SECCO Home Services

Freewatt Home Energy Systems - An Eco-Friendly Heating System

2010-09-27T12:39:00.000-07:00

Old Man Winter brings a variety of gifts for us each year - cold winds, snow, and of course, higher energy bills! You can't control the cold and the snow, but you do have a little control over how much energy you will use this winter.

With today's technological advances, it has never been easier to lessen your impact on the power grid and reduce your heating bills. An energy audit is a good place to start to find out where heat is excaping from your home. After you've identified those areas, you may also want to think about outfitting your home with devices or systems that will make it more energy efficient.

Freewatt Home Energy System is an eco-friendly heating system featuring micro-CHP technology that is integrated with a high-efficiency natural gas or propane furnace or boiler and generates both heat and electricity for your home. Such a system has the potential to generate half of a typical home's annual electrical needs, according to ECR, makers of the freewatt and freewatt plus home energy systems. Additionally, a water heater may be added to the system to produce even more electricity. If your state and utility company have net metering programs, you can also sell back additional electricity generated by your system to be used elsewhere. The freewatt plus system also acts as a back-up generator should your home lose power.

Helping Today's Consumer with Energy Options

2010-08-17T06:02:00.000-07:00

Most businesses are by nature Market Driven; when the consciousness of the market being served is raised; businesses that care about Customers listen and tailor their offerings to the emerging market.

Today’s uncertain energy climate, deregulating of our electric utilities and certainly social consciousness are contributing to Consumer demand for many new energy related products – and services. The “straw” that usually breaks the camel’s back to move such products and services to the mainstream is financial incentives.

Rebates are flying, Incentives are hot!
The latest Pennsylvania rebate program offers rebates up to $1,000 for qualifying Gas-fired Tankless & Storage type Water Heaters, Gas-fired Furnaces & Gas-fired Boilers, and also Oil-fired Furnaces and Boilers installed by qualified Pennsylvania registered Installers – what a great way for Home Owners to upgrade their equipment, get a great rebate, and save energy dollars!

Utility Rebates are also available, as are Manufacturer Rebates – most can be added together to really help the Consumer Save BIG; from appliances to heating, air conditioning & solar systems.
The Renewable Energy Credits can also have a significant financial incentive to help offset the investment – especially Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Electric Generation! Typically, here’s where a Home Owner can make a mistake by picking a solar panel that is not as efficient at producing energy. Our panels are the most efficient in the world!

The Federal Tax Credit (FTC) is set to expire this year.
Many believe it will be renewed, typically at the last moment, but why wait? Now’s the time to take the tax credit – considering it’s less Tax Day is fast approaching!

Solar, Geothermal & Wind systems can qualify for a 30% FTC! For example, a Home Owner who invests between $15,000 to $80,000 can get a $4,500 to $24,000 Federal Tax Credit – which can be taken in one year, or spread over the next few years!

Windows, Doors, Insulation, Water Heaters, Furnaces & Standard Air to Air Heat Pumps can qualify for 30% FTC up to $1,500.

If you’re a business, it gets even better!
You can trade-in your 30% FTC for CASH! You can accelerate the depreciation. You can use your Section 179 provision, and skip the depreciation all together! We’ve had the pleasure of working with several local companies who listened, understood the opportunities and are now positioned to save jobs as a result of becoming more competitive, more efficient and more sustainable.

Skeptics are Missing the Boat!
We handle the paperwork for our Customers, making it easy. Unfortunately, we’ve met potential qualifiers who miss the programs because of skepticism –“too difficult to apply”, “probably won’t qualify”, “too much red tape”, “don’t believe it’s true”, etc. – don’t be one!

We actually had a client ask his accounting firm about the benefits of installing a Solar System we recommended, and rather than appear to be uninformed, they said “it wasn’t a fit for them”! We’ve helped to educate the accounting firms who are interested in helping their Clients survive this economy and deal with the energy situation – unfortunately, we missed this one! Lesson Learned - Find an accounting firm that stays current with tax law and is proactive!

Incentives attract Competition - the Final Analysis
We’ve seen many competitors enter our market from neighboring states, chasing the energy “ambulance” to the Consumer’s “meter”. Many of the products involving energy savings are long-life systems that require careful and professional installation, service and maintenance to be all they can be. As the incentives decrease, many are moving to the next opportunities – leaving local Home Owners high and dry. Our professionally trained staff lives, works and enjoys being part of the Metro Harrisburg Area and are here to serve you!

Frozen Pipes

2010-01-29T13:30:00.000-08:00

FROZEN PIPES CAN CRACK AND CAUSE UP TO 250 GALLONS OF WATER DAMAGE A DAY TO YOUR HOME.

