16 Ways To Turn Your Business Green
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Posted April 20, 2008 | 10:00 AM (EST)
Read More: Energy Savings, Going Green, Solar Panels, Breaking Living News
Whether you have a large factory with hundreds of employees, or a two-person office, there are many ways to save money, energy and resources by implementing these simple practices.
1. Buy and use post-consumer recycled paper for all of your printing needs. Print double-sided for all documents that must be printed. Set your printer to automatically print double-sided. Revise internal and external communications to reduce the unnecessary use of paper. For example, go paperless by using e-mail messages, and review mailing lists. Any reduction in paper and printing will save on operating costs.
2. Recycle or refill printer ink cartridges. Many stores like Office Max or Staples will recycle your cartridges for you, some will refill them.
3. Whenever you purchase new office equipment, be sure it is Energy Star rated to save you money and to save electricity. Printers, scanners, fax machines, and telephones all have an Energy Star rating, choose the one that will meet your needs and save money.
4. Once you have purchased your new equipment, dispose of your old machines responsibly. Take them to an E-Waste facility because most older office equipment is filled with heavy metals.
5. Be sure to plug all office equipment into power strips that can be turned off at night. Most computers and office machines draw power even when they are turned off. This is called a "phantom load" of electricity. The costs will sneak up on you!
6. Set computers to automatically sleep or turn off whenever they are not in use. Use motion sensors to turn the lights off in offices and restrooms when they are not occupied. Use programmable thermostats to automatically turn down the heat and air conditioning in your office at night or whenever the office is not occupied.
7. Whatever the size of your building or factory, have an energy audit done to see where you could save energy. You may need more insulation or your HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) system could be out of date. Provide fresh air to all employees. Be sure large warehouses and factories exhaust fumes to comply with health standards.
8. Get a lighting audit and change your old fluorescent tubes (usually T-12s) to new tubes, T-8s with energy efficient ballasts. Change all other light fixtures to CFLs (compact fluorescent light bulbs) or LEDs (light emitting diodes). Provide as much daylight for your employees as you can. Daylit spaces increase productivity, worker retention and health in addition to reducing energy bills.
9. Create a recycling program for your business. In the office, create bins to collect scrap paper for reuse. Recycle aluminum cans, glass, cardboard, office paper and newsprint or whatever your municipality will take. Get a water cooler and provide ceramic or metal mugs for your employees so they do not have to use plastic water bottles or disposable cups. Educate your employees about recycling and why it is important. Make sure the recycling system is fun and user-friendly!
10. In the factory or warehouse, work with your city or county to recycle big items such as steel, packing crates, commercial cardboard, glass, sheetrock or construction waste. Recycling is a lucrative business, and you can save money by selling your waste products rather than paying for them to be sent to the landfill.
11. Use non-toxic cleaning materials throughout your business, not just for the janitorial jobs, but for cleaning machines and industrial processes as well.
12. Encourage the use of alternative transportation for your employees. Buy bus or train passes for your employees so they can use public transportation to get to work. If public transportation does not reach your business, create a ride-share board so employees can carpool rather than driving alone. Flextime and Telecommuting is a great way to save energy and keep your employees happy.
13. Create a bike lock and storage facility so employees can bike to work. Provide them with a locker room and shower so the whole process is appealing and easy.
14. Evaluate the outside of your building; the lighting, parking lot and landscaping. Outdoor lighting can be on a motion sensor for safety; the parking lot can have solar lights, and be landscaped with drought resistant plants (this method is called xeriscaping). In addition, rainwater can be collected and used for watering plants. If you have a flat roof, look into getting a grant for solar panels. You can lease them, rather than do the whole installation yourself.
15. If you run a fleet of vehicles, delivery trucks, vans or company cars, purchase hybrids or use biodiesel in your vehicles. In addition, there are many ways your business can save money by doing an energy audit of the amount of fuel you use and the number of trips your vehicles make.
16. Education is key; you need a "buy-in" from your employees to get them to participate in your green programs. Make the education process fun by creating a "green team" from many different departments who will think of ways to increase participation. Work with your suppliers to educate them about your new green programs and see if they can minimize their waste or use less toxic products in your supply line.
Greening your business isn't just good for the earth, it is really good for your bottom line. After you meet with success in several areas like recycling and energy savings, publicize this to your customers. Talk about your savings as you make sales calls. Write about your new green agenda in your annual report and all promotional materials. Get local TV, radio and newspaper media involved in publicizing your efforts. Customers want to buy an environmentally friendly product, and they want to support businesses that are trying to make a difference in this world.
Start a corporate program that gives back to the community. Support local environmental organizations on their clean up days, or send volunteers to Habitat for Humanity as they finish building a house for a family in need.
