Preventing Costly Water Damage is Easier Than You Think

When you leave on vacation or for a weekend, do you worry about your water pipes bursting from either pressure or frozen pipes?  Living in New York, the inconsistent hot and cold weather gives us several reasons to be concerned.

Water damage can be one of the most expensive items to repair in your home.  Whether it is a leaking pipe or roof, water can cause major damage including harmful mold.  Valuables such as artwork, antiques, computers and electronic data, photographs, and other heirlooms are often difficult or impossible to fully replace, even when you have insurance.  The negative effects caused by water damage, aging and faulty plumbing is one of the most common insurance claims.

To prevent your home, vacation home, or office from costly water damage, you can benefit from the protection and peace of mind by installing a Sump Pump.  A Sump Pump automatic water shut-off system will provide your home or business with round-the-clock flood protection and works with wired and wireless flood sensors, wall switches, and most home security and home automation systems.  If leaking water contacts any of the sensors a wireless signal is immediately broadcast to the Sump Pump main valve causing the valve to close.  Water flow is quickly cutoff to all areas and any continuous flooding is stopped in its tracks.  It protects you 24/7 while you are home or away.

In most cases, a Sump Pump can be installed for much less than a deductible on an insurance policy.  Plus with all the time and aggravation you will save from not having to repair a preventable problem, it is worth Installing a Sump Pump today.

Solar Lights – An Easy Way To Save on Electricity

I love those solar lamps. We had them in our yard, as well, and they are not that expensive. They’re all the rage now and give a little zing to your landscaping. I love that they are insurance for the environment by not having to use more electricity and they are beautiful. Functional and lovely. Can you ask for more? One word of warning – if you start with the solar lamps it leads to even more thoughts of solar energy! We want to put solar panels on our next home improvement projects.

Solar lights have been on our radar lately, especially with our plan to reduce our electricity costs. We’ve been wanting to tackle some outdoor projects and installing solar lights seemed like a good way to combine an outdoor face lift for the home with the cost savings of solar energy. After spending what seemed like hours at the home store poring over the different varieties of path lighting. we finally made our decision. Of course, I want you to benefit from all of our research, so here are the benefits we’ve found with solar lighting.

Solar lights don’t use electricity. Since we’re on this crusade to save money and energy, I love this feature of solar lights. These lights don’t draw on my home’s power at all. They do, however, take a little while to “charge” from the sun, so don’t expect them to be crazily bright when you take them out of the box.

Solar lights are easy to install. I have to admit that, although I love home improvement projects, electrical work really intimidates me. In fact, that is the one type of project that I tend to let my husband take over. Fortunately, solar lights are really easy to install. The lights are mounted on yard spikes, so all you have to do is to push them firmly into the ground. Done!

Solar lights are safe. Having installed these path lights into the yard, I don’t have to worry about a dog digging into the wiring for the lights. These lights don’t have wiring. I also don’t have to worry about my husband electrocuting himself while he tries to wire something into the house.

You can pick solar lights up cheaply if you time your purchase correctly. Now, we didn’t do this in our house. Unfortunately, we weren’t sure last winter that we were going to be doing this project, and I didn’t want to buy something and have it sit in the garage for years. If I had it to over again, however, I would have purchased them last winter. Learn from our mistake and plan ahead for your purchases.

How Much Should A Commercial Heating Sales Engineer Earn?

Or, to put it another way, how much could a commercial heating sales engineer be earning?  If you read some job adverts it might seem easier to estimate the length of a piece of string. Start analysing the figures behind the headline OTE and it won’t be long before you’re tied up in knots.

Getting Down to Basics

A basic salary will typically range between £36K and £44K for a sales engineer in the commercial heating sector. Bonuses, however, can add anything between £3K and £50K – making a big difference to potential earnings.

Size Matters

Working for a smaller company will probably mean earning a higher basic but less bonus. That’s generally because small firms are less well known within the industry and bonus opportunities are a bit harder to come by. A good level of bonus from a small to medium sized commercial heating manufacturer will be around £8-10K. The bigger and better known the company, the higher the bonus potential, although basic salaries will probably be less.

