Avoiding HVAC Sticker Shock! (Part I)

There are some things in life that you can safely buy, based solely on price. Your favorite brand of soda, bread, ice cream, or cookies will taste the same no matter where you buy it.      However, replacing a HVAC system is not one of those things, and as a consequence, “sticker shock” today is quite a common experience. (Sticker shock is when a homeowner is suddenly faced with replacing (all or part) of an HVAC system…with no idea of what it will cost, and is shocked by the actual price).     With home owners having only the vaguest idea of what components make up the HVAC system that provides heating and cooling to their homes (or how the system works), it is not surprising when presented with an estimate for replacement, a typical response sometimes contains one or more of these comments:   “A new air conditioner costs how much?” “That's impossible!” “It must be too big! We just have an average size house!” “We can't afford that! “What can we cut out?” “I saw a unit advertised in one of the Big Box stores that was priced much lower!” “Are you out of your mind?” “There must be some misunderstanding!”      A misunderstanding indeed! Truer words were never spoken. Many home owners have never bought a HVAC system in their life. Their first house usually comes with a system already installed and unless it fails completely, they usually have it repaired without having the vaguest idea of what their choices are…      …and even if they have purchased a system before, it is usually 10 to 15 years between purchases…enough time for the economy, technology, and government regulations…all effecting the costs, to change dramatically.      Ignorance is not always bliss, and being unfamiliar with the current process often results in sticker shock…and not only “sticker shock”, but many times, as a result of decisions made in times of urgency (no heating or no cooling) or just plain ignorance, choices are made that cause discomfort and high fuel bills that lasts for many, many years.           We’ve said it before but it bears repeating “Your heating/cooling system is the most expensive appliance in your house!” It consumes 45-55% of all the energy used in your home!      And if monthly operating costs get higher each month or repairs become too frequent (or too expensive), serious thought needs to be given as to whether equipment is to be continually repaired or replaced.      If you will follow one simple rule, the answer is relatively easy: TREAT IT LIKE  AN INVESTMENT...and a long term one at that! It’s going to have a major impact on your family’s health, comfort (and equally as important) on your pocketbook for years to come! And so the learning/shopping process begins.      As always, remember, that if you have any questions about the HVAC system in your house; how we can be of better service to you, or any suggestions about how we can improve our web site, please email them to me. I'd like to hear from you. Next week: The Learning Process Climatically Merry Sherman 2nd Generation President Phone #: 757-468-5800 Fax #: 757-468-5805 email: comfort@climatemakers.com Web site: http://www.climatemakers.com "Your family's indoor comfort is our family's business"   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!

     P.S. This newsletter is not an orphan. In our newsletter archives, there are over 140 letters with similar tips and helpful hints to make your life in your house, more comfortable. You can see the list by clicking here.

     P.P.S. To keep our website as current as possible, we have just added 3 new pages to the ever growing total (now in excess of 250+ pages). We think you will find the new page depicting “Climatemakers Cartoon Family” especially interesting. You can see it by clicking here.

     This constantly updating of our website is not only to add content but to make it easier for you to navigate…so that you can find answers to your questions about HVAC, quicker than ever before. If you haven’t visited the website recently, and especially if you have any qualms about the performance or the cost of heating this winter, you will find many items of interest.

     For example, on one of our newest web pages entitled 101 ways to save energy, you can see a detailed list of the many ways you can use to reduce energy costs (just click here). Or you might want to see one of our newer pages, "The Amazing Scroll Compressor" where you can see an animated explanation of what many people claim to be the greatest technological improvement in heating and air conditioning history by clicking here.

     P.P.P.S. You can also see for yourself, the professional response your call forservices generates (and the response you can expect), by clicking here to see our recently updated overview of operations.

      To see all the page titles of our 250+ page web site at a glance, click here.

     Or you can select from some of the most popular accessories like a programmable thermostat that automatically regulates the heating/cooling in your house to suit your lifestyle (click here) or an electronic air cleaner that removes dirt, dust and pollen to improve your health (click here) or an automatic humidifier to add moisture to the air in the winter (click here) or how to add a zoning system that will  saves you money as it increases or decreases the heating/cooling in those rooms where and when it is not needed (click here).