Build team spirit between departments by competing for the most volunteer hours, the greenest department or the most successful recycling program.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Sunday, April 20, 2008
How to Improve the Heating of Your Home
Heating a home can be an expensive proposition. Fortunately, several techniques are available to assist us in lowering our energy costs while improving our heating efficiency. The most obvious things to consider include insulation, landscaping, window upgrades, careful selection of appliances, and a properly sized and working heating system.
For safety reasons, any modifications or tune ups to your heating system should be done by a heating system professional. However, other modifications can easily and safely be done by homeowners including cleaning registers, replacing filters, insulating ducts and pipes, and installing programmable thermometers.
Cleaning registers and baseboards
Dirt, dust, grime, and bugs can all restrict the registers from working properly. Therefore, it is important that you vacuum the registers thoroughly. Additionally, if you have baseboard heaters, vacuum them completely as needed.
Replacing filters
Replacing the filters should be done on a monthly basis during the heating season. Make sure that you purchase the correct size for your heating system. In fact, many heating systems offer the choice between a reusable filter that lasts about a year or a throw away filter that lasts for a one time use only. The reusable filters require a thorough vacuuming or washing each month.
A dirty filter impedes the efficiency of your heating system by restricting air flow. In turn, it causes the fan to work harder and the furnace to work longer. This leads to a higher use of energy and therefore, a higher cost for energy. Maintaining clean filters in your heating system will provide a more efficient service.
Insulating ducts and pipes
Insulating pipes and ducts is actually a simple task, one that can save on heating costs. It is important to purchase and use the proper insulating material for the job to ensure both the safety of the home and the benefit of the insulation. Purchase high temperature grade insulation for steam pipes. A fiberglass wrap is effective for this task. Hot water and hydronic systems can typically use foam insulation as long as it is rated for at least 220 degrees.
Additionally, check for leaks in the ducts. Seal off any leaks using caulking, mastic, or duct tape properly prior to insulating the ducts. This step will improve the efficiency of your heating system in direct relation to the number of leaks that you have corrected.
Installing programmable thermometers
If you already practice a little conservation by turning down your thermostat at night, then you can benefit by the installation of a programmable thermostat. A programmable thermostat can automatically lower the temperature setting for the heating system while you sleep or during the day if no one is home. Moreover, it can automatically raise the temperature setting for the heating system right before you arise from your nightly slumber. This is one of the most cost effective strategies that a homeowner can employ to save on home heating energy costs.
Radiators
If your heating system includes radiators, then you can benefit from a little reflection. Specifically, place a foil reflector behind the radiator to reflect heat into the room. Foil faced insulation that is rigid, radiant barrier material, or homemade aluminum foil cardboard sheets will provide the necessary surface to reflect the heat.
It is also necessary to release or bleed out any air that is trapped in your radiator. Simply purchase a radiator key if you do not already have one. Hold a pan, cup, or other container underneath the valve while you open it slowly to release the air. Once only water issues from the valve, close it. Trapped air is often at the root of clanging noises issuing from radiators.
Take care of your heating system properly and it will take care of you. A few simple preventative steps can produce an energy efficient heating system and a warm and toasty home.
Heating a home can be an expensive proposition. Fortunately, several techniques are available to assist us in lowering our energy costs while improving our heating efficiency. The most obvious things to consider include insulation, landscaping, window upgrades, careful selection of appliances, and a properly sized and working heating system.
For safety reasons, any modifications or tune ups to your heating system should be done by a heating system professional. However, other modifications can easily and safely be done by homeowners including cleaning registers, replacing filters, insulating ducts and pipes, and installing programmable thermometers.
Cleaning registers and baseboards
Dirt, dust, grime, and bugs can all restrict the registers from working properly. Therefore, it is important that you vacuum the registers thoroughly. Additionally, if you have baseboard heaters, vacuum them completely as needed.
Replacing filters
Replacing the filters should be done on a monthly basis during the heating season. Make sure that you purchase the correct size for your heating system. In fact, many heating systems offer the choice between a reusable filter that lasts about a year or a throw away filter that lasts for a one time use only. The reusable filters require a thorough vacuuming or washing each month.
A dirty filter impedes the efficiency of your heating system by restricting air flow. In turn, it causes the fan to work harder and the furnace to work longer. This leads to a higher use of energy and therefore, a higher cost for energy. Maintaining clean filters in your heating system will provide a more efficient service.
Insulating ducts and pipes
Insulating pipes and ducts is actually a simple task, one that can save on heating costs. It is important to purchase and use the proper insulating material for the job to ensure both the safety of the home and the benefit of the insulation. Purchase high temperature grade insulation for steam pipes. A fiberglass wrap is effective for this task. Hot water and hydronic systems can typically use foam insulation as long as it is rated for at least 220 degrees.
Additionally, check for leaks in the ducts. Seal off any leaks using caulking, mastic, or duct tape properly prior to insulating the ducts. This step will improve the efficiency of your heating system in direct relation to the number of leaks that you have corrected.
