The Homeowner Newsletter of Haller Enterprises, Inc. Vol. 7 Issue 2 Spring/Summer 2009
In This Issue 1
NEW TAX CREDITS BOOST CONSUMER SAVINGS 7 REASONS WHY GEOTHERMAL SYSTEMS ROCK THE BEDROCK
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RICK’S CORNER ASK HALLERMAN DID YOU KNOW?
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SEASONAL CHECKLIST MONEY SAVING COUPONS EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
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DEAR HALLERMAN GEOTHERMAL HEATING AND COOLING: YOUR MONEY SAVING TAX CREDIT OPTION
Plumbing
Heating
Cooling
Electrical
Water Conditioning
New Tax Credits Boost Consumer Savings In February, President Obama signed The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (aka the Stimulus Bill). This act makes significant changes to the energyefficiency tax credits by increasing the percentage of costs from 10 to 30 percent and the lifetime cap to $1,500. The list of eligible energy efficiency improvements has been expanded and offers homeowners even greater incentive. Existing Homes Only Tax credits are available at 30% of the cost, up to $1,500, in 2009 and 2010 for: • HVAC including Central A/C, Air Source Heat Pumps, Natural Gas or Propane Furnaces, Oil Furnaces, Gas, Propane or Oil Hot Water Boilers and Advanced Main Air Circulating Fans. • Water Heaters including Gas, Oil, Propane and Electric.
Existing Homes and New Construction Tax credits are available at 30% of the cost, with no upper limit: • Geothermal Heat Pumps • Solar Water Heating At least half of the energy generated by the “qualifying property” must come from the sun. Homeowners may only claim spending on the solar water heating system property, not the entire water heating system of the household. The credit is not available for expenses for swimming pools or hot tubs. The water must be used in the dwelling and the system must be certified by the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation (SRCC). Remember, not all products on the market qualify for the tax credits. Consult your tax advisor to be sure your home improvement qualifies. For more information about the tax credits that are available, visit www.hallerenterprises.com.
7 Reasons Why Geothermal Systems Rock the Bedrock ave you heard about geothermal systems but don’t quite understand all the hype surrounding them? HHere are seven reasons why a geothermal system rocks the bedrock! Highest efficiency of any system. Geothermal systems use the energy of the earth to heat and cool your home. Here’s how: The earth absorbs almost 50 percent of all solar energy and, as a result, remains at a constant temperature all year long (U.S. average core temperature is 50˚ to 55˚ F). A geothermal system utilizes this constant temperature (and not the outside air temperature) to reduce the amount of energy needed to heat or cool the air in your home.
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Lancaster 717.625.1500 Harrisburg 717.795.1700 York 717.845.4500 Lebanon 717.838.6837 www.hallerenterprises.com
Eco-friendly. There is no flue, fumes, or combustion with a geothermal system. The heat pump only uses electricity to move heat, not produce it.
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Durability. 20+ year average life expectancy. See Haller for extended warranty options.
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Huge tax credit. The federal government is offering a tax credit for 30 percent of total geothermal heat pump system costs (purchase and installation) that can also be combined with solar and wind tax credits.
Less noise. The system is located inside, so you no longer have a noisy outdoor A/C unit kicking on and off all summer long. Year round, the sound level isn’t any different than the fan on a standard furnace.
Ongoing payback. Geothermal systems have a low operating cost which adds up to significant savings on your utility bills all year long.
Aesthetically pleasing. With no outdoor unit, you do not have to try to disguise it with landscaping.
For more information about geothermal systems, please call (717) 625-1500.
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New Haller Website = Energy Saving Tips!
Visit www.HallerEnterprises.com for tips on saving energy (and money) while remaining comfortable all summer long!
Ask Hallerman Do you have a question for Hallerman? Email questions or comments to: info@hallerent.com
More on Solar Energy As you read on page one, the Stimulus Bill made significant changes to energyrelated tax credits, one of which is the Solar Energy Tax Credit. Solar energy is the cleanest and the most inexhaustible of the known energy sources. Solar radiation contains huge amounts of energy and is responsible for almost all the natural processes on earth. While solar energy hasn’t yet seen the wide-spread use in the Mid-Atlantic region that it has in the Sun-Belt states, there are ways you can start integrating solar energy techniques into your home. One such way is with solar water heaters. Solar water heaters use the power of the sun to heat your water. Solar collectors are connected to a hot water storage tank, either directly or via a heat exchanger when an anti-freeze liquid is used. The operation is quite simple. Evacuated tubes convert sunlight into usable heat. Heat pipes rapidly transfer this heat to a header pipe. Water is pumped through the header pipe, absorbing the heat. Then the heated water returns to a storage tank/heat exchanger. Solar collectors can actually reduce the amount of electricity or gas used for water heating by up to 60 percent per year, making it an attractive alternative for home owners who want to use a renewable energy source, like the sun, and reduce their monthly energy bills. Furthermore, by replacing electric energy or fossil fuel systems used to heat water, you are also reducing the impact on the environment.
