Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Fri, Aug 13, 2010
Northern Ohio is Becoming a Mecca for Green Energy Initiatives
Less than 10% of America’s energy needs are supplied by renewable resources, but a growing number of Lorain County heating, cooling and plumbing professionals, home builders, individual residents and newly-minted alternative energy companies are working to increase that figure. Northern Ohio is becoming a Mecca for the state’s green energy initiatives. A solar cell power grid is replacing corn in farm fields near Upper Sandusky. Wind turbines are rising along Lake Erie’s shores to catch the winds crossing the lake. The state’s energy-efficient appliance rebate program has encouraged countless Lorain County residents to invest in Energy Star air conditioners and furnaces, heat pumps and solar-powered water heaters.
A Green House has Sprouted at the Ohio State Fair
Showcasing many of the new energy-efficient technologies and products now available to Lorain County residents, a “green” house has sprouted at this year’s Ohio State Fair in Columbus. Constructed from 21-inch thick earthen blocks that provide natural insulation, the home was designed to minimize heating and cooling requirements. Solar panels adorn the building’s roof to provide electricity. A radiant heat system was built into the floor to keep the home warm in winter while reducing furnace use. And those are just a few of the fascinating technologies on display at the green house.
After the fair, the green house is slated to become a permanent site fixture on the fairgrounds that will be used to promote renewable energy sources and eco-friendly products. In its current demonstration mode (some wall and floor areas have been exposed to reveal the energy-saving technology behind them) the home may not be move-in ready, but add few energy-efficient appliances like an Energy Star air conditioner and a solar-powered hot water heater and it could create a cozy home for a Lorain County family.
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Tue, Jun 29, 2010
Just think, if you had an energy-efficient geothermal heat pump with a waste recovery unit installed in your Lorain County home, not only would you be saving big bucks on your energy bills, you’d be enjoying FREE hot water all summer long. No more waiting for the dishwasher to finish cycling before you hop in the shower or worrying about how many showers your grooming-conscious teens are taking. Connecting a waste recovery unit to your geothermal heat pump ensures plenty of hot water for the whole family this summer -- and it won’t cost you a dime!
How A Geothermal Heat Pump Can Save Money
Geothermal heat pumps tap into the Earth’s natural temperature regulating capabilities to keep your home warm in winter and cool in summer. Geothermal heat pumps offer savvy Lorain County consumers real cost savings on their energy bills. Properly installed by your Lorain County plumbing, heating and air conditioner professional, a geothermal heat pump can save Lorain County homeowners from 50% to 70% on winter heating bills and up to 40% on summer air conditioning costs. Plus, purchase and installation of a geothermal heat pump this year qualifies for Federal Stimulus Tax Credits which could save you a nice chunk of change on your income taxes. The geothermal tax credit is available through December 31, 2016 and provides a 30% income tax credit on installed costs with no maximum limit.
Geothermal heat pumps capitalize on the ground’s natural ability to conserve energy. At a dept of 30 feet, ground water maintains a constant temperature throughout the year. The units work by transferring heat and cold between your home and the ground via a piped water system. In the summer, a by-product of that heat transfer is plenty of nice, hot water, free for the taking when you have a geothermal heat pump!
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Tue, Jun 08, 2010
Lorain County home improvement stores are showcasing supplies for summer projects, and homeowners have started to make to-do lists. With the cost of energy going up each year, it just makes sense to add increasing the energy efficiency of your Lorain County home to your summer to-do list. Reducing your home’s energy consumption will not only reduce your family’s carbon footprint (good for the environment), it will decrease your monthly utility bills (good for your family budget).
There are many home comfort appliances on the market today that are built to minimize energy use while maximizing energy output. Federal income tax rebates and Ohio appliance clunker programs make this an excellent year to upgrade old energy-guzzling appliances with new energy-efficient models. Consider the energy-efficient options below, then call your Lorain County plumbing, heating and air conditioning expert to schedule a free installation estimate. Knowledgeable Raymond professionals can discuss your family’s energy needs and recommend energy-efficient appliances that will reduce energy use while improving home comfort.
