Air Conditioning Has Buffalo Beginnings
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If someone were to ask you, “In which American city was Air Conditioning invented?” we’d bet that Buffalo would be among the last cities you would name.  In a city that is known for the large amounts of snow we get each year, we are proud to say that we are also home to the air conditioner.

In 1902, the first electrical air conditioning unit was invented in Buffalo, New York.  The air conditioner was designed by Willis Carrier while he was working at the Buffalo Forge Company for the Sackett-Wilhelms publishing company, Brooklyn, New York.  It was used to control humidity and temperature to improve the printing process.  The temperature and humidity control helped keep paper dimensions and ink alignment in order.  Soon after air conditioning was adopted to keep the workplace efficient.

Carrier, a native of Angola, New York applied for a patent for his “Apparatus for Treating Air” in 1906 and the Carrier Air Conditioning company was born.   We are still servicing and installing Carrier brand air conditioners 100 years later.

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NOCO – Exceeding Your Expectations on Earth Day
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Earth Day

Energy companies and gas station chains don’t always get the best reputation when it comes to the environment.  It is a common misconception that energy companies don’t care about the planet.  But take a trip to the NOCO office and within five minutes of visiting, you’d realize that NOCO has a different philosophy than you might have thought.  NOCO’s office parking lot is filled with a surprising number of hybrid vehicles, and every desk has a recycling can.

NOCO values the environment and believes that it is important to take care of the earth.  Every day we strive to make this planet better for future generations.  Here are just a few things that we do on a daily basis to protect our favorite mom, mother earth.

Reducing Waste:

In smaller ways – NOCO understands how little things can make a big difference.  That is why in our corporate headquarters, we have established a paper recycling program for all of our office waste.

In bigger ways –NOCO realizes how big efforts to reuse products can help eliminate waste.  That is why we’ve partnered with Tonawanda Terminals!  Our partnership allows us to reduce landfill waste.  When building or remodeling a new gas station, we remediate (clean) the used soil to get rid of its toxins so that we can reuse it again and help eliminate landfill waste.

Saving Energy:

Since we supply energy ourselves, we have an appreciation for energy efficiency.  Here at NOCO, we work hard to preserve our resources and not waste valuable energy.   One way we conserve energy is through using high-efficiency products.  Our NOCO Express store at 4590 Genesee Street in Cheektowaga was recently rebuilt with several building technologies to reduce energy consumption, including low watt LED lighting, a refrigeration energy management system and white roofing for increased light reflectivity.  Even more, we installed a light harvesting system that utilizes skylights to allow natural light into the store.  We paired this with an energy management control system which automatically dims the stores’ lighting during daylight hours.

Looking forward:

NOCO is also aware that our customers may soon require better fuel alternatives.  That is why we have equipped our new stores with infrastructure to accommodate electrical charging stations for electric cars in the future.

These are just a few of the ways we demonstrate our green philosophy here at NOCO.   We are always looking to improve, and would love to hear your ideas on what more you think NOCO could do!

noco NOCO ,

Spring Cleaning Your Air Conditioner
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It’s springtime and for a lot of us, that means spring cleaning both inside the house and out. Right now is the perfect time to spring clean your central air conditioning unit too.

Inside the house you’ll want to change your system filter. We recommend you change your filter at minimum, once at the beginning of the cooling

season and once at the beginning of the heating season. If you have a humidifier, you may also want to check that the settings are where you like them for the summer months. You may also want to get a system tune up to ensure your system is running at its peak for the summer.

Outside of the house, where your condenser is, you’ll want to clean around the unit. Pulling all weeds and removing any debris on top of or the side of the condenser, take extra care around the power supply. For optimal air conditioning performance, we recommend leaving at least a one foot space around the perimeter of the condenser and leaving the space about the condenser as free from plant and trees as you can.

If the condenser is especially dirty or if there are leaves or cottonwood stuck to your condenser, you can use a hose to gently rinse the unit clean.

