3 Benefits of Gas Fireplaces

November 30, 2018

Have you been considering a heating upgrade, but you aren’t sure if gas fireplaces are right for you? Gas fireplaces are a great heating solution for almost every style of home. They have a wide range of benefits over traditional wood burning units. This style of fireplace is safe, inexpensive to operate, and gives you a lot of design flexibility. Read on to learn more: 1. Budget-Friendly Green Heating If you’re bracing yourself for one of Colorado’s famously chilly winters, it’s time to consider upgrading your fireplace. Gas fires have a one-time installation fee and then you can enjoy the benefits of this clean-burning and inexpensive fuel. Unlike wood fireplaces, where the temperature varies throughout the day, gas fires keep your home at an even temperature. You can also install timers for gas fireplaces, so you won’t need to keep the home piping hot when you aren’t in. This can save you money by not having periods when the house is warmer than you need. In many areas of the country, firewood costs have skyrocketed. Also, burning firewood creates creosote, ash, and smoke. Gas fireplaces are a much cleaner burning option. They’re energy efficient and don’t rely on cutting trees...

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Importance of Attic Air Sealing

November 12, 2018

Many people don’t realize how important it is to make sure their attics are well sealed. As an area which is often only used for storage, your attic may simply be part of the house you don’t think about because you don’t see it. Not only will cold air and drafts be able to come in through any cracks, but any air conditioning and heating can also go out the same way. Heat rises, and at least you want to keep your home sealed. Do You Need Attic Sealing? Here are some signs that you might need to work on sealing your attic: Feel drafts in rooms, but don’t know where they’re coming from Different rooms are hot or cold Heating and cooling bills are higher than normal Air inside home is dry in the winter Ice dams form on roof in the winter Why You Might Need Professional Help Sealing your home can lead to much lower energy bills and a cozier home. However, this project isn’t for everyone. There are some things you should look for to see if it would be better to ask for help. Seek Expert Attic Advice The first most obvious problem may simply...

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The 3 Best Smart Thermostats on the Market

September 26, 2018

Energy Star defines smart thermostats as “Wi-Fi-enabled devices that automatically adjust heating and cooling temperature settings for optimal performance.” The typical smart thermostat allows you to control the temperature by smartphone or even by voice when you are home and can alert you to possible AC repairs. They can learn the temperatures you use most and set a schedule to match your preferences. So, whether you are at work, at home hanging out or asleep, the smart thermostat will set the temperature schedule for optimal energy use. They can also “track” your energy use so you can adjust if you want to save more money. The average home saves about 8% a year with a smart thermostat. What’s The Best Smart Thermostat For Your Home? Smart thermostats are not only money-savers, they are kind to the environment, helping you to get the most out of your power grid experience. Here are three smart thermostats that can help you save money: Nest Nest, owned by Google’s parent company Alphabet, was the first programmable thermostat to receive the coveted Energy Star Certification. Independent studies have shown users have saved up to 10 – 12% on heating and 15% on cooling. It can...

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How to Qualify for a Home Heating System Tax Credit or Utility Tax Credit

September 26, 2018

Most Coloradans will agree that they want to save money wherever and whenever possible. One great way to do so is through a home heating credit. Home heating credits are available for qualifying taxpayers who meet certain requirements. Obtaining a home heating tax credit is a great way for all eligible Coloradans to save money. If you qualify for one of these tax credits, make sure you apply for it. If you do not meet the eligibility requirements, be sure to purchase energy-efficient heating equipment so you can still take advantage of this great program. Any furnace that is 95% efficient or higher qualifies for the $150 tax credit plus any furnace with a high efficient main house fan gets $50.00 Keep reading to see if you qualify for this helpful tax credit. Lawful Presence Not only must you have permanent residency in Colorado for the entire year, you must also be lawfully present in the United States. If you meet this qualification, you must fill out the DR 4679 PTC lawful presence affidavit that can be found in the tax rebate (PTC) application. You should then bring the completed application to a Colorado Department of Revenue Taxpayer Service Center....

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Get Smart and Replace Your Traditional Thermostat With a Smart Thermostat

September 26, 2018

Take it from the air conditioner repair pros: In a world filled with smartphones, smart TVs, and various smart appliances, it is time to consider replacing your traditional home thermostat with a smart thermostat. “You may ask yourself, “why do I need a smart thermostat when the one I have used for years works just fine?” That is a good question, so read on to discover the benefits of installing a smart thermostat. Smart Thermostats Give Total Control For Your Homes Climate The most common thing you probably hear about smart thermostats is that they save you money. That is true, they help you spend less by reducing your energy usage, but you also have more control of your energy usage. You can use virtually any device that’s connected to the internet, such as a computer, smartphone, or tablet, to control the thermostat. For example, if you are on your way to the airport for your much-needed vacation when you realize you forgot to adjust the thermostat, you can log into the app from your phone and set it to “vacation mode.” Now, you can enjoy your vacation without the worry of wasting money and energy. Smart Thermostat Apps With...

