Angieslist Super Service Award

Kilowatt Heating, Air Conditioning & Electrical of Sherman Oaks, California has earned the service industry’s coveted Angie’s List Super Service Award, reflecting an exemplary year of service provided to members of the consumer review service in 2013.

"We work hard to provide the best possible service, safety and savings to our customers," says a very grateful Dean Gilford, the president of Kilowatt. "Angieslist is purely customer feedback. It feels good to know that our efforts are appreciated so much by our customers that we are being recognized with this award." 

Kilowatt has more than 55 reviews on Angieslist and it seems that customers are very appreciative of the efforts made by Mr. Gilford and his team of background checked, drug tested, and professionally trained employees. 

John S. who had a new HVAC system designed and installed by Kilowatt says, “The entire experience with Kilowatt was extremely positive. Their level of professionalism and expertise is outstanding. From the spec’ing of the system to the commissioning, to the friendly and knowledgeable office/business communications, they provided the utmost in skill and efficiency. The team’s coordination in the whole process was flawless. Their project management, client interface, execution, and follow through serve as a model for all construction industry professionals. This is a well-synchronized firm with superb products, service, and client communication. We recommend them highly!”

“Only about 5 percent of the companies Kilowatt competes with in Los Angeles, California are able to earn our Super Service Award,” said Angie’s List Founder Angie Hicks. “It’s a mark of consistently great customer service.”

2013 Award Requirements

Angie’s List Super Service Award 2013 winners have met strict eligibility requirements, which include an “A” rating in overall grade, recent grade, and review period grade; the company must be in good standing with Angie’s List, have a fully complete profile, pass a background check and abide by Angie’s List operational guidelines.

Service company ratings are updated daily on Angie’s List. Companies are graded on an A through F scale in areas ranging from price to professionalism to punctuality. Members can find the 2013 Super Service Award logo next to company names in search results on AngiesList.com.

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Angie’s List helps consumers have happy transactions with local service professionals in more than 720 categories of service, ranging from home improvement to healthcare. More than 2 million paid households use Angie’s List to gain access to local ratings, exclusive discounts, the Angie’s List Magazine and the Angie’s List complaint resolution service.

Kilowatt Heating, Air Conditioning & Electrical

4925 Sepulveda Blvd.

Sherman Oaks, CA 91403

www.KilowattHVAC.com

Home Heating Expert’s Saving Secrets

When outdoor temperatures get too hot or too cold many property owners resign themselves to higher energy bills. But good property managers understand that a penny saved goes straight to the bottom-line, therefore is truly a penny earned.

My name is Dean Gilford, I am a heating and air conditioning contractor, and my customers pay some of the lowest utility bills in Southern California. That’s because I refuse to let their heating and air conditioning costs get out of hand when savings are so simple. I’m going to give you the exact same savings secrets that I give to my customers.

You know and I know that when we talk about energy costs we are talking about more than pennies. Hundreds, even thousands of dollars can be saved with a few simple fixes.  

TOP TIP:  Change Your Filter

A dirty filter in your HVAC (heating/ventilating/and air-conditioning) system makes your furnace work harder, and leads to big scary numbers on your heating bill. Aim to swap your filter out once a month. 

Yearly Tune-Ups

Just as a tune-up for your car can improve your gas mileage, a yearly tune-up of your heating and cooling system can improve efficiency and comfort. Properly calibrated and lubricated equipment will save you money consistently on your energy bills and extend the life of your system.

Install a Programmable Thermostat
This is one of the most cost effective upgrades you can make to your HVAC system. I know you intend to turn your heat down when you are sleeping or not home. But you forget, right? Why not have your thermostat do it for you? Programmable thermostats turn off the HVAC systems at predetermined times when they are not needed. This way, the home is only conditioned when it needs to be and the energy consumption of the home is reduced. Programmable thermostats can reduce the amount spent on heating and cooling by 5 percent to 12 percent.

Insulate
You can save up to 20 percent on heating and cooling costs by properly insulating your home. There are different types of loose-fill insulation, which are blown or poured into place using special equipment.  Cellulose, fiberglass, foam or even recycled denim can be used for insulating enclosed walls, new wall cavities, unfinished attic floors and other hard-to-reach areas.

Block that Leak!

The small gaps surrounding windows, doors and other areas in the average home, taken together, are like a 9-square-foot hole in the wall. Plugging them can save you up to 10% on your heating bill.

·       First, find the leaks: On a windy day, hold a lit incense stick to the most common drafty areas: chimney flashing, recessed lighting, sill plates, window and door frames, all ducts and flues and electrical outlets.

