I know how it is. Sometimes homeowners are concerned about calling a contractor to their home for a problem. They know they want a tune-up or repair, but they’re expecting the contractor to try to talk them into getting more than they need. It’s such a common concern that I want to reassure you that we do things differently here.

Our tech will come out for a thorough evaluation of the problem you’ve been experiencing. We’ll present a solution that we recommend. We’ll fully explain the reasoning behind this recommendation, and we’ll put the estimate and guarantees in writing so that you won’t have any surprises. Not only that, you always have the choice to say “no” or “not now.” There’s no pressure at all. And, should you have any additional concerns, we stand behind our work.

We used advanced technology to make sure you get the best evaluation and repair. And we keep your comfort and safety foremost in our mind. So call us whenever you need us.

You’ll Need Cold Hard Cash to Service Your Air Conditioner

Jim Weiler, The Columbus Dispatch, Feb. 17, 2012

Air-conditioner repairs could leave central Ohio homeowners hot and bothered this spring.

This winter, the cost of the refrigerant used in older air-conditioning units jumped more than 200 percent.

That means homeowners who used to pay $150 or $200 to recharge their air conditioners for the summer could pay twice that amount this time around.

“If you’ve got a leaker and need a couple pounds (of refrigerant) to get you through the summer, it’s going to cost you a whole lot more this summer than it has in the past,” said John Frary, service manager with the Favret Co., a Columbus heating and air-conditioning firm.

The price of R-22, the refrigerant used in many older air conditioners, skyrocketed on Jan. 20 after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ordered that manufacturers cut production of the material by 45 percent this year.

The wholesale price then “went off the charts,” said Rod Essig, with Carr Supply, a Columbus company that supplies the heating and air-conditioning industry.

The cost of a 30-pound tank instantly leapt from about $150 to about $400. Homeowners who traditionally have paid about $20 a pound during a service charge could now pay about $50 a pound.

The jump is so severe that at least one company, Sears Heating and Cooling in Columbus, might start charging by the ounce.

“We have customers who regularly ask us to add refrigerant every year because they have a small leak,” said Sears Heating owner Paul Schwerling. “But this will be so expensive by the pound.”

The EPA is phasing out R-22 by 2020 because it damages the ozone layer that protects Earth. Most air conditioners built in the past five years, and all air conditioners built in the past two, use a different refrigerant, called R-410A.

Still, an estimated 70 million — as much as 75 percent — of existing home air conditioners rely on R-22, according to industry sources.

January’s EPA announcement prompted such a run on R-22 that many distributors, including Carr, limited the amount that contractors could purchase. Distributors typically don’t stock a lot of R-22 until weather and demand heat up in the spring.

“We got caught with our pants down, along with many other distributors,” Essig said.

Some industry officials worry that air-conditioning contractors could end up without R-22 altogether this summer, although Talbot Gee, executive vice president of a trade group that represents heating and cooling suppliers, said he thinks there will be enough to meet demand.

Gee’s organization, Columbus-based Heating, Airconditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International, has joined others in an effort to raise R-22 production limits this year. Still, the long-term outlook on R-22 is clear: It will become more scarce and expensive until it vanishes altogether in eight years.

Manufacturers are promoting alternatives to R-22, although Gee said that using them could void warranties.

Industry officials think the rising cost to repair older air conditioners could fuel sales of new units, which can run $3,000 to $5,000.

“If you have a leak and need a refrigerant repair, it may be advantageous to upgrade your system because of cost,” Frary said.

jweiker@dispatch.com

Copyright The Columbus Dispatch ©

Used by permission

It’s not looking good. This time last year we had good reason to start yelling – I mean “forecasting” – that Winter would bring higher heating bills.

Okay, I’ve delivered my bad news for the day, but it will help to have an overall view of “why” this happens. At least it makes you feel less like a victim when you consider…

Prices – This Winter, tight global oil markets and elevated crude oil prices could result in higher heating oil, natural gas and propane prices.

Demand – Total U.S. natural gas demand is expected to be up this Winter over last. This is partly from colder weather in regions with large concentrations of gas-heated homes.

Supply – The severity of the Winter nationwide will be the biggest, single determining factor impacting the supply of energy. But even more unknown than the weather and how it will affect supply, is the stability of countries that export energy to the United States.

So what can you do about it?

The efficiency of your own home heating system, of course, is the factor that will help you best control increased heating fuel costs.

