Choosing a Water Heater – what’s the true cost?

Posted on August 9, 2010 by admin

A water heater is a lot more than a $1000 to $3000 decision. Water heaters can cost upwards of $17,000 to operate over the life. Before buying that next water heater give us a call and we’ll be happy to calculate the actual purchase and operating cost.

These are the numbers we’ll need.

  1. Number of people in the house
  2. Average ground water temperature (if you don’t know assume 55F)
  3. Available rebates (We can help you navigate the numerous rebates out there)
  4. Cost per BTU of fuel (If you don’t know we can use State averages)

The calculation is free and will help you choose whether to go tank, tankless, high efficiency tankless, heat pump, etc. 831-477-7150 / 408-866-4620   gregbellowsplumbing.com

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Trenchless Sewer Repair

Posted on August 9, 2010 by admin

Using trenchless technology we are able to achieve superior sewer replacement results without the added cost and intrusion of digging. This no hassle, cost-effective means of sewer pipeline replacement will leave both your lawn and wallet intact.

In the past sewer lines were replaced by digging new trenchless through the client’s yard, sidewalk, and street. Now with trenchless no dig technology it is possible to replace the line digging only two minor holes: one in the yard and one in the street*. Since no-dig pipeline replacement requires only an entry and exit hole the rest of your lawn can remain intact. Usually pipebursting requires less digging and less time, therefore it can often mean less money out of your pocket. Give us a call if you have questions – 408-866-4620

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Consumer Reports Rates the Best HVAC Equipment

Posted on August 5, 2010 by admin

This has been one of the coolest summers on record here in Santa Cruz. I typically turn the pilot off on my gas fireplace come summer, but not this year.

As fall and winter get closer it’s a good time to start thinking about that furnace repair or replacement. Consumerreports.com released there list of the top AC and furnace heating equipment. Ruud and Rheem again topped the list beat out big names more expensive names like Lennox and Trane. (Click to see report) Bryant and American Standard also fared well coming in fourth and fifth overall.

When choosing a heating or cooling system it’s important to ask what the warranties are on the heat exchanger for furnaces and compressor for air conditioning. Both of these items are impossible or extremely expensive to repair. For a furnace a damaged heat exchanger means a new furnace. Some brands like Ruud offer 20 year and even lifetime warranties on their heat exchangers.

Price is obviously a big issue to consider. Brands such as Trane and Lennox typically run at a premium to others because of their name. However, in my experience I run just as many service calls on these units as I do on Carrier, York, Heil, and Goodman. So for now I’m not convinced the customer is getting anything more for this premium.

Be sure to sit down with your service provider and discuss all the available features and rebates associated with your next AC or furnace purchase. Some of the features to consider at high efficiency vs standard efficiency. Zone controlled units that allow the homeowner to heat sections of the house. Humidity controls, remote controls, variable speed controls, modulating gas valve controls, and so on. On the rebate front, depending on what type of unit you purchase there are rebates from the State of California ranging from $200 – $1000, tax credits up to $1500 from Mr. Uncle Sam, and rebated from $50 to $300 from PG&E. Give us a call (877-477-7151) at Bellows Plumbing, Heating & Sewer of Santa Cruz and Santa Clara to let us know if you need any help navigating the maze of rebates.

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How to know if your new furnace, A/C, or water heater qualifies for a rebate.

Posted on July 29, 2010 by admin

There’s a lot of confusion out there about the available $1500 tax credit on energy efficient water heaters, furnaces, and air conditioning products. Hopefully I can answer some of your questions before the rebate ends on December 31st 2010. See the last paragraph of this article for the exact time lines on program.

In a nut shell the tax credit covers 30% or up to $1500 of the installation for any qualifying product.

So what home products are covered by the tax credit?

  1. Tankless or tank water heaters with a 90% or more thermal energy efficiency. Basically any tankless water heater qualifies. Some tank water heaters such as power vents, HE, Vertex, and several others will qualify. One tell tale sign to know whether you might qualify or not is the vent material. Any standard tank water heater with a galvanized metal vent will usually not qualify.
  2. Electric water heaters with an energy factor greater than 2.0 qualify. This limits you to heat pump or HP water heaters . These units are great assuming you have over 750 square feet of free space around the water heater.
  3. Forced air furnaces with an AFUE rating of 95 and better. Usually contractors refer to furnaces as “percenters”. You might hear someone refer to their furnace as a 95-percenter.
  4. Air conditioners are divided into two types: split system (typical in most CA homes) and package units. Split systems require a SEER rating of 16 or greater. In the case of package units you can get away with anything SEER 14 and high to qualify.

