Monday, July 20, 2015

We've moved!

We haven't posted here for awhile, and you are probably wondering why. We've decided to move our blog over to our website, www.generalheating.com. Now, every Thursday, you can read a new blog post from us, covering topics from tips and tricks about air conditioning and heating or home improvement, employee events, and more!


To see our most recent posts, scroll to the bottom of any page of our website (aside from the homepage), and our three most recent posts will be displayed for you.

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Green Tips for Earth Day

It’s Earth Day! So, we’re here with some tips to help you live a greener life. The number of ways you can go green and help the world around you is so plentiful; it’s just a matter of realizing it and taking action. The easiest of ways:

B.Y.O.B. – Every time you go to the grocery store, you likely use plastic bags. Put your best foot forward and bring your own reusable bags to the grocery store. Not only is this better for the environment, but these bags are sturdier, meaning no more ripped bags. A lot of stores now give a bag refund of a few cents per bag you bring which means, being green saves you some green.

Recycle, Recycle, Recycle – It’s always a good idea to familiarize yourself with what you can recycle in your town. While most of the items are the same, some towns have slight variations on the items that can be recycled.

Take the Stairs – By taking the stairs, both you and the environment get a benefit. Burn calories by taking the stairs while you preserve electricity. Coffee drinker? You and me both :) If you buy your coffee on the go, buy a reusable mug that you like. Disposable cups are made of a material that isn't biodegradable, meaning they just sit in a land fill. PLUS, many coffee shops often offer a discount for bringing your own reusable mug.

Grounds For a Second Life - Coffee grounds can have other uses besides just being coffee. You can compost them, use them to scrub grease off pots and pans, or use them to absorb odors in your refrigerator.

Carpool or Take Public Transportation – Think about all the money you’ll save by not driving your car all the time, and at the same time, you are reducing your carbon footprint. Consider carpooling with coworkers, or check out the local bus route to see if you can swap your car for public transportation.

Start a Compost Bin – Cut down on the amount you throw out by composting materials like food waste. The benefits are plentiful! Compost works great as a fertilizer, and it helps the soil become healthier. Why should you care? Healthy soil is key for protecting our water supply.

What are your favorite green tips? Share in the comments section below.




Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Types of HVAC Systems

What types of systems are available when I’m looking for a new air conditioning/heating system?

Good news! You have quite a few choices when you are trying to make a decision about a new air conditioner and heating system. Here are a number of common types:

Split system - This system means that there are parts of your system both inside and outside. These typically include a furnace, an evaporator coil, air conditioner (which works with the evaporator coil), ducts (you want to carry the air through your house), thermostat, and other optional accessories.

Hybrid Heat split system – This system is a smarter, more energy efficient twist on the type of system above. This system uses an electricity-fueled heat pump to provide heat (along with a furnace, ducts, evaporator coil, thermostat, and other optional accessories). Even better? The heat pump works in place of an air conditioner as well!

Packaged systems – With a packaged system, it is basically an all in one deal. Many of these look very similar, but they can serve a number of different functions.

Ductless split system – Ducts spread air through your house – so this system does this without ducts. Basically, this type of system would be for an area of the house like a room addition or areas that do not have duct work.

Geothermal Heat Pump System – This type of system doesn't rely on the air outside. Instead, it taps into the temperatures of the earth to heat and cool your home.

As you can see, you have lots of options to consider. Find the one that works best for you and your home.

Monday, March 23, 2015

GHAC has a new website!

We just launched our new website, and we're so excited about it. Not only is our new website much easier for you to navigate, but it also highlights all of the residential services we offer.

We're still at www.generalheating.com but we have a whole new look, so check it out at your convenience.

http://generalheating.com/

With our new website, we make it easy to find information about our services, including our Home Comfort Program and information about replacing and installing a new system. You can easily review and compare systems to see what will work best for you through a link to Carrier's website.

When deciding which HVAC contractor to go with, let our new testimonials section make your decision easy.

And last, we link to all of our social media, so be sure to connect with us on the web!

Thursday, March 19, 2015

Getting an Air Conditioning Quote: The Basics

It's mid-March, meaning it's not too far off to start thinking about air conditioning and the upcoming summer heat. Installing an air conditioner is an investment, so make sure you are thinking about a variety of aspects when picking out your new system. This helps to ensure you are pleased with the outcome and are happy with your new system.

1) Make sure whoever is installing your air conditioner is experienced and has all the qualifications needed to do the installation.

 2) Be sure you are getting a unit that is right for you AND your house. You don’t want to get a unit too big or too small, or it will not be worth it for you.

 3) Have the HVAC specialist lay out the entire plan – what the total cost is and a breakdown of the cost. Be sure to also have him/her inform you about any warranties that accompany your product and what the payment plan is for any models you are considering.

 4) Review the efficiency of the air conditioner you are considering. You want to make sure that the product you have is going to be right for you. More efficient air conditioners typically will cost a little more up front, but you typically end up saving more in the long run on your energy bills.

If you need help in your search, GHAC is a helpful place to start your search. Visit our website for more information. We are a Carrier dealer, and they offer a wide variety - check out your options online.