Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Wed, Aug 08, 2012
Six years ago the Cleveland Recycling & Energy Generation Center was born with two goals – to retrieve recyclables and mold the remaining waste into burnable pellets to generate energy. The project has had a tough time but there is a determination to continue efforts to get it done.
A recent article from Midwest Energy News described the long road to converting waste to energy as difficult. This particular case may be due, in part, to some road blocks actually being put up by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Representatives of the federal agency criticized the Ohio EPA of giving a permit to the project because they believe the burnt pellets will emit more nitrogen oxide than the Clean Air Act allows. The center would need to apply for a permit similar to that of a fossil fuel burning plant. Also, if it converts as much trash as it plans to, it should be getting a permit as a major emitter and classified as a municipal incinerator.
The controversy centers on burning of the pellets and whether they are just trash being burned or something more, considering the pellets will burn in a low oxygen atmosphere that gives off less pollution due to gasification technology. It’s a safe bet to say that there will be plenty of proponents and opponents of the plant until it is officially slated to open in 2015.
One energy-efficient move that Lorain County residents won’t get much opposition to is a conversion to natural gas for heat. Our Lorain County HVAC experts can advise you on just how much money you might be able to save by making the switch from oil to natural gas heat. Schedule an appointment for an HVAC performance check and ask our experienced technician about converting to gas heat before the colder months begin.
Photo by Andy Arthur.
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Wed, Jun 27, 2012
Nice breezes off of Lake Erie are a big part of many vacations but escaping the heat is something you want to do the whole season through. An A/C unit that is operating at peak efficiency can you keep cool all summer long and can also help you save money on utility bills.
Newer A/C units produced within the past few years have highly improved SEER ratings. This rating tells you what kind of energy efficiency the unit has. Older units just do not perform as well and the time may be coming for you to get an upgrade. We have a free tool on our website that can help you determine whether the time has come to replace your air conditioning system.
Visit the Raymond Plumbing website today to get your free A/C download and answer the questions about your unit. You’ll get your A/C “report card,” which will help you determine if you need an upgrade.
How much money can you afford to keep throwing away with an older, inefficient unit laboring away all summer long? Most Americans spend about 40% of their energy bill on comfort systems and the more efficient these systems are, the better your chances of really reducing that utility bill. Once you decide that a new unit is needed, reach out to our Lorain County HVAC experts and we’ll help you choose the right size unit for your home.
We have the latest Carrier air conditioning systems that fully comply with The Department of Energy and EPA regulations. This can be a great way to feel better all summer long and you’ll be getting a vacation from higher utility bills beginning right away.
Photo by loonyhiker.
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Fri, Jun 22, 2012
A Powell Ohio high school student has been chosen by the EPA to receive the President’s Environmental Youth Award. Sachin Rudraraju was cited for a plan to help reduce landfill contamination by recycling old computers. This award is given each year to a student from grades K through 12 that have developed and implemented environmental projects in their communities.
The winner had devised a better way to create awareness of the environmental effects of electronic waste and he designed a much more efficient computer recycling program in his community. One of the most effective strategies he implemented was to have volunteers refurbish discarded computers and have them donated to local charities.
Computer waste is not the only problem facing our country in the area of discarded items. The refrigerant used by equipment we replace, repair and install is regulated by the EPA and we are well aware that replaced items must be disposed of properly. We are also mindful that leaks and other problems must be dealt with immediately. One way to be sure this kind of incident does not happen is to keep your air conditioning unit in tip-top shape.
We here at Raymond Plumbing and Heating have been providing the air conditioner performance check to our customers for years. Our Lorain County HVAC contractor will come to your home and check for leaks and poor performing components and clean the entire unit to prevent pollution both inside and outside your home. Sign up for this important service and you will not only ensure your family’s safety, the service will improve your unit’s efficiency and save you some money all summer long.
Photo by Bonnie Natko.