Installing programmable thermometers
If you already practice a little conservation by turning down your thermostat at night, then you can benefit by the installation of a programmable thermostat. A programmable thermostat can automatically lower the temperature setting for the heating system while you sleep or during the day if no one is home. Moreover, it can automatically raise the temperature setting for the heating system right before you arise from your nightly slumber. This is one of the most cost effective strategies that a homeowner can employ to save on home heating energy costs.
Radiators
If your heating system includes radiators, then you can benefit from a little reflection. Specifically, place a foil reflector behind the radiator to reflect heat into the room. Foil faced insulation that is rigid, radiant barrier material, or homemade aluminum foil cardboard sheets will provide the necessary surface to reflect the heat.
It is also necessary to release or bleed out any air that is trapped in your radiator. Simply purchase a radiator key if you do not already have one. Hold a pan, cup, or other container underneath the valve while you open it slowly to release the air. Once only water issues from the valve, close it. Trapped air is often at the root of clanging noises issuing from radiators.
Take care of your heating system properly and it will take care of you. A few simple preventative steps can produce an energy efficient heating system and a warm and toasty home.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
How to stay cool and not break the bank
5 ways to save energy and still be comfortable
So you want to save energy and do your part for the environment, but you don't want to swelter and sweat through the summer because your home is uncomfortably warm?
There's no need to sacrifice comfort for your environmental conscience. Going green doesn't have to mean going overboard.
In fact, it's possible to trim your energy use by making a few changes your family probably won't even notice.
advertisement
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First, the small stuff. Saving energy here and there will add up. Start with three simple changes:
1. Turn on your ceiling fan. The fan won't cool the room, but it will move the air so you feel cooler. That means you can inch the thermostat up by 3 to 4 degrees without noticing a difference. For every degree you turn up your thermostat during air-conditioning season, you'll save about 2 percent on cooling costs.
2. Replace traditional incandescent lightbulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs. Standard bulbs use 90 percent of their energy making heat rather than light, so they can make your room feel warmer and force the air-conditioner to work harder. CFLs, on the other hand, keep their cool. Plus, they use 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs and last 10 times longer.
3. Change your air-conditioning filter every month. Even if the manufacturer recommends changing it every two or three months, do it every time you pay your electric bill. Arizona is a dusty place, and all that dust and dirt can cover your filter in no time. The dirtier your filter is, the less efficient your air-conditioner will be - and the higher your energy bill will be.
Now, the big stuff. These two changes can save you a bundle.
1. Invest in an energy-management computer. These gadgets cost around $3,500, but they'll save you a minimum of 30 percent on your air-conditioning bill every month - even if you keep your house downright cold.
The one in my house is from Advanced Home Systems in Phoenix. It "knows" when your electric utility's rates - which fluctuate several times every day so you actually pay less at times the fewest people are running their air-conditioners and taking hot showers - are lowest. To save on air-conditioning costs, for instance, it will automatically lower your thermostat overnight as low as you'll allow so your house will cool off while rates are at their lowest. Your home will retain enough of that cold air to keep it comfortable the next afternoon, when the computer will raise the temperature slightly so you don't use as much electricity when rates are at their highest.
2. When it's time to replace your water heater, go solar. By the time you cash in your rebates and tax credits for the new appliance and add in what you save on energy, it will quickly pay you back for spending a little more than for a traditional gas or electric model. It could generate as much as 80 percent of the energy to supply your family with hot water.
Buy one with a backup. Then you can revert to your traditional power source during a stretch of cloudy days so you'll never be without hot water.
So you want to save energy and do your part for the environment, but you don't want to swelter and sweat through the summer because your home is uncomfortably warm?
There's no need to sacrifice comfort for your environmental conscience. Going green doesn't have to mean going overboard.
In fact, it's possible to trim your energy use by making a few changes your family probably won't even notice.
advertisement
Loading...... AdDynamix
First, the small stuff. Saving energy here and there will add up. Start with three simple changes:
1. Turn on your ceiling fan. The fan won't cool the room, but it will move the air so you feel cooler. That means you can inch the thermostat up by 3 to 4 degrees without noticing a difference. For every degree you turn up your thermostat during air-conditioning season, you'll save about 2 percent on cooling costs.
2. Replace traditional incandescent lightbulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs. Standard bulbs use 90 percent of their energy making heat rather than light, so they can make your room feel warmer and force the air-conditioner to work harder. CFLs, on the other hand, keep their cool. Plus, they use 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs and last 10 times longer.
3. Change your air-conditioning filter every month. Even if the manufacturer recommends changing it every two or three months, do it every time you pay your electric bill. Arizona is a dusty place, and all that dust and dirt can cover your filter in no time. The dirtier your filter is, the less efficient your air-conditioner will be - and the higher your energy bill will be.
