Take advantage of Colorado State and Local Rebate Programs
A hot topic for COLORADO residents are the rebate programs that are going on and what is happening with these rebate programs. Visit our new Colorado rebates webpage for an easy reference to many websites.
It is very likely that these rebate programs have limited funding and may not go on for much longer so before you know it, they will be over. So it would be wise to take advantage of these offers and rebates while the offers are still available.
“Big ticket” items like air conditioners, boilers and furnaces are examples of where you take advantage of current rebate offers and save money. If you combine these dollars with the federal money and the Xcel rebate direct to the customer then you are talking about some serious cash. You can get up to 40 % or more in incentive dollars. That means that you can lower the cost of installation and then you can lower the energy bill from the day you start up the equipment. This is real money and that is what it is all about.
The next step of responsibility with major equipment purchases is with you, the homeowner, for the upkeep and maintenance of your equipment. From this day forward, you the owner must keep the air conditioner, furnace or boiler clean and keep the filters replaced like it says in the manual. Remember that when the burners are kept clean they burn more efficiently and the energy bills are lower and you reap the rewards. If you forget, and they get dirty and dusty you pay the price and your fuel bill rises.
When the air filters get dirty they slow down the air flow and this increases the static on the motor and shortens its life. Humidifiers get clogged up depending on the type and now you have a real mess.
To begin - clean the furnace itself. Clean the top and sides of you boiler. Clean the pump and clean the blower motor after you have turned off the electricity and waited for everything to wind down and cool off. Don’t forget that there is safety to consider and that there is low and line voltage as well. Amps and volts can hurt you just as well so make sure you have turned off all of the fuses and breakers before starting any of your cleaning.
Rebates and replacement of this equipment are great incentives if you get the job done right. How do you know you have the right job done? Ask a qualified inspector or those who have been in the trade you need to find a resource you can trust. Go to your local building department and ask them. Go to the local Chamber of Commerce and ask them. They are a great reference for reputable contractors. Ask the BBB and they will give you a list as well. This is where you start but do not stop until you are happy with the choice you have. If you want to schedule a service call or have any questions, feel free to call me, Tom D’Agostino at Kimmel Mechanical, Denver Office 303-952-8668 or our Gypsum Office at 970.328.6001. Best of luck!
Why you should upgrade your appliances
“Why should I spend money now to upgrade my furnace/water heater/boiler/swamp cooler/air conditioner?”
I am sure you have heard all of the reasons why it is important to change these older appliances RIGHT NOW, but let me review the obvious reasons and then give you a few compelling ones you may not have heard:
Let’s begin with the reasons you may already have heard:
1. Federal tax credits up to $1,500.00
2. Utility rebates direct to you in the form of a check.
3. Life safety because the old appliance may be leaking toxic gases in your home
4. Increase efficiency (and a reduced energy bill every month)
5. Peace of mind knowing you do not have to wait for a disaster before you changes out the appliance.
These are the top five reasons that you may have read in your newspaper, on a radio ad or on an advertising piece you have received in the mail.
Let me tell you why I feel it makes sense to upgrade or buy better quality appliances as soon as you can. First, now that more energy efficient appliances are becoming more affordable, the cost of putting in an 80% efficient appliance often is about the same as a 95% one. If there is a financial incentive to put in the better quality, you may get a longer life out of the new one than you would otherwise and for close to the same price.
A singular point not mentioned in any discussion about a conversion from old to new is very basic: upgrading to better and more efficient equipment simply adds to our everyday comfort. We live in our homes year in and year out and we rely on that equipment for consistent hot water, regular heating and cooling. Being comfortable in our home is found in the simple yet important things like the temperature being controlled better with the new furnace or boiler system or the hot water temperature is consistent after the third shower in a row by family members. Today’s equipment gives us better heating and cooling and more consistent hot water than we have ever had in the past which is a valid reason alone for making the upgrade. Yes, there are brands that claim to offer certain performance and may not perform as well as those claims in actual use, but do your research and check out what are proven brands and models are available and you can enjoy better “creature comfort” than ever before. One of the free services that I can provide to you through Kimmel Service is help in guiding you to the best appliances and equipment that meet both your budget and lifestyle needs.
