Mr. HVAC Contractor, “It’s the Economy Stupid”

The other day in an effort to practice what I preach, as well as to give the professional contractors a first opportunity, I requested a quote from a local HVAC contractor (who does not know me) to replace my current 12 SEER Air Conditioner with a new 14 SEER (R410a) Heat Pump System.  The fact is I can pick up the phone and call a couple of contractors that will be happy to do my install for time and material, but I feel that I owe it to the all-inclusive contractor to at least see if he is within a reasonable range.This turned out to be an interesting test.  Let’s face it, I report the stories of others and from time to time, it is a good idea for me to wade into the pool to get a dose of reality myself.When Mr. High Profile contractor came to my home, I explained that I am wanting to make a change and then proceeded to explain to him that with economy as tight as it is, I really wanted to do this on a very tight budget.  He understood and started measuring my home and existing ductwork.  He told me that he needed to ask me some questions to determine my “True Need”.  I knew what was coming and played along.  He first launched into the “What is important to you” questions.  I always find that one funny, because, let’s face it, Comfort, Reliability, Value, Personal Health, really, which one of those are you going to say NO to?  The point of his quiz is to get me in the habit of saying “Yes”.  It is a sales trick as old as the hills. Read more

Tips For Buying Your Next Furnace

Why should I choose one furnace over another?When shopping for a new furnace, you may find yourself in a position where you are faced with the question “Is there a reason to pay $100 more for a furnace of the same size.”  Sure there is.Just because two Gas Furnaces are both 90%+,  75,000 BTU and each has a 3 ton blower, the idea of comparing them on cost alone is a fools game.  Besides, if you are In the process of shopping for and purchasing your own replacement furnace, and you are concentrating on a few dollars price difference between furnaces, you are missing the big picture, or as I like to say, “Swallowing Elephants and Choking on Ants”.

Let me explain.  Before going into the physical differences that should be considered when purchasing, that may lead to paying a little more to get the best value, let’s first talk about the bigger picture of purchasing direct.  The fact that you have taken a very personal role in controlling your project cost by buying direct, means that you have been doing your homework and know that you can save up to and in some cases over 50% by taking this approach.  This savings will come from employing the contractor of your choice and you will not be paying the sometimes huge profits that are charged for theses installations.

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Your Furnace - Waiting Can Be Expensive

Ok, so it is now October and since the end of the last heating season, you have said “There is no way that we can make it through the next winter with our current furnace”.  Either because it has come to the end of it’s useful life, or because you are sick and tired of spending $200 a month to heat the house and you are sending $80 a month out the chimney and you want to increase your homes efficiency and tighten your budget.Whatever the reason, the one thing that is certain, by waiting you increase your odds of having to make that fateful call to the HVAC contractor in the middle of the night or on Sunday to “Fix” or “Replace” the furnace that you promised yourself you would take care of before the next winter season.

The opportunity has been under your nose the whole time.  You are now faced with the decision to repair your system for $1000 (and that could be to replace a $100 part.  They do that to get you to make the decision to replace) or you are being told that for $4,000 you can have a new furnace installed in the next 24 hours.  But, If you don’t let them do it, you will be warned that “everyone is busy” and it may be weeks before anyone can get to you.  Grrrrrr, that makes me mad. Read more

Heat Pumps are getting “Hotter”

A recent post on the Home Air Direct Blog indicates that the sales of Air-Source Heat Pumps in the US are growing at an accelerated rate amid the rising cost of energy fuels.  It also suggests that homeowners are taking control of their finances during these unstable economic times, by making improvements to their current home comfort systems in order to become more efficient and in turn, more “Green”.

Green is a multiple use term in this case, as many who make these upgrades are not only being “Green” by the very nature of reducing the use of non-renewable resources by becoming more energy efficient, but they are also being “Green” by increasing their financial efficiency as well.

You can view the entire article over on the Home Air Direct Blog, by clicking here.

How To Make $1,205.72 In Just 10 Minutes

How To Make $1,205.72 In Just 10 Minutes is exactly what happened recently during an online “Live Help” conversation between “Karen”, a homeowner and a professional from Home Air Direct.

A little background:  Karen is a homeowner who has been in search of and has decided to purchase a BlueTube UV Germicidal Light for her home heating and cooling system, to help relieve her family of some allergy issues that they have been suffering from.  Karen contacted a local HVAC contractor and asked them to come out to discuss the possible purchase.  The contractor looked over her system and made a recommendation for a 15″ BlueTube UV Light and gave her a quote for the light and complete installation, including “Start-Up Procedures”, indicating that this was a very technical procedure.  Karen was stunned.  The all inclusive (eyes rolling) was for $1,400.  Wow!

Karen decided to do some online investigating of her own for the BlueTube UV Germicidal Light.  She ran across Home Air Direct, a company that specializes in Homeowner Direct Whirlpool Home Heating & Cooling Products and noticed that they also offer the BlueTube UV Light.

When Karen clicked on the store link for the BlueTube UV Light, she was stunned.  According to this store, she could purchase for $194.28 the same UV light that the contractor had quoted installed for $1,400.  She was stunned and elated.  Still a little weary, and thinking that maybe the installation is so complicated that she would have no choice, she clicked on the “Live Help” feature of Home Air Direct and asked two questions.  The first question was, “Does the BlueTube UV Light come with installation instructions?”  The second question was, “Is it possible that a local contractor could have quoted her $1,400 for the installation of this item?” Read more