Winters across Central New York — and throughout Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Connecticut — are no joke. Sub-zero temperatures, heavy snow and biting winds can put serious strain on your heating system and fuel supply. When the cold settles in, having equipment you can rely on isn’t just a comfort issue; it’s essential for safety and peace of mind.
With a bit of preparation, you can reduce the risk of breakdowns, make fuel deliveries more efficient, and even lower your energy costs. Here are several smart steps Mirabito Energy Products recommends to help your home stay warm and protected all winter long.
Whether you use propane or heating oil, the area around your tank should always be clear of debris. Grass, brush, leaves, snowbanks and tree limbs can create safety hazards and make deliveries difficult. For aboveground propane tanks, maintain a clear 10-foot radius to reduce fire risk and ensure safe access. Keeping this area tidy also helps our drivers deliver fuel quickly and safely during winter weather.
Your propane tank’s regulator vent plays a vital role in safe operation. Take time to inspect it periodically and make sure it’s free of dirt, ice or snow buildup. After winter storms, also check exhaust and intake vents around your home. Blocked vents can interfere with proper airflow and may cause your heating system to shut down when you need it most.
Snow-covered landscapes can make it surprisingly difficult to find your fuel tank, right when having a full tank is critical. Before winter arrives, mark the tank’s location with a brightly colored stake or flag. This simple step helps you clear a path after heavy snowfall and allows Mirabito delivery drivers to locate and access your tank without delay.
Cold weather increases fuel usage, and tanks can empty faster than expected. Running out of fuel can lead to system shutdowns, pressure issues, and no-heat emergencies. Mirabito’s automatic delivery service eliminates the guesswork.
We track your propane or heating oil usage, local weather patterns and seasonal temperatures to accurately predict when you’ll need fuel and then schedule deliveries automatically. There’s no fee for automatic delivery, and it’s one of the easiest ways to ensure a reliable fuel supply all winter long.
Heating equipment is designed with safety in mind, but carbon monoxide detectors are a critical layer of protection. Make sure you have CO detectors on every level of your home and near areas where people sleep. Test them regularly and replace batteries as needed so you’re alerted immediately if unsafe conditions develop.
One of the most effective ways to prepare for a winter cold snap is to schedule a professional heating system tune-up and safety check. During a maintenance visit, a trained technician inspects, cleans, and adjusts your equipment to ensure it’s operating efficiently and safely. Regular maintenance helps prevent unexpected breakdowns, improves fuel efficiency, and can extend the life of your system, saving you money over the long run.
For true peace of mind, consider enrolling in a Mirabito service membership. Membership benefits include annual professional maintenance, priority scheduling when service is needed and reduced repair costs. It’s the easiest way to stay ahead of winter problems and ensure your heating system is ready for whatever the season brings.
Contact Mirabito Energy Products today to learn more about service memberships and winter prep solutions, and stay warm all winter long.
When our team talks to homeowners about arranging maintenance for their furnaces, we often liken a heating tune-up to an annual check-up with your doctor. A trained and experienced professional can check the health of your equipment, they can head off some service problems early, make recommendations to keep things operating well and take necessary steps to extend the life of the system.
In short, a yearly furnace maintenance visit is a small investment that returns lasting, measurable benefits. At Mirabito Energy Products, we’re proud of our expert team of HVAC technicians. We encourage each of our valued customers to set up a preventive maintenance visit with our team to avoid these all-too-common problems
When your furnace — whether it runs on heating oil or gas — doesn’t receive annual maintenance, its efficiency begins to drop. Dust buildup, worn components and restricted airflow force the system to work harder to produce the same amount of heat. The results are higher fuel consumption and noticeably bigger energy bills. A well-tuned furnace burns cleaner and more efficiently, delivering maximum heat output from every gallon of oil or propane or therm of natural gas. Routine maintenance from Mirabito technicians ensures your system is calibrated properly, airflow is unobstructed and combustion is optimized, helping you keep winter heating costs under control.
Northeastern winters are unforgiving, and your furnace must run for long stretches to keep your home warm and safe. Without routine tune-ups, small issues like worn belts, dirty burners, weak sensors, or loose electrical connections often go unnoticed. Over time, these minor problems can escalate into system failures right when temperatures are at their coldest. Annual maintenance visits from Mirabito help prevent those nerve-wracking no-heat emergencies. Our technicians catch early warning signs and fix them before they become expensive breakdowns, giving you peace of mind throughout the harshest stretches of winter.
