The Fine Art of Replacing a Rooftop Unit

BP Convenience Store - Waukesha, WI

If you or someone you know owns a business that needs to have their rooftop HVAC unit replaced, make sure you hire a contractor with experience.

Not every HVAC contractor is familiar with the finely-orchestrated procedure required to pull off a seamless replacement.  Chances are that the work will be done during business hours, so it is vital that there is as little disruption as possible.

A good contractor will have the required rooftop experience and contacts to coordinate the following:


1.  Crane rental
2.  Delivery by product distributor
3.  Electrical contractor
4.  Salvage company (to take away old unit)

All of these pieces need to be in place at precisely the right time to make the job a success.  Forgetting to schedule just one of the above, will result in costly overages and down time.  Not to mention the additional time that the heavy equipment will be sitting at the place of business.

As was the case with a recent replacement in a high-traffic area, it also required the rental of barricades/equipment to enforce traffic control.  Making sure that the contractor you hire has successfully coordinated a number of rooftop replacements will save you headaches in the long run.

Rooftop Replacement at BP C-Store (Waukesha, WI)

In Southeastern Wisconsin, contact 1st Choice Heating and Cooling for your rooftop replacement needs (generally 25 tons or less) at 262-547-2030.

Maintaining Your HVAC System Like Your Car

Your home's HVAC system is one of the biggest purchases you will make other than your home and automobile.  So why is it that we don't treat our furnace and air conditioner like we do our car?  You wouldn't drive a whole year without getting an oil change, would you?

Routine tune ups and preventative maintenance are crucial if you wish to get the full life expectancy out of your car, and the same applies to your home's HVAC system. 

It is also important to make sure that the company you select to provide your maintenance is doing more than just checking to make sure your furnace doesn't have a cracked heat exchanger and/or that there is ample refrigerant in the air conditioner.  It is easy to get lured in by an advertisement or coupon offering a deeply discounted tune up.  Remember...you get what you pay for.  A good HVAC contractor will provide a complete tune up, with an extensive checklist.  Click here for an example of what a complete service/maintenance program should provide:  1st Choice Maintenance and Safety Inspection.  

It goes without saying that you don't want to be the homeowner that has to make that emergency call on the hottest or coldest day of the year, much less on a weekend or holiday!  Creating a maintenance schedule with your trusted HVAC contractor will assure your comfort and peace of mind for years to come.

In Southeastern Wisconsin, contact 1st Choice Heating and Cooling.

Tips for Keeping Cool and Saving Cash this Summer

Last year's record heat really tooks it's toll on air conditioning systems and our pocketbooks!  Now that we are settling into the air conditioning season for this year, I thought it was a good time to remind folks of some of the different ways they can help stay cool and save energy during the heat.

#1 Keep a Close Eye on the Forecast
There are plenty of websites and smartphone apps available these days to keep you informed several days in advance of a hot spell.  If you can anticipate the heat before it happens, you can turn on your A/C in the evening or early morning hours prior to the forecast for heat.

#2  Plant a Large Shade Tree
If the south and west side of your home receives a great deal of direct sunlight during the afternoon and evening hours, you might want to consider planting a large shade tree.  Your local nursery can tell you which varieties are fast growing and provide the maximum amount of coverage.  If you can't wait for it to grow, many nurseries and tree services have planting trucks that can deliver and plant large balled and burlapped trees.

#3  Keep Doors and Windows Closed
I realize that this tip is purely common sense, however, there are many areas of the house that are easy to forget.  If you are closing up your house after having the windows open, don't forget those rooms that you rarely enter (i.e., kids bedroom, guest room).  Once you have closed the windows, don't forget to also close the blinds or drapes too...especially if the rooms are on the south and/or west side of the house.

#4  Set a Reasonable Temperature

The ductwork in most homes is designed to allow for 15-20 degrees of cooling over the outside temperature.  It doesn't matter how big or efficient your air conditioning unit may be, if the ductwork can't handle it, you simply will not get 70 degrees when it is 105 degrees outside.  Every year we run unnecessary service calls to individuals who think their systems are not working properly.  Save yourself the hassle and cost of a service call by realizing your systems capabilities.

I hope you have found these tips helpful.  If so, please stop by our Facebook page and let us know @ 1st Choice Heating - Facebook

If you are located in Southeastern Wisconsin and haven't had your air conditioner tuned up in a while, or would like a quote for a new system, contact us at 262-547-2030, or click on our website at 1st Choice Heating and Cooling.

How Old Is Your Furnace?

Old Furnace

Every time I do a home improvement consumer show I get the same thing.  Someone walks up, slams their hand down and says, "I've got a 30-year-old furnace and it's still working great!"  In fact at most shows, there are several of these characters who feel inclined to stop by and chat.

Of course when you ask them if they are ready for a quote to replace it, they proudly declare, "I don't plan on replacing it until it dies".  As they walk away proud of themselves for sharing that bit of information, I roll my eyes and chuckle.  What they don't realize, is that having a furnace that old in your home is the equivalent of commuting to work daily and taking your vacations in a 1983 model vehicle.  It may still get you from Point A to Point B, but you may as well be throwing dollar bills out the window as you drive along.

