Avoiding HVAC Sticker Shock! (Part II)

The “Learning Process”

IN THE 1980'S: Shopping for a new HVAC system caused "Sticker Shock" because prices had soared since the housing boom that followed WW II.      IN 2006: Sticker Shock happens when you have to replace a HVAC system because of technological improvements and revised Government regulations.     Most home owners have only the vaguest idea of how the system works that provides the heating and cooling to their homes or what it consists of…or what is available. As a consequence, it is not too surprising that sticker shock in HVAC replacement situations is so common. More importantly, choices that cause discomfort and high fuel bills for many years after also result. Sticker shock can be avoided.   1. What you have. 2. What is available. 3. What you want. 4. What you can afford (or are willing to pay for). 1. What you have. How old is the existing system? Do you live in a development where the HVAC system was provided by the developer and was part of the original house? Does your heating system use oil, gas or electric for heating? 2. What is available? You can get more detailed information of the items that follow by clicking on the web page of our web site as indicated, but ideally, your HVAC system should consist of:           1.  A matching furnace and air conditioner (or heat pump and fan coil) that is (a) high efficiency (b) has a variable speed blower. For specific details click here. This enables the heating and cooling unit to run on low speed 80% of the time, delivering greater comfort, fewer drafts, smaller temperature swings and more consistent heating and cooling through out your home while substantially reducing your fuel bills.           2.  Electronic Air Cleaner. To remove up to 95% of air borne particles. This insures a more comfortable, healthy environment and the elimination, or a substantial reduction, of allergies caused by airborne pollutants. For specific details click here.           3.  Automatic Humidifier. Ensures a more comfortable, healthy place to live as you replenish the much need moisture that warm, dry air sucks out of woodwork, house plants, furnishings and that leaves skin, nose and throat dry and scratchy. For specific details click here.         4.  Clock Thermostat. Temperatures to conform to your life style; comfortable while you're at home; and automatically sets back when you're away or sleeping. click here for specific details.           5.  Zoning. (if required) No more rooms too hard to heat or cool. For specific details click here.       3. What You Want:  Comfort means different things to different people but any well thought out list would include some of the following even if not in the order listed below:         1. A healthy indoor environment. 2.  Comfort. 3. Convenience. 4. Energy and cost savings. 5. Quiet operation. 6. Peace of Mind (no worry).          Only when you know (1) what you have (2) what you want (3)  what is available and (4) what you are willing to pay for, can you intelligently decide on the best system for you and avoid being at the mercy of contractors who either don’t know (or don’t care) what is available. Experienced people can often save you up front from the dreaded sticker shock.      Next Week: Selecting the Best System AND Getting What You Pay For!      And 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. 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 for services 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).