February 17, 2017 4:04 PM By Jim Donovan

(credit: CBS 3)

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) Whether youre trying to keep your house warm in the winter or cool in the summer, your heating and cooling system is the biggest energy user in your home.

But an invisible shield could help make your home more energy efficient. In this weeks Angies List report, what you should know about window film.

Installing high-efficiency windows can be a great investment but its also expensive and costs thousands of dollars. If youre looking for a more affordable option, window film is a great alternative, said Angies List founder, Angie Hicks.

Solar window film is a thin material applied to window glass which helps filter out a lot of solar energy.

Window film will be a much better option in terms of improving the performance and matching the performance of a new replacement window, typically a fifth the cost of going through the replacement of those windows, said window film installer, Kevin Koval.

Jay Dunbar says, what he spent on window film, he made up within three years, in energy savings. But he noticed one thing immediately, no more uneven temperatures throughout his house.

First thing that we noticed, because we had it applied I think it was in late fall, we noticed that when it got cold, all of a sudden our bedroom wasnt 10 degrees colder than the rest of the house, which was very nice, said Dunbar.

You can install window film yourself, but doing that could void your window warranty. Reputable film installers will replace your window warranty with their own. Theyll also install the film without bubbles, which will prevent cracks or peeling later on. Some will even let you transfer the warranty if you sell your house.

Window film can also help filter out potentially dangerous ultra violet light and even protect your furniture from fading from sunlight.

For more information, click here.

Jim Donovan is anchor of CBS 3s Eyewitness News This Morning and Eyewitness News at Noon. The 15-time Emmy Award-winner joined CBS 3 as its On Your Side consumer reporter in 2004. In April, 2016, he stepped up to the anchor desk to rela...

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Angie's List: What You Should Know About Window Film - CBS Local

ANTHEM Angies List Super Service Award three years in a row. Anthem Young Professionals Leadership in Action Award in 2016. Acknowledged in Ranking Arizonas Top 10. Countless glowing Yelp reviews. An A+ rating with BBB. Only some of the accolades and recognition earned by ProSkill Plumbing, Heating & Air.

Two brothers, Cactus Shadows High grads, Tyler and Travis Ringe, founded ProSkill Plumbing in 2009. Customers for life was their goal. The recipe for success was simple: offer reasonable pricing, follow through on what they say and provide stellar service.

Starting ProSkill was a natural undertaking, given their dad was a general contractor and the Ringes grew up in the building industry. As the owners/operators of this family-run business (Tylers wife, Abby, does the books), ProSkill is the go-to plumber of not only former classmates but their parents as well. Its no wonder why the Ringes keep having to add trucks to their fleet (they started with one and are up to 17!). Customer referrals keep them busy, and they are even hiring plumbers and AC techs as they expand to meet demands.

In addition to the superior work and integrity at ProSkill, clients love the fact they typically dont pay service charges. (Calls for work on Sunday and after hours are assessed one.) Because Tyler and Travis have lived in the area so long, they often recommend fellow businesses if theres a service they cannot provide (they are customer-driven).

If you have a leak, need your AC tuned, want your RO filters changed, ProSkill can help, plus they strive to save clients cash with its Members Club. For example, pay $118/yr. per system and receive biannual AC tune-ups, heating/cooling inspection, condenser coil cleaning, condensate drain blowout/flush. Members also receive 5 percent repair discounts, no diagnostic fees, priority booking and ladder service (for those who cant use a ladder and may, perhaps, need bulbs changed) and more. See additional Members Club options at http://www.ProSkillServices.com.

The Ringes want to remind their neighbors that the need for AC will be here before they know it, so call 480-757-5722 no later than March to have a $59/unit HVAC tune before summer roars in!

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Call the skilled pros at ProSkill for plumbing, heating, air service, repair, install - Sonoran News

Take a moment and imagine you are in your stockroom, taking inventory of your products. After going through each product, you begin to realize what you traditionally offer isnt going to cut it anymore. Your customers are requesting the most-efficient technology available that will allow them to save on utility bills. You need to find a solution to retain and grow your business, and somehow your research leads you here. You might have heard of mini-split heat pumps, but how much do you actually know about the technology that is gaining more attention and market demand in the U.S. residential market?

