Found this on the Rheem website and thought our followers could benefit from the information.
As the days get shorter and temperatures start to drop it is important to ensure that your heating system is working properly.
Make sure you are prepared for the cold months ahead by following these simple tips and scheduling a maintenance visit from your dependable Rheem Contractor:
•Stay Connected—Check all your gas connections, gas pressure, burner combustion and heat exchanger
•Heat Flow—Give your thermostat a trial run to ensure the air is flowing smoothly
•Clean Filters—Inspect your air filter in your furnace and/or heat pump
•Air Flow—Make sure your heating vents are unblocked to ensure easy air flow
•Top-Off—For furnaces or propane tanks make sure your fuel storage tank is topped off and ready to go. To guarantee that your heating system is working efficiently and effectively, contact your dependable Rheem Contractor and schedule a maintenance visit.
For more tips on winterizing your home visit www.energystar.gov. OR call DeLong Air, Inc. at 323.2300.
All best and stay warm!!!
Original article can be found here.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Easy Ways to Improve Air Quality
Do you suffer from allergies, damp musty household smells or high humidity levels in your home? You would benefit from improving the quality of the air in your home. The less humid and cleaner the air in your home the lower the chances are of the air containing allergens that will trigger an allergic reaction. You are more likely to get a better nights sleep and the chances of mold growing are vastly reduced if the humidity level is lower.
Here are a few things you can do to improve the air quality in your house:
Use a dehumidifier. These are extremely efficient at extracting water and moisture from the air. This is an excellent way of decreasing humidity levels. It follows then that the chances of fungus and mould growing in the house are significantly reduced. An air dehumidifier will be reliable and do the job more than adequately. In fact a special bathroom dehumidifier would definitely be worth the investment as many humidity problems stem from there.
Buy an air filter that uses a HEPA filter. These remove even the smallest particles from the air in your house. Some newer vacuum cleaners will filter the air at the same time as cleaning the floor. These can be purchased from the Electrolux company.
Make attempts to allow air to circulate efficiently. If prevailing conditions permit try to allow air to circulate by leaving windows or doors ajar. This is of considerable benefit in making the feel less stale and more fresh. This is especially important if you ever make us of indoor pollutants such as paints and so on.
Buy and use natural or organic household cleaning products through your house. The regular sprays found in the supermarket maybe ok for cleaning but they are much less beneficial to your air quality.
Purchase organic or natural furniture. Furniture strangely enough releases chemical gasses into the air particularly over the first few years. often the material they are made out of is actually hazardous for example plastics and sealants, these will all be released in to your air. Antique furniture or at least older furniture tends to have not been constructed with such harmful pollutants and therefore they pose less of a hazard.
With these tips in mind there is every chance that you will be able to improve the air quality of your home effectively. You may even want to go a step further and take a look at the special dehumidifier air filter products that are available now, they could prove invaluable to you.
As always, if you have any questions about your air quality or any related HVAC question, don't hesitate to call DeLong Air, Inc. We're happy to answer your questions. Click here to go to our website for more information.
Here are a few things you can do to improve the air quality in your house:
Use a dehumidifier. These are extremely efficient at extracting water and moisture from the air. This is an excellent way of decreasing humidity levels. It follows then that the chances of fungus and mould growing in the house are significantly reduced. An air dehumidifier will be reliable and do the job more than adequately. In fact a special bathroom dehumidifier would definitely be worth the investment as many humidity problems stem from there.
Buy an air filter that uses a HEPA filter. These remove even the smallest particles from the air in your house. Some newer vacuum cleaners will filter the air at the same time as cleaning the floor. These can be purchased from the Electrolux company.
Make attempts to allow air to circulate efficiently. If prevailing conditions permit try to allow air to circulate by leaving windows or doors ajar. This is of considerable benefit in making the feel less stale and more fresh. This is especially important if you ever make us of indoor pollutants such as paints and so on.
Buy and use natural or organic household cleaning products through your house. The regular sprays found in the supermarket maybe ok for cleaning but they are much less beneficial to your air quality.
