Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Tue, Aug 31, 2010
The power of solar energy to change the world is being demonstrated in Portugal and could serve as a model for Lorain County and the U.S. Just five years ago, this small Mediterranean nation sandwiched between Spain and the Atlantic Ocean began a concerted nationwide effort to convert the majority of its energy supplies from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Today, solar, wind and hydropower provide 45% of the electricity used in the country’s homes, offices, retail centers and factories. In a country where electricity costs twice as much as we pay in Lorain County, solar arrays are now providing cheap electric power to major metropolitan areas like Lisbon, as well as small, remote mountain villages.
How Portugal Became a “Go Green” Country
In order to accomplish such a major national energy makeover in such a short time, Portugal had to restructure energy utilities to create a dependable power grid suited to renewable energy sources. New transmission lines were built to bring solar and wind energy from remote areas to city centers. Government subsidies, long-term contracts with price protections, and financial incentives were used to lure private firms to Portugal’s growing renewable energy industry. A complex computer system was created that tracks the weather systems that fuel much of the country’s renewable energy. The system constantly adjusts the flow of electricity from myriad energy sources, directing electricity where it is needed most.
Oil Spill Pushes U.S. Towards Using Renewable Energy
The incentive to replace fossil fuel consumption with renewable energy sources is admittedly higher in Europe where countries like Portugal have few fossil fuel natural resources. The disastrous oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has emphasized the risk of relying on fossil fuels and may encourage U.S. and Lorain County government officials to do more to develop sustainable power sources. Lorain County residents can take a personal stand and cut their personal energy bill by nearly 50% by installing an energy-efficient solar water heater.
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Wed, Aug 25, 2010
Want to instantly cut your annual hot water costs in half? Ask your Lorain County plumbing professional to install a solar water heater in your home or business. It’s that easy.
Improve Your Carbon Footprint with a Solar Water Heater
Solar water heaters are one of the exciting, new green-energy appliances coming onto the market today. Powered by the sun, Energy Star-qualified solar water heating systems are an eco-conscious way to reduce your carbon footprint and help protect the environment. And because sunshine is free, solar water heaters are as budget-friendly as they are eco-friendly. According to statistics posted on the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Star website, installing a solar water heater can cut your Lorain County water bills by 50% or more.
Despite what you may think, Lorain County gets plenty of sunshine to make installation of a solar water heater cost effective. Our gloomy winters do mean that you’ll need a backup gas or electric water heater, but the savings are still considerable. According to the Department of Energy, a typical 4-person family will save $190 annually by combining a solar water heater with a backup gas-storage water heater. Backup your solar water heater with an electric water heater and you’ll save $250 per year. Larger families that use more than the average amount of water will realize even greater savings. Over the average 20-year life of a solar water heating system, you’ll save thousands of dollars on your energy bills!
Solar Water Heaters Qualify for the Federal Tax Credit
The purchase of a solar water heating system pays for itself in 7 to 10 years. Lorain County home and business owners can recoup their investment even faster by taking advantage of Federal tax credits.
While the monetary savings are a powerful incentive to purchase a solar water heater, many Lorain County residents invest in solar power to protect the environment. Use of an energy-efficient solar-powered water heating system can cut carbon dioxide emissions in half, reducing your carbon footprint by 4,000 pounds of carbon dioxide annually. That’s like garaging your car for 4 months!
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Fri, Aug 20, 2010
Do you have Thermostat Wars in Your Home?
Every person feels heat and cold differently. Setting your air conditioner’s thermostat at an energy-saving 75 degrees may feel pleasantly comfortable to you when you’re sitting in your Lorain County family room watching the game, but it can feel overly warm when you start running the vacuum and absolutely freezing to your visiting granny. Thermostat wars are the stuff of family legends. Who doesn’t have a grandmother who keeps cranking the heat up to 86 when she visits or an overweight Uncle Ray who sends the house into the deep freeze when he stops by? Lorain County parents are forever nagging at their kids to keep their hands off the thermostat. Hormonally-charged teens who believe in instant comfort are forever bumping the controls up or down as they go from hot to cold in what parents swear are 10 minute intervals.