Why should you and your customers consider investing in these systems? The mini-split developed its name from its split-system design, which consists of an indoor air handling unit connected to an outdoor unit. The term mini, reflects its small size in terms of footprint and load capacity. Mini-split systems can be ductless, ducted or both, and are commonly found in residential and light commercial projects. Typically, Europe and Asia dominate the market share for mini-splits, but as consumer demand increases and the industry shifts continually toward going green, theyve grown from being a topic of discussion to being placed in homes across the U.S.

Now, you may be thinking, why are mini-split systems beneficial for business? Mini-splits are often the best money-making option for residential projects, but lets break down this technology in terms of how it can help your business boom.

Energy efficiency is key

Over the past decade, there has been an increase in demand for HVAC product manufacturers to design and develop efficient products meeting government mandated ratings, called Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratings (SEER). The government enforced the latest SEER standards in 2015, and now requires heat pumps installed on or after Jan. 1, 2015, must achieve the minimum rating of 14 SEER in most areas of the country, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. However, some manufacturers, like Mitsubishi Electric Cooling & Heating (Mitsubishi Electric), have developed efficient mini-split systems reaching SEER ratings in the low-to-mid 30s as you are aware, the higher the SEER, the better the efficiencies.

How do mini-splits meet this efficiency demand? Well, unlike traditional systems, ductless mini-split heat pumps do not push air through ducts. Instead, the indoor unit is coupled to an outdoor unit by small refrigerant piping and electrical wiring. Because the compressor is inverter-driven rather than fixed speed, it typically runs at a low frequency to maintain the desired temperature and only increases to quickly cool or heat a space.

Utility bill savings outweigh initial expenses

Mini-splits may have higher initial costs than traditional systems, but the upfront costs are justified by a mini-splits reduced lifetime costs their installation and operational costs are often lower as well. Installation costs are reduced because mini-splits offer a simpler installation process than conventional systems, saving on materials and labor. Because of the mini-splits efficiency, overall operational costs are reduced. Thanks to that ingenious inverter-driven compressor, users can expect to see a savings of up to 40 percent a year on energy with a Mitsubishi Electric system, as compared to traditional systems. Over a products life cycle, these benefits add up ultimately making the case that mini-splits are a superior financial choice compared to other options currently available.

Making your job easier

When recommending a system to a potential customer, youre going to get the typical question, How long will it take to install? Its not an uncommon question at all. According the U.S. Energy Information Administrations (EIA) Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS), around 44 percent of homeowners in the U.S. never turn off their air conditioning during the summer months. While a whole home installation may take longer to complete, individual rooms or spaces can be installed and functional in the same day. This provides some relief for air-conditioning addicts.

How is that possible? One of the many installation benefits of mini-splits is the simplicity of the unit. The two-component set-up is made up of an indoor unit, mounted to an interior wall and connected to the outdoor unit by two refrigerant lines that pass through a small penetration (three inches or fewer in diameter). Due to their split-system design, alongside the minimal-to-no ductwork involved, mini-split systems can require no demolition to install perfect for renovating a house that was built before air conditioning was available as well as new construction projects. Minimal piping and a small footprint mean lower equipment costs and a faster installation in terms of labor.

Personalized comfort for your customers

For the last few decades, mini-split technology has been known as a smart solution for providing spot cooling and heating for spaces where installing a conventional system would be costly or even impossible. In recent years, as some manufacturers have introduced extremely versatile indoor styles like multi-position ducted indoor units, mini-splits have become a desired system for the whole home.

Because mini-split units are also small by nature, they can easily fit in tight spaces. Since they can be ducted, ductless or both, homeowners can select which indoor units best fits their space and style. For example, with Mitsubishi Electrics Designer EF-series wall-mounted indoor units, homeowners can choose whether they want the unit to blend or stand out. The unit can also be mounted in any space. Mini-split design flexibility does not stop at a wall-mounted indoor unit, though Mitsubishi Electric also offers floor-mounted indoor units, multi-position ducted indoor units, ceiling-concealed ducted units, ceiling-suspended units and ceiling-recessed units.

