Archive for the ‘Heating’ Category.

Monday 25 April, 2022

Oil Heaters & Boilers

If you have never had an oil heater or boiler in your life the entire system may seem very foreign to you. Many people grow up with electric heating and don’t give much thought to oil heat until they buy a house with an existing system or if they are considering what type of heating system to install.

Recently we produced an article describing the benefits of heating oil based systems. There really are good reasons to consider installing heating oil systems. An efficient system can last you 25+ years.

Modern heating oil heating systems are actually very technologically advanced and efficient. Not to mention, the system is safe. For instance, there are many spots in the system which automatically shut down if there is a problem. There are actually valves which automatically close if fire or extreme heat is detected. These valves are not dependent on electricity and do so mechanically.

If you want to get a really good idea of what you are getting with a modern heating system look no further than this wonderfully produced video we fund on YouTube.

 

It really is a fascinating system and once you get into the world of oil heating you may never choose another alternative.

Do you live in Lynchburg or surrounding areas and need heating oil? Please call us to get a price quote. We are here to work with you.

 
 

Friday 22 April, 2022

What are the Benefits of Heating Oil?

Benefits of using heating oil

Many people in Virginia heat their homes with heating oil. All ways of heating involve burning fossil fuels. That fuel is burned and then transformed into energy. These fuel sources are natural gas, coal and oil.

In this article we want to dive into the benefits of heating your home with heating oil. There are three major benefits to be exact.

I. Safety

Heating oil is safe. Heating oil won’t burn in its liquid state. So there is no risk of it spontaneously combusting or exploding in any other fashion. This is because the oil must be heated and then sprayed onto a burner for it to produce heat energy. Its a process than only your heating unit is able to accomplish.

II. Efficiency

Heating oil is efficient. Heating oil produces 35% more energy than a gallon of natural gas. Just in case you didn’t know, natural gas is stored in a liquid state. It is then vaporized and burned. Heating oil also produces the hottest flame of all heating liquids, allowing it to heat your home faster.

III. Heating Oil Heating Systems are Reliable and Durable

A good system can last you 25+ years. With regular maintenance and supervision the return on investment in very good. A customer wants to know that they are getting the best and most reliable system when it comes to keeping their family warm.

Question?

Have you thought about installing a heating oil unit in your home? Have you considered the safety associated with heating systems? If you are looking for the safest and most reliable heating source then look no further than heating oil.

Conclusion

Speak to your local Lynchburg heating oil dealer to find the best deals on heating units. Many of our customers are life long and we love the relationship we have with the community.

 

 
 

Monday 12 October, 2020

We Now Offer iWave Ionic Air Purifiers

Sterling Oil now offers a new product line that can fit right into your existing or new heating or AC system. The iWave ionic air purifier uses electric ion technology to purify the air and keep mold and other free particulate matter from roaming free. This includes airborne viruses as well.

Tests were run on particulate matter designed to mimic that of Covid-19 and the results are positive. Based on viral titrations, it was determined that at 10 minutes, 84.2% of the virus was inactivated. At 15 minutes, 92.6% of the virus was inactivated, and at 30 minutes, 99.4% of the virus was inactivated. This device can be used in your home or business and keep your air purified.

For more information on this product take a look at this pdf

Also, check out the video below. Contact us today if the iWave is something you would like to add to your home or business.

 

 

 
 

Friday 09 October, 2020

HVAC – What Does it Mean?

HVAC Lynchburg Vrginia

You may know that HVAC usually refers to a company that handles heat and air conditioning, but do you know what the entire abbreviation stands for? Well it stands for Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning.

The “V” in the HVAC is usually the letter that trips everyone up. But ventilation is an essential part of heating a cooling. Ventilation is the carrying of air throughout the structure using a pump and air ducts. The hot or cold air is carried to the different parts of the house or apartment in an attempt to achieve even temperature throughout. A bad HVAC job will leave certain parts of the home hotter or cooler than others. This is not good.

A heat source or cool air producing unit is usually placed somewhere in the home and ducts are run from that source through the attic or between walls. If a home is large enough there may be two units to accomplish the cooling needs.

Sometimes you will see companies use the abbreviation HVACR. The “R” added to the end stands for refrigeration. These companies usually deal with commercial cooling units.

