Dear Dave:
We've had flooding this week with all the rain and we got water in our basement and around our outdoor unit. Is that dangerous?
Dear Waterlogged:
It could be if it gets high enough. 3 or 4 inches shouldn't be a problem since all electrical connections are higher than that on both a furnace and an outdoor condensing unit. If it gets higher than that you need to have a serviceperson check it out before turning it back on. Don't forget, your heating and cooling equipment are electrical machines. So anytime there is standing water near them, proceed with caution.
Here's hoping the sun comes out and stays out for awhile!
Sincerely,
David
Buy two get one FREE filters!
It is also now time to change the filter in your indoor unit. We have a coupon in our Comfort News that is going in the mail today. It is Buy Two Filters, Get One Free! Call us right now, however, as we are honoring it without the coupon in hand.You can stock up for the next year and finish up the allergy season with a fresh filter.
Finally, if you have a heat pump, be aware that when they are set to cool, a valve is activated in the outdoor unit. When it's off you may hear a buzzing sound if you are standing near the outdoor condensing unit and that is normal.
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Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Ceiling Fans are COOL!
In summer, the downward draft of a paddle fan creates a breeze and produces a feeling of coolness against the skin, even though a fan does not reduce air temperature. Used with an air-conditioner, fans can cut energy costs a lot.
"Fans make you feel up to eight degrees cooler," said Steve Martin, marketing services manager for the Hunter Fan Company in Memphis. The air-conditioner thermostat in a room equipped with a paddle fan can be raised as much as eight degrees without any loss of comfort, he said.
And every degree you raise you thermostat can save you 3 to 4% on your electric usage.
We know about the "wind chill" factor in the winter. It works in the summer, too! And ceiling fans only cost about 1 cent per hour to operate, making them a real bargain.
"Fans make you feel up to eight degrees cooler," said Steve Martin, marketing services manager for the Hunter Fan Company in Memphis. The air-conditioner thermostat in a room equipped with a paddle fan can be raised as much as eight degrees without any loss of comfort, he said.
And every degree you raise you thermostat can save you 3 to 4% on your electric usage.
We know about the "wind chill" factor in the winter. It works in the summer, too! And ceiling fans only cost about 1 cent per hour to operate, making them a real bargain.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Should I keep my heat pump set tp emergency heat all winter?
Dear Dave:
My builder told me to always run my heat pump on emergency heat in the winter. Why?
Dear Customer:
Your builder must own stock in the electric company. What happens when you set your heat pump to emergency heat is that ONLY your indoor furnace works. Your outdoor heat pump is turned off. If you have a natural gas furnace that is o.k. If you have electric resistance backup or propane, that is a terrible idea. You will literally double the cost of heating your home. A heat pump takes free heat from the outdoor air and "pumps" it into your home. You only pay for the "pumping". The heat is free. Depending on the outdoor temperature it is 2 to 3 times cheaper than propane or an electric furnace. The reason I’ve heard from builders to turn it to "emer. heat" is so you always have real warm air from the registers. High efficient heat pumps have warm air. Usually 95-100 deg. Don’t "buy" into it. Any extra heat you feel is from dollar bills "burning". (Yours when you pay your bill!)Sincerely,
David White
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Finding the company for you:
Every day, week, month of the year someone is ripped off by a home contractor. Whether it is someone charging a ridiculous amount up front for a lesser product or service, or bidding the lowest and then sneaking in extra costs once your house is ripped apart, or charging you a small amount and then doing shoddy work. Or any other thing you can think of. We hear all of the stories. We see and sometimes repair the shoddy work. And we are suspected of being devious ourselves, because in this crooked world it's hard to trust anyone!
So how can you know? Are there clues that this is an honest HVAC contractor? An HVAC contractor you can trust to give a fair price for a job well done?
If it is servicing your system needs, the following guidelines can help:
What if you need a new system? How can you find the right company for that?
And sometimes when we tear down walls, we do have to charge a little more when we find a big surprise! Because truth is, unless you built the house with your own two hands, you just don't know what's under that drywall or up that chimney. But we can promise that we are as upfront about that as possible and we go the extra mile to do the very best we can and live up to the contract we both signed and took seriously to begin with.
Call us! We believe our estimators, our service and installation techs, and all of their support team are the best out there. And we think you will too.
So how can you know? Are there clues that this is an honest HVAC contractor? An HVAC contractor you can trust to give a fair price for a job well done?
If it is servicing your system needs, the following guidelines can help:
- HVAC technicians are trained professionals that have certification from the state. This means they can prove they qualify by having a license.
- An honest technician should be up front about any fee for him checking your system.
- He will do a thorough diagnosis, using proper equipment.
- And when he recommends a repair, he will give you a quote on paper of the part(s) you will need and how much the labor will cost.
- His company will be solid & well known in the community, having been around for years.
- He himself will have years of experience and training.
- They will recommend annual check-ups to keep your system going and set it up so you are reminded each year.
What if you need a new system? How can you find the right company for that?
- A professional will come to your house and discuss your needs and examine your house. They will then give you a quote on a new system on paper, outlining the exact equipment that will be put in your house and exactly what it will cost.
- They will be honest about manufacturers warranties and will warranty their company's work for one year after installation.
- They will have a solid company, known in the community.
- They will provide references.
- They will have proper insurance (liability, workman's comp, etc.)
- They will be able to explain and print the SEER ranking of the equipment you are buying if it is claimed to be high efficiency.
- They pull the city permits.
- They retain their customers.
- Their office is clean showing that they will clean up after themselves.
And sometimes when we tear down walls, we do have to charge a little more when we find a big surprise! Because truth is, unless you built the house with your own two hands, you just don't know what's under that drywall or up that chimney. But we can promise that we are as upfront about that as possible and we go the extra mile to do the very best we can and live up to the contract we both signed and took seriously to begin with.
Call us! We believe our estimators, our service and installation techs, and all of their support team are the best out there. And we think you will too.
