Save on a New HVAC System With the Inflation Reduction Act

Discover How the Inflation Reduction Act Rewards Homeowners for Energy-Efficient Upgrades

There is a solution for homeowners who want to upgrade their HVAC system but are concerned about the costs. The Inflation Reduction Act offers tax credits and rebates to homeowners who invest in energy-efficient home improvements, such as a new heater, air conditioner, or heat pump. This blog post will provide readers with an understanding of how the Inflation Reduction Act works and how it can make upgrading the HVAC system more affordable. 

Exploring the Inflation Reduction Act

inflationThe Inflation Reduction Act is a piece of legislation passed by the United States Congress. Its purpose is to reduce the rate of inflation that had been steadily increasing and focus on climate and energy. The Inflation Reduction Act also encourages homeowners to invest in energy-efficient home improvements by providing tax credits and rebates, including new energy-efficient heating and cooling systems that can lower their carbon footprint and save money on energy bills.

Homeowners must purchase and install an eligible system within the timeframe specified by the act to qualify for tax credits and rebates. The amount of tax credits and rebates available varies based on the type of system installed, its energy efficiency, and other factors. 

Discover Which Systems Qualify

To qualify for tax credits or rebates, HVAC systems and heat pumps must meet certain energy efficiency requirements. The system must meet or exceed the highest efficiency tier established by the Consortium for Energy Efficiency to be eligible for the incentives. 

Heat pumps may be eligible for a tax rebate of 30 percent of the project cost up to $2,000, while gas furnaces and ACs may qualify for 30 percent of the cost up to $600. This applies to installations starting in 2023, so it’s the perfect time to upgrade to a new, energy-efficient system. 

How Upgrading the HVAC System Can Benefit Homeowners

benefitsThere are numerous advantages to installing a new HVAC system or heat pump. The Inflation Reduction Act allows homeowners to take advantage of tax credits and rebates for installing an energy-efficient system, resulting in savings. Furthermore, the system’s energy efficiency can assist homeowners in saving even more money on their monthly energy bills. 

Homeowners can improve their indoor air quality and their comfort and control over their home’s temperature by upgrading to a new HVAC system. Homeowners will also benefit from increased reliability and fewer repairs with a new system. Overall, investing in a new HVAC system or heat pump is a wise decision to benefit both the environment and a homeowner’s wallet.

About Priced Right Heating & Cooling

Priced Right Heating & Cooling is a veteran-owned business serving Lenexa, KS, and the surrounding communities. They provide upfront pricing, quick turnarounds, and personal attention. Call them today for an air conditioner, heater, or heat pump installation in Lenexa, KS

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A Humidifier Can Help Make the Winter’s Cold, Dry Air More Comfortable

Humidifier Benefits

Though Kansas is known more for its wind than its relative humidity, the cold air sweeping across the plains is drier in the winter. Dry air affects people’s skin and lungs and can even affect the home. This article will discuss a solution to dry indoor air: a humidifier. This device can make the warm air from a home’s heating system even more pleasant and beneficial to health rather than just keeping the house at a reasonable temperature.

Helps Respiratory Health

benefitThough too much humidity can cause its own issues, the dryness in winter air can irritate the respiratory system and decrease indoor air quality. The mucosa membrane that lines the nose, mouth, sinus cavity, and throat must maintain a certain amount of moisture for proper function. If a household member has a respiratory infection, these linings can become raw and swollen, only adding to the irritation. Some of these typical winter symptoms can be battled by using a humidifier. A whole-home humidifier can lessen the following respiratory conditions:

  • Asthma
  • Coughing
  • Congestion
  • Nose bleeds
  • Sore throat
  • Sinus pain 

A humidifier can also make cold symptoms more bearable and help maintain good indoor air quality for households with chronic conditions.

Helps With Skincare

Skin is perhaps the most severely affected part of the body during the cold, dry months. It needs nearly constant applications of lotion and chapstick to combat dry skin and lips. The problem with dry air is that dehydrated skin loses its elasticity and becomes more fragile, causing the following issues:

  • Chapping: When the skin is dry, it tends to tear, especially in areas that are constantly moving and are exposed to the air, like the lips and the knuckles. This raw irritation can be very distracting and uncomfortable and is difficult to heal once it has started.
  • Bleeding: Sometimes, the chapping is so bad that it leads to bleeding at the site of the skin tears. 
  • Sensitivity: Dry skin also tends to be easier to irritate and damage.
  • Itchiness: Dry skin tends to get itchy, which, if a person scratches, starts a cycle of skin damage that is difficult to break.
  • Wrinkles: Dehydrated skin shows wrinkles more readily than properly hydrated skin.

All of these issues can be mitigated by installing a whole home humidifier.

