Home Heating Oil Roller Coaster - Now What Do You Do?
November 24, 2008
Below is a reprint of an article from “The NEWS”. The weekly publication for HVAC contractors. I decided to reprint it because it does a great job of explaining the recent turbulence of the Heating Fuel Oil market as it relates to end users.
The bottom line though, is that of all the home heating fuels available (Gas, both Natural and LP, Electricity, and Fuel Oil), Fuel Oil is by far the most volatile recently and without a doubt, the most difficult in relation to making a change when the cost becomes unbearable for the budget.
Is there a solution? One possible answer, especially if the homeowner’s current equipment is getting age on it, is to change over to a more efficient Duel-Fuel or Hybrid home comfort system. The Duel-Fuel or Hybrid system incorporates the use of a high efficiency Gas Furnace and a high efficiency Heat Pump in combination. The Heat Pump starts as the primary source of heat, and operates the most efficient until outdoor temps drop into the upper 20s or low 30s. At this point, the Thermostat senses the outdoor temperature and creates a call for heat from the Gas Furnace. The two work in combination to maximize the utility costs.
As the article below explains the roller coaster effect that heating fuel oil has had on those that utilize this source of fuel, brings to mind a recent statement that I heard on the news. In comparison, the recent drop in gasoline prices has given to a concern that consumers and the government will become complacent about the need to seek new and more efficient sources of energy for our future. Read more
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
Flat Rate Pricing Beware
June 12, 2008
AskBoyd Supports and Appreciates ProTech author John Rocheleau and his view on “Flat Rate” pricing
Recently I was reading blogs related to homeowner heating and air repair issues and ran across a really cool website called PROTECH HVAC. The author John Rocheleau wrote an extremely to the point article about “Flat Rate” pricing in the plumbing industry. John’s article cuts right through the subject and fillets it so that we can see right through this practice that more and more plumbing and HVAC contractors are adopting, a business practice that is designed to separate you from as much of your hard earned money as possible during a crisis event in your life.
I have been intending to write an article related to “Flat Rate” pricing in the HVAC industry, but after reading John’s article, I have very little to add and thought that AskBoyd should give credit to such poignant writing and just direct you to an expert in the field who has a solid understanding of this practice and recognizes that homeowners need to be aware of how this growing business practice works.
Below is a reprint of John’s article. Please make sure and visit John’s blog.
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
Radiant Heating Book
March 18, 2008
Dear Home Owner:
You are thinking about getting radiant heating in your home. You’ve heard the pros & cons. Everybody you talk to has an opinion and a horror story.
Where can you find all the information you need to make a good decision, in one place, at a great price, without the pressure of a salesman breathing down your neck?
Programmable Thermostats
March 18, 2008
VisionPRO® Thermostats - Maximum Comfort Made Effortless
Honeywell’s VisionPRO® 8000 is effortless to use. Its intuitive logic and menu-driven programming respond to your choices and schedule for optimal comfort and energy savings. VisionPRO offers you top-of-the-line features like touchscreen interaction, a real-time clock and a large, easy-to-read backlit display.
If you want your home to feel as comfortable as it looks, then VisionPRO is the thermostat for you. You’ll enjoy the convenience, energy savings and consistent comfort for years to come.
Home Improvement Scams Can Cost You A Lot More Money!
March 7, 2008
Home improvements can cost $10,000, $20,000, $50,000, and even up to $100,000 to make major renovations. A mistake in hiring the wrong contractor can easily double those figures. Not to mention the hassle and inconvenience to complete a job that’s only half done.
The Whirlpool Pedigree
March 7, 2008
This month’s featured residential HVAC equipment line is Whirlpool.
The Whirlpool trade name has had a very distinct history with homeowners for over 75 years. The majority of American homeowners have owned a Whirlpool appliance at one time or another. Quality Whirlpool stoves, refrigerators, washers & dryers and dishwashers continue to be a standard in homes across America today.
In the past few years, the Whirlpool name brand has entered the residential HVAC market as well. Homeowners can now enjoy the Whirlpool legacy of quality and craftsmanship in their home comfort systems as well.
To give you some background on Whirlpool Home Comfort Products, here is a little pedigree for you.
SEER Guide
March 6, 2008
Central air conditioners are rated on their seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER). The higher the SEER rating, the more efficient the unit. The minimum SEER rating allowed to be sold today is 13. Models with SEER ratings of 13 or better are recommended.
View the table, which shows the savings possible on your electric bill when you replace an existing inefficient air conditioning system will a higher efficiency system. *
