Tax Season is Here....Noritz Energy Tax Credit

 Here is the process to receive your 2010 Energy Tax Credit from the Federal Government:

  

For 2010, the homeowner needs to complete the IRS Form 5695 and file it with their tax return. Here is a link to the Form: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f5695.pdf, which has complete instructions for calculating the rebate amount.

On the IRS 1040 Form,  the Residential Energy Tax Credit (from Form 5695) is claimed on Line 52.

In case you are audited, save your receipts and a copy of the Manufacturer's Certification Statement for your records. Here is a link to the 2010 Noritz Certification Document: http://www.noritz.com/u/jan2010_taxcreditcert_copy.pdf.  It is accepted for all the Qualified 2010 Noritz Models.

Feel free to give us a call if you need help

How to Go From Electric to Gas Water Heater

This video will answer most questions you may have.  If not, give us a call today!

Appliance Manufacturers Going Going Gone

There are only a limited number a major appliance manufacturers left in the marketplace. Over the years, the big ones have bought up the smaller ones and merged those product designs into their own product lines. They now produce products under the various brand names they own.

Often there is only cosmetic differences in the appearance of the appliance, while the underlying mechanical workings are very similar, if not the same. The manufacturers warranty may also differ between brands and models.

To aid in comparing new appliances, I have compiled a list of some of the major appliance manufacturers and the brand names they own. I have also tried to note where a product with a particular brand name varies greatly from the other brands of the same manufacturer.

Manufacturer Brand Name
Amana
(previously owned by Maytag,
now owned by Whirlpool) Amana
Caloric
Danby ( 5 )
Econowash
Glenwood
Imperial ( microwave, refrigerator )
Litton
Maytag ( washers with models starting SAV, NAV... )
Menu Master
Modern Maid
Speed Queen (older domestic models)
Sunray
Viking (US fridges except built-in models)
Fedders Airtemp
Climette ( current models )
Comfort Aire ( window a/c's )
Crosley ( some window a/c's )
Emerson Quiet Kool ( a/c's )
Fedders
Hamptom Bay ( some a/c's )
Maytag ( window a/c's and dehumidifiers )
Microsonic
Frigidaire/Electrolux
~ non-USA brands below ~ Affinity™
Airdryer ( dehumidifiers )
Capehart ( freezers & dehumidifiers )
Citation ( freezers )
Dometic (microwaves - serial number prefix "HG")
Design Manufacturing ( D&M )
Electrolux
Euroflair ( 1 )
Frigidaire
Gallery
General
General Freezer
Gibson
Harvard Logic ( dehumidifiers & microwaves )
Kelvinator
Kenmore ( see Sears below )
Icon
Leonard
O'keefe & Merritt
Polaris ( freezers & dehumidifiers )
Roy
Tappan
Vesta
White Westinghouse ( major appliances only )
commercial products by
Frigidaire/Electrolux Arctic Air ( fridges and freezers ) ( 9 )
Edina ( refrigerators )
Edina Technical (freezers converted to pop machines)
Fedpak (freezers converted to soft ice cream freezers)
Imperial ( freezers ) ( 9,10 )
Venex (freezers converted to vending machines)
General Electric * Amana (older dishwashers)
Americana
Beau*Mark ( most )
BeefEater
Camco
Concept II
Eterna
GE
General Electric
Hotpoint
Kenmore ( see Sears below )
McClary
Moffat
Monogram ( 1 )
Profile
RCA
In-Sink-Erator Ace Hardware ( 6 )
Badger
Crosley ( 6 )
Dayton ( 6 )
Emerson ( 6 )
Franke ( 6 )
Frigidaire ( 6,7 )
ISE (In-Sink-Erator)
Kenmore ( 6 ) ( most )
KitchenAid ( 6,7 )
Master Plumber ( 6 )
Maytag ( 6 )
True Value ( 6 )
Whirlpool ( 6 )
Wolverine Brass ( 6 )
LG Electronics Arco Aire ( mini-split a/c )
Carrier ( recent a/c, dehum )
Comfort Aire ( recent a/c, dehum )
Comfort Maker ( mini-split a/c )
Crosley ( recent a/c )
Fast ( mini-split a/c )
Friedrich ( recent a/c, dehum )
GE ( recent a/c, microwaves, dehum )
Glacier Breeze
Goldstar
Hampton Bay
Heat Controller ( mini-split a/c )
Heil ( mini-split a/c )
I-City ( mini-split a/c )
Kenmore ( see Sears )
LG
Panasonic
Quasar
Ritetemp
Tempstar ( mini-split a/c )
Texas Furnace ( mini-split a/c )
Whirlpool ( recent a/c )
Zenith
Maytag Corp.
(now owned by Whirlpool) Admiral (USA)
Atlantis
Crosley (except a/c's, also see Whirlpool)
Dynasty
Gaffers and Sattler
Gemini ( 1 )
Hardwick
Jade
Jade Range
Jenn Air ( 3 )
Magic Chef (major appliances only)
Maytag ( 2 )
Neptune ( 1 )
Norge
Sears * Capri
Coldspot
Galaxy
Kenmore
Oasis