- Energy-efficient central air conditioners use eco-safe Puron refrigerant that won’t damage the ozone. Carrier’s two-speed air conditioners save 50% energy by running on low speed 80% of the time. The high-speed cycle is used only to bring your Lorain County home down to a comfortable temperature. Superior air circulation eliminates hot spots, providing even cooling throughout your home.
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Enter Raymond’s Facebook contest to win a FREE A/C Performance Check to keep your current A/C system running smoothly. While he’s there, ask your Raymond A/C professional to evaluate your cooling system and recommend energy-efficient improvements.
- Heat pumps harness the Earth’s natural temperature regulating ability to maintain a comfortable, even temperature in your home year round.
- Geothermal heat pumps provide free hot water all summer while improving heating and cooling comfort.
- Programmable thermostats save energy by cooling your house only when you’re home.
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Mon, May 10, 2010
The Pacific Ocean to Air Condition the City of Honolulu
Thousands of miles from Lorain County the State of Hawaii is attempting to harness sea water from the Pacific Ocean to air condition the city of Honolulu. Hawaii hopes to cut grid power consumption by 77 million kilowatt hours per year in a city that requires 14 megawatts of power to meet power needs when air conditioners are running at peak capacity and the temperature is climbing past 90 degrees.
Ever-Green Energy is providing the state-of-the-art technology that will drive Hawaii’s new, green air conditioning system. In addition to providing cooling power, the eco-friendly system will reduce sewage from air conditioner cooling towers by 84 million gallons annually and eliminate demand for up to 69,000 pounds of chemicals used in conventional A/C units. The technology being installed in Hawaii will work much like the heat pumps used to heat and cool Lorain County homes. Pipes will bring cold sea water from the ocean depths to onshore cooling stations where heat exchangers will transfer the cold from the 45-degree sea water to fresh water. A closed-loop system will circulate the now cold fresh water through office buildings and hotels in the city. The warmed ocean water will be returned not to its original depth but to a depth that normally shares its warmer temperature to prevent upset to sea life and the ocean environment.
Will Lake Erie Air Condition Lorain County Someday?
Lorain County may not require the same kind of air conditioning power as Honolulu, but northern Ohio residents can certainly identify with the desire to stay cool when temperatures and humidity make life unbearably uncomfortable. If Hawaii’s new air conditioning experiment works, it could lead to similar installations in U.S. coastal cities and even in Lorain County. The technology is popular in Europe and is already in operation on a small lake in Cornell, NY. Until then, Energy Star air conditioners and annual A/C performance checks will keep Lorain County folks cool.
FREE A/C Performance Check
Have you signed-up for a chance to win a FREE A/C Performance Check? If not, Sign-up now! We know how important it is to have your annual air conditioner preformance check so that is why we are giving away 2 for FREE each month!
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Fri, May 07, 2010
Heat pumps may be the new kid on the energy-efficient block and less well-known to the average Lorain County homeowner, but the savings they offer is finally getting heat pumps the attention they deserve. Heat pumps use either the earth under your home or an underground water source to absorb and dissipate heat. They work by continuously circulating water or refrigerant from a heat pump located inside your home through underground pipes, taking advantage of the fairly consistent ground temperature below the frost line to transfer energy. The liquid in the pipes absorbs heat from your home in the summer and cold in the winter. As the liquid circulates underground, that energy is released, cooling the liquid in summer and warming it in winter. When the liquid returns to the heat pump in your home, that energy is released again, cooling your home in summer and warming it in winter.
Heat pumps increase the heating and cooling efficiency of your Lorain County home. Cold and hot spots are eliminated, humidity levels are decreased and your home stays more comfortable all year round. Because heat pumps use less energy to maintain an even temperature in your home, you save money on your utility bills, a double bonus!