·       Buy door sweeps to close spaces under exterior doors, and caulk or tacky rope caulk to block those drafty spots around window frames. Apply weather-stripping to movable joints. Recessed lighting caps and outlet gaskets can be installed where cold air often enters.

Properly Seal Ducts

Nothing depresses me like improperly installed duct. I’ve seen homes lose up to 60% of their warmed air before it reaches the vents because of poorly connected ducts, or ducting that is not well insulated.

Seal and insulate ducts to improve the efficiency of your heating and cooling system.

Focus first on sealing ducts that run through the attic, crawlspace, unheated basement, or garage. Use duct sealant (mastic) or metal-backed (foil) tape to seal the seams and connections of ducts. After sealing the ducts in those spaces, wrap them in insulation to keep them from getting hot in the summer or cold in the winter. Next, look to seal any other ducts that you can access in the heated or cooled part of the house. 

Know When To Replace

Furnaces need the most costly and frequent repairs in the last two years of their life. If you can circumvent those repairs and move seamlessly into a new energy efficient furnace, your new furnace can pay for itself. Maria Vargas is a spokeswoman for Energy Star, a federal-government-backed program that promotes energy efficiency and lends its name to energy-saving products. "If your furnace is over 20 years old, you're probably paying more to use it that it would cost to replace," says Maria Vargas, “Furnaces bearing the Energy Star label are about 15% more efficient than a standard conventional model”

Energy Star Rebates, Tax Credits and Utility Incentives

There are great tax incentives, rebates and utility discounts available for the different types of Energy Star HVAC equipment. Your contractor should be able to explain what is available for the equipment you decide to purchase and help you with the paperwork.

Since 1989, Dean Gilford and his company Kilowatt have provided A+ Rated guaranteed heating, air conditioning and electrical services for Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley. www.KilowattHVAC.com

Home Maintenance Checklist

On a monthly basis:

• Clean or replace the HVAC filters [typically located at your fresh air return]. If you have an energy recovery system (air exchange system), remember that these filters also need to be cleaned or replaced.
• Inspect, clean or replace kitchen vent hood filters (non-charcoal filters).
• Flush all toilets and run water through all sinks, especially in bathrooms that are not used on a regular basis.

It's easy to find filters for your HVAC system. This is the selection at Target.

On a quarterly basis:

• Check the exterior drainage conditions to ensure that nothing is causing water to stand in puddles for more than 24 hours and that water from any source is not draining toward your foundation.
• Check your GFCIs (ground fault circuit interrupters) for proper operations by tripping the circuit interrupter buttons and then resetting them. If they will not trip and reset, contact your Customer Care Department for service or information on what to do.
• Inspect, lubricate and clean all of your exterior vents. Make sure that air flows freely and that each has an operable damper to prevent back flow of outside air and to keep small animals from entering your home.
• Lubricate all overhead garage door hinges with white lithium spray.
• Inspect and clean all weep holes for water drainage (windows).

On a seasonal basis:

• Every six months, inspect and service your heating and air conditioning system.
• Twice a year, you should inspect and repair the following caulked areas, as necessary.
• Kitchen and bath wet areas. Ensure that the caulked areas are not cracked and separating. If they are you will need to re-seal those areas.
• Bathroom/commode areas. Check the sealant where the stool meets the floor to insure the sealant is intact.
• Window and door seals.
• Around all penetrations (hose, faucets, duct work from vents, fireplace and chimney vents).
• Vinyl, aluminum or wood siding.
• Stucco or mortar cracks.
• Interior settling or shrinkage sheetrock cracks.
• If you have a basement and it has a sump pump, check to make sure it is operating properly, clean the pump screen and remove any soil buildup from the well.
• Clean and repair gutters. Make sure gutters are free of material that could prevent free flow of water. Make sure you have splash deflectors at the base of the downspout to deflect water away from the home.
• Inspect and adjust sprinkler systems. Set your timers for the proper season to ensure enough, but not too much water per station.

On an annual basis:

• Drain and refill your hot water heater(s). This may be necessary on a more frequent basis if you live in an area with extremely hard water.
• Inspect and test your hot water heater safety valve (T&P Valve typically located on the top or near the top part of the water heater).
• Inspect your garage door(s), rails and lock system; adjust and lubricate, as necessary. Consider changing your garage door opener code as a security precaution.
• Service your lawn mower and yard equipment (blowers, edgers and trimmers).
• Clean your faucet aerators and inspect your plumbing for leaks (includes all p-traps [waste line at sinks] and angle stops [shut-offs at commodes and sinks]).
• Clean and sharpen your garbage disposal by running a tray of ice cubes and depositing a cleaning (foaming) product into the disposal.
• Inspect or have tested your home fire extinguishers.
• Replace smoke alarm batteries.