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Home Living WINTER 2015
www.pacificaircomfort.com
Warm up with Chili Home Comfort Energy checklist
Compliments of
Drafty Home? Easy fixes
Kitchens What they say about your style
1800-671-9510
SWING RIGHT INTO COOLER WEATHER
The New Ruud 90%+ Gas Furnace
Rely on Ruud™ Ease back into falling temperatures with Ruud’s 90%+ Gas Furnace, a great choice for homeowners who demand quality and value. Its high efficiency features keep utility bills low without sacrificing the legendary Ruud comfort.
Visit Ruud.com/Furnace to find an authorized Ruud contractor to discuss your family’s comfort needs before winter arrives this year.
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Kitchen Style
Q&A What you need to know about all those technical terms and what they really mean.
What’s yours?
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UV Lights Help protect your family from bacteria and viruses with an ultra violet light that can be installed in nearly any existing or new central HVAC system.
Energy Smart
Find your top energy wasters in your home.
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Going Green
It’s “chili” weather
Home Comfort
Reduce your carbon footprint and increase your comfort at the same time.
Great recipes that will keep you and your family warm on those cold winter nights.
Half the battle of getting a HVAC system fixed right the first time is knowing what to tell your service technician.
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What you should know about your furnace What do rating numbers mean?
outdoor environment and should not be
efficiency rating is based on the entire
The U.S. government requires an
covered.
system. Replacing the entire system
efficiency rating of all air conditioning
ensures the system will be reliable and
and heating equipment. The rating
Should a thermostat be set to “auto” or
reflects the percentage of energy used
“on”?
efficiently, with a high rating indicating
Preferably auto. That way, the fan
What is the difference between a split
high-efficiency. The next two topics
operates only when the temperature
system and a package unit?
address this issue in greater detail.
requires it. This is the most used and the
A split system uses indoor and outdoor
most efficient setting. However, there
components to provide a complete home
What is a SEER?
are advantages to using the “on” setting.
comfort system. A package unit or self-
Air conditioning equipment is rated by
Air is constantly filtered through the
contained unit requires no external
the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating,
unit’s air filter, and the constantly
coils, air handlers, or heating units.
or SEER. The higher the SEER rating,
circulating air results in an even
the more efficient the unit.
temperature throughout the house.
efficient.
What do good furnaces have in common? The best furnaces are efficient. They
What does HSPF stand for?
Can shrubs or flowers be planted around
Heat pump equipment in the heating
an outdoor unit?
mode is rated by the Heating Seasonal
Yes. However, we recommend that
Performance Factor, or HSPF. The
plants be no closer than 18 inches to
higher the HSPF rating, the more
the unit. This allows for plenty of room
efficient the unit.
for air circulation in and out of the unit. Without this room for air circulation,
What does AFUE stand for?
the unit could overheat, resulting in a
Gas furnaces are rated according to
premature need for service.
keep a home warm and comfortable. They
provide
steady,
dependable
performance year after year. And they are quiet, long-lasting and low in service frequency and cost.
their Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, or AFUE. The higher the AFUE rating, the more efficient the unit.
If an outdoor unit needs replacing, should the indoor unit be replaced
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Should outdoor units be covered in
too?
winter?
Yes. Ruud air conditioning and
No. Ruud heat pumps operate year-
heating units are designed
round and should never be covered.
to operate as a complete,
Similarly, air conditioners that operate
matched
seasonally are built to withstand an
system. The
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Go Green Reduce energy use, save money and stay more comfortable.
If your furnace or A/C is more than 10 years old, you should consider replacing it with an energy-efficient system. A new system would greatly reduce your energy consumption, especially if the existing equipment is in poor condition. In today’s tough economic times, many might think about just
patching their system to get through another season, but being penny wise will mean being dollar foolish down the road. New systems that provide two-stage comfort will not only lower your heating and cooling bills but will provide a much better comfort level in your home. Also, you can significantly reduce costly service calls for the next 5-10 years. It will also give you the peace of mind of a warranty should anything go wrong.
High-efficient HVAC systems drastically reduce your carbon footprint.
Replacing an outdated and inefficient HVAC system can reap huge benefits in comfort and cost savings
Local rebates and incentives can really help offset the investment to a higher-efficiency system. Not only will you be more comfortable with a new system, it will likely reduce your heating and cooling costs 35% to 50%.
Make a Healthier Home Modern homes are energy efficient, and built to be as air-tight as possible. The consequence is stale air, laced with odors and chemicals, irritants. Viruses and bacteria also can be carried through a typical HVAC system.
UV (ultra violet) lights to protect their families from a wide range of containments.
Hospitals and other healthcare buildings have used UV lights for years. Now that technology can be ordered with a new HVAC system or That’s why many homeowners are retrofitted into an existing system. upgrading their heating and cooling The cost ranges from about $500 to filtration system and installing $700.
