Fall/Winter 2010 Newsletter
Give us a call today: 215-346-7160Carney Comfort News - Fall/Winter 2010 Newsletter
It's October, the Halloween decorations are going up, and a chill is definitely in the air. Soon it will be time to turn on the heat! Perhaps you haven't thought about your furnace all summer, but now is the time to consider whether your current heating system is still serving your needs. If your fuel bills are too high, your furnace is more than 10 years old, or your house won't stay at a comfortable temperature in the winter, you should think about upgrading to a new, high-efficiency system.
No matter when you upgrade your heating system, you'll see immediate benefits in lower fuel bills and increased comfort. But if you replace your heating system before the end of 2010, you may qualify for up to $1,500 in federal tax credits, plus additional state and utility rebates.
We'll make it easy for you to take advantage of these credits and rebates. We'll give you a free, in-home, no-obligation consultation to help you figure out which high-efficiency equipment is right for you. We'll also make sure you have all the right documentation to give to your accountant.
And, to encourage our customers to take advantage of these great tax credits before they expire, we're adding our own $250 discount on all new Energy Star heating and cooling appliances.
Give us a call today at (215) 660-3048 to find out how you can save on upgrading to a high-efficiency heating system!
Sincerely,
Kevin J. Carney
Upgrade Now Before the Tax Credits Expire
Get up to $1,500 for investing in new energy–efficient equipment
There’s no better time to buy a new high–efficiency furnace, boiler, heat pump, or hot water heater. Not only will you have lower heating bills this winter, you’ll also get up to $1,500 off your taxes next spring, thanks to the Residential Energy Property Credit.
1. How much is the tax credit?
You can receive a tax credit of 30% of the purchase price of qualified energy–efficient products, up to a maximum total tax credit of $1,500.
2. Which products qualify?
All products must be new and purchased in 2009 or 2010. The equipment must be expected to remain installed for at least five years. Products must be installed in the homeowner’s primary residence, and that residence must be in the US. Examples of home improvements that could qualify as tax credits:
- Central air conditioning and heating
- Gas tankless water heaters
- Heat pump water heaters
- Geothermal heat pumps
- Hot water boilers
3. How efficient do furnaces, tankless water heaters, and air conditioners have to be to qualify?
Natural gas, oil, or propane furnaces have to have an AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) of 95 or greater. Heat pumps have to be 15.00 SEER, 12.5 EER and 8.5 HSPF. Air conditioning systems have to have a SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) of at least 16 and an EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio) of at least 13. Tankless water heaters must have an EF (Energy Factor) of .82 or a thermal efficiency of 90%.
4. How do I apply for the tax credits?
We’ll provide you with all the documentation you need to claim the credits. Simply give it to your accountant at tax time. (If you do your own taxes, use the information to complete Form 5695.)
Please consult your tax professional before making any final buying decisions.
Save Even More Money with State and Local Rebates!
Together with the federal tax credits, the savings really add up
The Pennsylvania Home Heating Equipment Rebate Program has already given out more than $1.3 million in rebates to consumers who upgrade existing systems with new non–electric Energy Star–qualified water heaters, furnaces, and boilers. At the time this newsletter went to press, all rebate funding had been allocated. But it’s still possible to get on a waiting list for a rebate! Buy an eligible product now, and if you are accepted from the waiting list, you will have 30 days to submit your documentation and claim your rebate. Call 1–877–592–2061 for more information.
Other Rebates
PECO Electric, PECO Gas, and PP&L Electric offer consumer rebates as well.Call us at (215) 660–3048 to learn more!
Are You Scared of Your Furnace?
Preventative maintenance can make your furnace a lot less frightening
If you’re like a lot of people, you’ve neglected your furnace. Maybe (you can admit it) you’re even a little afraid of it. It lurks down there in the back corner of your basement, its twisted pipes covered in dust and cobwebs – scary! So who you gonna call? Carney All Seasons’s brave, experienced technicians will take on any furnace, and our "Precision Tune Ups" can turn even the most frightening furnace into the friendly, warm creature it really is underneath.
Carney All Seasons’s Precision Tune Ups include the following:
- Checking the thermostat to ensure that the settings are comfortable and energy–efficient
- Checking all electrical connections, motors, and controls
- Lubricating all moving parts
- Inspecting gas or oil connections, gas pressure, and burner combustion
- Inspecting the heat exchanger to make sure it’s not leaking carbon monoxide
- Testing air flow
- Checking vents and flues
- Inspecting the condensate drain (if the system includes central air)
Your furnace isn’t really a monster, it just smells like one sometimes...
When your furnace roars to life for the first time each fall, it may emit a noxious smell. Unpleasant as the odor may be, it’s usually nothing to worry about. Over the summer, dust may have settled on the heat exchanger, and the smell is simply the dust burning off. Keep the windows open and the odor should disperse quickly.
Many homeowners worry that the "first time" smell is carbon monoxide...but it isn’t, because carbon monoxide is odorless. The best way to protect your family against carbon monoxide is to keep a working carbon monoxide detector in your living space, and have an HVAC professional inspect the heat exchanger each year.
