Posts Tagged :

energy efficient home

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Rent vs. Finance Purchase of HVAC Equipment (AC, Furnace, Hot Water Tank)

Has your AC, furnace, or hot water tank seen better days? If so, it may be time to consider investing in a new piece of high-quality HVAC equipment. Whether it’s a decision you must make on short notice or one that you can prepare for, many HVAC companies will offer you the option to rent or finance your new system.

 

When it’s time to find the best HVAC system for your residential or commercial property, you deserve to be well-informed throughout the entire purchasing process. Use the following tips to help you decide whether financing or renting your HVAC equipment is the right solution for your unique needs.

 

Renting HVAC Equipment

 

Many HVAC companies offer you the option to rent your AC, furnace, or hot water tank units. Rental plans and contracts are often long-term and include higher interest rates, depending how long your contract runs for. Although it may seem like a better option initially, interest rates do add up over time, and you may not fully own your HVAC equipment when the contract is up.

However, there are benefits to renting your HVAC system, including the most competitive costs in Ontario, local technical service, and advice you can trust from a local professional.

For More info on RHMH’s rental program, click here.

Financing HVAC Equipment

 

Fully investing in the purchase of HVAC equipment can initially be a major undertaking, but there are many benefits to financing your new HVAC system, including:

 

Lower overall cost of ownership: When you choose to finance your new HVAC equipment, you will have to pay less on your monthly payments. Often, local HVAC service providers will install the new furnace, air conditioner, or hot water tank without the upfront costs when a financing plan is put in place.

 

More options: Financing your new HVAC equipment provides you with more options than renting the same equipment. You can choose your length of term, and work exclusively with our financing partner to customize a payment plan tailored to your unique situation.

With financing, you’ll eventually own your HVAC equipment so that you can enjoy whole-home comfort while creating an energy efficient interior environment.

Many property owners choose to finance their HVAC equipment rather than renting it as it adds value to the property, even after you leave. With finance plans, you can choose the payment plan that is right for you and save money in the long run.

For more information on RHMH’s financing options, click here.

At RHMH, we offer both financing and rental options. We’re proud to be an authorized partner of Enercare, Canada’s largest supplier of cooling, heating, and hot water tank rental units. Whether you choose to rent or finance your new AC, furnace, or hot water tank, you should be well-informed before making any purchase decision.

For a free home AC evaluation and quote, contact the HVAC experts at RHMH Heating & Air Conditioning today.

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Is Upgrading to a Smart Thermostat Worth the Money?

With any consumer decision, you should always do your research before spending a large amount of money. One home investment that many experts recommend is installing a smart thermostat in your home. But what are these devices? How do they work, and are they even worth the hassle and money? Continue reading to learn everything about smart thermostats before you make the decision to upgrade:

What is a Smart Thermostat?

Everyone knows that the thermostat is the part of your heating system that controls the temperature of your home. Older thermostats use a mercury switch that triggers itself once the temperature in the home reached a certain level. Today’s smart thermostats are much more sophisticated.

A smart thermostat is essentially a unit that allows for extensive automation. This means the thermostat is programmable, in some cases, it can learn your habits, and it can also “communicate” with you by alerting homeowners to specific maintenance issues and more.

What do They Cost?

The cost of a smart thermostat is completely dependent on the model you choose, but most of them range in price from $150-$300. Some of the factors that contribute to the price include whether or not it’s a learning thermostat, if there is remote access, and more. However, one thing you should consider is that the upfront cost of the smart thermostat will most likely quickly pay for itself when it comes to energy efficiency and savings on your heating bill.

What is the Best Model to Choose?

The answer to this question depends entirely on your unique needs. Higher end smart thermostats will offer more features and include sophisticated automation, learning, and mobile access while more basic models will simply allow for extensive programming. Some of the best smart thermostats in a wide range of prices come from companies such as Nest, Honeywell, Ecobee3, and SensiSmart.

Can I Install it Myself?

As with most home projects, installing a smart thermostat on your own is completely doable. However, it’s not always advisable. Installing a new thermostat involves connecting it to the HVAC system. With this, come questions of compatibility, wiring, and more. Getting a professional to install your new smart thermostat is the best idea because then you know it is installed correctly and the work will probably be covered by a warranty. Many smart thermostats also connect your home’s Wifi, so it’s a good idea to work with an expert to select and unlock the full potential of the new thermostat.

What are the Potential Savings?

This is where upgrading to a smart thermostat gets interesting. Everyone wants to save, and the bottom line is that a smart thermostat can save you a lot of money. Almost all models, even the low-end smart thermostats, will come with upwards of 30 percent energy savings. This translates to more money in your pocket and less money wasted on inefficient heating.

To learn more about smart thermostats, contact the experts at RHMH Heating and Air Conditioning today.

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Simple Ways to Make Your Home More Comfortable and Energy Efficient this Winter.

Every homeowner aims to keep their houses clean, comfortable, efficient, and safe. These traits will ensure a happy family, a safe family, and reduced energy bills. During the winter months, when things start to get cold, it gets harder to keep the home energy-efficient and comfortable.

