Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Fri, Feb 19, 2010
The recent article “Sensitive Precautions on Residential Project” in the Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration News 2010 edition of Refrigeration Zone highlights an important approach to building chemical free homes. In particular the difficulty of finding home building products and contractors that can face the challenges.
Contractors are constantly facing new demands regarding energy-efficiency. This particular home needed to be “chemical free” because one of the homeowners has acute chemical sensitivity. This meant that special precautions needed to be taken concerning the HVAC equipment chosen and how it was installed. What I found interesting is that something as simple as finding chemical-free wallboard becomes difficult when there is not a suitable replacement.
The approach of the general contractor to involve multiple layers of experts had to be a task within itself. This had to add layers to the building process that had to be checked and rechecked. Then to make sure every subcontractor followed the guidelines was an accomplishment in itself.
But answer this: Do these people ever go outside their home? How do you accommodate this type of guest in your home or business?
Read full article here.
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Fri, Jun 26, 2009
When the temperature outside begins to climb, many people seek the cool comfort of indoor air conditioning. But A/C does more than just cool your home and improve your comfort.
Here’s what A/C can do besides just cooling your home:
Keep you safe. Without air conditioning, you are more likely to open your windows for air circulation. Leaving your windows open for a long period of time allows easy access to your home and can become a security threat.
Even second floor windows, left open all day can be a risk. And not just from theft, but from animals too. After the first time a squirrel comes in through your window, you’ll want to keep it shut.
Air Conditioning works best when the windows are closed and therefore provides protection to help keep your family and home safe.
Improve air quality. Fresh air is nice, but it also circulates allergens, viruses and bacteria through your home. All of these substances can impact your health and make breathing harder and affect your quality of life. Air Conditioning can help eliminate these triggers and keep you healthy all summer long. No need to use more allergy medicine than you have to.
Help you sleep. Getting a full night of restful sleep, without interruption, allows your immune system to work at its best. While temperature isn’t the only factor in your sleep habits, it’s definitely a key one. Air conditioning will keep your comfort level perfect, so you won’t toss and turn all night.
Be efficient. Centralized units are the most effective way to deliver cool air to all parts of your home. The cool air travels a direct route through the air ducts and vents into individual rooms and hallways. In addition to the superior efficiency, central A/C makes less noise inside than window A/C units.
There are many factors that can affect what type of air conditioner you will want. Everybody's home is different. A qualified Raymond technician can evaluate your home to determine what type of system is best for you. If you have additional questions or are in need of a professional plumbing, heating or cooling services, contact us.
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Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Mon, May 11, 2009
Save big on purchases this year! Here's answers on how you can save up to $1,500 in Tax Credits.
Can a homeowner claim $1500 in tax credits for improvements made in 2009 and
again for improvements made in 2010?
No. Taxpayers may be eligible for a total of $1500 in tax credits for qualifying HVAC
improvements made in the combined two year period of 2009 and 2010.
Can a homeowner claim the entire $1500 credit for the installation of one
appliance?
Yes. A homeowner may use the entire $1500 tax credit for installing a single qualified
appliance, such as a qualified furnace, air conditioner or heat pump, if the install cost is
at least $5000. If a homeowner replaced multiple appliances at the primary residence
(i.e. two air conditioning systems, etc), the maximum credit would still be $1500.
What happens if the consumer's purchase is not large enough to qualify for the
maximum credit of $1500? Is the remaining credit still available for future
purchases?
The homeowner can claim the remaining available tax credit if he/she purchases
additional qualified improvements for installation before December 31, 2010. Any single
qualifying installation that costs more than $5000 will reach the $1500 tax credit limit.
Does the tax credit apply to the cost of the equipment only or does the cost of
installation labor qualify for the credit too?
The tax credit applies to the installed costs of the qualified equipment, which includes
labor costs properly allocable to the installation of the qualifying equipment.
How will a taxpayer claim the credit and receive their money?
In the past, the IRS has directed taxpayers to use Form 5695 Version 2009 (expected to
be available towards the end of 2009), Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit.
Taxpayers are not required to file anything more than the form, but are instructed to
keep records of their installation.
What's the difference between a tax credit and a tax deduction?
A tax credit is a direct reduction of the taxpayers' tax liability. A tax deduction is a
reduction of a taxpayer's taxable income, on which the tax liability is calculated. Tax
credits provide a greater benefit to a taxpayer.
What if the homeowners already claimed $500 in tax credits in 2006 or 2007?
The "lifetime caps" that used to be in place have been removed. Any previous claims for
equipment installed before 2009 do not count against the current $1500 tax credit limit.
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.
Can a small business that operates out of a townhouse and installs residential
equipment in a commercial setting claim the credit?
No. The tax credit may only be claimed by taxpayers on their personal income taxes for
improvements to their primary residence.
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, but the homeowner may only claim $1500 in total for all
improvements (except geothermal, for which there is no cap).
Do water heaters qualify?
Yes, if they have .82 energy factor or 90% thermal efficiency. Qualifying models are typically instanous models.
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Wed, May 06, 2009
If you’re aware of the recently signed U.S. Department of Energy’s Recovery Act and Stimulus Package, then you might be wondering, what does this mean for me?
Well, to put it simply, it means that you, as a taxpayer, can receive tax credits for your home and business expenses in 2009-2010. The tax section of the act provides greater tax credits for clean energy projects for homes and businesses.
For homeowners, you can receive tax credits up to $1,500 to help offset the costs of certain qualified energy property. Qualified spending includes various models of Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) equipment. Products meeting the requirements will be eligible for a tax credit equal to 30% of installed cost to a maximum $1,500 tax credit.
The act also provides Geothermal credits up to 30% of the installed cost on equipment, installation labor, loop material and loop labor in the year the system is placed into service. The geothermal credit has a longer term, from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2016.
Stay tuned for our Tax Credit Frequently Asked Questions blog! Please leave your questions below.