State and federal governments make HVAC improvements easier, cheaper

It’s not just in your best interest to be energy-efficient, it’s in the best interest of your community – and the nation.

That’s why the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and the federal government offer grants, low-interest loans and other funding incentives for both commercial and residential heating, ventilation and air-conditioning projects.

It’s a good policy. If the states can reduce their demand for energy, they can reduce reliance on foreign and domestic oil to fuel your boiler, or the power plant that generates your electricity. And they can reduce natural gas consumption, too.

That helps the environment. And it helps keep utility rates down. So when you take steps to save money, your neighbors save money, too.

Fortunately, Sure Temp is extremely well-versed in the available incentives. Our consultants can help commercial, industrial, institutional and residential customers find the programs and financing to make the projects affordable today, to save tomorrow.

Commercial and industrial projects

For commercial and industrial projects, NYSERDA provides:

• Up to $30,000 in incentives for pre-qualified efficiency projects on existing facilities.
• Up to $50,000 in technical assistance incentives.
• Between $7,500 and $15,000 for LEEDS-certified buildings, depending on size.

And the federal government adds:

• A tax deduction of up to $1.80 per square foot of facility for energy-efficient heating, ventilation, air conditioning, hot water and lighting projects.
• Accelerated depreciation for smart electric meters and other energy-savings equipment.
• A tax credit of up to $2,000 for energy-efficient new homes, plus low-cost federal bonding for qualified green housing projects.

Residential projects

For residential projects, NYSERDA provides:

• Up to $20,000 in low-cost financing for qualifying energy-efficiency projects on existing homes.

And the federal government adds:

• A 30 percent tax credit, up to $1,500, for energy-efficient windows, insulation, doors, roofs, and heating and cooling equipment. That credit lasts through 2010.
• A 30 percent tax credit, with no limit, for solar energy systems, small wind systems, geothermal heat pumps, and residential fuel cell and microturbine systems through 2016.

And as a further boost, New York State Electric & Gas Corp. offers rebates from $100 to $1,000 for installing energy-efficient furnaces and boilers.

Each program has its own requirements, so you need an expert in how they work to help you before you hire an expert to make the project work for you. Good thing Sure Temp has experts in both.

New tax credit change makes geothermal more affordable

A new law that took effect this year can help home- and business-owners save thousands of dollars as they improve their heating systems.

Under the old law, enacted in 2008, owners could qualify for a 30 percent tax credit up to $2,000 to install geothermal heat pumps in any property they own, not just their primary residence.

But the new law removes that cap, so you can take a 30 percent tax credit on the entire purchase and installation cost of a geothermal system.

Here are some of the other features of the new law, which is effective through 2016:

• The credit includes labor costs properly allocable to the onsite preparation, assembly, or original installation of the property and for piping or wiring.
• Qualified geothermal heat pump must meet federal Energy Star program requirements in effect at the time the installation is completed.
• The home served by the system does not have to be the taxpayer’s principal residence, but must be within the United States.
• Systems must be placed in service from Jan. 1, 2008, through Dec. 31, 2016.
• Tax credit can be used for more than one property owned by the taxpayer during the effective period.
• Can be used in more than one year
• Can be combined with solar and wind tax credits
• Can be combined with energy efficiency upgrade credits such as qualified windows or Energy Star appliances.

Regional YMCAs Go Green with Sure Temp's Help

Renovations on YMCA facilities in Binghamton and Johnson Citywill help the organization meet its goal of reducing its carbon footprint - and they'll save money doing it.

Sure Temp worked alongside SunMaxx Solar and Eastern Energy Solutions to complete the installation of solar tubes for domestic hot water.

Three hundred tubes sit atop the Binghamton building. They will harness the sun's energy to heat water at the facility. We estimate that the system will be capable of heating some 218,000 gallons of water annually.

Total renovations included new lighting, heating and ventilation systems. The facilities may save as much as 48 percent on energy bills, as a result of the improvements.

We applaud businesses and organizations that act as examples of good environmental stewardship for the rest of the community.

Want to help the economy? Support local business

Everyone’s worried about the economy these days, and most of us feel like there’s not much difference we can make on the personal level.
But did you know that you can make a big difference in your local economy by supporting locally owned business of all kinds?

For example, a study conducted in 2007 showed that independent bok stores contributed $54 million annually into their local economies. Meanwhile, Internet and chain bookstores only contributed a fraction of that, at $8 million. Imagine how much bigger that number would have been if more people decided to support local bookstores.
The numbers are similar for all other types of business, from retail to big box home improvement.

Most importantly, doing business with local vendors increases the sense of community. Think of a time not that long ago when your parents or grandparents knew the owner of the local grocery store, and the store owner probably knew the farmers whose products he sold.

Many of Sure Temp’s customers have that kind of relationship with us, and we couldn’t be happier about it. Not only does it provide a sustainable business model that benefits the community, it also helps us ensure top-notch customer service, because we have the chance to really get to know our customers’ needs.

So the next time you need something, whether it’s a new furnace or a new book, ask yourself how you can shop locally.

Give Blood, Win a Chance at a Free Thermostat

Sure Temp is supporting the Red Cross blood drive by offering all donors a chance to win a free programmable thermostat.

The blood drive will be from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday, April 27, and from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesday, April 28 in the lecture hall at Lourdes Hospital, 169 Riverside Drive.

Every person who donates will have a chance to win a programmable thermostat, which can help you save 10% or more on heating and cooling costs.

Maker an appointment to donate by calling 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or going online to www.donateblood.org.

How does geothermal heating work?

With the price of home heating oil going through big fluctuations, more and more people are looking for more reliably affordable ways to heat their homes.

At the same time, everyone is growing more concerned about the environment and trying to minimize their own personal impact.

Geothermal systems satisfy both goals.

Although the outdoor temperature varies wildly throughout the year in our region, the temperature is relatively constant and comfortable just a few feet below the earth's surface. A geothermal heat pump uses pipes below ground to create warm air in the house in winter and cool air in the house in summer. These heat pumps don't consume fossil fuel, and they can reduce the cost of heating a home by as much as 70 percent.

If you'd like to know more about a geothermal system, click here.

Different types of heating systems

One of the most frequent questions we get here is about the different types of heating systems, how they work and which system is best.

Unfortunately, there's no simple answer to that last question. So many factors figure in to choosing the right system for your home or building.

Efficiency is key. You obviously want to use the least amount of energy possible to get the most amount of heat. Today's high efficiency heating systems not only save in operating costs, but also save environmental resources.

You'll save the most money when you combine up-to-date energy efficient heating equipment with some common sense home tips:

Have Sure Temp install a programmable thermostat to change the temperature in your home automatically to a lower tempreture at night or when you are not home. Perform regular checks of possible draft sources, and address any problems immediately. You can save up to 2 percent on your heating bill for every degree you lower the thermostat.

If you're looking for a new furnace or want to have an energy audit of your home or building, click here.

Welcome to our new blog!

We're glad you're here.

We've been in the business a long time, and one of the most rewarding aspects is the personal relationships that we've made with our customers and clients.

We're starting this blog as a way to enhance that connection by sharing information and ideas for heating and cooling your home or building more efficiently, new products, company news and whatever else you want to hear about.

Don't be shy. Get in touch with us. Let us know what you want to know more about. Send us your questions, and we'll publish the answers. Click here for more information.