March 2012 Kozon Kronicles Volume 3, Number 2

In This Issue Summer Special!

Energy Myths Debunked

Kozon Team Spotlight

Tips of the Trade

Car vs. Furnace Service

Brain Buster

Yummy Recipe

Surge Protection Offer

Ask a Tech: R-22

Contact Us

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PC10500480

Busted

Myth #1: Closing the vents in a room saves energy.

It’s a common misconception that closing vents in unused rooms would in

turn reduce the amount of energy consumed. The energy used to heat or cool your home is generated at the heating/cooling unit itself and distributed by the internal blower. Closing off vent terminations only

redirects the air to other locations of your home. It is possible that the act of closing off certain rooms can cause backpressure against the fan, which can cause it to work harder, in turn using more energy.

Myth #2: New windows = significant energy cost savings.

Replacing single-pane windows for more current energy efficient models, do have the potential to save energy. But factors such as the number of

windows, their geographical facing orientation, and location in your home need to factor into play. Given the high expense of window replacement, there is typically more cost effective ways to reduce your energy bills. As a

homeowner, one must gauge the overall replacement cost vs. the potential savings amount to generate a cost analysis for replacement.

Myth #3: Setting the thermostat higher heats a home faster.

This myth is one of the most frequent misunderstandings we hear. When a furnace cycles its output is at its max. Therefore, no matter what temperature you are trying to reach, the furnace will not reach the setting

any faster when the desired set point is over shot. Raising the thermostat significantly higher than desired does have the potential to increase the run time of the unit, thus using more energy. In some cases, such as

geothermal units and heat pump with furnace backups, setting the thermostat one degree more than its current temperature can cause the auxiliary/emergency heat to kick in – extremely upping the energy used.

In these such cases the motto of “set it and leave it” is our best advice.

Myth #4: Using an electric space heater saves money.

While it may seem like a good idea to keep your home at a lower temperature and use space heaters to heat the parts you use the most, the drawbacks make it unwise. Space heaters are not only a residential fire

hazard; they use extreme amounts of electricity. It has been estimated that running just two space heaters can cost the equivalent of heating an entire home with a gas powered system. At 115 volts the space heaters

used to produce heating are not as efficient as their 220 volt furnace counterparts. Lastly, if a home has large temperature swings from room to rooms, condensation can be created in the colder areas leading to mold and

damage.

Myth #6: Leaving a light on uses less energy than turning it off, then on again.

Since home lighting is not motor powered, there is no significant amp power draw when turning on a light bulb. Thus, leaving a light on will not provide energy savings but will decrease it.

Looking for more ways to make your home more efficient? Contact us for information on energy efficient heating & cooling systems

and low flow plumbing fixtures. Call today at 260-856-2225.

Kozon Team Spotlight: Adam Sellers

Position:

Years w/ Company:

School Affiliation:

Plumbing Installer

4.5+

Currently enrolled in 4th Year Plumbing Apprenticeship Program

3.5 Years of HVAC training completed

Freon/Trac-Pipe/Gas-Tite Certified

Adam Sellers has been a member of the Kozon Plumbing & Heating team

for almost five years. Adam’s journey to our crew started when he began

working for a small heating company in Pierceton, IN. He soon realized

that installing and repairing home mechanicals was something he truly,

enjoyed. Adam’s next change of employment brought him to Kozon

Plumbing & Heating where he continued to install HVAC and began to

dabble in plumbing installations. Adam is currently working his way

through the apprenticeship program to earn his state plumbing license.

When this father of three isn’t spending time with his wife and girls, he

likes to embrace the outdoor life. You can usually find him chopping wood

or enjoying a day of fishing out on the lake. Once his plumbing apprentice

is completed, Adam intends on completing his HVAC training. In the

future, Adam would like to move into the sales/service sector of Kozon’s.

Tips of the Trade

Have a faucet nut continually coming loose? Try putting a drop of nail

polish or paint on the threads before reinstalling the nut for a better gripping surface.

Spring storms have you hearing a beeping noise? Many area homes

feature a PHCC battery backup sump pump, to continue water discharging when the power goes out. These pumps feature an audible alarm that needs to be reset after a power outage. Don’t fear - the

beeping noise is mainly an electronic recognition that the pump was activated. Should the noise be an indicator of another issue, a light will appear next to the diagnostic code on the backup’s control panel.

Dust is one of the biggest issues facing homeowners on a daily basis. But there is an unknown source that surprises most……stuffed animals! Those adorable fluffy, cute, lovable guys can fill up with

allergy-aggravating dust mites. Be sure to wash your children’s pals as part of your spring cleaning routine.

Spring is here, finally! Make sure your air filters are changed/cleaned for better air flow, efficiency, and longevity of your cooling system.

Sign up on www.kozonplumbingandheating.com, to receive many

other important Tips of the Trade and special promotions

As an owner of a vehicle, you would never think about not servicing it and changing the oil, right? Could you imagine going years without adding coolant or washer fluid? Committing such neglect would be devastating to one of your most valuable investments, right? I think we all know the answers to these questions. In this industry one question that plagues our minds every heating or cooling season is, “Why do so many people think it’s important to service their cars, but not their heating & cooling systems?”. Having your equipment routinely serviced is an industry recognized and consumer report recommended way to best maximize your efficiency, extend the life of your systems, cut costly repairs, and save you money on your energy bills. Your home is most likely your top monetary investment, here at Kozon’s we want to help you keep it operating as efficiently and as comfortable as possible.