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| One of our professional techs intalling a new outdoor HVAC unit |
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| Our men having the tools they need at their fingertips |
Monday, January 31, 2011
Maintenance Agreements Equal Money in Your Pocket
It's true! Don't believe me? Here's some convincing arguements:
1) Regular maintenance keeps your system running efficiently, saving on your utility bills.
2) Potential problems can be prevented and corrected early before equipment fails, thus being much cheaper to fix.
3) Proper and regular servicing extends the life of your heating and cooling system.
4) Our Gold and Silver maintenance plans include the cost of most repairs, meaning you know exactly what to budget for maintenance and servicing of your system for the entire year.
5) Our service technicians change your filter when they come, and clean filters make HVAC systems happy. Happy systems work efficiently. Again, saving you money.
Just like eating healthy foods and exercising keeps your body from suffering a major illness, preventative care is the way to go with HVAC systems.
Even HGTV puts it right at the top of their list of things to do during your spring cleaning.
1) Regular maintenance keeps your system running efficiently, saving on your utility bills.
2) Potential problems can be prevented and corrected early before equipment fails, thus being much cheaper to fix.
3) Proper and regular servicing extends the life of your heating and cooling system.
4) Our Gold and Silver maintenance plans include the cost of most repairs, meaning you know exactly what to budget for maintenance and servicing of your system for the entire year.
5) Our service technicians change your filter when they come, and clean filters make HVAC systems happy. Happy systems work efficiently. Again, saving you money.
Just like eating healthy foods and exercising keeps your body from suffering a major illness, preventative care is the way to go with HVAC systems.
Even HGTV puts it right at the top of their list of things to do during your spring cleaning.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Are you an AEP customer?
David White Services, Maytag, and AEP have a wonderful, wonderful rebate program for you in February.
So often HVAC companies advertise $1000.00 in rebates but when they give you a quote you discover that the $1000.00 worth of rebates is only on their most expensive equipment, or requires you to buy an expensive and often unnecessary indoor air quality product.
But in February 2011 we at David White Services are bringing you a genuine $1000.00 off of a Heat Pump system!
AEP has come up with an amazing program where one of our HVAC energy specialists come out & do an assessment of your house. AEP provides 12 energy saving lightbulbs, a low flow shower head, a setback thermostat, an LED nightlight, and more! Plus the assessment tells you where your house is losing the most energy and how you can save lots of money! It truly is the best program I've seen in a long, long time. For all the details, just click here. On the left you'll see you can click on energy assessment or rebates to find out everything you need to know. Then call us to set up an appointment.
In addition to this we have arranged a $300.00 rebate on qualifying Maytag HVAC equipment. They are a great company with quality equipment that we love working with and we think you'll love too! Who doesn't know the Maytag man? Guess what? We ARE the Maytag man and we have time for you.
In 2010 there was a 30% tax credit on heating and cooling equipment that everyone got really excited about, and it was exciting. If you didn't use it, there is still a limited tax credit on HVAC equipment for 2011. We feel that with our $1000.00 in rebates and the tax credit, February 2011 is actually a BETTER deal for you! If your equipment is over 10 years old, it's time to call us and see what we can do for you.
So often HVAC companies advertise $1000.00 in rebates but when they give you a quote you discover that the $1000.00 worth of rebates is only on their most expensive equipment, or requires you to buy an expensive and often unnecessary indoor air quality product.
But in February 2011 we at David White Services are bringing you a genuine $1000.00 off of a Heat Pump system!
AEP has come up with an amazing program where one of our HVAC energy specialists come out & do an assessment of your house. AEP provides 12 energy saving lightbulbs, a low flow shower head, a setback thermostat, an LED nightlight, and more! Plus the assessment tells you where your house is losing the most energy and how you can save lots of money! It truly is the best program I've seen in a long, long time. For all the details, just click here. On the left you'll see you can click on energy assessment or rebates to find out everything you need to know. Then call us to set up an appointment.
In addition to this we have arranged a $300.00 rebate on qualifying Maytag HVAC equipment. They are a great company with quality equipment that we love working with and we think you'll love too! Who doesn't know the Maytag man? Guess what? We ARE the Maytag man and we have time for you.
In 2010 there was a 30% tax credit on heating and cooling equipment that everyone got really excited about, and it was exciting. If you didn't use it, there is still a limited tax credit on HVAC equipment for 2011. We feel that with our $1000.00 in rebates and the tax credit, February 2011 is actually a BETTER deal for you! If your equipment is over 10 years old, it's time to call us and see what we can do for you.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
BTU: an education.
Earlier this month I posted an Ask Dave that mentioned BTU. When you talk to heating contractors this little acronym always comes up but in your regular, day to day life, it simply doesn't. So I wanted to explain what it means to help you know which system you should purchase.
BTU is short for British Thermal Unit. Each BTU equals the amount of heat required to raise one pound of water one degree. One pound of water is about one pint.
So you create 450 BTUs per hour in your regular, every day life. You, every hour, create enough heat to bring more than three pints of water from room temperature to a boil. You may not know you created BTUs but really you are a furnace. I love to put my freezing cold feet as close to my hubbie as possible without them actually touching him (he complains big time if they get too close!) That's because I'm taking advantage of his BTUs.
Furnaces are rated on how many BTUs they create per hour. So a 75,000 BTUs furnace will create 75,000 BTU's in an hour. And unlike your 450 BTUs, a furnace has a blower to ship that wonderful warmth all around your home through insulated ducts.
So how can knowing this help you buy a new heating system?
In two main ways. First, your new furnace will be sized according to the size of your house and the insulation in your walls. And bigger is not better, in this case. The more BTUs your furnace pumps out at once, the sooner it will shut off. And a furnace that cycles more often costs more money than one that pumps out heat slow & steady. But too small and it won't keep your house warm enough. So understanding BTUs can help you choose the furnace and contractor who understand sizing best.
Second, as in the previous Ask Dave, comparing BTU's in one type of heat, like propane vs. wood, can help you choose the most cost effective type of heat available to you.
So there ya go. BTUs for the rest of us.
