The Kimmel Home Improvement Blog We make your home a more comfortable place to live

4May/100

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!

23Mar/100

Colorado Heating & Air Conditioning Prep as Spring Arrives

Let’s hope that you have been changing filters regularly throughout the Colorado winter months. If you have then you have enjoyed better, cleaner air and slightly small fuel bill throughout the coldest months of the winter. If you have not replace the filter with a high quality “pleated” filter, then start today. It is good for the furnace and good for your health so start a regular program right away.

After you have turned off the power to the furnace and all fans have stopped spinning, you may want to wipe down the blower cage and burner chamber with a damp cloth. Remember the area around the burners may be very hot, so you may want to wait of bid to let things cool off and stop spinning before you start working. Did you know that you can save at least 5% of your fuel bill if the burners are kept clean and free of dirt and dust?

If you have a humidifier on your furnace or attached to it, you may want to service it right away before warmer weather gets here. That would entail changing the media pad, wiping off the inside of the humidifier so that it is free of the mineral deposits that have formed of the year. Check the humidistat to see that it is working properly. The only way to do that is to test it against another hand held humidistat to see if it reads the same amount of moisture in the air for the winter or spring months. Everyone seems to like the humidity level a little different, but one thing is for sure, if your windows are bleeding from all of the moisture in the house, then you have it set to high and should be lowered to get away from this condition which could rot the window casing and frames or cause mold to grow. You will have to find the happy medium where you get enough moisture that you do not get shocked when you touch someone or something, your skin fees moist but and not too much that the windows are bleeding water. Another sign that the window is leaking heat is the moisture (can be ice in the winter) that forms where the glass meets the frame. This gap in sealing your window will leak heat out in the winter and cool in the summer.

The last think you want to do before turning on the air conditioning condenser outside is to clean off any debris, leaves, or grass that has built up around the unit. This will allow the condenser to breathe a lot easier. The head pressure will be lower and the compressor motor will live longer because it will not over heat. Condensers are designed to reject heat and if they cannot, they may suffer a shortened life.

If these comments have provoked a few questions, please give me a call because the advice is free. (Denver 303-952-8668 or Summit and Eagle County 970.328.6001 ).

Tom D’Agostino, Service Manger
Kimmel Mechanical, Inc.

6Mar/101

Lead based paint and asbestos control

As your plumbing and hvac contractor, we are always cutting into floors, walls and ceilings to make repairs to water piping, drain piping and heating lines. New legislation about lead based paint and asbestos may add a layer of cost to the consumer which will be very significant if not outrageous.

Many people (contractors, subcontractors, owners, renters, buyers or sellers) are interested or upset about dealing with lead based paint or asbestos in your Colorado residential or commercial property. This blog will not address the laws or regulations for handling the product or the paperwork that is required. Believe me, it is very confusing when dealing with lead paint or asbestos because it seems that many governing bodies have a say in how to handle, dispose-of, certify or document these hazardous materials. Let me set down what should happen when handling these two highly hazardous products.

Colorado Homeowners’ point of view

If you suspect that your home or commercial property has any type of materials containing lead or asbestos, you are encouraged to have your property tested by a LICENSED company who can verify the type of asbestos and the level of potency you may have in the product(s) on your property. If the lead is present in the paint, they will also test for that. Starting with a QUALIFIED and licensed tester is the first step. You will know what you are dealing with and what must be done if you start a remodel on your property. As I said earlier there are many regulations handed down by multiple authorities (OSHA, EPA, HUD, state regulations, etc.) but until you know the degree of problem you have, you cannot layout a plan of attack. Even if you want to make the repair yourself, you as the owner MUST have your property checked by a licensed and insured company. If you hire a subcontractor, he must also have the property checked (if you have not recently done so yourself) and then he will probably make recommendations for licensed individuals who can handle and process the lead paint or asbestos. He cannot tell you that it is not a problem, if there is ANY lead paint on your interior wood, metal or plastic surfaces or if there asbestos present.

Get your property checked because it may affect the sale of the property in the future or any refinance or any future remodel projects. You should protect yourself and get any suspicious product checked because a clean bill of health on your property is what will make the renovation, remodel or expansion project go smoother.

