Monday, February 15, 2010
Don't miss your chance for an HVAC tax credit!
Blinson Service Company, your source for Air Conditioning Raleigh, would like to take this opportunity to remind you of the Economic Stimulus Plan Tax Credit that’s still available until December 31, 2010 on the installation of higher efficiency HVAC systems. American Standard has many products that will qualify and depending on the type of system, homeowners can receive up to a $1,500 tax credit. Progress Energy and Duke Energy also have some rebate programs in addition to the tax rebate, along with ductwork rebates. There has never been a better period of time to maximize your savings on a new HVAC system than right now!
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Free thermostat?
Sign up for our monthly e-newsletter! We try to make it brief and informative with timely coupons. We are also beginning a monthly drawing for our customers. We’ll be giving away an energy-savings Digital, Programmable Thermostat to start. Suggestions are gladly accepted. Please sign up for the newsletter at www.bschvac.com and you’ll be automatically entered into the monthly drawing.
BSC to sell American Standard HVAC equipment!
Blinson Service Company, Inc. would like to take this time to let you know how much we appreciate your business. We know that this past year has been a difficult one for everyone and we feel that it is a privilege to be your service provider.
As you already know, we service all brands of heating and air conditioning equipment; however Trane has been our main product line. Trane was purchased by the American Standard Company many years ago and even though the equipment was American Standard, they wanted to keep the Trane name because of the brand recognition. Both brands are manufactured at the same assembly plant on the same assembly line. Since we had been a Trane dealer for over 20 years, we did not want to confuse our customers with a name change; we decided to keep the Trane name as our main product line instead of switching to the American Standard name even though it was the same equipment.
In 2008 American Standard/Trane was purchased by the Ingersoll Rand Corporation. This acquisition put American Standard and Trane under their umbrella. It has also allowed us to now offer American Standard equipment at a lower price than before.
In order to continue to provide top of the line equipment and first class service, Blinson Service Company, Inc has reached an agreement with a local distributor in Raleigh to sell the American Standard brand of heating and air conditioning equipment as our main product line. We have been a business partner with this distributor for over 20 years and they have proven time and time again to be a leader in customer service. We continue to believe in the Trane name and look forward to working with American Standard and you! Please feel free to review their website for further information
We are excited about this move for us because it will affect you, our valued customer, in a positive way. We will be able to offer the best equipment on the market, American Standard, at a better price than before. Not many businesses can offer that anymore…better service for less. We are your source for HVAC Raleigh!
As you already know, we service all brands of heating and air conditioning equipment; however Trane has been our main product line. Trane was purchased by the American Standard Company many years ago and even though the equipment was American Standard, they wanted to keep the Trane name because of the brand recognition. Both brands are manufactured at the same assembly plant on the same assembly line. Since we had been a Trane dealer for over 20 years, we did not want to confuse our customers with a name change; we decided to keep the Trane name as our main product line instead of switching to the American Standard name even though it was the same equipment.
In 2008 American Standard/Trane was purchased by the Ingersoll Rand Corporation. This acquisition put American Standard and Trane under their umbrella. It has also allowed us to now offer American Standard equipment at a lower price than before.
In order to continue to provide top of the line equipment and first class service, Blinson Service Company, Inc has reached an agreement with a local distributor in Raleigh to sell the American Standard brand of heating and air conditioning equipment as our main product line. We have been a business partner with this distributor for over 20 years and they have proven time and time again to be a leader in customer service. We continue to believe in the Trane name and look forward to working with American Standard and you! Please feel free to review their website for further information
We are excited about this move for us because it will affect you, our valued customer, in a positive way. We will be able to offer the best equipment on the market, American Standard, at a better price than before. Not many businesses can offer that anymore…better service for less. We are your source for HVAC Raleigh!
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
ACCA Tells Obama: HVACR is Key to Energy Efficiency
In a letter sent to President Barack Obama this week, before delivering his State of the Union address tonight, ACCA President Paul Stalknecht said that, while current tax incentives may have missed the mark, HVACR contractors are still well positioned to aid in the nation's energy efficiency efforts. The text of the letter is below. Hope you like it! Jeanna Blinson (Blinson Service Center)
January 26, 2010
President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear President Obama:
As your administration considers job creation policies, I would like to recommend an expansion of the energy efficiency incentives available to homeowners. By lowering the minimum standards for qualified equipment and ensuring that new systems are installed properly, homeowners are guaranteed to see a payback through lower utility bills, better indoor air quality, and fewer emitted greenhouse gases.