with a little help from
Kim Carner
Residential Service Technician
that your old hot waQ: I will have to replace my hot water tank soon. What energy efficient options are out ter tank previously occupied. there? Like all tankless A: There are products on the market today hot water heaters, that are more energy efficient than the the Takagi is much conventional storage water heater. While more energy efficient the traditional water heater is around 75 percent efficient, technology has advanced than a traditional storage water heater, with energy efficiency ratings from 82-95 percent. to the point where hot water products are now in the 80-95+ percent effiAnother energy efficient option is ciency range. the Vertex Water Heater from A.O. Smith. The Vertex may have the When you decide to replace your hot water heater, there is a variety of when you install shape of a traditional water heater, an energy but it is far from it. This “peak deproducts from which to choose. One efficient water mand” water heater combines an adoption is to harness the power of the heater, you are vanced thermal heat exchanger with sun by going solar (see Rick’s Corner for more information). There are also also eligible to input up to 100,000 BTU. two energy efficient natural gas or LP take advantage Just like the tankless water of the stimulus heater, Vertex water heaters deliver products I’d recommend you take a package tax closer look at: The Takagi Tankless continuous hot water. It works by credits. Hot Water Heater and A.O. Smith’s forcing hot gases down through a Vertex Water Heater. helical coil heat exchanger, which provides a much greater heat transfer surface The Takagi tankless hot water heater prothan the standard straight flue tube. The Vervides hot water only when needed. With the ever growing demand for hot water found with tex holds these gases in longer, using the energy more efficiently to deliver an additional bathrooms, sinks, appliances, and uninterrupted supply of hot water for shower radiant floor heat, the Takagi system provides a consistent, never-ending supply of hot water. after shower. Vertex Water Heaters are also tremenHere’s how it works: When a hot water tap is turned on, cold water travels through a pipe dously energy efficient with up to 96 percent thermal efficiency (depending on which to the Takagi unit. The heat exchanger inmodel you choose). This saves energy and stantly heats the water to the designated temsaves you money. perature (this takes only 5 seconds). This means you are only paying to heat the water While both of these products will cost when you need it, unlike a tank where you are more than conventional storage water constantly heating the water. heaters, you may find that with lower operating and energy costs, you can offset the higher Takagi tankless hot water heaters are purchase price. Plus, when you install an enlightweight and can be installed just about ergy efficient water heater, you are also eligianywhere – in closets, under stairs, and even ble to take advantage of the stimulus package outdoors – freeing up valuable floor space tax credits.
PLUS,
Did you know…?
Memo
Did you know that Haller handles over 600 remodeling jobs a year? That’s nearly two a day! Our retrofit team works with homeowners to install, replace
J. Richard Haller, CEO P.S. To determine if a solar water heater may be right for your home, contact us at (717) 625-1500
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One call…handles it all!
or relocate plumbing, ventilation and electrical wiring to make your home remodel project fast and efficient. Whether it is a bathroom, basement or other remodel job, call us for a free, no obligation estimate. PLUMBING • HEATING • COOLING • ELECTRICAL • WATER CONDITIONING
□ Use shades, curtains and other window treatments to minimize solar energy penetrating your home. □ Don’t block vents or ducts inside the house. □ Run your ceiling fans to keep air moving and feel cooler. □ Turn off lights, TVs and other appliances when not being used, as they produce heat. □ Operate household appliances in the evening when the heat from them won’t increase the demand on your AC. □ Set your thermostat at a comfortable temperature (7074˚F), and keep it there. □ Schedule annual service on your cooling system so it runs at maximum efficiency. For more tips to keep cool and save energy this summer, visit our new website at www.hallerenterprises.com.
