You are seeing this message because we have detected you are using Internet Explorer 10 (or older) to browse our site. Unfortunately, this means that your browser is too old to display our site properly and that certain areas of the site may display incorrectly or not at all. Please upgrade to the latest version of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, or Apple Safari in order to view this site.
Need service now?
Call Potter Heating Cooling & Plumbing at 585-393-9410
We’re all used to furnaces and central ACs. Maybe you grew up with one, the house you bought has one, or your parents still use one. But heat pumps offer a better way to heat and cool your home, all without spending as much money.
Heat pump installation still has its upfront cost, but after that, it saves you money on a month-to-month basis. When you pay less to heat and cool your home, you can allocate that money to insulation (and increase your savings/efficiency even further), finishing the garage, or just stowing it away. This is what you need to know about heat pump installation and your wallet.
Avoiding air conditioner repairs is never a good idea. They don’t pop up at convenient times, but that doesn’t mean they can be put off until it’s convenient to schedule a repair appointment. In the long run, it actually costs you more money by waiting for repairs.
Timely air conditioning repair isn’t supposed to be a stressful thing. It’ll save you money in the long run, so let’s explain exactly how that all works.
One big benefit of having a tankless water heater is not waiting for the whole tank of water to heat up (because there isn’t one). It just keeps flowing, so that epic hot shower never has to end. Because of this, it’s easy to disassociate problems of a tank water heater from tankless, but there are still some common problems at the end of the day.
When you call for tankless water heater maintenance in Brighton, you may not have to worry about pooling sediment at the bottom of a tank unit, but minerals are still a thing, and you can still get buildup. Let’s explain everything.
There are certain problems you expect when you buy a new HVAC unit. You expect to change air filters on your AC and get annual maintenance, but what you may not expect are these issues. They range from strange to just downright unexpected, but they’re always a possibility.
You’ve had your air conditioner for long enough that you know what it should sound like, so what happens when weird noises come out of the woodwork that you know it shouldn’t be making? If you know something doesn’t sound quite right, it means you need AC repair in Brighton, NY before something bad happens. Let’s explain.
At Potter Heating and Cooling, we’re dedicated to helping our customers enjoy the best in home comfort from affordable HVAC services. But we want to do more, and that’s why we’ve started this new blog on our website.
You probably don’t know the technical details of your home’s heating and cooling systems, and that’s fine. It’s why you have professionals like us to help you when you need it. But a bit of knowledge can do marvels for improving your home comfort, lowering energy bills, and understanding when you need our professional services.
On this blog, you’ll find posts about the best ways to manage your indoor comfort, how to recognize when you’ve got a heater or AC that needs repairs, details about how your HVAC system works, seasonal reminders for when it’s time to schedule maintenance, and much more. We’ll also share industry information with you as well as a range of tips and tricks.
If you need more than a few blog posts to help you out, you only need to contact us to schedule the quality service that will take care of you. We hold ourselves to a higher standard.
It’s 2023 and we have a fresh new look! This complete refresh and redesign of our website is part of our continuing dedication to making life easier for our customers in Brighton, NY and the surrounding areas. If you’re already one of our customers, you’ll still get the same high quality service you expect from us. If you’re new—welcome! We want to be your go-to company for all your comfort needs. Bookmark our site so you can reach us quickly the next time you need us.
This new site contains more detailed information about the many services we offer, as well as a blog that we will regularly update with advice, trade secrets, and special notifications. Everything here is designed to help you get the most from your home comfort systems.
To learn more about how iMarket Solutions, the company behind our new website, can expand your presence on the web, visit www.imarketsolutions.com
Programmable thermostats can be a game changer when it comes to home comfort. Especially in upstate New York where we deal with rowdy temperature fluctuations that have caused many a resident to say, “Go home, Rochester, you’re drunk.” It could be 4°F below zero one day and 45°F the next.