Contractors’ point of view

Most licensed contractors who have been around these past thirty years know that there are rules and regulations for handling, removal, disposal and testing of lead based paints or asbestos. They should not try to ignore this potential hazard because it could contaminate the entire jobsite and also put them out of business. The stories are true. The enforcement of the new rules and regulations are for real and they are substantial. Every contractor and subcontractor should be aware of the potential hazards caused by improper removal of lead based paint and asbestos. They should also know that strict testing is required. If they do not know this, then our suggestion is that you find another contractor. Subcontractors are also held to the same standards and cannot sweep this under the rug with regards to the testing and proper paperwork regarding lead paint and asbestos. There is not excuse for not testing the jobsite for these dangerous products because they are all over both old and new homes today. Import products are not regulated and asbestos can be found on some of the flooring products sold at your local box stores. BE CAREFUL and test first.

Colorado Renter point of view

If you suspect that your rental property contains asbestos or lead based paint, then ask your landlord to have the property tested before you or anyone starts a remodel project, of any size. Ask for a copy of the test results. This is a reasonable request. You are not trying to make it difficult on anyone but you are living in this property and a remodel project could stir up lead in the space your live or allow asbestos to become airborne. So, remember that testing is the first step in the process.

If you have any other comments or concerns, please feel free to ask me. My number is 303-952-8668. I may not have all the answers, but I know people who do. We have used Bill Schaefer of Chief Home Inspections (email Bill@chiefinspection.com or cell# 303-668-7072) when we have any questions or concerns regarding lead paint or asbestos in any property we work in.

Tom D’Agostino, Service Manager
Kimmel Mechanical, Inc.

11Feb/100

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

4Feb/100

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

1Feb/100

Complete the HVAC work on time and keep the customer’s business in normal operation

On Tuesday, 1-26-2010, we called for an inspection of the HVAC upgrades that were completed at the Howard Johnsons located at 12100 West 44th Ave., Wheat Ridge, Colorado, 80033. The General Contractor was BDR Construction and we have really enjoyed working for them on various projects this past year.

The reason for the HVAC upgrades was due to damage sustained by the dangerous and damaging hail storm that blew through Wheat Ridge and Lakewood last July. (We live in Wheat Ridge and it took out our Roof, Windows, Siding, deck and garden.) The damage to Howard Johnson’s from this powerful storm was not just limited to the exposed HVAC equipment on the roof, but to the siding, stucco, roof and P-tac units.

There was a Roof Top Unit (RTU) which heated part of the lobby and the restaurant inside the facility and it was badly damaged. Since the equipment was old, the replacement equipment needed to be adapted to the existing roof curb. That took a few tries by the outsourced fabricator, but we were able to hoist up to the roof the curb adaptor which took the weight of the new RTU and kept the water proof seal. (See the attached pictures of our installation in progress.)

There were two up blast kitchen exhaust fans from the hood that were made of aluminum which were also badly damaged by the hail. This change out was easier that the RTU replacement because we used the same manufacturer and the new units sat on the same curbs that existed without any modifications. We only had to adapt the new electrical connections and grease basins to the new fan to complete this replacement.

The real challenge was replacing the refrigeration equipment. The old manufacturer of the three compressor unit was in no hurry to give exact pricing or delivery dates for the single condenser coil which cooled all three compressors or the actual compressors themselves. Refrigerant and technology has changed a great deal since the early 80's, and one immediate challenge was to keep the beer cooler working throughout the entire process for the restaurant. In addition, the holidays had arrived and this work was started around New Years and the restaurant and bar were in full swing, so down time during the busiest week was not going to be tolerated and would result in loss of income for the bar and restaurant .

In order to expedite the process and prevent any down time for the bar and restaurant, we opted to buy three separate new compressor and condenser units, build a custom rack and install them on the same rooftop pad that existed for the custom refrigeration unit that has existed since 1983.

Our HVAC foreman, Mike Bryant, is extremely talented and came up with some great solutions. He created his own stands and welded them at home for this project. Also, much of this work was performed outside in the elements, so the weather conditions added more constraints.

