S P E C I A SL P HE O I SF SO UR ET CM I AEL CHOOMMFEO R C TO M
RIGHT AT HOME www.A1HVAC.com
I S S U E
FALL/WINTER
The best time to buy
This time of the year is the best time to get great deals on HVAC systems
Steak T-bones give you the best of both
worlds. We’ve got some great rubs and sauces to take your grilling to the next level
Up to
$1200 CashBack on a New Rheem System
We can help with remodeling, electrical, plumbing, heating and air condtioning.
Blue Ridge Remodeling Heating & A/C, Inc.
276-647-5157
2014
Welcome to Right At Home Welcome to the fall 2014 issue of Right At Home, the magazine that provides homeowners across the country with recipes, lifestyle articles, home health tips and, home comfort. The new rage seems to be rubs. There’s rubs for chicken, pork and now we’ve provided some rubs for your steaks. As the weather cools off, it’s a perfect time to fire up the grill and we hope our tips on cooking the perfect steak will come in handy. Depending on where you live, fall and winter can have very different impacts. For those in southern states with warmer climates, it’s often a time to open the windows and turn off your air conditioner. For those in more moderate climates, it may be time to see if your heat pump is working properly for those cold snaps that always come unexpectedly in December and January. Homeowners in colder climates have a lot more to worry about. A broken furnace during a blizzard can mean days without heat and single-digit temperatures outside. For those in the northeast and mountain states, it’s vital that they get their furnace checked before the winter bears down. If your system in more than 10 years old, you really need to consider a replacement, not just for energy savings but also for peace of mind. Please take times to read through our recipes and home advice. You probably will want to keep Right At Home through the season just in case you have a need for a highly-qualified heating and cooling company!
CONTENTS
FALL/WINTER 2014
INSTANT CASHBACK REBATE
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STEAK
Steaks are great all year ‘round and rubs are the rage. great tips on making the perfect steak.
See how your Rheem contractor can save you up to $1,200 on a qualifying Rheem cooling and heating system.
HEALTHY LIVING
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Without the right air filters and cleaners allergens and bacteria can spread throughout your whole house. Good filters and installing a UV light in your new or current is a great way to protect your family all year long.
DidYouKnow
Easy ways to lower your energy bills from replacing some light bulbs to finding pesky leaks
Right At Home PUBLISHER William Sabo DESIGNER KZ Creative
STAFF WRITERS David V. King Beth Burcham Bill Reid
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.
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BIG COMFORT Rebates How to find local utility rebates & incentives Heating and cooling bills too high? You’re not alone. According to the ENERGY STAR program, homeowners of a typical single home can expect to pay approximately $2,200 for their annual energy bill. Even though there are energy savings with new heating or cooling systems, the up-front price can be daunting. The good news is a number of local utilities and even municipalities are offering homeowners rebate programs to help lower these up-front costs. Here are some helpful ways to find out about rebates and tax credits: • Start by reviewing the Database of State Incentives for Renewable EnergyTM (www.dsireusa.org). This comprehensive website gives an overview of a number of savings opportunities for all 50 states and U.S. territories. • Check with your utility providers. Do you usually throw away those inserts that come with your power or gas bills? Read them first! They often give good information on rebates offered by the utility. Most utilities also have sections for incentives on their websites, so you can go online for more information too. • Look at what the manufacturer has to say. If you’re shopping for a new heating or cooling system, visit the manufacturer’s website. Rheem’s website, for instance, gives helpful information on the Federal Tax Credit as well as its CashBack program. Just a few minutes of online research could help you save big on your next HVAC purchase!
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The Rheem Consumer CashBack offer and extended Tax Credit means big savings for you! By combining the new Rheem Consumer CashBack instant money back program with the reinstated federal tax credit and local rebates, homeowners could save $1,500 or more off a hew heating and cooling system. Rheem is offering up to $1,200 in money back on qualifying systems. Filing 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. Think $1,200 is great? That’s only part of the savings that you can achieve. The Rheem offer is good now until November 14th, 2013 so don’t wait! You can learn more about the federal tax credit online: www.Rheem.com.
