Be Careful Who You Hire!

This morning I came across a very informative article discussing the dangers of hiring unlicensed people to install and repair your heating and air conditioning system(s).  I know I've brought this up before in previous posts but I can't stress enough the importance of getting a licensed, reputable company to provide all your heating and air conditioning services.  It's very worth your while if you are a homeowner to read this article, lots of great info........

http://www.achrnews.com/articles/119837-unlicensed-activity-threatens-credible-contractors

-Nickadeemus
www.enviro-nc.com
919-535-8422

Installing Systems The Right Way

When homeowners need to upgrade their air conditioning systems, they expect the newly installed systems to perform as advertised. However, poor installation methods can lead to a significant drop in efficiency as well as negatively affecting comfort, too. In fact, Energy Star, a government-funded energy-efficiency website, reports that up to half of all a/c system installations are compromised, meaning poor installation practices have led to countless homeowners spending more money over the life of their systems to keep them operating well and efficiently. If you’re looking at purchasing a new a/c system, you should know that it's installation counts for a lot, perhaps more than you think. Here are a few things you should expect from a quality a/c system installation:

•  Careful sizing. Expert sizing methods are critical during any a/c system installation. Factors that affect sizing include heat gain from the sun through windows, insulation levels and the home’s square footage. Without taking into account all factors that affect sizing, you could end up with a system that’s either too big or too small for your space. And that means your new system won’t operate efficiently or create a comfortable home.
• Well-maintained ductwork. Of all of the factors that affect efficiency, ductwork leaks generally contribute to the largest energy losses. Before installing the new a/c system, your ductwork should be looked at to determine it's efficiency status. If the ductwork is saggy and/or needs to be resealed, these items will be addressed and the recommendation will be made for the repair prior or during new system installation.
• Precisely measured refrigerant. With an a/c, efficiency rests on the refrigerant’s ability to cool. Improper refrigerant charges can greatly affect your cooling bills, comfort and equipment life span. Proper methods are to be taken so as to achieve the optimal level of efficiency.

As I've stated in a previous blog, even the most efficient top of the line a/c system means nothing if it isn't installed correctly. At Environmental, our heating & air system installation expert, John Van Orden, strictly follows the above mentioned steps as well as any additional steps that may need to be taken into account to satisfy you the customer. John will ensure that you are happy with your new system's performance, rest assured that he isn't the type to go missing once the money is collected. With your new, efficient a/c system in place, you can expect to see a dip in your energy bills, better comfort and long-lasting equipment. So give us a call if you have any questions at all about getting a new system, FREE ESTIMATES on all system replacements!

-Nickadeemus
Environmental Heating & Air of NC, Inc. PLUS Plumbing
919-535-8422

The Best Way To Get The Most From Your A/C This Summer

Whether you hear it referred to as planned maintenance, customer loyalty program, yearly service agreement, or preventative maintenance plan, the overall premise of maintenance agreements is fairly simple: you sign up for a once or twice a year tune-up/cleaning of your heating and a/c system.  Many homeowners ponder on whether or not this agreement is worth the money.  Here at Environmental when you sign up for a Preventative Maintenance Plan, you not only get two visits a year by a trained and certified technician who methodically checks everything from the electrical connections to the air filters, you also get a 10% discount off any parts and labor that may be required during the year of your contract as well as preferred scheduling for any appointments you may need.

A Preventative Maintenance Contract can more than pay for itself in fewer emergency repairs and lower utility bills alone.  There are a multitude of things that can cause your heating and a/c unit to fail as well as take years off it's life, and most of these things can't be found unless you are proactive and have someone with a trained eye who can spot the immediate warning signs.  Whether it's low refrigerant in your heat pump(which can cause your heat strips to stay on all the time during the winter = high energy bill) or a furnace with a cracked heat exchanger(which produces the deadly gas Carbon Monoxide), there really is no downside to signing up for a Preventative Maintenance Contract.  If nothing else it will be to have the peace of mind knowing that you don't have to worry about your heating and a/c, as we keep a detailed record of your system's specifications and tendencies.  To learn more about Environmental's Preventative Maintenance Plan or if you have any questions about anything else we can help you with, please visit our website or give us a call!

-Nickadeemus
919-535-8422
www.enviro-nc.com

Beware Of Summertime Price Gouging

Let's face it, this has been one of the warmest winters we have had in NC in quite some time.  What that means for a lot of heating & air businesses is complete disaster.  When a very bad season like this occurs, some of these companies will seek to gouge their prices as the year goes on to try and compensate for the very slow season they just endured.

