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If you are changing from a traditional heating and cooling system to a geothermal system, the savings that you'll experience are hard to deny.

We've all heard myths passed down through family members from one generation to the next, many of them believed to be true.  As a southeast Michigan homeowner, you should know that there are a few myths about plumbing that have long been believed to be the "gospel" truth as well.  So, will lemon really freshen your drain, and does your plumber really know what he's doing? Haley Mechanical is here to do some busting on plumbing myths.

Here are a few facts that will help clear up any confusion about many common plumbing myths:

For many homeowners, the landscaping and yard are what gives a home its beauty and character.  If you're considering the installation of a geothermal system, you may be concerned that all of the money you spent on your yard and landscaping will go right down the drain, so to speak.  While there is a certain amount of damage that's simply unavoidable, it doesn't have to look like a demolition crew has come through after the installation!  Good communication between you and your geothermal installer can go a long way toward keeping your yard beautiful - and intact.

Here are a few tips to ensure your yard is protected as much as possible during the process:

• Choose an experienced contractor.  A contractor with experience knows to use as little area as possible in the installation and that for an additional cost, there are equipment options that do less damage such as vacuum excavators and haul-aways.
• Loop design and placement make a difference.  When having a geothermal system installed, there are various loop configurations including directional, vertical and horizontal loops.  The horizontal loop usually causes the most damage, as the trenches necessary for this type of installation are often hundreds of feet long.  Directional and vertical loops go at an angle or straight down into the ground, so less digging is required although you will still experience mud, water and drill cuttings at the top of the borehole.
• Work with your contractor and offer your suggestions.  If there are areas that you would rather your contractor steer clear of, discuss it with him.  As mentioned earlier, having an open line of communication with your contractor can make all of the difference in the amount of mess that's left when the project is complete.

Knowing that you have the  most efficient heating and cooling system available today underneath your yard is a great comfort - but knowing that your yard will be as beautiful as it was before the installation is important as well.  Keep these tips in mind, and enjoy a home that's energy efficient without the massive demolition.

Ann Arbor area residents, contact Haley Mechanical today to set up an appointment with our geothermal specialist.

Haley Mechanical, a family owned and operated cooling, air conditioning, heating and HVAC service provider located in Dexter, Michigan, will be featured in the October edition of Angie's List Magazine, Detroit.  Serving the areas of Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Dexter, Chelsea, Saline, Milan, Manchester, Pinckney, Jackson, Grass Lake, Howell, Whitmore Lake, Brighton, South Lyon and Gregory, the company has proudly serviced residential customers since 1998.

The company offers additional services which include plumbing, electrical, air ventilation, filtration and purification systems, and WaterFurnace geothermal products.

Currently, Haley Mechanical has an A-Rating with Angie's List, and was also awarded the 2011 Super Service award.  According to the company, only those businesses having 2 recent A-Ratings are eligible to be featured in the monthly editions.  Out of the 28 ratings received by Haley Mechanical from Angie's List, 24 are A-Ratings.

Unfortunately, many Dexter, Michigan homeowners take the old adage "if it isn't broke, don't fix it" to heart when it comes to maintaining their HVAC equipment.  Your system works hard for you, keeping the air inside your home clean and comfortable.  All too often, homeowners take comfort for granted, completely forgetting that the equipment that provides comfortable air needs regular maintenance, just as your car does.  You wouldn’t ignore maintenance on your vehicle; you shouldn’t ignore it where your heating/cooling system is concerned either.

Sure, you know it's time to call your HVAC contractor when your system stops working, but why should you have yearly maintenance performed on your HVAC equipment?  Here are five good (and compelling) reasons.

Since January 2012 the price of R-22 refrigerant has risen to as much as 400%. This is bad news for many homeowners using older systems that use this refrigerant. According to the Air Conditioning Contractors of America:

“The U.S. EPA controls the production and import of R-22 refrigerant. They set limits on how much can be produced and imported each year, but they failed to set limits for 2012. Until the EPA sets these limits, manufacturers must produce 45% less R-22 refrigerant than they did last year.

This creates uncertainty in the marketplace and the manufacturers have increased their prices.”

Summer is here and for many homeowners, energy costs will soar. Even in Michigan, temperatures can get uncomfortable on occasion. While your heating/cooling system is one of the biggest users of energy in your home, you can save money by choosing appliances that are energy-efficient. If you're not familiar with efficiency ratings, here's a quick explanation of what they are, and how you can use them to your advantage, saving a substantial amount of money over time.