Purchase organic or natural furniture. Furniture strangely enough releases chemical gasses into the air particularly over the first few years. often the material they are made out of is actually hazardous for example plastics and sealants, these will all be released in to your air. Antique furniture or at least older furniture tends to have not been constructed with such harmful pollutants and therefore they pose less of a hazard.
With these tips in mind there is every chance that you will be able to improve the air quality of your home effectively. You may even want to go a step further and take a look at the special dehumidifier air filter products that are available now, they could prove invaluable to you.
As always, if you have any questions about your air quality or any related HVAC question, don't hesitate to call DeLong Air, Inc. We're happy to answer your questions. Click here to go to our website for more information.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Shhh... Save 10% with this Special Blog Coupon!
I just got this ready for the new website I'm working on but couldn't wait to share! Just print this out and call DeLong Air at 323.2300 when you need service on your heating or air quality products. Remember, we service all brands and models.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Simple Tips to Reduce Heating Bills
Although there's not much that can be done to lower the price of natural gas this winter, there are some no- or low-cost things you can do to save on your gas bill. Having DeLong Air perform a professional energy audit of your home can also help identify additional ways to tighten up your home and save on heating bills.
Reduce thermostat setting to 68 degrees.
Reducing your thermostat setting can substantially lower your heating costs. Putting on those extra layers will help you stay comfortable while saving on your heating bill.
Set back thermostat at night and when you leave home.
Setting the thermostat back 10 degrees at night or when the house will be unoccupied can save up to 15% on heating costs. The furnace will have to run more to reheat the house, but the energy saved while the home is cooler more than offsets the extra run time to reheat the home.
Install a programmable thermostat.
Programmable thermostats allow you to reduce your home's temperature at night and during the day and still have the home warm when you wake up or come home from work. Some programmable thermostats cost less than $50 and can be installed by homeowners.
Change furnace filter monthly.
Clogged furnace filters lower the heater's efficiency by preventing proper airflow through the furnace. Low-cost filters are available from your local hardware store. Check filters monthly to see if they need changing.
Have furnace "tuned up" annually.
Having your furnace cleaned and tuned annually helps the heating system operate safely and efficiently. Tuning may involve resetting the fuel-air mixture for proper combustion as well as cleaning of the blower and burners to assure maximum airflow and complete combustion. New furnaces don't need to be cleaned and tuned for the first few years.
Let sunshine in south windows.
Open drapes on the south side of your home during winter days and close them at night. Sun angles are low in winter, allowing substantial solar heating through all south windows. You may want to trim vegetation that shades south windows.
Check and replace weather stripping on doors and windows.
Air leaks around faulty weather stripping on doors and windows not only make your home drafty but they also increase heating costs. Check for drafts, and repair or replace worn stripping.
Close storm windows and doors.
Storm windows installed over primary windows are almost as good as double-pane windows for reducing heat loss, but they only work if they are kept closed. Be sure all your storm windows are properly closed when cold weather arrives.
Operate kitchen and bath vents minimally.
Bath and kitchen vents exhaust moisture, along with heated air, to the outside. If your home is dry during the winter, you may not need to operate these vents at all. However, if you have condensation on windows, operate the vents as needed to remove cooking and bathing moisture.
Lower the thermostat set point on your water heater.Keep water temperatures at about 120 degrees. You can check your water temperature by carefully placing the back of your hand under a steady stream of hot water—if you can't keep your hand there, your water is too hot.
Install a water heater blanket.
Older water heaters may not have adequate insulation. Installing an insulating water heater jacket can save energy costs. Be careful to follow manufacturers' recommendations and don't cover the thermostat.
Reduce hot water use.
Reducing hot water use reduces the cost of heating water. Low-flow showerheads save water and energy. Showers generally use less water than baths. Using the cold water setting on your washing machine and repairing leaky faucets will save on water and water-heating costs.
Although there's not much that can be done to lower the price of natural gas this winter, there are some no- or low-cost things you can do to save on your gas bill. Having DeLong Air perform a professional energy audit of your home can also help identify additional ways to tighten up your home and save on heating bills.