Once the new units were mounted, we were faced with at least four direct shorts to ground for the power to the units. Previously the wiring to these units, coming from inside the facility was faulty and caused some serious electrical hazards. We had to pull new wire from the interior each time.

Eventually we relocated some the equipment from the roof to the various evaporators inside the kitchen and bars. Ultimately our efforts paid off. The walk-in cooler, walk-in freezer and beer cooler were working like a charm with some of the latest equipment, refrigerant and wiring. If it was not for the skill and talent of Mike Bryant and his team members, this job would have never been completed on time.

Our crane service subcontractor, Bill Boom Company, was very skilled and performed perfectly, as they always have in the past. HVAC Supply Company provided us with the RTU and curb and their delivery of the Goodman/Amana equipment was very timely.

This was a great product after all is said and done, but there was some high drama from beginning to end in order to complete the work on time and keep the customer’s business in normal operation. It took skill and talent to complete these unusual situations and I am very proud of our team’s efforts to get the job done.

If you have any questions about this installation or this type of work, please feel free to give us a call. We are always happy to talk to the customers and offer our suggestions and knowledge at no charge. The direct phone number to Kimmel Service is 303-952-8668.

Tom D'Agostino, Kimmel Service Manager

20Jan/100

New Years Resolution: Prevent catastrophic events from happening to your Colorado plumbing & heating systems

As we start the New Year in this tough economic environment, it is essential that you do all you can to prevent the unforeseen and catastrophic events from happening to the plumbing and heating systems in your home or office.

First, pay attention to any little problem that you may see or hear about because it may become bigger very quickly if ignored. Start first by looking for plumbing related problems. If you have a spot on the ceiling downstairs from the bathroom upstairs, it could be something very simple like a leaking shower door or your kids splashing water outside the tub. But it may also be something more serious such as a cracked or broken drain line. As you check around your home, make note of what you find and check it out. Ask questions of the household member to determine when the problem started or how regular the problem occurs. If you do not know what questions to ask, give me a call because the advice I give you is free for the asking (303-952-8668 or 970.328.6001 ). (This is the part of the trade that I really like.)

In my previous blogs, I gave you tips on how to prevent frozen and broken pipes as we continue with the cold Colorado winter weather. Just following these simple tips will during the extremely cold days and nights will prevent a costly catastrophe from happening in your home or office. Don’t let down your guard while these temperatures exist and remember that at night the temps will fall and cause a pipe to burst and you could return to a flooded home if the temperatures moderate while you are out during the day. If you think this may happen, be sure to turn off the main water shutoff valve before you go out and turn it on when you come back. But remember when you turn the water back on, listen for possible water running from a frozen line that has thawed and burst.

As far as your heating system is concerned, make note of cold spots in your home. Many times you can even out the temperatures in your home simply by turning on the “fan” switch on your thermostat. This is very efficient using just a small amount of electricity .The fan will move around the heated and cooler air in all parts of your home and average out the temperatures. Warm air wants to stay in the ceiling and particularly the second floor ceilings, so by leaving the fan on, you can move that warm air around your home using the heating ductwork already in your walls. Remember to keep the heat set on the normal temperature you desire and then the burners will come on when there is a call for heat. This little trick really works!

Don’t forget to change your filter halfway through the winter months. You are moving around the dirt and dust in your house and ducts and it all seems to collect in the filter at the furnace. The replacement filter should be the same size as the duct, not larger or smaller so that air does not leak out and affect the overall performance of your furnace. Remember to buy only “pleated” filters unless you have a special air filter system.

And finally, remember that a little preventative maintenance on a regular basis can prevent a big problem later or will minimize the damage at least. Keep this blog handy as a reminder of what to be aware of when it comes to your plumbing and heating systems so that disasters can be prevented. If you have any questions, please feel free to give me a call to discuss plumbing, heating, air conditioning or solar questions you may have (303-952-8668 or 970.328.6001 ).

Tom D’Agostino, Service Manger, Kimmel Mechanical, Inc., Denver, Summit County and Eagle County Colorado

28Dec/090

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!

23Dec/092

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.

29Nov/090

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.