Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Wed, Dec 30, 2009
Save Energy and Reduce Your Personal Carbon Footprint
The recent Copenhagen climate summit (see our previous post) was all about reducing worldwide carbon emissions, in effect, finding ways to reduce the planet’s carbon footprint. On a global scale, squabbling between nations at Copenhagen showed how difficult it will be to manage our carbon footprint on a global scale. Perhaps global change will come one individual at a time. While governments bicker over politics, individual Lorain County residents can take immediate steps to save energy and reduce their personal carbon footprint. It may be a small step, but all those small steps will add up.
So What is Your Carbon Footprint?
Your personal carbon footprint is a measure of the impact your life has on your environment. Your carbon footprint is the approximate measure of the amount of greenhouse gasses, particularly carbon dioxide, that are created as you go about your daily life. We’re not talking just the obvious things like how much CO2 is created from the gasoline you burn while driving your car around Lorain County or the amount of CO2 vented into the atmosphere from heating your Lorain County home. We’re also talking about indirect emissions, the carbon dioxide created to produce the food you eat, the clothes you wear, the electricity you use, etc. Nearly everything we use creates some amount of carbon dioxide that contributes to global warming. Click here to calculate your personal carbon footprint.
There are many things Lorain County residents can easily do to save energy and reduce their personal carbon footprint. Turning off lights when not in use and turning down your thermostat a degree or two will begin to decrease your carbon foot print immediately. Installing energy-efficient Energy Star appliances, particularly energy-saving furnaces and air conditioners will reap huge rewards in carbon savings.
Next time: Ways to reduce your carbon footprint
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Mon, Dec 28, 2009
Save 15% on Home Heating Costs with a Programmable Thermostat
Now that the holiday is over, buy yourself a practical gift that you will truly enjoy and actually use. A programmable thermostat will allow you to automatically control the temperature in your home and you will be thrilled when you get your next fuel bill. Programmable thermostats have been shown to dramatically increase the energy efficient use of heating and cooling systems and decrease fuel use. Properly programmed, programmable thermostats can save Lorain County homeowners as much as 15% on their home heating costs.
Programmable thermostats allow you to easily pre-program temperature settings to match your Lorain County home heating needs. Program the thermostat for a slightly higher temperature to ensure comfortable warmth during the day, then set it for a cooler temperature while you’re sleeping under your toasty blankets at night. Most programmable thermostats allow for four or more timed temperature settings per day and different settings for weekdays and weekends. This allows you to adjust your home’s temperature up or down automatically to coincide with your daily activities. For example, program the thermostat for 70 degrees about a half hour before you wake up so your home is nice and toasty while you’re getting dressed. Set the temperature for 65 degrees while you’re at work, then back up to 70 about a half hour before you typically arrive home. Lower the temperature again at night while you’re asleep. By heating your home only when you need to, you decrease fuel use which saves you money.
Your Lorain County heating and cooling professional can help you choose a programmable thermostat and install it in your home.
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Wed, Dec 23, 2009
While the recently ended 15th Annual United Nations Climate Change Conference, or COP15, did not produce the definitive plan of action to combat global warming that many had hoped for, most analysts agree that it was not the abject failure some would paint it. Considering the politics, economic issues and developmental differences of the 193 nations involved, it seems a herculean task to get such a divergent group to agree on anything. Differences between the big and small, developed and emerging, economic haves and have nots created considerable strife regarding who bears responsibility for global warming problem and who should shoulder the cost to stop it. In the end the agreement reached is unbinding, relying more on the internal efforts of individual nations than on a global plan.
Brokered by President Obama in the final hours of the summit, the agreement requires nations who join the accord to pledge long-term reductions in carbon emissions by the end of January 2010. Forest protection and a massive financial aid package to help developing nations move away from carbon-based energy were also part of the accord. Setting an example to other world powers, the president pledged a hefty reduction in U.S. carbon emissions. A proponent of alternative energy sources, Obama has predicted that the greatest reductions in national carbon emissions will come from energy innovation driven by economic opportunity.
Searching for new industries to put the state’s former auto workers back to work, Michigan Governor Granholm is already trying to position the state as a green energy producer. While Granholm is necessarily concerned about Michigan citizens, others have proposed developing a green energy corridor that could stretch from Detroit to Lorain County and Cleveland, replacing jobs lost to the auto industry collapse and positioning the Michigan-Ohio-Lorain County Great Lakes area as a green energy powerhouse.
Next week: Managing your carbon footprint.
Until then, Merry Christmas to all from the folks here at Raymond Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning.
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Mon, Dec 21, 2009
Humidity Inside Your Home?