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7 Steps To Better Indoor Air Quality For Your Home

September 26, 2018

When was the last time you thought about the quality of the air inside your home? Chances are, it is not a subject that comes to mind often. However, the air inside your home is just as important as the air outside., and it can easily be more polluted. So, it is important to keep your indoor air as clean and fresh as possible. To get you started in the right direction, here are some easy ways to improve your indoor air quality. Keep Your Floors Clean Whether your floors are carpeted or have a hard surface, they can easily attract a multitude of particles that can affect the quality of the air above it. Make sure you vacuum, sweep, or mop regularly to remove dust, pet dander, pollen, dirt and other small particles that can leave your indoor air dirty. Fresh is best Open your windows and let the fresh air circulate through your home when weather permits. This is especially important when you are cooking, cleaning or doing anything that might send pollutants into the air. If it is too cold to open your windows, turn on a ceiling fan to let the air circulate. Utilize high efficiency...

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Why is My Home Heating Not Working?

September 26, 2018

We’ve all had it happen. Normally it will occur on the coldest morning of the winter. You wake up to find that your home’s furnace isn’t working. Staying under the covers, where it’s warm, isn’t an option because it won’t solve the problem. You’re going to have to get up, dive into some warm clothes, and try to find out why your furnace has stopped working. Whether you have a gas or electric furnace, there are certain steps that can be taken to troubleshoot your heating system and hopefully discover the issue, so that it can be remedied. Here are steps that can be taken, and the order in which they should happen. Check the thermostat – The first step is really the most logical step. Make sure that the thermostat is set properly. Most are controlled either through an on/off switch, or temperature control. Once you’ve set the temperature level, and made sure the switch is “on,” if the furnace still isn’t working, there are other ways to troubleshoot the electrical system. You should check the furnace’s circuit breaker and make sure that it hasn’t been tripped. Look to see that the furnace access panel is properly closed, as...

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The Heat Up Colorado Program

September 26, 2018

Giving Back to The Community Through Furnace Replacement and Installation The Heat Up Colorado program was developed to help our neighbors in need who don’t have heat to stay warm. The local HVAC contractor, Home Heating Service, Inc., asked for nominations where the selected nominee receives a fully installed, Lennox furnace for free. Jessica Anglin-Johnston was the nominee selected, and could have the Lennox furnace installed as part of this program. Lennox has selected 150 Lennox dealers in the United States and Canada to make sure people in other states and provinces are kept warm, too. The Furnace Replacement Story Jessica told Home Heating Service that the furnace they originally had was discontinued in the late 90’s and parts were no longer available to fix the furnace, meaning she didn’t have a functioning heating system and would need a full furnace replacement. Their single-income family didn’t have the financial means to replace it and repair was out of the question. “My husband works construction and the winters usually mean less work, which also means less money,” said Jessica. Since their house is so old, and they were unable to replace everything that stopped working, she often had to send her...

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Pros and Cons of Two Different Types of Water Heaters

September 26, 2018

There is no mistaking that a hot water heater is an essential piece of equipment to have in your home. If you are in the market for a new hot water heater, you have two choices: traditional or tankless. Each kind has its pros and cons. As a smart consumer, you will need the essential information about each to make your decision. When you begin shopping for your new hot water heater, keep the following points in mind. Traditional Water Heater Basics A traditional water heater holds 30-50 gallons of water at one time. It stores preheated water so it is ready to use when someone in the house needs to wash the dishes, take a shower or anything else that requires the use of hot water. The tank then refills and begins the preheating process again. Tankless Water Heater Basics Since there is no tank to store preheated water, a tankless system relies on a source such as electricity or gas to immediately heat supplied cool water whenever it is needed. Pros of Traditional Water Heaters Using a traditional water heater has some advantages. First, the initial financial output is lower than a tankless water heater. If there is...

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Common Furnace Issues

September 26, 2018

In life, there are things that are okay to wait on like investing in stock, sending money to a Nigerian prince, or installing a slide that goes from your master bedroom to your living room. All joking aside, something that you definitely shouldn’t wait on is maintaining your home. A reliable heating system is one of the most important things to have in your home. Especially, in the cold Colorado winter months. That’s why you should definitely invest in a lasting relationship with a trusted Colorado Springs furnace repair company. Usually, they can even setup a regular maintenance schedule so you don’t even have to worry about calling for an appointment. Below are some common issues you may be facing or have previously seen before. Water is Pooling Around Your Furnace If your house isn’t as warm as you’d like, it may be a good idea to have a professional come check your furnace. A clogged condensate line can be the cause of a leak and can prevent your furnace from running effectively. This is something I would not recommend trying to fix DIY style with a video on YouTube. Remember your furnace is harnessing fire and gas. As you...

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