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Don’t take our word for it... See why Pacific Air Comfort Specialties gets a big thumbs up from its customers thumb’s up! L. Streeter of Coos bay returned their Customer Satisfaction report to us. They rated us “Excellent” in all seven categories. KGRV of Winston returned their Customer Satisfaction Survey to us today. They rated us “Excellent” in all seven categories. M. Tiller of Pleasant Hill emailed us their Customer Satisfaction Survey. They rated us “Excellent”(5) and “Good”(2) and went on to say “We are satisfied with the overall process. Very satisfied with the people we worked with, especially Kevin [Sales]“. M. Tiller also took the time to rated us on Angie’s List. Here is what he had to say: Description Of Work: “Installed gas furnace and electric air conditioner.” Member Comments: “Everything went according to plan. The only wait that was longer than expected was a wait for the gas company to do their part but this was not a problem since we installed in summer and had no real need for the furnace. All in all we were satisfied with the installation and all the people we worked with were excellent, especially Kevin Usher.” Would they hire us again? “Yes” M. Temple of Eugene rated us on Angie’s List and gave us an “Overall A”. They added the following: Description Of Work: “We took advantage of a Ruud Air Conditioner and Furnace deal with Pacific Air Comfort. Upgraded to a 95% furnace and 13 SEER 2 ton A/C Outdoor Unit. Replacing our 1987 edition Lennox model, which was still working, we just were being proactive and had the ability to buy now.” Member Comments: “Kevin Usher was the sales and estimate agent, excellent professionalism, clean-cut
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and personable. He explained in the first visit, he wanted to be a resource for questions and not just another person to sell you the latest and greatest! He stuck to this the whole way through the process. We reviewed 5 other large and small HVAC contractors, the demeanor of Kevin, the pricing and the equipment value is what made us choose them over the others. We chose September 15th to have the unit installed Kevin showed up a few minutes early to make sure the installers got going alright, Curtis and Ron were both friendly, professional and worked their behinds off getting me back up and running by 4:30 pm, after their 7:30 am start time. The guys made suggestions for future venting with the bathroom fans and kitchen exhaust in my attic, which I have already scheduled them to come back for. Curtis and Ron thought out their job well, made very little mess and cleaned it all up before they left for the day. Overall an excellent experience and I look forward to having them back to perform the annual maintenance on the two units we purchased.” Would they hire us again? “Yes” E. and D. Schattenkerk of Tenmile sent in their Customer Satisfaction Survey. They rated us “Excellent” in all seven categories and said, “I would deal with this company again.” (09/16/2014)Would they hire us again? “Yes” (09/15/2014
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Pacific Air Comfort home magazine is now online! You can now find Home Living on your home computer, tablet or mobile device. Clip recipes or articles for yourself or share with friends. Visit our website at
www.pacificaircomfort.com or our Facebook page at
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pacific-Air-Comfort-Inc/302138008606
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Figure No.03 | April 2015
Contemporary
Traditional
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Everyone has different tastes when it comes to the most important room in your home. What’s yours...
Kitchen Style? With so many styles of kitchens and cabinets, it can sometimes be hard to decide on a favorite. You may see kitchens in each style and agree that they are all beautiful in their own way. But which is the style you would choose for your own home? Aside from the look of each style, many aspects must be considered, such as its compatibility with the rest of the home, and whether it will endure the test of time. With many considerations to sort through, it can sometimes become more of a hassle than a fun improvement on your home. Defined below are different kitchen styles to help you decide on what suits your home while fitting your personal style.
Contemporary Contemporary kitchens
are very simple spaces and characterized by distinctive hard and sleek horizontal lines. A full overlay slab door style is typically the norm for these kitchens. The small amount of ornamentation that does exist is natural and usually comes in some form of texture. For example, there may be horizontal wood grains to match up with the horizontal line scheme. Visually the wood grain gives off a textured appearance.
Traditional
Traditional styled kitchens are distinguished by their detail. Unlike transitional kitchens, traditional kitchens contain embellishments and detail is found everywhere, with corbels and moldings on every piece of furniture. In terms of cabinetry, raised panels with applied molding are common for traditional kitchens.
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Transitional What does your kitchen say about you?
Transitional: The simplistic cabinet doors and mix of design details blend to create a balanced transitional kitchen. Accessories such as the stainless light and candelabra add contemporary and traditional details to the kitchen.
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Outlining these raised panels are inset or framed cabinet construction, adding a hint of detail to the cabinet doors. A fun thing about traditional is the ability to mix door styles, giving you the freedom to choose a couple of styles and mix them between perimeter cabinets and your island. Techniques are a small detail that, when applied to every cabinet door, give off a striking effect. This is an attribute that can really define your own personal style. Hutch and furniture style cabinets are another unique feature of traditional kitchens.