Static electricity can make cold weather shocking in Lorain County, Ohio, and the rest of the northern tier of states. Children love to scuff their feet across the living room carpet in the winter, then reach out and give their siblings a jolt. Dry winter air makes it easy to create an electric charge, but when indoor air becomes too dry inadvertent static electricity can give you an uncomfortable shock when you least expect it; for instance, when you reach to flip on a light switch or sit down to give the dog a pat.
Static electricity is just one of the annoying consequences of Lorain County’s dry winter air. Our bodies don’t respond well to dry air. Our skin starts to flake and itch as the humidity in the air drops. Our noses feel uncomfortably stuffy as dry, irritated sinus passages swell. Allergy sufferers, asthmatics and those with pulmonary diseases find it harder to breathe comfortably. The lack of moisture in the air makes us more susceptible to sinusitis and bronchitis. We suffer unpredictable nose bleeds as sinus passages fissure from breathing in dry air. The lack of humidity inside our homes causes our hair to dry out and frizzy hair days become the norm.
The same thing happens to your furniture during Lorain County’s long winters. Dry air absorbs moisture from the structural and decorative wood in your furniture causing wood fibers to contract creating minute cracks. Over time, lack of humidity can cause finishes to crack and furniture to become brittle.
Humidifiers Provide Comfort
Fortunately, these problems can be easily solved by raising the humidity inside your home. Your Lorain County heating professional can install a furnace humidifier that will immediately increase indoor humidity and improve the air quality inside your home. Carrier humidifiers provide whole house humidification with advanced moisture control allowing you to raise or lower humidity levels inside your northeastern Ohio home to provide maximum winter comfort.
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Fri, Dec 18, 2009
Save Water with an Energy-Efficient Energy Star Water Heater
With global warming, saving water has become a group effort. Having your plumbing professional install water-efficient low-flow and dual-flush toilets can cut a family’s water use by as much as one-third. Trading in your old hot water heater on an energy-efficient Energy Star water heater can also result in significant savings in both water and energy. But not all water-saving efforts need to be major changes. There are also plenty of things you can do around your home to save water. Most take little effort and will result in a nice savings on your water bill. Good for you and the planet!
Water Saving Tips at Home
- Install twist-on aerators on sink faucets to reduce water use.
- Install a low-flow shower head in the shower. Practice the art of the quick shower or turn off water while you suds up, turn on to rinse off.
- Turn off water while brushing your teeth or shaving.
- Wait until you have a full load to run dishwashers and clothes washers.
- Instead of washing fruits and veggies under a running tap, wash them in a pan of water.
- Buy a rain barrel and use collected rain water to irrigate your garden.
- When you wash your car, don’t let the hose run. Park your car on the grass so water soaks into your lawn.
- Use a broom, not a hose to clean your driveway.
- Turn off automatic lawn sprinklers when it rains and use a timer to regulate watering.
- Use a soaker hose to water plants. Overhead sprinklers waste water, but soakers direct water right to plant roots.
- Mulching garden beds will decrease evaporation and help soil retain moisture.
- Plant native plants that require less watering.
Contact your plumbing professional to install an energy-efficient Energy Star water heater or for more water saving advice.
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Wed, Dec 16, 2009
Natural Gas Heating Costs Decreasing
Good news for Lorain County residents who heat their homes with natural gas, gas rates are expected to be lower this winter than last year. Significant declines in the cost of natural gas are expected to lower Lorain County household gas heating costs by 11% this winter, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The agency says people who heat their homes with gas furnaces can expect heating bills to average $792 this winter. Naturally, the more energy-efficient your gas furnace is, the lower your heating bill. New Energy-Star gas furnaces can provide energy savings of up to 96.6%.
Find the Lowest Natural Gas Rate
Lorain County residents can maximize their gas savings by shopping for the lowest available natural gas rates. Ohio allows Lorain County residents to choose their natural gas supplier. Some suppliers offer flat rates guaranteeing the cost of natural gas for a year or more. Other natural gas suppliers adjust their rates monthly to reflect their actual costs. Click here to find the lowest available natural gas rate for your Lorain County home.
Heating Oil Costs Increasing
In contrast to decreasing natural gas prices, higher crude oil prices are driving up the cost of heating oil which is expected to increase by 4% this winter. Lorain County residents who heat their homes with heating oil can expect an average winter heating bill of $1,940, more than twice the cost of natural gas. Considering the average 20-year life expectancy of new energy-efficient gas furnaces, Lorain County residents with access to natural gas could reap considerable savings over the life of their furnace by making the switch from heating oil to an energy-efficient natural gas furnace this winter. Installing an energy-efficient gas furnace that qualifies for the government’s energy-efficient appliance tax credit could save you up to $1500 on your 2009 or 2010 taxes. Click here for more information on the Federal Stimulus Tax Credit.
