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 Mon, Mar 29, 2010
Allergies and Asthma Continue to Increase in the U.S.
The trees are starting to bud and flowers are beginning to bloom. Spring is in the air and Lorain County allergy sufferers know that pollen is not far behind. The number of people in the U.S. who suffer from allergies has risen 25% in the past four years, affecting an estimated 60 million Americans. One in four Lorain County residents is apt to have at least one allergy, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. The incidence of asthma in the U.S. has tripled over the past 25 years and now affects more than 22 million Americans.
Researchers say climate change is partly responsible for the dramatic increase in the number of allergy sufferers. Global warming has extended pollen-based allergy seasons in the U.S., though scientists believe that other as yet undiscovered factors may play a role in increased allergy suffering.
“Allergies and asthma seem to be increasing everywhere, and we don’t know why that is,” David Rosenstreich, director of allergy and immunology at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, NY, told USA Today in a March 15, 2010 online article. Rosenstreich said a variety of factors seem to be creating a “perfect storm of allergy and asthma.”
Add a Air Cleaner to your Cooling System and Breathe Easy
For now, it appears that the best offense against allergies in Lorain County is a good defense. Adding a Carrier air cleaner to your heating and cooling system can improve indoor air quality throughout your entire house. Carrier’s Infinity Air Purifier gets top ratings in providing healthier air and cleaner air. MERV 15 efficiency captures and kills airborne allergens and germs allowing you and your family to breathe easy, whether you have allergies or not.
If you want to breathe comfortably all summer long, ask your air conditioning professional to install a Carrier air cleaner on your system while he’s there for your annual air conditioner performance check.
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Fri, Mar 26, 2010
The State of Ohio and the Federal Government are Offering Financial Incentives Right Now When You Purchase and Install Energy-Efficient Equipment!
There’s a wealth of tax credits, rebates and special deals available right now for Lorain County homeowners who want to increase the energy efficiency of their home comfort appliances. The federal government is offering up to a $1500 income tax credit for the installation of qualifying energy-efficient Energy Star home comfort appliances. Ohio is offering its own limited-time appliance rebate to encourage residents to replace and recycle outdated water heaters with energy-efficient water heaters and heat pumps. To help Lorain County residents take advantage of these rebates and get the biggest bang for their energy buck, Raymond Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning is introducing a free estimate service to help Lorain County homeowners find the most energy-efficient and cost-effective home comfort solutions to meet their family’s specific needs.
Lower Energy Bills When You Purchase and Install Energy-Efficient Equipment
Energy-efficient air conditioners, furnaces, heat pumps, hot water tanks and geothermal appliances reduce energy use which results in lower energy bills and more cash in your pocket every month. New energy-efficient home appliances feature technological advances that not only increase appliance efficiency and reliability but noticeably improve indoor air quality and comfort. Replacing your old home appliances with energy-efficient Energy Star-rated air conditioners, furnaces, heat pumps and hot water heaters is good for your family’s health and comfort and good for the environment. Every energy-efficient appliance you install in your Lorain County home reduces your family’s carbon footprint and makes the world a healthier place to live in.
Now is the Perfect Time to Have a FREE Estimate on Installing Energy-Efficient Equipment
With both Ohio and the federal government offering financial incentives to buy and install energy-efficient home comfort appliances, this is the perfect time to take advantage of Raymond’s free estimate service. Our experienced air conditioning and heating professionals can visit your Lorain County home, assess your family’s home comfort energy needs and pinpoint the energy-efficient appliances that will best meet those needs.
Click here now to schedule your free estimate for installation of energy-efficient home comfort equipment in your Lorain County home.
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Mon, Mar 22, 2010
Ohio Rebate Programs Starts Friday, March 26
It’s time for Lorain County residents to get their ducks in a row. The Ohio Appliance Rebate program starts March 26. Ohio is offering its resident’s $100 rebates on the purchase of Energy Star rated high-efficiency gas water heaters and $250 rebates on Energy Star rated electric heat pumps and water heaters. The state has set aside just $11 million for this rebate program to encourage the purchase of energy-efficient appliances. When the money is gone, the rebate program will end. The state warns that demand is expected to be heavy, and rebate funds could be used up within 6 to 8 weeks. That doesn’t give Lorain County residents long to get their rebate applications in before the money runs out. And that’s the catch. Unlike most rebates, you have to reserve your rebate ahead of time to cash in on Ohio’s Appliance Rebate program.
