Spring 2015
RIGHT AT HOME www.broadviewheating.com
Big EZ Recipes
Wow family and friends with great new orleans recipes anyone can make
Save
new n o 0 0 2 , Up to $1 ystem HVAC S Page 5
Be Prepared
Be ready if disaster stikes
Finance
The smart way most homeowners pay for their new HVAC system
Compliments of
Broadview Heating (440) 526-7310 Serving South Cleveland for 55 years
Be Prepared You need to prepare before disaster strikes. Sitting in the dark with no power is not the time to start planning for your family’s comfort and safety. What you need to protect for your family during a disaster.
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Big Easy recipes
Safeguard your investment
Kitchen Makeover
New Orleans is a great place to eat. Here are two of the city’s most popular recipes that you can enjoy in your own home
A heating and cooling system needs to be maintained by a qualified expert. Here’s what you should look for.
See how a few inexpensive updates can turn your old kitchen into a new living space for your family to enjoy.
All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reprinted without the express permission of the publisher. Published by Private Label Media Partners, 709 State Street New Orleans, LA 70118. Phone 877-618-6626. www.privatelabelmedia.com
Being smart about adding money-saving technology and scheduling proper maintenance adds value and comfort to your home.
UV Lights Make Families Healthier Installing an ultraviolet (UV) light in your current or new system can help reduce bacteria in the air and the allergens that grow inside your HVAC system. By using UV lamps, particles and germs are destroyed and prevented from being recirculated to the air in your home. For cleaner air, trust an ultraviolet treatment system.
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Fans save energy If you use air conditioning, a ceiling fan will allow you to raise the thermostat setting about 4°F with no reduction in comfort.
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Fix leaky ducts According to ENERGY STAR ®, heating and cooling costs the average homeowner about $1,000 a year; that’s nearly half of a home’s total energy bill. ENERGY STAR goes on to say that by replacing your HVAC equipment with newer, highefficiency units, you can save up to 40 percent on heating and cooling costs. Compliments of Broadview Heating 440-526-7310
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Smart Thermostats A smart thermostat is connected to the Internet through an Internet protocol (IP) network. This IP connection then allows users to remotely send instructions to a smart thermostat directly from a computer, laptop, tablet, smartphone or web application. These instructions can range from turning on the IP thermostat, turning it off or changing its scheduled programming. The best WiFi thermostats allow users to interact with their home’s heating or cooling system from any remote location.
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Spring Solutions Broadview Heating is here to help you prepare for those unpredictable spring and summer months.
Tom Olecki
Tim Olecki Owners, Broadview Heating
Spring is here and it’s extends the life of your certainly not to soon to system. start preparing for the next few months. We’ve also highlighted how to be prepared for the Please take the time to storms that seem to roll in look through Broadview every summer - whether Heating Right At Home it’s hurricanes in the south, magazine. We’ve packed twisters in the mid-west or it with useful and fun flooding on the west coast, information to help you you need to be ready before prepare for the warmer disaster strikes. weather and all that it brings with it. Kitchens seem to be the heart of every home and Weather seems to have we show you simple and become more unpredictable often inexpensive tips to and we are seeing more breathe new life into yours. extremes: in heat, rain, and storms. Finally, who doesn’t like a great dinner? We The best way to start is traveled to New Orleans with a spring maintenance and brought back some inspection to go over not authentic Big Easy cuisine only your A/C system, that will impress friends but your filters, ducts and and family. other parts of your HVAC system. Not only does this Please enjoy Right At simple check-up find issues Home - from our family to and problems that could yours. reduce your comfort, it also
Rheem contractors specialize in installing and servicing award-winning Rheem® heating and air conditioning equipment for your residential or light commercial use. But we also service all brands of heating and air conditioning equipment.
