New Year’s Resolutions

It’s that time a year again, the time when you make promises to yourself that you plan to uphold throughout the coming year. Unfortunately, if you’re like me, it’s also the kind of promise that gets broken, more often than not, within a few months’ time. I’m talking, of course, about New Year’s resolutions. We all consider a new year to be a new start and a chance for a new and improved outlook, lifestyle, you name it. This year, we can help you keep one of your new year’s resolutions! All you have to do is resolve to improve the comfort of your home for you and your family. We will take care of the rest!

The following are a few of our most popular services during the winter months:

·       Furnace Tune-Up and Repair

·       Heat Pump Tune-Up and Repair

·       Installation and Testing of Carbon Monoxide Detectors

·       Filtration System Installation and Tune-Up

·       Air Cleaner Installation and Tune-Up

·       Humidification System Installation and Tune-Up

·       Thermostat Installation and Replacement

If your home is too warm, too cold, or different rooms in your home are different temperatures we can fix it! Imagine every room in your house comfortable at the same time. A tune up, by itself, may or may not solve these issues, but it will definitely make your system more efficient and save you money on your utility bills. In fact, you will save more in utilities than you will spend with us. Save even more with a programmable thermostat.

Are you suffering from skin irritation or static electricity, or finding it difficult to breath during the winter months? Are you prone to respiratory infections? Your home could actually be the cause. A little known fact is that the quality of the air in our homes is generally much worse than the air outdoors. Installing a filtration system or an air cleaner could minimize the effects of indoor contaminants. Also, installing a whole house humidifier will help keep the relative humidity in your home at a comfortable level and protect your family from the effects of dry air.

Whatever your new year’s resolution is, Kilowatt is here to help you uphold it. Call us today at 818-780-0701 for more information. We’ll see that your year gets off to a great start!

What Homeowners Insurance Does NOT Cover

Contractors Cutting Corners Can Cost You Plenty

Drip . . . drip . . . drip . . .

            Diane walked into her kitchen one afternoon and stepped into a growing pool of water. It took her a moment to realize that the leak was coming from a recessed light in her ceiling.

            “I knew I had trouble,” she laughed later, “but I had no idea what kind of nightmare I was about to endure.”

            Diane checked her homeowners association’s Web site for a plumber. One of her neighbors had recommended a plumber on the Service Providers List, so she felt confident calling and setting up an appointment.

            The plumber who came to fix Diane’s leak was nice enough. During the course of the repair, he slipped and fell on the slick floor, but he quickly assured Diane that he was fine. She thanked him and said goodbye—the leak was fixed, the bill was paid, and she didn’t give it another thought.

            Months later, though, Diane received a subpoena. The plumber who had slipped on her kitchen floor was suing her for $200,000 for medical costs and “loss of profession.” Diane was horrified—she’d had no idea anything was wrong, and she felt like she was being taken advantage of. She called her lawyer for advice.

            Over the next two years, Diane fought the plumber in court. She couldn’t sleep at night, and her hair began to fall out. It ended up costing her $127,000 out-of-pocket.

            “I trusted my homeowners association,” Diane lamented.  “Wouldn’t you expect an HOA to recommend only properly licensed and insured service providers? I had no idea I was putting myself at risk by hiring someone they recommended, and I was shocked to find that California law was so stacked against homeowners.”

Why wasn’t I covered?

            Diane’s HOA had recommended a plumbing contractor who cut corners by not paying Workers Compensation insurance for his employees. This left Diane legally responsible for her plumber’s accident. But Diane’s insurance, like most homeowners insurance policies, did not cover the contractor she hired.  Homeowners insurance usually only covers domestic employees like maids and babysitters. Most homeowners do not realize that they are personally liable if an uninsured worker is injured on their property.

California law is very clear:

            It is the homeowner’s responsibility to verify that repairmen and contractors are properly licensed and insured. If a homeowner hires a worker who does not carry the appropriate liability and Workers Compensation insurance, the homeowner is liable if an accident happens.  

 

You don’t have to do the paperwork.

            Diane came to me a year later when she needed air conditioning repairs. She was more thorough than anyone I’d ever met.  Diane asked for copies of my licenses and insurance certificates. I was happy to provide them, but I let her know that there is an easier way to make sure a contractor is properly licensed and insured.

The Contractors State License Board makes it easy to check your service providers.

1. Go to CSLB.ca.gov

2. Search for service providers by business name, a worker’s name, or a license number.

3. Find out whether the contractor is properly licensed and insured, and whether they pay workman’s compensation for their employees.

