will increase or decrease depending on the temperature outside. On top of that, the quality of indoor air also drops.
Uneven Room Temperature
Closing the vents can also lead to uneven room temperature.
HVAC systems have internal dampers that adjust to control the amount of air supplied in each room. This action ensures that there’s always a sufficient volume of airflow to help maintain temperatures, regardless of the distance of the room to the blower.
However, when someone closes one or several registers, temperature and airflow balance are disrupted throughout the house. Because of this, rooms closer to the blower will experience more airflow than the rooms located farther away.
Increased Risk Of Wear-And-Tear To The System
Closed vents can increase static pressure within the supply HVAC ductwork. As a consequence, the system blower will also experience an increase in pressure which will strain the component.
The system blower can’t continue operating under this stress as it will most likely give in to wear and tear. On top of that, the heating system would have a shorter lifespan, requiring premature heating system replacement.
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What To Do To Save On Your Home Heating & Cooling Costs
There are several ways on how to save on heating and cooling costs without closing air vents.
First of all, one should get the correct HVAC system size, based on the home’s square footage and other factors. Getting an HVAC system that is neither too large nor too small will help the system cool or warm a home efficiently.
However, if the purpose of closing the vents is to prevent conditioned air from going into unused spaces, there are systems that offer zone temperature control.
Zoning generally allows homeowners to divide their homes into several zones. For example, one zone would be for the rooms upstairs, another zone would be for the room downstairs, and another zone for the basement. By doing this, you’ll be able to maintain different temperatures for each zone.
Another thing that can be done is to adjust the thermostat to a temperature that would allow the HVAC unit to operate at the minimum. On top of that, help the system distribute the conditioned air evenly by using fans, applying window treatments, or even leaving doors open.
It would also help to use a ductless HVAC system on top of the central HVAC unit. The former offers zoned control and can be installed only in rooms used more frequently. This way, the thermostat settings on the central HVAC can be adjusted, so it operates less, but at the same time, you can customize the level of comfort in each room.
If you wish to know more about how you can control temperatures and reduce energy costs the right way, call a professional HVAC contractor like Townsend Energy to find out more.
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Call Townsend Energy For All Of HVAC Requirements
Townsend Energy offers superior heating and cooling services in Northeastern Massachusetts, Southern New Hampshire, and Maine.
We make sure to hire certified technicians who can provide you with excellent services, including tune-ups, repairs, installations, and replacements. Each technician has outstanding knowledge and experience to serve your HVAC system needs correctly.
Townsend Energy guarantees to provide the most competitive heating and cooling service costs in the area. Our maintenance services ensure to improve your comfort, increase your system’s energy efficiency, and reduce your home’s heating and cooling costs.
Need your system repaired or replaced? We’ll recommend the best one for your home and is within your budget. The best part is, all our work is backed with a guarantee to ensure your satisfaction.
If you wish to schedule a service appointment, give us a call today! We also offer in-home estimates at no cost at all.
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Should I Keep My Wall Vents Open Or Closed To Save Energy?
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Generators can be used to meet your power needs during blackouts or in areas where power supply may not be available. There are various types of generators, each with its own wattage and requirements. Whole-home generators are one of the most common types. With this, many homeowners ask us “How to size a standby generator?”. In this article, we provide the answer to this question.
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What Are Whole-House Generators?
Also known as on-demand generators, backup generators, or standby generators, whole-house generators provide backup for the entire home in case of power outages, be they man-made errors or natural disasters. These generators are ideal for prolonged outages. They will power your entire home, including all the devices and appliances you have — the air conditioner, too!
They are also often referred to as emergency generators. These units are big and are installed on the property of your home. However, backup generators add a whole lot of value to your home. Since they are so reliable, they provide peace of mind. The best part is they do not require any human intervention. They work automatically, turning on during interruptions and outages. You do not have to turn it off either; that is wholly automatic as well.
These generators can power your refrigerator, preventing your food from spoiling. Your security system is supported as well. This ensures you always have non-stop security available; it is especially helpful during disasters. They can power all of your appliances in the same manner that you do when there isn’t a power outage.
However, before you go and get one installed in your home, you need to ensure you get the right standby generator size. The whole house generator must have enough power to run all your appliances, particularly the power-hungry ones.
(978) 717-0490">Call Today: (978) 717-0490What Is Standby Generator Size?
Buying a generator requires understanding the amount of power you need to run your home. Sizes of generators are based on their electrical output. It is not the physical dimensions of the generator, though you will need to put aside some space for it on your property.
Electrical output is measured in watts or kilowatts (kW). One kilowatt is a thousand watts, so keep that in mind when figuring out the size.
Many people make mistakes when figuring out what size they need. They often underestimate the wattage they require, buying a generator that is too small to fit their needs. It is when the generator is overloaded and forced to supply more power than it can handle. You do not want this to happen as it will overheat the generator and automatically turn it off. It may also damage the generator. As for generators that are too large, you will end up paying more to operate the unit. Therefore, it is vital to consult with a professional to determine the power size before your standby generator installation.
How To Size A Standby Generator?
The process is quite simple. You will need a calculator for this one. First of all, identify the devices you want to power throughout your home. For the big ones, bring out the manual that came with the appliance to figure out how much running wattage they require. This has to be multiplied by three. You will also need to note down the starting wattage. Add up all the devices, and you will get the total wattage required for the generator.
Before going any further, you need to understand what these wattages mean. Starting wattage is the initial high load needed to start electrical appliances from a dead stop. Remember that some appliances may have very high starting loads, including compressors and motors. As for running load, it is the load needed to keep the device running after the initial start.
So, the formula can be laid out like the following.
(Starting wattage times three) plus running wattage
For example, a refrigerator may have a starting wattage of 700 watts. This means you have to multiply it by three to calculate the load on your generator (2100 watts). Once it starts running, it will consume 300 watts. So, the total load on your generator will be 2400 watts.
Your generator has to meet the above value to run a refrigerator. You will need to do this for all your appliances and electrical devices to figure out the total wattage needed for your generator. Also keep in mind that these are minimum numbers, so it is a good idea to keep some overhead to keep the generator from being overloaded and shorting out as a result.
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Do I Need Professional Help?
The thought of doing it yourself may have crossed your mind. However, it is a time-consuming task that may go wrong. Making one miscalculation will end in your generator shorting out due to overload. This is why it is a good idea to take professional help.
Hiring a professional will make sure all your appliances and electrical devices are accounted for before the installation of the generator. A professional will also ensure that all wiring and installation is done properly. They will make certain that the installed generator works as intended and can handle the load of all your appliances without a hitch.
Your whole house generator will also need maintenance, which is why hiring a professional is the best idea. They can ensure that your generator is in tiptop condition and is working as intended.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, a whole house generator is a good idea that needs proper execution. You need to make sure you calculate the wattage of all the devices you want to be powered throughout your home. You must confirm that your calculation is correct; otherwise, your newly installed generator may burn out. Hiring a professional to do it for you will result in a stress-free process. You need not worry about complex calculations and worrying about whether it will work or not. The professional will do it for you.
Call Townsend Energy For All Of Your Standby Generator Requirements
Townsend Energy is a leading provider of generator installation services throughout New England. Not only do we offer backup generator installation, but also maintenance, replacement, and repair services. We only employ top quality service contractors who are well trained in the most modern methods of HVAC and generator techniques. Therefore, call or contact Townsend Energy online today for more information on a whole-house generator installation today. We offer free, in-home estimates.Contact us today to have all of your generator questions answered by experts in the industry.
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How To Size A Standby Generator?
