Tips For Buying Your Next Furnace
October 10, 2008
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.
Your Furnace - Waiting Can Be Expensive
October 9, 2008
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
How To Make $1,205.72 In Just 10 Minutes
October 5, 2008
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
Penny Wise & Dollar Foolish
May 26, 2008
In was recently reading an article that considered the gains in energy efficiency of newer technologies in home heating & air conditioning systems to that of many higher profile energy conservation initiatives that are popular with our culture today. For example; it is fashionable to recycle. Now, I am not saying that recycling is not a good idea. It is a great idea that we should all embrace, but recycling is a very small part of very big picture that we all need to participate in to be effective. Another trend that we are seeing, due to the rising fuel prices is that of fuel mileage savings, and a trend once again toward more fuel efficient vehicles. This latter is what I want to focus on and compare.
Nasty Replies To Customer Wanting Advice About HVAC
May 10, 2008
The following is an overview of a question and responses that took place on the largest most respected HVAC forum on the internet. Pay close attention to the attitudes of both the requesting participant and the active responders, and then see the summary at the bottom of this article.
Requesting Participant: “Need your advice please.”
“Any idea on finding a licensed ac contractor in Charlotte to install a new ac unit that I already bought. Every place I called, they want to sell me the new unit, but they don’t install the new unit that I purchased. Appreciate your input.”
Responding Participants:
Thinking about a Humidifier?
April 16, 2008
During the heating season, inside air dries to the point where the humidity is substantially lower or comparable to that of a desert. Dry air extracts moisture wherever it finds it, especially from hygroscopic materials such as wood, carpets and furniture. This extraction causes floors to warp, carpets to wear out faster due to brittle fibers, and furniture joints to loosen. The effect on people is to dry out nasal and throat membranes. This means more susceptibility to colds and virus infections.
Read more
How to Install a Thermostat
March 28, 2008
Installing your own thermostat is easy!
In just a few easy steps you can install a brand new thermostat.
Thermostat Installation Instructions
Always read the manufacturer’s installation instructions prior to installing your thermostat. Manufacturer’s installation instructions might differ slightly for each model. Here are the basic steps:
1. Turn off the power supply to the thermostat. The power supply is usually located on the furnace as an on/off switch. If you can’t find it, turn off the power to the furnace at the home circuit panel inside the fuse box.
Do It Yourself Guide
March 19, 2008
If you’re tired of avoiding the long list of household repairs that haunt you, but don’t have the cash to pay for a professional, you’re in the right place!
If you are ready to begin knocking those weekend warrior fix-it projects off your list, you have just hit the nail on the head!
If you’re finally prepared to bring your home back up to code, it’s time to put on that tool belt and start hammering!
If you want to learn how to increase the resale of your home by thousands of dollars with simple and quick repairs you can do yourself, welcome to the workshop!
Find out more about this Handyman Guide Here
Do-It-Yourself Thermostats
March 18, 2008
Lucky you. A hundred years ago, rich folks needed servants to rise before dawn and stoke the furnace so the house would be warm when the family got up. Now, you can adjust your home’s heating and cooling while you sleep with a programmable thermostat. It’s affordable, automatic, saves money and, unlike servants, it won’t quaff your cooking sherry or elope with the chauffeur.
It Yourself or Hire a Pro?
A heating contractor will charge between $150 and $225 to remove an existing thermostat and install a new programmable unit. A homeowner with basic electrical skills can do the job for $60 to $120, depending on the cost of the thermostat. The job should take a less then a couple of hours.
DIY – Do-It-Yourself
March 7, 2008
Good Idea or Bad Idea?
As you read articles here on AskBoyd.com you will see several stories that focus on some unfair practices by HVAC Professionals that involve over charging for services and obscene prices for HVAC equipment installations. This would lead you to believe that DIY is the way to go. It is very important to understand that DIY HVAC is in some cases a great idea, but in most cases, these projects can be daunting and are not for everyone.
Let’s look at what is involved in a few of these projects and then decide if you are up to the task.