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Compliments of Broadview Heating 440-526-7310
Saving Green
The Rheem Consumer CashBack offer means instant savings on a new HVAC system. Ends June 30th By combining the new Rheem Instant Consumer CashBack instant money back program with any available rebates from local utility companies, homeowners could save $1,500 or more off a new heating and cooling system. Rheem is offering up to $1,200 in hassle-free money back on qualifying systems. Getting the rebate is simple: there is no paperwork for the homeowner to fill out. Everything is submitted online by your Rheem contractor. At the
time of the sale, the homeowner’s rebate will be subtracted from the purchase price.
For more information go to www. broadviewheating.com
$
1,200 Instant CashBack Rebate and up to 12 months deferred interest on qualifying Rheem HVAC systems.
Compliments of Broadview Heating 440-526-7310
The extra savings provided by the Rheem Consumer CashBack program gives homeowners the opportunity to upgrade to high-efficiency HVAC systems for little or no additional money. The Rheem offer is good May 1 through June 30th, 2015 so don’t wait!
Broadview Heating 440-526-7310
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When disaster strikes Power losses can range from minor inconveniences to a huge headache. Imagine having to replace a refrigerator full of food, cleaning a flooded basement caused by a backed-up septic system or even worse. Preparing for an unexpected emergency, especially one brought on by severe weather, is one of the most important ways you can protect your home and family. Proactively addressing stormrelated issues ranging from property damage to power outages can minimize a potentially disastrous situation. Verify Your Homeowners Insurance Covers Storm Damage Nearly all homeowners carry some form of insurance on their home, as required by their mortgage lender. But policies can vary, and the aftermath of a powerful storm is no time to find out you’re underinsured. To ensure your homeowners policy adequately covers your needs, take time to review the policy every year at renewal time, and any time you make any significant improvements to your home. Check that the coverage amount for your main residence accurately reflects the finished square footage of your home, including any upgrades or changes such as a newly renovated bathroom or expanded deck structure. Also confirm that the replacement cost your homeowners insurance agent has determined is consistent with what you would expect to pay to rebuild your home.
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In addition, take time to understand any exclusions, especially those for weatherrelated incidents. For example, many homeowners insurance policies do not automatically include flood protection. Finally, take time to thoroughly document your personal possessions with video or still images and record their value. Store the documentation in a safe place, such as a safety deposit box or remote-access electronic file, that you will be able to access in the event of an emergency. Keep Up on Home Maintenance Stepping outside after a significant storm is no time to remember that you forgot to trim the tree or secure a loose section of fencing. Making time to provide ongoing home maintenance for exterior features of your home, such as landscaping, decking, siding, roofing and shutters, will ensure they are in good function when bad weather strikes. While little can be done to prevent damage from high-impact storms, routinely checking that everything is in good repair will minimize the chances of preventable destruction. As you assess your home and yard, ask yourself: Are the trees and shrubs properly trimmed and set far enough Compliments of Broadview Heating 440-526-7310
A simple emergency kit could be a lifesaver during a disaster
Having an emergency preparedness kit of items that your household may need in an emergency situation is critical. The kit should contain food, water, any necessary medications, lighting and backup battery supplies.
away from structures that they are unlikely to topple in high winds? Are shutters affixed securely to the house? Are there any cracked or otherwise weakened windows that should be replaced to prevent shattering during a storm?
In the past, having a generator was cost-prohibitive for many households, but today, technology has advanced to make owning a standby generator far more affordable for the average family.�
Prepare for Backup Power During an Outage
There are two common generator types: portable generators and standby generators.
Loss of power is one of the most common occurrences in severe weather. And the financial impact of outage-related expenses (e.g. spoiled food replacement, supply purchases or home repair) can add up quickly.
* A portable generator is an immediate but temporary solution. Typically powered by gasoline, it is lower in cost and doesn’t require installation time, but it can only power a few items for a few hours.
The easiest way to prepare for a weather-related power outage is by installing a standby generator in advance of the storm season. Fortunately, attaining the safety and comfort provided by a standby generator during a storm event has become more reasonable thanks to emerging technology that has made generators smaller, smarter and, therefore, more affordable.
