Spring Special – Tank gauge as low as $70

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The Oil Tank Emptyheating season is almost officially over. If you are not on automatic delivery for your home heating oil, then monitoring your tank level can be a pain. A gauge for the top of your heating oil tank can come in handy, and Hillside is running a spring special to try and make sure that anyone that needs a tank gauge, gets one.

For $70 Hillside will completely install a standard gauge on above ground, outdoor tanks. A gauge is a great way to ensure that you never run low or out of heating oil again. The $70 price is for 275 gallons above ground, outdoor tanks that we can access. Indoor tanks and combination vent/gauges may cost slightly more.

Call us for your individual pricing. DE 302-738-4144 MD 410-398-2146

Protect your heating oil tank for pennies a day

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Oil Tank Warranty for $79!

For less than a cup of coffee (even a K-Cup of coffee) per day, you can help protect yourself from the costly expense of replacing your home heating oil tank. Consider protecting your oil tank with a replacement program for $79/year. The program is very simple, $79 for 12 months coverage. This warranty is against leakage of fuel from any above ground or basement oil tank 330-gallons or less. A product called TANK-GUARD is added to your fuel oil tank once a year. TANK-GUARD is so confident in their product that Hillside will replace your heating oil tank if it leaks, once enrolled in the program.

Free WiFi Thermostat Upgrade

Nobody likes to think about replacing heating equipment. If you do have the need for such a large investment in your home, you want to make sure it is done with superb quality and good follow up customer care. Hillside boasts outstanding marks in both of these categories. Consider Using Hillside and you will be supporting local, homegrown employees and customer service. Hillside ALWAYS has free estimates on new and replacement equipment. Compare customer service and price to save you money and headaches in the future.

Receive up to $800 worth of upgrades free when choosing Hillside to replace your heating and A/C system. For a limited time, Hillside is throwing in a remotely accessible, programmable thermostat with all heater and A/C combination installations (residential homes only). These thermostats are accessible from anywhere you have an Internet connection, or with an app on most smartphones. They make monitoring your home from anywhere a breeze. Check temperatures while on vacation, no need to bother a neighbor or friend. Make adjustments on those days when you are going to be home unexpectedly. Or simply run a program that allows you to take advantage of off-peak electrical billing and keep your home comfortable when you want. The best part is ABSOLUTELY NO ADDITIONAL FEES to use this thermostat. Nothing monthly, annually, or ever again. Be sure to mention this offer to your estimator when making an appointment. Limited time promotion.

Are Your Energy Bills Worrying You?

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“Just got my electric bill…yipes. What can I do to get this monthly expense under control?”

If you are wondering how to reduce your energy costs, you first need to understand which appliances in your home are using the most energy.

As a rule, if the appliance produces heat, it is drawing a lot of power. Think of hair dryers, toaster, clothes dryer, oven, space heaters, electric blankets, water heater, dishwasher, and furnace. These are the appliances you might consider limiting usage or turning down the heat setting, if there is one, to save money.

  • Then consider the appliances that draw power constantly: refrigerator, freezer, water heater, furnace, and air conditioner. Some of these items might not draw the most power, but they do use energy nonstop for a cumulative effect on your wallet.
  • If you have a spare refrigerator or deep freezer that you use to stock food for the holidays or special occasions, consider emptying it out when not absolutely needed, transferring the food to your primary refrigerator or freezer; then unplug the appliance until needed again.
  • Lower the temperature of your water heater a few degrees. Wrap the tank with a water heater blanket to insulate it, which will better maintain the temperature of the water inside it.
  • If you’re in the market for a new water heater, consider a tankless one that heats water on-demand (click HERE for info), when you turn a hot water faucet on, rather than constantly heating water in a tank until it’s needed. Tankless water heaters are more expensive than traditional water heaters, but they take up a lot less space and you begin saving energy (and money!) right away.
  • Turn down your thermostat a degree or two in the winter and up a little in the summer to save energy when heating or cooling your home.

Is your furnace old and tired? Chances are, it’s costing you more money than you need to spend heating your home. Your HVAC system is the single biggest user of energy in your home. Replacing it with a more modern, energy-efficient rated system will save energy and reduce your home heating costs. If you are considering replacing your furnace, give us a call! We install and service all types of furnaces – not just for oil heat – and can guide you on an efficient, appropriately sized furnace for your home.

For an estimate on replacing your water heater or furnace with a more energy-efficient one, call Hillside HVAC for a consultation. In Delaware: 302-738-4144. In Maryland: 410-398-2146.

Thinking of converting to natural gas?

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Choose Hillside for converting your heating oil to natural gas.

Delmarva Power has been aggressively running natural gas lines everywhere they can reach. Do you live in an area or community that has natural gas available? Hillside has been doing conversions for many of our customers, at prices below other quotes they are getting from local companies. We may sell heating oil, but Hillside also has a full-service heating and air conditioning department that can help with any type of service, replacement, repair, or conversion. We would hate to see you go as an oil customer but would love the opportunity to make sure you are converted to high-quality service, knowledgeable technicians, and at the most affordable rate possible. Keep Hillside in mind for any HVAC services you might need.