Maybe later I'll explain heat pumps and air conditioners being measured in tons and in how many BTUs they suck out of your house per hour. Intrigued? Coming soon to a blog in the summer!
BTU is short for British Thermal Unit. Each BTU equals the amount of heat required to raise one pound of water one degree. One pound of water is about one pint.
So you create 450 BTUs per hour in your regular, every day life. You, every hour, create enough heat to bring more than three pints of water from room temperature to a boil. You may not know you created BTUs but really you are a furnace. I love to put my freezing cold feet as close to my hubbie as possible without them actually touching him (he complains big time if they get too close!) That's because I'm taking advantage of his BTUs.
Furnaces are rated on how many BTUs they create per hour. So a 75,000 BTUs furnace will create 75,000 BTU's in an hour. And unlike your 450 BTUs, a furnace has a blower to ship that wonderful warmth all around your home through insulated ducts.
So how can knowing this help you buy a new heating system?
In two main ways. First, your new furnace will be sized according to the size of your house and the insulation in your walls. And bigger is not better, in this case. The more BTUs your furnace pumps out at once, the sooner it will shut off. And a furnace that cycles more often costs more money than one that pumps out heat slow & steady. But too small and it won't keep your house warm enough. So understanding BTUs can help you choose the furnace and contractor who understand sizing best.
Second, as in the previous Ask Dave, comparing BTU's in one type of heat, like propane vs. wood, can help you choose the most cost effective type of heat available to you.
So there ya go. BTUs for the rest of us.
Maybe later I'll explain heat pumps and air conditioners being measured in tons and in how many BTUs they suck out of your house per hour. Intrigued? Coming soon to a blog in the summer!
Monday, January 24, 2011
Running a family heating and cooling business
Running a family business is a tricky business. Especially an HVAC business with a bunch of very strong personalities involved. My dad, my mom, and their business partner started David White Services in 1977. Now almost 35 years later it is a thriving business with two offices, in Athens and Lancaster, serving the majority of southeastern Ohio and parts of West Virginia. So many counties, so many towns like Logan, Jackson, Gallipolis, and Canal Winchester to name just a few of the seemingly hundreds of great communities that we love.
I was only 3 years old when the business began and some of my earliest memories are sitting at a little desk with my own adding machine, crayons, and paper above C&E hardware on Richland Avenue in Athens. And now my husband works here, my sister and her husband both work here and our eldest children, 13 & 10, both think they'd love to stay in the family business. And my three year old is currently sitting at a computer watching cartoons on Netflix coloring with her own crayons & paper at the desk next to me.
The best part of working with my family is I have a real feeling of belonging and community. I used to hate, when I was younger and searching for my own identity, being "David White's daughter." But now I love it. My parents are cool and well respected and I am Ohio all the way through. A Buckeye, a Bobcat, a small town, midwest girl.
The decisions they made when I was too young to know what was happening, I'm proud to be now carrying on to the next generation. Long ago they decided to work mainly with residential service, not with new construction and commercial. This suits my personality perfectly. Instead of working with big companies and bureaucracies, we work with our neighbors, our community, our friends. We take care of their furnaces and air conditioners and heat pumps. Their stoves and their fireplaces. We truly are hearth and home. And having done so for so many years, we are now taking care of second generation and third generations, both their homes and their small businesses.
When I'm at my house, with my own kids, I really do ponder all the other people in the surrounding counties, that are also snowed & snuggled in, in front of their fireplaces and with their heat pumps and furnaces chugging away, and I'm happy to have played a part, even a tiny part, in their comfort.
And I won't dwell on the bad parts of a family business. I'll just say my parents raised my sister and I to be honest in our opinions, and as long as we said it respectfully we were allowed to say whatever we wanted. So you can imagine that we grew up with very strong opinions that we aren't afraid to share. Good thing they raised us with great senses of humor and the knowledge of the power of an apology.
I was only 3 years old when the business began and some of my earliest memories are sitting at a little desk with my own adding machine, crayons, and paper above C&E hardware on Richland Avenue in Athens. And now my husband works here, my sister and her husband both work here and our eldest children, 13 & 10, both think they'd love to stay in the family business. And my three year old is currently sitting at a computer watching cartoons on Netflix coloring with her own crayons & paper at the desk next to me.
The best part of working with my family is I have a real feeling of belonging and community. I used to hate, when I was younger and searching for my own identity, being "David White's daughter." But now I love it. My parents are cool and well respected and I am Ohio all the way through. A Buckeye, a Bobcat, a small town, midwest girl.
The decisions they made when I was too young to know what was happening, I'm proud to be now carrying on to the next generation. Long ago they decided to work mainly with residential service, not with new construction and commercial. This suits my personality perfectly. Instead of working with big companies and bureaucracies, we work with our neighbors, our community, our friends. We take care of their furnaces and air conditioners and heat pumps. Their stoves and their fireplaces. We truly are hearth and home. And having done so for so many years, we are now taking care of second generation and third generations, both their homes and their small businesses.
When I'm at my house, with my own kids, I really do ponder all the other people in the surrounding counties, that are also snowed & snuggled in, in front of their fireplaces and with their heat pumps and furnaces chugging away, and I'm happy to have played a part, even a tiny part, in their comfort.
And I won't dwell on the bad parts of a family business. I'll just say my parents raised my sister and I to be honest in our opinions, and as long as we said it respectfully we were allowed to say whatever we wanted. So you can imagine that we grew up with very strong opinions that we aren't afraid to share. Good thing they raised us with great senses of humor and the knowledge of the power of an apology.
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| The whole brood: courtesy of Morristowne Photography |
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Ask Dave: Heating Oil is so expensive, what can I do?
Dear Dave:
We are in the country and have always heated with oil. We like the heat but now the price per gallon has gone up dramatically. What can we do?