Programmable Thermostats Decreases Home Energy Use, Saves You Money and Restores Peace in your Home!
Thermostat wars have been known to upset family harmony and spark more than a few unpleasant family disagreements. Programmable thermostats can put an end to your family’s thermostat wars and allow peace to reign in your Lorain County home. If you have your Lorain County heating and air conditioning professional install a programmable thermostat to regain control of your home’s temperature controls, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find that installing a programmable thermostat also decreases home energy use which lowers monthly utility bills and saves you money -- a pretty nice bonus for restoring peace to your home!
Programmable thermostats allow you to set specific temperatures during different hours of the day. To save on heating bills, set the thermostat to a cooler nighttime temperature while you sleep. Save on air conditioning bills by setting the thermostat to a higher temperature when you’re away from home at work or away for the weekend. Programmable thermostats put you back in control of your home’s temperature and end thermostat wars.
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Tue, May 25, 2010
We’ve been talking about the pros and cons of upgrading an older air conditioner to an energy-efficient air conditioner. In our last post we talked about the rising cost and environmental damage associated with keeping older Freon-cooled air conditioners. Today, we’re going to discuss the pros of upgrading an inefficient air conditioning system to a new Energy Star air conditioner.
Upgrading to an Energy-efficient Air Conditioner May Qualify for a Tax Credit
With the federal government offering Lorain County homeowners tax credits of up to 30% of the installed cost of a new energy-efficient air conditioner (to a maximum tax credit of $1500), this is definitely the year to upgrade your system. Especially if your air conditioner is an older unit or is leaking coolant, the cost of repair and maintenance will continue to increase each year. If your air conditioner uses Freon, this year alone you can expect coolant replacement costs to double over what you paid last year. Because it is known to increase ozone damage, the federal government is phasing out the use of Freon which will make it increasingly expensive to obtain as supplies dwindle. New Energy Star air conditioners like the Carrier Infinity Series, Carrier Performance Series and Carrier Comfort Series air conditioners use the eco-friendly refrigerant Puron.
Install an Energy-efficient Air Conditioner to Save 30% on Cooling Bills
Upgrading your Lorain County home to an energy-efficient Carrier air conditioner is not only good for the environment, but in addition to earning you a credit on your 2010 federal income taxes, you’ll save money on your monthly utility bills. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that Lorain County homeowners who switch to an Energy Star air conditioner can save 30% or more on their summer cooling bills.
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Thu, May 06, 2010
Decrease Your Home Energy Use and Lower Energy Bills By 40%
Buildings, particularly residential homes built more than 25 years ago, account for 40% of the energy used in the U.S., according to U.S. Department of Energy statistics. If Lorain County homeowners installed energy-efficient furnaces and air conditioners and implemented other energy-saving measures such as using low flow toilets and shower heads and replacing incandescent light bulbs with energy-saving CFL lamps, they could decrease their home energy use – and utility bills -- by 40% or more, Department of Energy experts say. Using energy-efficient home appliances just makes good dollars-and-cents business sense. The more energy-saving appliances and practices you add to your daily life, the greater your savings. Some energy-savvy homeowners have managed to squeeze their utility costs down to a measly $10 to $20 a month!
In an article on rehabbing older homes to increase energy savings, Andrew McCoy, a building construction professor at Virginia Tech, told the Richmond (VA) Times-Dispatch, “In the future people will worry less about how their house looks and more about how it performs.” McCoy is one of many predicting a “green revolution” in the construction industry. About the green building market, McCoy said, “It’s just exploding right now – engineering solutions, products and materials. We know the market’s there.”
The Department of Energy estimates that retrofitting residential and commercial buildings in Lorain County and across the United States with currently existing Energy Star furnaces, air conditioners and heat pumps and using energy-efficient tools and techniques available today could cut national energy bills by $40 billion a year, that’s $130 for each and every American.
Federal tax credits and Ohio state rebates make this an excellent time to upgrade your Lorain County heating and cooling system to an energy-efficient furnace and air conditioner. The sooner you switch, the more you’ll save.
