Allbritten » air conditioning

Home Energy Assessement/Audit: What to Expect

andread — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 22:18:05 +0000

Done correctly, you determine the most cost effective way to solve the comfort and energy issues in your home.

From dramatically reducing your utility bills to ensuring your home is healthy and safe, an Allbritten Comprehensive Home Assessment will reveal the smarter way to prioritize your home energy upgrades. Lots of contractors are offering them, however, it’s important to get a comprehensive audit that is accurate and actionable.

To be accurate, the audit needs to include a thorough inspection and a range of diagnostics tests. To be actionable, solutions need to be recommended and easily understood by you and any installation contractor you might hire to complete them.

A simple “clipboard audit” or home energy rating won’t cover both of these for you, so make sure you get what you need. And don’t waste your money on what you don’t!

During a comprehensive home energy audit, a (certified & trained) home performance advisor should conduct a variety of tests customized for your home, including:

Utility Bill Analysis — to determine usage patterns and look for ways to reduce looking at your electric and gas (or oil or propane) consumption
Blower Door Test — to measure and locate all the sources of air leaks in your home
Infrared Scan — to identify hidden defects including insulation gaps, air leakage, duct leakage, and moisture issues
Visual Inspection — to find evidence of problems affecting the durability of your house
Insulation Inspection — to determine insulation levels in various areas of your home’s shell
Attic Inspection — to identify evidence of maintenance problems, verify insulation, check for moisture damage to roof from attic side.
Furnace, Boiler, Air-Conditioner, Heat Pump, and Hot Water Equipment Inspection — to examine the overall condition of your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment.

This includes several of the following tests:

Carbon Monoxide Tests — to measure carbon monoxide levels in the flue gases of your heating appliances and in the air of your house to ensure safety
Combustion Draft Tests — to ensure that your combustion appliances are venting properly and that combustion gases are not being dumped into or pulled back into your house
Combustion Efficiency Test — to measure the efficiency of your heating system
Flue Pipe Exhaust Inspection — to examine your combustion equipment flue pipes for blockages, disconnects, or other unsafe conditions
Duct Air Flow Test — to determine the amount of air moving through your duct system (available in certain regions).
Duct Leakage Test — to measure the leakiness of your duct system (in some areas, as much as 30% of the conditioned air moving through ducts leaks directly outside!)
Visual Inspection for Mold and Moisture Sources — to look for areas where there is evidence of mold or high humidity.
Visual Inspection for Indoor Air Quality Indicators — to look for evidence of potential sources of indoor air pollution
Exhaust Fan Inspection — to measure whether fans are moving enough air to properly ventilate your home, and should include an inspection of the exhaust fan ductwork to ensure proper venting
Clothes Dryer Venting Inspection — to ensure dryers are vented properly to avoid moisture and combustion safety problems
Lighting Upgrade Inspection — to identify opportunities to replace incandescent lighting with more efficient fluorescent and LED bulbs and fixtures that use less energy and last longer
Appliance Inspection — to look for opportunities to save money and improve performance
Pool and Well Pump Analysis — to check pumps for sizing and efficiency and look for opportunities to reduce pumping costs

In most homes, the audit procedure should take about two to three hours and create minimal disruption to your regular household routine.

A comprehensive assessment should also include a full “test out” conducted after all the improvements are installed. This will ensure the best results and ensure the safety of your home.

Lifetime Warranty

andread — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 21:05:47 +0000

Never Spend another Dime to Repair your Heating and Air System!!

Allbritten Plumbing, Heating and Air now offers a Lifetime Warranty!!

Allbritten Plumbing, Heating and Air systems now come with a Lifetime Workmanship Warranty, a 2-Year Money Back Guarantee and a Lifespan Equipment Parts and Labor Warranty on almost all Carrier brand heating and cooling systems!

Can you believe that?! Can it get any better than that?

Call for more details or schedule an appointment.

Rebates are BACK!!

andread — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 20:15:30 +0000

This Spring the factory rebates are back and federal tax credits haven’t stopped. There is money to be saved in these tough times!! Don’t wait until it’s all used. These are all offers *while funds are available*. We also have utility rebates to throw in this huge total.

up to $1100 in Factory Rebates

up to $1500 in Federal Tax Credits

up to $500 in Utility Rebates

We are….

andread — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 14:14:22 +0000

At Allbritten we seek to develop long-term relationships with our customers by providing the most professional, competent and reliable service in the industry. That means offering top-quality products, expert technical work and secure guarantees that allow you to purchase with confidence. We are committed to exceeding your expectations with everything we do.

TRUST CERTIFIED

All of our technicians have undergone stringent background checks and drug screens. Allbritten receives high scores based on third party and company customer surveys. Each technician receives a minimum of 100 hours of “on-the-job-training” each year.

GOLD SEAL INSTALLATION PROCEDURES

We use only the finest AGA, UL and Energy Star certified products and materials; we will include all city and state permits and our company is licensed, bonded and insured. Our goal is to give you first-class installation that is both technically and aesthetically superior. And when your job is complete, we will review all operation and maintenance procedures.

100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEE

We back every job with 100% Satisfaction Guarantee: during the first year, if you are not completely satisfied with our products, our service or our people we’ll simply remove our equipment within thirty days and refund your money.

BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU

We are an accredited Better Business Bureau Member and have received an A+ rating by this organization.

What to Look for in a Technician

andread — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 07:47:05 +0000

There are many plumbing and heating & air companies out there, but they are definitely not all the same. So, you’re probably wondering what to look for in a technician, installer or plumber. Here are a few of the basics you should look for and not expect less.

Upfront Pricing: You should always count on knowing how much your project will cost before any work is done, when a company is committed to upfront and fair pricing. And if the company charges by the job, not by the hour, you won’t get stuck paying high hourly rates or run-around time.
Appearance Counts: Your technician should arrive in a clean uniform with a company logo, clean-shaven, and with a company vehicle. Ask if they have a business card, as well.
Ask for a License: Ask your technician for their contractor’s license number, as all professionals should have one and respect you for asking.
Appointment Window: You should be given an appointment window for a period of time when your technician will arrive, so you don’t have to wait around all day for them to show up. Also, the technician’s dispatcher should call and inform you of when your technician should arrive, when they are on their way.
Trusted Technicians: Allowing workers in your home requires trust. Check if the company does background checks or drug screening on their employees. You will never regret being safe. Also, check to see that they are at least EPA certified, if not NATE certified technicians as well.

The Consequences of Choosing the Wrong Contractor:

By selecting a qualified heating, cooling, and plumbing contractor you will avoid many of the common home improvement hazards including:

Frequent system breakdowns
Improper installation
Unsafe and/or inefficient operation
Shortened equipment life
Lack of timely service
Unusually high energy bills
Voiding of factory warranties
Theft, property damage or worse
Building Code Infractions and penalties

Tip for the Rainy Season

andread — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 22:02:38 +0000

It’s been off and on raining, and it is supposed to continue the next few days. Keep in mind that if you have a rooftop unit and are needing it serviced or maintenanced, it’s difficult to do this on the rooftop. So, hurry and schedule your maintenance or service before the rain gets bad again. If you are scheduled, and the rains comes pouring down, please be patient with us if we need to reschedule. It’s for your own good.