Geothermal heat pumps are the greenest heating and cooling technology available to Lorain County homeowners. They do not burn fossil fuels so do not add to air pollution, greenhouse gases or acid rain. With no outdoor components, heat pumps also decrease noise pollution. When you install a heat pump, you and your neighbors won’t hear any more noisy recycling whines like you do from traditional air conditioners.
With federal tax credits and Ohio energy rebates available, this is an excellent time to consider adding an energy-efficient heat pump to your Lorain County home. Heat pumps 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 Fri, Apr 23, 2010
Decrease the Amount of Energy You Use to Protect Our Planet
If they have done anything, this winter’s bizarre winter storms have placed new emphasis on our need to protect our planet. Climatologists tell us the unusual storm patterns that have dumped record snowfalls on the East Coast, sent the temperature plummeting in Lorain County, turned California into a mud bath and forced usually snowy Vancouver to import snow for the Olympics are all signs of global warming. What’s more, we can expect fiercer storms and weird weather patterns to continue into spring and fall and, in fact, become the norm. Everything each of us can do to decrease the amount of energy we use and limit the harmful chemicals released into the atmosphere helps to relieve environmental stress and protect our planet.
Install Eco-Friendly Appliances and Make a Difference
Individuals can make a difference by choosing to have their Lorain County heating, cooling and plumbing professional install eco-friendly appliances in their homes. Some of the eco-friendly choices you can make to protect the environment include:
- Install an energy-efficient gas furnace to heat your home.
- Use an energy-efficient Puron air conditioner to cool your home. The next generation A/C refrigerant, Puron doesn’t release harmful ozone-depleting fluorocarbons into the atmosphere like Freon does.
- Consider using an eco-friendly heat pump to boost heating and air conditioning power by harnessing the Earth’s natural ability to regulate heat.
- Install an energy-efficient programmable thermostat to automatically reduce furnace or air conditioning use when you aren’t home.
- Make use of geo-thermal water heaters to harness the Earth’s heat to provide unlimited free hot water for your entire home.
Best of all, when you have your Lorain County plumbing, heating or air conditioning professional install certain energy-efficient appliances in your home this year, they may qualify for the federal government’s tax credit program which will save you money on your 2010 income taxes. Geothermal tax credits for heat pumps and heat pump water heaters continue through 2016.
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Fri, Apr 16, 2010
You snooze; you lose. Ohio’s Cash for Clunkers appliance rebate program is already running out of cash. Lorain County residents who want to cash in on their purchase of qualifying Energy Star home appliances had better hurry. Ohioans have already reserved 66,291 rebates and redeemed half of them. Of the $11 million set aside for the rebate program, only $2.3 million are left. Energy Star dishwasher, refrigerator and clothes washer rebates are nearly gone. About half of the $100 rebates available for high-efficiency gas storage water heaters half of the $250 electric heat-pump water heater rebates remain unclaimed. To cash in on the Ohio appliance rebate program, residents must reserve their rebate by calling 1-888-686-8896 or logging onto www.OhioApplianceRebate.com.
The Ohio rebate is just one of several programs offered in 2009 and 2010 to encourage people to retire their energy-guzzling appliances and buy energy-smart models. Last year the federal government rolled out the Federal Stimulus Tax Credit program that provides tax credit for energy-efficient home improvements. There are a few things Lorain County residents should about tax credits before filling out your income tax forms.
There are two types of tax credits:
- Refundable credits can result in a tax refund even if you pay little or no tax.
- Non-refundable credits lower your tax bill but never below zero.
The federal tax credits that apply to the purchase and installation of energy-efficient appliances are non-refundable tax credits. If you had a qualifying Energy Star central air conditioner, gas furnace or heat pump installed in 2009 or 2010 (2012 for heat pumps), you can claim a 30% tax credit up to $1500. You may also be eligible for additional energy credits related to other home improvements. This tax credit can reduce your tax liability, perhaps even down to 0, but cannot result in a tax refund. Consult your accountant for details.