In the stimulus package passed earlier last year, Congress provided tax incentives for homeowners to purchase higher-efficiency heating and cooling systems in 2009 and 2010. Since these systems amount to nearly half of the average home’s utility bill, to an outsider, these tax breaks look like a win-win. High-efficiency systems can dramatically lower energy usage, and nothing that consumers do will have as big an impact on reducing American energy dependence than by replacing old, inefficient heating and cooling units.
Unfortunately, thanks to some little-known requirements and prescriptions in the legislative language, these tax credits are adding up to a missed opportunity. By aiming too high, the incentives may have missed the mark entirely.
As many contractors know, homeowners are only eligible for the energy tax credit if the central air conditioner model they select meets minimum efficiency metrics of 16 SEER and 13 EER. However, there are millions of homes in this country with old, inefficient HVAC systems of 10 SEER or lower. Without proper maintenance and repairs, these systems are likely performing at even much lower energy-rating levels.
According to the 2005 Residential Energy Consumption Survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Energy, 39 percent of residential central air conditioners and 60 percent of residential heating equipment are more than 10 years old.
Replacing a central air conditioner system is an expensive proposition for a homeowner. The cost difference between a higher efficiency 16 SEER system and a basic 13 SEER system far exceeds the $1,500 maximum tax credit. Today, many homeowners are struggling simply to replace their existing systems with just the minimum equipment. How can anyone expect them to upgrade to the much higher, more efficient equipment? The $1,500 incentive is only an incentive for those who can afford the higher-priced units. In many respects, it’s outside the financial reach for most middle income homeowners.
While homeowners in some markets are benefiting from this program, there are many in other markets who simply can’t afford to participate. Many homeowners are choosing to keep inefficient equipment running – through patchwork repairs – instead of replacing it, due to the much higher prices for higher SEER systems.
If the tax credits encouraged homeowners to purchase equipment that meets the lower EnergyStar™ standard (14 SEER/11 EER), we’d wind up with a lot fewer energy hog homes, much lower utility bills, reduced emissions, and a dramatic change in our usage of foreign energy sources. This level would provide the vast majority of American homeowners an attainable opportunity to upgrade their current HVAC systems and make a significant contribution to our nation’s energy conservation efforts.
Finally, I’d like to add that these goals will only be reached if the new equipment is installed properly. You cannot assume that a box with a rating stamped on the side will actually operate at the level the stamp claims. As we in the industry know, nothing could be farther from the truth. I shudder to think how many homeowners will receive a $1,500 tax break on a system that winds up being less efficient than the one they replaced – all because it wasn’t installed properly. Homeowners – and the entire country – would be better served if the credits incentivized the proper installation of EnergyStar™ HVAC systems.
Homeowners want to take advantage of energy efficiency improvements because they increase the value of a home and result in greater comfort. Your administration’s support for these adjustments to the federal incentives to reflect current market conditions would put HVAC upgrades back within reach for many American homeowners, and produce job opportunities for the entire HVAC industry.
Sincerely,
Paul Stalknecht
President and CEO
January 26, 2010
President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear President Obama:
As your administration considers job creation policies, I would like to recommend an expansion of the energy efficiency incentives available to homeowners. By lowering the minimum standards for qualified equipment and ensuring that new systems are installed properly, homeowners are guaranteed to see a payback through lower utility bills, better indoor air quality, and fewer emitted greenhouse gases.
In the stimulus package passed earlier last year, Congress provided tax incentives for homeowners to purchase higher-efficiency heating and cooling systems in 2009 and 2010. Since these systems amount to nearly half of the average home’s utility bill, to an outsider, these tax breaks look like a win-win. High-efficiency systems can dramatically lower energy usage, and nothing that consumers do will have as big an impact on reducing American energy dependence than by replacing old, inefficient heating and cooling units.
Unfortunately, thanks to some little-known requirements and prescriptions in the legislative language, these tax credits are adding up to a missed opportunity. By aiming too high, the incentives may have missed the mark entirely.
As many contractors know, homeowners are only eligible for the energy tax credit if the central air conditioner model they select meets minimum efficiency metrics of 16 SEER and 13 EER. However, there are millions of homes in this country with old, inefficient HVAC systems of 10 SEER or lower. Without proper maintenance and repairs, these systems are likely performing at even much lower energy-rating levels.
