It seems like everything is more expensive these days, including rising utility bills over this past brutally hot summer for homeowners in the Valley of the Sun. Energy-efficient HVAC systems can offer you a way to decrease your monthly utility bills, increase your family’s comfort along with maximizing your hard-earned money in a long-term investment. This may sound counterintuitive with the initial expense of replacing your HVAC system, but this investment in your home is bolstered by two key tax benefits.

25C Federal Tax Credit

The Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (25C) provides generous federal tax credits for installing energy efficient HVAC equipment effective January 1, 2023.

• Up to $600 each for a qualified air conditioner or gas furnace capped annually at $1,200.
• Up to $2,000 for a qualified heat pump, heat pump water heater, or boiler.

The 25C tax credit resets every year which means you can use it over and over through 2032. You just need to choose equipment that meets the highest efficiency standards available at the time you plan to claim the credit. For most HVAC systems, that simply means finding the ENERGY STAR certification on the label.

Energy Audits

Energy audits are an indispensable way of finding out where your home may be wasting precious energy. By having your local HVAC professionals conduct an energy assessment before installing a new HVAC system, you’ll know exactly what your home needs and how to fix it. Up to $150 of an energy audit can go towards a tax credit to deduct the amount of the credit from the taxes you may owe.

If you’re ready to switch to a more energy efficient HVAC system, Cool Blew is here to help. We offer a wide variety of products so that you can find the best fit for your home and budget. Cool Blew is proud to offer affordable financing arrangements with leading HVAC financing companies. Give us a call today at 623-872-2900 to schedule an appointment.

Veteran’s Day is an important opportunity to pause and celebrate those who have served in the U. S. Armed Forces. This holiday occurs on November 11 every year in honor of the “eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month” of 1918 that signaled the end of World War I. Memorial services, parades, flag raising ceremonies, and pancake breakfasts at local VFW posts are some of the ways you can honor and thank all veterans for their service, commitment, and dedication.

If you do experience a heating or cooling issue this weekend, or any other day for that matter, here are some pro tips to protect your HVAC system.

Faulty Ignition Sensor

If you’ve made the switch over from cooling to heating, it’s not uncommon for autumn temperature changes to place additional stress on HVAC sensors causing them to fail. You’ll notice this when temperatures drop during the evening and mornings, and the heat is not turning on. If you have an electric furnace or heat pump, it can be a faulty ignition sensor. If you have a natural gas or propane furnace, it can be a pilot light malfunction. Either way, a service call is in order if this is something you’re experiencing.

Blower Won’t Stop Running

An HVAC blower is how heat is distributed throughout ductwork to keep you warm. A blower that won’t turn off can result in causing unnecessary strain on your system and be an energy drain. When the blower stays on after your furnace has run through its heating cycle, you’ll want to first check your thermostat. Make sure that the thermostat setting for the fan switch is set to AUTO. If the symptom continues, then it’s time to call your local HVAC professionals for a diagnosis.

Dirty Air Filters

A primary cause of HVAC symptoms in the fall is from dirty HVAC air filters. Air filters prevent dust, dirt, and other contaminants from not only building up in the HVAC system, but also from entering the indoor air in your house. Neglecting to check and change your air filters regularly can cause your HVAC system to overheat, consume a large amount of energy, and deteriorate faster than normal.

Cool Blew HVAC Experts Here for You

Cool Blew offers high-quality HVAC maintenance, repair, and installation services. Our professionals also provide information and tips that help Valley of the Sun homeowners keep their heating and cooling units in top shape. Cool Blew technicians are on call 24/7, including weekends and holidays to react promptly to your HVAC and plumbing emergencies. Call us today at 623-872-2900. And join us in thanking all veterans for their service.

Having your HVAC serviced professionally is essential this time of the year. Even though Phoenix Metro has a mild autumn season, a maintenance checkup can ensure the entire system is working effortlessly at the highest levels of efficiency. Here are some things you can do to prepare your HVAC system now.

Check Door Seals and Windows

Have you noticed your home having difficulty retaining cool air over the summer? Are there air drafts in certain areas of your house? This can be due to leaky doors or windows. When you’re ready to flip on the switch to heating, some of the warm air your heater produces will leak outside unless they’re sealed properly. You’ll want to DIY weatherstrip and caulk leaky windows and doors or have the Cool Blew pros do it. Plus, by upgrading to new energy efficient exterior doors, you can get a tax credit of $250 per door up to $500 per year.