These systems are not only versatile for the homeowner to personalize, but also versatile for the HVAC contractor to specify. Mitsubishi Electric systems have a capacity range between 2,800 - 42,000 BTUs, offering contractors more options when specifying homes. Because of the flexibility of Mitsubishi Electrics systems, HVAC contractors can design any given system in a variety of ways, whether seeking to maximize comfort, efficiency or upfront cost savings. For example, if a homeowner wants seven zones, that can be accomplished one of several ways, including one multi-zone outdoor unit connected to seven indoor units or seven single-zone outdoor units each connected to one indoor unit. Each option offers something, in this case the former offers upfront cost savings whereas the latter offers ultimate efficiency. Having such flexibility ensures contractors can offer homeowners personalized systems that speak to their individual wants and needs.

Smooth operator

Mini-split technology has a much quieter system compared to traditional systems. The outdoor units feature efficient DC motors and fan blades designed to minimize the noise many central systems make. Further, the compressor is housed in its own insulated compartment and sits on rubber feet for maximum vibration dampening. The indoor units are also incredibly quiet. The small, compact footprint and specially designed fans deliver extremely quiet and powerful, consistent airflow. Ductless and short-run ducted units operate at barely detectable sound levels, which mean some indoor units are even quieter than a human whisper.

Support from manufacturers

Although the installation of mini-split systems is described as simple, it does require a specialized skill set. Fortunately, some of todays manufacturers offer preferred HVAC contractor programs. These programs allow the installing contractor to become familiar and comfortable with the manufacturers brand through extensive product education and training. Manufacturers also typically provide a list of preferred contractors in the area, making contractor selection an easy process for homeowners who are looking for qualified and experienced installers.

Mitsubishi Electric has mobile applications to assist contractors in the selling and installation processes. Rather than an HVAC contractor walking into a house and specifying a system based on the number of bedrooms and the homes geographic location, Mitsubishi Electrics Residential Home Builder application allows the contractor to take it one step further and essentially design the optimal system for any given house. This application provides the homeowner with a more accurate estimate of the size and type of system that should be used, providing the homeowner options upfront.

Its time to take advantage of this technology

While residential HVAC contractors are still installing other cooling and heating systems, the mini-split is an adaptable product thats on the rise to dominate the U.S. market. Over the past two years, the U.S. mini-split market has already grown by 13 percent and will continue to increase over the next decade, according to A Look at Ductless Growth in North America by North America Equity Research, J.P. Morgan.

This technology is a leader in the HVAC category because of its impressive efficiency ratings and ability to provide personalized comfort. As more and more customers ask for these benefits, there is an opportunity for HVAC contractors to meet those demands through stocking and installing mini-split systems. Contractors have the opportunity not to just offer the products, but become true experts in the technology and participate in rewarding manufacturer programs. By doing so, they will grow their business successfully.

Go here to read the rest:
Mini-splits: residential takeover - Contractor Mag

Mike Ullery | Daily Call Volunteers from the Housing Enhancement League of Piqua, along with Piqua city officials and workers from Morris Heating and Cooling and Harmony Systems gather for a group photo as work nears completion on installation of a new furnace for a family on Blaine Avenue in Piqua.

PIQUA Two local companies teamed up to bring warmth to a resident on Monday.

The Housing Enhancement League of Piqua (HELP) brought together Harmony Systems, Inc. and Morris Heating Cooling Comfort Systems to donate a furnace and its installation to a resident on Blaine Avenue. Harmony Systems donated the furnace, while Morris Heating Cooling Comfort Systems donated their time for the installation, which took place Monday morning. The total estimated cost for the furnace and installation was around $3,400.

Its a great help to me, said Ken Baker of Piqua, who received the donated furnace. Baker has been living in Piqua for 25 years, and his previous furnace was on its last leg.

It was in bad shape, Baker said.

Baker reached out to the city to see if HELP or the citys Community Home Investment Program (CHIP) funding, which they received through the states Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding, was able to help him keep the heat working in his home this winter.

One of the big purposes of HELP is a way to give back to the community, Development Program Manager Nikki Reese said. Reese explained that HELP then reached out to Harmony Systems and Morris Heating Cooling Comfort Systems to see if they were interested in working together to help Bakers situation.

This is the second year in a row both companies came together to donate a furnace to someone in need in Piqua.