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Mon, Dec 14, 2009
The cold snap that brought snow to the Lake Erie region into the Northeast prodded most folks to turn on their furnace if they hadn’t already. The arctic cold brought frost throughout Ohio, from the Lake Erie to the southern reaches of the state along the Ohio River. With furnaces rumbling on for the first time this season, the first thing folks need to do is replace their furnace filter.
As your heating professional will tell you when he comes out for your annual furnace inspection, a clean furnace filter not only improves air quality, it helps your furnace run more efficiently. Not all furnace filters are created equal, however. When you visit your hardware or home store, you’ll notice two basic types of furnace filters:
- Standard filters are made of spun fibers. They collect large particles in household air that could interfere with the operation of your furnace. Unfortunately, they are too loosely constructed to trap the fine particles of dust, pollen and allergens that can wreak havoc with your sinuses. Standard filters should be changed once a month.
- High-performance filters are constructed of accordion-folded paper pleats. They do a superior job of removing both large and small particles from the air. High performance filters improve indoor air quality by removing pollen, mold spores, dust, pet dander and other allergens from the air. Use of high-performance furnace filters is recommended by many doctors for allergy or asthma sufferers, small children, seniors and those with chronic respirator illnesses. The paper used in high-performance filters is recyclable, making them a good choice for eco-conscious consumers. High-performance furnace filters need only be changed once or twice a year.
Have you replaced your furnace filter? Act now to prevent problems with your furnace.
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Fri, Dec 11, 2009
Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
With President Obama meeting with world leaders in Copenhagen for pivotal discussions about climate change and reducing carbon dioxide emissions, it seems appropriate to see what we can do here in Northeast Ohio to save energy and reduce our personal carbon footprints. Installing a new energy-efficient furnace will help the planet and save Northeast Ohio residents money on their gas bills.
Energy-Efficient Energy Star Furnaces
Heating professionals say the best time to buy a new furnace is before you need one. Waiting until your old furnace breathes its last on some chilly Ohio night forces you to make a hurried decision. If your gas furnace is getting toward the end of its normal 20-year lifespan, it’s time to educate yourself about energy-efficient Energy Star gas furnaces start shopping. Even if your furnace has a few years left in it, replacing it with a new energy-efficient gas furnace could be a wise economic move.
Gas furnaces produced 20 years ago are only 70% efficient. That means only 70% of the fuel they burn is converted into heat. It’s like throwing 30% of the cost of your monthly gas bill out the window. And if your furnace has a constantly burning pilot light instead of electric ignition, it’s burning gas – and your money -- 24/7. New energy-efficient gas furnaces are 96% efficient, a considerable difference in energy costs.
Energy-Efficient Installation
Harvey Sachs, senior fellow with the nonprofit American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy in Washington, told a reporter for the Akron Beacon Journal that choosing the right heating professional to supply and install an energy-efficient furnace is just as important as choosing the furnace itself. To provide maximum heating benefits and conserve maximum energy, these furnaces must be correctly sized and properly installed. When used with the forced-air heating systems typically found in Lorain County homes, an experienced heating professional should carefully inspect existing duct work to ensure that the new furnace will work properly.
Is your furnace energy-efficient? Start Shopping
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Wed, Dec 09, 2009
Act Now for the $1,500 Tax Credit for Energy Efficient Appliances
The year is coming to a close which means time is running out for Lorain County, Ohio residents who want to cash in on Uncle Sam’s energy-efficient appliance tax credit and take that deduction on their 2009 taxes. The Federal Stimulus Tax Credit allows homeowners to receive tax credit for certain energy-efficient home improvements made between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010. (Credits for renewable energy sources extend through 2016.) Raymond Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning has created an easy to understand fact sheet about the Federal Stimulus Tax Credit for interested Lorain County homeowners. Click here and receive your free copy of Raymond’s Get the Facts.
Qualifying Energy-Efficient Equipment
Purchases that qualify for the Federal Stimulus Tax Credit include various models of heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment in the following categories:
- Gas furnaces with an AFUE rating of 95 or higher
- Split air conditioners with efficiency ratings of 16 SEER/13 EER or higher
- Split heat pumps with efficiency ratings of 15 SEER/12.5 EER/8.5 HSPF or higher
- Packaged air conditioners with efficiency ratings of 14 SEER/12 EER or higher
- Packaged heat pumps with efficiency ratings of 14 SEER/12 EER/8 HSPF or higher
Heating, ventilation or air conditioning equipment that meets these requirements is eligible for a tax credit equal to 30% of the installed cost to a maximum tax credit of $1500. Naturally, the amount of tax credit residents may be eligible to claim will be dependant on their personal tax filing for the year the equipment is installed.