When we install a higher quality piece of HVAC equipment and tell the customer the benefits (and differences) from their previous equipment they are amazed and pleased. One of the first comments that customers tell me is that they have been living in a cold or warm house for so many years that this will be a pleasant change. They of course want to save money but often they will think “now that I have a furnace which puts out better heat at a lower price, I will move my thermostat up a few degrees and not pay any more money”. This is a common misunderstanding, but you have not studied you’re your new furnace or boiler can do for you without turning up the thermostat.
I encourage the customer to some time reading the literature for the equipment and talking to the experienced technicians or company managers so the customer is aware what it takes to get superior comfort at a better that expected utility bill and to make the best selection.
Also, did you know that adding a humidifier can actually lower your thermostat temperature? Yes, you can feel just as comfortable at a lower temperature if the humidity level in your home is increased. We experience a two to four degree drop in temperature when you raise the humidity level in your Colorado home.
If you have any questions or want input and guidance regarding your upcoming purchase of new appliances or equipment, please feel free to give me a call.
Thanks,
Tom D’Agostino, Kimmel Service Manger, Denver 303.952.8668 Summit & Eagle County 970.328.6001
Phil Says: 6 More Weeks of Winter. Plumbing & Heating Tips
The sun is out and the weather is getting warmer in Colorado but we are not out of the woods yet when it comes to potential plumbing and heating emergencies. It is a little disarming when you feel the sun beating on a Colorado winter day but there could be some surprises for you and your plumbing and heating systems.
Plumbing
As the Colorado temperatures start to moderate and the hours of sunlight increase, you are beginning to think about spring and flowers and fun in the garden. It is OK to think about that but do not try to turn on your outside faucets because when the sun goes down so does the temperature. If you do a little gardening or you water some of the trees and shrubs that have been dormant and you use your outdoor faucet, don’t forget to remove the hose or the freezeless faucet may split at night when the temperature dips to below 25 degrees F. This could cause a flood in your home when spring does arrive and you get out to work on your lawn or yard for the first time. Without knowing it, the water will be spraying inside your house while you are outside tending to the grass or perennials. This mistake is very common so please heed this warning to avoid a very costly repair. Also, do be tempted to turn on your underground lawn sprinkler system just because we have a few mild early spring days. Be sure that we are out of the danger zone and temperatures are not going to fall below 32 degrees F and the danger of frost has past.
Heating
You have gone all winter and avoided heating disasters. As the temperature rises, don’t forget to change all the filters in your system. It is easy to forget to do this because the furnace does not run as often. But remember, now that the front and back door are open to the outside more often than during the winter months and all the airborne dirt, seeds and particles can get into your home and be trapped by your filter. When you shut the door, these airborne matter work their way back to the furnace through the return air duct system. Remember when you change the filter, change it more often than during the winter or at least check it more often.
And don’t forget the humidifier. Many of them require that you replace the pad and it is easy to forget. If the water gets dirty and the pad begins to crumble this means you could have a plugged drain on the humidifier. When this happens, you could also start to grow some type of mold and several other nasty things can happen. A good plan is when you change any filter, don’t forget to write the date that you installed it on the side of the filter where you can see it so you do not have to get inside the blower assembly or take the time to flip it around. (Also, don’t forget to install the filter with the arrow pointing in the direction which the air flows.) A filter rack outside the furnace itself is the safest place to install and service/replace the filter itself.
Finally, save money by adjusting your thermostat down during the late winter and early spring months, since there is more daylight and solar heat beating down on your house. You can get the house very warm during the day and circulate this heat by leaving the fan switch in the “ON” position while keeping the temperature setting at the desired level. This will move the heat that has accumulated in the ceilings throughout the day and keep an good average temperature throughout your home. Your furnace will not fire up as much and you will be more comfortable. This great tip uses the natural solar heat gain during the day and also reduces your heating bill.
If this blog has generated a few questions, please feel free to give me a call. Denver Colorado (303-952-8668) or in Summit and Eagle County (970.328.6001) --- Tom D’Agostino, Kimmel Service Manager
Is there Carbon Monoxide in my home?
We have all heard about the tragic accidents which happened right here in Colorado and throughout the US, where several people or whole families had died in their home or rental unit from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. CO poisoning is a real problem and I will take time in this blog to review the issues with CO and how to avoid any serious problems from this contaminant entering your home.