We were presented the opportunity last year We thought, absolutely, Brad Penrod, operation supervisor of Morris Heating Cooling Comfort Systems said.

Penrod said that in addition to giving back to the community by donating their time, this also provided them with the opportunity to make the residents home safer by getting rid of one of the older furnace systems in exchange for a safer, newer model.

It was a no-brainer, Penrod said. Its great for the community. The fact that Harmony Systems stepped up and weve been able to help has been huge.

This is a donation from our employees, Cynamyn Clem, human resources manager of Harmony Systems said.

Each year the employees of Harmony Systems think of a Christmas project, and they decided to give the gift of heat to a resident in need this season.

Its great. We love to be able to give back to the Piqua community, Clem said.

Mike Ullery | Daily Call Volunteers from the Housing Enhancement League of Piqua, along with Piqua city officials and workers from Morris Heating and Cooling and Harmony Systems gather for a group photo as work nears completion on installation of a new furnace for a family on Blaine Avenue in Piqua.

http://dailycall.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_021317mju_piqua_help.jpgMike Ullery | Daily Call Volunteers from the Housing Enhancement League of Piqua, along with Piqua city officials and workers from Morris Heating and Cooling and Harmony Systems gather for a group photo as work nears completion on installation of a new furnace for a family on Blaine Avenue in Piqua.

Harmony, Morris Heating donate furnace, installation

Reach Sam Wildow at [emailprotected] or (937) 451-3336

.

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Piqua Daily Call | Heating up this winter season - Piqua Daily Call

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo last week announced a $15 million proposal to accelerate the use of renewable heating and cooling technologies in New York to stimulate the clean energy economy.

According to a press release, the new policy framework released by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority includes a proposed two-year, $15-million program to provide rebates for the installation of ground-source heat pumps.

The release said the plan will support the states goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in New York 40 percent by 2030 from 1990 levels.

New York has made great strides to combat climate change by supporting the use of new technologies and growing our clean energy economy, Cuomo said in the press release. We will continue to make green investments that will encourage the use of clean, affordable energy to reduce our carbon footprint and support sustainable communities throughout the state.

According to the Governors Office, currently, fossil-fuel-based thermal energy primarily natural gas, propane and oil is the main energy source for space heating, space cooling and domestic hot water in the residential and commercial sectors. It is responsible for approximately 32 percent of New Yorks energy-related greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing emissions is integral to the governors Reforming the Energy Vision strategy for a cleaner, more resilient and affordable energy system for all New Yorkers.

The press release said renewable heating and cooling technologies not only provide environmental benefits, they also can provide energy bill savings, increased comfort levels and health benefits, compared to conventional heating and cooling technologies.

The NYSERDA framework sets out policy options and market-based solutions for the next few years and identifies approaches for longer term action. Interested parties are invited to comment on the framework.

The proposed $15 million rebate program would provide about $6,000 for a typical residential consumer for the installation of a ground-source heat pump. This technology has tremendous potential to provide New Yorkers with a heating and cooling system that is energy efficient and reliable. However, it is not yet cost-competitive with conventional technologies, so providing rebates will help stimulate market growth.

In addition to the rebate, the framework identifies a range of options for the next few years to lower costs, reduce barriers and grow the market, including:

Community-based outreach, education and bulk procurements.

Integrating renewable heating and cooling in new housing developments and campuses, which can be more economically efficient and lower cost due to the scale of the projects.

Developing a unified and streamlined permitting process.

Reducing project development risks by providing support for feasibility and engineering studies.

Introducing renewable heating and cooling technology into existing trade and distribution channels.

Advancing new business models and financing innovations that can mitigate high upfront costs by spreading them over time.

The framework also explores methods to implement renewable heating and cooling mandates for public buildings, new construction and renovation.

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State funding to advance renewable heating, cooling technologies to benefit economy - Amherst Bee

Submit the press release

Worry-Free 24-Hour Emergency HVAC Services

Have you experienced waking up in the middle of the night, feeling cold and realizing that your furnace is not working? This is one of the situations that Smile Heating & Cooling Inc. does not want their clients to experience. By installing only trusted HVAC equipment brands, they guarantee remarkable services to all their clients.

Smile Heating & Cooling Inc. (http://www.smile-hvac.ca/) is a heating and plumbing business that has professional and friendly technicians who consider their clients interest first.