Geothermal heat pumps installed between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2016 may also qualify for a tax credit equal to 30% of the amount paid or incurred by a homeowner. You’ll find complete information and a comprehensive list of qualifying energy-efficient equipment on Raymond’s Get the Facts sheet.
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Mon, Dec 07, 2009
Avoid Major Expenses by Calling A Plumber
It’s a wise homeowner who knows when a job is over his head and it’s time to call in the pros. Plumbing problems fall into the category of repairs many homeowners will attempt even though they lack the proper knowledge, required experience or necessary tools. Home repair books may walk you through simple repairs like replacing the snap-on flush valve inside your toilet tank, but more complex repairs usually require expert knowledge and experience to repair safely and effectively.
Delaying the call to your plumber while you fumble around trying to figure out where the problem is and how to fix it, particularly if your have a leak, allows additional damage to occur. Most water leaks happen inside interior walls or ceilings where you can’t see them. Considerable damage can occur before the problem becomes visible. By then, that annoying drip that echoes from the ceiling may have soaked, weakened and damaged wallboard, plaster, subflooring and support beams. Your minor repair has now turned into a major expense.
There are things you can do to prevent plumbing problems from occurring and we’ll talk about that sometime. But if you hear water dripping inside your walls, see a water stain developing on walls or ceiling or “bubbling” plaster, notice water collecting around the base of the toilet or tub, observe water spraying or dripping from a pipe or can’t turn off a dripping faucet, it’s time to call the plumber. Because water can run along pipes or interior structures for some length before dripping, it usually takes a professional plumber’s expert knowledge of plumbing systems to locate the source of a leak. Don’t risk expensive damage to your home. If you suspect a leak in your plumbing system, call the expert plumbers at Raymond’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning.
Is it time for you to call your local plumber? If you live in NorthEast Ohio give us a
call.
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Fri, Dec 04, 2009
Did you know that while 70% of our planet is covered by water, only 3% of it is fresh water, the kind we drink and use? And most of the Earth’s fresh water is frozen in the polar ice caps or in mountain glaciers. Only 1% of the fresh water on our planet is available for human use. With more than 6 billion of us competing for every drop, there’s just not enough water to go around. By 2025, the United Nations estimates that two-thirds of the world’s people will live in areas without enough potable water to meet their needs. Water is such a vital component of human survival – we die without it -- that many politicians believe the world’s next great war will be fought over water rights. “Blue gold” is quickly becoming the planet’s most valuable commodity.
Environmentalists believe that the long-term droughts being experienced in California, Australia and parts of Africa are a harbinger of even more severe weather conditions that will plague the planet in the not so distant future. People are being urged to start saving water now in the hope of averting a major disaster. Flushing your toilet is the single greatest water consumer in most homes. Asking your plumber to replace out-dated water-guzzling toilets with modern low-flow and dual-flush toilets can save the average U.S. family of three at least 21 gallons of water a day and more than 7,000 gallons of water a year. With most folks paying premium prices for water service these days, installing more efficient toilets in your home can significantly decrease those expensive water bills.
The experienced professional plumbers at Raymond Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning can guide you in selecting water-efficient toilets appropriate for your family’s needs and provide expert professional installation.
If you want to cut your family’s water usage, give the plumbing experts at Raymond a call.
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Wed, Dec 02, 2009
Have Your Heating System Checked Every Year
Every year carbon monoxide poisoning from faulty furnaces kills people while they sleep in their beds. Called the silent killer, carbon monoxide (CO) is odorless and colorless, giving little warning before it kills. CO poisoning can cause dizziness, light-headedness and nausea. Unfortunately, people often mistake these symptoms for tiredness or illness and fail to exit their home before fumes overcome them. Too often CO kills at night before a problem is even identified.
The most important thing you can do to protect your family against fatal carbon monoxide poisoning is to have your heating system, water heater and any other gas, oil or coal-burning appliances checked and serviced annually by a qualified heating and plumbing professional, recommends the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC also recommends installation of a battery-operated CO detector near the furnace. If your CO detector sounds or you experience any of the symptoms of CO poisoning, gather your family and pets, exit your home immediately, and call 911. Do not re-enter your home until it has been thoroughly inspected by an experienced heating professional and the problem corrected.
The CDC offers the following additional recommendations to keep your family safe from carbon monoxide poisoning:
- Do not operate a generator, charcoal grill, camp stove or other gasoline or charcoal device inside your home, basement, garage or near a window. CO fumes can be drawn indoors.
- Do not run a car, truck or other vehicle inside an attached garage. Even with the garage door fully open, CO fumes can enter your home.
- Do not burn anything in a stove or fireplace that is not properly vented to the outdoors.
- Do not try to heat your home with a gas oven.
Have you had your heating system checked? Schedule your FREE estimate!