After nearly two decades of low food inflation, prices for staples such as bread, milk, eggs, and flour are rising sharply according to the Labor Department. Prices have surged at double-digit rates in the past year. Milk prices, for example, increased 26 percent over the year and egg prices jumped over 40 percent.

     Americans will also face dramatically higher fuel bills this winter, according to a government report recently released by the U.S. Energy Information Department. Only a few months ago the agency was forecasting a 3.6% increase for next year. As confirmation of this drastic revised report, the Sunday issue 6/29/08 of The Virginian Pilot announced that beginning July 1st, Virginia Natural Gas Co. would increase the cost of natural gas for home heating by a whopping 35% and that Dominion Power Co. will increase its rates by 18%. A double whammy…fuel increase and a power increase!

     Strangely enough, the projected increase in the price of electricity is the result of a substantial increase in the cost of natural gas, according to Tancred Lidderdale, an EIA economist. He said that natural gas makes up about 20% of the price of electricity.

     In any event, the cost of heating is directly tied to the cost of crude oil. Whether you believe that the unprecedented rise in price is due to Supply & Demand, Geopolitical Uncertainties, or pure Speculation, the fact remainsthat crude oil prices continue to steadily rise. The price soared to a new record this past month exceeding $140.00 a barrel, more than double the price of just a year ago.

     Small wonder then, that our newsletters so far this year have concentrated more on caring for your HVAC systems and making them more “energy efficient” than on the traditional emphasis of “comfort, health and convenience”. Many homeowners who have spent thousands of dollars making the positive investment of installing HVAC Systems to improve their lifestyle are now taking a harder look at the ways to make their systems more “energy efficient”.

     As the average homeowner in our area spends just under $2000.00 annually on energy bills, these increases recently announced translate to an approximate annual increase of approximately $600.00 at the time of this publication, and there seems to be no end in sight. In fact, just the opposite, for this does not take in to account any other circumstances that may disrupt distribution (i.e. hurricanes, etc.).

     Climatemakers offers several ways for you to make sure that your HVAC system is as “Energy Efficient” as possible. Semi annually, (prior to the heating and cooling seasons), we offer the most comprehensive tune-up and check up of HVAC systems, not only in our area but nationwide. This is not an idle boast. We have posted the details of each of the 32 things we check for the winter tune-up and the 40 points checked for the summer tune-up (and the effect they have on your system’s performance) on our website for anyone to see and compare. For winter click here; for summer click here.

     While these “tune-up-check up” services are available all year, the seasonal promotions offer them at discount prices. Hundreds of our customers take advantage of the whopping discounts available during the limited time offer. We have and no doubt this year even more will do so due to escalating energy costs. The Fall promotion is normally available in early August. Because we think the demand this year will be the largest ever, we are granting early access to our newsletter subscribers, (see below for details to order).

Equally important, as the semi-annual tune ups of equipment, are our Planned Service Agreements (PSA). In addition to the two semi-annual tune-ups of your system, they also help you achieve:
		Lower Utility Bill
		Extended Equipment Life
		Fewer Repairs
		Improved Capacity
		15% Discount on Repairs
		Priority Customer Scheduling
		Inflation Protection
Of course, Climatemakers also provides conventional service on most kinds of residential equipment plus the installation of new “Complete Comfort Systems” by Trane & Lennox, including all accessories (humidifiers, air cleaners, programmable thermostats and zoning).
For more information or to subscribe to either of the above services, or to request a FREE estimate, click here or if you have any questions about the HVAC system in your house; how we can be of better service to you, or about our web site, please email them to me. I'd like to hear from you.

 

		Look Who’s Reading What!
		About 250 visitors, look in on the Climatemakers website every day. Click here to see the “Top 50” pages viewed last month and if you see a title you like, click on it!