Every furnace has a limited lifespan, but skipping maintenance can shorten it dramatically. When parts are dirty, obstructed or out of alignment, the entire system experiences extra strain. Components wear out faster, efficiency declines, and the furnace must work harder year after year. Regular service restores proper operation, reduces unnecessary wear and helps your equipment last for its longest possible service life.
Most furnace manufacturers include a clear requirement in their warranty terms: the system must receive professional annual maintenance. If you skip a yearly tune-up, the warranty can become void. That means if a major component fails, you could be responsible for the entire repair or replacement cost. Keeping your system serviced by Mirabito not only ensures reliable performance but also preserves your warranty protection, saving you from unexpected — and potentially very costly — out-of-pocket expenses.
Just like your annual check-up is typically covered by health insurance coverage, you can easily ensure your furnace gets its yearly preventive care with a service membership from Mirabito Energy Products. These affordable plans protect your heating equipment with 24-hour emergency service and either full coverage or discounted coverage for needed repairs (depending on the level of coverage. And your annual tune-up is included in the membership — all you need to do is schedule it!
Get in touch with our team today to arrange your maintenance appointment or enroll in a service membership. Mirabito Energy Products offers top-tier HVAC service in Central New York, the Adirondacks, Utica, the New York Capital region, the Catskills and the Hudson Valley, along with Mid- to Northern Pennsylvania, Central and Western Connecticut, Southern Vermont, Western Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Binghamton, NY- December 10, 2025 – Mirabito Cares and The Salvation Army are partnering to host a 12-hour “Ring Around The Clock” bell-a-thon on Saturday, December 13 at select Mirabito Convenience Store locations. The event is part of The Salvation Army’s annual Red Kettle Campaign, helping local families in need during the holiday season. Mirabito employees and Salvation Army volunteers will be ringing bells and collecting donations via the classic red kettle and virtual donation page at the following locations:
Mirabito will also be ringing at one of our newest locations located near Lake George – 1433 State Route 9, Queensbury, NY – from 12:00PM until 4:00PM.
Customers can donate with change or cash, or by scanning a unique QR code at each site to ensure contributions go directly to their local Salvation Army branch supporting neighbors and families. Donors will also receive a free Mirabito cookie coupon as a thank-you, and additional fuel discount promotions will be available for a limited time at our Binghamton and Oneonta locations.
“This event reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting the communities we serve,” said Marissa Sweeney, Senior Marketing Director at Mirabito Holdings, Inc. “The Salvation Army has remained a constant haven for those in need during turbulent times, and every dollar makes a difference in supporting their mission. We encourage our loyal customers and neighbors to come visit us on December 13th, and celebrate the season while making a difference.”
Following the event, Mirabito will continue promoting online donations through December 31st through QR codes at the pump, or customers can use the link below at any time to donate. Mirabito will make a corporate contribution to amplify the total impact as part of our ongoing commitment to serving our community. https://give.salvationarmy.org/campaign/727402/donate
For more information or to learn how you can get involved, follow @MirabitoConvenienceStores and on social media.
Heating a multi-story home in the Northeast U.S. can be a constant challenge. One floor feels perfectly toasty while another has you grabbing extra blankets. Heat rises, cold air settles, and many homes rely on one thermostat to control it all — which rarely delivers balanced comfort.
On top of that, constantly running a centralized heating system can be a drain on your household budget!
A growing number of homeowners across the region are finding relief with zoned heating, available for both central HVAC systems and ductless mini-split heat pumps. Zoning allows different parts of your home to be heated individually, so each floor or room stays at the temperature you want.
If you’re looking to even out hot-and-cold spots and improve winter comfort, here’s what to know about creating zoned heating in your home.
Adding Zones to a Standard Central Heating System
Many homes with traditional central heating and cooling system use single-stage equipment. These systems operate at one speed only, fully on or fully off. When you add zones to this type of system, your HVAC technician places dampers inside the ductwork so each area can receive air independently.
However, since a single-stage blower always runs at 100% output, it produces more airflow than a single zone can handle. To prevent excessive pressure in your ductwork, homes with standard equipment often require a bypass duct, which redirects some of that extra air back into the return.
With this setup you will gain separate temperature control for the different zones in your home, which will help enhance your overall comfort and help increase the overall efficiency of your system if used properly. However with these types of systems, there may be some trade-offs:
Adding Zones with Variable-Speed HVAC Equipment
Variable-speed heating and cooling systems are designed with zoning in mind. Instead of running at one fixed output, they automatically adjust their airflow to match the needs of each zone.