Ensure Your Home’s Insulated Properly

Insulation is important when it comes to your home’s comfort. Sometimes homes don’t have enough insulation, or the existing insulation is losing its effectiveness due to settling or degradation. Homeowners are eligible to get 30% back in energy efficient home improvement tax credits, up to $1,200 per year, which includes adding additional insulation.

Get Thermostat Smart

If you have a smart or programmable thermostat, now’s a great time to turn on its intuitive features. These types of thermostats have a hybrid heating and cooling setting that automatically moves the HVAC setting back and forth. This feature is perfect for transitional seasons, like autumn, where the Valley of the Sun experiences cooler nights and mornings, but afternoons can still get hot. This hybrid setting helps to keep your house’s indoor temperature stable and saves precious energy.

Outside Unit

Have you checked your outside HVAC unit recently? It’s possible after the summer monsoon season that it’s covered in debris. Sweep away any debris on the unit and surrounding area. During a maintenance visit, our technicians will inspect and clean the outdoor unit.

Schedule Autumn Maintenance

Fall is the perfect time to schedule system maintenance with one of our N.A.T.E. certified technicians. During your service visit, we’ll inspect the entire HVAC system, identify any potential issues, and make any necessary repairs.

Call Cool Blew

Our certified technicians at Cool Blew love discussing all things HVAC. Give us a call today at 623-872-2900 to make an appointment so we can help your system run smoothly. Cool Blew offers HVAC maintenance, repairs, and installation for a wide range of HVAC systems.

Memorial Day honors those who’ve died in our nation’s wars. Also, Memorial Day signals the unofficial start of summer. With excessive heat on the way in Arizona, you’ll want to make sure your house and HVAC system are ready. Your AC unit is your first line of defense for keeping your family cool and comfortable. This is when an HVAC system tune up is beneficial to ensure your system can keep pace with increased usage demands, help extend its lifespan, and even prevent costly repairs.

Maintenance is Your AC Lifesaver

Ideally, you should schedule system maintenance two times per year. It’s best to have a full inspection of your HVAC system before the Valley of the Sun shifts into extreme weather conditions. This is the perfect time to have your local experienced technicians at Cool Blew ensure that your AC unit is working properly, and the system is all set for summer. Here are some of the benefits you’ll enjoy by scheduling servicing now.

Decreased Energy Costs

Regular servicing helps to keep your AC unit operating efficiently, and it won’t have to be continuously running to cool down your home. With all components checked and serviced, a tuned-up system will help your family stay cool and safe from the outside heat. An HVAC system running less often means less electricity is consumed. This can translate to a noticeable decrease of your monthly utility bills even during the summer months.

Preventative Care

Cool Blew’s experts have the training and knowledge to work on all types of HVAC systems. During maintenance, they’ll inspect your system to identify issues and address any needed repairs on the spot. Small problems such as blown fuses, low refrigerant levels, or even a dirty air filter can turn into big problems when you least expect them. By scheduling your tune up now, you can potentially reduce the chances of suffering from expensive system breakdowns by up to 95%.

Maintain System Warranty

If your HVAC system is covered by a manufacturer warranty, a system repair claim may be denied if you can’t provide proof that you’ve had the system regularly serviced. HVAC maintenance is key to proper functioning of your AC all summer long. The cost of a tune-up will be well worth it if your air conditioning unit experiences an unexpected and costly failure.

Call Cool Blew for Your Tune Up

If you haven’t already scheduled your air conditioner tune-up, now is a great time to do so. Call Cool Blew today at 623-872-2900 to schedule an appointment. We’re open 24/7 including all holidays and weekends. Happy Memorial Day from Cool Blew!

Earth Day is observed on April 22 as a global effort to change what we do in our daily lives to make planet earth a better place to live. Over five decades since Earth Day’s founding in 1970, climate change and how to mitigate its effects is front and center internationally. Every action, no matter how small, can help change our environment for the better.

According to some estimates, HVAC systems account for 28% of the world’s total greenhouse gas emissions. Proper maintenance and efficient HVAC operations can make a real difference in building a healthy, sustainable world. Here are four helpful tips to conserve energy and ensure your HVAC system is running as smoothly as possible in the greater Phoenix metro area.

1. Use Your Window Coverings

A simple trick to decrease energy consumption is to close your curtains, drapes, and blinds. This is the perfect way to help control temperature inside your house. In the cooler months, you can keep them open letting the sun’s rays heat your home. In the warmer months, keep your window coverings closed during daytime hours to reduce the radiant effects of the sun.