Here are a few tips and tricks that will help you stay warm, safe, and efficient all winter long:

Mind Your Doors and Windows

Part of your fall home checklist should include closing the doors and windows and making sure they are all adequately sealed. An excellent way to check if your doors and windows are properly shut is to go around the home and use your hands to feel for a draft. If you feel cold air blowing on your hand, you may be dealing with a door or window that is not properly closed or sealed. If this happens, you may need to invest in some extra weather stripping.

Use the Sun

Have you ever seen your pet dog or cat lounge luxuriously in a sunbeam in your home? The sun is a great tool for homeowners to use during the winter. During the day, open your curtains and get as much sunlight in as possible. Your windows will act almost like a greenhouse effect, trapping warmth in the home, supporting your heating system. In the evening, make sure the curtains and blinds are closed. This will help keep the home warmer overnight.

Check the Registers

If your home uses a forced air heating system, it’s vital that you make sure the registers are clear of any debris or anything else that could block them. Make sure there is no furniture on the registers and that the air is flowing freely. If you discover that the registers are blowing weakly, you may have a blocked duct that needs cleaning. Invest in regular duct cleaning and keep your air filters clean to ensure that the registers are blowing at full-strength.

Layer

Even though your home should be warm and comfortable in the winter, if you are able to comfortably wear shorts and a t-shirt in the house, you are probably keeping your home too warm. This will result in a higher energy bill. So, even though, your instinct may tell you to crank the heat, it might make more sense to simply put on a sweater and some nice wool socks to stay warm at home. Slippers are also recommended for homes with hardwood or laminate flooring since your feet might get colder with this style of floor.

Insulate the Attic

Is your attic completely insulated? One area that is often forgotten when it comes to attic insulation is the attic door. This is a medium-sized area that could let out a lot of warmth and have a big effect on the comfort and efficiency of your home. Insulate the attic door to make sure you are completely covered.

Make Upgrades

Are you living with an old thermostat? Older heating systems are less efficient, and ultimately cost more to operate. Upgrading to a new smart thermostat could help you save money and stay more comfortable. These units are completely programmable. You can set them to come on at a specific time, which is helpful if you decide to go on vacation or if you only want the thermostat to kick in once the kids are home from school. Many smart thermostats will also notify you when the air filter needs changing or if there is anything else that could be impacting the efficiency of your heating unit.

For more information on keeping your home safe, comfortable, and efficient contact the experts at RHMH Heating and Air Conditioning today.

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Gas Fireplace Safety Tips

 

 

Heating your home with a gas fireplace is efficient, economical and attractive. It also gives your space a cozy and warm feeling that encourages family and friends to gather together. However, gas is a combustible substance, and it is also toxic, so it is very important that you familiarize family members with how the gas fireplace works and how to stay safe while the unit is in operation. It is vital that you have the unit maintained professionally at least once a year, preferably in the autumn, so that any repairs can be made before winter sets in.

One of the most important things to teach family, friends, babysitters, pet sitters, cleaners and anyone else who might be using the fireplace is how to use it properly. Before you allow anyone in your home to turn on the unit, make sure that you show them how to turn it safely on and off and how to troubleshoot or problems in case of an emergency. Also, you should review the following safety measures with every person that might be using it.

Here are five more gas fireplace safety tips:

1 – Watch Out For Damaged Units

Never turn the gas fireplace on if the glass is cracked or if any other part of the unit is damaged. Cracked glass can leak gas, possibly causing carbon monoxide poisoning. Avoid using a unit with a damaged thermometer as that can make it hard for you to tell if the furnace is turned on or off. If your fireplace is damaged contact a qualified heating contractor immediately!

2 – Hands Off

Don’t touch any part of the fireplace while it is in operation. The glass and metal parts of the fireplace are very hot and touching them can burn the skin. Be sure to keep children and pets from accidentally touching or brushing against the unit’s heated glass front. If you have young children, a barrier is recommended.

3 – Keep Flammable Items Away

Keep flammable materials away from the fireplace. Newspapers, magazines, pet beds, rugs, and clothing can ignite if placed too close to the hot fireplace. Don’t touch the outside of the gas fireplace for at least an hour after it has been turned off. Touching the unit before it cools down can cause burns.

4 – Be Mindful About Cleaning

Don’t try to clean a fireplace until it is completely cool. If you try to use water on a fireplace that still has hot glass, it could crack and allow gas to escape into your home.

5 – Never Leave the House Before Turning it Off

Make sure that your fireplace is turned off completely before you go out. A gas fireplace should never be left burning unattended when you are not home.

A little bit of annual maintenance also goes a long way to keep your unit safe for all to use, preventing sudden combustions due to dirt or the dangerous degeneration of the gas log set inserts that can cause indoor air pollution.

Gas Fireplace Safety, Service, and Repair

Hiring a professional to perform regular gas fireplace safety service and repair is a good idea to make sure that it is always running at optimum levels. A qualified gas fireplace inspector makes sure that the glass is not cracked or chipped. There will also be an inspection of the ignition mechanism to make sure the gas fireplace is working correctly as well as clean up any dirty parts or vents that might be affecting the unit’s efficiency. A certified gas technician can also help you install a carbon monoxide detector, which can help detect a malfunctioning gas fireplace. If you are in need of a heating contractor in Timmins or fireplace service, repair or replacement, contact  RHMH Heating and Air Conditioning today.

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