Now, the big stuff. These two changes can save you a bundle.
1. Invest in an energy-management computer. These gadgets cost around $3,500, but they'll save you a minimum of 30 percent on your air-conditioning bill every month - even if you keep your house downright cold.
The one in my house is from Advanced Home Systems in Phoenix. It "knows" when your electric utility's rates - which fluctuate several times every day so you actually pay less at times the fewest people are running their air-conditioners and taking hot showers - are lowest. To save on air-conditioning costs, for instance, it will automatically lower your thermostat overnight as low as you'll allow so your house will cool off while rates are at their lowest. Your home will retain enough of that cold air to keep it comfortable the next afternoon, when the computer will raise the temperature slightly so you don't use as much electricity when rates are at their highest.
2. When it's time to replace your water heater, go solar. By the time you cash in your rebates and tax credits for the new appliance and add in what you save on energy, it will quickly pay you back for spending a little more than for a traditional gas or electric model. It could generate as much as 80 percent of the energy to supply your family with hot water.
Buy one with a backup. Then you can revert to your traditional power source during a stretch of cloudy days so you'll never be without hot water.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
How to be Green and have it all
Blogging From the Luxury Summit: Luxury Brands and the Green Movement
The green movement in luxury and the new philanthropy go hand in hand and have the same basic charge, finding a way to do good and do well. Unfortunately it's not quite as easy as it sounds. After all, the luxury consumer wants to have it all they want the feeling of being green and knowing they are doing something to combat climate change but they aren't really willing to give anything up. For the companies at the American Express Publishing Luxury Summit this week, green seems to be something that they are all wrestling with, wanting to satisfy a public clamoring for green but also knowing the customer expects the same level of performance and service as they have always enjoyed. While other tiers of the green market seem to be about compromise and perhaps restraint, luxury consumers want green and fabulous in the same package.Five years ago, green still meant "fringe" or perhaps "crunchy" but now green is everyone and everyone wants to be green. As Drew Slaven, the general manager of marketing services, for Mercedes Benz noted during his talk on the greening of luxury, consumers want all the performance features that they expect with a luxury brand and green features. And yet they are savvy enough to know when they are being greenwashed and fed eco-friendly messages without real weight. In fact, as Tom Schick, Executive Vice President Corporate Affairs and Communications, American Express warned while speaking on corporate social responsibility, trumpeting your good works with fancy ad campaigns can actually get a company in trouble. The sustainability moves a company chooses have to be genuine. For example, for American Express helping corporate clients understand their carbon footprint was a natural extension of their moves in the travel market.
Knowing where and how a product is made is an important part of the luxury green movement. In some cases this can extend the feeling of luxury and people are willing to pay more for it such as leather goods that are made in Italy. People are starting to look behind the label as an assurance that a product is made under certain conditions. Fair trade, organic and sustainable are new value-added buzzwords but they can also be good for the businesses too. Barbara Banke told of the new efforts by Jackson Family wines including sustainable agriculture, using GPS and other techniques to conserve water, collecting water for use later, building wineries and facilities that are LEED certified and the use of beneficial insects and wildlife (owls for catching mice). These are all steps that benefit the company and the environment but are also a value-added factor for consumers who want to know that the delicious wine they are drinking is made by a company that cares for the earth that produces the grapes.
One of the terms that I keep hearing about Web 2.0 is transparency and this also applies to the green factor of a product. Companies find themselves in a bit of a conundrum. They know they need to be green to appeal to customers but this can take time. Everyone wants organic these days but it can take several years for a product to be certified organic. Also when it comes to eco-friendly practices the customer also may have to be willing to at least compromise. I have to give an award for honesty to Jeff Klein, the passionate hotelier of the JK Hotel group, which is behind the fabulous Sunset Tower in Los Angeles. He spoke frankly about the "greening" of hotels. He explained that it is very hard to run a hotel in a green manner. For example, take the use of air conditioning in a tropical climate like Costa Rica, you can't really ask guests to not use air conditioning and be uncomfortable but obviously powering the air conditioning is a huge energy drain. You can find different ways to get the energy used but it has to not inconvenience the customer. He also debunked the theory of leaving your towel on the rack (you know, those little cards you see in hotels explaining that if you leave the towel on the rack they won't wash it) saying that overall hotels are still just washing as many towels. He also mentioned that for a time he was turning the lights off in hotel rooms to save energy but that customers complained that they didn't want to check in to a dark room so now the hotel leaves the lights on. He makes a good point that in the service industry especially part of the onus of being green has to be on the client too. If the client isn't willing to participate and adjust then hotels can't really make those moves. Alan Fuerstman, the founder and CEO of Montage said that they are building LEED certified hotels but echoed Klein's words that the biggest challenge for the hotels is energy use. Finding ways to be sustainable but still provide luxury is a big challenge. One method is to cut back on packaging or use more sustainable products (recycled plastic and paper, etc.) but being conscious of energy use is key for hotels.