2. Check Your Filter

The easiest way to make certain your HVAC system runs efficiently is to check and change your air filter at least monthly. An air filter clogged with dirt, dander, and debris disrupts the airflow through your heating and cooling system making it work longer which increases your monthly energy bills.

3. Tune Up Your HVAC Equipment

By adhering to regular maintenance, you’ll be on the way to saving energy and money. That means scheduling twice yearly servicing on your air conditioner and heating system. By having your system checked by a trained HVAC professional, you’ll ensure it’s operating at its most efficient level and that all components and parts are in good working order. This will catch any issues before they become costly.

4. Seal Your Heating and Cooling Ducts

Sealing your heating and cooling ducts is vital to the health of your HVAC system. Air ducts are designed to move air from your heating and cooling system throughout your house.

Cool Blew

By performing these tasks, your family can have a positive impact on the environment. Contact your cooling and heating professionals at Cool Blew today at 623-872-2900 to learn more about how you can improve the efficiency of your HVAC system. Our technicians are available 24/7, including holidays and weekends. Join us in celebrating the world’s largest environmental movement on Earth Day 2023.

Living in the Valley of the Sun, you know how vital it is to have an HVAC system running with the best air circulation for our excessively hot and dry Sonoran Desert climate. In terms of home energy efficiency, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 will be reshaping our home energy systems for decades to follow. The transition away from fossil fuels to clean energy is expanding the incentives for homeowners to transition quickly to new energy efficient air conditioners and heat pumps. By 2030, it’s expected the average taxpayer will save at least $1,000 a year in energy costs. What are the three major programs for homeowners?

The 25C Energy Efficiency Home Improvement Tax Credit

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 increased tax incentives to 30% of your total HVAC project cost. The 25C Energy Efficiency Home Improvement Tax Credit can only be used to offset your tax liability. This cap includes:

• Up to $600 for a qualified air conditioner or gas furnace.
• Up to $2,000 for electric and gas heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, and boilers.

There are no income requirements for this program, and it may be combined with other new federal energy programs such as HEEHR or HOMES. 

The High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate Program (HEEHR)

This 10-year rebate program enables homeowners to switch over to electric home appliances and systems. It’s a point-of-sale rebate you’ll receive upon purchasing qualifying products. As part of the Inflation Reduction Act, the HEEHR program will cover new electrification projects and installation costs of 100% for low-income homeowners and up to 50% for moderate-income households. Qualifying products include:

• HVAC electric heat pumps with a maximum rebate of $8,000.
• Electric heat pump water heaters with a maximum rebate of $1,750.
• Weatherization such as insulation, air sealing, and ventilation with a maximum rebate of $1,600.

The Home Energy Performance-Based Whole-House Rebate Program (HOMES)

The HOMES and HEEHR program implementations will be overseen by the state of Arizona’s energy office. The HOMES program is based on the overall performance of energy efficiency and electrification improvements in your house. The goal is to incentivize local companies doing these energy improvements to complete high-quality installations with maximum energy savings.

Cool Blew Is Ready

Ready for professional help with your home HVAC and weatherization projects? Call Cool Blew today at 623-872-2900. We’re your locally owned servicing and installation professionals serving the Valley of the Sun homeowners 24/7 including nights and holidays.

A new HVAC unit is a major investment in your home. In fact, it’s one of the biggest purchases you’ll make besides replacing a roof or installing solar panels. Because of this, you’ll want to reduce the cost of purchasing a new HVAC system by taking advantage of the HVAC tax credits available to homeowners. These initiatives are now part of the Inflation Reduction Act passed by Congress and signed into law last summer. What does this mean for Arizona homeowners?

Federal HVAC Tax Credit

You can apply for the federal HVAC tax credit when you:

• Purchase a new HVAC system.
• Upgrade an existing home’s HVAC system.

The update or installation of a new HVAC system must be at your primary residence (second homes and vacation homes excluded) to qualify for the federal HVAC tax credit.

How to Qualify for the Federal Tax Credit on HVAC Systems

Prior to claiming a federal HVAC tax credit, you need to check your HVAC system’s Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). If you’d like help with understanding SEER, your local technicians at Cool Blew will be able to provide you with this information. They’ll let you know what air conditioners and heat pumps are eligible for the Federal HVAC tax credit prior to purchasing.

