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Your Trusted Source in
Greater Cincinnati since 1910

September, 2011
In This Issue
Energy Savings Tips
Video Tip: Preventing Water Problems While on Vacation
2011 Federal Tax Credit Program
Ask The Expert
Fall Duct Cleaning

 

 

Energy Savings Tips  

Water Heaters

 Water Heater

1. Decrease your carbon footprint and reduce your water heating bill by 10 percent by lowering the water heater temperature from 140°F to 120F°. (Keep the temperature at 140°F if you use an older dishwasher without a temperature booster.)  

 

Once a year drain a bucket of water from the bottom of the water heater tank. This gets rid of sediment, which can waste energy by "blocking" the water in the tank from the heating element.

2. Locate water heaters as close to the points of hot water usage as possible. The longer the supply pipe, the more heat that is lost.

3. Insulate your hot water supply pipes to reduce heat loss. (Hardware stores sell pipe insulation kits.)

4. For older water heaters, consider buying a water heater insulation kit, which reduces the amount of heat lost through the walls of the tank.

 

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Video Tip:

Preventing Water Problems While on Vacation

 Ball Valves

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to get a quick video tip for preventing water problems while you are on vacation.

 
Greetings!

 

Fall is here and the year will be over before we know it.  Last year many customers took advantage of the 2010 Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency.  Many don't realize that the program was extended for 2011 with some modifications.  Read below to see if you might want to take advantage of them.

 

Secondly, we have added an Ask the Expert section this month.  Learn about Carbon Monoxide below.  Also, please send us any questions/topics that you might like to learn more about in a future newsletter.

 

Finally, follow our blog to learn more about how you can save money and improve the comfort of your home. 

 

 

Sincerely,

 Jamie Gerdsen

 

Jamie Gerdsen

President 

 

 

  

 

Federal Tax Credits for HVAC Still Available for 2011

If you took advantage of the 2010 Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency, congratulations! For those who didn't, consider the credits that are still available until December 2011.

 

If you hesitated and didn't pull the trigger in 2010, guess what there is still time to take advantage of the 2011 Credits for Energy Efficiency. The credits, though not as lavish as 2010, still exist. The difference is a lower percentage rate - 10% of cost up to $500 or a specific amount from $50 - $300. To be more specific on what qualifies and how you can apply, visit the US Department of Energy's site for full details.

 

Here are a few of the HVAC products and amount of this year's tax incentives - but remember, you may be limited if you are subject to the AMT (alternative minimum tax):

  • Central Air Conditioning Credit = $300
  • Electric Heat Pumps Credit = $300
  • Furnaces and Boilers Credit = $150
  • Advanced Main Air Circulating Fan = $50

Due to these credits, some say that HVAC professionals are changing the way they approach a job. So, I'd like to ask a few questions regarding how you think the HVAC industry has reacted:

  1. Have HVAC professionals forgotten how to inform and educate customers?
  2. Did customers who acted on the $1,500 tax credit really need a new system or did the incentive simply give them good reason to buy now?
  3. Does the government's involvement in continually making short-term benefits reflect its view of what could happen long term? 

As you determine your 2011 HVAC needs, if questions arise, contact an Apollo representative online or via phone at (513) 271-3600 to evaluate which incentives are eligible for you. Remember any updates must be in an existing home and this home must be your principal residence. New construction and rentals do not qualify.

 


Ask The Expert 

  

Why should every home have low-level carbon monoxide detectors?

Anything that makes a flame, whether it's your furnace, water heater, or gas oven gives off carbon monoxide and could be potentially dangerous without the right precautions, like a low level carbon monoxide detector.

 

Apollo sells only Low Level Carbon Monoxide detectors that sense CO levels as low as 5 ppm (parts per million). Infants, children, and elderly persons with respiratory or heart ailments are provided little or no protection from deadly CO with the older model standard alarms. Did you know that low-level CO above 10 ppm causes illness?

 

The symptoms of low-level carbon monoxide poisoning Carbon Monoxide Monitorinclude headache, nausea, dizziness and lethargy but will get more dangerous as the CO levels builds up in the person's body. Many of these can be confused with a cold by any health professional or attentive adult, making a low-level carbon monoxide detector particularly valuable in identifying the presence of this gas.

 

What about the other "detectors" sold at retailers?

Store-bought detectors do not go off until the home reaches unsafe levels of 70 ppm or higher. At that high level, it may be too late. Many of the plug-in detectors do not always allow for proper placement and may not work during power outages. Our detector is battery operated.

 

How many detectors should I have in my home?

You should have one monitor installed on every level of your home. Single story homes should have one detector on each end of the home.

 

Save $20 off a low level CO detector from Apollo by calling 513.271.3600 today!

 


Fall Duct Cleaning with 20% Savings

 

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average home accumulates about 40 pounds of dust per year. As air moves through your duct system, this dust and other debris build up over the years and settle in your home's cold air returns. Small particles from this build-up then become airborne and move into the air in your home. You may see this manifest in your home in a couple of ways:

  • You are dusting more frequently than usual
  • You notice unusual odors when you turn on your heating or cooling system 
  • There are visible dust build-ups on your vent grills
  • Members of your household begin to suffer from allergies or respiratory issues within the confines of your home

Such signs indicate the need for an expert air duct cleaning. Have Apollo professionally clean your home's ductwork. With our new, state of the art duct cleaning equipment, our technicians can show you what your ductwork looks like before and after they're cleaned!

We are certified by the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) to perform air duct cleaning, guaranteeing that the service we provide will clean and restore the integrity of your ductwork. The NADCA protocol is set to protect consumers against "blow-and-go" companies who use inadequate equipment and methods. Periodic cleaning of your home's HVAC system can help to prevent the accumulation of pet dander, allergens, construction debris, and other dirt particulates within the system.  

 

Call Apollo today at 513.271.3600 to schedule a professional duct cleaning and save 20%.
Special Offer:
Drain Cleaning
$99

  

 

 

Apollo's plumbers specialize in cleaning drains. Whether it's your kitchen sink, bath, basement or toilet, we can handle any drain. We have advanced tools and technology to get to the root of the problem fast. And right now we're offering a $99 drain cleaning special.   

 

That's right, we'll unstop any drain for only $99!

(Click Here for coupon)