Since furnaces and heaters are among the most important equipment at home during the winter season, their technicians recommend what they only think is the best brand to use. They offer the best brands of air conditioners to help clients stay cool and comfortable during the summer season. They also install other brands their clients prefer to use since the company is not attached to any specific brands. In addition to installing furnaces and air conditioners, they also install other types of quality HVAC equipment including garage heaters, humidifiers, and more.

Smile Heating & Cooling Inc. offers in-home technical adviser visit to make sure the chosen equipment suit their clients need. In that way, they ensure their clients satisfaction. They also offer a great solution for clients who hate surprise broken equipment repair fees called Smile Protection Plan. With this plan, clients get equipment repair and maintenance with free emergency calls at a reasonable monthly rate. Also, with their straight level pricing, they provide their clients upfront pricing without the annoying extra hidden charges. They also offer rental program where customers dont need to pay for the HVAC equipment and installation.

About Smile Heating & Cooling Incorporated

Smile Heating & Cooling Inc. (http://www.smile-hvac.ca/) is among the Reginas most recognized HVAC companies that provide worry-free and exceptional services to a variety of clients. Established by a skilled and experienced HVAC professional who has built great relationship and recognition for years, the company continues to put smiles on their partners and clients faces. This company has a fully trained and licensed team of HVAC technicians who gives easier solution to their clients cooling and heating issues. This licensed and insured companys list of services also includes furnace cleaning and inspection, water heater and HRV installation, and more.

Media Contact Company Name: Smile Heating & Cooling Inc. Contact Person: Genadi Kahanovich Email: Send Email Phone: (306) 531-9151 Address:2625 Cameron Street City: Regina State: Saskatchewan Country: Canada Website: http://www.smile-hvac.ca/

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Emergency HVAC Service in Regina from Smile Heating & Cooling Services - Satellite PR News (press release)

When contractors decide to offer a new brand of equipment or a new type of technology, they want to make sure the manufacturer will be there to support them. This support can include everything from channel-specific training classes to marketing materials to design and installation assistance to easy-to-use apps and software that can help facilitate the sales process.

When it comes to offering VRF systems, contractors are particularly interested in manufacturer support, because many are new to the technology. They want to make sure they have a steadfast partner that will be able to help them learn how to sell, design, install, and service the equipment as well as be available to answer any questions or concerns that might pop up in the field. VRF manufacturers understand these concerns and, as a result, offer a wide array of support services that are designed to help their contractors be successful.

Manufacturer support typically includes sales and technical help, so contractors can feel confident in both selling and designing VRF systems. To that end, Mitsubishi Electric offers design software, online resources, and extensive in-person training at its eight regional training centers across the country. For VRF, our in-person courses are offered at least once per week, and additional courses can be taken with our distributors and representatives, said Kevin Miskewicz, director of commercial marketing, Mitsubishi Electric US Inc. Cooling & Heating Division.

Mitsubishi Electric requires its contractors to meet all local and state compliance and licensing requirements and also encourages them to participate in its training courses to ensure they provide the best service possible. For example, the company offers a three-day CITY MULTI service course, which couples an in-depth functional study of the VRF system along with practical hands-on exercises associated with properly applying, installing, commissioning, and troubleshooting systems. We also offer CITY MULTI application courses and maintenance tool diagnostics courses as well as controls applications training, Diamond Designer training, and more, said Miskewicz.

As far as software is concerned, Mitsubishi Electric offers the Diamond System Builder, which allows specifiers to lay out and design commercial HVAC systems. It ensures that the system is properly designed within the required constraints and checks that the line lengths, maximum connected capacities, component selection, and control scheme are within the system requirements, noted Miskewicz. The software also generates AutoCAD schematics with wiring and piping diagrams to streamline the installation process.

Fujitsu General America Inc. also offers a tremendous amount of support to contractors, starting with its sales engineers, who are located regionally and can provide phone support, on-site start-up, troubleshooting, and commissioning. Technical service advisors (TSAs) are also available in each territory to help out with technical aspects of the VRF system. Online, Fujitsus Airstage VRF (and Halcyon) portal offers sales materials, such as catalogs, sell sheets, and mini brochures. It also has detailed technical resources, such as design and technical manuals, cut sheets, installation and operation manuals, and technical bulletins.