Reduce thermostat setting to 68 degrees.
Reducing your thermostat setting can substantially lower your heating costs. Putting on those extra layers will help you stay comfortable while saving on your heating bill.
Set back thermostat at night and when you leave home.
Setting the thermostat back 10 degrees at night or when the house will be unoccupied can save up to 15% on heating costs. The furnace will have to run more to reheat the house, but the energy saved while the home is cooler more than offsets the extra run time to reheat the home.
Install a programmable thermostat.
Programmable thermostats allow you to reduce your home's temperature at night and during the day and still have the home warm when you wake up or come home from work. Some programmable thermostats cost less than $50 and can be installed by homeowners.
Change furnace filter monthly.
Clogged furnace filters lower the heater's efficiency by preventing proper airflow through the furnace. Low-cost filters are available from your local hardware store. Check filters monthly to see if they need changing.
Have furnace "tuned up" annually.
Having your furnace cleaned and tuned annually helps the heating system operate safely and efficiently. Tuning may involve resetting the fuel-air mixture for proper combustion as well as cleaning of the blower and burners to assure maximum airflow and complete combustion. New furnaces don't need to be cleaned and tuned for the first few years.
Let sunshine in south windows.
Open drapes on the south side of your home during winter days and close them at night. Sun angles are low in winter, allowing substantial solar heating through all south windows. You may want to trim vegetation that shades south windows.
Check and replace weather stripping on doors and windows.
Air leaks around faulty weather stripping on doors and windows not only make your home drafty but they also increase heating costs. Check for drafts, and repair or replace worn stripping.
Close storm windows and doors.
Storm windows installed over primary windows are almost as good as double-pane windows for reducing heat loss, but they only work if they are kept closed. Be sure all your storm windows are properly closed when cold weather arrives.
Operate kitchen and bath vents minimally.
Bath and kitchen vents exhaust moisture, along with heated air, to the outside. If your home is dry during the winter, you may not need to operate these vents at all. However, if you have condensation on windows, operate the vents as needed to remove cooking and bathing moisture.
Lower the thermostat set point on your water heater.Keep water temperatures at about 120 degrees. You can check your water temperature by carefully placing the back of your hand under a steady stream of hot water—if you can't keep your hand there, your water is too hot.
Install a water heater blanket.
Older water heaters may not have adequate insulation. Installing an insulating water heater jacket can save energy costs. Be careful to follow manufacturers' recommendations and don't cover the thermostat.
Reduce hot water use.
Reducing hot water use reduces the cost of heating water. Low-flow showerheads save water and energy. Showers generally use less water than baths. Using the cold water setting on your washing machine and repairing leaky faucets will save on water and water-heating costs.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
What is Sick Building Syndrome?
Sick building syndrome or SBS is the term use to describe the condition, in which building occupants suffer from health problems and discomfort, but no specific illness could be identified to the sufferers. Health problems of the occupants may localized in one compartment or the whole building. There is another similar term used related to building is called Building related illness or BRI, in which illness are specific and causes related to the building are identifiable. Recovery from illness takes days or weeks after leaving the building.
In sick building syndrome, health problems are unidentifiable and no co-relation could be established directly with the building. The occupants complains of headache, itchy skin, irritation of eyes and nose, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, difficulty and in concentration and similar other problems of severe discomfort. The symptoms relieved soon after leaving the building..jpg)
Most of the high rise buildings have very less scope of entering natural fresh air by manual arrangement. The air handling system called HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) is does all the functions of keeping inside atmosphere of the building comfortable by heating, cooling and mixing measured quantity of fresh air from outside with recalculated air inside. The system is set to do a complete air change few times a day depending on the number of occupants, types and numbers of office equipment and other sources of airborne pollutant in the building.