Sterling Oil specializes in heating and AC. And we deliver the required fuel for those specific types of heating units. We have been in the industry for 37 years, serving Lynchburg city and surrounding areas like Appomattox, Madison Heights, Forest and Alta Vista. We have installed hundreds and hundreds of units and have delivered many thousands of gallons of oil. If you are looking for a provider please feel free to give us a call at 434-845-0971

 
 

Wednesday 23 September, 2020

Heating with Kerosene

kerosene heat

When it comes to surviving cold winters, a reliable source of heat is imperative. Many people use electric heating for their home, which typically generates high electricity bills. Others use wood furnaces, which take a lot of man hours to keep stoked. But a large portion of the country use petroleum based heating. Many times this can be less expensive than electric heat and much less exhausting than fire wood heat. In this blog, we will go over kerosene specifically and what makes it an excellent choice for heating one’s home.

Kerosene is a petroleum product known as a combustible hydrocarbon liquid. It is used in many facets of every day human life. It is used for heating, lighting as well as jet and rocket fuel. For many years kerosene was simply referred to as “lamp oil”. It is a very stable flammable liquid in that only the fumes burn and not the actually liquid itself.

Kerosene is more stable than gasoline and can be stored much longer. It should be noted that if a person uses a kerosene heater indoors there should be proper ventilation. The byproduct of any petroleum product being burned is carbon monoxide.

If you are replacing your home’s heating system and are trying to choose between kerosene and heating oil here is some advice: If you plan for your tank to be inside the home, then you should use heating oil. If the tank is going outside the home or business then kerosene is a great option.

Regardless of whether you choose heating oil or kerosene, Sterling Oil can deliver it to your home or business. You can call us today for a free quote and we can have it out to your place in a jiff.

 
 

Friday 03 April, 2020

Now May Be the Best Time to Buy Heating Oil

With the U.S. and most of the world’s economy at almost a standstill, the use of petroleum has naturally decreased. And it has decreased by quite a lot. Since the oil market is “supply and demand” based, the slow down has affected prices. The lack of demand has stifled the supply and now oil companies need to move the product.

petroleum price April 2020

Crude oil by the barrel

Take a look at this graph below. You can see what I’m talking about.

The point of this blog post is that now may be the best time to buy your heating oil. It seems counter-intuitive to buy heating oil when things are getting warm and we have a full summer ahead of us. But, we may never see these prices again. And the prices are sure to rise as demand returns once the economy starts flowing again.

Heating oil doesn’t evaporate. So, if you fill up your tank now, it will be the same when it is time to use it again in the fall. In fact, heating oil is good for ten years. It is a very stable liquid.

Call the staff at Sterling Oil to get prices to fill your tank now and save some money, They will be happy to serve you in the greater Lynchburg Area and Surrounding Counties.  We can also take payment over the phone so you there is no need to come by the office.

 

 

 
 

Thursday 21 November, 2019

Interesting Facts About Heating Oil

oil refinery

Oil refinery

Heating and cooling are our specialty. We serve Lynchburg Virginia and surrounding areas. A major part of our business is providing heating oil for those households that require this type of fuel source. In this article we would like to share some facts about heating oil which the reader may not already know.

Production

Heating oil comes from the same petroleum used for automobile oil and to make gasoline. The raw (or crude) oil is heated from between 250 to 350 degrees Celsius. The oil that condenses at this temperature is then used as heating oil.

By Any Other Name

Heating oil can be called by any other name but it is always heating oil. Some of these names are:

  • Gas Oil
  • Paraffin
  • Fuel Oil
  • Kersosene
  • 28 second heating oil

These nomenclatures aren’t always 100% accurate but they get the message across.

Best Time to Buy

Just like with any commodity, the best time to buy heating oil is when the use or demand is low. So, buying heating oil in the summer is when you are most likely to receive the best price and the service will be fast as well. Usually the price tends to be lower in summer months too.

Safety of Heating Oil

We have gone over the safety of heating oil in other articles. But, let us do so again because we cannot stress how safe heating oil actually is.

Heating oil only burns when done so in a special heating oil burning unit. Therefore, having a tank of heating oil in or around your house is very safe.

Supply and Demand

When refining a barrel of oil, a good portion of it results in heating oil. Every drop of each barrel of oil is used for a purpose. About 20% is used for gasoline and the rest is divided up between petrochemical and oil uses. There is plenty of supply to meet the demand of customers.

 
 

Friday 15 November, 2019

Tips to Help You Save Money Heating Your Home

Tips to save money during winter

Save money while heating your home this winter.