How green was the Luxury Summit itself? There wasn't really a much of a nod to the world of green here. Fresh white pads of paper awaited all participants at the tables along with small bottles of bottled Fiji water (one of the conference sponsors) everywhere. Also the amount of printed materials in general for the conference was fairly large. Also the Four Seasons is luxurious but not very green, unless of course we are referring to the color of the perfectly trimmed grass on the grounds of the resort.
There seems to be a fair amount of speculation about just how long the green trend will last. Already stories of "green fatigue" are starting to hit the news. I've talked to people who have questioned just how passing a fancy this is, citing the 1970s as an era of eco-awareness which was followed quickly by the materialistic 1980s. I've also talked to people who firmly believe that green is no longer a method or a movement but is in fact the new reality. In the end, the companies will follow the needs of the customers, as long as they say stay green, companies will do their best to try and comply.
The green movement in luxury and the new philanthropy go hand in hand and have the same basic charge, finding a way to do good and do well. Unfortunately it's not quite as easy as it sounds. After all, the luxury consumer wants to have it all they want the feeling of being green and knowing they are doing something to combat climate change but they aren't really willing to give anything up. For the companies at the American Express Publishing Luxury Summit this week, green seems to be something that they are all wrestling with, wanting to satisfy a public clamoring for green but also knowing the customer expects the same level of performance and service as they have always enjoyed. While other tiers of the green market seem to be about compromise and perhaps restraint, luxury consumers want green and fabulous in the same package.Five years ago, green still meant "fringe" or perhaps "crunchy" but now green is everyone and everyone wants to be green. As Drew Slaven, the general manager of marketing services, for Mercedes Benz noted during his talk on the greening of luxury, consumers want all the performance features that they expect with a luxury brand and green features. And yet they are savvy enough to know when they are being greenwashed and fed eco-friendly messages without real weight. In fact, as Tom Schick, Executive Vice President Corporate Affairs and Communications, American Express warned while speaking on corporate social responsibility, trumpeting your good works with fancy ad campaigns can actually get a company in trouble. The sustainability moves a company chooses have to be genuine. For example, for American Express helping corporate clients understand their carbon footprint was a natural extension of their moves in the travel market.
Knowing where and how a product is made is an important part of the luxury green movement. In some cases this can extend the feeling of luxury and people are willing to pay more for it such as leather goods that are made in Italy. People are starting to look behind the label as an assurance that a product is made under certain conditions. Fair trade, organic and sustainable are new value-added buzzwords but they can also be good for the businesses too. Barbara Banke told of the new efforts by Jackson Family wines including sustainable agriculture, using GPS and other techniques to conserve water, collecting water for use later, building wineries and facilities that are LEED certified and the use of beneficial insects and wildlife (owls for catching mice). These are all steps that benefit the company and the environment but are also a value-added factor for consumers who want to know that the delicious wine they are drinking is made by a company that cares for the earth that produces the grapes.
One of the terms that I keep hearing about Web 2.0 is transparency and this also applies to the green factor of a product. Companies find themselves in a bit of a conundrum. They know they need to be green to appeal to customers but this can take time. Everyone wants organic these days but it can take several years for a product to be certified organic. Also when it comes to eco-friendly practices the customer also may have to be willing to at least compromise. I have to give an award for honesty to Jeff Klein, the passionate hotelier of the JK Hotel group, which is behind the fabulous Sunset Tower in Los Angeles. He spoke frankly about the "greening" of hotels. He explained that it is very hard to run a hotel in a green manner. For example, take the use of air conditioning in a tropical climate like Costa Rica, you can't really ask guests to not use air conditioning and be uncomfortable but obviously powering the air conditioning is a huge energy drain. You can find different ways to get the energy used but it has to not inconvenience the customer. He also debunked the theory of leaving your towel on the rack (you know, those little cards you see in hotels explaining that if you leave the towel on the rack they won't wash it) saying that overall hotels are still just washing as many towels. He also mentioned that for a time he was turning the lights off in hotel rooms to save energy but that customers complained that they didn't want to check in to a dark room so now the hotel leaves the lights on. He makes a good point that in the service industry especially part of the onus of being green has to be on the client too. If the client isn't willing to participate and adjust then hotels can't really make those moves. Alan Fuerstman, the founder and CEO of Montage said that they are building LEED certified hotels but echoed Klein's words that the biggest challenge for the hotels is energy use. Finding ways to be sustainable but still provide luxury is a big challenge. One method is to cut back on packaging or use more sustainable products (recycled plastic and paper, etc.) but being conscious of energy use is key for hotels.