1983 Chevy Malibu Wagon

The average life of today's modern furnace is 17-20 years and 20-25 years if regularly maintained. Anything older than that is simply blowing money right up your chimney.  In fact, the money you could have saved in energy costs may have already paid for a new system.  The truth is, most people I talk to are surprised because the cost of a new furnace is less than they estimated.

In addition to energy savings, HVAC systems now have advanced technology like newer cars.  How would you like to be able to control the temperature in your home using your smart phone, laptop or tablet?  Newer furnaces also let you know when they need routine maintenance.  And don't forget about safety.  A 2013 model car is going to have much tougher safety standards than a 1983 model.  The same goes for your furnace.  The potential for carbon monoxide poisoning from a unit that old is substantially increased.

So if the furnace in your basement looks more like the station wagon above, what have you got to lose by getting a quote from a reputable contractor.  If nothing else, you will at least be prepared when your current unit finally reaches the end.

If you are located in Southeastern Wisconsin, contact 1st Choice Heating and Cooling at 262-547-2030.

Staying On Top of HVAC Technology

1st Choice Staff Receiving Training 

Staying on top of the latest technology can be tough in this day and age.  The HVAC industry is no exception.

The newest thermostats (controllers) allow the homeowner the flexibility of adjusting their home comfort system from their computers, tablets and smartphones. They also link to the internet to provide wireless access to the latest weather data.

As a contractor, you need to take advantage of the resources available to you and make sure that your staff of installers and service technicians are well-versed on the installation, service and troubleshooting of the new WI FI controllers.

 (smartphone app)

As a new generation of technology saavy homeowners emerges in the marketplace, it will become vital that the HVAC contractor you select is up for the job!  Anyone can come into your home and install a furnace and/or air conditioner, but can they properly set up your system's wireless controller?  Make sure you ask the right questions when requesting a bid from a contractor.  Be sure to ask whether or not their staff has been properly trained on the latest equipment.  Failure to do so may result in headaches in the future.

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

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Simplified

Do you suffer from any of the following:

- Eye and/or skin irritation
- Sinus congestion
- Sneezing, runny nose, colds, flu
- Headaches or dizziness
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Sore Throat
- Various other respiratory ailments

If the answer is YES to any of the above, installing optional Indoor Air Quality ( IAQ) equipment may help ease your symptoms.

Much of the problem with indoor air quality stems from the way modern homes are built today.  For purposes of energy efficiency, they are now sealed up as air tight as possible. The problem with this is that stale air, laced with odors, chemicals, irritants and even miniscule insects, becomes trapped.

Fortunately, HVAC manufacturers have developed products which address specific indoor air quality issues.  Below is a list of equipment, along with a simplified explanation of how each functions to address IAQ problems:

WHOLE-HOUSE HUMIDIFIER

Dry indoor air can make your home feel uncomfortable, causing skin irritation, creating static shock and damaging home furnishings and woodwork.  Added moisture also creates energy savings by allowing you to lower the thermostat.  Example: 70 degrees (moist) = 72 degrees (dry)

WHOLE-HOUSE ELECTRONIC AIR PURIFIER 
                                                 
Places a charge on airborne particles and collects them like a magnet.  Reduces pollutants, such as dust, smoke, smog particles, mold spores and pet dander from the air passing through your heating and cooling system.

WHOLE-HOUSE MEDIA AIR CLEANER
                                               
Traps and filters major pollutants, such as dust and pollen from the air passing through your heating and cooling system.

ENERGY RECOVERY VENTILATOR (ERV) 
                                             
Exhausts pollutants, while recovering both heat and moisture.

HEPA AIR CLEANER
                                 
The HEPA Air Cleaner connects to the return air duct and diverts 1/3 to 1/2 of the dirty air through a tightly sealed filtration system.

UV LIGHT SYSTEM
                                             
Uses UV light to kill mold spores and certain live airborne bacteria passing by the lamp.

CARBON MONOXIDE MONITOR
                                             
Uses sophisticated electronics and unmatched sensor technology to detect and record the levels of Carbon Monoxide circulating in your indoor air, as required by State law.





Contact your local HVAC contractor to determine which of these products are best suited for your system and symptoms.  In Southeastern Wisconsin, contact 1st Choice Heating and Cooling.

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Fiscal Cliff Deal Restores Energy Tax Credits

One additional bonus from the recent Fiscal Cliff Agreement was the extension of The American Taxpayer Relief Act tax credits which had expired in 2011.  Not only have they extended the credits through 2013, but have made them retroactive to January, 2012 and included credits for air conditioners and heat pumps.

If you installed a high-efficiency system in 2012, it may qualify for the retroactive credit.  If you are looking to update your current HVAC system with new high-efficiency products, the tax credit is available through 2013 on eligible equipment, including:

furnaces  - $150
boilers - $150
advanced main circulating fans - $50
central air conditioners - $300
heat pumps - $300
water heaters - $300

The maximum amount you can claim is $500, and it is cumulative to the beginning of the tax credit period, which started in 2006.  In other words, if you have already claimed $500 on other energy-efficient home improvement projects (i.e., windows, insulation), you cannot claim any additional credits.  For more information on qualifying equipment, contact your tax preparer

In Southeastern Wisconsin, call 1st Choice Heating & Cooling at 262-547-2030 for more information on installing energy-efficient products in your home.

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