SEER and Tax Credits

The U.S. federal government encourages homeowners to switch over to HVAC systems that are more energy efficient by offering energy tax credits. The credit extends to 30% of the annual project cost of a furnace, boiler, or central air conditioner up to $600 as the maximum amount credited annually. Heat pumps are subject to a higher annual total limit of $2,000.
You’ll want to have a copy of the manufacturer’s certification statement that lists the SEER of your newly purchased HVAC system. This proof will need to be provided to claim a residential tax credit for HVAC system upgrades. Remember to keep all receipts for the items you’re going to write off on your taxes.

Cool Blew is Here to Help

At Cool Blew, we work directly with homeowners to maximize their savings on new HVAC systems. This includes providing the latest information on federal tax credits. We encourage you to call us today to learn more about these savings at 623-872-2900.

Are you finding it difficult to regulate the temperature in your home? Would you like to save hundreds of dollars every year on your utility bills? If you have an older home, you could be struggling with an oftentimes overlooked problem—a broken thermostat.

To find out, start by having your HVAC system’s thermostat checked by your trusted, locally owned HVAC repair company to diagnose the issues encountered. Either way, you’ll want to change out your manual thermostat to a digital, smart programmable thermostat model. A thermostat functioning properly will provide you with a far more comfortable home with a significant reduction on your energy bill.

Get Smart

Unlike manual thermostats that can only be set to one temperature, programmable thermostats can be programmed to fit into your lifestyle. Smart thermostats help reduce energy consumption when you’re running errands, working at an office, away on vacation, or asleep. Different temperatures for different situations while keeping your home comfortable for your family, pets, and plants. You’ll gain control over your household’s temperature settings with scheduled settings for maximum convenience and comfort. Programmable thermostats store settings and can easily repeat settings each day. You can always manually override the set programming temperature.

Change Over

Another benefit of programmable thermostats is that they help to extend the lifespan of your HVAC system by allowing it to run less often while still keeping your home comfortable. This translates into even more cost savings on your energy bills!

Call Your Dedicated Professionals at Cool Blew

If your old manual thermostat isn’t working as it should be, or you’re simply interested in upgrading to one of the new, money-saving programmable thermostat models, contact Cool Blew today. We’re happy to answer your questions and to help you choose the right programmable thermostat for your specific needs. We’re also knowledgeable on the latest APS, SRP, and manufacturer rebates that may be available to help you save even more money. Plus, Cool Blew offers an in-home estimate on heating and cooling equipment maintenance, repairs, and on purchasing a brand-new HVAC system.

At your locally owned Cool Blew, we are dedicated to educating our customers in the Valley of the Sun about energy and home comfort issues. We’re equally focused on helping your family save money, vitally important in today’s economy. If you’d like to learn more about programmable thermostats, contact us today to schedule an appointment at 623-872-2900.

At Cool Blew, we love delivering quality service and affordable HVAC repairs in Peoria to homeowners throughout the Valley. In fact, we’ve been doing so for more than 20 years. With 2023 upon us, we wanted to take this opportunity to thank all our customers and to remind you that you have a trusted HVAC contractor ready to help—if and when you need one.

Cleaner Air in 2023

Every year, homeowners are faced with deciding which major improvements will fit in their budget within a given 12-month period. Because AC units are built to last a long time and are often out of sight, out of mind, air conditioning can be one of those home improvement projects that gets pushed back from one year to the next. Often, other more visible home repairs take precedence. But, if your air conditioner is over 10 years old, or if you’ve noticed service calls and repairs adding up, it might be time to consider a new HVAC system.

Service is Our Business

Many Phoenix homeowners are surprised to learn that winter is a great time for major HVAC service or installation. Scheduling service in January, February, or March guarantees your air conditioner will be in top form once hot weather arrives. Unfortunately, many people wait for their AC unit to break down before they call for service. Now is the perfect time to be proactive and schedule your twice-yearly HVAC maintenance. Our service pros know how to detect and fix small issues before they grow into major ones. Our service technicians will perform a full HVAC evaluation and inspect each and every component in your system to help decide what may be needed to keep your system running smoothly and efficiently.

We Are Valley of the Sun Family

At Cool Blew, we understand the importance of delivering white glove service and great value to all our loyal customers. And as a locally owned business, we understand and appreciate our customers in these challenging economic times. We consider our service professionals to be the best in the Valley of the Sun—delivering the best value, too. Call Cool Blew today at 623-872-2900 to schedule all your service needs.