Give Hillside a call for prices and options: DE: 302-738-4144 or MD: 410-398-2146

Don’t Let Deep Snow Become Deadly

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“My head ached, I was a little dizzy and I felt queasy. Not thinking clearly, it took me a few minutes to realize the piercing noise I was hearing was an alarm going off in my home. It was the carbon monoxide detector. Despite the frozen landscape outside, I knew I needed to get out—fast.”

Carbon monoxide poisoning sneaks up on you. CO is an odorless, invisible gas that can overcome you in confined spaces, such as inside your home, garage or car, without warning. CO poisoning can be fatal or have long-term health effects.

oil deliveryCarbon monoxide is a gas that is emitted from furnaces, fireplaces, stoves, portable gas heaters, automobiles, outdoor grills, and gas-powered tools. Home heating systems are designed to vent CO safely to the outdoors, but when venting is faulty (blocked or leaky), CO can leak indoors and become deadly.

This winter is expected to be as snowy as last winter. Deep snow can block the vents that direct carbon monoxide out of your home, which can cause those gasses to back up into your home, threatening you, your family members and pets. Similarly, snow and ice can also block tailpipes on cars, causing deadly CO to back up into the cabin of your car.

Stay well this winter. Check your car’s tailpipe before driving away to make sure the tailpipe is free of ice or snow. Locate your home’s outside vents so you can clear them quickly when it snows. If you’re unsure of where they are, ask one of our technicians when they come out to service your home heating system for the winter.

And above all, get a carbon monoxide detector for your home, or check your existing CO detector to make sure it’s still working. It could save your life.

Heating Safety Tips:

  • Don’t use outdoor grills inside the home; exhaust from portable generators and outdoor grills contain carbon monoxide.
  • Use generators outside of the home, not in enclosed spaces (garages, basements, porches).
  • Run the generator outdoors at 20 feet or more from doors, windows, and air intake vents.
  • Get familiar with the exhaust system your furnace has and know where your home’s heating system exhaust inlets and outlets are located so you can clear the snow away from them.
  • Check your car’s exhaust pipe to make sure it is unobstructed.

Symptoms of CO poisoning: flu-like symptoms (but no fever), headache, fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea, dizziness, brain fog. If you experience these symptoms, get out!

Need a CO detector or to schedule winter maintenance for your home heating system? Call Hillside HVAC! In Delaware: 302-738-4144. In Maryland: 410-398-2146.

Winter Prep: Big 5 Checklist For Keeping Warm

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Winter Prep: Big 5 Checklist For Keeping Warm -Start by entering to win 100 gallons!

The big box of holiday decorations has been pulled out of storage, and the house is getting spiffed-up for the holidays. It’s looking pretty good, I think. Outside, I raked leaves, swept the front walk, put away garden tools, and hung a wreath on the door. I even remembered to put fresh batteries in all my smoke alarms. I’m ready for the holiday, but is my home ready for winter?

As you’re busy preparing for the holiday season, you might begin to focus on the cursory maintenance items and cosmetic touching-up of things around the home. While you’re nesting in for winter, broaden your checklist to must-do items to include these 5 important areas to ensure a comfortable, hassle-free winter:

1. WINDOWS. If you haven’t already done so, remove portable air conditioning units from windows. Removing completely rather than simply covering them up ensures keeping cold air out as effectively as possible. Caulk and seal gaps around windows as needed.

2. GUTTERS. Clear gutters of leaves and debris, where water can accumulate and turn to ice, blocking drainage. Water can back up and overflow the gutters, causing water damage along rooflines.

3. ATTIC. Check your attic insulation level. Warm attic air and colder outside air can cause problems with ice and snow melting and refreezing. More info: http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/tips-insulation

4. FIREPLACE. If you have a fireplace and use it regularly, then annual maintenance is vital. Check with a professional chimney sweep to eliminate creosote buildup, which is a fire hazard.

5. FURNACE. This is a do-it-now, before snow falls item! Have your home heating system maintained annually. Having it serviced and diagnosed will ensure it runs as efficiently as possible and can extend the life of your furnace. Don’t wait to have this done until the dead of winter when going without heat for even a brief period of time can become very uncomfortable.

Let Hillside HVAC help with your checklist. Call today to schedule your home heating system maintenance. In Delaware: 302-738-4144. In Maryland: 410-398-2146.

Enjoy endless hot water and save money

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tankless hybrid water heater in DE, MD, PAA Hybrid Water Heater is a great alternative to the traditional “tank” water heater. They are affordable and flexible, accommodating many replacement situations. Enjoy endless hot water in a small, sleek, compact design. Typically the unit hangs on your way and out of the way. 96% thermal efficiency will save you money in energy costs. Includes an industry leading 15-year no leak residential heat exchanger warranty.