According to the 2005 Residential Energy Consumption Survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Energy, 39 percent of residential central air conditioners and 60 percent of residential heating equipment are more than 10 years old.
Replacing a central air conditioner system is an expensive proposition for a homeowner. The cost difference between a higher efficiency 16 SEER system and a basic 13 SEER system far exceeds the $1,500 maximum tax credit. Today, many homeowners are struggling simply to replace their existing systems with just the minimum equipment. How can anyone expect them to upgrade to the much higher, more efficient equipment? The $1,500 incentive is only an incentive for those who can afford the higher-priced units. In many respects, it’s outside the financial reach for most middle income homeowners.
While homeowners in some markets are benefiting from this program, there are many in other markets who simply can’t afford to participate. Many homeowners are choosing to keep inefficient equipment running – through patchwork repairs – instead of replacing it, due to the much higher prices for higher SEER systems.
If the tax credits encouraged homeowners to purchase equipment that meets the lower EnergyStar™ standard (14 SEER/11 EER), we’d wind up with a lot fewer energy hog homes, much lower utility bills, reduced emissions, and a dramatic change in our usage of foreign energy sources. This level would provide the vast majority of American homeowners an attainable opportunity to upgrade their current HVAC systems and make a significant contribution to our nation’s energy conservation efforts.
Finally, I’d like to add that these goals will only be reached if the new equipment is installed properly. You cannot assume that a box with a rating stamped on the side will actually operate at the level the stamp claims. As we in the industry know, nothing could be farther from the truth. I shudder to think how many homeowners will receive a $1,500 tax break on a system that winds up being less efficient than the one they replaced – all because it wasn’t installed properly. Homeowners – and the entire country – would be better served if the credits incentivized the proper installation of EnergyStar™ HVAC systems.
Homeowners want to take advantage of energy efficiency improvements because they increase the value of a home and result in greater comfort. Your administration’s support for these adjustments to the federal incentives to reflect current market conditions would put HVAC upgrades back within reach for many American homeowners, and produce job opportunities for the entire HVAC industry.
Sincerely,
Paul Stalknecht
President and CEO
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
December Newsletter
Greetings!
It has been a while since our last newsletter. We have been very busy with our new division, Clean Envisions. I wanted to take this time to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. This is such a joyous time of the year. A time to look back and be thankful for what God has done for each of us, especially family. I have been blessed in so many ways this past year. I have been blessed with a wonderful wife, 3 beautiful children, 2 perfect grandchildren, and 2 wonderful son-in-laws. It just doesn't get any better than that. (Unless, of course, more grandchildren join the family!) I hope you and your family have a blessed holiday season.
Sincerely,
Tony Blinson
Be On The Lookout! Smart Car on the Loose!
When putting together our plans for our new division, Clean Envisions, I wanted a new vehicle that would turn heads showing our new logo and Super Hero, Enviroman. Boy did it work. Since purchasing our new Smart Car, I can't tell you how many people have stared, blown their car horns, and commented on how cool it looks. So don't be surprised if you see me in your neighborhood cleaning up the environment, one crawlspace at a time.
Clean Envisions Trademark Gets Approval by the State of North Carolina.
We are proud of our new logo for Clean Envisions, our closed crawl space and Indoor Air Quality division of Blinson Service Company, Inc.
Did You Know
That 60% of the air in your crawl space enters your home. That means either good or bad air! So many of our customers have terrible allergies and don't realize that it could be coming from below. If you are wondering what condition your crawl space is in, please just open the crawl space door and pop your head inside. Do you get a mildew smell? Do you see any dark stains on the wood floor system or ductwork anywhere? If you answer yes to either one of these questions you probably have a problem and it is most likely drifting into the living area. In many of the crawl spaces that we enter to repair HVAC equipment, we find a substantial amount of mold and mildew. An encapsulated crawlspace can take care of these problems. Let me help improve your indoor air quality today! Give us a call at 919-881-0915
Whether you are in need of service or a new HVAC system, improving indoor air quality, radon testing, or encapsulating your crawl space, we can take care of your needs. Just give us a call!
Sincerely,
Anthony Blinson, President
Blinson Service Company, Inc
It has been a while since our last newsletter. We have been very busy with our new division, Clean Envisions. I wanted to take this time to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. This is such a joyous time of the year. A time to look back and be thankful for what God has done for each of us, especially family. I have been blessed in so many ways this past year. I have been blessed with a wonderful wife, 3 beautiful children, 2 perfect grandchildren, and 2 wonderful son-in-laws. It just doesn't get any better than that. (Unless, of course, more grandchildren join the family!) I hope you and your family have a blessed holiday season.