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Mon, May 03, 2010
Inquire About Heating and Cooling Costs When Buying a New Home
When buying a home in Lorain County, most people focus on the sale price and cost of monthly mortgage payments. First-time home buyers, particularly those who have been renting and are used to utility costs being rolled into their rent payments, may be unaware that the cost of heating and cooling the home they purchase can make or break their budget. Experienced homeowners have learned the importance heating and cooling costs play in the ultimate cost of owning and maintaining a home.
A Home With an Energy Efficient Furnace and Air Conditioner Can Save You Money
In buying a home, it is important to assess the present condition and any potential problems with the home’s heating and cooling systems. A furnace or air conditioner that has been poorly maintained or that is nearing the end of its functional life can cost thousands of dollars to replace, adding an unexpected and significant burden to your household budget. On the other hand, a home with a energy efficient furnace and air conditioner can save you hundreds in monthly utility bills.
Ask to review the home seller’s furnace and air conditioner maintenance and repair records. Look for annual furnace and air conditioner inspections, a sign of proactive maintenance. Read the inspection reports to make certain necessary repairs were made as problems were discovered. Ask an experienced Lorain County heating and cooling professional to inspect the home’s comfort systems before you buy. His inspection should reveal any obvious problems you may want to address with the seller. He should also be able to give you some idea of the age of the system and potential problems you should watch for in the future.
Request Monthly Utility Records to Estimate the Monthly Costs to Heat and Air Condition the Home
Home buyers should also ask sellers for monthly utility records so they can get an idea of the probable monthly cost to heat and air condition the home. While personal comfort practices vary, the current owner’s monthly utility bills will provide a reasonable estimate of coming costs.
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Thu, Apr 29, 2010
Reduce Your Energy Bills with Energy-Efficient Appliances
Environmental awareness is finally coming of age. With the current and past US president encouraging sustainable energy use, it will only be a matter of time before we are all involved in some aspect of “green living”. Some of us will be driving hybrid cars that pollute less or not at all. Others might begin powering their homes with renewable energy sources like solar or wind power. But even the most conservative or skeptical among us, will soon be using smarter, more energy-efficient appliances that will not only help clean up the environment, but will significantly reduce our electricity bills.
This new era of energy-efficiency is being bolstered by efforts like the State of Ohio “Cash for Appliance Clunkers Rebate Program”. This program rewards residents and businesses of Lorain County, Ohio that trade in their old, energy-guzzling appliances for new, energy-efficient ones.
Although buying new appliances might be a hefty, upfront investment, it will save you money in the near-term. For example, if your water heater is not properly working, or is less-than-efficient, you will be paying for energy that you never really benefited from. However, once you have properly installed a new water heating system, you can rest assured that your monthly energy bills reflect the true value of heated water and a warm home.
Among other appliances that you can upgrade to benefit from efficient energy cost-savings are refrigerators, washing machines and dish washers. Newer washing machines use less than 50% of what older models use. Clearly, if you do a lot of laundry, you will make back your investment in no time at all. Some energy-efficient dish washers can slash energy consumption by 31% and water usage by 33%. Not only are you getting better technology that gives you spot-free and squeaky clean dishes, you are really reducing both your water and energy bills. Even your old fridge could be traded in for a newer model that will keep your food fresher and save you unnecessary spending on maintenance and electricity.
Contact Raymond Plumbing today for more information on energy-efficient appliances and schedule a free estimate on all installation projects.
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Fri, Mar 05, 2010
Ready to take advantage of Ohio's Cash for Clunkers appliance rebate program? Raymond Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning carries the Energy Star-rated water heaters and heat pumps that qualify for this new program. Check out the great features on these money-saving, energy-efficient home appliances, then call Raymond to schedule your purchase and installation so you're all ready to go when Ohio rolls out its energy-efficient appliance rebate program on March 26. Because the state doesn't expect rebate funds to last long, you'll want to get all your ducks in a row early. See our last post for instructions on how to reserve your rebate.