Several other limitations to the program are that the installation must take place in your primary residence. Also the total allowable credit per family is limited to $1500. For example, if you install a tankless water heater, A/C system, and furnace you’re rebate would probably be $1500 in total, but not $1500 per item.

Always consult with your accountant prior to installation to make sure you qualify for the rebate.

If you have any questions about qualifying products and costs give Bellows Plumbing, Heating, A/C, and Sewer a call: 831-477-7150 – 408-866-4620

Right out of the book: The Energy Policy Act of 2005 established the tax credit for energy improvements to existing homes. The credit was originally limited to purchases made in 2006 and 2007, with an aggregate cap of $500 for all qualifying purchases made in these two years combined. There were also separate individual caps for the different equipment types. H.R. 1424 of 2008 reinstated the credit for 2009 purchases and made other minor adjustments. H.R. 1 further extended the credit to include purchases made in 2010 and replaced the $500 aggregate cap with a $1,500 aggregate cap for installations made in 2009 and 2010. Tax credits for installations made in 2006 and 2007 are still limited to $500. Any purchase made in 2008 is not eligible for this tax credit.

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Duct Losses Hurt Forced Air Heating System Performance

Posted on July 28, 2010 by admin

Do you ever wonder why the rodents in your neighborhood seem to love the crawl space under your house? It could be because of faulty ducting; damaged, disconnected, and crushed ducting could be heating the crawl space under your house. Creating a nice toasty environment for rodents and pest – all on your dime

An annual maintenance plan covers inspection of your home’s forced air ducting system. Crushed ducts and disconnected ducts can account for over 30% of your home’s total heat loss. In other words for every dollar you spend to heat your home, more than 30 cents worth of that dollar heats the crawl space. No Leaks

Improperly sized ducting is another primary factor that contributes to wasted energy and heat loss. Property sized ducts allow for even air flow and even pressure. Even air pressure means that the blower fan is blowing the same amount of air into the house through supply registers as it is drawing back through the return register. Uneven pressure occ

urs when ducts leak or don’t provide adequate air volume.

No Leaks

No Leaks in Ducting for Forced Air System

Neutral Pressure

If the duct system was perfectly designed and sealed, the same amount of air would enter the return grille and leave the supply registers. This is the ideal situation, and so it rarely happens.

Supply Leaks

When supply ducts leak, air escapes before it gets into the building. However, the blower still tries to pull the full amount of air out of the building. This creates negative pressure that pulls outside air into the building.

Duct Damage Leaks Lost Heat

Supply Duct Leaks

Return Leaks

The return side of the system is under suction, so leaks here pull air into the ducts. The blower then forces more air into the building than it’s taking out (supply flow exceeds return flow), creating a positive pressure. Until recently, duct installers routinely skipped the

Return Duct Leaks

Return Duct Leaks

taping of return ducts and plenums. It was considered a waste of time, since it was the supply ducts that “delivered the goods.” Perhaps this is one reason researchers find the most significant leaks on the return side.

Closed Doors

Some experts claim closed doors have can a greater impact on pressure balance than duct leaks. Most houses have one or two centrally located returns with supply registers dispersed throughout the house. Closing a door blocks the air flow from the supply register to the return. This increases the air pressure in the room with the supply register. The room with the return has a negative pressure.

Strapping

Proper strapping and hanging of ducts usually won’t help improve air flow and efficiency however it will extend the life of ducts. Moisture and rodent intrusion is the number one killer of ducts. We frequently remove ducts and find dead rodents or rodent feces and urine in the ducts and insulation. By keeping ducts elevated and properly sealed you can avoid this type of damage and contamination.

Call your local HVAC contractor to have your ducts inspected. If you live in the San Jose, Santa Clara, Los Gatos, Santa Cruz, or Monterey Area give us a call at 831-477-7150 or 408-866-4620 and we’ll be happy to set up and appointment to inspect your homes ducting. www.gregbellowsplumbing.com

Sources: Energy Source Builder #28 August 1993 ©Copyright 1993 Iris Communications, Inc.

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Diamond Certified Plumbing, Heating, HVAC, A/C Contractor

Posted on July 28, 2010 by admin

In 2007 Bellows Plumbing, Heating, & Sewer became a Diamond Certified company. The process is very intensive and detailed. Most companies do not qualify for diamond certification after the client survey. The text below is direct from the Diamond Certified website and explains the process we went through to become Diamond Certified.

