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Great products create good companies

We read a pretty good snip-it about the state of the union for Lennox Intl.  Thought our investor friends out there might want a good tip...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/48804495/ns/business-motley_fool/#.UD1NuGjyYl8

House reimagined...

Lennox icomfort

You know by now that we are big fans of the Lennox icomfort.  Well we love to have backup.  Here is a great write up from The Clay Times-Journal.  Including this fantastic point:

Heating and cooling a home accounts for 50 percent or more of a home's energy bill, so it's important to incorporate the latest technology to make it as easy as possible to be as efficient as possible.

Here is the full article.  We couldn't agree more.

http://tinyurl.com/cc68u6v

Seven Things to Look for in a Home Comfort System

1. Reliability
Chances are, your heating and cooling system is the most expensive equipment you will purchase for your home. That’s why it’s important to choose proven products from a reputable manufacturer.
2. Efficiency
A new ENERGY STAR®-labeled system, when properly sized and installed, can save you up to 20% on your annual heating and cooling costs.* Plus, it may qualify you for utility rebates** and tax credits.***
3. Quiet operation
The sound of a standard furnace can be as loud as 100 decibels, comparable to the sound of a kitchen garbage disposal! Air conditioners can produce sounds as high as 80 decibels. Look for technologies and features that help keep operating sound at a comfortable level.
4. Consistent temperatures
With a typical furnace or single-speed air conditioner, indoor temperature can vary as much as seven degrees from the thermostat setting. Variable speed and/or two-stage systems give you the assurance of precise temperature control.
5. Balanced humidity
To maintain proper moisture levels in your home, choose a thermostat that controls both temperature and humidity. You might also consider a variable speed and/or two-stage comfort system and dehumidifier.
6. Proper Airflow
A typical furnace motor runs at one speed and circulates a constant volume of air, so it responds to changing comfort demands by repeatedly cycling on and off. This frequent cycling increases air stratification and stagnation. For optimal air circulation, choose a variable speed model.
7. Healthy air
One of the best ways to combat indoor pollution is to attach an air cleaner to your furnace or air handler. That way, you can have peace of mind knowing your system is working to capture small contaminants in every room of your home.
*Source: www.energystar.gov
**Check with your local utility about rebates in your area.
***Tax credits are available for certain high-efficiency cooling and heating equipment under the U.S. Energy Policy Act of 2005. For details, go to www.irs.gov.

Saved money... Now what?

Many of you have chosen to go with the CFL (Compact Fluorescent) bulbs for the energy efficiency savings.  The day will arise that these bulbs burn out.  Don't just toss them.  The mercury levels in these bulbs is high enough to warrant proper disposal.The Herald out of Everett Washington had a nice right up we thought of sharing with you: http://tinyurl.com/8mf24z4

Short answer is that Home Depot provides the recycling service... But the article may be on worth reading.

icomfort... NOW OFFERING SKINS!!!

Take a look at the new digs from GELASKINS over at https://www.myicomfort.com/  They are now offering skins for your Wi-Fi enabled icomfort thermostat.

The possibilities are just too much fun.

Go take a peek!

Crank the A/C!

Let the good times air conditioning roll...

We found a fun and informative article over at Slate.com that we wanted to share with you.  Take down the brrr-geoisie and get comfy.  Daniel Engber lays out a great case for Air Conditioned Comfort.

Great air conditioning read: http://tinyurl.com/9gc3txc

Summer Maintenance Checklist

Thanks to Lennox for the great checklist!

OUTSIDE

• Wash your home’s exterior with your garden hose’s ordinary pressure and a mild detergent. Pressure waters are powerful enough to force water under siding, where it can mildew and rot.
  
• Inspect and repair or repaint patio and deck furniture.
  
• Prune shrubs and trees so branches don’t contact exterior siding.
  
• Trim plants to clear a radius at least two feet away from the outdoor air-conditioning unit.
  
• Inspect your roof for any cracks and loose shingles. Replace any missing shingles.
  
• Make sure automatic light timers and motion-detector systems are working properly before you go on vacation.
  
• Check exterior walls for cracked paint. If you want to repair paint, you may consider painting just one or two walls per year. Paint on the south and west walls deteriorates faster than paint on north or east walls.
  
• Inspect foundation walls for tunnels or dirt bridges that are signs of termites. Contact a professional exterminator if necessary.
  
• Clean driveways and repair any cracks. Use epoxy patching on concrete drives, and asphalt patching on asphalt driveways, which should be sealed every other year. 
   

 INSIDE

• Change your air conditioner’s filter at least once this summer to reduce allergens and save energy.
  
• Check the operation of attic fans. While the weather’s nice, caulk exterior joints around windows and doors.
  
• Clear lint from your clothes dryer’s vent system, from the dryer itself to the exterior vent cap.
  
• Make sure curtains and furniture aren’t blocking air- conditioning vents.
  
• Contact your local utility company and look online for rebates and tax credits that will allow you to upgrade home appliances to more energy-efficient models that will lower your energy bills and/or taxes. 
    

Good Article...

Over at Market Watch we got to reading a pretty good article about hiring the right contractor.  Thought we would share some of their wisdom with you.

"One way today's homeowners can help protect against such exploitation is to hire a contractor who employs technicians that have been certified by North American Technician Excellence (NATE). Technician certification is not mandatory in the HVAC/R industry, however, numerous contractors require their technicians to acquire and maintain NATE certification to ensure their proficiency in the technical aspects of HVAC/R service and installation. In addition, countless individual technicians undergo stringent certification testing to be able to proudly exhibit their individual competency. NATE is the nation's largest HVAC/R industry-endorsed, non-profit certification organization existing solely to advance the expertise of the industry."

Read more over at:  http://tinyurl.com/d54e445