Blue Ridge Remodeling Heating and A/C, Inc. (540) 668.6522
Rheem.com
A BETTER WAY TO WARM
YOUR H ME The New Rheem 90%+ Gas Furnace Rheem’s 90%+ Gas Furnace is a better way to keep your home, and your budget, comfortable. It’s EnergyStar qualified, with optimized airflow and ®
enhanced efficiency—keeping your heating bill in check while providing the quality and reliability you expect from Rheem.
Find a Rheem contractor to help meet your family’s heating needs this winter at Rheem.com/Furnace
Blue Ridge Remodeling Heating & A/C, Inc
276-647-5157
I N TEG RATED ED H O M E C O MFO RT
GRILL UP
AN INCREDIBLE STEAK T-Bones - The best of both worlds
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Rheem.com
uite possibly the ultimate steak, the T-bone embodies the rich blend of varied beef flavors that steak lovers crave, from tender and mild to bold and beefy. On one side of the T-bone is the filet mignon. French for “dainty fillet,” the filet mignon is considered the most tender cut, with a mild beef flavor. On the other side of the T-bone is the strip loin or New York strip, a firm, robust steak that is naturally marbled and offers a bold taste. The bone itself also provides additional flavor in the cooking process. With this pairing of tastes, it is no surprise that the T-bone is considered to be “the best of both worlds” by steak connoisseurs.
Ten Tips for Perfect
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3 4
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Clean and preheat your grill on high.
Lightly oil everything before you put it on the grill. This helps the searing process and prevents sticking. Season your food before grilling.
Sear the outside of steaks when grilling. This really helps with the flavor and juiciness.
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Use tongs or a spatula to turn your meat on the grill. Using a fork can damage the meat.
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Cover your grill as much as possible during the grilling process. This helps to lock in the grilled flavor and will help prevent flare-ups.
A new Defree of Comfort.™
Grilling
Keep a spray bottle with water handy to douse any unexpected flare-ups.
Use the 60/40 grilling method. Grill for 60 percent of the time on the first side, then grill 40 percent of the time after you turn over the food. This will give you an evenly cooked product.
Place your cooked product on a clean plate. Never place cooked product on the plate you used to transport the raw product to the grill without thoroughly washing it first.
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Allow your foods to “rest” for 5 minutes between cooking and eating. This will help them retain moisture when you cut into them.
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Blue Ridge Remodeling Heating & A/C, Inc. (540) 668-6522
C ZY UP THIS FALL
WITH INSTANT SAVINGS
The Rheem Instant Rebate offers savings of $25 to $1,200 on eligible Rheem heating and cooling systems and individual unit components purchased between September 1, 2014, and November 14, 2014, from a participating independent Rheem Dealer. The actual savings amount depends on the eligible Rheem products that you purchase. Your Instant Rebate is applied by the Dealer as a discount to your bill for the eligible equipment at the time of purchase.* You get instant savings and all the comforts of Rheem! Contact your independent Rheem HVAC Dealer today to find the solution that’s best for your home and take advantage of these great savings.
*See Matrix for a full list of qualifying products.
Rheem.com
Take Advantage of Effortless Savings. From September 1st to November 14th, the Rheem Instant Rebate* offers savings up to $1,200. You get big, instant savings and all the comforts of Rheem. Make your home comfortable in every season with a top-rated Rheem heating or cooling solution. And with new comfort comes big savings! This fall, you can take advantage of immediate cash back with a Rheem Instant Rebate. When you purchase an eligible Rheem system or any individual unit component, you save on the spot!
