Getting slammed with high fuel bills in winter? Electric bills skyrocket in summer? One way to bring these under control is by smart use of your thermostat. By making adjustments for when you're out of the house or at night when sleeping, you can significantly reduce energy costs and help conserve our planet's precious resources.

Delaware, Maryland and Delaware Valley Pennsylvania households can reduce winter heating costs around 4% for each one degree reduction. You can save around 10% a year by simply turning your thermostat down 10 to 15 degrees for eight hours a day. In summer, a five degree increase for the same eight hours can shave between 5% to 10% off your annual air conditioning costs. (Source: U.S. Department of Energy's Consumer's Guide to Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy.)

Programmable thermostats can help in these efforts. If you need help setting yours up, give us a call at 866-PERKOSKI (866-737-5675). If you don't have one, call to ask us about having one installed and programmed for you.

Or better yet, ask us about smart technology made simple with easy-to-read digital thermostats by American Standard.

Benefits include:

• 7-inch high definition color touchscreen display.
• Lets you program 7-day wake, leave, return and vacation heat & cool settings.
• Automatically communicates and coordinates with other system components like humidifier and air cleaner via the AccuLink(TM) Communicating System.
• Allows for zoning or room-by-room control.
• Quick Clean & Allergy Clean cycles maximize clean indoor air.
• Displays live weather information.
• Automatically reminds you when to change your filter or to schedule maintenance service.
• Instantly displays Stan Perkoski's contact information making it easy to contact us for maintenance or repair.
• Displays your photos or digital images when not in use.
• Upgradable software ensures you have the latest features and functionality.
• Optional bezel designs available to match your home's decor.

Ask about optional WiFi remote control options:

• Control from ANYWHERE via your computer, tablet or smartphone.
• Monitor your vacation home's temperatures. If they drop, you'll be able to call someone to check if your heating is working. If there's a problem, you can call us for a repair before pipes freeze.

This winter's continuing deep freezes have kept us with frozen pipe repairs. A burst pipe can cause extensive and expensive damage to your home and possessions.

Here's the problem: Water expands as it freezes putting tremendous pressure on whatever contains it including plumbing pipes. No matter how strong, expanding water can cause pipes to break. Pipes that run against exterior walls and those in unheated areas like basements and crawlspaces, attics, garages and kitchen cabinets are the most likely to freeze.

How to Prevent Frozen Pipes

• If your garage contains water supply lines, keep doors closed.
• During extreme cold snaps, let cold water drip from a faucet. Even a trickle will prevent pipes from freezing.
• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate.
• Open doors of closets that contain water pipes to allow heat to circulate
• Keep your thermostat set to the same temperature day and night until more temperate temperatures return.
• If you're to be away from your home, never lower the heat in your home below 55 degrees.

What to Do If You Suspect Your Pipes May Be Frozen

If when you turn on a tap water flow is lower than usual, chances are that your pipes are freezing. NEVER attempt to thaw a pipe with a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, or any other open flame device.

Frozen pipes can be thawed using an electric heating pad or hair dryer or by wrapping pipes with towels soaked in hot water. But even if you can get access to a frozen pipe, chances are that there may be other frozen sections in areas that are not easily accessible. Be aware of the danger of using electrical devices in the presence of standing water! The safest and most effective thing you can do is to open a tap to a trickle, and call your Stan Perkoski's professional at 866-PERKOSKI (866-737-5675).

Future Protection

• Locate and insulate freeze-vulnerable piping. Because much of this is not easy to reach or locate, this is a job best left to your Stan Perkoski's professional. Give us a call at 866-PERKOSKI (866-5675).
• Consider relocating exposed pipes for increased protection. Contact your Stan Perkoski's professionals for a FREE consultation.
• Add insulation to attics, basements and crawlspaces.