This means you don’t need a bypass duct, and the system supplies only the air volume required for whichever zone needs heat. Zoning with variable-speed equipment delivers smoother, more consistent heating, quieter operation and improved efficiency.
Ductless Heat Pumps Provide Natural Zoning
Ductless heat pumps — also known as mini-splits — are one of the simplest ways to create zoned heating without altering existing ductwork. A ductless system includes an outdoor condenser paired with one or more indoor air-handling units. A narrow refrigerant line connects the units, allowing for fast, non-intrusive installation.
Each indoor unit heats a specific area or “zone.” Instead of warming your entire house, you choose the exact temperature you want in each room. This makes ductless systems incredibly efficient, often reducing heating and cooling energy use by 30–40%.
Tips for Effective Zoning in Your Home
Plan zones based on how your home is used. Group high-traffic areas together and keep bedrooms separate for personalized comfort.
Seal and insulate first. Make sure windows, doors and attic spaces aren’t leaking heat before you invest in zoning.
Use individual thermostats wisely. Tailor each zone’s settings to your family’s routines.
Dial back unused areas. Keep guest rooms or seldom-used spaces at lower temperatures to save energy. Also, ensure you keep doors to rarely used rooms closed.
Interested in learning whether zoned heating is right for your home? Mirabito Energy Products can help you design a system that boosts comfort, reduces energy waste and keeps every level of your home warm all winter long. Reach out to us for a free estimate.
[November 19, 2025] Mirabito Convenience Stores and its customers have once again come together to make a difference. For the month of October, Mirabito Convenience Stores throughout New York and Pennsylvania sponsored a Round Up campaign in conjunction with its Mirabito Cares program which raised $75,000 in support of the American Cancer Society.
The funds were made possible by the generosity of Mirabito customers who rounded up their purchases at checkout in Mirabito Convenience Stores, combined with a corporate contribution from Mirabito Cares. Proceeds will directly support local patients and families through vital American Cancer Society programs, including nights at Hope Lodge during treatment and recovery, rides to medical appointments, and access to trained Cancer Information Specialists who provide 24/7 guidance and support.
“We’ve all been impacted by cancer in one way or another, and the work that the American Cancer Society does is truly irreplaceable,” said Marissa Sweeney, Senior Director of Marketing at Mirabito Holdings, Inc. “This Round Up campaign is especially aligned with our mission of supporting medical research and community outreach as the dollars raised stay right here in our local communities to help our neighbors and friends who are battling cancer. We’re incredibly proud to continue this partnership and grateful to our customers and employees who made this possible.”
Heather Morris, Senior Corporate Relations Manager for the American Cancer Society, commented on the success of the campaign, saying, “We at the American Cancer Society extend heartfelt thanks to Mirabito and their customers, whose generosity means so much to our community and mission. For a second consecutive year, Mirabito has joined with its customers in rounding up at the register to support lifesaving cancer research and local patient programs—critical work as 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women will face a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime. Our commitment continues year-round, helping ensure families in our region have access to the resources and hope they need in the fight against cancer.”
The campaign’s success builds on Mirabito’s long-standing partnership with the American Cancer Society. In addition to the Round Up campaign, Mirabito proudly serves as the title sponsor of the Coaches vs. Cancer Basketball Tournament, returning this December for the second consecutive year to raise funds and awareness in the fight against cancer.
Through initiatives like these, Mirabito Cares continues to uphold the company’s core values of integrity, reliability, safety, and community service, reinforcing its commitment to supporting the people and communities we serve.
American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is a leading cancer-fighting organization with a vision to end cancer as we know it, for everyone. For more than 110 years, we have been improving the lives of people with cancer and their families as the only organization combating cancer through advocacy, research, and patient support. We are committed to ensuring everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. To learn more, visit cancer.org or call our 24/7 helpline at 1-800-227-2345.
About Mirabito Cares
Since 1927, Mirabito has been dedicated to being a steadfast community advocate and supporter. As we continue to grow as an energy provider, our mission remains deeply rooted in our commitment to upholding community and family values. At Mirabito, we believe in the importance of giving back to the communities that have stood by us over the years.
Mirabito Cares proudly acknowledges and celebrates our contributions to communities through sponsorships, donations, and volunteerism. Through fostering strong relationships with our community members and staff, Mirabito supports initiatives such as local charities, community events, and volunteer opportunities to address the unique needs of each community.
Living in the Northeast U.S. can mean weathering some frigid winters. And while snuggling up under a cozy blanket with some warm cocoa can be pleasant on a snowy day, it’s no substitute for an efficiently operating furnace or boiler.