People may not be dying every day from CO poisoning, but many do become ill. Often the people who become ill are not aware that it is from CO. For example, in the past month I have gone to the homes or businesses of customers and heard the comment that they arrive at work each day and over the course of the day, develop a bad headache. Some just thought it was the stresses of their work, but a headache can also be one of the first signs of CO poisoning. In one commercial building I checked, there were two dozen people who worked in the area where I found a badly leaking furnace. As I examined the furnaces, I found the metal heating ductwork and flue were ice cold which told me there was a definite malfunction. With further testing, I found that 100% of the exhaust gases were pouring into the building, exposing these workers to the toxic CO fumes.
Every home and business setting has some degree of CO in the air. For example, each time we turn on a gas cook top, use the oven or light the gas fireplace, we can introduce some degree of CO into our living space. Often these amounts are low and cause no harm. But the critical issue is to determine which levels of CO are harmful, if there is CO contamination in your surroundings and how to avoid and correct it if found.
Typically, the largest gas appliances in our home are the furnace/boiler and the hot water heater. If these appliances are defective or broken, they could leak CO into the air. In many cases, the CO will simply go up the flue pipe but if you have a draft induced or forced draft appliance, this may not always be possible. In addition, if your furnace has a cracked heat exchanger, the CO can go wherever the heating air is pushed allowing the CO to spread through the entire home. When I lived in the mountains, I once went on a service call where the homeowners complained their furnace was not functioning and that they felt sick. I pulled these people from their homes into the cold air and snow and called the paramedics when I found that they were suffering from CO poisoning. Quick action must be taken anytime CO poisoning is detected or suspected.
There are several ways to prevent excessive CO leaks in your home or business. The first is to have your furnace or boiler inspected for a cracked heat exchanger. If the home or business has a boiler, it should also be checked to see if there are leaks around the cast iron sections which could leak CO into the boiler room. At Kimmel Service, when we are called to do an inspection, there are many electronic devices we use that help detect if CO is present. We use a variety of hand held devices as well as combustion analyzers and sophisticated electronic “sniffers” that will measure all of the by-products of combustion, including CO. Our technicians are then able to determine, given the readings, if there is an existing CO problem.
Home and business owners can also purchase your own CO detectors and install them at different areas throughout your home or office. A good choice to consider is the type that is both line voltage and battery backup helps to ensure that the device will be operating in case of a power failure. There are new sensors on the market which will tell you which device is causing the CO leakage and then shut it down before the levels of CO become extreme. This type of device is more costly than the average CO detector but will give a higher level of detection and safety to your home.
If you have any questions or concerns about Carbon Monoxide, a very dangerous gas, please do not hesitate to call me. Now that we are in the cold weather months and using our gas furnaces and boilers, it is of the upmost importance and you know have these appliances checked out to be sure that there is no CO leaking into your homes or office. My Denver Colorado number is 303-952-8668 and in Summit County or Eagle County Colorado I can be reached at 970-328-6001. And if you suspect that there is CO in your surroundings causing health issues such as a headache, call 911 for emergency assistance.
Wishing you a Safe and Healthy New Year!
The Care and Maintenance of Your Home Furnace
We all know that our home furnace has to be dependable and working properly when we need it the most. No one wants to have to deal with costly repairs or replacements. Often, doing some simple maintenance is all it takes to keep your heating system running well over the years.
Here are a few tips that you can do as the homeowner for regular furnace maintenance. These tips will focus on a forced air type furnaces and not boilers or hybrid heating systems (we will address the maintenance of those in another blog entry).
One very simple and easy place to begin is by replacing your furnace filter. Safety First - begin by turning off the power to your furnace any time you work on it, including when you change the filter. Each home has different requirements for the frequency of changing the filter but an easy way to know is to check the filter periodically during the season and when you see that it is becoming plugged with dust it is time to replace it. When you install a new filter, write the date on the side of the filter with a marker. This helps you know how long the filter has been in use and to estimate length of time before you need to change the filter again.
When choosing which filter to use, remember that pleated filters function much better than the old fiberglass types. They may cost a little more, but they filter the air much better and allow more of the heated return air to pass through them at the same time, two very important factors for getting optimal clean and warm air flow through your home. Buy several filters at one time and just store them by your furnace area so they are clean and ready to go when you change your filters.
Getting the right size filter is very important. A filter should fit snug in the filter rack inside of the furnace. There should be a metal cover over the filter opening and this should be replaced after the installation of the new filter. Also be aware that there is a specific direction in which the filters are installed. Look at the filter – it should have a directional arrow on the side which shows you that the filter is to be installed with the return air going toward the furnace. A properly installed filter will not only last longer but your furnace performance will be optimal.
