Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Wed, Nov 02, 2011
The heating unit in your home whether gas fired, oil fired, radiant or forced air can use some help from you in its job. You may not visit your attic much, but how is the insulation in the rafters doing? Has it fallen down in some places? If so, putting it back up can help reduce the heat your home loses. Remember heat rises and it will rise straight through your roof if the insulation is down.
Proper Insulation can be a Friend to Your Furnace
Then there is the age of your insulation to consider. How long has it been in your home? There have been many advancements recently to keep your warmed air in for as long as possible. The “R” factor of insulation has been increasing and an upgrade may help your heater to work less in the cooler months. It isn’t always thought of as such but proper insulation can also be a friend to your air conditioning unit in the summer.
Make Sure Your Windows and Doors are Sealed to Help Your Heating Bill
Sealing up cracks and other spaces in your outside siding and cement walls is another chore that can keep those heating bills down. Make sure your storm windows are airtight and don’t forget to have them drawn down. Making sure that gaps around windows and doors are sealed with the appropriate type of caulk can also help with your heating and air conditioning bills.
Schedule a Heating Peformance Check Today
Something else you can do for your heater is to have its performance checked by a Lorain County plumbing and heating professional. This check up can rate the performance of your heater and make recommendations on how to improve its efficiency. Schedule a heating performance check now>>>
A yearly service contract is also available and you can have the entire unit checked and cleaned to make the heating of your home much easier for the heater. Less energy consumed is more money in your wallet.
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Fri, Oct 28, 2011
The average Ohio consumer is looking for ways to reduce their outflow of cash in this sluggish economy. A homeowner who has purchased a new heating system in the past five years may believe that there isn’t any way a new system could reduce their energy costs.
That is probably the case especially if they had done their homework and purchased an Energy Star rated furnace. While it may not be necessary to run out and purchase a new unit yet it doesn’t necessarily mean that there is nothing that this particular consumer can due to reduce energy cost.
$20 Off Heating Performance Check When You Schedule Online
Even if your unit is new is still makes sense to have a heating performance check conducted by an experienced Lorain County HVAC professional though. The Lorain County heating and air conditioning contractor not only checks the furnace for efficiency, they also look at any emissions that may be escaping into your home.
A Performance Check for Any System is a Good Idea
The filter may need replacing and the unit itself will be cleaned. The system will be checked for any carbon monoxide emissions and gas leaks. These sophisticated pieces of equipment have safety devices installed which will be thoroughly evaluated during the performance check. Any possibility of the need for repair will be reported and your HVAC contractor will suggest the most appropriate plan of action for repair.
The educated consumer may be feeling that all the work they put into buying a highly efficient heater means that project is over with and can be ignored for years. This is not necessarily so, as efficiency is an every year battle with energy prices on the rise. The added need to be sure the safety measures that are a part of this unit makes an annual heating performance check a very sensible and necessary expense. Click here to Schedule Heating Performance Check Now!
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Thu, Oct 27, 2011
How Will You Reduce Your Winter Energy Expenditures?
Many Lorain County residents are getting ready for the winter. It’s going to be cold for sure with the temperature on some days dipping down close to zero. With that in mind some of us may be a little too focused in one area when thinking of how to reduce our winter energy expenditures. We may go into the basement and look over the heater and decide to replace the filter and clean up parts we can reach
Schedule a Heating Performance Check
You concentrate on how you heat your home but what about that other heating enterprise you are involved in, heating your water? The Lorain County HVAC contractor is available to do a heater performance check for you that will include more than the quick filter replacement and brushing of some dust off the unit. They will check for gas leaks and give the unit a thorough once over and report on its performance, making any recommendations that can improve its efficiency.
They also can look around and check on another major energy user - your hot water heater. The replacement of this unit may be something you and your tunnel vision have missed. That will not happen with a plumbing and heating professional. It is too often that the first time someone asks a professional to look at the water heater is when there is no hot water and the unit is in the process of flooding the basement.
Your Lorain County plumbing and heating professional can advise you on what ways you can improve the hot water heater’s performance. If it is an older unit they can recommend and install a highly efficient Energy Star rated unit that uses renewable energy and that may qualify for a rebate from Edison of Ohio.
Do you have tunnel vision? Make sure to have your furnace checked with the pending seasonal change. You might be able to save even more on your utility bills by having an experienced HVAC pro examine your water heater while they are there to service your furnace. Schedule heating performance check online now and save $20.
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Fri, Oct 14, 2011
When your car has been using more and more gas for no particular reason, you start to think when was last time I had this car in for a tune up? The difference between your car and your heater is you can notice the car using too much gas on a weekly basis. But since you haven’t used the heater all summer there is no way to be sure it will be using more fuel than the last time you had it on. Your heating system could also be in need of a tune up.
Schedule a Heating Performance Check Online and Save $20
You can schedule a heating performance check with one of our pros and he will give your system a complete run through and deliver a report on your systems status. The appointment can be scheduled online and if you act quickly you will receive $ 20.00 off the regular price. Our HVAC contractor will clean or replace your filter and check all the mechanical systems from thermostat to the blower to ensure that your unit is prepared to perform.