Watch our Diamond Certified Profile: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0cwroZNDhY

Where do you usually begin when you want to find a high quality local company? Most of us go to the Internet, the Yellow Pages, or talk to a friend. Sometimes these approaches work, ending in a satisfying customer experience. But too often you can feel your frustration because of a company’s poor performance or follow-up. With so many claims in the marketplace, it’s difficult to know which companies are actually delivering on their promises.

Diamond Certified ends the guessing game by ensuring you’ll be choosing from ONLY top-rated local companies. We believe in your right to know which local companies are performing at the highest level, and the peace of mind that comes from it.

Why Diamond Certified works for you.
We run the country’s most rigorous and accurate rating and certification process of local companies. It starts with the in-depth pass/fail rating of each company’s satisfaction, license, insurance, and business practices. Only those rated Highest in Quality earn the prestigious Diamond Certified award. Most simply can’t qualify.

But we don’t stop there. We continue to monitor each company and complete ongoing customer satisfaction research. Finally, we stand behind our ongoing rating and certification work by backing your purchase with the Diamond Certified Performance Guarantee.

Ratings are updated daily. Savvy Consumer tips are here to help you.
We’ve got a world of valuable consumer information for you. You’ll find updated ratings on companies in your area and other Northern California counties, verbatim consumer survey responses on every Diamond Certified company, and our valuable consumer advice column, The Savvy Consumer, with more than 350 consumer topics to help you.

We care about customer satisfaction, and we care about you. We’re proud to give you all the information you need to choose with confidence.

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HVAC Tax Credits in The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 [The Economic Stimulus Bill]

Posted on July 28, 2010 by admin

So we found this great memo on the web and it basically breaks down energy efficiency tax credits. Remember these are general guidelines only and may not be applicable in all circumstances.  Taxpayers are encouraged to consult with a tax professional.

On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) into law. The legislation combines spending and tax incentives designed to get the American economy moving again by investing in our nation’s road and energy infrastructure, and providing incentives for increasing the energy efficiency and performance of America’s homes and commercial buildings.

Specifically for HVAC contractors, the new law makes important changes to existing tax incentives for homeowners who make qualified improvements to HVAC, water heating equipment, and other energy related improvements to their primary residences.

Residential Tax Credit Details

Greater Tax Credit

For qualified improvements (see the table below), homeowners may be able to claim tax credits equal to 30% of the installed costs (up to $1,500).

Longer Term

The new tax credits are retroactive to 1/1/2009 and expire on 12/31/2010. The $1,500 limit is for all improvements made during the two year term, not $1500 each year.

Per-Appliance Caps Removed

Subject to the 30% of installed cost limitation, homeowners may use the entire $1,500 tax credit limit on a single qualifying improvement. The previous per-appliance caps that limited the homeowner to just $150 for a high efficiency furnace or $300 for a high efficiency central air conditioner or heat pump have been removed.

Lifetime Limit Removed

Homeowners that previously claimed tax credits in 2006 or 2007 are eligible for the full $1,500 limit. Also, HVAC contractors should be aware that the $1,500 limit applies to many types of energy efficient home improvements, including windows, doors, shingles, and insulation. All of these various contractors will be competing with HVAC contractors for the work related to these tax credits.

Frequently Asked Questions about the New Tax Credits

Q1.      Can the homeowner claim $1500 in tax credits for improvements made in 2009 and again for improvements made in 2010?

Answer: No. Taxpayers will be eligible only for a total of $1500 in tax credits for qualifying improvements made in the combined two year period of 2009 and 2010.

Q2.      Can a homeowner use the entire $1500 limit as a credit toward the installation of one appliance?

Answer: Yes. A homeowner may use the entire $1500 in tax credits for installing a single appliance, such as a qualified furnace, air conditioner, or heat pump system as long as the total cost of the appliance is $5000 or more.  The legislation limits the tax credit to 30% of total cost with a $1500 cap.

Q3.      What happens if the 30% of the installed costs is less than $1500?

Answer: The homeowner can use the remaining available tax credit for other qualified improvements in 2009 or 2010.  Any single installation of a qualifying appliance that costs less than $5000 will allow the homeowner to invest in additional energy saving appliances or upgrades and still receive a tax credit (up to a $1500 combined maximum).

Q4.      Does the tax credit apply to the cost of the equipment or equipment plus labor?

Answer: The tax credit applies to the installed costs of the qualified equipment, which includes labor.

Q5.      Do any manufacturers offer a full line of air conditioners and coils that meet the tax credit guidelines?