Contractors also have access to download our free design software, so that they may design systems from their office or at an appointment with a customer, said CJ Corbet, Southwest sales engineer, Fujitsu General America Inc. We also offer a variety of training courses, including portal-based instruction and one-day courses that can be conveniently taught at a contractors office or at one of our many regional training facilities.

In order to provide a more hands-on experience, Fujitsu recently opened its Airstage on Broadway, Fujitsu Generals Solution Center in New York City. The new 1,600-square foot location is designed to be a learning and sharing center where architects, engineers, building owners, contractors, energy consultants, and HVAC customers can come together to collaborate and share experiences. The showroom will also display a variety of Fujitsus commercial and residential heating and cooling systems.

Panasonic Corp. offers its VRF dealers support that can be accessed by phone, online, or in person. At its three training facilities, contractors and engineers can obtain free application and sales training, which includes the distribution of application software and instruction on how to use it. The design software is an essential part of eliminating risks ensuring that line set diameter and limitations are followed, said Malcolm Persaud, senior manager of commercial products, air conditioning group, Panasonic. That is why contractors should take advantage of the free training. Other opportunities include hands-on or web-based training that covers installation, commissioning, and service issues.

When installing a new product for the first time, there is always some degree of apprehension, but after obtaining the proper training, contractors will find VRF to be an installer-friendly technology, said Persaud. After one installation, most of the apprehension is removed. We have a program that guides contractors through the initial process, as it is also in our interest to ensure that we have great installations and operations.

For contractors new to VRF, there are two common mistakes that can occur during the installation process: refrigerant leaks and communication issues. Both can be avoided if contractors attend proper training, said Corbet. As we teach in class, proper refrigerant piping installation techniques are required for installation, and a broad overview of the communication systems are covered to eliminate most start-up errors. We also cover training on our computer-based service software, Service Tool, which helps identify specific errors in our Airstage VRF systems. I would recommend contractors take advantage of our free, one-day course and let us show how easy it is to install an Airstage VRF system and alleviate some of those concerns.

While VRF is easy to install in new buildings, it is especially easy to install in retrofit applications, said Miskewicz, as ductwork is limited or not required at all. Indoor units can be mounted just about anywhere on the ceiling, wall, floor, in a closet, or elsewhere. VRF has minimal impact on building exteriors, too, because outdoor condensing units are compact and light enough to be placed on rooftops without compromising buildings structural integrities. VRF systems are easy to handle, cost less to transport, and require only a 3-inch opening in the exterior of a building for the refrigerant lines and wiring to connect the outdoor units to the indoor units.

Manufacturers have a vested interest in making sure their products are designed, installed, and serviced properly, which is why they have devoted so many resources to sales and technical support. And while support is crucial for contractors just starting out with VRF, experienced contractors should take advantage of these opportunities, as well. Ongoing training is the best way for contractors to stay at the forefront of their field, said Miskewicz. With the rapidly changing landscape of HVAC and VRF technology, ongoing training will ultimately make a contractor more knowledgeable in the eyes of their customers.

Publication date: 2/13/2017

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VRF Manufacturers Provide Support | 2017-02-13 | ACHRNEWS - ACHR NEWS

(ANGIE'S LIST) - No matter where you live or the season, there's no bigger energy user in your home than your heating and cooling system. This Angie's List report focuses on an efficiency investment you can barely see, but will feel in your wallet every time you pay a power bill.

"Window film will be a much better option in terms of improving the performance and matching the performance of a new replacement window, typically a fifth the cost of going through the replacement of those windows," says Angies List founder Angie Hicks.

Homeowner Jay Dunbar said he earned his investment in window film back in energy savings within three years and resolved an issue of uneven temperature in his house right away.

You can install window film yourself, but doing that could void your window warranty. Reputable pros will replace your warranty with their own. They'll also install the film without bubbles, which will prevent cracks or peeling later on. Some will even let you transfer the warranty if you sell your house.

"Only a few states actually require trade licenses for window film installers, so you want to do some additional homework to see their affiliations with different trade associations and also what kind of guarantee they have behind their work," says Hicks.