Some building may set complete air change or mixing of outside air too less to save the energy and in turn the environment inside becomes uncomfortable. Another reason could be poor design of HVAC, where the fresh air intake is too close to pollutant emitting atmosphere like multistory car park, toilet or kitchen exhaust vents, etc. Filters of the building's HVAC system is able to filter out solid particles but fine gasses mixed with air can easily pass through the filter.
Bacteria, molds, pollen, and viruses can breed at many components of the building's air handling system due to ageing, poor design allowing water to stagnant in ducts, dehumidifier and drain pans. The breeding of contaminants could be from inappropriate maintenance of the HVAC system also. Molds and polen can form in wet ceiling, carpeting or insulations also.
There could sources og indoor pollutants. Example of indoor pollutants could be adhesives, carpeting, upholstery, manufactured wood products, copy machines, pesticides, and cleaning agents.
When sick building syndrome become prevalent, foremost responsibilities of the building management authority would be to carry out investigations, identify root causes of the pollutant, eliminate the source or sources and alleviate sufferings of the building occupants.
References: http://epa.gov/iedweb00/pubs/s bs.html.
http://en.wikipedia.or g/wiki/Sick_building_syndrome
In sick building syndrome, health problems are unidentifiable and no co-relation could be established directly with the building. The occupants complains of headache, itchy skin, irritation of eyes and nose, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, difficulty and in concentration and similar other problems of severe discomfort. The symptoms relieved soon after leaving the building.
.jpg)
Most of the high rise buildings have very less scope of entering natural fresh air by manual arrangement. The air handling system called HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) is does all the functions of keeping inside atmosphere of the building comfortable by heating, cooling and mixing measured quantity of fresh air from outside with recalculated air inside. The system is set to do a complete air change few times a day depending on the number of occupants, types and numbers of office equipment and other sources of airborne pollutant in the building.
Some building may set complete air change or mixing of outside air too less to save the energy and in turn the environment inside becomes uncomfortable. Another reason could be poor design of HVAC, where the fresh air intake is too close to pollutant emitting atmosphere like multistory car park, toilet or kitchen exhaust vents, etc. Filters of the building's HVAC system is able to filter out solid particles but fine gasses mixed with air can easily pass through the filter.
Bacteria, molds, pollen, and viruses can breed at many components of the building's air handling system due to ageing, poor design allowing water to stagnant in ducts, dehumidifier and drain pans. The breeding of contaminants could be from inappropriate maintenance of the HVAC system also. Molds and polen can form in wet ceiling, carpeting or insulations also.
There could sources og indoor pollutants. Example of indoor pollutants could be adhesives, carpeting, upholstery, manufactured wood products, copy machines, pesticides, and cleaning agents.
When sick building syndrome become prevalent, foremost responsibilities of the building management authority would be to carry out investigations, identify root causes of the pollutant, eliminate the source or sources and alleviate sufferings of the building occupants.
References: http://epa.gov/iedweb00/pubs/s bs.html.
http://en.wikipedia.or g/wiki/Sick_building_syndrome
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Go Green and Get Green Back!
High Efficiency + Tax Credit + Manufactures Rebates =
BIG GREEN SAVINGS
Part of the latest stimulus bill (The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009) includes a tax credit available for homeowners that make their homes more energy efficient. High efficiency air conditioning and heating are one of those efficiency improvements. You can receive a credit of 30% of the cost up to a maximum credit of $1,500.00. A professional contractor must install the air conditioning units. There are certain energy efficiency requirements tied to the tax credit. Air conditioning systems must have a 16 seer rating and a 13 EER rating and/or 95% AFUE efficiency furnace. Not all equipment meets these requirements. The tax credit is good between January 2009 and December 2010. This tax credit is available even if you participated in prior energy efficiency programs (i.e. 2006 energy efficiency tax credit).
Call DeLong Air today for more information on how you can combine these savings with current manufacture rebates and utility savings!
You should also be aware that the $1,500 limit applies to many types of energy efficient home improvements, including windows and doors, roofing shingles, and insulation. Therefore, you have to decide what improvement would make the largest impact for your homes efficiency. Yet even without the tax credit, the savings on your utility bill can be as much as 50% with new high efficiency equipment. In fact, in many cases your utility savings can pay the cost of the equipment installation.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I claimed $500 in tax credits in 2006 or 2007 under the previous tax credit program, am I still eligible?