The best thing that you the customer can do is always try to use a reputable company.  You always have to be careful with "jackleg" mechanics.  They might do great work and give you a really good price, but you never really know from one season to the next if they will even exist anymore!  Here one season and gone the next, is a popular way to describe these small independent "companies" and mechanics.  Here at Environmental, we pride ourselves on being a reputable company with years of experience to back it up.  We are happy to report that we have been servicing the Triangle area for well over 4 years now as we continue to grow as a company with our ever-expanding customer base.  Just last year we expanded our services to include a plumbing division to further accommodate our customers' needs.  We offer some of the best prices in the entire Triangle on most things heating & air & plumbing related!  So with this up and coming summer season, be careful what company you choose to take care of your needs.  We would love to have you as a customer and prove to you that we are the best around, but if not and for those of you not in our service area, it always pays to do a little homework and some checking around before you pick a heating & air company.  Thank you and take care!

-Nickadeemus
919-535-8422
www.enviro-nc.com

Amish Miracle Heater?

High heat bills are something everyone hates. Well Sears has picked up a new product manufactured by a company called Heat Surge, it is apparently hand built by Amish folks using real wood, not particle board, right here in the U.S.A., as they claim. It is advertised as using "Hybrid-Thermic" heat technology, which I have yet to actually read a description of what that means. It's completely electric, just plug it in and you can run it for a full 12 hour day or night for just about a buck. Again, this is what Heat Surge claims, not us here at Environmental.

It measures in at just 25" tall, 18" wide, and 12" deep, which is not that big at all.  It claims to have the ambiance of a real fireplace, but it has no real flames and is supposed to be completely safe to the touch. They boast an overwhelming Consumer 'Best Buy'.  Although upon looking up overall reviews on the internet, it averages anywhere from mixed to positive.  I just thought that this was an interesting new product to inform people about, in no way was this meant to be an endorsement by Environmental Heating & Air.  If you have purchased one or know someone who has purchased one, we would love to hear your input and/or reviews.  Just comment below, thank you!

-Nickadeemus
919-535-8422
www.enviro-nc.com

Great Time To Buy

At certain times of the year, the price of purchasing a new heating and air conditioning unit is at it's absolute lowest.  Those times take place most often at the end of the year and also when supply/demand dictates.  For example, right now!  It has been unseasonably warm this winter and in an effort to keep products moving along, manufacturers are forced to lower their prices on new systems.  Which in turn is very beneficial to the customer, that kinda goes without saying.

Not only during these times does the cost of a new system go down, but also the interest rate that goes along with financing that new system!  It's a well known fact that the economy is bad right now and couple that with the above mentioned weather, and you've got yourself a perfect time to purchase that new system that you've had in the back of your mind that you know will need purchasing soon.  So I'm just trying to help you folks out by filling you in on the best times of the year to get that new system!  Trust me, you don't want to wait until the weather changes and demand goes back up, because so will the prices and interest rates!  At Environmental, we offer free quotes on system replacements with no pressure or hassle.  Our quotes are good for 30 days, so if you're even thinking you might need a new system before too long, strike now while the iron is hot!  Give us a call!

-Nickadeemus
919-535-8422
www.enviro-nc.com

Revolutionary Duct Cleaning

 
Duct cleaning is a very important part of the heating and air system(s) in your home, and it's an area that up until this point we here at Environmental had not branched into yet.  Well we are pleased to announce that we will now be accepting appointments to have the ducts in your home cleaned with a revolutionary, top of the line duct cleaning system!

Using the RamAir Clearview Duct Cleaning System, getting ducts the cleanest they have ever been is now easier than ever before!  The RamAir System harnesses the powerful 1,500-2,500 CFM generated by the furnace/AC fan in order to provide the “Push” necessary for the traditional “Push-Pull” method of cleaning ducts.  The agitation is provided by a “Skipper ball,” which blasts the debris from the duct walls, and due to it’s 45 degree angle design, helps propel the dust and debris toward the duct opening. At the opening, the clear vacuum box is illuminated by twelve white LED lights which provide an impressive visual of the debris as it is removed from the system by the vacuum unit.  The result is the most effective, most cost efficient, visually impressive system ever designed for the duct cleaning industry!

It's obvious how important air quality is to our everyday health, you wouldn’t accept working in an office full of car fumes, or going to a cinema full of cigarette smoke!  Everyone can testify to the benefit of climbing a large hill or mountain and the effect the clean air has on our well being.  However, daily we sit in work places and homes ventilated by forced air systems which can become clogged with mold or bacteria spores.  This is the routine air we breathe on a daily basis.  So we hope you will take into consideration the importance of getting your ducts cleaned, yet another service Environmental Heating & Air PLUS Plumbing is proud to take on to make things better and easier for our valued customers!

-Nickadeemus 
919-535-8422
www.enviro-nc.com