One thing even licensed contractors lie about:

            The Contractors State License Board may show that a company is exempt from paying workers compensation insurance, but that’s only true if the owner of the company is its only employee. Even licensed contractors lie about this from time-to-time. I know many talented air conditioning contractors, but not one of them can lift an AC unit onto a rooftop alone. Every HVAC contractor should carry workers comp, but many of them do not.

Why don’t all contractors carry Workers Compensation coverage?

            Workers compensation coverage is expensive. A contractor who cuts costs by skipping it can offer a much lower price than a contractor who insures his employees properly. As people who have gone through Diane’s ordeal know, however, a very low bid can turn into a very expensive nightmare.

Homeowners associations can protect their members from irresponsible contractors.

Most of the time, accidents do not happen. But when they do, homeowners are ultimately responsible for what happens on their property. Fortunately, homeowners associations can easily protect their members from irresponsible contractors by checking the credentials of the service providers they recommend at CSLB.ca.gov.

Dean Gilford is a licensed and insured HVAC, Electrical & GeneralBuilding Contractor in Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley. He can be reached at dean@kilowatthvac.com.

FURNACE Inspection Saves Lives

Be SAFE! Carbon Monoxide is the #1 Cause of Poisoning in Los Angeles.

The firebox in your furnace continually expands and contracts from the heat. This can cause the metal to crack. Cracks in a furnace firebox can release dangerous levels of Carbon Monoxide into your home. In Los Angeles a furnace inspection is recommended at the beginning of cool weather to make sure that your furnace is functioning properly and your family is breathing clean healthy air.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is the number one cause of poisoning deaths in the United States. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, "there are approximately 2,100 unintentional deaths from carbon monoxide every year in the U.S. and the use of CO Alarms could potentially prevent many of these fatalities." In addition, more than 10,000 CO injuries occur annually from this colorless, odorless and tasteless poison.

Symptoms of carbon monoxide:
Initial symptoms are similar to the flu with no fever. Dizziness, fatigue/weakness, throbbing headache, nausea/vomiting, irregular breathing, sleepiness and confusion can all be possible symptoms.

Methods of protection:
Every year have the heating system, vents, chimney, and flue tested, inspected and cleaned by a qualified technician. Install a carbon monoxide alarm near the sleeping areas and on every level of the home. 

Time for Your Home FURNACE Inspection

Have you had your furnace inspection yet? While it may seem like it’s too early, now is the perfect time to have a furnace inspection in time for winter!

Let’s face it – cold weather is on its way, and having a furnace inspection is the only way you can be absolutely sure that your furnace will be able to carry you through the winter months comfortably! The best thing you can do for your furnace every year is to have it inspected early on – we’re talking late September early October. Why? Think about it – would you rather have an HVAC tech come out and spot any problems with your furnace now, or in the dead of winter when it breaks down and the streets are blocked with snow?

Not having a furnace tune up at the beginning of the heating season can cause a number of problems. Not only do you risk your furnace breaking down at the worst possible time, but you also potentially compromise your own personal safety by causing dangerously high levels of carbon monoxide to escape into your home.

A typical furnace tune up and inspection consists of the following:

• Safety test for carbon monoxide (CO)
• Check for hazardous debris in the chimney and flue
• Clean air filters and re-install
• Check operation of thermostat and safety controls
• Check gas pilot safety system and clean as required
• Clean motor and fan
• Check blower operation
• Check condition, tension and alignment of fan belt, and perform required adjustments
• Clean burners and set for proper combustion & ignition
• Check gas piping to furnace

What can you do in lieu of furnace inspection?

There are many things you can do on your own (in addition to having a furnace inspection) that will help keep your furnace in tip-top shape. Some of these things include:

Testing your CO detector – test your CO detector (by hitting the test button) to make sure it works. Replace the battery at this time as well. Don’t have a CO detector? Get one! They are extremely important, particularly during the winter when your furnace is constantly running.

Keeping your furnace clear – make sure there are no clothes, lint or furniture blocking airflow to your furnace. Also make sure there is nothing flammable stored near the furnace that could explode given the chance.

Changing your air filter – this one is extremely important! Clogged filters can significantly restrict airflow to your furnace and seriously hurt its performance. Disposable air filters are pretty cheap, so stock up before you turn your furnace on and change them once a month.

Financing for Furnace Replacement

If you, or someone you know, is purchasing a home or refinancing I have great news for you! You may be eligible for a special type of loan that rolls the cost of an energy efficient remodel into your mortgage. You pay for it solely with energy bill savings! I know it sounds too good to be true. But it is real and not a lot of people know about this great program called Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM). It is funded by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.

EEM will finance new Windows, new Heating and Air Conditioning equipment installed, a new Solar Panel Energy System, Insulation, Electricity Upgrades, new Water Tank, even new Appliances!

