HOME LIVING Fall/Winter 2013
Up to $1200 Instant Rebate Save on a new HVAC system Tax credit and Ruud Consumer CashBack add up to major savings
HGTV star
Tips to paint like a pro
FOR THE FRIENDS AND CUSTOMERS OF
Ruud Heating & Cooling www.Ruud.com
Chill It & Grill It The “commissioner of tailgating” shares great recipes and family tips
Voted Ruud Reliable Top Contractor!
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.
TABLE OF
HOME LIVING PUBLISHER William Sabo DESIGNER Richard Johnson STAFF WRITERS Hollie Deese David V. King Beth Burcham ADVISORS Ruud Heating & Cooling Bill Alderson, April Wilson, Lindsey Ford, Sara Corbett Published by: Private Label Media Partners 709 State Street New Orleans, LA 70118 877-618-6626 All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reprinted without the express permission of the publisher. Copyright © 2013 Ruud Heating & Cooling 1100 Abernathy Road Atlanta, GA
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Health
The air inside your home may not be as clean as you think. Find ways to make your indoor air cleaner and healthier.
Recipes
(On the cover) America’s commissioner of tailgating gives recipes and tips to make your family tailgating parties fun and easy.
Rebates & incentives
Ruud is offering a substantial instant cash rebate on many new systems. Combine that with the federal tax credit and save BIG!
Decorating
Fall can be a great time to tackle some necessary painting. Whether it’s the inside or outside, Carmen de la Paz can help.
Community
The new, employeedriven Heart of Comfort program worked with the American Red Cross to help tornado victims.
Welcome to the fall 2013 issue of Ruud Home Living, the bi-annual magazine that provides homeowners across the country with recipes, lifestyle articles, home health tips and more. The topics in this issue will help you and your family perfectly transition from summer to fall. On page six, we’ll let you know what you should expect during a pre-season tune-up of your heating system. Also on page six, we explain more about the various pollutants in a home and how you can treat them through indoor air quality (IAQ) systems. Plus, as we move into colder temperatures, homeowners can sometimes find themselves in a position where they’ll either need to repair or replace their heating system. The articles on page seven provide you with helpful factors to consider about when to repair vs. replace your system. This time of year is also great for taking on some other home improvement activities. Carmen De La Paz, designer and former host of “Hammer Heads” on HGTV, gives advice for tackling painting projects around the home on pages 12-13. Finally, what’s fall without football… and tailgating! Joe Cahn, America’s self-proclaimed “Commissioner of Tailgating,” shares some of his most popular game-day recipes with us starting on page eight. Ruud is proud to partner with our contractor customers throughout the United States to deliver Home Living to you. We hope you consider the local Ruud contractor who sent you this magazine for any future heating or cooling needs. From the Ruud family to yours,
Tips, trends and advice to keep your family healthy and comfortable
Getting the most in
COMFORT
Little things can add up to a lot. By making a few changes to your heating and cooling system, you can increase your comfort and save some money. 30 to 40 percent of your energy can be lost through leaks or temperature fluctuations when uninsulated ducts pass through uncooled or unheated spaces, like garages or attics. Identifying and repairing any leaky spots in your duct work will ensure that your system runs more effectively. Source: Consumer Reports
New = Savings
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Install a programmable thermostat. When used properly (and depending on the severity of the winters and summers in your area), programmable thermostats can help you achieve a savings of up to $180 on your annual energy bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. This DIY project takes just a few minutes and the cost of a new thermostat will pay for itself with lower energy bills. Once you have a programmable thermostat, it’s easy to set it so that your A/C or furnace isn’t running full blast when you’re away from home.
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, high-efficiency units, you can save up to 20 percent on heating and cooling costs.
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 from Ruud.
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Ruud Contractors Know Ruud Products
Indoor Air Quality Not properly treating and filtering the air inside your home can lead to allergies, flu and a lot of other crud you don’t want!
They receive the most comprehensive product training in the industry The Independent Ruud contractor featured on the cover of this magazine has undergone rigorous training and certification. When considering a new HVAC system, make sure you look at more than just price. Quality Ruud systems that are installed by top-notch contractors will give you years of trouble-free comfort. For more information, visit www.Ruud.com.
