APS, SRP Rate-Hike Ideas to be Debated (August 1, 2009)

Rate-hike decisions at Valley electric utilities can be complex and difficult for customers to understand, but residents wanting to learn more about proposed increases will have several opportunities during the next three weeks.

For example, Salt River Project told customers in their most recent bills that a proposed increase this year will average 8.8 percent, but certain customers – including those on the most basic rate plan – are in line to get an increase of more than 10 percent.

What’s more, Arizona Public Service Co.’s low-income customers will not be subject to a rate increase under its current proposal, with regular customers taking on a higher increase to make up the difference.

Coming meetings
with regulators and utility officials could help residents better understand those and other issues linked to the proposed hikes.

APS is seeking regulatory approval this year for an average increase of about $9 a month for residential customers.

SRP wants to raise rates by an average of about $12 a month for residential customers and expects a decision by fall.

SRP will have five informational meetings across its territory beginning Tuesday in Queen Creek to take comments and answer questions about its proposed hike.

Customers will be able to get information on changes for their rate plan at the SRP meetings.

SRP customers elect a board of directors, who are scheduled to conduct a special meeting on the increase Sept. 10 and decide on the increase Oct. 1.

APS is different. The Corporation Commission, five public officials elected to the statewide office, regulates APS rates.

Those officials plan meetings starting Monday in Flagstaff, Thursday in Prescott and Aug. 12 in Phoenix to discuss the process for the proposed APS rate hike.

APS customers will be able to share opinions with commissioners at the meetings.

The regulators will conduct a hearing on the issue Aug. 19, but unlike the SRP board, the commission hasn’t determined a final voting date, although APS wants the increase to be effective by next year.

When James Farrelly, General Manager of SunAmerica and his partners wanted to start a solar business… they wanted to offer their customers a product that would not only satisfy their desire to be more eco-friendly in the home but also would provide an immediate reduction in their energy costs.

Farrelly chose FAFCO, the oldest and largest solar water heating manufacturer in the United Sates. These systems are designed to reduce residential hot water heating costs by as much as 50% or even more.

SunAmerica sales have grown from seven to an average of 70 installations each month.

Solar hot water systems are the most logical entry point for going green and becoming energy self-sufficient. Home owners realize immediate savings the moment they turn their systems on; they qualify for very attractive financial incentives; and they don’t have to make a huge investment.

See full article below…

]]> http://www.sunamericasolar.com/sunamerica-in-the-news/feed/ 0 http://www.sunamericasolar.com/fafco-revolution-warranty/ http://www.sunamericasolar.com/fafco-revolution-warranty/#comments Fri, 24 Jul 2009 19:15:42 +0000 admin http://www.sunamericasolar.com/?p=158 FAFCO FULL TEN YEAR WARRANTY
FOR THE REVOLUTION™ SOLAR HOT WATER COLLECTOR

1.  SCOPE OF COVERAGE
This warranty applies only to new solar hot water collectors manufactured by FAFCO and INSTALLED BY A DULY AUTHORIZED FAFCO DEALER OR DISTRIBUTOR. The warranty is extended to the original buyer and all subsequent owners of the system on which the collectors were initially installed for a period of ten years.

2. FULL TEN YEAR WARRANTY:
The FAFCO solar hot water collectors are warranted to be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal use and service of the solar hot water heater for ten (10) years from the completion of initial installation, subject to the terms, conditions, and limitations described below.

The collectors are warranted against freeze when installed in strict accordance with FAFCOʼs installation instructions. If a defect in material or workmanship becomes evident during the warranty period, FAFCO will repair or, at its option, replace the malfunctioning solar hot water collector with a new solar hot water collector of at least the same quality, within a reasonable time. Labor for repair or replacement of parts is included at FAFCOʼs established rate.

3. FULL ONE YEAR COMPONENT WARRANTY

The FAFCO Heat Exchanger, Circulation Module, Controller, Drainback Tank and other components are warranted to be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal use and service of the solar hot water heater for one (1) year from the completion of initial installation, subject to the terms, conditions, and limitations described below. If a defect in material or workmanship becomes evident during the warranty period, FAFCO will repair or, at its option, replace the malfunctioning component with a new component of at least the same quality, within a reasonable time. Labor for repair or replacement of parts is included at FAFCOʼs established rate.

4. SOME THINGS BUYER MUST DO
A.  PROPER INSTALLATION: INSTALLATIONS MUST BE PERFORMED BY A DULY AUTHORIZED FAFCO DEALER OR DISTRIBUTOR. SHOULD YOU, THE CONSUMER BUYER, DECIDE TO DO THE INSTALLATION YOURSELF OR EMPLOY A PERSON NOT AUTHORIZED BY FAFCO, THIS WARRANTY WILL BE NULL AND VOID. ASK THE INSTALLER TO PROVIDE YOU WITH A WRITTEN CERTIFICATION OF THE DATE WHEN THE INSTALLATION WAS COMPLETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH FAFCOʼS INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS.  ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT NECESSARY IN ORDER TO VALIDATE YOUR WARRANTY, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE CONSUMER WARRANTY CARD BE SUBMITTED TO FAFCO.