Energy Star Rated Water Heaters Earn a $100 Ohio Rebate
Energy Star rated high-efficiency gas water heaters will earn a $100 Ohio rebate. Among several qualifying the models available at Raymond is the Tankless Water Heaters from Rheem, an innovative, new gas tankless water heater that provides a continuous supply of hot water from an energy-efficient and space saving design. Imagine never running out of hot water again.
Energy Star Rated Heat Pumps Earn a $250 Ohio Rebate
Energy Star rated electric heat pumps and water heaters will earn a $250 Ohio rebate. Among the qualifying models available at Raymond is the Geo-Saver Series Florida Heat Pump geared to provide superior home comfort and energy efficiency even during extreme hot and cold weather. Lorain County residents can realize 50% to 70% savings on their heating bills and up to 40% on cooling bills with this energy efficient heat pump. Add a Waste Recovery Unit and this heat pump unit will also provide enough free hot water during summer months to meet all your home hot water needs!
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Fri, Feb 26, 2010
Fight Rising Energy Cost with a Heat Pump Water Heater
If you are one of the customers of Ohio Edison or First Energy, then you have seen the increases in your electric bill with the changes in discounts. Although this is being reviewed by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) and there is a class action lawsuit currently filed, rates will not fall back to current levels.
Cut your water heating costs in half! Heat pump water heaters (HPWH) can reduce water heating cost by 300.00 a year and not sacrifice hot water usage. These systems are not new to the market and major players like GE and Rheem have introduced models that incorporate this technology. If you have a newer existing tank then add-on systems are available. Heat pump water heaters are more than twice as efficient as standard electric models and protect the environment.
To understand the concept of heat pumps, imagine a refrigerator working in reverse. While a refrigerator removes heat from an enclosed box and expels that heat to the surrounding air, a HPWH takes the heat from surrounding air and transfers it to water in an enclosed tank. A low-pressure liquid refrigerant is vaporized in the heat pump's evaporator and passed into the compressor. As the pressure of the refrigerant increases, so does its temperature. The heated refrigerant runs through a condenser coil within the storage tank, transferring heat to the water stored there. As the refrigerant delivers its heat to the water, it cools and condenses, and then passes through an expansion valve where the pressure is reduced and the cycle starts over.
Replace your aging electric water heater before it fails. Consider this exciting technology before your next purchase. Every ENERGY STAR qualified heat pump water heater installed in 2010 will be eligible for a tax credit of 30%, up to $1500. Get the facts and find out if you are eligible for a tax credit!
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Wed, Feb 03, 2010
As temperatures dip below freezing, homeowners can practically hear their utility meters clicking off the dollars. Studies show that saving money is the primary motivator for saving energy. Decreasing environmental impact is important, but keeping expenses low is the biggest reason people turn down the thermostat and buy energy efficient appliances.
The most effective way to save energy and decrease your utility bills is to have an energy-efficient furnace installed by your heating professional. Heating and cooling technology has advanced considerably in the last few years with the national focus on energy efficiency driving significant improvements in furnace and air conditioning materials and construction. Today’s energy efficient furnaces and air conditioners are 96% efficient compared to older furnaces that were only 70% efficient when they were new. New energy-efficient furnaces and air conditioners are also eligible for federal tax credits.
The best way to bring down utility bills is to use energy-efficient appliances, but there are a few simple things you can do to start saving energy – and money -- today:
- Turn your thermostat down to 68 degrees during the day and 60 to 65 degrees at night. Every degree under 70 can save you 10% on the electric portion of your heating bill.
- Turn your thermostat down whenever you leave your home. Installing an energy efficient programmable thermostat makes it easy to save energy when you’re not home.
- Use portable heaters sparingly; they’re tremendous energy guzzlers. It can cost you $149 a month to run a 1500-watt heater full time.
- Have your heating professional test your air ducts for leaks. Repairing leaky ducts can save you up to a third on heating and cooling bills.
- Turning your water heater down to 120 degrees can save you up to $85 a year. Installing an energy-efficient water heater will save you even more.
Start saving money today with energy-efficient equipment! Schedule a FREE estimate on all installation projects.