EPA 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. How can this be? There are many reasons, some of which were discovered only recently. They include invisible assassins like radon and carbon dioxide, as well as gas-emitting chemicals like formaldehyde used in making modern carpeting, drapery, household cleaners, furniture and building materials. There are also common airborne pollutants such as pollen, viruses, dust and dust mites and damp areas where standing water can breed mold, mildew and other microbes. Much of this problem is attributed to the way modern homes are built—for purposes of energy efficiency, and to be as air-tight as possible. The consequence is that stale air,
laced with odors, chemicals, irritants – even minuscule insects – often becomes trapped in modern homes, where it circulates over and over. This can lead to eye irritation, sinus congestion, sneezing, runny nose, stuffiness, colds, flu, headaches, dizziness, outbreaks of allergies and asthma, sore throats, and various other respiratory ailments. So serious and prevalent is this issue that environmentalists have coined a term for it—IAQ or Indoor Air Quality. Today’s homeowners need to become more aware of the importance of IAQ and what they can do about it. Your Ruud contractor can show you solutions from better filters to installing ultraviolet (UV) lights on nearly any central HVAC system.
Semi-annual tune ups are a must for your HVAC system
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Ruud HVAC contractors offer important seasonal Other tips to get the most out of your inspection: HVAC tune-ups. In southern states it may be • Make sure the technician first checks your another check of your A/C system, while in the indoor air filters to ensure proper air flow (this north, a furnace inspection is a must before a is the most common problem for heating and long, cold winter. cooling issues) There are many different types of heating and • The system should be run through its full cycle cooling systems and each one has different needs. and power on and off However, there are some basic inspections and • Air flow and temperature should be measured tests that should be done twice annually no matter what type of system you have, said Ed • They should check the connections and duct Lightner, the product support manager. work for leaks “The first thing is that the technician should talk • If you have an inside unit, make sure nothing to the homeowner about any concerns they have,” is blocking the air intake Lightner said. • Connections and wiring should be checked on electric heaters
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Money Matters Repairing not Replacing–
When it Makes the Most Sense
Knowing when it’s Time to Replace your HVAC System As the seasons change, it’s important to know where you stand with your heating or cooling system. There’s nothing worse than having an air conditioner stop working on a muggy summer day, or having your furnace putter out on a cold January night. Before you run into any surprise repairs, start by closely evaluating if you may need to replace your system at the start of the season. Thinking it might be time to replace your system? Ask yourself these questions.
4Is your system 10 years old or older? 4Does it require frequent repairs? 4Does it fail to heat or cool certain
4Does it run excessively? 4Or, does it constantly turn on and off? 4And, finally, have your noticed any
If you answered yes to one or more of the questions, you may need to consider replacing your system. Here’s why you’ll want to go forward with a new HVAC purchase:
• You can take advantage of federal tax credits. In 2013, homeowners can receive up to $300 in federal tax credits for the purchase of a high-efficiency air conditioner or electric heat pump, and $150 in tax credits for the purchase of a high-efficiency furnace. Check out www.Ruud.com/TaxCredit for more information.
areas of your home?
• You can reduce your energy bills. A new, ENERGY STAR-qualified furnace is 15 percent more efficient than a conventional furnace, and a new, ENERGY STAR-qualified air conditioner is 30 percent more efficient than one that’s 12 years old or more. Upgrading to more efficient models will lead to immediate savings. • You’ll save time on technician visits. Newer systems have much more advanced features and diagnostics. If a service issue arises in the future, your technician will have better information at his fingertips so that he can diagnose your problem faster.
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unusually high utility bills?
When it’s time to start the buying process, contact a reputable contractor—like the one on the cover of this magazine. It is imperative that a technician visit your home to determine a new system that is correctly sized with the right humidity control features included. Taking this important step means you’ll have the best system for your home.
New isn’t always better. If you run into a service issue this fall or winter, it doesn’t mean that you’ll have to replace your system. In a lot of circumstances, it makes the most sense to repair instead—especially if you’re working with a trusted HVAC contractor. Here’s when you’ll want to repair your system: • If it’s under warranty. If the product is under warranty, then there’s no reason not to repair it. You’ll have to pay for the contractor’s labor costs for the visit, but it’s much more affordable than replacing the unit. • If you’ve consistently maintained the system. Do you hire a contractor for a seasonal tuneup? Do you change your air filters regularly? Taking care of your HVAC system means you’ll not only have fewer service calls, but when one does happen, you can be pretty sure that it’s just a one-time fix. • If it’s not an old clunker. If your system is less than 10 years old, then it’s probably not time to replace it just yet. Think about your HVAC system like your car. As you gather more and more miles on your car, you may run into a needed repair. It doesn’t mean you sell your car, right? The same principle applies to your HVAC system. Be sure to alert your contractor to any service issues right away so that he can quickly start solving your concern and get your family back into a comfortable environment.