Sincerely,
Tony Blinson
Be On The Lookout! Smart Car on the Loose!
When putting together our plans for our new division, Clean Envisions, I wanted a new vehicle that would turn heads showing our new logo and Super Hero, Enviroman. Boy did it work. Since purchasing our new Smart Car, I can't tell you how many people have stared, blown their car horns, and commented on how cool it looks. So don't be surprised if you see me in your neighborhood cleaning up the environment, one crawlspace at a time.
Clean Envisions Trademark Gets Approval by the State of North Carolina.
We are proud of our new logo for Clean Envisions, our closed crawl space and Indoor Air Quality division of Blinson Service Company, Inc.
Did You Know
That 60% of the air in your crawl space enters your home. That means either good or bad air! So many of our customers have terrible allergies and don't realize that it could be coming from below. If you are wondering what condition your crawl space is in, please just open the crawl space door and pop your head inside. Do you get a mildew smell? Do you see any dark stains on the wood floor system or ductwork anywhere? If you answer yes to either one of these questions you probably have a problem and it is most likely drifting into the living area. In many of the crawl spaces that we enter to repair HVAC equipment, we find a substantial amount of mold and mildew. An encapsulated crawlspace can take care of these problems. Let me help improve your indoor air quality today! Give us a call at 919-881-0915
Whether you are in need of service or a new HVAC system, improving indoor air quality, radon testing, or encapsulating your crawl space, we can take care of your needs. Just give us a call!
Sincerely,
Anthony Blinson, President
Blinson Service Company, Inc
Monday, December 28, 2009
Spring Is Coming, is your HVAC unit ready?
Well its that time of year again. That breath of fresh Spring air. You know what I am talking about.
That seemingly necessary desire to visit your local home improvement store and purchase some new garden tools, patio furniture, or maybe a shiny new riding lawn mower. I think you get the point. Cabin fever has finally taken its toll. It happens to all of us. Spring fever is contagious and seems to have a positive effect on everyone that comes in contact with it. One thing that a lot of homeowners don’t think about until it is too late is their air conditioner for the home. It is one of the most important components in the building block of your house. It controls the comfort level. It won’t be long until it is time to fire it up for the season. Here is the big question—Will it start up when I need it or will huff and puff and just fizzle out. I think at some point in time we all have taken the old air conditioner for granted.
Most people just don’t realize how hard it works to keep us cool. Did you know that an air conditioner works harder than your automobile does? If properly maintained it will outlast many automobiles. Most of us don’t really want to know exactly how that cool air comes into the house, just so it is there when we need it. I would like to give you a little bit of information that you may find helpful.
Most of us spend about 90% of the day indoors, whether it is in our home, our office, or school. According to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) tests, the level of pollutants are 2 to 5 times higher indoors than outdoors. Wow, what a wake up call. This makes us wonder about the quality of the air in our homes. Your air conditioner controls temperature and humidity. So you see why it is so important to be concerned about the condition of your equipment.
I have been in the heating and air conditioning business for 35 years and one of the leading causes in air conditioning failure is improper or lack of proper maintenance. Think about this for a moment, what would happen to you if you did not take your automobile in for service when it is time? You would probably be left stranded somewhere on the side of the road with a very expensive repair ahead of you. Automobile manufacturers want you to get the expected life out of your vehicle, that’s why they remind you with the little “service engine soon” light.
The same applies to your air conditioner. Remember it works harder than your automobile. Normally 2 times a year is what most manufacturers recommend for maintenance. Once for the fall / winter season and once for the spring / summer season.
One important topic of discussion that has really come alive over the past couple of years is indoor air quality (IAQ). More and more of our customers are calling with questions on types of air filtration, mildew and mold issues. There are so many adverse things that can occur due to a dirty or non-maintained air conditioning system.
Most systems are sealed and customers have no idea what might be going behind that closed door. For instance, an evaporator coil is the component of the system that draws the moisture out of the air that flows across it. It is a component that is covered up and you can’t see what is happening behind the service panel unless you remove it. If the condensate drain pipe gets clogged and backs up water into the pan for an extended period of time, bacterial can form and provide a breeding ground for organisms that can cause Legionnaires Disease. Drains must be flushed annually. Another potential problem with a clogged drain is ceiling damage if the unit is in the attic space.