Dear Customer:
Nationally, heating oil has gone up about 40 cents a gallon in the last few weeks. Propane (made from oil) will also skyrocket. With the world economic recovery, they probably will not go down. It might be time to look at other options. If you add to your oil or propane furnace an Energy Star Heat Pump, you can have the best of both worlds. Most of the time, the heat pump will be heating you for HALF the cost of oil products but in very cold weather the furnace will automatically come on and comfortably heat your home. There are still some tax credits available for an add on heat pump. Remember, upgrading equipment is done once but your oil or LP bill is every month. We have low interest financing and our estimates are free.
Sincerely,
David White
Friday, January 7, 2011
Ask Dave: What is the cheapest fuel to heat my home?
There is a wide range of products and prices for fuel to heat your home. And it can be confusing to compare such a wide variety of products. It often feels like comparing apples to oranges. Different, but both fruity.
To take the guess work out we break it down into how much it costs for a Million BTU's. BTU is a measure of heat. So in 2010, and into the winter of 2011, in our area of Ohio the prices broke down like this:
Fuel Oil $20.17
LP gas (Propane) $26.00
Electric Furnace $20.51
Electric Heat Pump $10.26
Natural Gas furnace $10.76
Corn $ 9.00
Hardwood $ 3.30
Obviously, these prices are conditional and always changing. But it gives you at least an idea and a beginning point on which to capare.
It's pretty obvious that oil, propane, and electric furnaces are the most expensive ways to heat your home by far.
To take the guess work out we break it down into how much it costs for a Million BTU's. BTU is a measure of heat. So in 2010, and into the winter of 2011, in our area of Ohio the prices broke down like this:
Fuel Oil $20.17
LP gas (Propane) $26.00
Electric Furnace $20.51
Electric Heat Pump $10.26
Natural Gas furnace $10.76
Corn $ 9.00
Hardwood $ 3.30
Obviously, these prices are conditional and always changing. But it gives you at least an idea and a beginning point on which to capare.
It's pretty obvious that oil, propane, and electric furnaces are the most expensive ways to heat your home by far.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Welcome 2011!
It's the beginning of a new year, with all the challenges winter and a new year bring. Here in the offices of David White Services, both in Lancaster & Athens, we've been working hard taking inventory, balancing our books, and making plans for the coming year.
In addition to this we've been excited to start working even more closely with the electric company and their wonderful gridSMART program. We are hoping this truly benefits our customers both with information and rebates are meeting with them next week to get the big scoop.
Our connection with our amazing vendors, like Lennox, Maytag, and Waterfurnace, will continue this year and we are, of course, making sure we are up to date with all of their new products and information.
We also renewed our contract as official sponsors of Ohio University Bobcats. We have loved supporting such a wonderful college and their inspiring athletic departments and know that this year will not disappoint. Look for us at the games! We're hoping to get a halftime game going at the men's basketball games and hope you will all join us in cheering them on as divisional games begin.
It may still be dark and bleak outside on this January evening but inside our homes and our customer's homes it is nice and toasty warm. And in our offices there is much excitement as we look forward to another year serving our wonderful communities.
In addition to this we've been excited to start working even more closely with the electric company and their wonderful gridSMART program. We are hoping this truly benefits our customers both with information and rebates are meeting with them next week to get the big scoop.
Our connection with our amazing vendors, like Lennox, Maytag, and Waterfurnace, will continue this year and we are, of course, making sure we are up to date with all of their new products and information.
We also renewed our contract as official sponsors of Ohio University Bobcats. We have loved supporting such a wonderful college and their inspiring athletic departments and know that this year will not disappoint. Look for us at the games! We're hoping to get a halftime game going at the men's basketball games and hope you will all join us in cheering them on as divisional games begin.
It may still be dark and bleak outside on this January evening but inside our homes and our customer's homes it is nice and toasty warm. And in our offices there is much excitement as we look forward to another year serving our wonderful communities.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Ask Dave: What to do about crazy energy bills?
Dear Dave,
I just got my electric bill. I was away for the holidays and it was still $300.00!!! What can I do?
Dear Customer,
I have a hunch this is only the beginning. $3.10 gasoline tells the story of the rising cost of energy. One solution is to add a wood stove to your family or living room. There are beautiful, very efficient wood stoves that not only give a lot of heat but have glass doors and provide wonderful ambiance while burning. Many still have tax credits available on them.
If you can't cut wood (I can't since I live in town) you can buy it and have it delivered. It costs some but far less than electricity.
We have a number of wood stoves in our showrooms in Athens and Lancaster and provide certified installation that your home insurance company will like. I personally don't think there is anything better on a winter night than our family gathered around a wood fire in our family room. And if I'm saving a bunch on my electric bill, all the better!
David
I just got my electric bill. I was away for the holidays and it was still $300.00!!! What can I do?
Dear Customer,
I have a hunch this is only the beginning. $3.10 gasoline tells the story of the rising cost of energy. One solution is to add a wood stove to your family or living room. There are beautiful, very efficient wood stoves that not only give a lot of heat but have glass doors and provide wonderful ambiance while burning. Many still have tax credits available on them.
If you can't cut wood (I can't since I live in town) you can buy it and have it delivered. It costs some but far less than electricity.
We have a number of wood stoves in our showrooms in Athens and Lancaster and provide certified installation that your home insurance company will like. I personally don't think there is anything better on a winter night than our family gathered around a wood fire in our family room. And if I'm saving a bunch on my electric bill, all the better!
David
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Tips for Winter Savings
Here in southeastern Ohio we have our first true winter storm blowing in. So I thought it was time for some winter energy saving tips.
2) Have your furnace tuned up. I know, I know this makes me money. So it seems like I might have ulterior motives to suggest it. But seriously, all furnaces and should be serviced annually to increase efficiency and ensure the furnace is safe to operate. For just a few extra dollars you can purchase one of our maintenance plans which includes the tune up, a filter, AND we'll pay for most parts and labor if you need a repair the rest of the year. Not a bad deal for something you ought to be doing anyway. Click here for the Energy Star check-list. See? Even the officials on saving energy agree with me on this one.
3) Which, by the way, if you don't have a high efficiency furnace, you should look into buying one. Ask one of our specialists about the savings you can get from replacing a 20 year old (or older!) furnace with a newer efficient one and I think you'll be very surprised by how much money you are literally burning each month.
