From The Office

Buying Property?
Have you checked the boiler?

A visual inspection of the boiler before you own it, can save you a lot of money down the road.

If you are a Dupuis Oil customer and you are planning to purchase a piece of property, call us for a Free Boiler Inspection.

The inspection will include the approximate age and life expectancy of the boiler, and the general condition of the boiler including; the tankless gasket, the condition of the chamber (if accessible), the circulators and zone valves, and the amount of hot water the system provides (gallons per minute). Your boiler inspection will also include a burner efficiency examination, checking the smoke and CO2 emissions, stack temperature and draft.

This free checkup is designed to protect our valued customers from panic service calls and unexpected cold showers. We want your heating system to be in top-notch working order. With the Dupuis Oil Team the care of your heating system is in the hands of the industry''s most trusted people.

Dupuis…the homeowner's friend for over 100 years.

Yes…you may qualify for assistance with your fuel oil bills!
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program

Many people struggle to keep up with the oil bills, and there is no reason to go without heat. In Rhode Island and Massachusetts there are many organizations that participate in the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

The qualification guidelines may surprise you. Here is an illustration: With one program, if you live alone and have an annual income of $19,450 or less, you qualify, and if you are a household of two with an annual income of $25,434 you can qualify for assistance. To receive information, call the Dupuis office and ask for Lorraine, she will direct you to organizations that fit your situation and will also let you know how to file and when to file.

Remember…these organizations have been established to assist you! Everyone at Dupuis Oil encourages you to take advantage of the services they provide. If you have any questions regarding the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance program, please call Lorraine at
1-800-322-5025.

Why is it important to have your system checked? Every fossil fuel likes to tout how clean and efficient it is these days. But the bottom line is that there is always residue left behind from combustion. It''s unavoidable, even with the most efficient of systems. This residue needs to be cleaned out of the flue passages of your boiler or furnace to insure the combustion gases escape up and out the chimney. The burner needs to be thoroughly tuned up and most importantly safety systems need to be tested to see if they are operational.

A complete tune-up can take upwards of an hour and a half to two hours. Is your present oil company taking the time to insure your heating system is safe and efficient?

A Dupuis Oil Tune-up involves the following; the oil filter at the tank is changed and the tank is inspected for any leaks that may be beginning to occur. The oil supply line from the tank to the burner is then serviced along with any permanent filtering devices located at the burner. The burner is then opened up for full inspection and cleaning of lint or pet hair. The electrodes (igniters) are then cleaned, polished and inspected for any cracks or worn tips and replaced if needed. The nozzle (which atomizes your fuel) is always replaced and then the electrodes are set to the burner manufacturer specifications. The ignition system and safety systems are then tested. Finally your boiler or furnace is then opened up and inspected, brushed down and vacuumed out. The last test done is a four-part efficiency test with the results left for you mounted on the piece of equipment. Of course steam and warm air systems that have unique components such as gauge glasses and air filters are serviced as well.

All of this comes as part of your annual service contract with Dupuis Oil. Is your current oil dealer charging you separately for an annual tune-up? If done properly a well-tuned system will run trouble free and efficient all year long. Estimated savings can be as high as 10%.

In the rare case that an oil burner does not work properly, a smoke detector or your own sense of smell or sight would usually be able to sense the malfunction before any appreciable amount of CO accumulated. This is an inherent feature to oil burning equipment. An oil burner is less susceptible to a change in operating environment than most gas equipment. Gas systems conversely first produce CO in the event of a malfunction, smoke is a byproduct. Because CO is an odorless gas it is very difficult to sense carbon monoxide emissions just by looking at the burner.

CO Poisoning and its Symptoms and Advice

The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are often confused with those of influenza, and the highest incidence of poisoning occurs during the flu season when most people keep their homes closed up i.e.: doors and windows closed.

Symptoms include headaches, dizziness, nausea, unclear thinking, shortness of breath, weakness, vision problems and loss of muscle control. High concentrations of carbon monoxide can lead to unconsciousness, brain damage or death. However, a victim may not experience any of these symptoms. You should suspect the presence of CO if the symptoms tend to disappear when you leave the house.

What You Should Do If You Suspect CO is Present
If you suspect the presence of CO here are some tips to follow.

Open all windows and doors, leave premises
Contact local fire officials. Most fire departments have hand held CO detectors.
If CO is present, seek medical attention immediately.
Contact your fuel supplier or have a licensed heating technician inspect your equipment.