But are you using your programmable thermostat to the best of its ability? With heating and cooling technology getting smarter by the minute, we now can control our programmable thermostat from anywhere. But there are several mistakes homeowners are making when it comes to their programmable thermostats. Avoid these mistakes to get the most out of your heating system this winter:
Setting A Higher Temp to Warm House Quicker
Brr. It’s cold out there. And when you came home from work, it’s cold in here too. But stay away from the thermostat, she knows what she’s doing. Setting the temperature higher than normal will definitely make you feel warmer, but it will not happen faster. The thermostat does not have control over the speed at which your house heats up – that has everything to do with how well-insulated your home is and how efficiently your ducts are working. What it will do is make you increasingly warm and cause your furnace to spend excess energy warming your house. If you need to warm up quickly, your best bet is to throw the kettle on, wrap yourself in an extra layer and wait for the temperature to increase as scheduled with a cup of tea in hand. To allow enough time for your house to warm up from your programmed setback temperature, program the temperature change for an hour before you arrive home from work.
Keeping Heat at a Constant Temperature
Oh, no, no, no. The biggest energy waster. A programmable thermostat allows you to adjust your home’s temperature according to when you are home. You can and should set the temperature for what works best for your family’s comfort and financial situation. Your home temperature should be set cooler during sleeping hours and when household members are at work or school. Comfort is relative, but it’s generally agreed that 68°F to 70°F is a comfortable temperature for awake hours, while 64°F is preferable for sleeping and while away from the home. A programmable thermometer allows you to set these temperatures for the times you prefer and saves you money on your energy bill to boot.
Turning Off The Heat Entirely
A rookie homeowner’s mistake. Thinking they’ll save money by turning off the furnace when traveling during February break, only to discover the delights of a burst pipe upon their return. Big Oops. The beauty of a programmable thermostat is that you can set the temperature much lower than usual – without turning it off entirely – when you leave for extended periods. Use a setback temperature of about 60°F or slightly lower while away.
Installing Thermostats In Bad Locations
Your thermostat should be installed on interior walls away from direct sunlight, windows, and heat sources to allow for accurate readings. Thermostats also need to receive sufficient airflow – so avoid placement of bulky furniture directly in front of or below. This ensures that your furnace is getting accurate readings so that it can function properly.
At Potter, we know the value of efficient heating and cooling. If your furnace is struggling to keep pace with the heating demands of your house, or you are unconvinced your thermostat is giving accurate readings, we have several options that can help. From radiant in-floor heating to zoned and ductless mini-split units, there are many ways we can improve your home’s comfort.
Buffalo, NY gets its fair share of extreme winter weather every year, but the catastrophic, unrelenting nature of a late December storm knocked the region to its knees as the Christmas weekend kicked off. Rochester’s location further out from Lake Erie spared us from massive snow accumulations, but not from high winds, deep chill, and power outages. But who’s to say we will be spared by the next one? Now that we’ve seen the devastating impact of a Bomb Cyclone, what can we learn from Buffalo’s experience so that we can be better prepared?
No stranger to severe winter weather, even Buffalo couldn’t weather this storm. According to the Washington Post, several factors came into account making the storm deadlier than most:
Residents of Buffalo are desensitized to extreme weather, but the storm was a once-in-a-lifetime, uncharacteristically intense Bomb Cyclone.
The storm occurred on the last payday before Christmas, a day many were counting on to shop for the holiday.
A travel ban in Erie County was not announced until just before 9 am, after the morning rush. Many did not heed the advisory already in effect. The storm picked up rapidly only 40 minutes after the ban was issued leaving many stranded.
Roads became impassable and emergency services could not reach people who needed help.
Preparing for winter involves some levels of emergency preparedness – we know to keep our ice scrapers accessible in our cars, the gas tank always filled above the halfway mark, we keep baskets of hats and gloves by the door, and a bucket of rock salt at the ready. Many of the steps you may have already taken – improving insulation, sealing windows, and annual HVAC maintenance – will help keep the heat in should temperatures drop and/or the power goes out. But there are further steps we can take to ensure the safety of ourselves and our families in the event of a true winter weather emergency. Looking at Buffalo, we not only must be prepared for extended power outages but should also have a plan for handling insufficient emergency response resources, travel bans, and impassable roads – for cars and pedestrians.