Yes. The new law removes the lifetime caps so you are eligible.
When and how do I claim the tax credit?
Claiming the tax credit is easy—you only need to file a simple IRS 5695 form with your tax return. Speak with your tax adviser. The manufacturer of the equipment will provide a certificate you should keep on file.
Can I claim $1500 in tax credits for improvements made in 2009 and again for improvements made in 2010?
No. You can only claim a total of $1500 in tax credits for improvements made in the combined two year period of 2009 and 2010.
Can a homeowner use the entire $1500 limit as a credit toward the installation of one appliance?
Yes. A homeowner may use the entire $1500 in tax credits for installing a single appliance, such as a qualified furnace, air conditioner, heat pump, or hot water heater.
What happens if the 30% of the installed costs is less than $1500?
The homeowner can “bank” the remaining available tax credit for other qualified improvements. Any single installation that costs more than $5000 will instantly reach the $1500 limit.
Does the tax credit apply to the cost of the equipment or equipment plus labor?
The tax credit applies to the installed costs of the qualified equipment, which includes labor.
What’s the difference between a tax credit and a tax deduction?
As a tax credit applies against the taxpayers’ liability. A tax deduction applies against a taxpayer’s income, lowering the adjusted gross income and possibly moving the taxpayer to a lower tax bracket. Tax credits have a greater benefit to a taxpayer.
Can a homeowner claim the credit for improvements to a second home?
No. The tax credit is only available for improvement to the taxpayer’s primary residence.
Does the homeowners who lives in a modular home or mobile home qualify?
Yes. As long as the improvements meet the qualifying criteria and the homeowners primary residence they may claim the tax credit.
What other types of energy efficiency improvements qualify for the tax credits?
Homeowners may be able to qualify for the tax credits if they make qualified improvements to: windows and doors including skylights, storm windows and storm doors; roofing including metal and asphalt roofs; and insulation. All of these improvements qualify if they meet certain minimum standard, but homeowner may only claim $1500 in total for any improvements.
Does a heat pump need to meet the minimum each of the minimums to qualify or just one?
Heat pumps must meet each of the minimum standards listed above to qualify for the tax credits.
Does this apply to equipment installed in new homes?
No. The tax credit can only be claimed by taxpayers for improvements to existing homes.
Does this replace the Department of Energy or Energy Star program?
These tax credits are from the same program, but it has been modified and expanded. It is the same program that allowed taxpayers to claim up to $500 in tax credit in 2006 and 2007, and part of 2009. The differences are the tax credit limit is higher and the per-appliance caps have been removed.
Do ductless mini-splits meeting the HSPF criteria qualify for the tax credit?
Yes, as long as they meet or exceed the minimum qualifications for split air-conditioners (16 SEER and 13 EER) or split heat pumps (8.5 HSPF, 15 SEER, 12.5 EER).
What if the homeowner installs a furnace that meets the 95% AFUE standard but an central air conditioner below the standard? Can they still claim the full $1500?
The homeowners can claim 30% of the final installation costs up to $1,500 associated specifically with the 95% AFUE furnace will qualify for the credit. Should the installation costs associated with the furnace not reach $5,000, 30% of the installation cost can still be claimed and the difference between that amount and the $1,500 cap can be applied to any other qualifying improvements.
Note: Every taxpayer’s situation is different. We can’t guarantee tax credits. But we can help you figure out what equipment qualifies and how it can work for your comfort, health, and pocketbook.