Air filtration is a very important part of the equation. We do have a lot of questions about what type of filtration do you recommend. Did you know that most houses generate about 40 pounds of dust for every 1,500 feet of space. One of the most common allergens is the dust mite. Some filters out perform others in their ablility to filter out smaller particles. The clean air delivery rate (CADR) is recognized by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) as a fair an objective measure of various air cleaner technologies. The higher the CADR number the more efficient it is. Look at this fact chart:
Typical Ionic-Type device = 10 CADR
Standard 1” filter from hardware store = 12 CADR
Typical room HEPA Appliance = 150 CADR
Whole House 5” media = 240 CADR
Whole House Electronic Air Cleaner = 660 CADR
Trane Clean Effects = 1200 CADR
The Trane Clean Effects air filtration unit can remove up to 99.98% of allergens from the filtered air. For more information on this unit please visit www.trane.com. Dirty filters can create a compound problem. The particles that make it through the filter can accumulate on the evaporator coil and may cause it to freeze. I am sure a lot of homeowners don’t even know that there is a coil in their system. This is why it is so important that the system be serviced by an experienced technician.
With the cost of gas, refrigerant, and utilities proper maintenance can save you hundreds and even thousands of dollars. I have some customers with 30 year old systems that are still running because they have had proper service performed over the years per manufacturer recommendations. A little money spent up front is easier than a lot of money spent that could have been prevented. When is the last time that you had your unit serviced? Last season I hope. If not don’t you think it is time. What better way to start the season knowing that you are ready for the heat. Bring It On!
Tony Blinson is the President of Blinson Service Company, Inc. located at 7228 Becky Circle, Raleigh. For more information please call @ 919-881-0915 or visit their website at www.bschvac.com
That seemingly necessary desire to visit your local home improvement store and purchase some new garden tools, patio furniture, or maybe a shiny new riding lawn mower. I think you get the point. Cabin fever has finally taken its toll. It happens to all of us. Spring fever is contagious and seems to have a positive effect on everyone that comes in contact with it. One thing that a lot of homeowners don’t think about until it is too late is their air conditioner for the home. It is one of the most important components in the building block of your house. It controls the comfort level. It won’t be long until it is time to fire it up for the season. Here is the big question—Will it start up when I need it or will huff and puff and just fizzle out. I think at some point in time we all have taken the old air conditioner for granted.
Most people just don’t realize how hard it works to keep us cool. Did you know that an air conditioner works harder than your automobile does? If properly maintained it will outlast many automobiles. Most of us don’t really want to know exactly how that cool air comes into the house, just so it is there when we need it. I would like to give you a little bit of information that you may find helpful.
Most of us spend about 90% of the day indoors, whether it is in our home, our office, or school. According to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) tests, the level of pollutants are 2 to 5 times higher indoors than outdoors. Wow, what a wake up call. This makes us wonder about the quality of the air in our homes. Your air conditioner controls temperature and humidity. So you see why it is so important to be concerned about the condition of your equipment.
I have been in the heating and air conditioning business for 35 years and one of the leading causes in air conditioning failure is improper or lack of proper maintenance. Think about this for a moment, what would happen to you if you did not take your automobile in for service when it is time? You would probably be left stranded somewhere on the side of the road with a very expensive repair ahead of you. Automobile manufacturers want you to get the expected life out of your vehicle, that’s why they remind you with the little “service engine soon” light.
The same applies to your air conditioner. Remember it works harder than your automobile. Normally 2 times a year is what most manufacturers recommend for maintenance. Once for the fall / winter season and once for the spring / summer season.
One important topic of discussion that has really come alive over the past couple of years is indoor air quality (IAQ). More and more of our customers are calling with questions on types of air filtration, mildew and mold issues. There are so many adverse things that can occur due to a dirty or non-maintained air conditioning system.
Most systems are sealed and customers have no idea what might be going behind that closed door. For instance, an evaporator coil is the component of the system that draws the moisture out of the air that flows across it. It is a component that is covered up and you can’t see what is happening behind the service panel unless you remove it. If the condensate drain pipe gets clogged and backs up water into the pan for an extended period of time, bacterial can form and provide a breeding ground for organisms that can cause Legionnaires Disease. Drains must be flushed annually. Another potential problem with a clogged drain is ceiling damage if the unit is in the attic space.