At Mirabito Energy Products, we help customers get the most from their home heating systems, and a big part of that mission is to help them reduce their energy expenses and save some money in the process. Here are five common ways that homeowners end up wasting energy and driving up their energy costs. The good news is that it’s incredibly easy to avoid these pitfalls.
We would never encourage a customer to have an uncomfortably cold home. However, far too many homeowners run their heating systems when they don’t need to — specifically when they’re asleep or out of the house.
With a programmable thermostat, you can schedule temperature reductions for the middle of the night and during work hours. A Wi-Fi-enabled smart thermostat also allows you to adjust your temperature settings from your phone or tablet when you’re away from home.
No matter how efficient your heating system is, you’ll run it too often and waste energy if your home has air leaks. To keep warm air from escaping your home, start by sealing gaps and drafts. Install weatherstripping and door sweeps to block chilly air from sneaking in around windows and doors. For smaller cracks or openings in stationary parts of windows, doors and walls, apply caulk to create a tight, long-lasting seal. These simple upgrades help your heating system work more efficiently and keep your home comfortably warm all winter long.
Here are two simple ways to make your home feel comfortable in the winter without using your home’s heat more often:
Your furnace or boiler will need to work harder to heat your home if the heat’s pathway to your rooms is obstructed. Please take these simple steps to keep the heat flowing efficiently:
Yearly maintenance for your equipment will keep it running efficiently, reduce the chance of a breakdown and extend its lifespan. An annual professional tune-up is also required to maintain most manufacturers’ warranties in place. In short, a tune-up is an investment in efficiency and reliability that pays dividends all winter!
(Also, with our service membership plans, your heating system can receive annual maintenance, priority service and reduced costs on needed repairs.)
Have you scheduled your annual heating tune-up? Reach out to us today to arrange service.
Everyone likes to find a little extra cash. That’s true when you discover a forgotten ten-dollar bill in the dryer, and it’s as true when your energy bills are lower than expected. For homeowners in the Northeast and across the country, investing in more efficient home heating can yield significant savings. Heating comprises the largest energy expense for most homeowners in our part of the U.S., amounting to 30% to 50% of annual energy bills.
Well, we have some good news and some better news on the home heating front. The good news is that there are a lot of ways to lower your home’s heat-related energy consumption without sacrificing comfort in the winter. The better news is that one of the most impactful changes you can make to reduce heating costs also has one of the lowest upfront costs: upgrading your thermostat.
How Does a Thermostat Upgrade Save Your Money?
The U.S. Department of Energy has found that most homes can cut their heating and cooling costs by up to 10% simply by adjusting the thermostat back 7°-10°F from its normal temperature for 8 hours a day.
You can easily accomplish this if your thermostat has programming capabilities. All you need to do is program these adjustments for when you are asleep or out of the house. And if you upgrade your thermostat to a more advanced, Wi-Fi-enabled device, you can save even more!
What Are Your Home Thermostat Options?
Understanding your thermostat options helps you choose the best fit for your home:
While smart thermostats cost more upfront, their precision and long-term savings make them a smart investment that pays off quickly.
What Other Benefits Do Smart Thermostats Have?
On the cost-savings front, today’s smart thermostats can have amazing efficiency features. Some products have sensors for individual rooms, and others can even lower your heating or air conditioning usage when they know that fuel and electricity rates are elevated.
Also, don’t underestimate the benefit of having remote access to your thermostat from a phone or tablet. You can adjust your temperature from bed if your room is too toasty. And if you’re out of town, you can open the smartphone app to check and tweak your home’s temperature.
Mirabito Energy Products Is Here for Your Heating Efficiency Needs
We are proud to have the most dependable, skilled and professional heating team in our service region, which includes:
We can help your home achieve new levels of energy efficiency with preventive heating maintenance, which lowers your energy consumption, extends your equipment lifespan and reduces the chance of service issues. If your boiler or furnace is nearing retirement, our team can install a high-efficiency replacement.
Don’t wait for a heating breakdown on a frigid night — get in touch with Mirabito today to arrange service.
We’re honored to be your trusted home fuel provider, delivering reliably and safely to keep you comfortable. Did you know that we provide those same values to you on the road at our 112 Mirabito Convenience Stores? At home and on the go we are dedicated to fueling your day!
To thank you for your loyalty, Mirabito offers rewards for customers that can be used for discounts on your home fuel deliveries. Just by becoming a customer, you automatically receive rewards, and with your Mirabito MyAccount portal or mobile app, you can also use those rewards on fuel purchases at Mirabito Convenience Stores!