If you're in need of expert HVAC guidance and live in the Ann Arbor, Michigan or surrounding communities, count on Haley Mechanical to offer unsurpassed service, equipment and maintenance.  We understand you want a heating/cooling system that is efficient, keeps your home or business comfortable, and that allows you to enjoy low monthly energy costs.

You may be tempted to flip through the phone book to find a heat/air company, but we wouldn't recommend it.  In order to make the right decision and avoid problems down the road, we have a few tips that will help you choose an HVAC contractor you can trust to do the job right the first time.  Your contractor should be:

There’s a reason our Lennox Healthy Climate MERV 16 has been named the top professionally installed filter system for the third time by Consumer Reports Magazine. Its closest competitor cost the same amount and scored 22% less, according to the magazine.

This hospital quality air filtration system not only protects your family, but your HVAC system also. There is no cleaning required and the cartridge easily slides out for quick replacement. The whole house air purifier is compatible with any HVAC system. Best yet, the filters only need to be replaced once a year!

So, what is all the fuss about? This amazing system:

Would you give 15 minutes of your time in return for $180? Unless you're the baby in those Jimmy Fallon commercials, you'd jump at the chance for such easy money.

The average household in the United States spends more than $2,200 on their energy bills each year. About $1,100 of that goes to your heating and cooling. That's a huge part of your household utility budget, so how to do cut it down to size? One of the easiest and the cheapest ways to reduce your heating and cooling bills is to install and set a programmable thermostat.

Programmable thermostats allow you to automate the regulation of the temperature of your house, even when you're not there.

What to Look For When Buying a Programmable Thermostat
1. The most important thing to consider is whether the thermostat is compatible with your current furnace and air conditioning system
2. Make sure it has the EPA Energy Star Label on it
3. Look for a thermostat that has preprogrammed settings to maximize your savings
4. A good thermostat will have a hold or vacation feature to override your settings when you plan on being away for an extended period of time
5. Some thermostats, such as Lux, provide a lockout feature to keep children from tampering with the setting.

Where to Install your Thermostat
Ideally, you want to install your programmable thermostat in an area that doesn't receive heat from direct sources or near cold drafts.

How to Install a Thermostat

http://youtu.be/owV0t_8zNpk

How to Set Your Programmable Thermostat

http://youtu.be/sCR9SD4sTng

Tips on Setting Your Programmable Thermostat Schedule
1. During winter, drop the temperature 8° while away or asleep
2. During summer, raise the temperature up 7° while away or asleep
3. Resist the urge to use the "hold" button. Only use the hold or the vacation feature when you are going to be away from the house for extended periods of time
4. Change the battery in your thermostat once a year

Read More

• Programmable Thermostats at Energy Star
• Honeywell Thermostat Manuals

Are you programmed to save money? If so, the programmable thermostat is an easy way to save money. If you prefer a professional to install or set your stat, Haley Mechanical will be happy to help. Schedule an appointment with one of our technicians today!

Join our Facebook discussion to get helpful tips daily!

According to The Pew Internet and American Life Project (a “nonprofit "fact tank" that provides information on the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world.”), two-thirds of online U.S. citizens have purchased a product online.

Here are a few reasons to have your equipment installed by a professional HVAC contractor:

It's a dilemma we'll all face; like any electronic, it's a matter of when, and not if, your AC will eventually break down. At what point do you stop repairing and give it an eviction notice instead? Here are some questions to ask yourself:

The warm weather has crept up on us quickly this year. Many of you may already be turning your central air on. With spring, comes spring cleaning; here's what Energy Star recommends for your heating and cooling systems:

The International Window Film Association (yes, that's a real organization) released a "comprehensive analysis" that showed window film to be the most cost effective way to conserve energy.

We recommend a comfort system tune-up and cleaning twice a year, during the spring and fall, to ensure your system is prepared for months with extreme highs or lows in temperature. Regular tune-ups will extend the life of your equipment and improve efficiency, reducing run time and waste. Not to mention, with the money that you will be saving in utilities each month, the tune-ups will pay for themselves. Great for the environment and your wallet!

Reuters published a terrifying story last week about the effects of air pollution on our health. It turns out that a “moderate” air quality day as compared to a “good” air quality day brings a higher risk of stroke in addition to other ailments.

If, while inspecting your attic, you run across any of these issues, it is probably time to contact a HVAC professional.

Plugged drains happen.  They usually happen at the most inopportune time.  I remember, as a child, my dad trying to fix a clogged toilet on Christmas (we learned a lot of new words that day). Later in life, I remember trying to fix a clogged sink, hours before a party (I repeated a lot of words I learned from my dad that day).  So, what are the causes of these obnoxious pipe guests and what can we do to keep them at bay?