How green was the Luxury Summit itself? There wasn't really a much of a nod to the world of green here. Fresh white pads of paper awaited all participants at the tables along with small bottles of bottled Fiji water (one of the conference sponsors) everywhere. Also the amount of printed materials in general for the conference was fairly large. Also the Four Seasons is luxurious but not very green, unless of course we are referring to the color of the perfectly trimmed grass on the grounds of the resort.
There seems to be a fair amount of speculation about just how long the green trend will last. Already stories of "green fatigue" are starting to hit the news. I've talked to people who have questioned just how passing a fancy this is, citing the 1970s as an era of eco-awareness which was followed quickly by the materialistic 1980s. I've also talked to people who firmly believe that green is no longer a method or a movement but is in fact the new reality. In the end, the companies will follow the needs of the customers, as long as they say stay green, companies will do their best to try and comply.
Another Utility wants to control your temperature
PG&E pays customers $25 to use SmartAC switch
As summer approaches, Pacific Gas and Electric Co. is encouraging customers to enroll in SmartAC, a program that allows the utility to adjust participants' central air conditioning systems in times of local emergencies or periods of peak usage.
PG&E will pay customers $25 for each air conditioner they enroll in SmartAC, which is open to residential and small business customers.
Participants can choose between a switch, which is installed near or outside of the air conditioning unit, or a new thermostat. Both are provided for free and are controlled remotely by PG&E through radio signals. Through the switch, PG&E would radio an air conditioner to cycle half as much as it would normally. Or it would direct the thermostat to raise the temperature by no more than 4 degrees, Sundays and holidays excepted.
Customers who have the thermostat also can control their heaters and air conditioners remotely through the site www.pge-smartac.com, where customers also can enroll. By enrolling, customers promise to remain in the program for 12 months.
Except during Stage III emergencies, participants can opt out of SmartAC temporarily by calling PG&E.
Stockton residents have been using Smart AC since February 2007. PG&E began signing up customers in the East Bay about nine months ago and has enrolled 11,000 residents so far, a spokesman said. The utility hopes to enroll 400,000 customers by the summer of 2011.
As summer approaches, Pacific Gas and Electric Co. is encouraging customers to enroll in SmartAC, a program that allows the utility to adjust participants' central air conditioning systems in times of local emergencies or periods of peak usage.
PG&E will pay customers $25 for each air conditioner they enroll in SmartAC, which is open to residential and small business customers.
Participants can choose between a switch, which is installed near or outside of the air conditioning unit, or a new thermostat. Both are provided for free and are controlled remotely by PG&E through radio signals. Through the switch, PG&E would radio an air conditioner to cycle half as much as it would normally. Or it would direct the thermostat to raise the temperature by no more than 4 degrees, Sundays and holidays excepted.
Customers who have the thermostat also can control their heaters and air conditioners remotely through the site www.pge-smartac.com, where customers also can enroll. By enrolling, customers promise to remain in the program for 12 months.
Except during Stage III emergencies, participants can opt out of SmartAC temporarily by calling PG&E.
Stockton residents have been using Smart AC since February 2007. PG&E began signing up customers in the East Bay about nine months ago and has enrolled 11,000 residents so far, a spokesman said. The utility hopes to enroll 400,000 customers by the summer of 2011.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Free Homeowners Protection Guide for Air Conditioning Repair
10 things I need to know when hiring a contractor
1. Are there employees drug tested and background checked:
Hiring statistics compiled by service companies who do drug test and background check tell us that on average those contactors have to interview 13 applicants to get one new hire, where do you think those other 12 guys are working. The top three trades being taught in our prison system are Electrical, HVAC and plumbing.
2. Are they a licensed contractor in your state/county:
Many contractors operate without a license, that means no insurance and no recourse for you if you are dissatisfied. In the event you should have a problem with a contractor your states board for licensing contractors is the first organization you should contact they will immediately take action to resolve the issue and if the contractor in question is licensed they will respond if they want to keep their license in tact.
3. What type of pricing do they have, i.e. time/material, flat rate, other:
Many companies are vague about their pricing or they charge by the hour giving them every incentive to take their time. GET THE PRICE BEFORE APPROVING ANY WORK. If a service provider is unwilling to price his work before proceeding then he is not confident in his ability and you should not be either. , contact another company immediately.
4.Are there any on time guarantees.
Contrary to popular opinion you should be able to find a contractor who will at least give you a time window when they will show up and the good ones will guarantee there arrival time. This is the number one complaint of consumers about service providers and a good customer service oriented company will address the issue and use it to add value to their service.
5. What are there repair guarantees?
Most companies will guarantee their repairs for thirty days but quality companies, (and there should be one or two in your area), will guarantee repairs for the cooling or heating season and possibly one year. The really good companies have limited lifetime guarantees on repairs but whatever the guarantee if the service person at your home does not know what his companies policies are or appears to not want to discuss the subject and put it in writing BEWARE.