One Major Takeaway
We saw in real-time just how imperative it is to heed travel advisories ahead of a storm. Advisories are precursors to an all-out ban that allows emergency personnel, hospital workers, and other frontline workers to get to their jobs safely. We want these folks to safely get to their places of employment so that the people we know and love can be tended to if they require emergency assistance. There is also the matter of chronic patients needing care, babies to be born, nursing home residents to care for, and so many others. Avoiding travel during an advisory allows frontline workers to get to their stations and workers coming off a long shift to get home safely.
Heed the advisories. They are not merely suggestive. Don’t wait for a ban.
Knowledge is Power – Weather Terms to Know
The Red Cross instructs us to pay attention to the advice and information provided by local media and governance. It’s important to know the difference between a “warning” and a “watch.” According to the Red Cross:
A WATCH meansBe Prepared.
A WARNING meansTake Action.
Winter Storm WARNING: Life-threatening, severe winter conditions have begun or will begin within 24 hours.
Blizzard WARNING: Sustained winds or frequent gusts of 35 miles per hour or greater, plus considerable falling or blowing snow reducing visibility to less than a quarter mile, expected to prevail for three hours or longer.
WIND CHILL Temperature: How cold people and animals feel when outside. As wind increases, heat is carried away from your body at a faster rate, driving down your body temperature and making you feel much colder. The wind chill temperature is not the actual temperature but rather how wind and cold feel on exposed skin.
Winter Storm OUTLOOK: Winter storm conditions possible in the next two to five days. Stay tuned to local media for updates.
Winter Storm WATCH: Winter storm conditions possible within the next 36 to 48 hours. Review your winter storm plans and stay informed about weather conditions.
Winter Weather ADVISORY: Winter weather conditions expected to cause significant inconveniences and may be hazardous but not life-threatening if you are cautious.
Advanced technology means we can get information as it develops right to our phones. Sign up with New York Alert to receive emergency alerts and stay in the know.
Prepare Ahead of a Storm
Install and test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors and keep backup batteries in an easy-to-access location.
Have a plan and instruct your family about alternate warming locations, safety procedures, and where to find emergency supplies.
Obtain food, water, and medicine well before a winter storm outlook turns into a watch or advisory. Be sure to have nutrient-dense food on hand that does not require a heat source for cooking.
Prepare a Go-Kit: three+ days of supplies for each member of your household that can be carried if your home is no longer safe. Keep blankets, boots, extra warm clothes, and first aid supplies in your vehicle.
Prepare a Stay-at-Home Kit: For each household member, have on hand two+ weeks of warm clothing, blankets, outerwear, one gallon of bottled drinking water per person per day, first aid supplies, medicines, shelf-stable food, extra batteries, and flashlights.
Check air intake and furnace venting systems and have a plan for removing snow and ice obstructions if necessary.
Safe Heating During Winter Emergencies
It’s best not to wait for an emergency to make sure your heating system is working efficiently, especially when the outdoor temperature and wind chill reach record lows. If you haven’t yet, schedule your yearly furnace and HVAC maintenance so that your furnace is functioning optimally.
In the event of a power outage during extreme cold, the rule of thumb is to keep warm air in and cold air out as much as possible. Fires and carbon monoxide poisoning are both significant dangers during winter storms and power outages, especially if emergency services are unable to reach your home. Call 9-1-1 and evacuate at the first sign of light-headedness.
Stay inside and heed any advisories or warnings that go into effect.
Avoid wasting heat by closing off rooms that are not being used.
Place towels and blankets in cracks beneath doors.
Close all window curtains, shades, and blinds for added insulation.
Eat and drink non-caffeinated, hydrating beverages to fuel your body and keep it warm.
Layer loose-fitting clothing and avoid perspiring and overheating.
Follow safeguards when heating your home with a wood stove or fireplace and make sure proper ventilation is occurring.
Do not attempt to heat your home with an oven or stove used for cooking due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Likewise, generators, grills, and camp stoves should only be used outdoors.
Avoid using candles as they increase the risk of fire.
Gas furnace vents should not be blocked by a snowdrift or any other obstructions. At least one death during the storm in Buffalo has been attributed to carbon monoxide poisoning due to this.
Follow all safety instructions when space heaters are in use.
Keep flammable materials at least 3 feet away from any heat source.