CNN reported on a powerful new app from the EPA that allows users to enter a zip code and receive information about pollutants and ozone levels around the United States. The app currently gives information for 400 cities around the countries.

Haley Mechanical, in Dexter, Michigan installed a closed-loop Waterfurnace geothermal system in Whitmore Lake, Michigan, just in time for Christmas!

Our customer was able to take advantage of the 30% tax credit that continues to apply to residential geothermal installations.

Shown in the photo are a Waterfurnace Geothermal Unit and two State water heaters.

Geothermal systems make use of the energy in the earth's surface and drive heating and air conditioning system for both residential and commercial uses. The result is a green or natural heat pump that saves energy and benefits the environment.  For more information, check out our sister site: www.MichiganGeothermal.com.

If you live in the Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Dexter, Chelsea, Saline, Milan, Manchester, Pinckney, Jackson, Grass Lake, Howell, Whitmore Lake, Brighton, South Lyon or Gregory area, contact Haley Mechanical (734-424-9170) for more information on Waterfurnace geothermal and State water heaters. Haley Mechanical also provides electrical and plumbing technicians.

There are lots of options when it comes to programmable and digital thermostats, but none are as smart as the ecobee Smart Thermostat.

The ecobee stat is a wi-fi enabled stat that allows you to see your home temperature from anywhere with an available internet connection.  You can update your settings remotely; keep an eye on your system’s performance and even receive alerts if your system falls outside any thresholds you’ve set.  This is an ideal stat for anyone with summer/vacation homes.

Call Haley Mechanical today to learn more about this amazing technology!

Energy recovery ventilation (ERV) is the energy recovery process of exchanging the energy contained in normally exhausted building or space air and using it to treat the incoming outdoor ventilation air in residential and commercial HVAC systems. During the warmer seasons, the system pre-cools and dehumidifies while humidifying and pre-heating in the cooler seasons. One more way Haley Mechanical can lower your monthly bills!

Haley Mechanical installed a Noritz tankless water heater today in Saline, Michigan.  Tankless water heaters offer an endless supply of hot water because they heat on-demand.  Tankless water heaters don’t require a constant flame, so they’ll save you money too!

If you live in the Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Dexter, Chelsea, Saline, Milan, Manchester, Pinckney, Jackson, Grass Lake, Howell, Whitmore Lake, Brighton, South Lyon or Gregory area, contact Haley Mechanical (734-424-9170) for more information on a tankless water heater.

Furnace Before

Furnace After

It may not look like it, but this ten-year old furnace was almost a silent killer; it was leaking the deadly gas carbon monoxide.  Many factors can lead to a furnace leaking carbon monoxide, but regular maintenance on you furnace can drastically reduce the likelihood of this happening.  Many times carbon monoxide is the result of incomplete combustion; this happens when your furnace is not running at peak performance.  Adding an inexpensive maintenance contract could not only save you money, but quite possibly your life.  If you live in the Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Dexter, Chelsea, Saline, Milan, Manchester, Pinckney, Jackson, Grass Lake, Howell, Whitmore Lake, Brighton, South Lyon or Gregory area, contact Haley Mechanical (734-424-9170) for more information on a maintenance contract or a tune-up on your furnace.

Haley Mechanical will be an exhibitor at the Novi Home Improvement Show in Novi, Michigan.  Head over to http://novihomeshow.com/ to download a coupon for entry into the event!

Come visit Haley Mechanical at the Livingston County Home Show (http://lchs.michiganbizsearch.com/) March 23 through March 24, 2012.  We will be joined by 200 other exhibitors showcasing the latest in home comfort technology.  Come see us and let us get some great ideas for saving money while living in comfort!

Designing and building your ideal Dexter home is part of the American Dream. One part can be easily taken for granted; the heating and cooling system. Why not start with the most efficient and lowest operating costs of a geothermal system.

An environmentally friendly, affordable choice is a Dexter geothermal heating and cooling system. In addition to reducing your dependence on fossil fuel fed temperature control, the comfort provided by your geothermal heating and cooling solution ranks highest among the alternatives available.

Being an inquisitive Dexter resident you have heard of geothermal heat pumps, but may not understand how they work. This article will give a brief overview on the inner workings of a geothermal heat pump.

When installing a geothermal heat pump system in your existing Dexter home, you may have a few concerns. This article will present some common questions we have heard and their answers.