Archive for the ‘Reference’ Category

Technician Certification Makes A Difference photoMany people have only the vaguest notion of what certification means. When asked if having a certified technician work on their home comfort system is important, their first reaction is often that certification really isn’t that important.

But the truth is, certification makes a difference in the quality of service and really means peace of mind and assurance. When consumers realize that, their reaction and answer change.

Consider the benefits of certification. To know how important the benefits of certification are to a homeowner, ask yourself if it’s important that the technician working on your heater or air conditioner:

• Knows heating and cooling

• Has proof of his knowledge

• Is proficient

• Actually repairs the problem

• Does the job efficiently

• Does it right the first time.

Getting a certified technician means you know you’re getting the best for your money. No one has a money bin-and the boss is only going to let you have so many days off, so any waste of time or money because you’re using a non-certified technician could actually cost a homeowner twice.

NATE-certified technicians know heating and cooling. Certification does not necessarily mean that the certified technician is better than one who isn’t certified-but anyone can say they’re good. The consumer knows that a certified technician is knowledgeable because an impartial third party has had him checked out.

The moral: It’s your money-don’t take people’s word for how much they know-ask them for proof. And NATE certification is proof of knowledge of HVACR.

These tips are brought to you by North American Technician Excellence, or NATE, the nation’s largest nonprofit certification organization for heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration technicians. The U.S. Department of Energy endorses NATE for raising quality standards and energy efficiency. For a contractor with NATE-certified technicians, go to the Consumer Contractor Connection at www.natex.org. Remember, when purchasing a new unit, please select an Energy Star-qualified model.

It’s your money. Don’t take people’s word for how much they know. Ask them for proof.

Commercial Awnings photoBusinesses are continuously looking for ways to spruce up their building’s appearance. In addition to wanting to look great, businesses are also frequently looking for cost-effective ways to advertise. Commercial awnings are a great way to get both functional savings and advertising from a single product.

One of the most commonly cited reasons for having commercial awnings is for advertising. Businesses can have awnings specially designed with their company name and logo on them. This type of commercial awning is an excellent tool in attracting attention to the business. You certainly have taken notice of a building with commercial awnings; they tend to stand out from those without awnings.

Commercial awnings also help to reduce a business’ utility costs. A commercial awning can provide shelter from the harsh summer sun, and is a very effective tool in reducing energy waste.  Keeping the windows and doorways cool and shady is essential when striving to be more energy efficient. Some experts say that commercial awnings can reduce solar heat gain up to 70% in some cases; this leads to a great savings on energy bills.

Commercial awnings can be a great investment for any business. You are not only going to save on cooling costs in the summer, but you will also gain an excellent advertising tool. Commercial awnings add beauty, style and elegance to a business and make the business a more attractive place to visit. Awnings might seem like a considerable investment but in the long run, they will provide savings on utility bills.  Additionally, using them as an advertising avenue can lead to more business.