Check and replace furnace filters on a regular basis-we suggest checking the filter every 30-45 days. If you have one of our super media filters, check it every 6 months at the very least. They sometimes can last a year but it's best to check them monthly after the 6 month mark.
4) A programmable thermostat makes it easy to keep your house cool when you aren't home (or are asleep) and warm by the time you are home. No sense wasting money heating your house to a comfortable temperature when it is empty.
5) Make sure fireplace dampers are fully closed when not in use. Traditional fireplaces can suck warm air up them and right outside, wasting your precious energy dollars. Personally, we installed a gas fireplace insert in ours several years ago. This makes it a true source of heat for us, even when the power is out, and no warm air is ever sucked up the chimney. Plus, I don't have to mess with wood. If you truly want to heat with wood, for example if you can cut it yourself so it's a cheap heat source, then I recommend a wood stove or insert.
6) Finally, this isn't necessarily an energy saving tip, but heating your house dries your house up. Meaning your sinus cavities are all dried up. Meaning you can catch a cold more easily or have a cold turn into a sinus infection because everything is so stuffed up. Installing a whole house humidifier (or buying a cool mist humidifier for each bedroom from a drug store or retail store) can stop these issues. It can actually save you energy as well as a moist house feels warmer meaning you might be willing to keep the actual temperature on your thermostat lower. Saving energy and money.
I'm all about saving money, a known deal grabber, coupon clipper, penny pincher. But truth be told, no matter how many coupons you are clipping winter heating costs can suck all the money out of your banking account. Take the time, and possibly the initial investment, and stop sending your money right out the chimney, windows, and doors.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Women are breaking into all parts of the HVAC world!
This year marks the first year in 116 years of ASHRAE (The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning Engineers) history that a woman is president. Lynn G Bellenger was installed as president of the society this summer.
As a woman in a mostly male dominated industry I was obviously excited to hear this. I was even more excited to hear her ideas of making sure that HVAC industrial experts be inserted in the architect/engineer part of building. She said this was especially important if the heating and cooling industry is to continue it's quest of making a sustainable world, saying, "It is going to require a real cultural shift in our industry to transform the design process, and it's a shift that has to occur if we are going to reach our goal of net-zero-energy buildings."
I found her presidential address (at http://www.ashrae.org) both eloquent and practical. She said, "Our challenge is to approach every project with innovation, not repetition, and to challenge ourselves to find the elegant solutions that will minimize energy use and provide exceptional indoor environmental quality. People will judge us on our performance, not our promises."
Who of us in this industry has not been frustrated with HVAC being such an after thought to the overall building plan? When it is clearly one of the most important parts of a comfortable building. Add with that the modern desire to stop polluting our earth and we are clearly in a time of change.
I'm so proud to be part of David White Services, bringing well designed, efficient heating and cooling (both traditional and geo-thermal) to the Athens and Lancaster markets. And glad to have so many women in our organization as well. Women are so good at practical application that it just makes sense to have us in an industry that deeply effects the daily comfort of both us our families.
As a woman in a mostly male dominated industry I was obviously excited to hear this. I was even more excited to hear her ideas of making sure that HVAC industrial experts be inserted in the architect/engineer part of building. She said this was especially important if the heating and cooling industry is to continue it's quest of making a sustainable world, saying, "It is going to require a real cultural shift in our industry to transform the design process, and it's a shift that has to occur if we are going to reach our goal of net-zero-energy buildings."
I found her presidential address (at http://www.ashrae.org) both eloquent and practical. She said, "Our challenge is to approach every project with innovation, not repetition, and to challenge ourselves to find the elegant solutions that will minimize energy use and provide exceptional indoor environmental quality. People will judge us on our performance, not our promises."
Who of us in this industry has not been frustrated with HVAC being such an after thought to the overall building plan? When it is clearly one of the most important parts of a comfortable building. Add with that the modern desire to stop polluting our earth and we are clearly in a time of change.
I'm so proud to be part of David White Services, bringing well designed, efficient heating and cooling (both traditional and geo-thermal) to the Athens and Lancaster markets. And glad to have so many women in our organization as well. Women are so good at practical application that it just makes sense to have us in an industry that deeply effects the daily comfort of both us our families.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
People say the nicest things!
We do a lot of work in the fall and this year even more so with so many taking advantage of the 30% tax credit on high efficiency heating and cooling equipment. So this post is some of the nice things our customers have said about us in the last two months.
We used you before and were very satisfied. This time you gave us friendly, fast service. We say thanks to all! Elaine Yaple, Lancaster, Ohio
We only got an estimate from David White Services because of your reputation and the referrals of others. Everything was well done! The installation people were very polite, professional, and knowledgable. They answered my numerous questions well. Joan & Charles Mickelson, Athens, Ohio
You can use me as a referral anytime! I found you in the yellow pages and bought because of the sales presentation. Your installers were very polite, neat, and went about their job without bothering anyone. If they were unsure of what we wanted, they asked. They were very pleasant. And we were especially impressed that there was no foul language. Larry Richards, Vincent, Ohio
We got two estimates and you were the lowest. Several people referred you to me and you have a good reputation. That and the price made the decision easy. My overall experience with David White Services was nice. And Matthew Stallard was a great help! We thank him. Yan Ling Cai, The Plains, Ohio
I already was your customer so I only got an estimate from you. You installed my system when you promised and cleaned up after yourselves. Your crew was courteous and professional. They did a very good job. Ken Midkiff, Guysville, Ohio
Sales rep was very good at explaining our options. Installers very courteous and helpful.
Becky Gilham, Lancaster, Ohio
We only got an estimate from you because our friends recommended you. Your people were friendly, quick, and neat. Absolutely no complaints.
Zach Demster, Coolville, Ohio
I only got an estimate from David White. You came when promised, did a neat installation, and then cleaned up after yourself. John Burgess, Lancaster, Ohio
We love our customers and they love us back! It makes going to work every day a joy. If you are wondering who to buy your next HVAC system from, give us a try and you'll be convinced. We don't try to sell you a name brand (though we sell great name brands!) we sell you ourselves and our service and our dependability. Well over 30 years in southeastern Ohio! We're here to stay and will take care of your comfort for years to come.