It’s easy to apply for an Ohio energy-efficient appliance rebate, but Lorain County residents should be aware of the tight timeline and rebate submittal requirements. Reserve your rebate online at www.OhioApplianceRebate.com or by calling 1-888-686-8896. You’ll have just three days after registering to purchase a qualifying Energy State rated appliance. To receive your rebate, you’ll have to submit not only your purchase receipt but also verification that your old appliance was recycled. The purpose of the Ohio Appliance Rebate program is to remove energy-guzzling appliances from Ohio homes, so the recycling requirement is a critical component of the rebate program.
Raymond Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning is already scheduling purchase and installation appointments with Lorain County residents who want to take advantage of the Ohio Appliance Rebate program. In some cases, energy-efficient appliance purchases will also qualify for the federal income tax credit program, providing Lorain County residents with double savings on the cost of purchase and installation. To find out more about how you can save on energy-efficient home appliances, give us a call.
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Fri, Mar 19, 2010
Summer is coming which means it’s time to get your air conditioner serviced by your Lorain County air conditioning professional. An annual air conditioner performance check is essential to ensuring that your A/C unit will function at peak performance all summer long. This year, many Lorain County residents are asking about having UV lamps installed on their air conditioners when they schedule their annual air conditioner performance check.
Install a UV Lamp on your Air Conditioner
UV or ultraviolet light has the ability to kill bacteria and mold. Spring is a particularly wet time in Lorain County which can enable bacteria and mold, both of which thrive in moist environments, to get a toehold inside air conditioner coils and components. When the hot, steamy days of summer arrive in Loraine County, bacteria and mold spores start multiplying at an exponential rate. If bacteria or mold settle on air conditioning components, the fan will circulate bacteria cells and mold spores throughout your entire home every time the unit runs. Since many people run their air conditioner fan continuously to augment even cooling, bacteria and mold can be circulating constantly through your Lorain County home all summer long.
UV Lamp Can Make this Summer a Healthy One
Bacteria cause colds, flu and a host of other diseases that can make your family ill. Mold spores can aggravate allergies and asthma, cause mildew to grow in bathrooms and kitchens and create an unpleasant odor. If bacteria and mold are being circulated in your air conditioning system, they can make your indoor environment unhealthy all summer long. Having your Lorain County air conditioning professional install a Carrier UV Lamp in your air conditioning unit will kill bacteria and mold right at the source before it can impact your home’s health. Installing a Carrier UV Lamp on your air conditioner will keep your family safe from bacteria and mold and make this summer a healthy one.
What are you doing to improve indoor air quality in your home?
Have you scheduled your home air conditioning performance check?
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Thu, Mar 18, 2010
Now is the Time to Inspect Your Plumbing
Spring is just around the corner in Lorain County. The cold winds of March are about to give way to rainy April showers which makes this the perfect time to inspect your plumbing systems to make sure they’re in peak working order. Even a slow drip or a tiny leak can add up to thousands of gallons of wasted water and a substantial hike in your water bill. Leaky pipes also attract animal and insect pests including rodents, termites and carpenter ants. If you discover a plumbing problem, no matter how minute, call an experienced Lorain County plumber immediately. Fixing a small plumbing leak today can save you money and aggravation down the road.
You may want to have a licensed Lorain County plumber who is familiar with plumbing systems and experienced in detecting potential plumbing problems perform a spring plumbing inspection of your home or business, but you can do it yourself. Look for the following spring plumbing problems:
- Check all faucets and plumbing fixtures (faucet handles, shower heads) for drips or leaks.
- Make sure all drains have clean strainers to prevent hair and debris from clogging drain pipes.
- Check toilet tank and bowl for cracks and leaks. If your toilet occasionally flushes independently, it may have a faulty flush valve or hidden leak. To test for leaks, add a half dozen drops of food coloring to the toilet tank and wait 30 minutes. If the toilet in the bowl is colored, you have a toilet leak that may require replacement of the flush valve assembly or tank seal. If toilet handles have to be jiggled or held down during flushing, the valve assembly should be replaced.
- Check to make sure your sump pump is plugged in and operating properly.
More spring plumbing tips coming soon.
You can stay cool this summer and keep your cooling systems in tip-top shape with an A/C Performance Check. if you schedule now, you get a free estimate, plus $20 off our regular fee.