6.What kind of equipment do they usually work on, i.e. appliances, refrigeration, residential or commercial.
If your air conditioner is broken call an air conditioning company, if your plumbing is broken call a plumber, etc. companies who advertise too many varied kinds of services often do not do any of them very well. When you need a heart transplant you do not go to a foot doctor, use the same logic for your home services.
7.Do they sell equipment and what brands?
If a service contractor does not sell a certain brand of equipment, they will probably have to buy repair parts at retail prices meaning you will pay more. Companies who sell certain brands have factory training available to their technicians. Manufacturers support their retailers with technical support from the factory allowing any repair or warranty issues to be resolved with a quick phone call.
8.How long have they been in business?
While time in business by itself is not a guarantee of quality, longevity is an indicator of a certain level of competence and stability. If a company is new to the industry and they did not come from a personal referral you will definitely want to get second opinions and bids.
9.What areas do they serve?
If your home or business is, too far from the main area of focus for a contractor the chances of a decrease in responsiveness and likelihood of the cost going up on your job increase. Many companies will have several phone numbers listed in the yellow pages to make potential customers believe they are located in several different areas when in reality all the numbers are going to the same office.
10.Are they willing to assist you over the phone?
Quality contractors know that nuisance calls happen and that showing up at your house for ten minutes and charging you $150 is not providing true customer service. Anyone who is interested in what is best for you and your long-term relationship with him or her will be glad to spend five minutes on the phone with you to walk you through a problem. If you ask to speak to a service person and they try to talk you into a service call that is a red flag.
Five questions to ask before approving any repair
1. How long is this repair guaranteed, if the service person is not willing to guarantee the repair for at least 30 days you should not approve the repair, a good company will guarantee any repair for at least the season. Exceptional companies, and they are rare, will guarantee their repairs for a year. The cream of the crop have guarantees for certain repairs for the life of the equipment.
2. Can I have the old parts. If the service person hesitates at this request that is a big red flag, you should be able to see exactly what is being replaced. Quality auto mechanics have done this for years because several garages had been caught charging customers for parts that were never replaced and the same thing happens in the home repair service industry.
3. How did we determine the cost. The service person should have no trouble explaining how the price was determined, if they cannot you should consider shopping around.
Each company will have a system of either time and material or flat rate
pricing and they should be able to explain to you which system they use and
why your repair falls into a certain category
4. Are these parts universal or oem (original equipment manufacturer). This question is very important if your equipment is under warranty and it may affect the pricing. Universal parts cost less and save money for the service company by cutting down on inventory, in most of the cases they are of inferior quality so you should make sure the company will guarantee them for at least a year.
OEM parts will keep your warrantees in tact and assure that another part of
The system does not have to be altered to accept a universal part.
5. How long are the new parts guaranteed. This question has a lot to do with #1 because if a fan motor or compressor is guaranteed for a year then the entire repair should be guaranteed similarly. There are a wide range of guarantees in the service industry and if your technician is not eager to talk about his companies guarantees that should be a cause for concern.
1. Are there employees drug tested and background checked:
Hiring statistics compiled by service companies who do drug test and background check tell us that on average those contactors have to interview 13 applicants to get one new hire, where do you think those other 12 guys are working. The top three trades being taught in our prison system are Electrical, HVAC and plumbing.
2. Are they a licensed contractor in your state/county:
Many contractors operate without a license, that means no insurance and no recourse for you if you are dissatisfied. In the event you should have a problem with a contractor your states board for licensing contractors is the first organization you should contact they will immediately take action to resolve the issue and if the contractor in question is licensed they will respond if they want to keep their license in tact.
3. What type of pricing do they have, i.e. time/material, flat rate, other:
Many companies are vague about their pricing or they charge by the hour giving them every incentive to take their time. GET THE PRICE BEFORE APPROVING ANY WORK. If a service provider is unwilling to price his work before proceeding then he is not confident in his ability and you should not be either. , contact another company immediately.
4.Are there any on time guarantees.
Contrary to popular opinion you should be able to find a contractor who will at least give you a time window when they will show up and the good ones will guarantee there arrival time. This is the number one complaint of consumers about service providers and a good customer service oriented company will address the issue and use it to add value to their service.
5. What are there repair guarantees?
Most companies will guarantee their repairs for thirty days but quality companies, (and there should be one or two in your area), will guarantee repairs for the cooling or heating season and possibly one year. The really good companies have limited lifetime guarantees on repairs but whatever the guarantee if the service person at your home does not know what his companies policies are or appears to not want to discuss the subject and put it in writing BEWARE.
6.What kind of equipment do they usually work on, i.e. appliances, refrigeration, residential or commercial.
