Spring 2015
RIGHT AT HOME www.reeveshvac.com
Be Prepared
Sa5 ovneAny
$7 arir p e r C A ove HV n back c Details o
Be ready if disaster stikes
Finance
The smart way most homeowners pay for their new HVAC system
Compliments of Serving the Greater Wilmington area since 1970
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.
06.
10.
12.
14.
Big Easy recipes
Safeguard your investment
Kitchen Makover
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.
Spring Solutions Reeves Heating and Air is here to help you prepare home for those unpredictable spring and summer months. Spring is here and it’s certainly not to soon to start preparing for the next few months.
Please take the time to look through Rheem Right At Home. We’ve packed it with useful and fun information to help you prepare for the warmer weather and all that it brings with it.
We’ve also highlighted how to be prepared for the storms that seem to roll in every summer - weather’s it’s hurricanes in the south, twisters in the mid-west or flooding on the west coast, you need to be ready before disaster strikes. Kitchens seem to be the heart of every home and we show you simple and often inexpensive tips to breathe new life into yours.
Weather seems to have become more unpredictable and we are seeing more Finally, who doesn’t extremes: in heat, rain, and like a great dinner? We storms. traveled to New Orleans and brought back some The best way to start is authentic Big Easy cuisine with a spring maintenance that will impress friends inspection to go over not and family. only your A/C system, but your filters, ducts and Please enjoy Rheem Right other parts of your HVAC At Home - from our family system. Not only does this to yours. simple check-up find issues Thomas Rooks, and problems that could reduce your comfort, it also Owner, Reeves Heating and Air extends the life of your system.
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.
4
Compliments of Reeves Heating and Air 791-1004
Being smart about adding money-saving technology and scheduling proper maintenance adds value and comfort to your home.
UV Lights Make Families 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 from Rheem.
Hot
Rheem Reliable
lth
r hea bette
New
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.
A leading independent consumer magazine recently conducted a study of 32,550 consumers who bought an HVAC system ranked Rheem #1 in reliability.
More
rt
comfo
Phone home with EcoNet Control your Rheem EcoNet system with mobile and tablet devices. The apps are powerful — and absolutely free. EcoNet could save you 30% on your heating and cooling bills. To learn more, contact your local Rheem contractor or visit www.Rheem.com/EcoNet.
Compliments of Reeves Heating and Air 791-1004
5
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.
6
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 Reeves Heating and Air 791-1004
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. www.Rheem.com
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.
7
Read us online You can now read Right At Home on your home computer, tablet or mobile device. Filled with recipes, home improvements tips and money savings ideas. And best of all it’s free. Visit us at www.ReevesHVAC.com or on Facebook http://www.reeveshvac.com/facebook
8
Compliments of Reeves Heating and Air 791-1004
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 system 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 Rheem 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 in about Compliments of Reeves Heating and Airsystem 791-1004 5-7 years.
Most HVAC financing, including KwikComfort 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.
“...you may be able to recover much – if not all – of the cost of a new HVAC system in about 5-7 years.”
99
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.
10
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
• • • • • •
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
www.Rheem.com
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.
y s a e eans B d e R ice and R
Red beans are a Monday tradition around the city in homes and restaurants.
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!!!
www.Rheem.com
11
Make your appointment before trouble starts.
Upkeep on your system Even Rheem contractors get busy once the high temperatures of summer arrive, so it’s best to check the cooling system in the spring.
12
Compliments of Reeves Heating and Air 791-1004
A typical maintenance check-up should include the following. - Check thermostat settings to ensure the cooling and heating system keeps you comfortable when you are home and saves energy while you are away.
Maintaining your equipment prevents future problems and unexpected costs.
- Tighten all electrical connections and measure voltage and current on motors. Faulty electrical connections can cause unsafe operation of your system and reduce the life of major components.
damage in the house and affect Check your central air conindoor humidity levels. ditioner’s refrigerant level and adjust if necessary. Too - Check controls of the system much or too little refrigerto ensure proper and safe opant will make your system eration. Check the starting cy- less efficient increasing cle of the equipment to assure energy costs and reducing - Lubricate all moving parts. the system starts, operates, the life of the equipment. Parts that lack lubrication cause and shuts off properly. friction in motors and increases Clean and adjust blower the amount of electricity you use. components to provide Cooling Specific proper system airflow for Clean evaporator and con- Check and inspect the condengreater comfort levels. Airdenser air conditioning coils. sate drain in your central air flow problems can reduce conditioner, furnace and/or heat Dirty coils reduce the system’s your system’s efficiency by pump (when in cooling mode). A ability to cool your home up to 15 percent. and cause the system to run plugged drain can cause water longer, increasing energy costs and reducing the life of the equipment.
A semi-annual maintenance agreement makes upkeep automatic.
Compliments of Reeves Heating and Air 791-1004
A dark gray HVAC filter might mean airflow is being reduced due to dirt, causing your system to work harder
13
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
14
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. www.Rheem.com
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.
15
3401-1 Enterprise Drive Wilmington, NC 28405
Serving Wilmington-area residents since 1970 www.ReevesHVAC.com
• • • • • • • • •
Full line of high-efficiency comfort systems Service, maintenance, and repair Duke Energy Progress HVAC audits ENERGY STAR® duct system installation Duct testing, sealing, and balancing Dryer vent repair and cleaning Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Stand-by home generator systems Attic sealing and insulation
Click on our QR code with your smart phone or tablet to view our offers Licensed and insured 29372 H2, H3-1
Call Now and Save!
Complete A/C System Check $59 call by 3/31/15, $79 call by 4/30/15
$25 off
VIP Maintenance Plan Exp. 4/15/15
$
75 OFF
Any Repair (over $200)