CE Kiff

Quality Fuels and Service...Since 1882

    (607) 746-2224

FAQs

C.E. Kiff is here for all of your home comfort service needs. Please know that if you have a question, we are here for you and everyone in the Delhi, NY area.

    1. What kinds of oil heating systems are there?
      Today’s versatile oil heat systems can heat with water, steam, or warm air. Additionally, a boiler can dispense hot air throughout the home by using hydro-air. Thus, any oil heat system is compatible with air conditioning. Oil heat is also a terrific option if you are interested in radiant heat.
    2. Do I need a chimney for oil heating systems?Some new systems do not require chimneys, they vent directly. In fact, the newest trend is to put the boiler outside of your home or to combine a furnace and an air conditioner, and have that unit outside.
    3. How much heat does an oil burner make?The efficiency levels of new oil heat systems can exceed 95%. For every gallon of oil burned, 140,000 BTUs of energy are released.
    4. What is the difference between a furnace and a boiler?To heat the home, a furnace uses air and a boiler uses water. A furnace uses the flame from the oil burner to heat air which is distributed throughout the house. A boiler uses the flame to heat water that is either sent around the house in pipes to radiators or is sent to a fan coil unit that heats air.
    5. Where does heating oil come from?There are over 36 oil-producing countries. The US is not overly dependent on any one region for our supply. More than 40% of our crude oil comes from the USA. Canada, Mexico, Venezuela, and Saudi Arabia are our other main suppliers. The world’s total proven reserves of crude oil are about 10% higher than they were in 1980. We are finding oil faster than we are burning it. This makes oil a dependable heating fuel of choice.
    6. Why is heating oil red?After refining, No. 2 heating oil is the color of champagne. Regulations require that heating fuel be dyed red before it is sold. This is so the authorities can tell the difference between heating oil and on-road diesel fuel. The dye has no effect on the fuel and how it burns.
    7. How safe is heating with oil?Heating oil is safe. It takes an advanced, high-tech burner to ignite the oil. If you drop a match into heating oil, it will go out as if dropped into water. Heating oil must be vaporized before it will ignite or burn.
    8. How big are the heating appliances?New oil-fired heating boilers and furnaces are much smaller than older ones. The average boiler today is as big as a three-drawer filing cabinet. Furnaces are similarly sized.
    9. What is the average consumption of a household?The oil heating industry has made great progress with energy conservation. In 1978, the average American home burned 1,297 gallons per year. In 2005, the average number of gallons burned is 860. This is a 33.6% decrease per household! A new system offers exceptional efficiency – you could save up to 25% or more in heating and hot water costs.
    10. Should I be concerned about my oil tank?Tanks are an effective way to store oil and, with proper maintenance, can last virtually forever. You should not be concerned if you or your oil dealer is taking care of the tank. C.E. Kiff offers an Oil Tank Replacement Service as well as oil tank inspection with our services.
    11. What do you recommend consumers do to combat higher energy costs?Heating oil consumers should first talk with their heating oil retailer about oil heat programs, such as price caps and fixed price programs. They should also establish a budget plan with their retail dealer.The best strategy continues to be conservation. NORA has completed a 160-page training guide, “Efficient Oil Heat, An Energy Conservation Guide,” which is the foundation for the NORA Gold Certification. This program educates technicians on energy conservation strategies ranging from simple thermostat replacements to system redesign, including boiler replacements and how to analyze the energy savings for consumers. It also includes information on how to explain these energy improvements to the customer. Working with customers, oil heat dealers can help them cut energy costs by 20% to 25%.

      Careful attention to energy conservation can cost-effectively be achieved by nearly all consumers. NORA estimates that the replacement of an older boiler that is burning 1,200 gallons of oil per year could save nearly a third of the oil consumed, bringing the usage down to the national average of 800 gallons per year. If the party was paying $2.50 per gallon, this would save nearly $1,000 per year. Another way of looking at it is to say that the boiler conversion essentially lowered the cost per gallon by 33 percent or to $1.65 per gallon.

      Less expensive modifications, such as insulating pipes and ducts, can save 5% per year. Even a modest tune-up may save 3%. For a house using 1,000 gallons, these changes will pay for themselves in a short time.

    12. Where can homeowners go for help in paying their heating oil bills?Needy families and the elderly can apply for fuel assistance (Heating Energy Assistance Program – HEAP) through state agencies, such as the Department of Housing & Community Development.
    13. Does Kiff have different payment options?YES! Kiff is here to help you. Click here for all the different options we have for you.
    14. What is the reset button and why should I only press it once?Primary controls have a reset button. This button allows the homeowner to restart the burner should a problem cause the unit to shut down. For example, burners may need to be restarted after a power outage. Pushing the reset button should get the burner running, but if the safety switch shuts the burner down again, the homeowner should call for service.Homeowners should NEVER push the reset button more than once because it might cause excess oil to be pumped into the combustion chamber. This will result in a lengthy and costly repair.