B.  ROUTINE MAINTENANCE:
Provide reasonable and necessary maintenance in accordance with FAFCOʼs operating and maintenance instructions.

C.  KEEPING FAFCO INFORMED:
If it appears to you that any warranted component or part is not functioning properly, promptly notify FAFCO or FAFCOʼs authorized dealer or distributor in your area. Early attention to a minor problem may help avoid serious problems later.

5. WHAT FAFCO WILL DO
A.  WHO WILL PROVIDE WARRANTY SERVICE: Service will be provided by FAFCOʼs authorized dealer or distributor in your area. This will ordinarily be the dealer or distributor from whom you purchased your solar hot water collector.  If there is no authorized dealer or distributor in your area, then write, or call COLLECT, FAFCO directly at 435 Otterson Drive, Chico, California 95928, Telephone:  (530) 332-2100, giving the identification of the solar collector, the date of purchase, the date of installation and the nature of the defect or problem. To verify that your warranty is still in
effect, you should be prepared to furnish evidence of purchase and the date of installation and
evidence that the installation was performed by a FAFCO authorized dealer or distributor.

B.  IF REPLACEMENT IS REQUIRED:
If possible, the repair or replacement will be made by FAFCOʼs authorized dealer or distributor in your area. Otherwise, the collector should be returned for warranty service to FAFCO at its plant, 435 Otterson Drive, Chico, California 95928. FAFCO will promptly repair or replace the defective solar hot water collector and return it to you.

6. NO OTHER EXPRESS WARRANTIES – THESE REMEDIES ARE EXCLUSIVE
Unless otherwise explicitly agreed to in writing, it is understood that this is the only written warranty given by FAFCO and FAFCO neither assumes nor authorizes anyone to assume for it any other obligations or liability in connection with its products. IN NO EVENT SHALL FAFCO BE LIABLE FOR DAMAGE TO PROPERTY, LOST PROFITS, INJURY TO GOODWILL OR ANY OTHER SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM ANY DEFECTIVE SOLAR HOT WATER COLLECTOR OR ANY BREACH OF THE ABOVE EXPRESS WARRANTY, FOR NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so this exclusion or limitation may not apply to you. The above warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.

7. WHAT IS NOT COVERED – EXCLUSIONS
The above warranty does not apply:
1.  To conditions resulting from a defect in a component or part which is not part of the FAFCO solar hot water collector.
2.  To conditions resulting from a departure from FAFCOʼs installation instructions.
3.  To conditions resulting from failure to provide reasonable and necessary maintenance in accordance with FAFCOʼs operating and maintenance instructions.
4.  To conditions resulting from any misuse, abuse, neglect, accident or alterations.
5.  To normal fading and minor deterioration of exterior surfaces resulting from exposure to the elements, except conditions that do or will affect performance.
6.  To installation hardware, accessories, or any component or part that is not part of the solar collector.
7.  To any conditions resulting from any attempted repair or alteration by anyone not authorized by FAFCO.
8.  FAFCO makes no warranty as to the performance of its solar hot water collectors, fuel savings, or any particular temperature or level to which the water will be heated.
9.  The above warranty shall not be considered to be violated or its coverage in any way reduced by conditions that may occur in the normal operation of the system.

We solidly stand behind our product which is UL-tested and the result of years of government lab research. Our technician can provide you with your dated copy of your warranty. The warranty will say:

Carrier Aeroseal, LLC warrants that the duct seals created according to AEROSEAL patented duct sealing procedures and standards to be free from defects in material and workmanship. If a defect is found within ten years from the date of the sealing application, Carrier Aeroseal LLC’s sole obligation will be to reseal the ductwork without charge.  Carrier Aeroseal offers no warranty, and this warranty does not apply, to duct systems that run underground.

WARRANTY CONDITIONS:
1. Warranty applies only to the homeowner listed above.
2. Any modifications to the duct system after the application date will void this warranty.
3. All work shall be performed during normal working hours.
4. Carrier Aeroseal, LLC will not be responsible for damage or failure as a result of exposure to liquid water.
5. CARRIER AEROSEAL, LLC WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL PROPERTY OR COMMERCIAL DAMAGE OF ANY NATURE WHATSOEVER. Some states do not allow the exclusion of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation may not apply to you.

LIMITATION OF WARRANTIES – ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES (INCLUDING IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE) ARE HEREBY LIMITED IN DURATION TO ONE YEAR. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW LIMITATIONS ON HOW LONG AN IMPLIED WARRANTY LAST, SO THE ABOVE MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. THE EXPRESS WARRANTIES ARE EXCLUSIVE AND MAY NOT BE ALTERED, ENLARGED, OR CHANGED BY THE FRANCHISEE OR OTHER PERSON WHATSOEVER.

This Warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights that vary from state to state.