Air filtration is a very important part of the equation. We do have a lot of questions about what type of filtration do you recommend. Did you know that most houses generate about 40 pounds of dust for every 1,500 feet of space. One of the most common allergens is the dust mite. Some filters out perform others in their ablility to filter out smaller particles. The clean air delivery rate (CADR) is recognized by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) as a fair an objective measure of various air cleaner technologies. The higher the CADR number the more efficient it is. Look at this fact chart:
Typical Ionic-Type device = 10 CADR
Standard 1” filter from hardware store = 12 CADR
Typical room HEPA Appliance = 150 CADR
Whole House 5” media = 240 CADR
Whole House Electronic Air Cleaner = 660 CADR
Trane Clean Effects = 1200 CADR
The Trane Clean Effects air filtration unit can remove up to 99.98% of allergens from the filtered air. For more information on this unit please visit www.trane.com. Dirty filters can create a compound problem. The particles that make it through the filter can accumulate on the evaporator coil and may cause it to freeze. I am sure a lot of homeowners don’t even know that there is a coil in their system. This is why it is so important that the system be serviced by an experienced technician.
With the cost of gas, refrigerant, and utilities proper maintenance can save you hundreds and even thousands of dollars. I have some customers with 30 year old systems that are still running because they have had proper service performed over the years per manufacturer recommendations. A little money spent up front is easier than a lot of money spent that could have been prevented. When is the last time that you had your unit serviced? Last season I hope. If not don’t you think it is time. What better way to start the season knowing that you are ready for the heat. Bring It On!
Tony Blinson is the President of Blinson Service Company, Inc. located at 7228 Becky Circle, Raleigh. For more information please call @ 919-881-0915 or visit their website at www.bschvac.com
How to Choose the Right Heating and Air Conditioning Contractor
I hope you are enjoying this holiday season. As I write this article I look out my office window and I am just in awe over the beautiful colors of fall. I can’t think of a more wonderful place to live than right here in good ole North Carolina. So here we are with another year ahead of us. I can’t believe how time flies. This is the time of year when many of us make our New Year’s resolutions. We all have the best intentions, but here comes reality and well; you know the rest of that story. That’s what makes life interesting I guess. As a homeowner myself, my resolution is to finish last year’s resolutions. Anyone else out there feel the pain besides me? We just need more hours in the day.
I recently attended a business seminar and the speaker said something that really hit home with me. He said “Never start a new project or task until you finish the one you are working on.” I highlighted that phrase and I have committed to it. Since returning from that seminar I have finished several projects and it feels GREAT! How about you? Have you got those “Honey Do” lists that keep growing and growing? Don’t feel bad, we all have them. Remember, it’s a new year so Let’s Get To It!
Are you concerned as much as I am about the high energy cost to heat and cool your home? It seems like every time we open our utility bills there is a big surprise waiting for us inside. I want to help you save as much as possible on your next bill.
As you may already know from my previous articles with The Heritage Magazine, I am a licensed mechanical contractor located right here in Raleigh, North Carolina. Many times when we visit a customer for the first time, there are problems with their heating and cooling equipment and the customer didn’t even realize it. “It came on when it was supposed to, it seemed to heat OK, but my gas bills seem very high.” We hear that all the time. When our technicians open up the unit and show the rust, dirt, and grime inside their equipment, all of the sudden the light comes on. A furnace or air conditioner that has not been properly serviced and cleaned can cost you up to 50% of energy savings. If you haven’t had your system serviced yet, don’t wait any longer. Save those operating dollars! If your equipment is 8-10 years or older you may want to consider a more energy efficient system. Here is the big question… Who do I Call? Can I trust them? Are they looking out for my best interests or theirs? Believe me, I understand your line of questioning. Just the thought of dealing with the sales process can be a turn off. Let’s face it, how many of us have come home from buying a new car and made the statement “What a wonderful experience, I can’t wait to do it again.” Not Me! I told my wife after our last experience with buying our car that if we ever buy another car; she would have to do it solo. The sales person would just not listen to us. That’s not the way the sales process should work.
OK, back to the original question. Who do I call? After 35 years in the heating and air conditioning business I have listened to the many concerns from homeowners. Let me share a few tips on selecting the RIGHT company for you.
