Providing Home Energy Solutions

Energy Code Delayed - But Huge New Costs Still Loom!

At the urging of the Council of Economic Advisors, and after filing of a lawsuit by the Building Industry Association of Washington, Governor Gregoire requested a delay of the implementation of the new energy code until April 1, 2011. In a letter to the Satate Code Commission, she stated: "We cannot risk further delay of our state recovery, or worse, a deepening recession. The needs of our families and communities for jobs, and a healthy economy, must take precedent."

What the Code Council and Governor made abundantly clear is that this is just a delay, not a change in direction. Ultimately, the Legislature and the Governor have charged the Code Council to reduce energy use by 70% between the current code and the 2031 code. In asking for a 70% reduction in energy use in just over 30 years, they have set an arbitrary and overly agressive target that may never be met, and have done so without input from the industries that are being charged with carrying out those mandates, or any idea of what the ultimate costs of these changes will be.

In the coming months, we will be working with state and national organizations to promote some common sense changes to the new code, trying to make it both effective AND workable for everyone.  We will let you know how you can make your voice heard on this issue too. We look forward to an engaged dialog with our customers and the government in Olympia.

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0 comments - Posted by Bel-Red at 9:48 AM - Categories: Efficiency | General | Green Economy

Lose the Old Window AC - Go Ductless with Mr. Slim

Even if you don't have ductwork in your home, you may be able to add efficient, quiet heating and cooling with a ductless heat pump. There's never been a better time to buy with federal tax credits up to $1500 and utility rebates up to $1,200. You don't have to suffer through another hot summer, or be forced to live with noisy window air conditioners. Check out this video link to learn more.

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0 comments - Posted by Bel-Red at 2:16 PM - Categories: Cooling | Efficiency | Heating | Products

Surprise for Homeowners - New State Energy Code Can Cost Them Thousands!

The Washington State Building Code Council recently released the final state energy code to take effect July 1, 2010. This code has far-reaching implications for new home construction, but existing homeowners may be surprised to know that when they repair or replace their heating or cooling system, it could cost them thousands of dollars when they can least afford it. Bel Red is working with other contractors and distributors to try to have the code revised. Your help is critical! Public comment on this issue can be offered at the next public meeting of the State Building Code Council at Shoreline City Hall, June 11, 2010 at 10 am. Comments can also emailed to the Code Council at sbcc@cted.wa.gov. You can also write or call your legislators asking them to have the Code Council review their decision to incude existing homes in the new Energy Code.

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1 comments - Posted by Bel-Red at 3:04 PM - Categories: Cooling | Efficiency | General | Green Economy | Heating

The Smart Grid is Coming - What You Need to Know

The term smart means that the energy grid could detect excess demands or equipment problems, and re-route power from areas with low loads to prevent brown-outs. It would also allow power to be produced or managed from micro-generation sites (businesses or even homes) and have that energy put back into the grid efficiently. All of this requires very sophisticated transmission systems, computerized management systems, and information inputs along the entire generation and distribution system, as well as at each end user. Some pundits thought this would take 20 years to implements, but the beginnings are here now and they are developing rapidly!

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0 comments - Posted by Bel-Red at 3:32 PM - Categories: Efficiency | General | Green Economy | Products

Save up to $2,300 - Upgrade Your Electric Heat, And Get AC for Free!

Local utility companies and the Federal Government are offering up to $2,300 in rebates and tax credits to help you upgrade your electric heating system to a new, high-efficiency ductless heat pump system. These systems can save you up to 50% on your heating bills, provide you with efficient heating and air conditioning, and are affordable with no-interest financing available.

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1 comments - Posted by Bel-Red at 12:05 PM - Categories: Cooling | Efficiency | Heating | Products

Bel Red Selected for Honeywell's 2010 Residential Contractors Council

Bel Red Energy Solutions has been selected as one of twelve contractors in the United States to represent the residential heating and air conditioning industry on Honeywell’s 2010 Residential Contractor Council. This council provides input to Honeywell, the largest manufacturer of controls and thermostats, as well as indoor air quaility equipment, in the United States, on new products, industry trends, and technical issues.

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0 comments - Posted by Bel-Red at 10:07 AM - Categories: Efficiency | General | Products

Spring is the Best Time for Maintenance

Spring is here, and for many people, the last thing they think about is their furnace. But most people don’t realize that their furnace runs as much as 3,000 hours per year. To put this in perspective, a car driven for the same 3,000 hours at 60 miles per hour would travel 180,000 miles in a year! You wouldn’t drive your car 180,000 miles without a tune-up; and you shouldn’t do it to your comfort system either. After a long winter, your furnace needs attention more than ever!

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0 comments - Posted by Bel-Red at 12:40 PM - Categories: Efficiency | General | Heating | Safety