Up to $25,000 worth of home improvements are done during escrow, refinancing, or soon after.

But it gets better! Ask your Realtor to get you started with $250 toward an energy audit. Your Realtor is in a position to give you $250 free money to get an energy audit on the property through REAP, the Realtors Energy Audit Program.

If you are buying a home I urge you to look into this program. I hope you can make it work for you. If you know someone buying a home please feel free to pass along this email.

Best regards,
Dean Gilford

PS - This can also be used for small apartment buildings.

Los Angeles Indoor Air Quality

Did you know that in Los Angeles, up to 72 trillion microscopic irritants, or allergens, find their way into your home every day? The most common trespassers are dust, pollen, pet hair and dander, dust mites, mildew, lint, fungus, tobacco smoke, cooking grease and bacteria. Some particles like these are often as small as .3 microns – so small that 2 million of them could fit on the period at the end of this sentence. Besides the allergic effect they might cause, many of these particles are so small that the natural defenses in your nose and throat can’t filter them out, and they can get deep into your lungs.

Poor indoor air quality can affect the health of your family, as well as your comfort, which is why I am continually looking for solutions that can address common complaints, such as humidity problems, allergies, asthma, and dust. 

I like the AccuClean™ Whole-Home Air Filtration System by American Standard. It can remove up to 99.98 percent of airborne particles and allergens from the filtered air your family breathes – including dust, dander, pollen and bacteria. Pretty cool, huh? It also outperforms HEPA, and is up to 100 times more effective than a standard 1-inch filter. So you can spend less time worrying about your air, and more time relaxing and enjoying your home.

Increasing ventilation is another method for Los Angeles residents to improve indoor air quality. The AccuExchange™ Air Exchanger freshens your home's air by removing stale, indoor air and replacing it with an equal amount of fresh, outdoor air. It also recovers heat and moisture from the exchanged air, enhancing the efficiency of your heating and cooling system and keeping humid or dry air out.

Controlling your household humidity can also kill dust mites, one of the most common allergens. Having a humidifier or variable-speed fan technology as part of your HVAC system can help you take control of your humidity, and of your indoor air.

Gas Furnace Maintenance

You wouldn't expect your car to run well without regular maintenance. But what about your furnace?

It's a fact that all manufactures, utility companies, the EPA and most consumer protection groups recommend regular service of your heating and cooling system regardless of age. A precision tune-up will keep your furnace running at peak performance. If your equipment has not had maintenance performed on a regular basis, your HVAC system may be draining money right out of your pocket.

Changing or cleaning your filter regularly is imperative to maintaining healthy air quality in your home. You may be able to do this yourself, but regular visits by a professional are invaluable for extending the life of your equipment and preserving your product warranty.

Also, if there is a problem with your HVAC system it can become a serious health risk to you and your family. A proper maintenance can ensure that carbon monoxide is not leaking into your home.

For our customers the cost of annual maintenance has been shown to pay for itself in operating cost savings during the peak season alone. Properly done, certified maintenance technicians, perform detailed inspections of your home's heating and cooling equipment, ductwork, insulation, refrigerant piping, electrical wiring, thermostat, condensate piping, flue piping, slabs, filter, driers, registers, grills, drain pans and evaporator coil.

Replacing Your Gas Furnace

Time to replace an old furnace? There are plenty of things to consider. You want to pick the best gas furnace for your needs and not overspend.

When comparing gas furnaces you’ll need to get an idea of their overall efficiency and estimated annual fuel costs in order to determine which furnace is right for your home.

Find out the Annual Energy Consumption of the gas furnace. This is, according to the Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association the way to get an estimate for the annual heating requirements. Another consideration is how much it costs to have a gas furnace with a standing pilot light. It’s estimated these costs can range up to 12% of the total fuel costs.  Today a high efficiency gas furnace with a two stage closed combustion chamber can cut those costs more than in half.

Two and three stage gas furnaces use variable speed blowers which help to maintain a more constant temperature. They bring the air up to temperature before they start blowing it into the house making the initial cold blasts of air from your old unit a thing of the past.

Remember you are hiring someone to work with some of the most dangerous elements working in your home; fire, gas, electricity, ventilation for carbon monoxide Don't cut corners and hire an uninsured handyman for this kind of job. You will want to hire a licensed contractor, who is properly certified and insured.

Some or all of the ducting may need to be replaced. This is often necessary for the energy efficiency of the unit to be realized.

Don’t forget to ask about warranty coverage, which can vary between gas furnace manufacturers. The best way to assure you make the right choice is to make an informed choice.

 And one last tip: Don’t wait until the middle of winter. It’s best to be able to take your time and compare gas furnaces and not have to make your choice when it’s an emergency.