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Devil Dawn’s Honey Jalapeño Wings These delicious, sweet-spicy morsels are the only reason people invite me to tailgates anymore. Serves 10-12 as an appetizer. Ingredients:
30 jalapeños 1 cup sugar 1 cup brown sugar 6 tbl. water 4-5 cups honey 1 cup white wine vinegar 1 cup orange juice 1 tsp. turmeric 2-3 cups mustard 60 chicken wings or drumettes Before the game: Roast (or boil) jalapeños until tender, then blend with all ingredients except chicken in a blender or food processor. (You may have to do this in batches.) Marinate chicken for at least an hour, the longer the better, in most of the sauce, saving some sauce for brushing during grilling. At the game: Grill until done. Even Better, start the day before, marinate several hours, and then bake right in the marinade for 25 minutes. After refrigerating overnight, the next day at the game you can throw them on the grill for a few minutes, brushing with saved marinade, just to get that great, caramelized finish.
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Self-proclaimed commish of tailgating shares winning recipes Fun for the whole family! There are extreme tailgaters and then there is Joe Cahn! As the self-proclaimed Commissioner of Tailgating, Cahn may have the best job in America. In 1996, he sold his business, the New Orleans School of Cooking, sold his house, bought a motor home and hit the road to explore what he calls “the new American community” tailgate parties. Cahn says he is the world’s only professional tailgater. He tailgates at football stadiums, NASCAR tracks, and any other event where they party in the
parking lot. Now in his 17th season on the road, he has driven the JoeMobile over 850,000 miles, visited hundreds of cities, seen thousands of fans and has eaten his way through more than 850 tailgate parties. During his Tailgating America Tours he has traveled to all 31 NFL stadiums, over 123 college stadiums, and 9 NASCAR tracks, tailgated with hundreds of thousands of people and served more than 326 pots of Jambalaya! It’s every sports fan’s fantasy!
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Bacon Wrapped Cheese Stuffed Brats
This is Joe’s most popular item that he’s ever made and is hands down his most asked for recipe.
1 sweet or yellow onion (sliced)
Starting on the end toothpick a piece of bacon and then wrap around brat to the other end securing with another toothpick.
1 package of bacon (notcooked)
Drain the leftover onion and place in a foil pouch.
1 block of cheddar or Monterey jack or pepper jack cheese sliced in 3 inch long thick chunks
Grill brats on open rack flipping until bacon becomes fully cooked. (The brats were previously cooked so you just want them to be hot. Add the foil package of onions to the grill to re-heat.
Ingredients 6 cans of Beer Package of bratwurst
Package of hot dog buns or hoagies Toothpicks Boil brats and onions in beer. Drain and let cool. Slice brats open scoop out part of center for room for cheese. Add cheese in and close the brat.
Serve brats on bun with onions and a dab of mustard (optional).
Continued on next page
Dallas (Cowboy) Style Chili Ingredients 1/4 cup vegetable oil 3 lb. beef chuck or round, 1/4" cubes 1 onion, finely chopped 4 cloves garlic, chopped 1 tbl. paprika 5-6 tbls. chili powder
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1 tbl. ground cumin 1 tsp. dried oregano 1 8 oz. can tomato sauce 1 tsp. salt 1 cup water 2 jalapeños seeded, chopped (4 if you're from Texas) 3 cups pinto beans (optional)
Heat oil to medium high. Cook beef until brown. Add onion, garlic and saute 5 minutes. Add paprika, chili powder, cumin, oregano and stir for 3 minutes.
Add tomato sauce, salt, water, jalapeños and 3 cups pinto beans. Bring to boil. Lower heat and simmer for at least 2 hours, adding water if needed. Serve with cheese on top, french bread and cold beer.
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The Commish’s BBQ Shrimp Ingredients 1 lb. butter 2 tbs. Joe's Stuff, or any all-purpose Cajun or creole seasoning blend (to taste) 1/3 cup worcestershire sauce 1 tsp. lemon juice 5 oz. beer 1 tsp. chopped garlic 3-4 lbs. Shrimp Melt 3/4 lb. butter in skillet, and saute garlic, shrimp and seasoning. Cook for 2-3 minutes. Add beer, Worcestershire sauce and lemon juice. Cook for 3-6 minutes, until shrimp are cooked and liquid thickens. Add remaining butter and shake pan until butter is melted and mixture creams out. Serve with plenty of fresh bread to sop up da sauce! Serves 8
Clockwise: Tampa Bay, New York Giants, Dallas, New Orleans
Tips to get the most out of your tailgating Small things done right can make a BIG difference Ziplock bags - Flank steaks need a longer period of marinating, so on Monday, I put them in a Ziplock bag with the dressing or whatever marinate we are using. Let them sit for two days and then freeze them until the night before the game. They thaw but are still very cold for the trip and there’s less danger of meat turning in a cooler. Foil Trick - Line your portable grill with aluminum foil for easy clean-up and disposal of spent charcoal. Freeze Your Water - Get bottled water and freeze it. Place it in your cooler. If it gets hot, you can take it out and as it melts, you will have cold water to drink. Unlike, ice, it won’t “water down” your cooler! The bottles make good ice packs!! Prep Work - Make hamburgers in advance (make sure they are no thicker than 3/4 inch) and freeze between sheets of wax paper. Put on grill still frozen and cook 3 to 4 minutes each side.