If you have an air purification system or a humidifier attached to your furnace, change the filters for these at the same time you change your furnace filter.
Finally, one other check you can do on your furnace is to listen when it is running for any strange noises. If you do hear anything that does not sound right, make note of when you hear it and what you hear (noise or vibration). Do not try to get inside of your furnace unless you have experience working on furnaces, because it could be dangerous and result in injury. This is when calling a professional heating technician at Kimmel Mechanical is important.
If you have any questions or concerns about your home heating systems, please give Tom a call in Denver Colorado at 303-952-8668 and in Summit County or Eagle County Colorado at 970-328-6001.
It will be our pleasure to help you regarding any of your home heating needs.
When it’s time to choose a new heating system
During these difficult economic times, we often find ourselves having to make important decisions about how our money will be spent. With the rising cost of heating your home, having efficient heating is not only a necessity to keep you warm, but one that will help you save money in the years to come. A new furnace or boiler is a major investment, so spending a little time reading about the choices for furnaces and boilers and then consulting our heating experts at Kimmel Mechanical will help you select the right size and type of system for your home.
As you consider which furnace to buy, you may have heard advertisements on the radio or TV promoting a certain brand of heating equipment and rebates if you purchase this equipment. While some of these systems may work well and may offer rebates, we recommend that the homeowner consider Energy Star™ rated heating systems. These systems have been tested and approved by the Federal Government and agencies such as Xcel Energy for their energy and cost saving abilities. In addition, Xcel Energy and the Federal Government also offer purchase rebates for designated equipment (see links below). http://www.xcelenergy.com/Colorado/Residential/Programs_Resources/HeatingandCoolingRebates/Pages/HeatingandCoolingRebates.aspx
http://energystar.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/energystar.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=5786. .
Kimmel Mechanical is an Energy Star approved company so we can guide you on the best size and type of equipment that will not only keep your home warm and cozy this winter, but will save you money not only with the rebate program but also to save you money in the future on your heating bills. We proudly represent Goodman Manufacturing Heating Products. Please visit their website at www.goodmanmfg.com to view their quality, state of the art products.
Please read this information and then give our Tom D’Agostino, our Special Projects and Service Manager a call at 303-952-8668 and in Summit County or Eagle County Colorado at 970-328-6001. It will be our pleasure to help guide you to the best heating system that will reward you with energy and cost saving performance year after year.
Maintenance can increase the efficiency of your furnace by up to 25% and reduce your utility bill significantly
Although it is easy to put off, performing a routine maintenance on your heating system prior to the winter months is as important as changing the oil in your car. Without the maintenance, your furnace runs a higher risk of needing a costly repair later on.
Hiring a professional technician to come in and clean your furnace, change the filter and ensure it is functioning properly means that you can avoid a middle of the night emergency call when it is below freezing. A furnace that is too dirty can also cost you more money throughout the winter, because it will use more gas and drive your Xcel bill higher and higher. Homeowners who maintain their furnace regularly also have a better chance of lengthening the life of their furnace.
A regular maintenance should include a filter change and a thorough furnace cleaning. Technicians may also recommend additional repairs to prevent issues in the coming months. Scheduling maintenance during the months of October and November is a good idea, because heating contractors have more time before the severe cold weather hits.
The cost of the maintenance is typically well worth avoiding serious issues in the future, and they also ensure that you will not have to live without heat during the coldest times of the year when heating contractors are the busiest with emergencies.
Kimmel Service is offering a $75.00 fall special that will tune-up your furnace, which is half off the normal price of $150.00. This maintenance service will include the following:
- Clean flower motor and wheel. Vacuum any debris that has accumulated.
- Check gas pressure to the furnace and make adjustments to meet standard operating pressures.
- Perform combustion analysis on the flue gas leaving the furnace. Adjust fuel and air mixture so the unit runs as efficiently as it can, reducing over-firing and under-firing of the furnace.
- Check for any CO leaks on the furnace.
- The technician will provide a written list of any repairs that need to be done, along with an estimated cost for repairs.
This maintenance can increase the efficiency of your furnace by up to 25% and reduce your utility bill significantly. Call our Denver office at 303-322-8144 and in Summit County or Eagle County Colorado at 970-328-6001 today to schedule your appointment and avoid any issues during the cold weather this winter!