If your air conditioner is broken call an air conditioning company, if your plumbing is broken call a plumber, etc. companies who advertise too many varied kinds of services often do not do any of them very well. When you need a heart transplant you do not go to a foot doctor, use the same logic for your home services.
7.Do they sell equipment and what brands?
If a service contractor does not sell a certain brand of equipment, they will probably have to buy repair parts at retail prices meaning you will pay more. Companies who sell certain brands have factory training available to their technicians. Manufacturers support their retailers with technical support from the factory allowing any repair or warranty issues to be resolved with a quick phone call.
8.How long have they been in business?
While time in business by itself is not a guarantee of quality, longevity is an indicator of a certain level of competence and stability. If a company is new to the industry and they did not come from a personal referral you will definitely want to get second opinions and bids.
9.What areas do they serve?
If your home or business is, too far from the main area of focus for a contractor the chances of a decrease in responsiveness and likelihood of the cost going up on your job increase. Many companies will have several phone numbers listed in the yellow pages to make potential customers believe they are located in several different areas when in reality all the numbers are going to the same office.
10.Are they willing to assist you over the phone?
Quality contractors know that nuisance calls happen and that showing up at your house for ten minutes and charging you $150 is not providing true customer service. Anyone who is interested in what is best for you and your long-term relationship with him or her will be glad to spend five minutes on the phone with you to walk you through a problem. If you ask to speak to a service person and they try to talk you into a service call that is a red flag.
Five questions to ask before approving any repair
1. How long is this repair guaranteed, if the service person is not willing to guarantee the repair for at least 30 days you should not approve the repair, a good company will guarantee any repair for at least the season. Exceptional companies, and they are rare, will guarantee their repairs for a year. The cream of the crop have guarantees for certain repairs for the life of the equipment.
2. Can I have the old parts. If the service person hesitates at this request that is a big red flag, you should be able to see exactly what is being replaced. Quality auto mechanics have done this for years because several garages had been caught charging customers for parts that were never replaced and the same thing happens in the home repair service industry.
3. How did we determine the cost. The service person should have no trouble explaining how the price was determined, if they cannot you should consider shopping around.
Each company will have a system of either time and material or flat rate
pricing and they should be able to explain to you which system they use and
why your repair falls into a certain category
4. Are these parts universal or oem (original equipment manufacturer). This question is very important if your equipment is under warranty and it may affect the pricing. Universal parts cost less and save money for the service company by cutting down on inventory, in most of the cases they are of inferior quality so you should make sure the company will guarantee them for at least a year.
OEM parts will keep your warrantees in tact and assure that another part of
The system does not have to be altered to accept a universal part.
5. How long are the new parts guaranteed. This question has a lot to do with #1 because if a fan motor or compressor is guaranteed for a year then the entire repair should be guaranteed similarly. There are a wide range of guarantees in the service industry and if your technician is not eager to talk about his companies guarantees that should be a cause for concern.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Air Conditioning Repair my coil is frezzing up
Refrigeration Problems
Some refrigeration problems can be due to lack of airflow, either from dirty filters or
dirty coils, as noted above. If the evaporator coil is freezing up, these are easy
preliminary checks to be made. Another cause of low airflow can be a belt / pulley
problem, if your equipment has this sort of motor / fan drive, as the belt may be slipping
and reducing the fan air output. This is easily fixed by tightening the belt, but you should
check your manual, as overtightening may reduce the life of the bearings.
However, the most common cause of freezing is probably a low refrigerant charge, as the
pressure of the refrigerant in the system determines the temperature, and a lower pressure
corresponds to a lower temperature. Over the years you may expect that some refrigerant
is lost through joints and fittings, particularly with an older system. Also, most
equipment is designed to be used in hot weather. If the outside temperature is not high,
say below 65ºF, but your system is still needing cooling because of high internal heat
loads, you may find that you get freezing, and this is a result of the equipment
manufacturer’s decisions for design of the unit.
Some refrigeration problems can be due to lack of airflow, either from dirty filters or
dirty coils, as noted above. If the evaporator coil is freezing up, these are easy
preliminary checks to be made. Another cause of low airflow can be a belt / pulley
problem, if your equipment has this sort of motor / fan drive, as the belt may be slipping
and reducing the fan air output. This is easily fixed by tightening the belt, but you should
check your manual, as overtightening may reduce the life of the bearings.
However, the most common cause of freezing is probably a low refrigerant charge, as the
pressure of the refrigerant in the system determines the temperature, and a lower pressure
corresponds to a lower temperature. Over the years you may expect that some refrigerant
is lost through joints and fittings, particularly with an older system. Also, most
equipment is designed to be used in hot weather. If the outside temperature is not high,
say below 65ºF, but your system is still needing cooling because of high internal heat
loads, you may find that you get freezing, and this is a result of the equipment
manufacturer’s decisions for design of the unit.
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