* A standby generator is an automatic, permanent backup power solution. It requires professional installation outside the home. It is powered by natural gas or liquid propane and turns on automatically during a utility power outage to keep a home’s lights, furnace, AC units and other appliances on while the power is out.
Compliments of Broadview Heating 440-526-7310
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500,000 Americans are affected by power outages each day South Cleveland’s Broadview Heating carries the full line of Rheem Generators When the power goes out losses can range from minor inconveniences to a huge headache. Imagine having to replace a refrigerator or freezer full of food, cleaning a flooded basement caused by a backedup septic system or even worse. Rheem offers Automatic Home Generators that provide permanent, backup protection from power outages for your home and your family. Rheem automatic home generators provide backup electricity for your air conditioner, appliances, lights, TVs or computers and give you the peace of mind. Broadview Heating can be reached at 440-526-7310.
Generators installed as low a $75.00 per month or 12 months deferred interest. Broadview Heating 440-526-7310
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Compliments of Broadview Heating 440-526-7310
Paying for your new system
Two-thirds of new HVAC systems are financed The majority of homeowners finance their new HVAC unit. And by offsetting the monthly payment with the energy savings, financing a new airconditioning or heating system can be a lot less expensive than most people think. New systems are 30% to 40% more efficient. If the cost to finance a new HVAC system is $120 a month, that system could save you $60 or more, basically making half the monthly payment. When you combine other various financial incentives that are available for new air conditioning and heating equipment with lower monthly energy bills and fewer repairs, you may be able to recover much – if not all – of the cost of a new HVAC system in about 5-7 years. Most HVAC financing, including Compliments of Broadview Heating 440-526-7310
third-party financing through the manufacturer or home equity loans, allow homeowners to borrow for the main system as well as options such as air cleaners, humidifiers, thermostats, UV systems and CO2 detectors. Homeowners should purchase the best system they can comfortably afford. A few extra dollars per month in payments can make a huge difference in energy savings, comfort and reliability.
1,200 Instant CashBack Rebate and up to 12 months deferred interest on qualifying Rheem HVAC systems. $
Broadview Heating 440-526-7310
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How to Create
Big Easy fare Recently picked as the best food city in the United States, many of the authentic New Orleans Cajun and creole recipes are weekly staples that are easy to make.
Chicken and andouille gumbo
Gumbo is really a chicken stew with local spices and ingredients.
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Servings: 12 Ingredients • 1 cup oil • 1 cup flour • 2 large onions, chopped • 2 bell peppers, chopped • 4 celery ribs, chopped • 4 -6 garlic cloves, minced • 4 quarts chicken stock • 2 bay leaves • 2 teaspoons creole seasoning • 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
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Salt & black pepper 1 large chicken, cut into pieces 2 lbs andouille sausages or 2 lbs smoked sausage, cut into 1/2-inch pieces 1 bunch scallion, tops only, chopped (green onions) 2/3 cup chopped fresh parsley File powder
Compliments of Broadview Heating 440-526-7310
Directions: Season the chicken with salt, pepper and Creole seasoning and brown quickly. Brown the sausage, pour off fat and reserve meats. In a large, heavy pot, heat the oil and cook the flour in the oil over medium to high heat (depending on your roux-making skill), stirring constantly, until the roux reaches a dark reddishbrown color, almost the color of coffee or milk chocolate for a Cajun-style roux. If you want to save time, or prefer a more New Orleans-style roux, cook it to a medium, peanut-butter color, over lower heat if you’re nervous about burning it. Add the vegetables and stir quickly. This cooks the vegetables and also stops the roux from cooking further. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, for about 4 minutes. Add the stock, seasonings, chicken and sausage. Bring to a boil, then cook for about one hour, skimming fat off the top as needed. Add the chopped scallion tops and parsley, and heat for 5 minutes. Add file powder to taste just before serving. This also acts as a thickening agent. Serve over rice in large shallow bowls. Accompany with a good beer and lots of hot, crispy French bread.