It’s Easy. There’s no paperwork for you to fill out and nothing to put in the mail. And with this rebate, there’s no waiting and wondering about when you will receive a check. Your savings are immediate – and your Dealer takes care of everything. Easy! *Limited time offer. Offer applies only on eligible Rheem products purchased from participating independent Rheem HVAC Dealers between 9/1/14 and 11/14/14. To view applicable Instant Rebate amounts, list of eligible Rheem products and other information, view the qualifying product matrix on page 2-3. Offer valid to legal residents of the continental United States, Alaska and Hawaii only. Must be at least 18 years of age or older at the time of purchase to be eligible. The applicable Instant Rebate is applied by the participating Rheem Dealer at the time of purchase for the eligible product. Rebate request must be made to participating Rheem Dealer at time of purchase to qualify. Rebate requests submitted to Rheem will not be honored. This offer is limited to residential HVAC applications. Subject to applicable laws. Void where prohibited. This Instant Rebate offer may not be combined with any other rebate, discount, or other promotions and is not transferable or applicable toward future purchases. Rheem reserves the right to modify or discontinue this offer, products and/or services at any time for any reason. Contact your local Rheem Dealer or visit Rheem.com/FallPromo for more information.
Dealer Name:
Date:
Dealer Phone Number:
2014 FALL PROMO
Enjoy worry-free family time in complete home comfort.
Why Rheem? For more than 85 years, Rheem has been focused on building products that make you more comfortable. Today, we continue our focus, creating the new degree of comfort by offering integrated products and new features that provide total home comfort. As a homeowner, you’ll enjoy products that are better on the environment, better on your monthly energy bills and deliver the value and performance you and your family can count on.
“In keeping with its policy of continuous progress and product improvement, Rheem reserves the right to make changes without notice.”
Rheem USA • P.O. Box 17010 • Fort Smith, Arkansas 72917
Ancho Chile Rubbed Grilled T-Bones Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 10 minutes Total time: 15 minutes
Serves 4
4 T-bone steaks 2 tablespoons olive oil 4 tablespoons Ancho Chile Rub (see recipe below) 12 grilled tri-color sweet baby peppers Preheat grill to medium. Thaw and blot dry steaks. Brush steaks with olive oil. Generously cover both sides of steaks with Ancho Chile Rub by dipping them in rub. Continue until steaks are completely covered. Place steaks on heated grill and grill to desired doneness. (For a medium-rare steak, grill approximately 8 minutes on first side and 6 to 7 minutes on second side.) Remove steaks from grill and garnish with grilled tri-colored sweet baby peppers.
Ancho Chile Rub
Makes: 4 tablespoons 1 tablespoon smoked paprika 2 teaspoons sea salt 2 tablespoons ancho chile powder 1 teaspoon brown sugar Combine all ingredients and mix well.
Grilled T-Bones with Tabasco es and Roquefort Serv 4 Cheese Butter Prep time: 15 minutes, plus 4 hours refrigerator time Cook time: 15 minutes Total time: 4 hours and 30 minutes
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4 T-bones steaks Steak Seasoning, or salt and pepper, to taste 4 slices (1 1/2-inch coins) Tabasco and Roquefort Cheese Butter (see recipe below) 2 tablespoons minced chives
Preheat grill to medium. Season both sides of steaks with seasoning, or salt and pepper. Grill steaks to desired doneness. (For medium-rare steak, grill approximately 8 minutes on first side and 6 to 7 minutes on second side.) Just before removing steaks from grill, place butter slice on each steak. The idea is to have butter half melted on top as you are serving steaks. Garnish each steak with sprinkle of minced chives.