Hitting the Bullseye

You’re already thinking about how much you should be earning and the job adverts are telling you what you could be earning.  So how do you make sure you’re being paid what you feel you deserve? If your ambition is to earn between £50K and £60K hitting target is the best way to achieve it. If you’re hitting target and earning less than £50K you’re probably underpaid!

Bonus Numbers

If you’re good at your job, achieving your targets won’t be too much of a lottery. The small print of your bonus agreement may still leave you spinning though. Some firms include a team element to the bonus giving you an extra payout if the regional team hits target. Others will only release part of the bonus if you achieve a personal development target. Our advice? Check the small print, do the sums and keep your eye on the ball to make sure you’re achieving in each specified area.

Simply the Best

There may not be many companies out there offering OTE figures of 100K these days but it is possible to get close if that’s what you’re looking for. The best packages are those that fit the company. In other words, if you’re working for a big name in the HVAC industry with potential to further your career and achieve high sales it’s only fair that the basic is a little lower. A smaller company selling less well known products should be offering a slightly higher basic with less reliance on bonus to make up the number.

Remember: When it comes to career progression, salary is the ultimate indicator but the best packages aren’t always those offering the highest numbers.

How The Green Deal Will Affect Your Career In The HVAC

The Government is on a mission to encourage Britain’s 26 million households and 4.5 million businesses to save energy. There may have been a big fanfare to announce the launch of its well publicised Green Deal but what does it mean for those working in the HVAC sector and should HVAC manufacturers be rolling out the red carpet?

High Demand

The most recent figures suggest people are really switching onto the Green Deal. More than 9000 Green Deal assessments took place in the first two months of the scheme and there seems to be genuine interest from domestic energy users who are struggling with rising gas and electricity bills. The fact that consumers are enthusiastic means landlords and businesses are likely to see the benefits to. The message for those working in the HVAC industry is that if this trend continues they should definitely be gearing themselves towards this potentially lucrative new market.

Bright Ideas

The latest thinking in the industry is that HVAC manufacturers will need to look at their product ranges and assess their efficiency credentials if they are to maximise any Green Deal opportunities. Products that can be sold on their energy efficiency benefits are therefore likely to have a bright future and new product development and innovation should probably have a strong focus on energy saving.

A Warm Glow

If your company is an approved supplier under the Green Deal, this fact will undoubtedly leave a warm glow in the hearts of potential clients and customers and will ultimately be likely to win you a share of the flourishing green market. Likewise, if you are looking to further your career and can demonstrate a thorough understanding of how the Grean Deal is shaping the industry, you’ll be turning the heat up on your job prospects.

Fanning the Flames

The enthusiastic response from home owners has already inspired 48 firms to become authorised providers according to the latest figures with more than 800 registered to carry out installations. The general feeling in the industry is that as the Green Deal catches on there will be an ever increasing demand for expertise in this area creating new opportunities for HVAC manufacturers and those working in the sector.

Full Steam Ahead

Some of the biggest names in energy and efficiency are putting their money where their mouth is to push the Green Deal forward. The Green Deal Finance Company (GDFC) has signed financing agreements with the DECC , the UK Green Investment Bank and stakeholders such as British Gas, Kingfisher, Carillon, PwC and npower to provide financial support for Green Deal Providers to put together and promote Green Deal Plans. Not only does this present opportunities for HVAC businesses, it also provides a secure future for sales professionals with knowledge and experience of energy efficiency technology or products.

Frequently Asked Questions about Smart Thermostats

Many persons do not consider replacing their thermostat unless something goes wrong, or until it becomes obsolete when they upgrade their heating and cooling systems. However, homes are becoming smarter with items that make our lives easier.

One piece of technology that is taking the HVAC industry by storm is the intelligent thermostat. Are you questioning if a smart thermostat is correct for your home and family? Read on to explore probably the most frequently asked questions we receive about intelligent thermostats and their answers.

What is a smart thermostat?

You may already be familiar with a programmable thermostat. Based on the US Energy Details Administration, just 41% of homes have a programmable thermostat. This kind of thermostat enables you to setup a daily plan to heat or great your home. You may plan it to a lesser temperature while you are at work and a more comfortable temperature while you are home.