1. A Home Energy Survey is a great tool to help you pinpoint problems and provide energy use solutions.

2. Don’t forget to schedule your tune-up before an “elderly system” conks out on you. That’s the best way to make sure your system is running strong when the coldest days and nights hit.

3. If your heating system is an older, inefficient model, a new system can pay for itself with energy savings and no repair bills.

To find out more about saving money on your heating bills, call us or fill out the online form to schedule a free, no obligation Energy Survey.

See? There are things you can do to keep your energy dollars where they belong. And if you’d like us to review your equipment or ductwork in an Energy Survey, as a customer of ours, it’s free. Now that’s savings! Really, just call us at 614-475-1800 or schedule online and it’s done. Thanks.

5 Things You Can Do to Get Ready for Winter

It may be winter, but ther is still time to get your home ready before the cold really hits. Luckily there’s no time like the present to make sure you’re prepared before your hindsight kicks in…

1.Have your heating system cleaned and tuned. A pre-season tune-up is a good investment – it reduces the chances of breakdowns in the middle of winter, improves safety, and pays for itself through more energy efficient operation.

2.Test your system for hazardous carbon monoxide, which can be produced by a dirty or malfunctioning furnace or water heater. We can also install a low level carbon monoxide alarm.

3.Have your duct system tested for air leaks. According to recent research by the U.S. Department of Energy, the typical duct system loses 25 to 40 percent of the energy put out by the central furnace, heater or air conditioner.

4.Get your home’s air checked to find out if the air you breathe is unhealthy. Your indoor air can be much more polluted than what is outside, and with all the time spent indoors during the winter, you’ll want to ensure your family’s health, safety and comfort.

5.Consider replacing your old furnace or heat pump. Just like a car, heating equipment doesn’t last forever. If your system is more than 12 years-old, and you are planning to stay in your home more than a few years, it is wise to consider replacing it before it fails permanently. A new system is safer, more dependable, and can pay for itself through energy savings as it is up to twice as energy efficient.

Carbon monoxide is potentially fatal and even low-levels of the poison can cause lasting damage to your health. Recognizing the early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning will save your life.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a highly poisonous gas that has no color, taste or smell. It is totally invisible to the human senses. The only way to detect CO is with an audible carbon monoxide alarm.

It is a natural product of incomplete combustion of fossil fuels and can be produced by appliances that use gas, wood, oil, coal or other solid fuel.  Carbon monoxide is potentially fatal and even low-levels of the poison can cause lasting damage to your health.

Here are five steps to improve your safety:

• Fit an audible alarm
• Have your appliances checked regularly
• Don’t block ventilation
• Know the signs around your appliances
• Learn to recognize the symptoms

Reduce the chance of being poisoned by carbon monoxide (CO) by fitting your home with an audible Carbon Monoxide alarm. CO alarms constantly monitor the home, providing early warning of the deadly gas well before danger levels are reached. The alarms are simple to use and easy to install. Portable or Travel Carbon Monoxide Alarms can also be taken on vacation.

Recognizing the early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning will save your life.  The early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are similar to the ‘flu’.

They can include:

• nausea
• dizziness
• tiredness
• headaches
• stomach pains
• chest pains

If you experience these symptoms but feel better when you are outside or away from the appliance, you could be suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Follow these simple rules to make sure you and your family are protected from the invisible killer at all times.

AEP Ohio is still providing discounted home energy assessments and rebates on a number of energy-saving measures, such as insulation, air sealing, and improvements to air conditioning and heating systems. The In-home Energy Program which is available to all residential customers of AEP Ohio, has been extended through June 2012.

For just $25, customers can receive an In-home Energy Assessment, in which a trained auditor visits the home and diagnoses common issues that cause high bills, such as leaky air ducts, inefficient lighting and poor insulation. Customers wanting a more comprehensive look at home energy efficiency can choose the In-home Energy Audit, which adds state-of-the-art diagnostic technology such as blower-door and combustion testing, all at a significant discount.

Following the assessment, customers are eligible for rebates for installing recommended measures. In addition, each assessment includes a number of free energy-saving measures, such as compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs, programmable thermostats and high-efficiency shower heads.

“The In-home Energy Program was created to give our customers tools to start saving energy immediately, as well as the knowledge and support they need to make larger improvements to their homes,” said AEP Ohio Manager of Consumer Programs Michele Kowalik. “The combination of heavily discounted assessments and significant rebates for efficiency improvements will help make reduced energy bills a reality for thousands of Ohioans.”

To learn more, visit gridSMARTOhio.com or call (877) 856-2454. You can also contact us and we help you get started.