Tabasco and Roquefort Cheese Butter
4 ounces unsalted butter, softened 4 ounces Roquefort blue cheese, crumbled 3 tablespoons Tabasco sauce 1/4 cup fresh chives, minced 2 tablespoons fresh garlic, minced 1 roasted red pepper, peeled, seeded and diced 1 teaspoon kosher salt Whip butter slightly in mixer. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Transfer mixture to sheet of parchment paper. Roll into tube (approximately 1 1/2-inch diameter) and twist paper at the ends. Refrigerate for 4 to 6 hours. When ready to serve, slice into coins as needed. Unused butter can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Serves Roasted 4 Pepper Pesto Rubbed Grilled T-Bones Prep time: 30 minutes Cook time: 15 minutes Total time: 45 minutes 4 T-bone steaks 2 tablespoons olive oil 1/4 cup Omaha Steaks Private Reserve Seasoning, or salt and pepper 1 recipe Roasted Pepper Pesto (see recipe below) 4 fresh basil sprigs Preheat grill to medium. Brush steaks with olive oil and season with seasoning, or salt and pepper. Brush both sides of steaks with Roasted Pepper Pesto. Place steaks on grill and cook to desired doneness. (For a medium-rare steak about 8 minutes on first side and 6 to 7 minutes on second side.) When steaks are
A new Defree of Comfort.™
finished, brush both sides one final time with pesto. Serve steaks with dollop of unused pesto in center of each and garnish with fresh basil sprig.
Roasted Pepper Pesto
Makes: approximately 2 cups 1 cup roasted red peppers, peeled, seeded and chopped 1/4 cup garlic cloves, peeled 1/2 cup pine nuts, toasted 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1/2 cup olive oil Combine all ingredients except olive oil in food processor or blender, and puree until smooth. Next, add oil slowly in food processor until completely combined.
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Blue Ridge Remodeling Heating & A/C, Inc. is now Oline! You can now read Right At Home on your home computer, tablet or mobile device. Filled with recipes, home rimprovements tips and money savings ideas. And best of all it’s free. Visit our website at
http://www.blueridgeremodelingandhvac.com/home
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Rheem.com
Super-efficient furnaces save money, help the MM
environment
ost new central-heating systems to 98% AFUE systems furnaces are widely “These furnaces are game-changers for the furnaces game-changers for the ost How new efficiently central-heating systems to 98% AFUE systems furnaces are widely entire“These industry,” said are Terry Stern, Rheem use gas. a furnace available. entire industry,” said Terry Stern, use gas. How efficiently a furnace available. product manager, residential heatingRuud converts gas into heating energy is reflectFurnace prices rise with greater efficiency. product manager, residential converts gas into heating energy is reflectproducts. “We wanted to develop not justheating a ed in its annual fuel-utilization-efficiency Furnace prices rise withfurnace greater might efficiency. Though a 90% AFUE-rated products. “We wanted to develop not just a ed in its annual fuel-utilization-efficiency high-performance product, but an industry(AFUE) rating, which is measured as a pera 90%than AFUE-rated might cost Though $1,000 more a similar furnace size unit high-performance an industry(AFUE) is measured as a perleading product that wasproduct, reliable, but durable and centage. The rating, higher which the number, the more cost $1,000 more than a similar size unit leading product that was reliable, durable and with an 80 percent AFUE. But living in a centage. The higher the number, the more easily serviceable. We did just that with this more efficient, which not only saves on your withCleveland, an 80 percent But living a easily serviceable. We did just that with this city like with AFUE. cold winters, you innew more not only on your furnace line.” energy billefficient, but also which can reduce yoursaves carbon city like Cleveland, with cold winters, you can generally recoup that additional expense new furnace line.” energy bill but also can reduce your carbon footprint. Several units in this highly efficient furnace can 3-5 generally in only years.recoup Rheemthat hasadditional introducedexpense a footprint. Several unitsnow in this efficient furnace line are available andhighly some of the units in 90%+AFUE only 3-5 years. has The introduced gas Ruud furnaces. new a A gas furnace made in the early 1970s typi- line of line are available now and some of the qualify for a $150 federal energy efficiency taxunits line ofhave 90%+AFUE gas exceeding furnaces. The gasanfurnace in the 1970s furnaces efficiencies 98 new qualify for a $150 federal energy efficiency tax cally Ahas AFUE made of about 65 early percent. To-typicredit. furnaces haveelectrical efficiencies exceeding AFUE must of about 65apercent. percent, improved efficiencies, and 98 credit. day’scally new has gasan furnaces have AFUE Topercent, improved newpercent, gas furnaces must AFUE of at day’s least 78 but 90% andhave evena up reduced operating soundelectrical by up to efficiencies, 20 percent. and of at least 78 percent, but 90% and even up reduced operating sound by up to 20 percent.