We used you before and were very satisfied. This time you gave us friendly, fast service. We say thanks to all! Elaine Yaple, Lancaster, Ohio
We only got an estimate from David White Services because of your reputation and the referrals of others. Everything was well done! The installation people were very polite, professional, and knowledgable. They answered my numerous questions well. Joan & Charles Mickelson, Athens, Ohio
You can use me as a referral anytime! I found you in the yellow pages and bought because of the sales presentation. Your installers were very polite, neat, and went about their job without bothering anyone. If they were unsure of what we wanted, they asked. They were very pleasant. And we were especially impressed that there was no foul language. Larry Richards, Vincent, Ohio
We got two estimates and you were the lowest. Several people referred you to me and you have a good reputation. That and the price made the decision easy. My overall experience with David White Services was nice. And Matthew Stallard was a great help! We thank him. Yan Ling Cai, The Plains, Ohio
I already was your customer so I only got an estimate from you. You installed my system when you promised and cleaned up after yourselves. Your crew was courteous and professional. They did a very good job. Ken Midkiff, Guysville, Ohio
Sales rep was very good at explaining our options. Installers very courteous and helpful.
Becky Gilham, Lancaster, Ohio
We only got an estimate from you because our friends recommended you. Your people were friendly, quick, and neat. Absolutely no complaints.
Zach Demster, Coolville, Ohio
I only got an estimate from David White. You came when promised, did a neat installation, and then cleaned up after yourself. John Burgess, Lancaster, Ohio
We love our customers and they love us back! It makes going to work every day a joy. If you are wondering who to buy your next HVAC system from, give us a try and you'll be convinced. We don't try to sell you a name brand (though we sell great name brands!) we sell you ourselves and our service and our dependability. Well over 30 years in southeastern Ohio! We're here to stay and will take care of your comfort for years to come.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Go Bobcats! What a great day!
We here at David White Services absolutely loving being a sponsor of Ohio University, especially during football season. The day today was gorgeous and the game against BGSU was also gorgeous.
We finally figured out our food. We always try to take food that both our tent full of kids will eat and so will all the other tailgaters. Hotdogs, chips, cupcakes, and bottled water seemed to go over very well today. And with our tailgating grill it was truly a piece of cake! Usually, my husband Tim does the grilling but he was a little late today so I set up. I managed to get the awesome tabletop grill set up and lit without singing off my eyebrows. It was shocking how evenly and perfectly cooked the dogs were. In half the time as our home grill! It was really impressive.
Here's our set up, right next to the Green and White Club:
Another highlight of tailgating for me is the band. Bands are just so happy. And the most exciting band in the land, the Marching 110 never disappoints:
Another highlight for our family is Rufus the mascot and the cheerleaders. And, of course, all toys and games and fun atmosphere that tailgating brings.
The communities of Lancaster, Ohio and Athens, Ohio are so wonderful for raising families. I'm so happy our businesses are here!
Stay tuned for more posts about the Lancaster Fair this week!
We finally figured out our food. We always try to take food that both our tent full of kids will eat and so will all the other tailgaters. Hotdogs, chips, cupcakes, and bottled water seemed to go over very well today. And with our tailgating grill it was truly a piece of cake! Usually, my husband Tim does the grilling but he was a little late today so I set up. I managed to get the awesome tabletop grill set up and lit without singing off my eyebrows. It was shocking how evenly and perfectly cooked the dogs were. In half the time as our home grill! It was really impressive.
Here's our set up, right next to the Green and White Club:
Another highlight of tailgating for me is the band. Bands are just so happy. And the most exciting band in the land, the Marching 110 never disappoints:
Another highlight for our family is Rufus the mascot and the cheerleaders. And, of course, all toys and games and fun atmosphere that tailgating brings.
The communities of Lancaster, Ohio and Athens, Ohio are so wonderful for raising families. I'm so happy our businesses are here!
Stay tuned for more posts about the Lancaster Fair this week!
Friday, October 8, 2010
Why I love fall:
I just love fall. Sweaters, jeans, apples, pumpkins, baking, football, and school starts! Yippee! Call me crazy, but I love two of my three children being in school. Freedom!
But I also really love football. I follow the Cincinnati Bengals, OSU Buckeyes, and Ohio Bobcats. Love them! Anyone watch the Rufus-Brutus fight this year? We were there for that! Crazy.
You will see us tomorrow right here in Athens! I'm making green and white cupcakes. Yes, homemade! Parents weekend and all I thought our tent should have something special. So here's to a win!
I also love my gas fireplace. It's so warm and toasty and I sincerely believe everyone should have one. There is no messy wood, it turns on with just a switch. It's vented so I'm not living with fumes: they go up the chimney. It's beautiful in my living room. I have super old and rundown furniture so it may actually be the prettiest thing in my living room, definitely the focal point.
Really it's hard to explain to others how nice it is to snuggle up in my Bengals sweatshirt or Snuggie (yup, I've got one) and watch Sunday's games curled up in front of my fireplace.
And all of the above reasons don't even include it saves money by reducing the amount of time our furnace is on. It's October 8th and we haven't had our furnace on once yet! Savings!
But I also really love football. I follow the Cincinnati Bengals, OSU Buckeyes, and Ohio Bobcats. Love them! Anyone watch the Rufus-Brutus fight this year? We were there for that! Crazy.
You will see us tomorrow right here in Athens! I'm making green and white cupcakes. Yes, homemade! Parents weekend and all I thought our tent should have something special. So here's to a win!
I also love my gas fireplace. It's so warm and toasty and I sincerely believe everyone should have one. There is no messy wood, it turns on with just a switch. It's vented so I'm not living with fumes: they go up the chimney. It's beautiful in my living room. I have super old and rundown furniture so it may actually be the prettiest thing in my living room, definitely the focal point.