No longer worry about running out of hot water, water pressure, or having to plan when to shower in your home.

The Hybrid Water Heater is an endless solution for everyday hot water.

Give Hillside a call or EMAIL US to see if the Eternal Tankless Water Heater is right for you. DE: 302-738-4144 MD: 410-398-2146

Cold weather is here, time to start planning

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oil deliveryWaking up to a layer of snow the other morning was a surprise to some of us. For others, it was the realization that the cold weather is probably here to stay. Along with the cold weather comes a much busier time for us here at Hillside. We try as best we can to accommodate all orders and delivery requests for heating oil. But as we get busier that means we start to schedule deliveries up to several days out. There are only so many gallons that fit on an oil truck and so many hours a day we can work (these are actual laws enforced upon us). Please take this opportunity to check the level in your tank and plan accordingly.

Hillside’s automatic delivery heating oil customers have nothing to worry about, we have you covered. We do all the planning so you don’t have to worry about running low on heating oil. If you are not on automatic, consider the change. It can save you headaches, troubles at home, and possibly even money in the long run. Give us a call or check out our website for information or to sign up www.HillsideHVAC.com/oil-delivery

Since you are here and read this far, take this opportunity to enter yourself for 100 gallons of home heating oil FREE! Entering is simple only takes a minute.

Thank you to all our customers that support local, homegrown, family business. Have a great weekend!

Wifi Thermostat FREE if upgrading your heating system-Test your heater this weekend

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Free WiFi Thermostat Upgrade

Nobody likes to think about replacing heating equipment. If you do have the need for such a large investment in your home, you want to make sure it is done with superb quality and good follow up customer care. Hillside boasts outstanding marks in both of these categories. Consider Using Hillside and you will be supporting local, homegrown employees and customer service. Hillside ALWAYS has free estimates on new and replacement equipment. Compare customer service and price to save you money and headaches in the future.

Receive up to $800 worth of upgrades free when choosing Hillside to replace your heating and A/C system. For a limited time, Hillside is throwing in a remotely accessible, programmable thermostat with all heater and A/C combination installations (residential homes only). These thermostats are accessible from anywhere you have an Internet connection, or with an app on most smartphones. They make monitoring your home from anywhere a breeze. Check temperatures while on vacation, no need to bother a neighbor or friend. Make adjustments on those days when you are going to be home unexpectedly. Or simply run a program that allows you to take advantage of off-peak electrical billing and keep your home comfortable when you want. The best part is ABSOLUTELY NO ADDITIONAL FEES to use this thermostat. Nothing monthly, annually, or ever again. Be sure to mention this offer to your estimator when making an appointment. Limited time promotion.

Great weekend to test run your heating equipment

This weekend is scheduled to be a little chilly. If you have not turned your heat on yet this autumn, give it a test run this weekend. Temperatures will be low enough to kick the heat on, but not too low that there is any danger in the event the heat does not kick on. Better to find out now that you might need service then later, when the temperatures really drop. Have a great weekend!

Your Heater Should Work Smarter, Not Harder

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A U.S. Energy Administration study* shows that more than half of home energy consumption in our area is for heating our homes. With some diligence, we can use energy wisely while maintaining comfort. Turn your thermostat down a few degrees while away from home and at bedtime to save energy. Make sure your home heating system is working efficiently by having it serviced regularly (once or twice a year, depending on the type of system) to ensure the equipment is free of dirt or buildup. Replace your system’s air filters as recommended for your system so air can actually get through. A dirty heating unit will work harder, may work intermittently or not at all.

A Tip from Charlie the Dog

Now that you’ve turned your clocks ahead, Charlie the dog wants to remind you that it’s also time to replace the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Even a hard-wired smoke alarm should get a fresh battery as a backup in case of power failure, which isn’t unheard of during a house fire. Refreshing batteries every six months is a low-cost safety measure that could save your life.

*www.eia.gov/consumption/residential/

Recent testimonials from Hillside customers

Hillside is always proud to boast when our employees receive rave reviews from customers. Our heating service department has been busy working on no heat repairs and routine maintenances. This is by far the busiest time of the year for our heating department. Here are a few recent testimonials from customers of Hillside’s heating maintenance, repairs, and installations.

“Very courteous and explained everything.” -Margaret R. 3/19/2014

“I enjoyed talking with the technician. He was great and gave me some good advice.” –Trudy M. 2/28/2014

“Matt had a good skill set. He did all the little things, like strainer R&R, that some people skip.” –Jim H. 2/19/2014

If your heating system is in need of repair, replacement, or maintenance, mention this email and receive $50 off the standard rate of a service call! We promise YOU will be the next Hillside customer writing a positive testimonial.

Give Hillside a call for prices and options: DE: 302-738-4144 or MD: 410-398-2146