The furnace is a central component to your home's heating, cooling and ventilation (HVAC) system. Taking care of your furnace with preventive maintenance helps to keep problems from happening, but what about when your furnace does develop a problem?

Whether you're hiring an HVAC contractor for a new installation or to repair current equipment, your choice impacts the comfort and safety of your entire household. A contractor should be reputable, reliable and have the expertise to work competently with refrigerants, electrical wiring, ventilation, combustion and exhaust systems. Asking prospective contractors the following questions can help you choose wisely:

There’s good news for Massachusetts homeowners who want to save on their energy bills but find the initial cost of purchasing energy-efficient HVAC equipment and appliances hard to swallow.  Federal tax credits are available that will help offset these costs.

If it’s time for a new hot water heater, consider switching to an energy efficient tankless water heater.  This technology offers Massachusetts homeowners a host of benefits and advantages over traditional hot water heaters.  And, you can save up to $2,500 if you purchase your system in 2010!

Tax credits on HVAC equipment were extended by Congress for 2011.  Massachusetts homeowners  may be eligible for cumulative tax credits of up to $500 dollars, making an air conditioner or furnace upgrade more affordable. You should always consult with your tax advisor to see if you're eligible.

To qualify for these tax credits, your new HVAC equipment must meet  energy efficiency requirements or standards, which are explained in detail on the Energy Star site, a U.S. Department of Energy website that provides useful and easy-to-understand information about energy efficient products and practices. HVAC equipment tax credits available to you include:

It's a great time to upgrade your HVAC equipment to energy-efficient systems. While the federal government has extended tax credits for various HVAC-related equipment, the incentives are not at the same levels as 2010. Homeowners shouldn’t let that fact dissuade them, however. With additional rebates available from HVAC companies, incentives at the local level and those from utility companies, a conscientious homeowner can get big savings.

That’s where Rodenhiser steps in, because we want our customers to get the most savings possible off the price of equipment and installation, as well as savings from energy-efficient equipment.

You've probably heard the old proverb from Ben Franklin, that "nothing is certain but death and taxes." It turns out that old Ben might need to narrow the list down a bit. In order to encourage homeowners to save energy by investing in energy-efficient equipment, the U.S. government is offering tax credits to people who upgrade their home's heating and cooling equipment. 

For a homeowner, boiler malfunction and breakdown during the winter months can be a nightmare. Your boiler can run both your home heating system as well as your hot water supply. It's best to check your boiler operation before the dead of winter so you don't get left out in the cold.

If your HVAC equipment needs to be replaced, considering heat pump options might help you find a system that offers both convenience and energy savings. The options include air-source, ground-source and absorption heat pumps. All heat pumps operate on the same principle of moving heat energy instead of generating it.

Heat pumps are rated for both cooling and heating efficiency. The minimum cooling efficiency rating stands at 13 SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) and 7.7 HSPF (heating season performance factor). In our cold-winter climate, it probably makes more sense to prioritize HSPF when shopping for a heat pump.