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Mon, Mar 15, 2010
Lower Home Energy Rating Scores Mean Greater Energy Efficiency
Newly constructed homes come with many energy-efficient features. Energy-saving furnaces and air conditioners, energy-maximizing heat pumps and water heaters, energy-conserving insulation and building materials all contribute to a new home’s HERS rating. A building’s HERS, or home energy rating is a measure of the building’s total energy efficiency from construction materials and techniques to the appliances used to run it. Lower HERS scores mean greater energy efficiency.
The government is now attempting to develop a home energy rating system that could be applied to all homes. Like the miles per hour standard for cars, a universal energy formula would allow consumers to instantly understand the energy consumption of a home. A universal HERS rating would let you know if your home was a Prius or a Hummer and might encourage you to retrofit the more energy-consuming components of your home with energy-efficient products, at least that’s the government’s goal.
Pilot testing of a HERS home energy labeling program is planned for this summer with national launch by the U.S. Department of Energy planned for fall. The program is a joint effort of the U.S. Department of Energy, the White House and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. One DOE official suggested that HERS ratings could be tied to the President’s proposed HomeStar program, also known as Cash for Caulkers. If HomeStar received Congressional approval, the program would provide cash rebates for the purchase and installation of energy-efficient home materials like weatherizing, windows and insulation.
The non-profit Earth Advantage Institute in Oregon has already teamed up with realtors to provide energy-efficient ratings for new and used homes. The Institute’s Energy Performance Score (EPS) takes into account both a home’s energy use and its carbon emissions. Whichever rating system eventually becomes the national standard, your home’s energy-efficient rating is likely to pay a role in its future resale value.
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Fri, Mar 12, 2010
"Cash for Caulkers" and Homestar Program
Intent on promoting a Green America, President Obama recently revealed details of the latest in a series of “clunkers” programs designed to improve U.S. energy-efficiency. Jokingly referred to as “Cash for Caulkers,” Homestar would reward homeowners for improving the energy-efficiency of their homes. The program targets older homes, not new construction, and would reward homeowners for making energy-efficient improvements to their homes.
The Program Promotes Energy-Efficient Homes
While not yet fully fleshed out, the program is expected to focus on weekend warrior and home remodeling projects geared to increase the energy efficiency of existing homes. Structural components like energy-efficient windows, weatherizing and insulation are expected to be included in the program. There is no information on whether the new program will include funds to continue the popular energy-efficient furnace and air conditioner tax rebate program past its current December 31, 2010 expiration date. As proposed, the Homestar would work a bit differently for previous energy-saving programs. Instead of applying for a rebate after purchase, government-sponsored refunds would be issued at the cash register, decreasing the cost of qualifying energy-efficient materials by as much as 50% at their point of purchase. Energy-efficient products that may be included in the Homestar program include energy-efficient windows, window and door insulation products, weatherizing products and remodeling.
Improving the Energy-Efficiency of a Single Home Reduces Annual Energy Costs by $200 to $500
According to the government, 40% of the country’s energy is used to heat and cool buildings. With funding to improve the energy-efficiency of 2 to 3 million older homes, the proposed Homestar program could make a considerable dent in the nation’s energy use and put a little more green in consumers’ wallets. Improving the energy efficiency of a single Lorain County home can reduce annual energy cost by $200 to $500. Multiply that by 3 million homeowners and the savings are considerable. The proposed Homestar program still requires Congressional approval, but we’ll keep you posted.
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Thu, Mar 11, 2010
Gradually “Green” Your Home
“Green” is the new buzzword in home building circles. Forget those behemoth McMansions; smaller, more energy-efficient “green” homes are all the rage today. Some of the new design concepts being debuted at spring home shows feature physically smaller homes with compartmentalized living spaces that can be opened and closed as they’re needed. Why heat the guest room if it’s not in use or your son’s bedroom while he’s off at college? New zoned heating and cooling elements even allow homeowners to decrease heat to sunny rooms to take advantage of nature’s natural furnace.
In the next generation, “green houses” will give way to “smart homes.” The computerization that lets you turn off your living room lights or record a favorite TV show from your iPhone will in the very near future make it possible to adjust your thermostat, turn on the oven to start cooking dinner and manage your home’s energy consumption, all from your smartphone before you even leave the office.