Your air conditioner will be working hard for you during the hot summer. Taking extra care in the spring may help reduce breakdowns and increase performance.

noco Heating and Cooling

Reasons to choose a licensed and insured heating and cooling contractor
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When looking for a heating and cooling contractor, many contractors will advertise that they are licensed and insured. What does that mean to you and why is choosing a licensed and insured contractor important?

You want your contractor to have proper liability and workers comp insurance coverage.  For instance, let’s say a technician is injured at your home.  If the company is uninsured, your homeowner’s insurance  must pay for any injury.  If the contractor is insured, their insurance will cover any injuries.

Making sure your heating and cooling contractor is licensed is one way to be sure  they are also insured.  Many municipalities require a certain level of liability and worker’s comp insurance in order to get a license. The license not only assures you that your contractor has the proper insurance coverage, but also the skills required to perform the job for which you are hiring them.  Some cities and villages even require a test in order to obtain a license.  This gives you peace of mind that your contractor is qualified for the job.

Choosing a heating and cooling contractor that is not insured can cost you more in money and headaches in the long run. Choose a qualified licensed and insured HVAC contractor like NOCO to protect yourself and your home.

noco Heating and Cooling

How much heating oil, propane, or natural gas will my home use each year?
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One of the big questions we get is, ” how much heating oil, propane, or natural gas will an average household use? “

The energy uses of each home will depend on a great number of variables.  These variables may include the temperature outside, the temperature your thermostat is set to, and how large your home is. However, here are some average estimates of the home energy use here in Western New York:

Heating Oil: 800-900 gallons
Propane: 800-900 gallons
Natural Gas: 1,200 ccf

These estimates are per heating season and will differ depending on how extreme the weather outside is as well as individual use.

We’d love to answer more of your energy questions – so  go ahead, comment below with a question and we’ll do our best to answer.

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Yes, our employees get discount gas…and you can too!
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Whenever I tell someone that I work at NOCO, they always ask me, “Do you get a discount on gas?” My answer to them is always the same, “Everyone can get a discount on gas from NOCO!” I don’t think they believe me until I tell them about the NOCO Friends and Family Club with EZ-Pay.

How does it work?

First, run out to any NOCO Express and sign up for the Friends and Family club card or sign up online here.

The Friends and Family club card works just like any other loyalty card. You sign up for the card in the store, we scan your license and just like that, you start earning points.   You can get 10 points for every gallon of gas and 20 points for every dollar you spend in our Express Stores. That’s 20 points for every dollar you spend on snacks, gum, beer, whatever. Once you have 5,000 points, we send you a $5.00 gift card, 9,000 points gets you $10 and so on.    That’s a pretty sweet deal, if you ask me!

Okay so that’s how you’re rewarded for being our customer…..so, next we’re on to the gas discount.

How do you get that?

Well, now that you have your friends and family card, you simply register for EZPay on our secure website, here. Then every time you fuel up, you pay directly from your checking account and save 10 Cents per gallon!

It’s that easy!

So, what’s the catch? 

There is no catch.   Here’s how we’re able to do it – We have to pay a fee to the credit card companies every time you use your credit card.   If you sign up for easy pay, we avoid that fee (and you avoid those high interest rates) and we pass that savings on to you, our loyal customer.   It’s a winning opportunity for us both!

So what are you waiting for?   Sign up for the Friends and Family club card with EZPay, today!

For more information on the NOCO Friends and Family and EZPAY, visit us here !

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NOCO Does That, Too?
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One of the big questions we’re asked here at NOCO is what exactly does NOCO do? We think our tagline, “At Home, At Work, and On the Go” pretty much sums what we do. NOCO provides services for every aspect of your life.

Most people in WNY know NOCO by our Express stores. Although our 33 gas station convenience stores are the face of our company in Buffalo and Rochester, we do much more and reach beyond Western New York. That’s something most people don’t know about NOCO which is why we chose to add the tagline, “At Home, At Work, and On the Go” to our Logo. We’re so proud of all of the things we do.
At Home:
If your home uses heating oil or propane, NOCO has been providing delivery to area homes since 1933. You don’t use heating oil or propane? Well, NOCO also is a supplier of Natural Gas and Electric in Buffalo and Rochester.

