Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Fri, Jun 26, 2009
Get with the program! Maintain a comfortable home and save money at the same time with a programmable thermostat. Set the times for your air conditioning or heating to turn on and off based on a pre-set schedule.
In the summer, you can keep your house warmer than normal when you are away and lower the thermostat setting only when you are at home and need cooling. You can follow the same strategy in the winter by setting the thermostat back 10 – 15 degrees when you are not home or sleeping. This will save you a significant amount of money on your utility bills.
When you program your thermostat consider your schedule. A programmable thermostat can be set to begin its cool down well before you leave or go to bed and return to its regular temperature two or three hours before you wake up or return home. Although thermostats can be adjusted manually, programmable thermostats will avoid any discomfort by returning temperatures to normal as you wake or return home. Also consider the location of your thermostat. You want to make sure your thermostat is away from direct sunlight, windows, skylights, doorways, and drafts for efficient performance.
At Raymond, we offer a variety of different thermostats that fit your needs. A qualified Raymond technician can evaluate your home to determine what type of thermostat best fits for your needs. Stay comfortable when you’re home and save money when you’re not. Remember, you can save more money by registering with Raymond here.
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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 Tue, Jun 23, 2009
For those of us who like to understand the science and history behind things, below is the breakdown of how your air conditioner creates the cooling comfort that you enjoy.
It’s a common belief that air conditioners cool homes by creating cold air through a fan; however, the air conditioning process is actually a recycling process.
The A/C exchanges the warm air from the home and cycles it through the system into cooler air until the thermostat reaches the preferred temperature setting. Much like a refrigerator, air conditioners use the evaporation of a refrigerant, like Freon, to provide cooling.
The compressor produces cool Freon gas, causing it to become hot, high-pressure Freon gas. This hot gas then runs through a set of coils so the heat is reduced and condensed into a liquid.
Then the Freon liquid runs through an expansion valve, and in the process it evaporates to become cold, low-pressure Freon gas. This cold gas runs through a set of coils that allow the gas to absorb heat and cool down the air inside the building.
So, when did this all start? In 1902, upon his graduation from Cornell, Willis Haviland Carrier, created the fundamental basis for the air conditioning formula we still use today.
For such a brilliant discovery it is an interesting note that Carrier said he received his 'flash of genius' while waiting for a train. It was a foggy night and he was going over in his mind the problem of temperature and humidity control. By the time the train arrived, Carrier had an understanding of the relationship between temperature, humidity and dew point.
Willis and six other engineers formed the Carrier Engineering Corporation in 1915 with a starting capital of $35,000 (1995 sales topped $5 billion). And because of this rich history, Raymond Plumbing and Heating has been a local distributer for Carrier comfort systems for over 50 years.
You can read more about “The Father of Cool” at http://inventors.about.com/library/weekly/aa081797.htm
For more information about the technical stuff – check out
American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Thu, Jun 18, 2009
With the summer quickly approaching there are many innovative air conditioning products that are ready to launch.
Carrier is introducing their new 52V Vertical Packaged Terminal Air Conditioner. This product can deliver conditioned air from a single unit to one or multiple rooms. This is a good economical choice for new construction or as a replacement unit.
Carrier also introduced the 48P Weathermaster which is a single-package high-efficiency gas heating/electric cooling rooftop unit. Carrier P Series rooftop units are pre-wired and factory tested in both cooling and heating modes, making this product a two-for-one deal. Units are available in dedicated vertical supply/return airflow models as well as a wide variety of gas heating options.
The AquaSmart, from R.W. Beckett Corporation, is an advanced boiler temperature control designed for use on light commercial and residential boiler systems. This product is simple to use and technologically advanced. It will be available in fall 2009.
Also, the new product, SolarHot, reduces energy consumption and saves you money with simple but highly efficient system. This system can be integrated into a hydronic heating system and can provide up to 80% of domestic hot water needs. The SolarHot system was rated #1 in its class by The Solar Rating and Certification Corporation.
Another new product that will keep you cool this summer is NewAir’s sleek AC-10000E portable air conditioner. This product features an ultra compact design and self-evaporative technology.
Another big feature of the AC-10000E is elimination of excess moisture. It also has a purifying air filter that eliminates airborne particles.
At Raymond Plumbing, we believe in going green – trying to be as eco-friendly as possible within our realm of expertise. Let us know if we can provide you with further information about the above air conditioning systems.
Contact us today for a FREE estimate on how we can reduce your cooling costs this summer.
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Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Fri, Jun 12, 2009
Your Plumber Should Wear a Belt: Advice on What to Know Before You Hire Them
Ever thought you should hire a plumber, but didn’t know where to start?