Really it's hard to explain to others how nice it is to snuggle up in my Bengals sweatshirt or Snuggie (yup, I've got one) and watch Sunday's games curled up in front of my fireplace.
And all of the above reasons don't even include it saves money by reducing the amount of time our furnace is on. It's October 8th and we haven't had our furnace on once yet! Savings!
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Ask Dave:
Valued Customer:
I've heard there is a new program where I can get up to $1500.00 tax credit if I have a new furnace or heat pump installed. Is this true?
Dave:
The new "stimulus" bill that Congress passed does indeed allow for a tax credit up to $1500.00 which will pay 30% of any upgrade to your heating and cooling system. The replaced equipment must be very high efficiency but don't worry: we have all the details and paperwork to make it easy.
If your system is over 10 years old, this may be the year to replace it. These new systems can save you substantially on your utility bills for years to come. Our hearth store also has wood stoves that meet the government guidelines and also qualify for $1500 tax credit. Come on in and check out our gorgeous showrooms. The tax credit only lasts through 2010 (just 3 more months!!!) so don't wait too long!
I've heard there is a new program where I can get up to $1500.00 tax credit if I have a new furnace or heat pump installed. Is this true?
Dave:
The new "stimulus" bill that Congress passed does indeed allow for a tax credit up to $1500.00 which will pay 30% of any upgrade to your heating and cooling system. The replaced equipment must be very high efficiency but don't worry: we have all the details and paperwork to make it easy.
If your system is over 10 years old, this may be the year to replace it. These new systems can save you substantially on your utility bills for years to come. Our hearth store also has wood stoves that meet the government guidelines and also qualify for $1500 tax credit. Come on in and check out our gorgeous showrooms. The tax credit only lasts through 2010 (just 3 more months!!!) so don't wait too long!
A tornado in Athens county?
Yup, it happened. We have tornado warnings here every year, but if I'm telling the truth, I never really pay attention to them. No real tornado has hit our little corner of America in over 50 years. And so, when the warning was sounded Thursday night around 6:50 p.m. I was getting ready to hop in the shower, not paying one bit of attention. It was as I was running the water that I got a text message from a good friend who lives in The Plains with a video of a tornado coming towards her house. I turned the water off and thought perhaps a shower wasn't the right option at the moment. I went and looked out my window and sure enough, those were some very tornado forming clouds with spinning bits of wind everywhere. Time to round up the family.
We live in a brick house with a basement and the tornados came nowhere near us so we were never in any danger. But just the same, I think my attitude towards tornado drills and warnings will be different from now on. Because obviously, a tornado CAN hit Athens county.
My friend, by the way, was sending me the text from her basement and though her phone will never be the same from water damage, she, her husband, her dog, and their home are completely fine. Sadly, I cannot say the same for many of their neighbors.
The Plains, which doesn't have much tourist activity in general but currently is a hot spot of tourism, has been hard hit. It is obvious that it will be some time before the roofs are put back in place and the debris is all gone and the trees have grown back. And equally obvious is that you can have lots of volunteers but at some point you will need skilled workers.
Me and my friends and kids cleaning debris (I have VERY limited chainsaw skills):
It is also obvious that lots of air conditioners and heat pumps and roof top units are going to need replaced. Which just happens to be our specialty.
If your unit has been damaged by this storm give us a call and let us assess it for free and tell you if it is salvageable.
And if it isn't, this might be a great opportunity to cash in on the stimulus program and upgrade to a super efficient heating and cooling system. I'm going to add an Ask Dave about the subject in my next post.
We live in a brick house with a basement and the tornados came nowhere near us so we were never in any danger. But just the same, I think my attitude towards tornado drills and warnings will be different from now on. Because obviously, a tornado CAN hit Athens county.
My friend, by the way, was sending me the text from her basement and though her phone will never be the same from water damage, she, her husband, her dog, and their home are completely fine. Sadly, I cannot say the same for many of their neighbors.
The Plains, which doesn't have much tourist activity in general but currently is a hot spot of tourism, has been hard hit. It is obvious that it will be some time before the roofs are put back in place and the debris is all gone and the trees have grown back. And equally obvious is that you can have lots of volunteers but at some point you will need skilled workers.
Me and my friends and kids cleaning debris (I have VERY limited chainsaw skills):
It is also obvious that lots of air conditioners and heat pumps and roof top units are going to need replaced. Which just happens to be our specialty.
If your unit has been damaged by this storm give us a call and let us assess it for free and tell you if it is salvageable.
And if it isn't, this might be a great opportunity to cash in on the stimulus program and upgrade to a super efficient heating and cooling system. I'm going to add an Ask Dave about the subject in my next post.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
I LOVE to clean house.
OK, so not really. In my imaginary world I love to clean house. In my real world I hate it. I'm terrible at it, too busy for it, and it makes me sick. Literally. I'm allergic to dust and though that sounds like simply a convenient thing to be allergic to, it's actually true.
When I was a little girl my pillow and bed were both covered in plastic with a sheet and pillowcase over the plastic so it wasn't dangerous. It was hot and noisy but it made my life bearable. As an adult I've been introduced to the wonderment that is the Super 90 Whole House Filter System.
There are many filtering systems out there. And they all proclaim one thing or the other. The Super Filter is rated a MERV 11. I know, I know. You have no idea what that is and you don't care. Too bad, I'm telling you anyway. MERV is what filters are rated in, like movies are rated PG, PG-13, and R. Only MERV is rated in numbers from 1 to 16. MERV 1 is a filter that you can see through and filters out things like cats, dogs, and possibly mice. MERV 14-15 are filters in ICU units of hospitals. So you can see the grading system.
The Super filter is 11, as I said, which means it is absolutely perfect for your house. With super high filtration and not ridiculous prices.
Now that we have that all settled and you are informed, let me tell you about me. After all, that's what a blog is all about, right? Me writing about me to the saps willing to read about me? I meant to say: the amazingly intelligent people. Of course.