Answer:  According to the AHRI directory, no HVAC manufacturer has a full line of split system air conditioners + coils + variable speed furnaces that meet the tax credit guidelines of 16 SEER and 13 EER.  However, several manufacturers have full product lines that meet the tax credit guidelines with 3rd party coils.

Q6.      Does a 95% AFUE furnace plus a 13 SEER split outdoor system qualify for a tax credit?

Answer: Yes, but only the portion of the installed cost associated with the 95% furnace (both the equipment and labor).  So if the installed cost of the 95% furnace is over $5000, then the homeowner will qualify for the full tax credit.  If the installed cost of the 95% furnace is less than $5000, then the homeowner will qualify for a tax credit that is equal to 30% of the installed cost.

Q7.      Does a system that otherwise doesn’t meet the efficiency requirements, but has a furnace with an “advanced circulating fan” qualify for the tax credit?

Answer:  The advanced circulating fan should qualify for a tax credit, but how the cost of the fan is broken down is not certain at this time.  The chart of qualifying HVAC equipment from the Energy Star website, which is included below, includes advanced circulating fans as qualifying for the 30% up to $1500 tax credit.  However, there is also a statement on the Energy Star website (answer to question #27 on the FAQ list) indicating that the IRS is looking at this question and will issue a clarifying rule.

Q8.      How will a taxpayer claim the credit and receive their money?

Answer: The tax credit applies as a direct reduction of taxes owed.  In the past, the IRS has directed taxpayers to use Form 5695, Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit. It is expected that the IRS will produce new rules related to the recently enacted stimulus legislation giving taxpayers further guidance on claiming tax credits.

>Q9.      Where can homeowners find a manufacturer’s Tax Credit certification statement?

Answer: Certification statements for Trane matched systems will soon be posted on Trane.com.  Certification statements for Trane components mix-matched with independent coils should be available at the independent coil manufacturer website.

Q10.    Where can a homeowner or dealer find a list of qualifying systems?

Answer: www.ahrinet.org

Q11.    What’s the difference between a tax credit and a tax deduction?

Answer: A tax credit applies against the taxpayer’s obligation for taxes. A tax deduction applies against a taxpayer’s income, lowering the adjusted gross income. Tax credits have a greater benefit to a taxpayer.  For example, if the taxpayer owes $2000 in taxes, a $1500 tax credit reduces the obligation to $500.

Q12.    What if the homeowner already claimed $500 in tax credits in 2006 or 2007?

Answer: The “lifetime caps” that used to be in place have been removed.  Previous claims do not count against the current $1500 tax credit limit.

Q13.    Can a homeowner claim the credit for improvements to a second home?

Answer: No. The tax credit is available for the taxpayer’s primary residence only.

Q14.    Can dealers tell homeowners they will receive a $1500 tax credit if they purchase a qualifying system?

Answer:  Dealers can tell homeowners what products and systems qualify for the tax credit and the qualifying amount; however, dealers don’t know what other qualifying products the homeowner may purchase before they file their taxes.  The safest strategy for dealers is to share the following chart with homeowners, which is taken from the Energy Star website.

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Season Opens on Air Conditioner Maintenance

Posted on July 28, 2010 by admin

Spring is just around the corner, just the other day it was 75 degrees, and that means more warm weather is on its way. For those of you on the Santa Cruz coast air conditioning is a foreign concept and hardly any residential homes except for those in Felton, Scotts Valley, and Ben Lomond even have an AC system. But, for our clients in Los Gatos, San Jose, and Santa Clara air conditioning is something we can’t live without.  Early air conditioner maintenance can prevent small problems from becoming big problems down the road and keep you cool all summer long.

The main reason to schedule annual air conditioner maintenance is to save money. To start you can greatly increase the chances that your A/C technician will catch small problems before they become big ones. Repairing a small refrigerant leak shouldn’t cost much more than $200, but buying a new compressor when low refrigerant levels burn your current one out can cost upwards of a couple thousand. An annual checkup also ensures that you’re A/C unit running at optimal efficiency. Those PG&E bills aren’t getting any cheaper. The small expense of an annual tune up can save you hundreds in wasted utility bills.

Not all HVAC companies check the same items. Below is a short list of the things a Bellows Plumbing, Heating, and Sewer technician will look at. We will:

Check for proper refrigerant levels. Low levels indicate a leak that needs to be found and repaired immediately. Low refrigerant levels can burn out your compressor, resulting in the most costly repair when it comes to A/C, period.

Check all electrical components and controls to make sure they’re working properly.

Clean evaporator and condenser coils. Dirty evaporators and coils reduce the energy efficiency and cooling ability of your unit.

