Posted by Brian Sofich on Tue, Aug 31, 2010 @ 05:20 PM
Portland heating and air conditioning systems use more than half of your utility bill, according to Portland General Electric. Lennox’s new SunSource condensing units, available for Oregon customers in heat pump and air conditioning models, give you the option to add solar panels with no additional equipment and very little effort. The solar panels generate energy and using built-in micro converters, send AC current directly to the condensing unit. The heat pump or air conditioner will use the power generated by the solar panels to heat or cool your home when it’s running. When it’s not running, the power is fed back into your home and is used to power lights, electronics, the water heater and more. Turn off or unplug everything in your home when you’re on vacation and the system will sell the power it generates back to the utility company!
The Lennox SunSource system makes perfect sense for Portland area residents. With the available tax credits and rebates, up to 75% of the system can be paid for. While it won’t take you off-the-grid, it will help reduce those utility bills and help us all move toward a more sustainable future. With the Lennox SunSource solar system, you can add up to 15 panels (2.6kW) at any time! The Portland area rebates and credits will exist until 2016, giving you the option of extending your system over time and still taking advantage of the rebates.
Online monitoring is another fantastic feature of this system. At any time you can go online to see exactly how well each solar panel is operating under the Portland sun. The panels also come with a 25 year warranty and minimum power generation guarantee, giving you piece of mind for years to come. Ask your Portland comfort consultant about the Lennox SunSource system today!
Columbia NW Heating sold and installed the first Lennox SunSource system in the northwest United States. We are your complete comfort specialists.
Columbia NW Heating Inc. specializes in efficiently upgrading or repairing air conditioning, heating, gas furnaces, heat pump, ductless heat pumps, tankless water heaters, geothermal heat pumps, electric furnaces, air filtration systems, oil furnaces, gas fireplaces and inserts, and all systems related to the comfort of your home or office in Portland and surrounding areas.
Posted by Brian Sofich on Tue, Aug 31, 2010 @ 05:20 PM
When purchasing a new Trane or Lennox furnace, air conditioner or heat pump in Portland, one thing that needs clarification is warranties and maintenance agreements. Most new equipment comes with a standard 10 year parts, 1 year labor warranty. That means for the first 12 months, everything is pretty much covered, within the agreement. After the first year, the parts are covered, but the labor is not. Labor costs can be several hundred dollars or more.
The solution is to purchase a warranty extension to cover parts and labor to 10,12 or even 15 years. That way there is no expense for most of the life of the system.
Another option is a maintenance agreement. To get the most out of your new system, it needs to be maintained on a regular basis. Typical maintenance might include changing filters, inspecting electrical components, inspecting wiring and other components, cleaning, testing and much more. Regular maintenance will help your system run smoothly and extend the life.
For residences in newer home areas like Hillsboro and Beaverton, sometimes the maintenance agreement comes with the home. First, check to see if there is an agreement that covers the heating and cooling components. If it doesn't, then purchasing a maintenance agreement can help keep the equipment running smoothly and maintain it's efficiency.
Columbia NW Heating Inc. specializes in efficiently upgrading or repairing air conditioning, heating, gas furnaces, heat pump, ductless heat pumps, tankless water heaters, geothermal heat pumps, electric furnaces, air filtration systems, oil furnaces, gas fireplaces and inserts, and all systems related to the comfort of your home or office in Portland and surrounding areas.
Posted by Brian Sofich on Wed, Jul 28, 2010 @ 04:34 PM
Federal Tax Credits, State Tax Credits, Rebates from Energy Trust, rebates from the utility company…. What are all the rebates and tax credits I get? How do I get them? Who do I call if I am not sure? Who wants to deal with all that paperwork? Help!
At Columbia NW Heating, it doesn’t matter if you are installing a furnace, an air conditioner, a heat pump, a tankless water heater, a ductless heat pump or cleaning and sealing your ductwork, we have a dedicated person right here in our office that will take care of the paperwork for you, will keep record of your installation, and answer any questions you may have.
Now is a great time to invest in the heating, cooling and ventilation of your home. The federal tax credit is scheduled to expire at the end of 2010. (30% Solar and Geothermal go until 2016).
Columbia NW Heating Inc. specializes in efficiently upgrading or repairing air conditioning, heating, gas furnaces, heat pump, ductless heat pumps, tankless water heaters, geothermal heat pumps, electric furnaces, air filtration systems, oil furnaces, gas fireplaces and inserts, and all systems related to the comfort of your home or office in Portland and surrounding areas.