Transitional Transitional styling pulls together the warmth of traditional with the crispness of contemporary making for a good mix. This allows you to choose a simple door style, often a shaker, and pair it with a beautiful stained wood. Neutral paints are also very popular among
transitional cabinetry. With ornamental pieces at a minimum, emphasis is placed on the modest details that do exist. Maybe you like some characteristics of the traditional styling but enjoy the simplicity of contemporary. Transitional style encompasses the best of both worlds and fits the style of many homes because of its versatile traits.
Casual Casual kitchens maintain a comfortable feel within the home. They have the ability to be personalized and beautiful while practical at the same time. Casual is a style that can take on many looks. For instance, there can be coastal, country and eclectic versions of this laid-back look. Here are further explanations of each style: * Coastal casual is a look that is often found depending on location. Beach houses often have the coastal casual style that encompasses a light and airy
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Formal
environment with pops of color through pastels. The atmosphere (see cover) is also set through driftwood and white washes. Formal kitchens often display sophisticated, yet stunning * Country casual is a style details in which beauty is key. that is traditionally made up Although the detail may be of stained cabinets detailed small, it does not go without with ornamentations and notice and forms a timeless embellishments, making for a environment of high societal warm, inviting environment. The living. A vast range of cabinetry embellishments are placed in a door styles can be seen in comfortable manner reflecting formal kitchens because the the natural surroundings in style is distinguished by the which the home is located. architectural elements such as coffered ceilings, columns * Eclectic casual is a mix of and molding details. Glass a little bit of everything that cabinet doors can be found in you love with taste. It captures formal kitchens to add to the pieces and accessories from elegance of the environment. different places and times and The arrangement of over-thecombines them together in top elements and accessories is one space. Old and new design essential to creating a formal elements are pulled together to kitchen. create a unique, individual style.
Coastal Casual: The combination of the bead board panel from the cabinets and wall paint color gives this casual kitchen a coastal feel. This causal design makes for a comfortable environment.
Coastal Casual Click the pop up link to be connected to Pacific Air Comfort or call 800-671-9510
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Energy Checklist
Knowing what to tell your heating and cooling technician is half the battle to getting your system fixed right the first time. You can save repair costs and hassles by helping your HVAC technician accurately and quickly diagnose your heating or cooling system’s problem. For heating and air conditioning systems that may need to be repaired, you should be prepared
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to provide important information to your service technician. You know the “personality” of your heating or cooling system. No fact is insignificant and may help your technician diagnose and fix the problem.
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BE PREPARED TO TELL THE TECHNICIAN: • The brand and/or model number of your unit. • The age of your furnace or air conditioner. • When was it last serviced and who last serviced it. • When the filters were last changed. • Did you check your circuit breakers to make sure none were “tripped”? • When you first noticed that it seemed to not be working properly. • Was it making any unusual noises? • Are there any unusual odors? • Was there any unusual weather activity before the equipment acted up? • If you saw unusual fluids or leakage around the unit. • Make sure you have heating and cooling equipment installed and serviced by a Ruud HVAC technician.
Sponsored by Pacific Air Comfort 800-671-9510
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Healthy Life No.03 | April 2015
Slow cooker beef chili
Food
Chili Nights Whether cooking for a crowd or serving up a regular weeknight meal for two, nothing warms the body and pleases the appetite like a bubbling pot of rich, flavorful chili. Slow Cooker Beef Chili
Total time: 5 to 6 hours on HIGH, 8 to 9 1/2 hours on LOW Servings: 6-8 • • • • • • •
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2 1/2 pounds boneless beef chuck or round, cut into 1/2inch pieces 2 cans (15 1/2 ounces each) black beans, rinsed, drained 1 can (15 1/2 ounces) chilistyle tomato sauce with diced tomatoes 1 medium onion, chopped 2 teaspoons chili powder 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• • •
1/2 teaspoon pepper 1 cup prepared thick-andchunky salsa Optional toppings, shredded cheddar cheese, diced red onion, diced green onion, diced avocado, sour cream.
Combine all ingredients except salsa and toppings in 4 1/2 to 5 1/2-quart slow cooker, mix well. Cover and cook on HIGH 5 to 6 hours, or on LOW 8-9 hours, or until beef is tender. Just before serving, stir in salsa; cook 2-3 minutes or until heated through. Serve with toppings, as desired.