Source: Air Conditioning Contractors of America
Links for HVAC tax credit:
www.energystar.gov/taxcredits This site allows you to look at the guidelines as interpreted by a reliable government agency. The FAQs were taken from this site. You can subscribe for email alerts as they update the FAQs.
http://www.ahridirectory.org/ The official HVAC directory of all qualifying SEER/EER/HSPF combinations.
http://www.ceedirectory.org/ Another source of ratings that may be easier to use. The stimulus bill requirements for HVAC minimums were based on the CEE Tier Levels. This directory allows you to search by tier. Use Tier 2 for heat pumps and Tier 3 for air conditioning.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Tips on Saving on Heating Costs this Winter
As winter is approaching, it's important to find ways to cut back on the heating costs that often shock us when we receive the bills. In these difficult economic times, what are some ways to reduce the cost of heating the home? By analyzing these we can instead use the money saved for family time or other entertainments.
First of all, it's important to evaluate the heating equipment. Is it in good condition? Is your place full of drafts? Do you remember the last time you cleaned your furnace filter? It's helpful to consider your general energy consumption status. This requires auditing by an expert. Utility companies often offer energy audits for free. By contacting them to help, you can determine which are the areas of heat loss plus pick up other ideas they recommend for your situation.
Reducing energy loss at home is essential to a good plan. Putting weather stripping around doors and windows and caulking cracks are a good start. Walk around your home and see where the leaks are. Ask your kids as they may be very aware of the weak spots in the home insulation system.
Because many older heaters use energy inefficiently, it may be worth it to invest in a new heater. Going into the home improvement department of shops can be a source of good information. Due to the economy you can pick up bargains and get advice from trained professionals. If they are focusing primarily on one brand, get a few opinions as some sales people are only looking at their commission as the priority.
Reduce your time in the shower, lower the temperature in the home, wear sweaters and keep adjust the vents in rooms you don't use often. Curtains can also be helpful around windows for heat retention. By thinking of the money you can save, this can be a great motivator for taking steps to reduce your heating bills.
If there is any way we can help, don't hesitate to call us. It'll only cost you more in the long run. We can be reached at 323.2300.
Pick up some ways to Save on Heating Bills and reduce costs at http://www.heating-help.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dee_Cohen
First of all, it's important to evaluate the heating equipment. Is it in good condition? Is your place full of drafts? Do you remember the last time you cleaned your furnace filter? It's helpful to consider your general energy consumption status. This requires auditing by an expert. Utility companies often offer energy audits for free. By contacting them to help, you can determine which are the areas of heat loss plus pick up other ideas they recommend for your situation.
Reducing energy loss at home is essential to a good plan. Putting weather stripping around doors and windows and caulking cracks are a good start. Walk around your home and see where the leaks are. Ask your kids as they may be very aware of the weak spots in the home insulation system.
Because many older heaters use energy inefficiently, it may be worth it to invest in a new heater. Going into the home improvement department of shops can be a source of good information. Due to the economy you can pick up bargains and get advice from trained professionals. If they are focusing primarily on one brand, get a few opinions as some sales people are only looking at their commission as the priority.
Reduce your time in the shower, lower the temperature in the home, wear sweaters and keep adjust the vents in rooms you don't use often. Curtains can also be helpful around windows for heat retention. By thinking of the money you can save, this can be a great motivator for taking steps to reduce your heating bills.
If there is any way we can help, don't hesitate to call us. It'll only cost you more in the long run. We can be reached at 323.2300.
Pick up some ways to Save on Heating Bills and reduce costs at http://www.heating-help.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dee_Cohen
Monday, October 12, 2009
Welcome to DeLong Air's Blog
Welcome!
Thanks for joining us on our Blog. We plan to share:
◘ money-saving tips
◘ post coupons
◘ answer HVAC questions
◘ DIY video segments
We're looking forward to providing all the information you are looking for your HVAC needs. Please let us know if there is any kind of posting or information in particular you're looking for. This blog is for you!
Stop back soon! In the meantime, check us out on the web here.
Thanks for joining us on our Blog. We plan to share:
◘ money-saving tips
◘ post coupons
◘ answer HVAC questions
◘ DIY video segments
We're looking forward to providing all the information you are looking for your HVAC needs. Please let us know if there is any kind of posting or information in particular you're looking for. This blog is for you!
Stop back soon! In the meantime, check us out on the web here.
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