Oil motors as needed.

Calibrate thermostat to make sure your A/C isn’t working overtime.

Check the condenser for any possible problems.

Check, clean, and/or replace filters.

An annual air conditioner check up is the easiest way to keep your air conditioner in top condition for years to come. If you’re in the greater Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Salinas, or Monterey area don’t hesitate to give us a call and schedule you 2010 air conditioning tune up.

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Where Do You Spend Your Time?

Posted on July 28, 2010 by admin

How much of your life do you spend on the toilet? Obviously, unless you keep very accurate records, you’ll never know for sure (and people may start to talk about you if you carry a little binder around and keep diligent notes on your bathroom habits).  It’s actually been estimated that the average person spends around three years* of his or her life on the potty.  That’s a little unsettling, isn’t it?  You’d probably better make the most of every minute you’re there. Here’s a bit of trivia to help you pass a bit of that time – terms that we’ve used for the bathroom through the years and through the world…

Backhouse (17th Century England)
Bagnio (during the Ottoman Empire, also term used for a house of prostitution, isn’t that interesting…)
Balnea (Ancient Roman bath houses)
Bathroom
Bog (England)
Can
Crapper (although Thomas Crapper was an established plumber in 19th century England, he did not invent the toilet, and even this term actually predates him*)
Comfort Room
Commode
CR – short for Comfort Room (Phillipines)
Dunny (Australia)
Facilities
Head (Royal Navy, US Navy, US Marine Corps)
House of Ease (17th Century England)
House of Office (17th Century England)
Khazi (Liverpool, England / old cockney term)
Jacks (Ireland)
Jakes (Tudor England circa 1530)
John
Johnny
Johnny House
Ladies’ Room
Latrine (US Army & Air Force)
Lavatory or Lav
Little Boys’ or Little Girls’ Room
Little House (17th Century England)
Loo
Mens’ or Womens’ Room
Netty (Northern England)
Powder Room
Privy (North England & Ireland)
Restroom
Shithouse
Shitter
Toilet
Urination Station (corny, I know)
Vin (English Upper Class)
Washroom
Water Closet
WC – short for Water Closet (various, including Mexico, France, Germany & The Netherlands)

*No references are provided because this data was collected from a myriad of unreliable and possibly a few less than reputable sources. It is also minutely possible that I just made some of it up, so it would probably be ill-advised to quote any of this as actual fact…just so ya know.

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Best Dog Beaches of Santa Cruz

Posted on July 28, 2010 by admin

Pretty much everyone I know has a dog, except poor old me. Since I was young I had dreamt about being able to take my own dog to the beach or walking around the neighborhood or to be greeted at the door with overwhelming love after a long day. It is the one absent memory of my childhood that is hard to come to terms with. I am still waiting for the day I can get a dog of my own. But thankfully over the past few years I have been able to enjoy quality time with my favorite dog of all, Boomer. Boomer was rescued back in 2006 by my sister and her husband, Chelsea & Jason, from SPCA.
He is the sweetest gentlest dog who continues to amaze me with his endless energy.

With my sister and her husband being avid travelers, I have been appointed weekend babysitter, which I gladly accept. One of my favorite things to do with Boomer is take him to the beach to burn off some steam. Here in Santa Cruz it has been difficult to find a beach that is dog friendly and actually allows you to take your dog off the leash. Boomer and I have explored the coastline of Santa Cruz and have compiled a list of our top 3 “dog friendly” beaches that are a great place to enjoy some time with your pet.

1. Santa Maria Beach, located off of East Cliff Drive near 17th ave.

This beach is a perfect getaway for pets and their owners. Leashes are not required at this beach, which makes it enjoyable for not only you but for your dog as well. With dozens of dogs running up and down the beach, it’s a sure fine place to let loose and not worry about park rangers driving up to ticket you.

2. Its Beach, located off of West Cliff Drive
This is not a large beach, but it is big enough for your water loving dog to take a dip in the water and get lots of sand between his or her paws. Dogs must be on leash at all times, which is a downfall, but it allows you to engage more with your dog. The beach is located on West Cliff Drive, just north of the Lighthouse, and south of Columbia Street.

3. New Brighton State Beach, located of Park Ave in Capitola

Dogs on leash are allowed at this beach which offers a wide strip of sand. You can do the Old Cement Ship loop which offers great exercise for you and your dog. But do be cautious of the many dead seals on this beach. Boomer has been known to take a jab at their bloated bodies.

I hope to see you fellow dog lovers at these beaches. I’m sure I’ll run into you with Boomer one of these days.

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