Energy Seminar in Chula Vista - Dont Miss Out!!

Chula Vista residents can get up to $13,975 in energy rebates and incentives to make your home more efficient.  ASI is hosting a one hour informational energy seminar in Chula Vista this Saturday at 9 AM.  Officials from SDG& and the City of Chula Vista will be sharing valuable information on how you can qualify for these incentives.

Follow this link to learn more..

Saturday, February 12, 2011 from 9 AM to 11 AM
at the Loma Verde Recreation Center.
1420 Loma Lane, Chula Vista, CA 91911-5310
 

TANKLESS WATER HEATERS

Tankless hot water heaters are becoming a must-have appliance in homes these days. They purport to offer many benefits - instant and endless hot water, less wasted space, and a smaller carbon footprint as well. They can even be used to power radiant underfloor heating that is a luxury found in many green homes.


Here are some basics about how tankless hot water heaters work. Standard non-electric storage hot water heaters typically are about 60% efficient, meaning that 60% of the energy in whatever fuel they burn is converted into heat for your water. The other 40% of energy is wasted, some due to inefficient burners and some due to the gradual cooling of water stored in the tank through time. Tankless or on-demand hot water heaters address both of these issues: they eliminate the storage-related losses, and they employ sophisticated burners and controls to improve on the combustion efficiency. Top-of-the-line models can be 80-85% efficient, which results in a 30+% savings on your hot water energy bills and your carbon footprint compared to your tank in the corner. (electric unit savings will be lower, since storage electric HW heaters already have efficient heating mechanisms).

Efficient hot water heating is a true green no-brainer. Not only are they light on the planet, but they will also increase the comfort of your home and the effectiveness of your appliances. Fortunately, you now have many great options to choose from!

Californias New CO Monitor Law

http://www.asiheatingandair.com/


(SB 183- Residential Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act)

Under the new law California homeowners will be required to install carbon monoxide detectors starting in july 2011

The bill requires that alarm devices be installed in existing single-family homes that have a fossil-fuel burning appliance, fireplace or attached garage.

BUYER BEWARE: All carbon monoxide monitors are not created equal. Although an inexpensive device will pass the new law, it is important that consumers read the fine print before making a purchase. Most CO monitors on the market have warnings that they can not protect the very old, very young, or those with compromised imune systems due to the fact they don’t sound an alarm until the carbon monoxide has reached very dangerous levels. ASI Hastings recommends it’s customers purchase a “Low Level” carbon monoxide alarm, such as the NSI 3000, that will sound then the readings are as low as 5 parts per million

Energy Incentives & Rebates

GET UP TO $11,175 IN INCENTIVES TO LOWER YOUR UTILITY BILLS AND IMPROVE THE COMFORT AND SAFETY OF YOUR HOME!


If your home was built prior to recent California energy code standards you may be eligible for up to $11,175 in incentives to make your home more energy efficient. To encourage homeowners to bring their homes in compliance to today’s energy standards; a massive alliance and new program has formed with the California Energy Commission (CEC), state-wide utilities including San Diego utility rebates and the city of Chula Vista.

Energy Upgrade California has been funded to drive energy upgrades to help you lower your utility bills and optimize your comfort, health and safety. This program also supports California’s goal of a state-wide energy reduction of 40% by 2020.

Available for a limited time in the form of a cash rebate from your local San Diego utility, this incentive can be combined with other existing incentives to save you even more:
ENERGY INCENTIVES & REBATES


Energy Upgrade California (San Diego Utility Provider).......Up To $4000 Cash Rebate

*The City of Chula Vista (For homes located in the CV area) ..Up To $4000 cash Rebate Match

Local Utility Solar Hot Water (Thermal) Incentive........................................Up To $1875

Federal Government Incentive.......................................................................Up To $2400

Manufacturer Energy Efficiency Incentive (Heating and A/C)………..........Up To $1200

High Efficiency Furnace Rebate.......................................................................Up To $200

Federal Tax Credit Based on High Efficiency Measures............................. Up To $1500

TOTAL INCENTIVES AVAILABLE TO YOU:........................................$11,175

TOTAL INCENTIVES AVAILABLE CHULA VISTA RESIDENTS …....$15,175

Energy Upgrades That Maximize Savings and Comfort


If you’re like most homeowners, you face common issues like high utility bills, rooms that are too hot or too cold, as well as drafts. They are signs that your home is wasting energy and money. These incentive levels are unprecedented and the time to act is now as homeowners will respond quickly.

For more information or to schedule an in-home energy audit and consultation,please contact ASI Hastings Heating & Air Conditioning your local quailed BPI* contractor at 1- 800-481-COOL (2665); or visit us online at www.asiheatingandair.com. www.greenhomesamerica.com

Qualifying Energy Upgrades: High Efficiency Heating & Cooling Equipment / Attic & Wall Insulation, Duct Replacement & Air Sealing / Solar Hot Water Solutions/ Windows & Doors

* Program rules stipulate you must use a Building Performance Institute (BPI) certified or accredited contractor and receive a comprehensive home energy audit to guarantee the qualifying rebate amount you will receive when approved upgrades are made. Please note Federal Tax Incentive expires 12/31/2010. Other incentives available while funds last. Contractor will assist with questions regarding all incentive paperwork.