Sears does not manufacture any of their products, instead they are all made by the other leading manufacturers, often with added features. They are then rebranded with the Kenmore (or other) brand name.

Notably are: most laundry products and dishwashers made by Whirlpool, lower end front load washer and matching dryer by Frigidaire and many range models by GE.

new See model number reference
Whirlpool * Admiral (Canada)
Chambers
Coovert (ac's)
Crosley (newer fridges, a/c, washers)
Danby ( 8 )
Estate
Inglis
Ikea
Kenmore ( see Sears )
KitchenAid ( 4 )
Kirkland
Maytag Epic®
Roper
Speed Queen (Canada only)
Sub Zero (undercounter ice makers)
Whirlpool
WC Wood
(factory purchased
by Whirlpool 2010) Amana ( older freezers )
ArticAire
Country Squire
Crosley ( freezers )
Danby ( freezers, some dehumidifiers )
Edison
Electrohome (range hoods, humidifiers, dehumidifiers)
Estate ( freezers )
Frost Queen
KitchenAid ( freezers )
Maytag ( freezers )
Miami Carey (range hoods)
Quickfreeze
Quickfrez
Roper ( freezers )
Sahara
Whirlpool ( freezers )
Woods
Electrolux
(non-North American)
ACEC
AEG
Alfatec
Arthur Martin
Arctis
Atlas
Bendix
Buderus
Castor
Elektro Helios
Elektra
Electrolux
Faure
Flymo
Husqvarna
Ibelsa
Juno Lehel
Marynen
Moffat
Nestor Martin
Parkinson Cowan
Progress
Rex
Rosenlew
Simpson
Therma
Tornado
Tricity Bendix
Volta
Voss
Zanker
Zanussi
Zoppas
Nordyne
(HVAC products)
Frigidaire ( 11 )
Gibson ( 11 )
Grandaire ( 11 )
Intertherm ( 11 )
Kelvinator ( 11 )
Mammoth ( 11 ) Maytag ( 11 )
Miller ( 11 )
Philco ( 11 )
Tappan ( 11 )
Westinghouse ( 11 )

Notes:

1. Unique product line
2. 'Dependable Care' laundry line is unique to the Maytag brand name and is the product they are famous for. Now sold as "Performa" brand with model numbers starting LAT.... LAV... LAW...
3. Unique range product line
4. Dishwasher has stainless steel tub and a redesigned wash system including pump.
5. Most full size laundry equipment and gas ranges.
6. Garbage Disposals and Hot Water Dispensers Only.
7. Current models.
8. Canadian full size refrigerators and some electric ranges.
9. Distributed by Broich Enterprises
10. Sold through Blue Ribbon Foods, Colorado Prime, Duttererís, Guaranteed Foods, Service Foods, Town & Country, and Farm & Home.
11. HVAC products only.



This list is pretty comprehensive...I don't see LG on here which used to be Phillips. We are finding that Whirlpool has such a huge market share now. Recently we tried to replace a computer board on a 10 year old, electric double oven only to find out that Whirlpool is no longer making the part. They have offered the consumer a 33% discount on a new one....It leaves the consumer very little choice.

Outdoor Cooking Safety Tip by Crazy Tony

How to maintain your regulator on outdoor cooking equipment.

Propane, Diesel and Gasolin Engines Compared

Comparison of Diesel, Propane, and Gasoline on Its Engine, Price, and Efficiency
By Alrey Cruz

Platinum Quality Author Fuel economy is a must for most motorists nowadays. Every car owner who values less fuel expenditures constantly try to search for the perfect fuel or the perfect engine that will give them the maximum mileage at minimum fuel consumption.

