Shipley Energy Team
The Shipley Energy Team brings you the most up to date energy information.

Recent Posts

High Efficiency Light Bulbs: Make The Switch | Shipley Energy

Posted by Shipley Energy Team on 7/17/15 4:30 PM

There’s nothing that ruins a selfie more than bad lighting. Unfortunately, if you have the wrong type of lightbulbs in your home, not even the best lipstick can help. However, we can show you the light at the end of the tunnel: High Efficiency Bulbs. 


 

What is a High Efficiency Lightbulb?  

A compact fluorescent light (CFL) is a type of energy-saving bulb that uses argon and a small amount of mercury vapor to produce visible light instead of the heating up of a filament. A light-emitting diode (LED) is a two-lead semiconductor light source that uses voltage to activate electrons. These then release energy in the form of photons. This method not only results in a more efficient bulb, but also tends to last longer. 

These types of bulbs are so attractive to homeowners because of that efficiency. LEDs last 25 times longer and save users 25 percent on electrical costs, and CFLs use 75 percent less energy than traditional bulbs. If every U.S. household used just one of these lightbulbs in place of a traditional model, it would not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also save enough energy to light 3 million additional homes!  

Topics: Home Efficiency

Insulation Tips To Know | Shipley Energy

Posted by Shipley Energy Team on 7/14/15 9:30 AM

The microwave in my first home was not the greatest heat conductor. 

On a few occasions, we even found snow inside the microwave when it was snowing outside! Later when replacing the microwave, my family found that the appliance had no backing behind it, allowing us to see straight through to the backyard. This wasn’t a case of bad craftsmanship, but rather poor insulation.  

Sometimes heating and cooling your home can feel like an uphill battle. No constant fiddling of the thermostat is able to bring your living space to the perfect temperature. But perhaps the problem lies within the walls of your home.


 

Topics: HVAC

Heating Oil vs. Geothermal: Energy Battles | Shipley Energy

Posted by Shipley Energy Team on 7/9/15 1:30 PM

The Heavyweight Heating Oil is taking its 4th and final stand in the ring today. Witness history in the making as heating oil takes on the Giant Geothermal!


Meet the Contestants

Hang on there… don’t miss our round 3 coverage of the matchup between heating oil and natural gas! 

The “Giant” Geothermal has been in the game so long, it feels as though it has been around since the beginning of time. Well maybe that’s just because it practically has. Geothermal energy is created from the formation of the planet, radioactive decay, and solar energy. Because of this combination it is possible to extract this source of heat directly from the earth and pipe it into radiators and heat exchangers!  
Topics: Heating Oil, HVAC

Heating Oil vs. Natural Gas: Which Is Best? | Shipley Energy

Posted by Shipley Energy Team on 7/7/15 9:00 AM

The Nimble Natural Gas has challenged our Heavyweight Heating Oil in Round 3 of the Service Tournament. Heating oil vs natural gas: let’s go there live! 


ngasMeet the Contestants

Check out Heating Oil’s nail-biting victory over the Heat Pump in Round 2 coverage! 

Natural Gas has some loyal fans in the energy business, but is also one of our more controversial challengers in the tournament. It is a fossil fuel formed by pressure and intense heat over thousands of years, where it is then extracted, treated to remove impurities, and piped into power plants. 

Topics: Natural Gas, Heating Oil, HVAC

Heating Oil vs. Propane 2.0 : Which Is Better? | Shipley Energy

Posted by Shipley Energy Team on 7/2/15 9:00 AM

America’s Heavyweight, Heating Oil, is back and ready for the newest challenger: “The Hulk” Heat Pump! Who will come out on top? 


Meet the Contestants

Did you miss Heating Oil’s grueling 12 rounds with Propane? Check out Round 1 coverage here! 

Our challenger this week, “The Hulk” Heat Pump is no stranger to the energy game. The first heat pump was installed at the Switzerland Saltworks in 1877, transferring energy from a heat source to a “heat sink”. It absorbs heat from a cold space like the ground or outside air, and can both heat and cool homes to perfection.  

Topics: Heating Oil, HVAC

Heating Oil vs. Propane 1.0 : Which Is Better? | Shipley Energy

Posted by Shipley Energy Team on 6/30/15 9:30 AM
A match-up is taking place in the energy business: Heating Oil vs Propane. The discussion on which is better for your home is endless—and we want to settle the score for good.

Topics: Propane, Heating Oil

Household Items That Are Stealing Your Money | Shipley Energy

Posted by Shipley Energy Team on 6/22/15 10:00 AM

Getting your monthly electricity bill can surely be a “shocking” experience if you have unknown costs racking up. Some of your biggest electric offenders are obvious; heating and air conditioning are the biggest energy vampires, sucking the money right out of your wallet. Others sneak up on you like the five pounds of unwanted weight you all of a sudden gained on your backside; after eating grandma’s dangerously delicious pound cake that you could’ve done without.

 


Topics: Electricity, Electric bill

Home Cooling: What You Need To Know | Shipley Energy

Posted by Shipley Energy Team on 6/12/15 4:00 PM

Things are heating up and just like every June, the rising temperatures can result in rising frustrations. Too many times we find ourselves fiddling with the thermostat, dimming room lighting, and senselessly beating our fists at malfunctioning air vents.

Don’t despair—moving to Alaska is not yet the only way out. The truth about home cooling is that there are steps you can take to ensure you are staying cool while remaining energy efficient.

Topics: HVAC

HVAC Check-Up: What To Do | Shipley Energy

Posted by Shipley Energy Team on 6/8/15 10:00 AM
That time of the year is upon us when the weather should be heating up—but not your home. This means it is time to get your home inspected and ensure that your HVAC unit is functioning properly! When scheduling an appointment to prepare for the heat wave, deciding whether to go with a home AC tune-up or a home energy audit can be an important decision that you don’t want to get wrong. 
 
 

Topics: Home Efficiency, HVAC

External Factors Affecting Shipley Energy | Shipley Energy

Posted by Shipley Energy Team on 6/4/15 9:38 AM

Politics, trade, and dynamic weather patterns bombard our news stations and make us question how changes will impact our daily lives. Most of the time, we have cause to worry—but should these concerns extend to your energy bill?

For the most part our subject areas tend to rest in a relatively stable rate. However, Liquid Petroleum Procurement Specialist at Shipley Energy, Mike Dombroski, recognizes natural gas as a “bullish” market due to its direct relationship with weather. If a sudden disturbance or disaster were to occur, prices could jump potentially to 30% by the end of the day. Besides natural gas, Dombroski assures us that it seems the other markets have “found their place”.

Topics: Natural Gas, Weekly Update