So, I hate cleaning and I especially hate cleaning imaginary dirt, as I like to call. The subtle dusting of dust that no one without a white glove ever notices. I like to leave it till anyone would notice. I like to clean when things are good and dirty. And since I am sick for the entire day AFTER dusting I like to almost never do it. Because I don't like to be sick. And because I don't like to be sick I look like this when I am dusting:
I hate that mask! It is so hot. And my littlest one loves the duster and uses it like a sword, thus getting even more dust all stirred up. Ugh!
Fortunately for me, I have a Super Filter. And Super Filters don't let much dust through.
There are a few rules for optimal usage.
One: you have to let the fan on your furnace blow most the time (this is an easy setting on most thermostats, "fan on".)
And two: you have to keep your windows closed if you are allergic to outdoor things. For example, in the fall I'm terrible allergic to ragweed. If I sit in my house, filter on, windows & doors closed, and a 24 hour pill in my system I can survive with little struggle. But should I happen to venture outside into the unknown, unfiltered (and therefore pollen & dander filled) air than all bets are off on how long I can breath comfortably through my nose or see anything out of my scratchy, miserable eyes.
But here is the real deal. I only dust monthly. No joke. That filter keeps so much junk out of my air that I rarely have to wear my horrible mask. As a matter of fact I hired a housekeeper three weeks ago. It was GLORIOUS!!! My house sparkled like you cannot believe. Now, three weeks later, I decided I ought to do a little bit of cleaning myself. After picking up random toys in bizarre places, cleaning the bathrooms, and mopping the kitchen floor I decided to do the dreaded dusting. I donned my mask and went to town. And guess what? There was almost none. Three weeks later it was like she had just been there. AWESOME!
The other perk of a better filter is you don't have to change it monthly. Which saves money. Which in my book is a good thing. My sweet husband decided to change the filter today, a full six months after changing it before. But remember, I just dusted and there wasn't any dust. Six months into the filter. I took a picture of it just to prove it easily could have gone another 2 months if not another 6 months:
It does look dirty, it's true, but it wasn't SUPER dirty (you can still see the yellow peeking through the dirt) and a super filter can get super dirty and still be filtering great!
The final thing is a better filter makes your HVAC system last longer. And work more efficiently. Which saves energy. Which again, saves money.
So in recap: I love my super filter because I hate to dust & it helps me not have to; it saves me money on allergy medicine and makes me less miserable; it saves me money by saving energy and making my HVAC system last longer; it saves me money and hassles because I don't have to replace it as often.
Oh, yeah!
And if you already have this system make sure you get our Comfort News, either via mail or e-mail, so you can get in on our buy 2, get 1 sale we run every year! We'll announce it on Facebook too. Become a fan!
When I was a little girl my pillow and bed were both covered in plastic with a sheet and pillowcase over the plastic so it wasn't dangerous. It was hot and noisy but it made my life bearable. As an adult I've been introduced to the wonderment that is the Super 90 Whole House Filter System.
There are many filtering systems out there. And they all proclaim one thing or the other. The Super Filter is rated a MERV 11. I know, I know. You have no idea what that is and you don't care. Too bad, I'm telling you anyway. MERV is what filters are rated in, like movies are rated PG, PG-13, and R. Only MERV is rated in numbers from 1 to 16. MERV 1 is a filter that you can see through and filters out things like cats, dogs, and possibly mice. MERV 14-15 are filters in ICU units of hospitals. So you can see the grading system.
The Super filter is 11, as I said, which means it is absolutely perfect for your house. With super high filtration and not ridiculous prices.
Now that we have that all settled and you are informed, let me tell you about me. After all, that's what a blog is all about, right? Me writing about me to the saps willing to read about me? I meant to say: the amazingly intelligent people. Of course.
So, I hate cleaning and I especially hate cleaning imaginary dirt, as I like to call. The subtle dusting of dust that no one without a white glove ever notices. I like to leave it till anyone would notice. I like to clean when things are good and dirty. And since I am sick for the entire day AFTER dusting I like to almost never do it. Because I don't like to be sick. And because I don't like to be sick I look like this when I am dusting:
Fortunately for me, I have a Super Filter. And Super Filters don't let much dust through.
There are a few rules for optimal usage.
One: you have to let the fan on your furnace blow most the time (this is an easy setting on most thermostats, "fan on".)
And two: you have to keep your windows closed if you are allergic to outdoor things. For example, in the fall I'm terrible allergic to ragweed. If I sit in my house, filter on, windows & doors closed, and a 24 hour pill in my system I can survive with little struggle. But should I happen to venture outside into the unknown, unfiltered (and therefore pollen & dander filled) air than all bets are off on how long I can breath comfortably through my nose or see anything out of my scratchy, miserable eyes.
But here is the real deal. I only dust monthly. No joke. That filter keeps so much junk out of my air that I rarely have to wear my horrible mask. As a matter of fact I hired a housekeeper three weeks ago. It was GLORIOUS!!! My house sparkled like you cannot believe. Now, three weeks later, I decided I ought to do a little bit of cleaning myself. After picking up random toys in bizarre places, cleaning the bathrooms, and mopping the kitchen floor I decided to do the dreaded dusting. I donned my mask and went to town. And guess what? There was almost none. Three weeks later it was like she had just been there. AWESOME!
The other perk of a better filter is you don't have to change it monthly. Which saves money. Which in my book is a good thing. My sweet husband decided to change the filter today, a full six months after changing it before. But remember, I just dusted and there wasn't any dust. Six months into the filter. I took a picture of it just to prove it easily could have gone another 2 months if not another 6 months:
The final thing is a better filter makes your HVAC system last longer. And work more efficiently. Which saves energy. Which again, saves money.
So in recap: I love my super filter because I hate to dust & it helps me not have to; it saves me money on allergy medicine and makes me less miserable; it saves me money by saving energy and making my HVAC system last longer; it saves me money and hassles because I don't have to replace it as often.
Oh, yeah!
And if you already have this system make sure you get our Comfort News, either via mail or e-mail, so you can get in on our buy 2, get 1 sale we run every year! We'll announce it on Facebook too. Become a fan!
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