$40 Off Comfort Performance Maintenance Plans
Or you can use the coupon available online to have a yearly maintenance check for both your heating and air conditioning systems. The normal price is being trimmed down by $40 right now for those who visit our website. This plan offers two visits a year to perform maintenance on your current units so you can be assured that they will be in top shape for the season ahead. The Lorain County HVAC pros will contact you to schedule the appointments for these checkups.
There are rebates available through First Energy of Ohio for heating and air conditioning tune ups. If you replace one of these systems for a more efficient one, federal tax credits and manufacturer rebates may also be available to help you offset the cost. A new, more efficient Carrier system is being offered right now at an incredible $1,250 reduction.
Information for all these offers and services is available on the Raymond Plumbing website. It has never been more convenient or economical to get your heater or air conditioner tuned up, repaired or replaced.
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Tue, Sep 20, 2011
Time to Schedule a Heating Performance Check
The summer is over and the much cooler and more comfortable temperatures of autumn are just about here. Lorain County residents can put this time of year to good use by getting a heating safety performance check from a local Lorain County HVAC contractor.
A heating check includes cleaning and replacing the air filter as needed, checking the thermostat and ensuring that the fan switch is in good working order. The thermostat is especially important as bad performance can waste you money.
You may want to consider replacing your current thermostat with a new, programmable thermostat for added savings. Your Lorain County HVAC contractor can provide you with information regarding the most appropriate thermostat for your needs as well as any available rebates for upgrading.
The blower motor of your heater will be checked and lubricated and the blower wheel will be cleaned if necessary as part of the performance check. The HVAC technician will measure the furnace temperature rise and, if its gas fired, check for leaks. If you have a humidifier attached it will be checked, and if you do not you can have one added. They will run the furnace through a complete cycle and then make a detailed report of their findings for your review. Want to know more about what happens at a heating peformance check? Watch video!
The temperature in Lorain County will begin to drop quickly as winter approaches. You certainly don’t want to wait until the last minute to have your unit evaluated in order to ensure that it is working properly. Having your heating check performed will ensure a comfortable home when the cold Ohio winter arrives and could ultimately save you money on your monthly utility bill. Your Lorain county plumbing and heating contractor can discuss all the available rebates and potential savings with HVAC service or upgrades. Schedule a heating performance check online now and get $20 off!
picture credit: Serendigity
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Wed, Aug 24, 2011
Programmable Thermostats Can Save You Money All Year
When looking to save money on energy costs most people begin by looking at price of more efficient heaters and air conditioners. One device that can be overlooked is the thermostat. A poorly functioning thermostat can be a real culprit in sabotaging your attempts to save money in both the summer and winter.
Reduce Your Energy Expense from 15 to 30 Percent with a Programmable Theromostat
When looking at your HVAC system and what you can do to reduce your cost, consider a programmable thermostat. These devices can be used to reduce your energy expense by anywhere from 15 to 30 percent or more. There are many options available in programmable thermostats and a Lorain county HVAC contractor would be glad to go over what features would be best for your home.
Programmable thermostats can be set for weekday use and then be set to change for your weekend use. Some of these thermostats actually can “learn” how your energy levels are different from what has been programmed in and adjust the settings. Most have an easy override button if you are faced with extreme changes in weather and want more heat or air conditioning for a day or so.
Now some of these devices can be adjusted when you are not even home. Computer programs or even a smart phone application can allow you to adjust the temperature in your home from virtually any location. The differences and extra features that are available will be information your experienced HVAC contractor can readily provide.
It may be that your current system isn’t really in need of an upgrade or repair to make a difference in your energy consumption. The programmable thermostats that are getting smarter all the time may be your best and least expensive way to control your home’s energy cost.
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Wed, Jun 08, 2011
Work will begin shortly on a $125,000+ upgrade to the City Justice Center just a few counties over in Ashtabula. The Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council will fund the lion’s share of the bill through a $120,000 grant and the remaining $6,000 will be funded with a maintenance account.
The project will provide a completely new and energy-efficient 
heating, ventilation and air conditioning system. The much needed upgrade to the old HVAC system will create a healthier and more comfortable environment for employees and will cost far less for the city to operate and maintain.
You can reap the very same benefits of increased comforts and reduced costs by upgrading to a more energy-efficient HVAC system in your Lorain County home. You probably won’t get the benefit of a grant that will cover nearly the entire cost of your new HVAC system, but you will likely be eligible for tax credits that will help offset the cost. If you act soon and the system that you choose for your home qualifies you could receive a government tax credit of up to $500 for upgrading the HVAC equipment in your Lorain County home.
Schedule an appointment with a licensed Lorain County HVAC professional in order to see what HVAC equipment options would best suit your family’s needs. Your Lorain County HVAC professional will be able to show you a number of different heating and cooling options that will make your home more efficient and save you money on your utility bill.