We recommend these steps to avoid frozen pipes:

Open cabinet doors! Many sinks are located on an outside wall. Open the cabinet door to allow the warm air in your home to keep the temperature around these pipes at a safe level.
Open closet doors! Search your home for any pipes that may be on a wall extending to a closet with a door that you may normally keep closed. The closets are not receiving the heated air in your home and could cause these pipes to freeze. Keep these closet doors open in order to sustain the warmth in your home and to keep those pipes located on a closet wall temperate.
Insulate and seal pipes in the cabinets that are located on an outside wall and pipes that extend into your attic. Look for air leaks around electrical wiring, dryer vents and pipes. Use caulk that expands after placement to keep the cold air out and the heat in. Closely follow all manufacturers' installation and operation instructions. With the present day temperatures, even a tiny opening can let in enough cold air to cause a pipe to freeze.

If your pipes freeze, it is best to call a local company to thaw them and to check for pinhole leaks.

Accessible pipes can be heated with a hair dryer. Keep the dryer moving and do not focus it on any one place too long. Hot wet rags can be used to heat pipes. Simply immerse a rag in hot water and wrap it around the pipe.

NEVER use a torch or open flame to thaw a pipe. Water damage can be corrected. It is not worth burning your house down.

If you fear the frozen, affected pipes are not accessible, try raising the temperature of the heater in your home, and call a local contractor

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Solar Tech of PA joins SECCO, INC.

2009-11-20T05:57:00.000-08:00

CAMP HILL, PA – Solar is the hottest thing in renewable energy these days. The 30% Federal Tax Credit, the PA Sunshine Grant Program and the impending 30% electricity rate increase have placed new solar energy systems in the forefront of astute Homeowners and Business Owners.
At SECCO, Inc, the world of solar energy started in 1985 and waned as the tax credits and incentives were dissolved and people got used to a higher cost of energy, especially foreign oil. SECCO’s first solar system was used to heat their water and provide heat for their hybrid Heat Pump system. “Our system worked flawlessly for 11 years, before we renovated the building in 1996”, said Barry Kindt, President of SECCO.
“Solar is a natural fit for us, with a staff of Master Electricians and Master Plumbers”, Kindt continued. “Very few companies can match our credentials and now, by affiliating Solar Tech of PA, a Camp Hill based company, everyone will know what additional services we offer.”
“The phones ring steadily for estimators to assess the feasibility of installing a solar system to generate electricity or to provide FREE hot water. Teaming up with Solar Tech expands our reach in the market quickly with a highly recognized and respected name,” Kindt said.
“SolarTech has always focused on Innovations Powered by the Sun, our slogan,” said Greg Hess, former sole owner and solar enthusiast. Access to a highly trained and motivated work force, as well as Customer base will help us help more Customers before they get clobbered by the electricity rate increase”, Hess said.

SECCO, Inc. has been serving the greater Harrisburg area since 1969. Starting as a single-person organization, SECCO, Inc. currently employs over 100. SECCO, Inc. provides solar, plumbing, electrical, heating, air conditioning, commercial refrigeration and telecommunications cabling systems in both the commercial and residential markets.

Press Release: Solar Tech of PA joins SECCO, INC.

SECCO Home Services is an Official PA Contractor

2009-07-14T12:48:00.000-07:00

Visit us online at http://seccohome.com/heating-cooling/index.html our contractors code is PA5766.

In 2008, the Pennsylvania Legislature passed the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act. The law requires that all contractors who perform at least $5,000 worth of home improvements per year register with the Attorney Generals Office, and must display on all marketing materials their PA contractor’s number. Our Pennsylvanian contractor’s number is PA5766. The reason our government has done this is to protect the home owner from any unlawful company from entering and working on your home. Only trust contractors that have this number displayed, otherwise you will be taken advantage of and the company that does not have this number could do more damage than good.