Helps Indoor Plants

plantIndoor plants are not only beautiful additions to any home, but they also offer a variety of benefits. One of the most important benefits is that indoor plants can utilize the moisture in the air to produce food and oxygen. This process is called photosynthesis and helps maintain healthy indoor air quality. However, to take full advantage of this process, it is recommended that a central humidifier be installed. 

House plants often get the short end of the stick in winter. Since the temperature has mostly stayed the same indoors, people may feel that their plants do not need extra care. However, the dry indoor air can affect them too. Since plants need moisture to create their nutrients, a humidifier can give them extra help during the winter season. A whole-house humidifier provides the ideal environment for photosynthesis and ensures the plants get the moisture they need to thrive. A central humidifier can create an optimal environment for indoor plants to flourish.

About Priced Right Heating & Cooling

Priced Right Heating & Cooling is a veteran-owned business serving Lenexa, KS, and the surrounding communities. They offer quality service at a fair price, quick turnarounds, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Call them today for humidifier installation and replacement services in Lenexa, KS

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Break These Bad Heating and Cooling Habits in 2023

3 Bad HVAC Habits to Break This Year 

There is no better time to break some bad habits than the present. During the start of the new year, everyone has a little extra motivation to kick some bad habits to the curb and reinforce good habits that can benefit them. 

Getting rid of some bad habits as far as the heating and cooling system is concerned can provide some benefits, including: 

  • Better health through improved air quality
  • Better efficiency leads to saving money with lower utility bills
  • Staying stress-free with reliable equipment with a longer lifespan and fewer breakdowns

This blog will discuss the three bad heating and cooling habits that homeowners should change. 

Forgetting to Replace the Air Filters filter

Diet and exercise can go a long way to supporting good health, but they aren’t the only thing to focus on. In the winter, everyone is cramped indoors and constantly exposed to the air in the home. If the home has poor indoor air quality, then the residents can be faced with worsened: 

  • Allergies
  • Sinus infections
  • Asthma
  • Dry skin

Low-quality indoor air is a recipe for generally ill health, but it can be combated by replacing air filters more often. Experts recommend that air filters be changed at least every three months. But if homes have pets, are located in a dusty environment, or residents suffer from the ailments mentioned above, more frequent replacements may be needed. In addition, changing air filters on time keeps the HVAC system working efficiently and prevents problems. 

Closing or Blocking Air Vents

ventAnother bad habit that can happen in nearly every home is closing air vents or blocking them with furniture. Most air vents are located on the perimeter of a room where couches and dressers fight for space. Too often, vents get blocked or closed intentionally by homeowners who think this will improve the temperature in the room. These are bad habits homeowners should break. 

The pressure imbalance caused by blocked or closed air vents is bad for an HVAC system because it can lead to poor indoor air quality, energy inefficiency, and even equipment damage. Additionally, when the pressure is off balance, it can cause an HVAC system to work harder than normal and use more energy, leading to higher energy bills. To keep utility bills low while allowing the system to operate as intended, leave air vents open and unblocked. 

Neglecting Maintenance 

Air conditioners and heaters are essential to staying comfortable in extreme summers and winters, but they need routine maintenance to keep up with all the work they do. The benefits of regular maintenance from a professional include: 

  • Fewer repairs
  • Better efficiency
  • Lower utility bills
  • Better indoor air quality
  • Longer lifespan 

During maintenance visits, technicians will perform tasks designed to limit the stress on heating and cooling equipment, including cleaning coils, examining ductwork for any damage or leaks, and testing the system to ensure it is operating correctly. Additionally, checking and calibrating the thermostat for accurate temperature readings is necessary to ensure the HVAC system works efficiently. When regular maintenance is performed, homeowners can expect energy bills to become more manageable and their equipment to last longer. 

About Priced Right Heating & Cooling

Priced Right Heating & Cooling is a veteran-owned business serving Lenexa, KS, and the surrounding areas for over ten years. They provide fair prices, personal attention, and quick turnarounds. Call them today for filter replacement, AC, or heater maintenance in Lenexa, KS.

When Should Ductwork Be Repaired or Replaced?

Air Duct Repair and Replacement 

Air ducts are essential to a home’s central heating and air conditioning system and often go unappreciated. Over time they can degrade to the point that they are inefficient and need repairs or replacement. Here is a quick guide to air duct repair and replacement to help homeowners make educated decisions about this vital part of a home’s comfort system. 

Look Out for These Signs of Damaged Ducts smell

Air ducts are naturally exposed to hazards that can increase the likelihood of required repairs. Some signs that air ducts are damaged and could benefit from repairs or a replacement are: 

  • Strange, musty odors that are hard to get rid of and permeate the whole home
  • Airflow problems like hot or cold spots around the home
  • Climbing utility bills
  • Strange noises like clicking or banging as ductwork expands or contracts 
  • Obvious damage to visible ductwork, like missing insulation or crushed portions of ductwork

If homeowners notice these signs, they should call a qualified professional because ductwork repair is likely needed. In extreme cases of damage, experts may recommend air duct replacement. Read on to learn about the benefits of air duct replacement. 