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Wed, Mar 31, 2010
Available Funds Could be Gone Much Sooner Than Originally Anticipated
The Ohio Cash for Clunker Appliances rebate program is such a hit with Ohio residents that the rebate website was overwhelmed by traffic on Friday, March 26, the program’s opening day. Apparently a lot of Ohio residents stayed up late last Thursday night so they could log onto the appliance rebate website as soon as it opened at 12:01 a.m. Friday. Traffic was so heavy that it took some residents hours to log onto the site, and many didn’t get in until sometime Saturday or Sunday. One Ohio man spent 1 1/2 hours continually refreshing his screen before he was able to access the rebate program website and apply for his energy-efficient appliance rebate.
When the $11 Million is Gone, the Rebate Program will End
What’s the rush? Ohio has set aside $11 million for its first-come, first-served energy-efficient appliance rebate program. When the money is gone, the program will end. Lorain County residents who want to take advantage of the program aren’t taking any chances on being left out. Ohio is offering $100 rebates on the purchase and installation of Energy Star rated high-efficiency gas water heaters and $250 rebates on Energy Star rated electric heat pumps and water heaters, in addition to other energy-efficient appliances. State officials originally thought rebate funds would last 6 to 8 weeks, but initial response has exceeded their expectations and available funds could be depleted much sooner.
Dont't Delay! Take Advantage to the Rebate Program Immediately Before the Rebate Deadline
Lorain County residents who want to take advantage of the Ohio energy-efficient appliance rebate program are urged to register for their rebate immediately. Registration is required and can be accomplished by phoning 1-888-686-8896 or logging onto www.OhioApplianceRebate.com. Residents have three days after registering to purchase a qualifying Energy Star appliance. Raymond Plumbing is already scheduling installation appointments to help Lorain County residents meet rebate deadlines. Call today so you don’t miss out!
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 Thu, Mar 04, 2010
Ohio Cash for Clunkers Starts March 26
Taking a page from the popular federal Cash for Clunkers auto program, Ohio has unveiled its own Cash for Clunker Appliances program. Starting at the end of the month, Lorain County residents can earn rebates when they purchase Energy Star-rated water heaters, heat pumps and other specified energy-efficient appliances. Ranging from $100 for high-efficiency gas water heaters to $250 for electric heat pumps and water heaters, the rebates are being offered to encourage Ohioans to replace energy-guzzling appliances with energy-efficient models and recycle their old appliances. The rebate program starts March 26 and will continue until the $11 million available to fund the program are gone.
Here's how the program works:
- Starting in early March, Lorain County residents can reserve their rebate either online at www.OhioApplianceRebate.com or by calling 1-888-686-8896.
- Lorain County consumers will have three days after registering to purchase a new Energy Star rated appliance.
- To receive their rebate, Lorain County consumers must send their purchase receipt and verification that their old appliance has been recycled to the program's rebate administrator, Parago Inc. of Texas.
Rebate Funds May Not Last Long - Don't Miss Out on Ohio's Cash for Clunkers
The recycling of old energy-guzzling appliances is an important component of Ohio's rebate program. Proof of recycling is required to receive the Ohio rebate. Some appliance suppliers and installers (like Raymond Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning in Lorain County) will remove and recycle your old appliance when they install new energy-efficient appliances. Otherwise, look for appliance recycling programs at local utility companies and community recycling centers.
Demand for Ohio's energy-efficient appliance rebate program is expected to be high. Officials estimate that rebate funds may only last 6 to 8 weeks. Lorain County residents who don't want to miss out on Ohio's Cash for Clunker Appliances rebate offer are urged to contact Raymond today to schedule purchase and installation of a new energy-efficient water heater or heat pump as soon as the rebate program ramps up in March.