The coldest part of winter is right around the corner. The days are shorter and the heat from the sun is overtaken by the cold of empty outer space.

Our coldest days can be brutal. All people want to do (can do) is stay in doors during the extreme cold snaps. We need our indoor temperature to be comfortable. And to accomplish this we run our heating system. The heating system pushes warm air into the room or, in the case of radiators, super heats air molecules already in the room.

Heating your home during December through March can get very expensive. This is why we put together this list of tips to save money on electricity, heating oil, or fire generated heat.

  1. The first tip is the most obvious and we probably all already do it automatically. Set you thermostats to lower temp and wear more clothing.
  2. Seal your chimney when not in use – Close the flue inside the chimney to keep heat from escaping.
  3. Keep vents and radiators clear – This little step can save money over the long haul. Your pump can get air into the room more easily and has to work less hard to do so.
  4. Windows – This is where most of your heat is lost. Up to 30% in fact. Make sure you have properly sealed the windows. Open the curtains during the day and allow the sun to heat your rooms. It works like a greenhouse.
  5. Use ceiling fans – By setting your ceiling fan on low and having it blow toward the ceiling, the heat is circulated properly and this saves money.
  6. Shut doors and close vents – Do this for rooms you are not using often. The spare room, the 2nd bathroom, the storage room; keep all of these doors closed and close the vents.

We hope these tips will help you save some bucks during the coldest months of the year.

 
 

Monday 04 November, 2019

Upcoming Events in Lynchburg Virginia

Fall is a beautiful time of year for the State of Virginia. Cooler weather, leaves changing and all types of local events makes fall may people’s favorite season of the year.

We have compiled this short list of upcoming events for the month of November for Lynchburg and the surrounding area.

November 7

Acoustic open night -Over in Appomattox, Baines Books & Coffee will be hosting an open mic night featuring acoustic guitars. This is from 7pm – 9 pm. Here is a link to their website

November 9

Over in Forest, there is a Farmer’s Market. The event is kid friendly and is from 8 am to 12 noon.
It is located at the Forest Recreation Center

November 11

Veterans Day Observance – National D-Day Memorial
From 11am to 12 noon come pay your respects to all that died and fought in the D-Day invasion.

November 11

Date and Dance Night Hosted by Dance Lynchburg and the Academy Center of the Arts,.
Dancing and drinks and all are welcomed. This 2 hour event is split into two parts: 45 minutes of instruction and 1:15 of dance.

Please pay at the door:
Couples $25
Single $15
Family $35

November 13

Want to learn how to fly fish? We got you covered.
Fly fishing is part art and part science.
A course on fly fishing will be taught 6:30pm -8pm.
Website

Ages 16+

Questions? Contact Natureoutdoors@lynchburgva.gov

 
 

Tuesday 22 October, 2019

Five Things You Should Know About Heating Oil

heating oil is safeIn this article we want to share five things you may not know about heating oil. We feel these are important facts regarding heating oil.

1. Heating Oil  is Safe – You have seen all the news stories about explosions caused by a natural gas leak. This is not possible with heating oil. Heating oil doesn’t have a flash point like natural gas. In fact, you could put out a lit match in it.

Secondly, the chances carbon monoxide entering your home undetected from a heating malfunctioning oil burner are extremely low.

2. Environmentally Friendly – Strides have been made in heating oil production over the last 20 years or so. The sulfur content has been reduced by 93% to around 0.5%. This basically means that air pollution caused by heating oil is super low.

3. The Supply of Oil Can Meet Demand – Heating oil is plentiful. Heating oil does not have to be uber-refined like gasoline or kerosene. There is plenty of heating quality petroleum on the planet. By all estimates, our grandchildren and great grandchildren won’t have to deal with heating oil shortages in their lifetime.

4. Heating Oil is Clean – Heating oil does not leave behind the dirty soot that it used to decades ago. Your system will stay very clean with modern heating oil. It is estimated that today’s heating oil is 95% cleaner than it was in the year 1970.

5. Efficient – Heating oil is about 16% more efficient than natural gas. And heating efficiency ratings for newer heating oil appliances range from 83%-95%. These new appliances have an estimated life-span of 30 years. A natural gas furnace has only a 14 year estimated life-span.

So, we hope this article has helped enlighten you on the benefits of using heating oil for heating. Call us today if you have any questions: 434-845-0971

 
 
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