Benefits of Replacing Air Ducts save

The cost of air duct replacement can be worrisome for some homeowners. Luckily, paying for new ductwork isn’t a waste. Installing new air ducts has benefits that make the procedure worth it, including the following: 

  • Lower utility bills, which are the result of greater efficiency 
  • Quieter operation
  • Cleaner, odor-free air in the home
  • Increased comfort and better airflow

Air Duct Repair Methods 

If the damage to ductwork isn’t widespread, air duct repair may be all that is needed to restore better comfort and efficiency to a home. There are several methods professionals can use to perform air duct repairs. The technique an HVAC professional will use to repair ductwork is largely based on the style of duct present and the nature of the problem. 

For example, sections of metal ductwork that are crushed or damaged can be replaced instead of replacing the whole thing. Sagging ductwork can be resecured by installing special straps to anchor the ducts. Additionally, more insulation can be added to ductwork with missing insulation, and small holes or leaks in the ductwork can be patched with sealant. With a bit of attention from a professional, air duct repair can restore lost heating or cooling power for a lower cost than replacement. 

About Priced Right Heating & Cooling

Priced Right Heating & Cooling is a veteran-owned business serving Lenexa, KS, and the surrounding areas. They provide honest pricing, quick turnarounds, and personal attention. Call them today for heating and cooling services in Lenexa, KS.

Take a Moment to Be Thankful for HVAC Technicians This Month

HVAC Services to Be Thankful For

Thanksgiving has traditionally been associated with harvest festivals, the last feast before people had to prepare for a very long winter. As cold weather rolls in around the area, it can be easy to sympathize with ancestors that had to huddle around a fire and hope for an early spring. In modern times, folks take their heating and cooling systems for granted but taking a moment to appreciate them and the professionals who work on them in a time of giving thanks is appropriate.

This year, homeowners can be thankful for climate-controlled homes and the professionals working tirelessly all year long to ensure that everyone is safe from the elements. Here are three important reasons to appreciate them.

Staying Warm in the Winterheater service

Winter time was always a stressful time before heating systems were widely available. During the winter, the cold temperatures seriously threatened the survival of anyone that ran out of heating resources like firewood or coal. Additionally, food stores would have to last through the winter, or starvation became likely.

Instead of hunkering down for spring, HVAC technicians make it so people can thrive during the colder months. Keeping homes warm, they provide installation, repair, and maintenance services to ensure heaters and furnaces are fixed promptly and work safely and efficiently to last through the year.

Beating the Heat During the Summer

AC serviceThe summer days are gone for now, but it’s easy to remember the sweltering days of just a few months ago. While winter makes it easy to be thankful for heaters, summer may be the more vital season for HVAC technicians and services.

With summers getting hotter, it is more important than ever before that homes are cooled. Dealing with the elements during the summer is hard on everyone, but especially the young, elderly, and those with compromised health. With the help of HVAC technicians, everyone can thrive during the summer. They keep the cool air blowing and the humidity in check by safely performing air conditioner repairs, installation, and maintenance.

Safe Indoor Air Quality

Another common concern historically has been indoor air quality. During the winter, people would spend their time crowded around the fire in cramped homes with stale air and high levels of indoor air pollution. Respiratory diseases ran rampant regardless of the season, and indoor spaces couldn’t be kept clean.

As soon as climate control technology was developed, it was clear that it would function to clean up the air as well. Indoor air quality, or IAQ, is an essential component of HVAC contractors’ responsibilities. Without high-quality indoor air, people are vulnerable to:

  • Worsening allergies from constant dust and mold exposure
  • Sinus infections from bacteria in the air
  • Dry skin and mucous membranes from too little humidity
  • Asthma attacks
  • Dusty spaces where dust mites thrive

With routine HVAC maintenance from a professional, homeowners can help keep their indoor air clean. Homeowners should also change their air filters at least every three months so the system can have proper airflow and dust and debris can continue to be removed from their environment. With professional attention twice yearly, the unit stays clean, and the equipment operates to keep humidity levels perfect. HVAC technicians can also install air filtration systems to help further improve the indoor air quality of a home.

About Priced Right Heating & Cooling

Priced Right Heating & Cooling is a veteran-owned business serving Lenexa, KS, and the surrounding areas for over a decade. They provide upfront pricing, quick turnarounds, and personal attention. Call them today for indoor air quality, AC, and heating services in Lenexa, KS.