We also repair, install, and maintain heating and cooling systems. That’s right, if your furnace is on the fritz, NOCO can send someone out to repair it.  Need a new Air conditioner, just call NOCO.
At Work:
All of the energy options you have at home, we also provide for commercial businesses. Natural Gas and electric supply, heating oil, or propane – NOCO does that.
Have a Fleet? We also have fleet fueling service, we’ll come out to your business to fill your trucks with gasoline or sign up for a NOCO Super Saver fleet card and receive rebates for commercial fuel purchases.

We also provide customers with motor oil, industrial cleaners, food grade lubricants, and more. These product warehouses spread beyond WNY into Syracuse, Central New York, Vermont, and even into Canada.

We even provide oxygen and welding supplies. Yes, you heard that right.  We provide local construction businesses with welding supplies and local hospitals and medical facilities with medical gases like oxygen and nitrogen through Buffalo Welding Supply.
On the Go:
If you live in Buffalo, chances are you’ve filled your gas tank at a NOCO station but did you know that NOCO also provides our own Nickel City Roast Coffee and fresh foods in our convenience stores. Through our Nickel City Market Café we provide sandwiches, salads and more to the NOCO stores. We also cater- you can call Nickel City Market Café to cater your next home or office party.

No matter where you are, NOCO is here for you. We hope you’ll call when you need us whether you’re at Home, at Work, or On the Go.

noco NOCO

What is Your Thermostat Personality?
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I don’t know what it’s like in your home or office,  but  at my house, when the temperature starts dropping in the winter, the battle of the thermostat begins.  When it come to heating, we usually agree on a set temperature and leave the thermostat at the temp.  That is until I get cold. That’s when the temperature war begins.  The dial moves up and down all winter long.

Since we have agreed on a temperature, I feel bad openly changing the temperature so I sneak to change it.  That’s right, I wait until no one else in the house is looking and raise the heat a degree or two.  I know I should just change the temperature, I’m an adult, but I just can’t help myself. I think it goes back to my childhood when my parents were the only ones allowed to adjust the thermostat.  So now, every winter my husband and I go back and forth- one of us openly lowering the temperature, and one sneaking around to change it back.

So, tell us – do you have this problem at home? What is your thermostat personality?  Are you sly like me?  Do you go with the flow and stick with the agreed upon temperature?  Or do you bravely and proudly change the temperature without a second thought?  Take our fun poll to see how you rank.

 

 

 

 

 

By: Mary Heating and Cooling , ,

Switch Your Energy Supplier to NOCO & Save!
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NOCO has made switching your energy supplier even easier.  We have recently added a simple, 3 step sign-up  to our website where you can switch your energy supplier in a matter of minutes.  All you have to do is go to noco.com/choosenoco and follow the prompts.  To complete the form you’ll need your contact information and your natural gas or electric utility account number.NOCO Energy Suppliers

Why would you want to change your energy supplier?  Well, it’s all about deregulation.  Prior to deregulation in New York State, your utility had to supply your natural gas or electric.  Now, you have the right to choose an Energy Service Company (ESCO) like NOCO for energy supply. ESCOs in the marketplace have enabled consumers to get better value for their energy dollar — through forcing efficiency, driving competition, and allowing for innovation.    Switching to NOCO for natural gas and electric can save you money.

When you choose NOCO for your natural gas or electric supplier, your service and billing will not change. You will still receive a bill, service, and delivery from your current utility –however, with NOCO’s supply rates and benefits.

It’s that simple. Switch to NOCO and save today.

noco Natural Gas and Electic , ,

NOCO to Sponsor UB Basketball Game
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NOCO is proud to announce our sponsorship of  the January 7, 2012 UB Bulls game verses Kent State.  Stop by and say “hi” to our NOCO representatives in attendance.  While you’re there, sign up for our Friends and Family card and receive a free gift!

Go Bulls!

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