Replace Energy-Guzzling Appliances with Energy-Efficient Appliances
There’s no need to bulldoze your house and start from the bottom up. By gradually replacing energy-guzzling appliances with energy-efficient furnaces, air conditioners, high energy water heaters, geothermal heat pumps and programmable thermostats, you can gradually “green” your home. Your older Lorain County home may never qualify for a Green Building Council LEED certificate, but it will certainly use less energy and save you a bundle on your monthly utility bills with each energy-efficient improvement you add.
Take Advantage of Federal Tax Credits and Cash for Clunkers Rebates
This is an excellent time to talk to your Heating and Air Conditioning professional about greening your Lorain County home. Federal tax credits for energy-efficient home appliances and Ohio’s new Cash for Clunker Appliances program make it financially advantageous to replace your home’s old appliances with new energy-efficient ones today.
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Wed, Mar 10, 2010
You hear a lot these days about reducing your carbon footprint. Environmentally conscious Lorain County residents buy energy-efficient furnaces and air conditioners and invest in heat pump technology to reduce their carbon footprints. Reducing the energy we use reduces the carbon-based fuels burned to create that energy which reduces ozone-depleting carbon by-products released into the atmosphere.
Our current rate of energy consumption is pouring into the atmospheric bathtub twice as fast as it is draining out
What most Lorain County residents have trouble understanding is the considerable time lag between decreasing carbon consumption and reduction of carbon in the atmosphere. To explain the relationship between energy consumption and carbon dioxide build-up to his MIT students, professor John Sterman developed a unique visual aid, the Carbon Bathtub. View the Carbon Bathtub visual aid now.
Picture a bathtub with a running faucet and open drain. When we use energy, carbon dioxide (CO2) pours into the atmosphere just like water pours into a bathtub. If water pours into the tub faster than it can drain out, the tub fills with water. The bathtub stays full until more water is draining out than is pouring in. The same concept applies to CO2. At our current rate of energy consumption, CO2 emissions produced by burning fossil fuels are pouring into the atmospheric bathtub twice as fast as they are draining out.
The Earth’s natural absorption of CO2 helps drain the carbon bathtub, but far more slowly than CO2 pours in. Plants and soils absorb about 30% of atmospheric CO2; oceans, another 25%; and rocks and sediments, less than 1%.; but the absorption rate is extremely slow. The remaining CO2 -- 45% -- remains in the atmosphere, keeping the planet’s carbon bathtub full. This is why merely cutting back on energy consumption will not solve the carbon problem. Scientists estimate that it will take hundreds of thousands of years for the planet to absorb – drain out – all the CO2 humans are pouring into the atmosphere. Until we find a way to drain out more carbon than we’re adding, the carbon bathtub will keep filling.
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.
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Tue, Mar 02, 2010
Energy watchers call it “the SnackWell Effect.” SnackWells are tasty low-fat, low-sugar cookies made by Nabisco that are a boon to dieters seeking low-cal treats. The problem comes when dieters over-indulge on the sweet confections, rationalizing that they can eat more because each cookie has fewer calories. Instead of losing weight, dieters started gaining. You, of course, see the problem. You can’t lose weight if you eat more, even if what you’re eating has fewer calories. Math wins every time!
Do You Have an Energy-Efficient Furnace or Air Conditioner? Using More Enegy Cancels Out the Savings
The same rebound effect can occur when a Lorain County resident has an energy-efficient furnace or air conditioner or heat pump installed in his home. Lulled by the fact that they’re saving energy, the family can easily slip into high consumption habits that all too quickly negate the energy savings provided by the energy-efficient appliance. It’s the SnackWell Effect. Even when your home is powered by energy-efficient appliances, using more energy cancels out the savings.
Reducing your carbon footprint is an ongoing daily commitment.
Recent studies have found that when people buy energy efficient appliances they feel less guilty about using them more often. In one study, people with energy-efficient furnaces lost 10% to 30% of their expected monthly energy savings because they cranked up the heat. Another study found that people who used energy-efficient light bulbs lost between 5% and 12% of their anticipated monthly energy savings because they stopped turning out the lights when they left a room. To realize the maximum potential energy savings on their monthly bills, Lorain County residents must continue energy-efficient practices even after installing energy-efficient furnaces, air conditioners and other appliances. The fight to decrease energy consumption doesn’t stop with the purchase of an energy-efficient appliance. Reducing your carbon footprint is an ongoing daily commitment. When properly used, energy-efficient appliances do allow us to save more energy, but we have to do our part.