NEWS - SECCO Home Services

2009-06-30T07:44:00.001-07:00

SECCO Co-Workers Earn Certification to
Perform Energy Audit for PPL Customers

CAMP HILL, PA – In response to the demand for Home Energy Efficiency, SECCO Home Services’ Craig Drabenstadt, Vice President, and Caren Sealover, Home Energy Specialist, are now certified as Building Analyst Professionals. This achievement is awarded through Building Performance Institute, Inc. and means that both are now qualified to conduct Home Energy Audits for homeowners to potentially qualify for PPL rebates.
A Building Analyst Professional is trained to view the home as a system where its air flow, heating, cooling, ductwork, insulation, windows and doors work together to provide comfort and efficiency. Draft tests, voids in insulation, carbon monoxide levels, energy efficiency and unhealthy air filtration are all taken into account. The Building Analyst is also qualified to provide a savings calculation to the homeowner.
Both Drabenstadt and Sealover were required to attend classroom training, pass an extensive written test, and spend three days in an actual home performing hands-on examinations of the critical areas of the home. They also had to pass a hands-on test to achieve certification.
Building Performance Institute, Inc. is a national organization specializing in training, certification, and quality assurance for comfort, efficiency, and health. PPL requires a certified Building Analyst Professional to perform Home Energy Audits for its newly introduced Rebate program, which offers rebates to homeowners who have an energy audit on their home.
SECCO, Inc. has been serving the greater Harrisburg area since 1969. Starting as a single-person organization, SECCO, Inc. currently employs 112. The company provides residential plumbing, electrical, heating, air conditioning, duct cleaning, and carpentry services under the SECCO Home Services brand.

Pennsylvania Home Show

2009-02-10T12:28:00.000-08:00

If you are looking for a new geothermal system or replacement of your old geothermal system visit us at http://seccohome.com/primo-eco-max to learn how to save money on your utility bills. You can also check us out at our upcoming event the PA Home Show in Harrisburg PA, visit our booth to learn about our whole house comfort check up at www.seccohome.com/Wholehousecheckup/index.html or our energy audit at http://seccohome.com/Energy-Audit/index.html and our Quick-eSaver electrical units at http://quicktricity.com/quickesaver and also at the PA home Show we will be displaying our Ductless air conditioning systems visit us at http://www.ductlesscooling.com hope to see you there!

Primo - Eco Max - Geothermal System

2009-02-10T12:23:00.001-08:00

If you are looking for a new geothermal system or replacement of your old geothermal system visit us at http://seccohome.com/primo-eco-max to learn how to save money on your utility bills. You can also check us out at our upcoming event the PA Home Show in Harrisburg PA, visit our booth to learn about our whole house comfort check up at http://seccohome.com/Wholehousecheckup/index.html or our energy audit at http://seccohome.com/Energy-Audit/index.html and our Quick-eSaver electrical units at http://quicktricity.com/quickesaver and also at the PA home Show we will be displaying our Ductless air conditioning systems visit us at http://www.ductlesscooling.com hope to see you there!

FREE Gas Furnace!

2009-01-22T05:58:00.000-08:00

Inquire about a Free gas furnace today, or visit freegasfurnace.com or call 717-737-8100!

PA Solar News

2009-01-13T12:25:00.000-08:00

At a time when consumers are struggling to manage volatile energy costs and America’s national security is jeopardized by its continuing dependence on foreign oil, Pennsylvania is investing $665.9 million to spur the development of alternative and renewable energy sources and help families and small business conserve energy and use it more efficiently.

The $650 million Alternative Energy Investment Fund and the nearly $16 million Alternative Fuels Investment Fund include $237.5 million specifically targeted toward helping consumers conserve electricity and manage higher energy prices, and $428.4 million to spur the development of alternative energy resources and create good-paying, skilled jobs for Pennsylvania’s hard-working men and women.

Newsletters

2008-11-21T11:19:00.000-08:00

Hello,

I just wanted to let all you loyal blog followers out there know that SECCO Home Services has an company newsletter, where you can enter your holiday recipes visit us at: http://seccohome.com/newsletter/ by clicking on this link.

Winterize Your Home and Save Energy - 19 Winter Energy Conservation Tips - thedailygreen.com

2008-11-18T09:10:00.001-08:00

Winterize Your Home and Save Energy - 19 Winter Energy Conservation Tips - thedailygreen.com

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SECCO Home Services and PPL Electric Utilities

2008-11-13T08:33:00.001-08:00

SECCO Home Services is now listed on PPL Electric Utilities website! SECCO Home Services is also offering a new energy audit click here to view: http://www.seccohome.com/energy-audit
You May also want to check out our Whole House Comfort Check-Up at: Http://www.wholehousecomfortcheckup.com

Great SECCO Home Services Video

2008-10-17T06:57:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgkHx8N3gdo

or watch here...

Home Comfort & Safety, Energy Audit

2008-10-14T04:57:00.001-07:00

What is a Home Comfort & Safety, Energy Audit? A Home Comfort & Safety, Energy Audits is a thorough health evaluation of all your home's comfort & efficiency. A specially-trained comfort and indoor air quality consultant will visit your home. Using advanced diagnostic instruments and testing procedures we will identify any problems that may affect your indoor living environment. Your consultant will then provide you with a personalized plan to solve these problems, permanently. So, what does the audit entail? The initial consultation to review energy consumption, equipment & insulation inspection, air leakage evaluation, and air flow diagnosis. When the findings are presented you will receive a personalized improvement plan.