Recommended Vehicle

Maintenance

Recommended Equipment Maintenance

Make sure oil level is within the vehicle’s operating range listed on the dipstick. If you

neglect to change the oil in your car, or the oil level drops due to a leak in your engine, you will begin to see performance issues.

“The Air Conditioning Contractors of America or ACCA recommend checking once a year to maintain the proper Freon levels. If your Freon levels are low

either the proper charge was never added to your system or there is a leak which should be repaired.

Low levels of Freon can cause compressor failure, reduce the efficiency of your air conditioner, can freeze the evaporator coil, and many other problems.”

Check battery for corrosion on terminals or leakage.

Tighten all electrical connections and measure voltage and current on motors. Faulty electrical

connections can cause unsafe operation of your system and reduce the life of major components.

Make sure there are no cracks in lenses for headlights, tail lights and turn signals and make sure they are operating properly.

Inspect, clean, or change air filters once a month in your central air conditioner, furnace, and/or heat pump. Your contractor can show you how to do this. A dirty filter can increase energy costs and damage your equipment, leading to early failure. Check all

gas (or oil) connections, gas pressure, burner combustion and heat exchanger. Improperly operating gas (or oil) connections are a fire hazard and can contribute to health problems. A dirty burner or cracked heat exchanger causes improper burner operation. Either can cause the equipment to operate less safely and efficiently.

Ensure power steering, brake, transmission, engine oil and battery (if applicable) fluid levels are within operating ranges.

Sources: ehow.com, department of

transportation, energystar.com.

Lubricate all moving parts. Parts that lack lubrication cause friction in motors and increases the amount of electricity you use. Check controls of the system to ensure proper and safe operation. Check the starting cycle of the equipment to assure the system starts, operates, and shuts off properly. Clean and adjust blower components to provide proper system airflow

for greater comfort levels. Airflow problems can reduce your system's efficiency by up to 15 percent.

Keep your home nice and cool in summer’s scorching heat. Now scheduling for Spring/Summer preventative maintenance. Contact Jess today at 260-856-2225 for more information or kozonph@yahoo.com.

What kind of coat can ONLY be put on when wet?

A blue house is made of blue bricks. A yellow house is made of yellow bricks. A

red house is made of red bricks. An orange house is made of orange bricks. What would a green house be made of?

What question can someone ask all day long, always get completely different answers, and yet all the answers could be correct? Answer on bottom, left.

Kozon Karmel Korn (courtesy of allrecipes.com)

1 cup butter 2 cups brown sugar

1/2 cup corn syrup 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon vanilla extract 5 quarts popped popcorn

Preheat oven to 250 degrees F (95 degrees C). Place popcorn in a very

large bowl. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in

brown sugar, corn syrup and salt. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil

without stirring 4 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in soda and vanilla.

Pour in a thin stream over popcorn, stirring to coat. Place in two large

shallow baking dishes and bake in preheated oven, stirring every 15

minutes, for 1 hour. Remove from oven and let cool completely before

breaking into pieces.

Did you know an electrical surge lasting only fractions of a second can damage

your air conditioner, computer, television set and other electrical and electronic

appliances in your home? Surges occur when voltage in a home’s electrical

system increases and returns to normal within fractions of a second. A

frequent cause is a lightning strike to a nearby building. A surge protection

device can be installed at the electric service entrance of your home, and can

provide a good first line of defense if lightning occurs nearby and creates

surges in power lines or other utilities. Electrical surges can originate from

other sources other than lightening, and these devices will divert most of this

surge energy to the ground.

Get your whole house surge protector installed today for $195.! (During your current service call, separate call will require and additional service call fee).

Answers:

A coat of paint

Glass

What time is it?

Ask a Tech: What is R-22 and why should I care?

There are sweeping changes occurring in air conditioning these days in

regards to R-22. R-22 is one of the refrigerants commonly referred to as

“freon” and is used in older air conditioners and coolers. Back in the 1980’s

it was decided that our freon use was destroying the earth’s ozone. Several

nations made an agreement called the Montreal Protocol to phase out

dangerous freon and develop safer refrigerants. As an outcome of the

Montreal Protocol, there were time tables established for the different

freons to be phased out from usage. R-12 was hit first and began being

phased out immediately (remember your car a/c?) and the others slowly

following.

In more recent news, the Environmental Protection Agency, newly decided

the Montreal Protocol was taking too long on the R-22 phase out. They

have issued rules that manufactures and importers can only make and sell

a small percentage of the R-22 they did last year and was planning on

selling this year. This has caused a shock wave in the industry and set

prices soaring by over 300% immediately. Subsequently, the supply of

how much contractors can purchase compared to last year’s purchases has

decreased significantly. WOW! It is like the FDA said it did not like coffee

and told factories and stores they could only make a small amount of coffee

and could only let you buy a small portion of what you bought last year-

and at an extreme price!! Supply and demand at its finest you could say.

Now what does that mean to you and

me? If you have an older air

conditioner that has a small leak

and needs recharged each summer,

or needs repairs that require new

Freon, it is a lot more expensive

now. New installations of air

conditioners that use R-22, are now

more expensive to charge/fill up and

will continue to increase in price as

the EPA continues to cut the ability to

use R-22 (remember the car’s a/c

again).

Having been in the business over thirty years, my opinion is if you have an

R-22 system, one must compare the initial and future repairs costs to that

of a new system investment. The new air conditioners operate more

efficiently, have potential energy savings, and usually have a 10 year parts

with labor warranty. ~Mike Doub, Service Manager

Contact Kozon’s today for your no cost, in home system replacement analysis by one of our skilled technicians.

If you have a question for the “Ask A Tech” section, please send it to

kozonph@yahoo.com.