A National Fire Protection Agency report indicates that heating fire safety is a major concern.

http://www.asiheatingandair.com/
If you're like me, fire safety is always a top priority. Recently I received a 2005 report from the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) that I found extremely alarming; after reviewing the information I felt the need to share it with you.
According to the study, there were 62,200 reported home structure fires that involved heating equipment. That's the equivalent of every home in El Cajon, Alpine, La Mesa and Lakeside having a heating related fire in the same year. That unacceptable!
What troubles me most is these fires could have been avoided with common sense and some preventive maintenance. Following the some simple guidelines can help you avoid a heating related fire this winter:
If you use your fireplace as a primary source of heat have your chimney inspected and cleaned as needed.
If you are using a portable heating device: Only operate it when somebody is in the room, be sure that it is located away from draperies and other combustibles materials. If it is electric, be sure the electrical cord is in good shape and don't use extension cords. If it is fuel-burning only used approved fuels in a well ventilated area.

If you have a wall heater or central heating system:
• Have a heating tune-up and safety inspection to verify that they are operating safely and running at maximum efficiency.
• Furnaces are typically located in closets, attics and other discrete areas. If there's a problem you may not know about it right way.

A couple of items worth noting, Older furnaces don't have the necessary safety devices to offer protection in the event of a malfunction. Safety devices on newer furnaces need to be inspected and checked for proper operation. A filter change is only a very small part of a proper tune-up and safety inspection.

Don’t become a statistic…Be safe, have a licensed contractor inspect your heating system EVERY year.

Keeping Your AC & Heating System Clean Saves You Money

www.asiheatingandair.com

The most important part of keeping your furnace and air conditioner properly maintained is keeping it clean. Dust, dirt, and other debris are your heating and cooling system’s worst enemies.

It is equally important to keep both you indoor and outdoor unit clean. Either of these units being dirty will cost you money and wastes energy. A dirty A/C or heater leads to excessively high utility bills, repair bills and premature equipment failure.

To avoid these inconvenient and costly breakdowns, we recommend that your heating and cooling system be checked and serviced twice a year; ideally spring and fall or summer and winter. We also recommend changing your air filter regularly, depending on the type of filter you have. This alone can eliminate many of the most common problems and reduce the likelihood of a serious breakdown

Furnace Filters - What are Merv Ratings

Furnace Filters - MERV

What does MERV rating stand for? Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value.

MERV ratings are a method of determining the efficiency of an air filter used with heating and air conditioning equipment. The efficiency is determined by adding particles of varying sizes (1-12) into a controlled testing environment. The particles are added upstream of the test filter and a laser particle counter samples the air before it enters the filter and after it leaves the filter. The two particle counts are compared to calculate the Particle Size Efficiency of the tested filter. Once this is determined, a MERV Parameters chart is used to determine the MERV rating.

MERV ratings range from 1 - 16 and measurements are in microns. Some of the common particles related to MERV ratings are household dust, pet dander, viruses, tobacco smoke, mold spores, bacteria and pollen.

The most common filters found in homes today have a MERV rating of 1 to 4. Typically these are disposable fiberglass filters purchased from a big box store and do not do a good job of air filtration because they don’t stop particles smaller than 10 microns. Improper air filtration can lead to air conditioner and/or furnace problems as well as poor indoor air quality.

Merv 5 to 8 rated filters are a better choice. These filters will not only keep your equipment running clean and efficient when properly maintained, they also do a better job of filtering smaller dust particles (as small as 3 microns) that trigger symptoms with allergy sufferers. Filter replacement it is recommended a minimum of one time per season depending on usage.

If your air filter becomes clogged up with dirt and other indoor pollutants they will decrease the efficiency of your heating and air conditioning system leading to wasted energy and may cause damage or premature breakdown to your heating and air conditioning equipment.

Filters with a MERV rating of 9 to 12 are considered high-efficiency filters and capture particulate in the 1 to 3 micron range. These filters are a great choice for home owners who want the best air filtration at an affordable price. Much like the higher rated MERV 5-8 filters, these filters should also be replaced at regular intervals to avoid wasted energy, premature repairs or breakdown to your heating and air conditioning equipment.

The most efficient filters have MERV ratings of 13 to 16 (HEPA air filter) and will stop particles as small as .3 microns. These filters are hospital grade and have been adapted for use in residential applications. Super high efficiency air filters should be installed by a professional heating and air conditioning contractor. Improper installations could lead to severe damage to your furnace or air conditioner.

The most common benefits of using a high-efficiency air filter are:
1. Energy savings because of cleaner furnaces and cooling coils.
2. Allergy and asthma relief (in many cases) because of reduced airborne particulates and allergens.
3. Longer heating and air conditioning equipment life.
4. Cleaner homes leading to less need for repainting and furniture cleaning.

ASI Hastings offers a complete line of high-efficiency air filters, UV air purification, humidifiers and other indoor air quality products. Call 1-800-481-COOL (2665) or visit us at asiheatingandair.com for a free in home consultation. For your convenience, ASI Hastings offers evening and weekend service at no extra charge.