Home Comfort In The Palm of Your Hand

"MyInfinity" Phone App

"Infinity Touch Control" Compatible

Imagine you are out holiday shopping and decide to go out to eat afterwards?  You won't be home for several hours, but your thermostat is still set at 72 degrees. How would you like the convenience of lowering the temperature by simply picking up your smartphone? When you are ready to head home, you can change it back to 72 degrees.

Carrier now brings that technology to you in the form of the "MyInfinity" app available for download on your smartphone. The app is
available for Carrier customers and is compatible with the "Infinity Touch Control" thermostat shown here.

Having the ability to control your home's comfort no matter where you are, combined with a high-efficiency Carrier "Infinity" system will drastically cut down on your energy consumption, and save you money on your utility bills.

For more information on the "Infinity" family of products, controls and the "MyInfinity" phone app, see your local Carrier Authorized Dealer.  In Southeastern Wisconsin, contact 1st Choice Heating and Cooling located in Waukesha.

Preparing for Winter

As you rake the fall leaves and prepare your yard for the coming winter months, it is important to think about preparing your furnace as well.   Making sure your intake and exhaust are free of leaves is just as important as clearing them of accumulating snow later in the season.

It is also the perfect opportunity to check and/or change your furnace filter.   Making sure your system has a clean filter, ensures that it will be operating at maximum efficiency.  Also, don't be tempted to purchase a "cheap" replacement filter.  You do get what you pay for!

Most importantly, have you had a qualified HVAC contractor do a tune up on your system in the past few years?  If not, you may be setting yourself up for problems that will inevitably occur when it is least convenient.  If your system has not received routine maintenance, it is more likely to breakdown during a severe cold snap, resulting in an emergency service call.  I cannot tell you how many furnaces I have come across that have suffered an untimely death due to lack of maintenance.  Failure to have your furnace checked on a periodic basis is the equivalent of operating your car without changing the oil.

Investing in a little preventative maintenance now will save you money and headaches down the road.  If you are located in Southeastern Wisconsin, contact 1st Choice Heating and Cooling.

Have You Changed Your Filter?

It only takes a few minutes, but it is easily one of the most overlooked home improvement tasks...changing the furnace filter.  Many homeowners take considerable time doing their homework and making the investment in a high-efficiency furnace.  Why wouldn't you take the time to make sure it is running at maximum efficiency?

If you haven't done it yet, check your filter now... too many systems are often forgotten and the filter is left to languish.  If it looks anything like the filter shown above, you are long overdue.

Now that you've replaced it, make sure you schedule the filter replacement on your calendar each year.  Not only will a clean filter keep the furnace running properly, it will vastly improve your indoor air quality (IAQ).  It may also save you from that unexpected service call.

IMPORTANT:  Don't be tempted to purchase the "bargain" filter from your local home improvement store.  Like most everything, you do get what you pay for.  Many HVAC contractors will provide you with the proper manufacturer filters for a very reasonable price.  

If you are in Southeastern Wisconsin, contact 1st Choice Heating and Cooling in Waukesha.

Important Notice for Northern States Homeowners

If you are a homeowner who lives in the northern half of the United States, here is some important information you should know:

"2007 Energy Bill"

In 2007, The U.S. Congress passed the Energy and Independence Act (the "2007 Energy Bill").  What does this mean for you?  The passing of this bill allowed for the Department of Energy (DOE) to develop regional standards for the installation of heating and air-conditioning equipment.  In the case of the northern United States (including the State of Wisconsin) high-efficiency, condensing furnaces will be required after May 1, 2013.

These new standards will require that gas furnaces installed after the mandated deadline must have at least 90% Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE).  The current standard is 78% AFUE.  This will effectively exclude the installation of non-condensing furnaces and may result in additional venting requirements for the exhaust, and/or minor renovations to accommodate the new equipment.

What Can You Do?

If you are looking at replacing your home's furnace in the next few years, you may want to call your local contractor.  If you don't want to install a 90% efficient, condensing furnace, you can still upgrade to a non-condensing gas furnace before May 1, 2013.  Having a contractor come out and inspect your current system, venting and space requirements will help you to determine your options.

If you are located in Southeastern Wisconsin, contact 1st Choice Heating & Cooling at 262-547-2030 to answer any of your questions and/or to set up an appointment to review your current system.

Turn to the Experts During a Heat Wave

This summer's unprecedented and relentless heat has been very good for reputable HVAC contractors, but it has also provided an opportunity for the amateur installer to take advantage of consumers.  When your air conditioning goes out in a heat wave, it can be very tempting to contact the first one who can show up at your doorstep.  However, it is important to step back and keep one thing in mind.  Why is this individual available at a moment's notice, when every other contractor is booked solid?

A reputable contractor will charge a fair price for a service/diagnostic trip and make every effort to get to you as soon as possible.  They will also make a knowledgeable assessment of the situation and proceed with service and/or replacement based on the life-expectancy of the product.  If a unit is replaced by someone other than a factory-authorized dealer, you may also face problems later with regard to the warranties for parts and labor.

It is also important to find a contractor who belongs to a professional association such as NARI (National Association of the Remodeling Industry).  Contractors are carefully screened prior to membership to insure “ethical” practices.  In addition, the consumer who encounters issues with a NARI contractor can achieve satisfaction through its arbitration process. 

If you are feeling the heat and need service or a new system quickly, it is worth taking the time to do it right.  Keep a box fan going for an extra day or two to insure you get the proper product at a fair price that is installed per factory specifications.

  

Wayne Abendschein is a Comfort Specialist @ 1^st Choice Heating & Cooling, a Carrier Factory-Authorized Dealer.  Wayne is also an active member of Milwaukee NARI and currently serves as chairperson for the Spring and Fall Home Improvement Shows.

If you are located in Southeastern Wisconsin, contact us at: www.1stchoiceheating.com

Keeping Your Cool In Extreme Heat

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the first half of 2012 has proven to be a real record breaker, and the remainder of this cooling season should see more extreme temperatures.

As the thermometer continues to soar into the triple digits, there are several important tips you should remember to help you "keep your cool".

• Keep windows and blinds closed while running the air conditioning.  When closing windows, make sure they are locked in order to maintain a proper seal.

• Change your furnace filter.  As odd as it may seem, maintaining a clean filter is even more important to your system during the cooling season.

• Keep vegetation cleared a minimum of 18 inches surrounding your air conditioner condenser unit.

• Maintain your thermostat at a "reasonable" temperature.  Manufacturer's standards will maintain the temperature in your home somewhere in the neighborhood of 15-20 degrees below the outside temperature.  Therefore, if it is a sweltering 105 degrees outdoors...don't expect your system to be able to maintain 75 degrees.

• Be patient with your HVAC contractor, they are doing everything they can to get to each and every one of their customers...especially those "no cooling" calls where health considerations are at play. 

If you are located in Southeastern Wisconsin, contact 1st Choice Heating and Cooling  for more information or a quote.