Our best advice for managing extreme cold is to ensure your furnace is in top working order and that your insulation and ductwork can efficiently support your furnace’s extra effort during the cold snap. Then if your power goes out, your home will retain heat longer and keep cold air from sneaking in. From all of us at Potter Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing, stay warm and safe this winter. We will be here when you need us.
Traditional storage tank water heaters have reigned supreme over the past several generations. The design of the storage tank water heater has not changed significantly since its invention by Philadelphia native Edwin Rudd in 1899. Though the materials and heating methods have changed, and though technology has made them more energy efficient over time, the general concept of a cylindrical tank of water made warm by a heat source has remained relatively unchanged.
Enter: The Tankless Water Heater
AKA, the on-demand water heater. Rather than storing heated water, a tankless version uses sensors to determine when hot water needs to flow. Like their storage tank cousins, there are gas and electric-powered models of tankless water heaters. Both types use different heating elements to heat the water as needed. With electric models, there might be more than one heating element and with gas, the sensors detect a flow of water and ignite a burner.
Benefits of Tankless Hot Water Heaters
Unlimited Hot Water Supply – Rewind it back to your grade school years. Did you get wise to the fact that the last one up had the misfortune of taking a barely warm shower before school so you set your alarm to get up before your siblings or parents? With a tankless water heater, the early bird doesn’t catch the worm, everyone does. The last one up will no longer be impacted by a storage tank’s limited water-holding capacity. As long as your water heater is sufficiently sized for the number of people and water-using appliances in your household, the hot water will always flow.
Better Efficiency – Tankless water heaters only heat the water that is needed, as its needed.
Storage tank water heaters on the other hand are constantly refilling and heating water, whether or not you need it. That means you are using and paying for more energy than you necessarily need. The Uniform Energy Factor (UEF) of tankless water heaters is 98% compared to 60-70% for storage tank models. This means that 98% of the energy being used is going toward its intended purpose: heating your water.
Cost Savings – Better efficiency means savings on your energy bill. There are federal and state programs to provide funds for income-eligible households to allow them to make energy-efficient replacements. There are also rebates available for most people who make the switch to energy efficiency.
Save Space – Imagine what you could do with that corner of your basement if you were to remove that bulky 50-gallon water heater. More storage? An extra bathroom? An extra seat at your basement bar? Tankless water heaters take up to ⅓ less space than storage tank heaters and some can even be wall-mounted, leaving you with extra floor space.
Longer Lifespan – We’ve all been there. It’s dead of winter, the sun hasn’t yet come up, and a hot shower is the only thing standing between you and a good day. But the water just doesn’t seem to want to move past tepid and feeling warm becomes a thing of the past.
It’s time to replace your water heater.
Even with regular flushing and maintenance, a typical water heater will give you ten years max. With a tankless version, you get twenty. TWENTY! That’s double the lifespan.
Potential Drawbacks of Tankless Water Heaters
Installation Requirements – Switching from a storage-tank water heater to a tankless version requires additional costs and steps that may not be the most convenient when it’s an emergency replacement. Tankless versions typically come with bottom-mounted water connections rather than on top, so a plumber will have to extend the existing pipes. You also may have to have exhaust ventilation installed to allow for the exhaust to ventilate. Your new tankless model might be okay with a ½ inch gas pipe, but you likely will need to replace it with a ¾ inch pipe to accommodate a more powerful burner. At Potter HVAC, we will walk through all of this with our clients who want to make the switch to tankless so that there are no surprises.
Higher Up Front Costs – As with any new installation, especially energy-efficient ones, there will be more of a cost upfront than the more standard models. Tankless heaters are slightly more expensive, plus you may have some additional installation labor and materials costs.
Insufficient Hot Water – If the size of your tankless heater does not properly account for the number of people and appliances that use hot water in your household, the unit will be unable to supply the needed volume of hot water. An experienced HVAC professional will make absolutely sure you get the right size to meet your needs, so no one is left in the cold.
At Potter HVAC, we know you need a reliable water heater, no matter which type you choose to go with. Hot showers and clean laundry and dishes are not luxuries, they are essential to the comfort and health of your family. Whether you’re looking for a new water heater or need repairs for your existing one, Potter Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing is here to help. We offer a wide range of services for both tank and tankless water heaters, so we can find the perfect solution for your needs. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
