7/22/2010
Question for Ask the expert:
I was thinking about installing gable vent fans in my attic to cool my attic down and keep my central air from working as hard. The question I have is I heard mixed reviews about adding them to your attic if you have a ridge vent in your roof. That it actually defeats the purpose. Is this true? Brian, Hammonton, NJ
Thanks for the question. We’re not a big fan of powered attic ventilators (PAV). The problem is that a typical PAV is designed to exhaust 1000-1200 cubic feet of air per minute (cfm). That’s the equivalent of a typical bedroom full of air every minute. The air that is removed has to be replaced and a typical attic does not have enough openings to the outside to make up that air. Any difference between what is taken out and the air being drawn in from the outside is made up by the fan drawing air out of the living space of your home. This air is drawn through attic hatches, recessed lighting, outlets & switches and anyplace else that allows air to pass into the attic. The air that is drawn from the house is air that you’ve already paid to cool down and it will be replaced with hot, humid air through leaks to the outside or your garage if it is attached.
Ridge vents are designed to allow hot air to escape by convection. Hot air rises in the attic and exhausts through the ridge vent. The air is replaced through gable and soffit vents but since the air is only moving by convection the air drawn out of the living space is minimized.
The heat you feel in your attic is actually caused by the radiant power of the sun and it actually heats the objects and surfaces in your attic, not the air. The air is then heated by those things and surfaces heating the air around them. There is a very good video on our web site www.McService.com that gives a better explanation. On the home page click the blue box that takes you to comfort videos. At the bottom of that page click on “hot attic solutions”. Actually, all the videos on that page are very informative and you may find them interesting.
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4/30/2010
Planning to buy a new high efficiency Air Conditioner?
It is essential that you evaluate the duct system, and if necessary make improvements, in order to receive the anticipated energy savings. A bad duct system will drag down the performance of the new equipment. Duct testing is strongly recommended when a new heating and/ or air conditioning unit is being installed. If the existing duct system is leaky and inefficient before the new unit is installed, it will still be leaky and inefficient after the new unit is installed. In some cases you we see a better return on your money with just replacing your ductwork then installing new equipment. A renovated or brand new high efficiency duct system will save money, improve comfort, reduce dust and allergens, and lead to a healthier, more affordable home.
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2/3/2010
THEY’RE GIVING YOUR $$ AWAY GET SOME BACK!!!
• Economic Stimulus Tax Credit up to $1,500 on Heating/AC Upgrades.
Consumers in primary residences may be eligible for 30% of their costs with a max of $1500 for energy improvement upgrades including qualifying heaters, heat pumps, air conditioners and hot water heaters.
• NJ Clean Energy Rebate up to $1,300 on New Heaters
The top level of rebates for high efficiency heaters are enhanced by $900 if a homeowner has a Building Performance Institute home energy audit but does not qualify for additional improvements under the Home Performance with Energy Star Program (below)
• NJ Clean Energy Rebate up to $300 on Hot Water Heaters
Qualifying hot water heaters including Rinnai tankless hot water heaters are eligible.
• Funding, Financing & Rebates for up to $20,000 on Improvements as part of the Home Performance with Energy Star Program.
This program requires an energy audit under the Home Performance with Energy Star Program and the results of that audit will determine customer eligibility. A Home Performance audit costs $125 and takes 2-4 hours. There are several levels of qualification under this program.
• Manufacturers Rebates
Both Carrier and Lennox will be offering spring rebate programs in the near future.
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1/29/2010
McAllister Loves Being Green!!
"Being Green" means something different to everyone. At McAllister, being green is not just the uniforms we wear or the trucks you see everyday. Energy conservation, recycling, energy efficiency and waste reduction are important issues to us. As a leader in the energy business for over 130 years, we understand the need to reduce the impact we have on our environment.
Our highly trained technicians do much more than make repairs and keep things running smooth. They can also show you many cost saving steps you can take right now to reduce your home heating bills this winter and make your home "Greener"
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12/1/2009
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What is a Home Performance Energy Star Home Audit?
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A home energy audit is a comprehensive evaluation of the way your houses uses energy. McAllister’s specially trained and certified auditors will assess your home from top to bottom, testing: Heating and cooling equipment, Insulation Levels, Air sealing opportunities, Windows and doors, Appliances and lighting. The results show where your home is losing energy and what steps you can take to increase your energy efficiency and lower your utility bills.
After the assessment, you will receive a report listing recommended measures, along with financial incentives available to help you pay for the recommended improvement work. Valued at $300, the assessment is being offered to New Jersey residents for just $125.
Federal Tax Credits are now available for energy efficient home improvements.