There are currently three major engine types that are in wide use in the auto industry: gasoline, diesel, and propane. Of the three, the most commonly used is the gasoline engine. It is endeared by many car owners for its quick acceleration via spark ignition and high voltage current, fast start-up, and noiseless and smooth road performance. But in the wake of the incessant oil price increase, the gasoline's pricey tag drives motorists away. Gasoline engines are the least fuel-efficient of the three. Furthermore, it has been pinpointed to be a major contributor to global warming and air pollution because of its exhaust fumes. However, supporters of the petrol or gasoline engines have found ways that reduce fuel consumption as well as toxic emissions.

The diesel is the brawny one of the bunch. It is built to sustain heavy loads. It is a mean muscle of a machine. Its supporters point out the diesel engine's mighty torque power, fuel-efficient performance, and its low maintenance characteristic. Diesel is much more economic compared to petrol because it can self-combust. Petrol, on the other hand, needs to be ignited before it can generate power. But there is a downside to the diesel-powered motor. They have slow ignition and acceleration (especially during cold seasons), are noisy on the road, and they emit the most carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. For this reason, diesel is set aside for heavy equipment rather than everyday urban vehicles.

Then there's the "youngest" (in terms of market existence) engine type: the propane engine. Propane-run vehicles are considered to be the "purest" among the other engine types. This is because the propane engines give off lesser toxic emissions to the air. In fact, the only toxic substances that the propane engine gives off are ones with the lowest lifespan. Compared to a diesel engine, the propane engine increases burning efficiency by 15% to 20%. Propane engines also generate 10% to 20% of torque at the reduction of fuel costs. And the biggest highlight in a propane engine is its fuel cost. Propane fuel is way cheaper than that of petrol or diesel fuel.

These three engine types have something to offer to all motorists. Where one lacks in power, another is abounding with it. Where one fails in environmental contribution, another excels. The comparison among the petrol, diesel, and propane engines yield varying results, which cater to varying driving styles. All the car-seeker has to do is to lay out his priorities and match it up with the vehicle that best fulfills his criteria.

We found this article extremely enlightening considering that all of Glades Gas' vehicles are bi-fuel ie. they run on both gasoline and propane with the flip of a switch. Without widespread filling stations, propane isn't feasible in our driving area. In California and Texas there are widespread CNG (compressed natural gas) filling stations. Maybe soon our government will take the proper action to ensure that all drivers are driving the clean burning engines such as the propane engines that we drive.

"How Full is Your Bucket"

Last weekend I read the New York Times#1 Best Seller "How Full Is Your Bucket?" written by Tom Rath and Donald O. Clifton, Ph.D

I thought it was a great quick read. It offers positive strategies
for work and life. So this morning we had our weekly office pow wow and I brought each employee their own personal bucket and tried to give them a dose of the book in the short time we can squeeze in before work. The book offers strategies to improve your personal, social, spiritual and work life. It simply suggests that by filling another's bucket by offering only positive comments, you in turn fill your own bucket.

The author suggests that focusing on only the good will in turn give you a better life. It reminded me of many of Oprah's shows about Pay It Forward. We will attempt to fill our buckets here during the day so when we go home, perhaps our home lives will be enlightened. I encourage you to read the book!

5 Tips on Saving a Service Call on your Air Conditioner!

The condenser is the part of an air conditioner system located outside a building.  It consists of a system of coils that connect to units inside the building. If the condenser is not running, it does not produce air to cool or heat.

1. The condensing unit functions by compressing gas, or refrigerant, as it pumps through a system of coils. The refrigerant then becomes a high temperature, high pressure liquid, as it flows through copper tubing attached to a set of coils.  It is imperative that you keep these coils clean.
2. The refrigerant expands and becomes a low temperature gas that absorbs heat as it passes through the home ductwork system. Moisture that condenses outside the coils is carried away by a drain.  If this drain gets clogged up with mold and dirt, you may need to call in the  pros to clean it out for you.
3.   Make sure leaves and debris have not clogged the coils around the unit.    If so you can simply hose it down.  The unit has to be able to breathe. 
4.  Check the circuit breaker to make sure it is on. You may just need to flip   the switch.
5. A blocked outdoor unit may decrease air flow, causing the home to not get enough air or heat.   The filter on the air handler (inside unit) needs to be changed or washed on a monthly basis to maintain optimal air flows.

                      Get Professional Help

6. It the unit does not run after simple changes listed above, you may need to call us!