Smart thermostats take programmable thermostats to the next level. They can connect to wifi or a smart hub. Many can be linked to smart house assistants like the Amazon Echo, Google House, or Apple HomeKit. Because a good thermostat is connected to the web, you have the ability not only to plan it to change at different times of the day, you can even control it remotely.

Some smart thermostats discover patterns and modify temperatures automatically predicated on factors just like your timetable and the temperature outside, maximizing efficiency without you even needing to think about it! They are able to likewise remind you when to improve your HVAC filter systems or notify you if one's body is due for service.

Will a good thermostat work in the event that you don’t have ability or wifi?

Like various other thermostats, if you don't have power due to an outage, your clever thermostat will not job - but neither will your heater or air conditioning equipment. If your wifi can be down, your clever thermostat will still are a standard thermostat would: You it's still able to put it to use to regulate heating and air. On the other hand, the features which make it smart-like software connection, geofencing, scheduling, and live improvements and alerts-will get disabled.

Can a good thermostat measure humidity?

Most smart thermostats may measure humidity and screen when your HVAC program is attempting to dehumidify the surroundings in your home. You do not need to have a distinct hygrometer to measure humidity in your house if you possess a good thermostat. If your wifi can be down, this feature could be disabled.

Do smart thermostats use heat pumps?

Smart thermostats do use heat pumps, plus they even automate the procedure of using 1. These thermostats present multiple program options such as for example “custom,” “heat only,” “amazing only,” and “heat/amazing.” With the “high temperature/cool” setting, the thermostat will automatically swap between your pump’s cooling and heating modes.

Will a good thermostat save money?

YES - A good thermostat will support save money! You could decrease your strength costs to high temperature and cool your house by up to 23%. These thermostats include presets like “spring,” “summertime,” “fall,” “winter months,” and “energy-saving” which make it less complicated to cut costs automatically. Preset energy-saving settings keep your high temperature at a lesser temperature or air-con at an increased temperature when you are aside from home throughout the day.

When you keep coming back, the thermostat can have your house set to the ideal temperature to make sure your comfort. During the night when you sleep, your clever thermostat may also lower or improve the temperatures according to your requirements. Not just that, but, as stated above, smart thermostats adjust to your schedules and choices automatically, making sure maximum ease and comfort and energy efficiency.

Now that you understand the FAQs about clever thermostats, it's time to carry out the smart thing. Get in touch with your local HVAC dealer to scheduled appointment to update your system’s thermostat.

How Much Does A New Hvac System Cost?

A great HVAC system is a financial investment not just in the worth of your house, however in your family's convenience. Yet lots of people be reluctant to update their maturing air conditioning systems since they're stressed over the set you back.

You wish to ensure that you are production a great financial investment for your house and convenience, however it can be difficult to understand the accurate quantity you will have to allocate when preparation to switch out an older air conditioning system for a brand-new one.

We're right below to damage the set you back of a brand-new HVAC system down for you!

The Components of an HVAC System

When you think about your HVAC system, you may think about package that rests outdoors your house, or the heating system hid in an edge. Yet your HAC system has much various elements you'll have to think about when you choose to change it. These elements are where the unforeseen expenses may shock you.

The acronym "HVAC" means "Heating, Air flow, and Air Conditioning". The function of a HVAC system is to control your home's temperature level, handle moisture, and filter the air. This procedure needs lots of elements, such as:

• The system outdoors, which typically includes the condenser coil, a compressor, and a follower
• The system inside your home, which typically includes the heating system, the air blower, the evaporator coil, and the air dealing with system.
• A number of refrigeration lines that pass in between your interior and outside systems and distribute the cooling agent that transportations warm air from your home.
• Ductwork that runs throughout your the home of bring the conditioned air. This ductwork includes both return air ducts and provide air ducts.
• A thermostat, which enables you to inform the system what temperature level it ought to preserve.

The Set you back of Updating an HVAC System

Changing or updating an HVAC system might imply changing one or a number of of the elements noted over. The brief solution to "Just what does it cost? will it set you back for a brand-new HVAC system?" is, "In between $15,000 and $40,000."