Ready to learn more? Email us at Info@McService.com or call 800-757-4122
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10/8/2009
Instant Hot Water and Energy Savings
Next to heating and cooling, heating water is the highest energy user in your home. On average, households will spend $400-600 per year on heating water. New technology enables homes to have instant hot water and decrease water heating costs by up to 50% by installing a Tankless Water Heater.
Differences between Traditional and Tankless Water Heaters
Traditional Water Heaters. This type of water heater will heat and reheat the same water. A traditional water heater will heat and store water in a tank, usually 40-50 gallons at a time. If the temperature of the water in the tank drops below a certain point the water heater will turn on and heat it up again. This means that even when you don’t need hot water (at night when you’re sleeping) your water heater is still working (using energy) to help maintain the temperature of the water.
Tankless Water Heaters. This type of water heater only heats water when it is needed. A tankless water heater does not use a tank to store water, but rather “flash” heats the water when needed and provides it to you instantly. This hot water by demand system avoids the standby heat losses associated with tank storage water heaters while providing you with an endless supply of water.
Benefits of a Tankless Water Heater
Save Money and Energy. With a traditional water heater you are paying to heat water 24 hours a day, even though you’re not using it all day. It consumes energy constantly in order to keep the water in the tank hot. A tankless water heater only heats the water you need - when you need it! Many tankless water heaters qualify for the Energy Star™ program and can save a typical family upwards of $100 per year on gas bills.
Endless Hot Water. A tankless water heater provides a continuous supply of hot water, even if you are the last one out of bed for a shower. The hot water is an endless supply and will be there when you need it with as much as you need.
Space Saving Design. Tankless water heaters are wall-mounted and do not take up any floor space. This saves you a whole closet’s worth of space!
Leave your worries behind! Tankless water heaters have a life expectancy of 20 years. This is much longer than a traditional water heater. And with a tankless water heater, you won’t have to worry about water damage from tank leakage anymore.
RIGHT NOW YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR A 30% TAX CREDIT (UP TO $1500), THROUGH THE FEDERAL STIMULUS PACKAGE, FOR INSTALLING A QUALIFIED HIGH EFFICIENCY TANKLESS WATER HEATER IN THE TAX YEARS OF 2009 AND 2010. For more information on federal tax benefits, go to: www.energystar.gov
For more information about tankless water heaters, go to our products page on www.McService.com or visit www.rinnai.us.
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Posted: 2/18/2010 12:27:50 PM -
By: steve
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7/14/2009
With more than 120 years in the heating and cooling business, McAllister The Service Company is dedicated to providing the best possible service for you and your family. You can count on us to provide you with a system and solution that fits your family's unique needs and since we've installed many systems in this area, we've earned a reputation for doing the job right the first time.
To assure your satisfaction, we start by asking questions. If we don't provide what you need and want, we're not doing our job.
Second, we work with the leader in home heating and cooling equipment.
Third, we train each employee to see your job through from start to finish, making sure the unit or system performs up to your expectations.
Finally, we provide quick, professional service and complete service plans to keep your systems operating at peak efficiency. It's all part of our tradition of service- assuring your complete satisfaction.
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7/14/2009
Karen recently asked:
I have a 2 story home and have to use a window air conditioner to keep the rooms cool. Is there anything else I can do?
Answer:
Although this is a typical problem in a multi story home served by a single system, yours sounds pretty extreme. Usually we'll see a 4-8 degree differential between floors in a home that only has one air conditioning system and the thermostat is in the 1st floor living space of a traditional home. There are several things you can do to improve or fix the problem.
1. Turn the fan switch on your thermostat to "on" as opposed to auto. This will keep the fan running and circulating air even when the thermostat is satisfied and the air conditioner isn't running. The circulation will help remove warm air that is collecting on the upper floor and replace it with cooler air. That may help to reduce the problem but running an older fan could cost as much a $1/day
2. You may be able to zone your existing system and have separate thermostats control the temperature on the 1st & 2nd floor
3. Depending on the layout of your home and your specific needs, you may want to explore installing a separate cooling system for the upper floor or a ductless cooling unit if the problem is related to a limited room(s)
With options 2&3 there are potential energy savings by regulating the temperatures on the different floors based on occupancy. For example, now you may be turning the thermostat down at night to get the upper floor cooler when you're sleeping. This over cools the first floor even though nobody is there and waste energy. By zoning or having a separate system installed you'll be able to efficiently regulate the temperature, be more comfortable in the areas you occupy. In your case, you could actually let the first floor get warmer while it is unoccupied at night while cooling just the bedroom(s)as opposed the whole house which saves energy and money.
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