Living in an area like Tennessee in an area like the Missesota you Living can generally recoup you can generally recoup additional expense in only 3-5the additional expense only 3-5 years. The Rheem line ofinsuper years. The Ruud line of super efficent furnaces are available efficent furnaces are available at Blue Ridge Remodeling at Joel Heating & A/C. Heating & Smith A/C, Inc..
Rely Ruud.of ™ A newon Defree Comfort.™
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Is the AIR in your house making your family sick? E
PA studies show that even in the smoggiest cities, the air inside most modern homes is usually at least ten times more polluted than the air outside. That’s why many homeowners are upgrading their heating and cooling filtration system and installing UV 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 orderde with a new HVAC system or retrofitted into an older system. The cost ranges from about $500 to $700. Modern homes are energy efficiency, and built to be as air-tight as possible. The consequence is that stale air, laced with odors, chemicals, irritants – even miniscule insects – often becomes trapped in homes, where it circulates over and over. This can lead to:
Installing an ultra violet 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.
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• Eye irritation • Sinus congestion • Sneezing, runny nose, • Colds, flu • Headaches, dizziness • Allergies • Asthma • Sore throats • And various other respiratory ailments. Your Rheem contractor can show you solutions from better filters to installing Ultra Violet (UV) lights on nearly any nre or existing central HVAC system.
Rheem.com
Did You Know... Old HVAC systems throw money out of the window If your furnace or AC 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 systems 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. 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%.
Tune it or lose it "Tune-up" your heating and A/C system with an annual maintenance contract. Even a new system, like a new car, will decline in performance without regular maintenance. A contract automatically ensures that your Rheem contractor will provide "pre-season" tune-ups before each cooling and heating season. You save energy and money, and your system may last years longer with minimal costs for yearly maintenance fees.
Staying off a ladder might be biggest benefit of the energy efficient light bulks Upgrading 15 of your old inefficient incandescent lightbulbs could save you about $50 per year. Energy-efficient lightbulbs such as halogen incandescents, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), and light emitting diodes (LEDs) not only use 25%-80% less energy than traditional incandescents, but they can last 3-25 times longer. Think about that as you’re teatering on a ladder trying to replace those hard-to-get lighting fixtures.
Leaky ducts:a hidden problem In central heating and cooling systems, ducts carry hot or cold air to different parts of home. The EPA estimates that roughly 20% of this air escapes through leaks. To address this headache, some homeowners use duct tape to repair leaks in exposed ducts. However, a trained HVAC professional will do a much better job that someone crawling around with a roll of duct tape. Leaks are often in attics, walls and crawl spaces where they’re pretty tough to spot, and even harder to fix. Generally this is not an expensive service and it can make your home much more comfortable while putting less strain on your HVAC system to heat and cool your home. (Right, duct work can be easily seen in a home under construction. Once the walls and ceilings go up, it’s tough to find leaks.)
A new Defree of Comfort.™
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Blue Ridge Remodeling 3674 Virginia Avenue Collinsville, VA 2407
We have been serving the Martinsville and Henry County area for 30 years. We are a veteran of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning industry. We are fully licensed and insured in Virginia and North Carolina. Our technicians are experienced in residential and commercial heating and air, new construction, renovations to older homes, electrial and plumbing. We will be glad to assist you in qualifying for the Energy Tax Credits.
What We Do
We are a Class A Contractor, and hold certifications in electrical, HVAC, renovations including replacement windows and doors, gas fitting and plumbing. This qualification helps us plan
and install complete new systems or repair, and service existing heating and cooling systems, hot water heaters and hood systems. Remodeling would include bath, kitchen, laundry room, additions, basements, decks, hanging doors, ceiling fans, light fixtures. Please call us with any job and we will try to help you or refer you to another expert in our area. We are an authorized dealer for Rheem. • • • • •
Free consultations Award-winning service Satisfaction guarantee Week end service for our customers