You definitely want a company that has experience in the HVAC industry. This is a skilled trade that requires knowledge in electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and refrigeration. Don’t be afraid to ask how many years they have been in the business. Check their credentials. Call or go on-line to the Better Business Bureau. See how many, if any, complaints have been filed against them and if the complaint was addressed and satisfied the plaintiff. Ask if they are NATE certified. (North American Technician Excellence) This is the leading certification program for technicians in the heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration industry and is the only test that is supported by the entire industry. I call it “Top Gun.” You want to make sure that the contractor is licensed by the state in which they operate. Believe it or not, there are individuals out there that will sell you a system at an unbelievably low price. There is normally a reason for that low price, Such as no general liability insurance and no license. You know what I say… RUN! Your must protect your investment as well as your life. A non-licensed contractor cannot get a permit which means no inspection which means Accident Waiting To Happen! A licensed contractor knows that a permit is required on every job. This will also give you peace of mind that everything has been properly installed and is safe to operate. If a contractor says a permit is not necessary, there is your “red flag.” Don’t go any further because he or she is wasting your valuable time at this point.
Ask for references. A customer’s testimony is worth its weight in gold, good or bad. Find out if their employees have had a proper criminal background check, been drug tested, and driving records reviewed before hiring them. Don’t be afraid to ask as many questions as necessary for you to feel comfortable with whom you choose to work for you. Remember, they will be working for you.
The internet is a great resource to research a heating and air conditioning company. Take some time and visit their website. They may have links to their products and equipment for you to view. Many of our new customers have found us through our website. Our website is www.bschvac.com. Check us out!
If a sales person visits with you, there are several things that you should expect. He or she should listen to your comfort concerns. They should evaluate your existing HVAC system and ductwork. You should expect them to measure your home in order to run a proper load calculation in order to size the equipment. Sizing of equipment is not guess work. I can’t tell you how many times a customer has told me, “Oh by the way the company that was here earlier looked at my existing unit and he said it was a 3 ton unit, so that is what he would be pricing up for me.” You know what I say… RUN! As I mentioned before, this is not guess work here. A lot of work will go into the preparation of an estimate. In my business, I can tell you that I will average 4 hours of office time putting a typical proposal together, which brings me to my next point. Get it in writing! I learned this lesson the hard way. It goes way back to when I bought my first house. It was my pride and joy, even if it was a “fixer upper.” One of the first things it needed was a new roof. Well, I didn’t know anyone in the roofing business so I looked in the yellow pages. I called three roofing companies and scheduled an appointment with each one. Out of those three, only one actually came by to meet with me. He was only 2 hours late. Well he said he could replace the roof, however he would need $600 to buy the shingles and he could start the very next day. Remember now this was in 1977, I was young, and I trusted everyone. I wrote him a check. Guess what! I never saw him again. Lesson learned! Make sure you get a detailed description of the proposed equipment, scope of the work to be performed, any warrantees, and the method of payment for you to review.
Make sure that the company you choose has a service division. Believe it or not, there are companies that are “installation only” and will sub-contract out the service side of their business. That is definitely trouble waiting to happen. You know what I say… RUN!
I hope that I haven’t overwhelmed you with information and suggestions. Hopefully I have armed you with what you need when the time comes for you to replace or repair your heating and air conditioning system. The cold weather is upon us. Don’t get caught with a break down in the middle of the night, especially if it could have been avoided by a simple maintenance.
Winter weather… I Love It! Bring it on!
Tony Blinson is the president of Blinson Service Company, Inc. located at 7228 Becky Circle in Raleigh. For more information or for any HVAC needs, please call 919-881-0915 or visit www.bschvac.com.
I recently attended a business seminar and the speaker said something that really hit home with me. He said “Never start a new project or task until you finish the one you are working on.” I highlighted that phrase and I have committed to it. Since returning from that seminar I have finished several projects and it feels GREAT! How about you? Have you got those “Honey Do” lists that keep growing and growing? Don’t feel bad, we all have them. Remember, it’s a new year so Let’s Get To It!
Are you concerned as much as I am about the high energy cost to heat and cool your home? It seems like every time we open our utility bills there is a big surprise waiting for us inside. I want to help you save as much as possible on your next bill.