Window film offers more than energy efficiency. It shields you from the glare of sunlight, filters out potentially dangerous ultra violet light and even helps protect your furniture from fading from prolonged exposure to the sun.

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Window film helps you save big on heating costs - Kotatv

KINGSTON >> Renovations at the Andy J. Murphy III Midtown Neighborhood Center are largely completed, with final costs expected at over $1 million, city officials said.

Megan Weiss-Rowe, director of city communications and community engagement, said the city has made great progress on the Andy Murphy Neighborhood Center so far ...

Weiss-Rowe said that the city is currently seeking bids to upgrade the heating and cooling system at the Broadway facility. The project cost is expected to be about $35,000, she said.

In all, including that upgrade, the cost of renovations is expected to total $1,037,450.50, Weiss-Rowe said. The Common Council has authorized spending up to $1,286,000, she said.

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The work for the cooling and heating system is expected to include a new steam valve, two temperature sensors, boiler controls, outside air temperature sensor, incorporation of controls into the existing boiler control, and new electrical wiring.

This work will provide for better control of office temperatures in the upstairs Recreation Office space, Weiss-Rowe said. Our previous work that provided for large ceiling fans in the gymnasium has helped to reduce air stratification and created a more comfortable recreational space.

In June, the Common Council and Mayor Steve Noble agreed to borrow an additional $550,000 for repairs and rehabilitation work at the center at 467 Broadway after City Engineer Ralph Swenson told them structural damage found in the 19th century building was worse than expected.

With the new funding, the city paid Ganem Contracting Corp. $646,246 to install exterior gutters on the building and fix structural damage. Ganem, based in Saratoga County, was the sole bidder for the job.

The city also paid J&J Sass Electric of Kingston $34,639 for work at the center, including the installation of new large ceiling fans. The general contractor, PCC Contracting, was paid $262,312.

Swenson has said the structural damage was discovered after repair work already had started. He has said the original plan was to repair the existing built-in gutters on the building, but that plan had to be changed.

The renovation project at the Murphy center, named for the late former city parks and recreation superintendent, began in September 2015. PCC Contracting was awarded a $508,875 contract to address exterior masonry deterioration at the building, as well as inadequate roof drainage and structural framing deterioration in the balcony end supports in the gymnasium area.

The building, which dates to 1873, initially served as an armory.

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Kingston's Midtown center rehab project cost likely to top $1 million - The Daily Freeman

QUINCY, FL (WTXL) --The community is helping a Gadsden County senior citizen live on her own by raising money to buy her a heating and cooling unit.

An online effort has been underway for about a month now to help Willie Cobbs, a 91-year-old woman from Quincy.

"She still cooks for herself, she still can drive," said Skye Christian. "She's just a very compassionate person."

Christian met Cobb last month at her home in Quincy.

"She's been blessed to live to be 91 years young, and she's outlived everybody," she said. "I just felt compelled to help her, because she doesn't have anybody else."

Christian started to raise money online. The goal is to raise $3,500 to buy and install a heating and cooling unit. She and others pitched in to get Cobb space heaters during the winter months.

"Right now, it's cold, but we had to do something that would help her long-term, where she won't be sitting in any type of extreme weather."

In Gadsden County, about 200 people take advantage of Gadsden Senior Services, but the organization admits it can't meet every need because of funding.

"There's always money needed for a match, because we're going to only receive so much through the federally funded programs," said Berta Kemp, board chair for Gadsden Senior Services.

The organization is part of a 14-county agency that is dependent on federal and community money.

"Our seniors here in Gadsden County are very important to us, and we want to make sure when it's cold, that they are kept warm -- and when it's hot, that they are cool," Kemp said.

"We don't want to have anybody left behind," Christian said, "and we want everybody to feel like we love them."

Gadsden Senior Services does offer home energy assistance for low-income senior, but they must meet certain criteria.

The Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly Program (EHEAP) is federally funded. Eligible households can get up to $600 per season. To be eligible for assistance, households must have:

- a documented healing or cooling emergency

- at least one individual age 60 or older in the home, and

- a gross household annual income equal to or less than 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines

To contribute to Christian's fundraiser for Cobb, click HERE.

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Gadsden County Senior Gets Help from Community - WTXL ABC 27