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Beef and Chorizo Chili Total time: 45-50 minutes Servings: 4-6
• • • • • • • • • • • •
1 pound ground beef (95% lean) 7-8 ounces beef chorizo 1 1/2 cups chopped white onions 2-4 medium serrano peppers, chopped 2 tablespoons ground ancho chili powder or regular chili powder 2 tablespoons masa harina or cornmeal 1 tablespoon dried Mexican or regular oregano leaves, crushed 1 teaspoon salt 2 cans (15-16 ounces each) garbanzo beans or pinto beans, rinsed and drained 1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained Hot cooked rice (optional) Optional toppings:, sliced radishes, rumbled queso fresco, sour cream, sliced green onions
8-10 minutes, breaking into 3/4-inch crumbles and stirring occasionally. Remove from skillet with slotted spoon, pour off drippings. Return beef to skillet. Add chili powder, masa harina, oregano and salt, cook and stir 1 minute. Stir in beans and tomatoes, bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 15 minutes. Remove from heat, let stand 5 minutes before serving. To make dressing, cut avocado into chunks. Place avocado, water, lime juice, garlic and salt in blender container. Cover, process until smooth. May be prepared up to 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.
For a lower fat version of these recipes you can substitute ground turkey. It also creates a lighter taste that many prefer.
Serve chili over rice with toppings and dressing, if desired.
Beef and chorizo chili
Dressing: • 1 avocado • 3/4 cup water • 1/4 cup fresh lime juice • 1 garlic clove, peeled • 1/2 teaspoon salt Heat large nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot. Add beef, chorizo, onions and peppers; cook
t o H
ili h C e l t
Chipo
Ingredients • • • • • • •
2 1/2 pounds beef shoulder, cut into 1/2-inch pieces 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided 1 teaspoon salt 3 cloves garlic, minced 2 cans (14 1/2 ounces each) Rotell 1 bottle (12 ounces) beer 2 tablespoons adobo sauce from chipotle peppers
Directions Cut roast into 1/2-inch pieces. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in stockpot over medium heat until hot, brown beef in batches and remove from stockpot. Season with salt. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in same stockpot over medium heat. Add garlic, cook and stir 1 minute. Add beef, tomatoes, beer, adobo sauce and chipotle
peppers, bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover tightly and simmer 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 hours or until beef is fork-tender. Stir in beans and masa harina, return to a boil. Reduce heat, simmer 1-2 minutes or until slightly thickened, stirring constantly. Serve with sour cream, as desired.
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Don’t be left in the cold this winter.
Energy Smart 16
With the high cost of energy many people who are seeking out the biggest home energy wasters and eliminating them to save money. Here are a few examples of the biggest energy wasters.
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Your old HVAC system Central heating and A/C systems 10 years and older are high on the list of home energy wasters. The SEER rating is a measure of how efficient the unit is in using energy to heat or cool. The top rated HVAC units have SEER ratings of as high as 19. Many older central air systems have SEER ratings of half that. You can save up to fifty percent on youy heating and cooling bill by replacing an old HVAC unit with a new Ruud high-efficiency system. Local electric utilities often offer rebates for more efficient units when you replace your old HVAC the draft at the source to save. Replace Your Thermostat unit with a more efficient one. If you are not using a programmable thermostat Drafty Windows and Doors Walk around in every room of your you’re throwing money away. home and see if you feel a draft. Today’s thermostats are easy to You could be losing your valuable program and the Ruud EcoNet energy through a door or window thermostat can be controlled or even a fireplace flue. Eliminate with your mobile phone or tablet even when you’re not at home.
How you use your energy Hea$ng and Cooling 45% Appliances 23% Water Heater 13% Ligh$ng 11% Refrigerator 8%
homes do not have enough attic insulation. At minimum you should have the equivalent of R-30 in your attic, R-40 or more if you live in a very cold climate. In hot climates attics must be well vented. Having good attic air flow is important in both cold and wet climates to prevent a buildup of condensation which can cause damage to wood and and insulation.
Lack Of Insulation Weatherstripping In many homes lack of enough insulation is the number one energy waster. Many older
Sealing leaky windows will cut down on cold air drafts.
Control your Ruud EcoNet system with leading mobile and tablet devices. The apps are powerful — and absolutely free. EcoNet can reduce heating and cooling bills by 30%. To learn more, contact Pacific Air Comfort or visit www.Ruud.com/EcoNet
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200 off a new system purchased from and installed by Pacific Air Comfort $
Certain restrictions apply. Contact a Pacific Air Comfort representative for more details. No cash value.
$
10 off a maintenance or % 15 off a service call Certain restrictions apply. Contact a Pacific Air Comfort representative for more details. No cash value.
$
50 off Air Duct Cleaning
If you have not had your air ducts inspected and cleaned recently, you need to. It is important for people who suffer from allergies.Our cleaning process guarantees a clean, healthy air duct system.
Certain restrictions apply. Contact a Pacific Air Comfort representative for more details. No cash value.
Pacific Air Comfort Reliable Products & Quality Service
800-671-9510 Click the pop up link to be connected to Pacific Air Comfort or call 800-671-9510