As you may already know from my previous articles with The Heritage Magazine, I am a licensed mechanical contractor located right here in Raleigh, North Carolina. Many times when we visit a customer for the first time, there are problems with their heating and cooling equipment and the customer didn’t even realize it. “It came on when it was supposed to, it seemed to heat OK, but my gas bills seem very high.” We hear that all the time. When our technicians open up the unit and show the rust, dirt, and grime inside their equipment, all of the sudden the light comes on. A furnace or air conditioner that has not been properly serviced and cleaned can cost you up to 50% of energy savings. If you haven’t had your system serviced yet, don’t wait any longer. Save those operating dollars! If your equipment is 8-10 years or older you may want to consider a more energy efficient system. Here is the big question… Who do I Call? Can I trust them? Are they looking out for my best interests or theirs? Believe me, I understand your line of questioning. Just the thought of dealing with the sales process can be a turn off. Let’s face it, how many of us have come home from buying a new car and made the statement “What a wonderful experience, I can’t wait to do it again.” Not Me! I told my wife after our last experience with buying our car that if we ever buy another car; she would have to do it solo. The sales person would just not listen to us. That’s not the way the sales process should work.
OK, back to the original question. Who do I call? After 35 years in the heating and air conditioning business I have listened to the many concerns from homeowners. Let me share a few tips on selecting the RIGHT company for you.
You definitely want a company that has experience in the HVAC industry. This is a skilled trade that requires knowledge in electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and refrigeration. Don’t be afraid to ask how many years they have been in the business. Check their credentials. Call or go on-line to the Better Business Bureau. See how many, if any, complaints have been filed against them and if the complaint was addressed and satisfied the plaintiff. Ask if they are NATE certified. (North American Technician Excellence) This is the leading certification program for technicians in the heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration industry and is the only test that is supported by the entire industry. I call it “Top Gun.” You want to make sure that the contractor is licensed by the state in which they operate. Believe it or not, there are individuals out there that will sell you a system at an unbelievably low price. There is normally a reason for that low price, Such as no general liability insurance and no license. You know what I say… RUN! Your must protect your investment as well as your life. A non-licensed contractor cannot get a permit which means no inspection which means Accident Waiting To Happen! A licensed contractor knows that a permit is required on every job. This will also give you peace of mind that everything has been properly installed and is safe to operate. If a contractor says a permit is not necessary, there is your “red flag.” Don’t go any further because he or she is wasting your valuable time at this point.
Ask for references. A customer’s testimony is worth its weight in gold, good or bad. Find out if their employees have had a proper criminal background check, been drug tested, and driving records reviewed before hiring them. Don’t be afraid to ask as many questions as necessary for you to feel comfortable with whom you choose to work for you. Remember, they will be working for you.
The internet is a great resource to research a heating and air conditioning company. Take some time and visit their website. They may have links to their products and equipment for you to view. Many of our new customers have found us through our website. Our website is www.bschvac.com. Check us out!
If a sales person visits with you, there are several things that you should expect. He or she should listen to your comfort concerns. They should evaluate your existing HVAC system and ductwork. You should expect them to measure your home in order to run a proper load calculation in order to size the equipment. Sizing of equipment is not guess work. I can’t tell you how many times a customer has told me, “Oh by the way the company that was here earlier looked at my existing unit and he said it was a 3 ton unit, so that is what he would be pricing up for me.” You know what I say… RUN! As I mentioned before, this is not guess work here. A lot of work will go into the preparation of an estimate. In my business, I can tell you that I will average 4 hours of office time putting a typical proposal together, which brings me to my next point. Get it in writing! I learned this lesson the hard way. It goes way back to when I bought my first house. It was my pride and joy, even if it was a “fixer upper.” One of the first things it needed was a new roof. Well, I didn’t know anyone in the roofing business so I looked in the yellow pages. I called three roofing companies and scheduled an appointment with each one. Out of those three, only one actually came by to meet with me. He was only 2 hours late. Well he said he could replace the roof, however he would need $600 to buy the shingles and he could start the very next day. Remember now this was in 1977, I was young, and I trusted everyone. I wrote him a check. Guess what! I never saw him again. Lesson learned! Make sure you get a detailed description of the proposed equipment, scope of the work to be performed, any warrantees, and the method of payment for you to review.
Make sure that the company you choose has a service division. Believe it or not, there are companies that are “installation only” and will sub-contract out the service side of their business. That is definitely trouble waiting to happen. You know what I say… RUN!
I hope that I haven’t overwhelmed you with information and suggestions. Hopefully I have armed you with what you need when the time comes for you to replace or repair your heating and air conditioning system. The cold weather is upon us. Don’t get caught with a break down in the middle of the night, especially if it could have been avoided by a simple maintenance.
Winter weather… I Love It! Bring it on!
Tony Blinson is the president of Blinson Service Company, Inc. located at 7228 Becky Circle in Raleigh. For more information or for any HVAC needs, please call 919-881-0915 or visit www.bschvac.com.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