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Red beans are a Monday tradition around the city in homes and restaurants.
eans Red B Rice and
New Orleans Red Beans and Rice Ingredients • • • • • • •
1 pound dry red beans or kidney beans 3 quarts cold water 4 chopped onions 4 toes garlic Salt, Pepper and hot sauce to taste 1 pound Ham bone with trimmings 2 pounds smoked sausage, cut into 6 inch lengths.
Directions Pick over beans and wash thoroughly. Soak overnight. In order to have a creamy sauce, it is necessary to low boil the beans with onion ham and garlic. Stir frequently for 2.5 to 3 hours. (Use a tall pot so beans won’t splash out while boiling.) Some of the beans will break to create a creamy consistency. When beans are tender, add sausage and lower heat. Continue to cook for 30 minutes. Add a little more water as necessary. Adjust seasoning. Serve over steamed rice that was seasoned with 1 or 2 Bay Leaves. Enjoy!!!
Compliments of Broadview Heating 440-526-7310
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Keep your cool during an Ohio Summer Tips from the experts at Broadview Heating The weather usually balances out and that might mean going from using your furnace right into using your air conditioning. If this becomes true, I’m reminding you to prepare now for the warm weather. Northern Ohio weather can change instantly from cool to hot and when you first call on your air conditioning I want it to respond for you with cool air coming out of the registers. First off, if you have installed a winter cover on your outside unit, it is time to remove it. You wouldn’t want to forget this step in the future as running the a/c with the cover on will damage your unit. Once the cover is off, check to make sure there is no physical damage from one of those large falling icicles you might have experienced this winter. During the summer you will want to keep weeds and tall grass from restricting the air flow through your unit. Keep all vegetation at least 12” away and cut back any bushes or trees so they are not growing above the unit discharge. Weed killer is a great way to control growth. You may also want to place small stones or river rock around your unit. This will prevent splashing of mud onto your A/C during heavy rains. If you have mulch around the unit, make sure you or your landscapers are not burying the air conditioner in deep layers of mulch.
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Your air conditioner could probably use a coat of car wax to refresh its finish and help protect it from the harsh summer sun. Check and make sure the A/C breaker is turned on in your fuse box. You should turn on the breaker 24 hrs. before you activate the air conditioner. Change or wash the filter in the furnace depending on which style you have. Once the temperature is above 65 degrees, I would suggest trying your air conditioning system to see if at least it will turn on and that it blows cold air. Doing this step now will allow you to call early for service rather than calling us on the first hot day when everyone else calls and our schedules are booked. Of course, sometime during the warm months, we highly recommend a checkup of the system by a professional service technician. Checkups include cleaning coils and debris from inside the unit, flushing the drain, checking out all the vital components including refrigerant levels and monitoring electrical systems. This will help keep operating costs down and extend the life of your system. As always, give us a call if you have any questions. We are here for you.
Compliments of Broadview Heating 440-526-7310
Broadview Heating owner Tom Olecki answers your questions about heating and cooling. Look for Tom’s monthly column in the Richfield Times and the Brecksville/ Broadview Gazette.
By Tom Olecki
any leak in less than one hour.
I hear a lot of questions and misconceptions about heating and air conditioning systems. Hopefully these are helpful to you.
To humidify my home in the winter I put pots of water near the registers. While this method does something, it’s a far cry from a whole home humidifier system. The water in that pot will take up to a week to evaporate while a humidifier will do the same work in about one hour.
My air conditioning or furnace is not working, I must need a new thermostat. Save your money. 99% of the time, your heating or cooling system has an issue not your thermostat. The higher you set your thermostat, the faster your house will heat up. Most furnaces deliver the same amount of heat regardless of how high the thermostat is set. I periodically need to fill up my air conditioner with refrigerant. False. Refrigerant or freon does not wear out. Even if your air conditioning is very old it will run indefinitely without adding freon. If it needs refrigerant it is because it has a leak. If you have to add refrigerant every year, have the leak located and repaired. It’s too expensive to find the leak in my air conditioner. False. We have detectors that can find
Compliments of Broadview Heating 440-526-7310
I should reverse my ceiling fan direction between the heating and cooling seasons. This actually makes no difference. A ceiling fan helps to circulate and mix the room air between floor and ceiling which is good. Direction though means nothing although you might feel cooler in the summer if the fan blows down because in this direction you can feel the fan blowing on you. Once I have a high efficiency air cleaner I will not need to dust my home. High end air cleaners can only stop the dust that gets back to them. Some dust will settle out before it gets back to the filter system so you will still have to dust but probably not as often.