Well before you start calling Joe the Plumber, check out these helpful tips on what to consider before hiring your next plumber
- Get references. It’s obviously important to verify that the source you are considering is insured and licensed. But don’t stop there. Ask your friends, family members or use it as a conversation ice breaker at a social event.
- Does the company seem like a credible source? Are they plumbing experts at an established business with a long track record?
- It’s okay to compare rates, but remember that you usually get what you pay for. Getting the job done right the first time is always less expensive. Even Joe the Plumber knows how to add up the best value and least impact on his wallet.
- Does the company charge a flat or an hourly rate? Are they hiding charges for service fees? Do they provide free estimates? Will they give you a written estimate following the assessment of the potential job?
- It’s wise to develop a working relationship with your plumber before the plumbing emergency happens. The staff should be there to provide you with trouble-free service and installation, and they should wear belts around their pants.
- Make a list of all plumbing and overall comfort needs, like fixing faucets, drains and maintenance on heating and cooling systems. It’s like going to the grocery store – don’t you hate having to go back to the store later because you forgot something that wasn’t on your list?
- Finally, find a locally based business that will listen to your needs and care about your plumbing issues. With a local company you’re getting better service at quality rates and you’re supporting your community!
At Raymond, with over 50 years of service in our local community, we know the names of most streets and most likely have serviced homes in your neighborhood. We provide service from the west side of Cleveland to Lorain Huron, and parts of Erie County.
So remember, if you have additional questions or are in need of a professional plumbing, heating or cooling services, contact us.
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Thu, Jun 11, 2009
Are you trying to save money on your energy bills and still want all the comfort that comes with running your air conditioner this summer?
Some of the most effective things you can do are easy and only take a minimal effort. So, whether it is to just save a little money or even if it is just to be a little more kind to the environment, here are a few tips to help.
- 1. Use drapes, shades or blind over your windows during sunlight hours to reduce the amount of heat that the sun infiltrates.
- 2. If you do not have a ceiling fan in your home, consider installing one near your air conditioner. A fan will keep the airflow steady. As a cheaper option, you should consider purchasing a standing fan that would fulfill the same purpose as a ceiling fan.
- 3. Thoroughly clean or replace air conditioner filters each spring through a service provider like Raymond Plumbing & Heating. Filters should be cleaned monthly during the cooling season and once every other month the rest of the year. Doing so can save 5 percent of the energy used, because a dirty or clogged filter means the air conditioner must work harder to provide the same amount of cool air.
- 4. Make sure to have a spring (for air conditioning) and fall (for heating) maintenance check done by a local utilities service provider. Keeping your systems in peak performance will always save on energy costs. If you are in the West side of Cleveland to Lorain Ohio area, consider us at Raymond Plumbing & Heating.
- 5. When you are away from your home, lower the speed of the air conditioners’ fan. Your home will remain cool and you will be using less energy.
- 6. Make sure there is good airflow around your unit. Keep the outside unit clear of plants and keep grass clippings, cotton wood and leaves off the coil.
These tips and others can be found at www.purityplanet.com. We, at Raymond hope you find them useful and cost-effective for your home comfort.
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Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Tue, Jun 02, 2009
At Raymond Plumbing we try to be as environmentally conscious as possible. This includes what cleaning products we use in our homes. Rather than use store brand cleaners that are full of harsh chemicals, and definitely not good for the environment or for your family; we prefer natural cleaners.
These products cost about the same and can be found in many of the same national chain stores.
Simple Green. Our friends at Ecovillagegreen.com reviewed this product in January. It’s got the same strength as most other industrial cleaners but it includes certification for environmental protection! Consumer Reports gave it a “green seal of approval” for health and safety to the environment.
Use it to clean any job – from pet stains to floor wax, to carpets and painted surfaces. If you dilute it slightly, that will make it last longer – saving you money and creating even less impact on the environment.
Baking Soda. What could be more natural and probably already in your home.
Baking soda is great at multitasking because it can remove bad odors and has scrubbing capabilities – you can place it in your refrigerator to remove the left over smell or sprinkle a bit on a cloth and add some water to clean your counters without scratching the surface.
Joe Barrios also wrote a blog on 20 great home uses for baking soda, including many you may not have thought of.
Tea Tree Oil. If you’re attacking mold, there are several natural ways to get rid of it – check out the top five green ways to get rid of mold!
At Raymond, we recommend tea tree oil because it’s known for killing bacteria. Help dilute it with approximately 1.5 – 2 cups of warm water and then spray on and allow it to dry. Don’t worry about the smell, it’ll go away in less than a day and it’ll take your mold with it! Remember to check out other ways to live green at mindzle.
By following these green tips and making small sacrifices you’re sure to impact our environment in a big way! Contact us today for a free estimate and receive a discount on your service.