After just a few easy steps you can start earning on all of your Mirabito purchases and redeem on your next fill up at the gas pump, or donate them to our annual Gallons for Good donation program!
Here’s how to get the most out of our Mirabito rewards!
With temperatures plummeting across New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Vermont, Massachusetts and Rhode Island, homeowners are powering up their furnaces, often for the first time in quite a while.
At Mirabito Energy Products, we strongly encourage you to test your furnace in the fall to ensure that it’s operating as intended. We also recommend you put your senses to work to determine if something is off about its operations. One of the standard issues that people notice on this first furnace cycle is an odor, often a burning smell. This odor may not actually be cause for concern, though. In this article, we’ll take you through some reasons your furnace may smell peculiar the first time you run it.
The Most Common Culprit — Dust
We get that people can be worried by the smell of something burning from their heating equipment. The most common cause of these smells is dust, however. Like anything else that sits idle for months, a furnace’s burner will accumulate dust, and it can burn when your equipment’s flames click back on. Most of the time, this dust will burn off, and the odor will go away quickly.
Dirty Air Filters Can Also Cause Off-Smells
If you have central air conditioning, then your heating and cooling system’s air filter gets a workout during the summer and fall, stopping airborne pollutants from entering your home. In that time, it might have become clogged with dust, pollen, pet dander, debris and even mold. When hot air starts blowing through a dirty filter, it might come out of your vents with a funk.
We recommend you check your air filter every month during the peak heating and cooling seasons and change or clean it if it’s dirty.
Components in New Equipment Give Off Odors Sometimes
A plastic or chemical smell isn’t unusual if you’re running a new furnace for the first time. The protective coating of various components is meeting flames and extreme heat and giving off this odor. Keep running the system and open the windows to let the smell disperse. If it’s still coming from your vents after an hour or so, reach out to your installer to look at the equipment.
Is There Debris or Dirt in Your Ductwork?
Sundry objects, dirt, grit and other debris may have found their way into your ducts. If you’re able to home in on the vent where the smell is coming from, you can open it up and try locating the debris.
When Is It Time to Contact the Pros at Mirabito
If addressing these potential issues doesn’t get rid of the strange smell coming from your furnace, the problem could be more serious, like bad wiring or a mechanical issue. This type of fix requires a trained HVAC professional. The heating professionals at Mirabito Energy Products are always available to provide furnace repair work.
We also perform standard preventive maintenance, which can be critical to preventing service issues, including the problems that can lead to these strange smells. Regular maintenance also helps your heating equipment run more efficiently, saving you money throughout the year. To ensure your furnace gets annual service (and get discounts and priority scheduling if you need a repair), sign up for a Mirabito Service Membership.
To protect your furnace with a Service Membership, arrange a maintenance or repair visit or get a FREE estimate on new home heating equipment, get in touch with the Mirabito team today.
Important Update: New York State HEAP Benefit Delay
The New York State Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) has announced a delay in the release of benefits for the 2025 season. Mirabito understands how important this program is for many of our customers, especially as colder weather approaches, and we want to assure you that our team is here to support you every step of the way.
What You Need to Know
The Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), which administers the HEAP program, has advised that the program start date has been delayed until November 17, 2025 – or until further notice, due to the ongoing federal government shutdown.
While the delay stems from federal funding, New York State has declined a request to allow early deliveries with retroactive benefits. As a result, benefits cannot be applied until the official program start date.
Mirabito remains ready to deliver as soon as benefits become available and continues to advocate on behalf of our customers for faster access to this critical program.
How to Prepare
If you plan to apply for HEAP, set up an account with Mirabito before contacting your local office so that you may designate Mirabito as your preferred supplier on your HEAP application. Then, visit https://otda.ny.gov/ to find your local office and apply for benefits or emergency assistance.
As a customer of Mirabito, we will be able to schedule your delivery as soon as we are notified that the benefit is available and that you are eligible.
For immediate needs, contact your local Office of Public Assistance. Find your local Department of Social Services contact information here: https://otda.ny.gov/workingfamilies/dss.asp.
Alternative Assistance Resources
If you need help before HEAP benefits become available, the following organizations may be able to assist:
Advocating for You
Mirabito has reached out to government officials directly, both independently and through our energy association partners, to advocate for our customers.
If you wish to voice your concerns or urge action, you can contact your representatives below:
Federal Representatives
New York State Representatives
Mirabito Is Ready to Deliver
Although this delay is beyond our control, Mirabito remains deeply committed to supporting our customers and communities. We are ready to deliver the moment benefits become available and will continue to keep you informed as new updates are released.