If your HVAC system is older than ten years old, you are most likely wasting money every month on your utility bill. Contact a HVAC professional so you can start saving energy and saving money today.
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Thu, Apr 28, 2011
The heating and air conditioning systems in your Lorain County home are critical to your family’s comfort throughout the year. Without the proper attention, your furnace or central air unit could end up requiring expensive emergency repair services at the worst possible time. The last thing that you need is to be without a cooling system, when the temperatures are hovering close to one hundred degrees or without heat when the temperatures dip below freezing.
Your home heating and cooling systems are under additional stress when the weather is at its most extreme. If you’ve failed to schedule regular maintenance services with a Lorain county heating and cooling expert there is a very good chance that your units will fail when they have been pushed to their limits. The best way to keep your heating and cooling systems working at an optimal level is through regularly scheduled maintenance checks from a licensed Lorain County HVAC professional.
By having your heating and cooling systems inspected annually you can identify potential problems early on and have them tended to before they become major issues. Routine maintenance performed by an experienced heating and cooling professional can keep your units running as efficiently as possible and dramatically extend the life of your HVAC equipment.
It’s also important that you don’t wait to call a licensed Lorain County heating and cooling professional when you do sense a problem with your equipment. Ignoring a problem with your heating or cooling system will certainly not make it go away and could result in the need for extensive repair or replacement.
Raymond Plumbing offers residential maintenance contracts designed to help you keep the essential equipment in your Lorain County home operating as efficiently as possible. Relying on a professional to maintain and repair your HVAC equipment will save you money by extending the life of your equipment and will ensure that your Lorain County home is comfortable all year long.
Summer is Almost Here! Schedule online here for $20-off your air conditioning performance check.
Picture Credit: US Fish & Wildlife Service - Recovery Act Team
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Tue, Mar 29, 2011
When you go outdoors during winter in Lorain County, you expect to battle freezing cold and stiff winds. But when you come indoors, you expect your home to be warm and toasty. A blast of cold air against your neck when you’re watching television in the family room or a toe-numbing draught of cold air rolling across the floor when you’re having your morning coffee in the kitchen are decidedly unwelcome.
All houses breathe. A healthy house exchanges about 33% of its recirculating indoor air for fresh outdoor air every hour. It’s a necessary air exchange that cleanses the air inside your home, expelling mold, dust, allergens and other airborne pollutants. Without that air exchange, your Lorain County home can get 
“sick.” A few years ago, new technologies allowed builders to construct homes that were nearly 100% air-tight. As expected, these homes showed admirable energy-efficiency. However, it wasn’t long before the people living and working in these air-tight buildings began complaining that they felt sick all the time. Investigators eventually tracked the cause to over-zealous weather-proofing. While air-tight homes trapped energy and prevented it from escaping, they also trapped allergens, pollutants, mold spores and flu and cold germs and kept them recirculating inside the building. The result was a very unhealthy atmosphere that made inhabitants sick.
Today, energy-efficient homes are built to allow for necessary, healthy air exchange. That being said, strong drafts exchange too much air, significantly decreasing the energy efficiency of your home and causing your energy bills to soar. A professional home energy audit will pinpoint air leaks and their sources and provide information about making corrections. It’s a smart idea to schedule an energy audit if you want to improve the energy efficiency of your home. An audit will indicate which home improvements will provide maximum value for your investment and should provide information on government and manufacturer rebates that can decrease the cost of home improvements.
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Fri, Mar 18, 2011
You can buy a top-of-the-line, energy-efficient furnace or air conditioner and be disappointed in its performance if it is not correctly sized for your home by a Lorain County HVAC professional. A furnace or air conditioner that is too small for your home will run constantly yet never bring your home to a comfortable temperature. A unit that is too large will continuously cycle on and off, wasting energy (and money) and resulting in uneven heating or cooling. A trained and experienced Lorain County heating and air conditioning contractor will use the square footage and layout of your home, in addition to your family’s specific home comfort needs, to determine the correct size furnace or air conditioner required to efficiently heat or cool your home. HVAC professionals can also inspect ductwork, registers and cold-air returns to make sure they are conf
igured for optimum heating and cooling.
A ductwork inspection is particularly important in older homes that may still employ ductwork installed decades ago when gravity-fed furnaces were used. Modern forced-air furnaces employ a different heat distribution system and will not heat a home properly when paired with gravity ductwork. In addition to correctly sizing HVAC equipment to properly heat or cool your home, your Lorain County heating and cooling expert can recommend energy-efficient furnaces and air conditioners that will reduce energy consumption, protect the environment by generating fewer harmful emissions and save you money on your monthly utility bills. Lorain County homeowners may also be eligible for a federal tax credit or Columbia Gas rebate if you purchase and install energy-efficient HVAC equipment this year. For complete information, visit the Raymond Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning website today or talk to your friendly Raymond HVAC professional.
picture credit-jnHighland