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Kitchen Makeover
The kitchen is the heart of any home. Bring your up to date and increase its appearance and functionality.
For those who wish to make updates to their home, the kitchen is a great place to begin. According to the 2013 Cost vs. Value report from Remodeling magazine, a minor kitchen remodel should recoup up to 75 percent of total remodeling dollars, based on the value of the home increasing. When focusing on this important part of the house, many homeowners are looking for ways to add luxurious and modern touches without breaking the bank. Whether you want to splurge on cabinets, countertops, appliances or floors, homeowners are finding they really can have the kitchen they’ve always wanted by doing their research and learning about the many high-quality, yet cost-effective alternatives that exist in home remodeling.
Countertops
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Serving as an integral piece of your kitchen space, the addition of new countertops can easily become the priciest part of the remodel project. Homeowners like the look of granite or marble but at $125 to $225 per sq. ft that can be a budget buster. Less expensive alternatives include concrete at $40 $140 per sq. ft.; recycled glass at $50 to $125 per sq. ft.; and laminate that has come a long way and is surprisingly attractive and durable at $20 to $50 per sq. ft.
Backsplash
To add a sleek and modern touch to your kitchen space, consider adding a new backsplash. Typically made from ceramic, glass or stainless steel tile, a backsplash is an affordable option for those who want to add an understated change or a small pop of color as an accent. When compared to other remodeling projects this one is quick and easy.
Hardware
Did you know you can refresh the look of your whole kitchen for as little as $50? If the hardware on your kitchen drawers or cabinets has an outdated appearance, invest in some of the new options available at your local hardware store. Change out old, brushed stainless or gold knobs and pulls with the newer, on-trend styles offered in pewter or bronze.
Porcelain tile flooring
If you want the look of stone flooring without the hefty cost, check out the many offerings of porcelain tile. This sturdy, chip-resistant surface is easy on the wallet and can provide long-lasting beauty to your kitchen floors for many years.
Backsplashes are an easy project to make your kitchen pop.
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Broadview Heating 4111 E Royalton Road Broadview Heights, OH 44147
$
10 OFF
Any Service Call No Expiration
Financing No Monthly Interest
If paid within 1 year
10% OFF Custom A/C covers
Get Financing Now from Broadview Heating Easy application process We make it easy for you to avoid lengthy contracts, headaches and hassles through use of our quick and easy credit application process. Our Rheem Kwik Comfort Financing representatives are a phone call away seven days a week. Kwik Comfort is there when YOU need it. We can show you the money, FAST You’ll appreciate our quick and efficient credit processing. We’ll have an answer for you within minutes, and you’ll soon be installing the premium Rheem home comfort system that your family and home deserves. Instant credit for future purchases Broadview Heating gives you the affordable convenience of financing everything associated with your Rheem equipment—your original equipment purchase, all subsequent service, Protection Plus extended service protection, and even the comfort options that you choose to add later.
Low monthly payments With low monthly payments for equipment and service cost, a homeowner can finance an entire new heating and cooling system for as low as $100 a month. Lots of options The Kwik Comfort Financing Program offers a variety of financing options. Ask us for details. Relax. It’s Rheem. Broadview Heating will provide you with a professional installation of quality Rheem heating and cooling equipment. You’ll have the peace of mind of knowing that you have purchased a dependable Rheem system that will make your home comfortable year round for years to come. Service that makes all the difference Broadview Heating, dependable home comfort from Rheem, and the Kwik Comfort Financing Program. A winning combination.
Serving south Cleveland since 1960 440-526-7310