Jumbo Drinks - Always bring your own personal “jumbo” beverage glass with me. When you set your beverage down for any reason, having a distinguishable cup makes it is easy to spot and retrieve. That prevents you from grabbing someone else’s cup. Laminated Check List - We have been tailgating for years. We developed our check list over the years and laminated it. On Fri/ Sat as we are packing, simply check off the items with a dry erase marker. When all done, wipe it off and you are ready for the next game! Easy Ups - An Easy-Up canopy provides shade, or protection from the elements. It also gives friends an identifiable rally point. Large Storage Bins - Use large storage bins to organize all of your tailgating gear and keep it that way, so it’s easy in, easy out, all season.
Find more tips and recipes at www.tailigating.com or follow Joe on Facebook
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BIG COMFORT Rebates The Ruud Consumer CashBack offer and extended Tax Credit means big savings for you!
By combining the new Ruud 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. Ruud 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 Ruud contractor. At the time of the sale, the homeowner’s rebate will be subtracted from the purchase price.
SAVINGS!
How to find local utility rebates & incentives
Think $1,200 is great? That’s only part of the savings that you can achieve. On Jan. 1, 2013, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 was extended, which continues tax credits for energy efficiency upgrades to existing homes, including purchases of heating, cooling and water heating equipment made in 2012 and 2013. The extra savings provided by the Ruud Consumer CashBack program and federal tax credit can be combined to allow homeowners to upgrade to high-efficiency HVAC systems for little or no additional money. The Ruud offer is good now until November 15th, 2013 so don’t wait! You can learn more about the federal tax credit online: www.Ruud.com/TaxCredit.
For more information on the Ruud Consumer CashBack program or any other features in Home Living, contact your local Ruud contractor on the front cover of this magazine or go to: www.Ruud.com Rely on Ruud.™
BIG 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. Ruud’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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Paint Like a PRO
HGTV star gives tips on color and paint Carmen De La Paz, designer and former host Hammer Heads, offers these tips to help you paint like a pro. The task of home painting projects may seem daunting, but by following a few helpful steps you can give your home a fresh, clean appearance and incorporate some of your favorite new home decor trends. “Whether your painting projects call for sprucing up your indoor space or freshening up outdoor trim, a little advance planning, sweat equity and the right tools can go a long way in ensuring a professional looking result,” said De La Paz.
Start with the Right Tools Whether working on interior or exterior projects, be sure to use the right tools - especially the appropriate tape - to ensure a professional looking result. For indoor projects, make sure you read the label to find a painter’s tape that is appropriate for the surface you are working on to ensure sharp, clean lines. For exterior projects, ScotchBlue has an Exterior Painter’s Tape specifically designed for exterior paint jobs and is resistant to sun, wind and moisture.
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& Interiors
Exteriors
Tips for Exquisite Exteriors With its exposure to the elements and various surface types, exterior painting has its list of challenges. Here are a few tips to make outdoor painting a breeze: • Always use the appropriate nap, or thickness of a roller, for the surface you are painting. Some surfaces, like stucco, tend to have a rougher texture, so be sure to use a thick nap roller to help pull paint in and out of crevices. This will save time and frustration. • Remember to pick paint designed for the surface being painted. For example, choose masonry or stucco paint for outdoor projects, or paint that is compatible with wood or metal when painting other exterior surfaces. Remember, outdoor elements will influence how well paint sticks to a surface; some surfaces will even reject the wrong paint. You can avoid this by using the right paint from the start. • Be sure to “back prime” any newly installed woodwork. This means you should prime and seal the whole board before installing it. This will protect the backboard from moisture and prevent bloating and cracking once new woodwork is applied.
