By Andy Armstrong, Johnson Controls
As I look out into my backyard, I notice the telltale signs of the end of another summer. The grass is a little browner and I don’t have to mow it quite as often. Most of the flowers that were so beautiful a few short weeks ago are either long gone or well on their way. Everything else is starting to look pretty tired.
The good news is there’s one thing that’s still alive and kicking – and it will be for at least another 15 months: the tax credit for energy efficiency improvements to your home. Through the end of 2010, the government will give you a tax credit for 30 percent of the cost to install energy efficiency upgrades to your home, up to a total of $1,500 in tax credits – which is three times as much as before. Oh, and don’t forget that manufacturers like York are still offering incentives as well!
Improvements that increase the energy efficiency of your home qualify, including replacing an older furnace or heat pump. That will likely give you the best return on your investment, so be sure to talk to your local York dealer about it – they can help you figure it all out.
And as long as you’ve got them on the phone, there are a couple other things you should talk with them about – things that could save you money and keep your house warmer all winter.
Number one is this: if you’re not getting regular maintenance to your furnace, you could be losing anywhere from 5 to 10 percent on the efficiency – in other words: money that’s going up the chimney instead of keeping you toasty.
Plus, every year you skip the maintenance, you take another chance that your furnace will pump lethal carbon monoxide fumes into your house, or do something else dangerous. Your York dealer can inspect and detect any dangers, replace the filter (like you were going to remember, right?), clean exhaust vents, check for any damage and just generally get your furnace running tip-top. So, please, don’t skip the maintenance again this year, okay?
Reason number two: this is the season for ducts – and I don’t mean the kind you sit in a blind and blow “quack” on a call to attract. I’m talking about the ducts that carry warm air throughout your house – the ones that could be costing you a bundle.
Did you know that leaky ducts could be seeping 20% of your heated air into the attic, inside walls, in the basement—anywhere other than your rooms where it belongs? Having your York dealer seal those leaks will not only keep you more comfy, it may also cut down on the dust, pollen and other buggers spoiling the air you breathe indoors. And if you’re installing a new furnace, sealing the ducts first could mean you’ll need a smaller (and less costly!) furnace.
Speaking of money, a little maintenance goes a long way – meaning the dollars you invest will likely be paid back quickly with the cash you’ll save on lower utility bills. And you’ll be helping the environment to boot!
Finally, want to learn about home energy efficiency in a fun way? Check this out!
Efficiency Now. It’s never been more important.
By Andy Armstrong, Johnson Controls
As I look out into my backyard, I notice the telltale signs of the end of another summer. The grass is a little browner and I don’t have to mow it quite as often. Most of the flowers that were so beautiful a few short weeks ago are either long gone or well on their way. Everything else is starting to look pretty tired.
The good news is there’s one thing that’s still alive and kicking – and it will be for at least another 15 months: the tax credit for energy efficiency improvements to your home. Through the end of 2010, the government will give you a tax credit for 30 percent of the cost to install energy efficiency upgrades to your home, up to a total of $1,500 in tax credits – which is three times as much as before. Oh, and don’t forget that manufacturers like York are still offering incentives as well!
Improvements that increase the energy efficiency of your home qualify, including replacing an older furnace or heat pump. That will likely give you the best return on your investment, so be sure to talk to your local York dealer about it – they can help you figure it all out.
And as long as you’ve got them on the phone, there are a couple other things you should talk with them about – things that could save you money and keep your house warmer all winter.
Number one is this: if you’re not getting regular maintenance to your furnace, you could be losing anywhere from 5 to 10 percent on the efficiency – in other words: money that’s going up the chimney instead of keeping you toasty.
Plus, every year you skip the maintenance, you take another chance that your furnace will pump lethal carbon monoxide fumes into your house, or do something else dangerous. Your York dealer can inspect and detect any dangers, replace the filter (like you were going to remember, right?), clean exhaust vents, check for any damage and just generally get your furnace running tip-top. So, please, don’t skip the maintenance again this year, okay?
Reason number two: this is the season for ducts – and I don’t mean the kind you sit in a blind and blow “quack” on a call to attract. I’m talking about the ducts that carry warm air throughout your house – the ones that could be costing you a bundle.
Did you know that leaky ducts could be seeping 20% of your heated air into the attic, inside walls, in the basement—anywhere other than your rooms where it belongs? Having your York dealer seal those leaks will not only keep you more comfy, it may also cut down on the dust, pollen and other buggers spoiling the air you breathe indoors. And if you’re installing a new furnace, sealing the ducts first could mean you’ll need a smaller (and less costly!) furnace.
Speaking of money, a little maintenance goes a long way – meaning the dollars you invest will likely be paid back quickly with the cash you’ll save on lower utility bills. And you’ll be helping the environment to boot!
Finally, want to learn about home energy efficiency in a fun way? Check this out!
Efficiency Now. It’s never been more important.
Read more at: http://yourenergyforum.com/blog/2009/08/its_open_season_on_ducts.html.