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On Installation of Any New Dehumidifier
Save $75
On Installation of Any New Programmable Thermostat
Offer expires 6/30/2009
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On Installation of Any New High Efficiency Water Heater
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hat’s special about Kenny Rogers? Well, aside from the (nearly) daily jokes comparing him to the country singing legend, Haller’s Kenny Rogers is quite an important guy to the Haller team. Kenny Rogers is the branch manager of Haller’s new location in York located along Rt. 30 at 801 Loucks Road. “Haller has been part of York for over 15 years,” says Kenny. “By opening a new location, we are now more convenient to York residents and can be more involved with the White Rose community.” Haller put the plan into motion last year to open the York branch, our fourth community-based location. Other locations include Lancaster, Mechanicsburg and Palmyra. “As a company, we are doing our part to be more environmentally friendly. The growth in our York market made the decision to open a York location a no-brainer,” explains Kenny. Kenny oversees the daily operations of the York facility. He manages the service and install technicians and the inventory of supplies in the warehouse to keep the branch running efficiently. One of the snazzier aspects of the York location is the showroom which is geared towards green and energy efficient products. “Green and energy efficiency used to be a little known trend,” says Kenny. “Now everyone is well aware of the benefits of installing energy efficient products in their home.” Some highly desirable energy-efficient items are on display in the York showroom for homeowners to see – everything from 15 different dimmer switches to programmable thermostats to a variety of popular sink and faucet options. Also on display are whole-house humidifiers, air purifiers that remove allergens from your home’s air, furnaces/air conditioners – including geothermal units, water softeners and even solar panels. Although it may be a bit more expensive to purchase an energy efficient product, savvy homeowners understand that the savings seen over the life of the product significantly outweigh the up-front expense. “Not only are we hearing homeowners say that they want to save on their utility bills, but they are also expressing the desire to reduce their carbon footprint,” says Kenny. “They are very interested in using the ground’s steady air temperature for geothermal and the sun’s power for solar energy.” York’s showroom is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., and no appointment is necessary. Besides providing a new showroom where homeowners can get all of their energy efficiency and green product questions answered, Haller also offers a full array of maintenance, repair and installation services – plumbing, heating, cooling, electrical and water conditioning. To schedule repair or installation services, call (717) 845-4500.
Keep your home cool and comfortable this summer by following these home maintenance tips.
LANCASTER • HARRISBURG • YORK • LEBANON
On a Demand Service Call
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Kenny Rogers York Branch Manager
Employee Spotlight
Seasonal Checklist
Offer expires 6/30/2009
www.hallerenterprises.com • 717-625-1500
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Geothermal Heating and Cooling: Your Money Saving/Tax Credit Option With large tax credits available for geothermal systems, 2009 is the year to stop paying for an old, inefficient, and costly HVAC system. Contact Haller, and we'll gladly provide a free estimate to install a geothermal heating and cooling system. We'll show you how to take advantage of the federal tax credits and how a geothermal heating and cooling system will quickly pay itself off in energy savings. Geothermal systems use the Earth to heat and cool your house which helps keep the cost of running it at a much lower rate than your standard HVAC system. With financing available and the energy cost savings, the payback period of installing Typical Goethermal Operating Cost Comparisons Older Propane Furnace (Pre 1986) a geothermal system has increasingly Standard Efficiency Propane Furnace become shorter. In fact, you can install Propane High Efficiency Furnace a new geothermal system and start Older Natural Gas Furnace (Pre 1986) reaping the benefits today. Standard Efficiency Natural Gas Furnace To schedule your free geothermal Air-to-Air 12 SEER Heat Pump estimate today, please call Tracy High Efficiency Natural Gas Furnace Figueroa at 717-625-6828. She’ll gladly Geothermal System Lowest Operating Cost find a convenient time for you to meet $3,000 $2,500 $2,000 $1,500 $1,000 $500 $0 with one of our Comfort Consultants.
Dear Hallerman: Thank you for taking care of the final grading and cleanup of my front yard after installing my geothermal unit. I’ve planted the grass, and hopefully I will be mowing that section in a month. The geothermal has been working just great. There’s plenty of heat and hot water. While I don’t have a full year to compare with my previous systems, I am certain the cost of heating is significantly less. Harry Fox, Annville, Pa.
www.hallerenterprises.com Lancaster 717.625.1500 Harrisburg 717.795.1700 York 717.845.4500 Lebanon 717.838.6837 212 Bucky Drive PO Box 375 Lititz, PA 17543
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