Much a lot extra precise varies for prospective cost depend upon the problem of your current system, the dimension of system you require, what kind of system you have, and the market value of elements.

Divide system HVAC systems are one of the most typical ones you discover in houses. It's frequently many inexpensive in regards to devices, however the setup set you back might be greater due to air duct work. The cost to change devices just for a 14 SEER divide system is typically in between $7,500 and $10,000.

Ductless or Mini-Split system HVAC systems location a private system in every space. These systems are typically installed on interior wall surfaces and connected to a compressor outdoors. The cost to change devices just for a solitary area ductless system is in between $8,000 and $15,000. Packaged system HVAC systems are not typical. They are developed to put all vital parts into one cupboard and are typically set up outdoors. The set you back to change just the devices for a 14 SEER packaged system has to do with $10,000 to $14,000.

Ways to Save Energy on Home Cooling

With temperatures reaching nearly triple digits in many parts of the country, air conditioning systems are working extra hard to maintain you cool. While air conditioners provide comfort, they also use a lot of electric power. The Energy Info Administration estimates cooling accounts for about 6 percent of the total energy used in typical American households -- costing consumers about $11 billion a year!

Here are some simple steps you can take to stay cool and save energy on hot summer days:

Become a fan of fans.

For central air conditioning systems, a ceiling fan will allow you to raise the thermostat setting about 4 degrees Fahrenheit without sacrificing comfort. In case you have a windows air conditioner unit, try using a fan close by to spread cooler atmosphere to other parts of the room and house.

Maintain your equipment.

When was the last time you swapped out your air conditioner filtration system? Routinely replacing the filtration system could lower your air conditioner's energy consumption 5 to 15 percent. Even with filters, your system’s evaporator coils can sometimes gather dirt. Check and clean these to help improve airflow. Here are more air conditioner maintenance tips.

Set that thermostat.

With regards to home cooling, every degree matters. You could save 10 percent a yr on cooling costs by turning your thermostat up 7 to 10 degrees from its typical cooling setting for just eight hours a time. The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temps, the lower your overall cooling expenses will be.

Seal those cracks.

Keeping warm air out is essential to staying cool in summer days. Look for any cracks around the edges of doors and windows and apply caulk or weatherstripping to seal them up.

Block out sunlight.

When you’re outside, color is a welcome rest from the glaring hot summer sun. The same could be said for the within of your residence. Energy efficient draperies like window blinds can block natural light and keep the heating out. Highly reflective window blinds can slash heating gain about 45 percent when totally shut and lowered.

Make Your Windows BETTER

Generally, window glass is quite thin and several builders simply use one pane of glass. While that is barely sufficient, it really is many better and better to have dual and possibly triple pane storm house windows. Although replacing all of the widows in a residence could be expensive and frustrating, these varieties of windows drastically decrease your heating and cooling charges because between each pane of cup can be an insulating barrier of oxygen that keeps the sizzling hot and cold oxygen out of your property and self-regulates the home temperature.

Improve Your Insulation

Since the most your home’s strength goes towards cooling and heating, it appears to be clear that among the things you must do is increase the insulation of your house. You can do that one of two techniques: either use frequent fiberglass batting or the newer spray foam insulation. It is suggested you should call an insulation consultant to get some strategies on what to perform the best insulation update for your home.

Setting The AC Heat range Higher at Night

No matter what the main world your home is in, when it’s nights, the temperature drops. Due to this fact, you don’t want your AC on as low of a heat range as you'll during the day as your home is already cooling. Therefore don’t be wary of raising the heat of your air conditioner as it will lower your overall bill due to less AC use.

Service Your AC Unit Regularly

Basic maintenance is all you really need to keep your air conditioner in tip-best shape. Keeping the area around your air conditioner free from air obstruction is critical. Changing out your filters regularly is one the of most important things a homeowner can do since, when your filters happen to be clogged with dirt or pet hair, your AC unit needs to work harder to great. This can quickly result in expensive repairs.

Check out Energy Saver for even more tips and advice on how to save energy and money all year long. Also, take a trip through time and learn about the history and future of air conditioning technology.