ConstructionDeal.com Update

I recently took a trip from St. Louis to Greenville, Illinois to visit Enertech Manufacturing, LLC, a GeoComfort distributor.

I had a meeting with owner Steve Smith to discuss our presentation at the upcoming Green Building Conference in Dallas. When I arrive, Steve showed me around his offices. We walked into the warehouse, where I saw hundreds of geothermal HVAC units still wrapped in cellophane and I thought - oh no, another casualty of the housing downturn.

Not this time.

The units had just arrived from Enertech’s manufacturing plant in Mitchell, South Dakota and most were waiting to be picked up for installation. There is a bright spot in the current housing market. And it’s called geothermal – using underground loop systems to take advantage of the earths near constant temperature to heat and cool the home.

As a Certified Green Building Professional, I’ve often tried to convince my clients to consider geothermal. With costs twice as much as conventional HVAC systems, most clients weren’t interested.

That is changing thanks to a 30% Federal tax credit.

The new legislation covers installations from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2016. Homeowners who install geothermal systems may be able to claim up to 30% of the cost in tax credits.

But, there’s more to it than just a tax credit. Geothermal is highly efficient and can save homeowners 40%-60% on utility bills. Mechanically, geothermal systems are relatively simple and require little maintenance. They are safe – no flame, no fuel, no odor. And because there are no fossil fuels, indoor air quality is cleaner.

From the Dept. of Energy website: "Even though the installation price of a geothermal system can be several times that of an air-source system of the same heating and cooling capacity, the additional costs are returned to you in energy savings in 5–10 years. System life is estimated at 25 years for the inside components and 50+ years for the ground loop."

A large tax credit and a good product - I have a feeling I’ll have more clients asking about geothermal. That means distributors like Steve Smith need to keep their warehouses full. After all, Steve says, "Business is up 60!"

Kim Hibbs
Hibbs Homes, LLC
St. Louis, Missouri

Looking to build a green home in the St. Louis area? Contact Hibbs Homes and they will help you design and build your ultimate green dream home - 314-581-8205

And, if you're looking to have a geothermal heat pump unit installed in your home, submit your request to ConstructionDeal.com. It's a fast and easy way to get 4 quotes from heat pump contractors who install geothermal units. And ask about the tax credit to make sure you save!

Labels: Geothermal, Heating and Cooling, Heating Contractors

Looks like Old Man Winter has made an early arrival. An early October snow storm swept through the Midwest and great lakes region, slamming Buffalo, New York through the night, causing the snowiest October day in city history. Other areas hit by snow include Grand Rapids, MI, Chicago, IL and portions of Canada. Let us know if you need to find a snow removal specialist.

Looks like my previous post on Preparing Your Home for Winter was none-too-early. But for those of you who have just had to turn on your heater... and it didn't work, I wanted to provide some info on buying a new Heating System for your home.

Buying a New Heating (and/or Cooling) System

Heating and cooling systems should last 15 to 20 years. If your's is older than that, or if has just quit on you, it might be time to replace rather than repair your HVAC equipment. It's a major expense but modern heating and cooling equipment can operate more efficiently than the older units.

Most HVAC Contractors specialize in installing the equipment of a few manufacturers, so keep this in mind when preparing to talk about replacing your system. Why? Well, it will be important to do your homework on the brands out there, to talk to several companies about those brands, and decide what your budget is and what amenities you need to come with your new HVAC system. Try to go with a contractor that installs at least 2 different brands. They won't be pushing one style (because it's all they have!) -- they'll do what's best for your home.

The key to having a new Heating & Cooling system installed is getting the right size unit required for your house. Your contractor will have to do a heat loss calculation - how much heat is being sucked out of your house by the cold air outside, measured in BTUs. It takes into account your insulation, the number and quality of materials of your doors and windows, and the region of the country where your house is located. If they contractor doesn't do this calculation, using software that most companies have, you could end up getting a recommendation for too large of a unit (which will cost more and use more energy to run.)

Your Heating Contractor should also advise you to perform some energy-saving upgrades and then have you go with a smaller unit, if possible. Adding or upgrading insulation, replacing certain windows and doors, whole-house fans, programmable thermostats, and even adding some ceiling fans (fans can be used to circulate heat as well as cool air) can cut down on heating requirements.

If you receive a payback calculation (and you should, if you've got a good HVAC company), which shows you how much a unit will cost to run, keep in mind that the costs may be an average for the entire country. Some western and southern states do not have as high of utility rates because of warmer weather. You may not get the same savings you expected from the calculation if you live in a warmer part of the country.

ConstructionDeal.com is your source for heating and cooling contractors. Simply submit your request and get 4 quotes from qualified heating companies. It's a fast, free and easy way to find contractors.

Labels: Heating Contractors, HVAC

You don't have to wait until winter to contact a heating contractor - you'll get better attention and a faster response. Get your house sealed up whenever you can and you'll save money, save the environment, and you'll improve the value of your home.

First, check your insulation. Warm air rises and if you don't have great insulation, it could keep going straight up and through your roof. Most U.S. homes should have insulation with an R value above 22. The higher the value, the greater the thickness. Head up into your attic, with a ruler, and check to make sure your insulation rises up at least 7 inches.

Next, seal up your house. Inside, check for cracks around windows, gaps between your wall and flooring, and near your electrical outlets. Use caulk and caulk gun (or a Handyman) to seal minor gaps. Check the weatherstripping around all doors and windows. Outside, also check around your windows for leaks (have someone hold a light up to expose smaller gaps.)

Check electrical outlets and loose faucets for gaps. Use expanding foam or caulk to fill them in.

This would be a great time to have your air ducts cleaned. Sure, your regularly replace your house air filter (right?) But your ducts also have a build-up of all that crap that you see stuck to your dirty filters every month. A good air duct cleaning will increase flow and efficiency of your duct system.

Make sure you have a professional inspect your heating (or cooling) unit before each new winter or summer season starts to make sure the system is in working order (fans lubricated, belts inspected, etc.) It can seem expensive, but an emergency call when it's Christmas morning and 10 below outside always, always costs more...)

Another cost saving tip: insulate your water heater and pipes. When it's cold outside, your water heater may need to work harder to get water hot and keep it hot. They have kits you can use to wrap insulating blankets around your water heater and insulation wraps for your water pipes. It prevents heat loss and helps the efficiency. However, make sure you follow any instructions provided with the kits -- you do NOT want to cover up anything close to flames or any air vents.

If you need any type of heating experts, use ConstructionDeal.com. It's a fast and easy way to find contractors. Simply submit your request and get 4 quotes the same day.

At no cost.

Labels: Air Duct Cleaning, Heating Contractors, Insulation Contractor