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Ideas for Impressive Interiors When approaching interior projects, use these tips to make them flawless: • When painting big surfaces, such as a wall, use a roller and paint in “X” and “W” patterns for even distribution of paint. This helps you avoid “lap marks” where paint builds up thicker in some areas due to overlapping. • When using a brush, load your brush and start by painting strokes in the middle of the paint area - working your way to the edges. The goal is to lightly whisk the paint on. The brush has more paint on it than you think, so let the brush do the work. • If your painting job is ongoing, don’t wash the brushes. Instead, put them back in their bags and keep in the freezer overnight. Then, pull the brushes out about 15 minutes before you plan to use them again and you’re ready to go. This saves time and water for brushes that are already in great working condition. You’ll be amazed by how beautiful your home can be when you take the time to tackle those painting projects and do it right. Incorporating these tips into your painting routine will get you painting like a pro in no time.
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Heat Pumps: A Smart Choice for Southern Homeowners If you live in an area where mild winters are the norm, a heat pump just might be for you. Heat pumps are the most efficient form of electric heating in moderate climates. Because they move heat rather than generate heat, heat pumps can provide equivalent space conditioning at as little as one quarter of the cost
of operating conventional heating or cooling appliances.
heat pumps and air conditioners operate in a very similar way.
Heat pumps are typically used to pull heat out of the air to heat a home, but they can be reversed to cool a home too. In a way, if you know how an air conditioner works, then you already know a lot about how a heat pump works. This is because
The most efficient heat pump options feature two stages of operation. For most two-stage designs, the heat pump will primarily operate on a “low” setting, which can keep the home comfortable while reducing energy consumption.
When it’s necessary, the system will then kick into a “high” setting, but it reserves this for peak weather conditions like hot summer days or cold nights. Talk to your Ruud contractor to learn about which heat pump design will work best for your home.
Ruud launches super-efficient new line of gas furnaces This fall, Ruud is introducing its line of 90%+ gas furnaces. The new furnaces have efficiencies exceeding 98 percent, improved electrical efficiencies, and reduced operating sound by up to 20 percent. “These furnaces are game-changers for the entire industry,” said Terry Stern, product manager, residential heating products. “We wanted to develop not just a high-performance product, but an industry-leading product that was reliable, durable and easily serviceable. We did just that with this new furnace line.”
evaluating every detail of a product from top to bottom, inside and out, and everything in between. The team also gets valuable feedback from customers, and then goes about designing a product that promises features that will facilitate better installations and maintenance while giving homeowners the best performance and user experience. Several units in this supremely efficient furnace line are available now in the U.S., and some of the units qualify for a $150 federal energy efficiency tax credit.
Ruud developed this product using its 360°+1 product development philosophy, which involves the Ruud product development team
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The new Heart of Comfort program reaches out to local communities Earlier this year, Rheem launched the Heart of Comfort program, which aligns the charitable giving of Rheem and its entire family of brands, including Ruud, with communities across the North America. By taking this approach, the company’s charitable efforts will have greater scale, scope and impact. The Heart of Comfort program is designed to address community needs and provide opportunities for employees and local Ruud contractors and distributors to team up to support causes that they’re passionate about. The program is also designed to support causes where Ruud products can be leveraged to make a difference in the lives of others. As part of the Heart of Comfort program, the company has an opportunity to partner with organizations that will facilitate product donations to individuals and families that need the basic comforts of hot water and a warm or cool home.
Oklahoma tornado victims receive Heart of Comfort funds In May, a series of tornadoes devastated Oklahoma. Sadly, homes, schools and many other buildings were severely damaged or destroyed. On June 20 and 21, Rheem employees participated in the first-ever company-wide Jeans Day to support the American Red Cross in its efforts to aid the victims in Oklahoma. Employees raised $3,457.88 through Heart of Comfort for tornado victims. Ruud is part of the Rheem family of brands. “With our Air Conditioning Division located on the border of Arkansas and Oklahoma, this tragedy really hit home,” said Karen Meyers, corporate director, government relations. “Through the Heart of Comfort program, we were able to unite our employees across the U.S. in a Jeans Day fundraiser. We were proud to raise nearly $3,500 for the American Red Cross’s relief efforts in the area.” Time and time again, the American Red Cross is the first on the scene to provide relief, but the organization is also committed to remaining involved, and providing long-term support for the communities until the job is done. Through Heart of Comfort, Rheem has become a corporate partner with The American Red Cross, and is proud to be part of the work that The
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Red Cross has accomplished. As of June 18, the Red Cross served nearly 460,000 meals and snacks in Oklahoma; provided more than 6,300 overnight stays in shelters; and distributed nearly 400,000 relief items to storm victims.
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www.Ruud.com In keeping with its policy of continuous progress and product improvement, Ruud reserves the right to make changes without notice.