Chesapeake Thermal

Introducing Online Applications for Financing

nancy@chesapeakethermal.com — Mon, 09 Nov 2020 18:10:08 +0000

As much of business in general shifts to contactless transactions in the wake of adjusting to COVID-19, we’re introducing a new way for our customers to apply for financing via the Online Financing Application. Now our customers can apply for financing via our website, rather than an in-person application.

We offer a few financing options depending on the length of the payment terms, and amount- but the most popular is 18-months 0% deferred interest.

You’ll get an open line of financing that works for other projects at your home too, so your financing won’t be exclusive to us. Use your financing on HVAC or plumbing projects to name a few.

APPLY NOW ONLINE

COVID-19

nancy@chesapeakethermal.com — Tue, 31 Mar 2020 16:19:38 +0000

WE ARE OPEN FOR YOU

As of 8 pm tonight, Governor Larry Hogan has issued a stay at home directive to all Maryland residents in response to the COVID-19 outbreak gripping our country. This directive excludes essential businesses which are allowed to remain open while scaling down their operations and staff. As a construction company, we remain open and available to respond to inquiries concerning remodeling the exterior of your home. As of today, our manufacturers are still operating to produce windows & doors. To keep our sales staff & you safe, we will be offering virtual appointments and free estimates. We also are producing video content on the products we offer and will post these on our website. The jobs in our pipeline are continuing and our installation crews are practicing recommendations from the CDC, MDH, and OSHA regarding social-distancing and environmental cleaning and disinfection as they install your windows, doors, siding & roofing. We are taking every precaution to keep you safe. If any customers prefer to delay their installation, please let us know and we will accommodate your request.

Our hearts & prayers are with the many who are saving lives, working to keep stores open for our necessities and those keeping us safe.

We are here for you should you have any questions- 301-261-3700.

Sincerely,
Tom & Nancy Dawson

Excerpt from the Governor’s order:

Stay-at-Home Order. a. All persons living in the State of Maryland are hereby ordered, effective as of 8:00 p.m. on March 30, 2020, to stay in their homes or places of residences (“Homes”) except: i. to conduct or participate in Essential Activities (defined below); ii. staff and owners of businesses and organizations that are not required to close pursuant to paragraph IV or paragraph V below may travel: 1. between their Homes and those businesses and organizations; and 2. to and from customers for the purpose of delivering goods or performing services;
Businesses, Organizations, and Facilities That May Remain Open. vi. Commercial and residential construction companies.

Chesapeake Thermal’s Response to COVID-19

matt@chesapeakethermal.com — Fri, 13 Mar 2020 19:38:16 +0000

To our valued customers,

We are closely monitoring developments related to COVID-19 to ensure we’re taking the necessary steps to protect the health and safety of our customers, employees and families. We’ve instructed all of our employees to take basic precautionary steps recommended by the CDC to prevent exposure and transmission of COVID 19. At this time our lead times from our manufacturers have not been impacted and our installations are continuing normally. We’re still providing estimates in home, or online. We will continue to monitor developments and update you of significant changes as necessary.

The Home Energy Saving Tax Credit is Back!

nancy@chesapeakethermal.com — Wed, 04 Mar 2020 19:19:23 +0000

Included in the Appropriations Act of 2020 is the extension of the Energy tax credit set to expire in 2017. If you bought new energy-efficient windows & doors from us, you could qualify for a tax credit up to $500!! If you are thinking of buying new windows or doors, take advantage of the tax credit by buying in 2020. Call us (301) 261-3700 for a free estimate!

Initially introduced in 2006, homeowners could receive a tax credit up to $500 for energy improvements to their primary home This credit expired in 2017 but was brought back to include 2018-2020. The credit equals 10% of the cost for new exterior windows and doors that meet the Energy Star requirement, with a limit of $200 for windows & $500 for doors. This is a one time tax credit with a lifetime credit of $500. Consult your tax professional for details. Here is a link to the IRS form and more information. https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i5695.pdf

Inspirations Art Glass- How it’s made

matt@chesapeakethermal.com — Wed, 05 Feb 2020 20:39:05 +0000

Inspirations Art Glass from ProVia enables the homeowner to design his or her ultimate decorative glass package. With control over color and design, you can choose an existing palette or design your own to build a glass package to match the personality of your home. The design possibilities are endless with ProVia’s Inspirations glass.

Take a look at the below video to see how this custom glass is made. This hand-stained decorative glass comes in a variety of designs and palettes and is available with ProVia entry doors, storm doors, patio doors, and windows.

2019 Super Service Winners

matt@chesapeakethermal.com — Tue, 14 Jan 2020 17:00:34 +0000

Chesapeake Thermal Earns 2019 Angie’s List Super Service Award

Award reflects company’s consistently high level of customer service

Davidsonville, MD – Chesapeake Thermal is proud to announce that it has earned the home service industry’s coveted Angie’s List Super Service Award (SSA). This award honors service professionals who have maintained exceptional service ratings and reviews on Angie’s List in 2019.

“Service pros that receive our Angie’s List Super Service Award represent the best in our network, who are consistently making great customer service their mission,” said Angie’s List Founder Angie Hicks. “These pros have provided exceptional service to our members and absolutely deserve recognition for the exemplary customer service they exhibited in the past year.”

Angie’s List Super Service Award 2019 winners have met strict eligibility requirements, which include maintaining an “A” rating in overall grade, recent grade and review period grade. The SSA winners must be in good standing with Angie’s List and undergo additional screening.

“We are proud to receive the Super Service Award in 2019; once again showcasing our dedication to providing top notch products and installation. In our 34 years of business we’re most proud of the positive impact we’ve made in our community while helping our customers save money and beautify their homes.” President Nancy Dawson said.

This is the 8^th consecutive year Chesapeake Thermal has received this honor.

Service company ratings are updated continually on Angie’s List as new, verified consumer reviews are submitted. Companies are graded on an A through F scale in multiple fields ranging from price to professionalism to punctuality.

For over two decades Angie’s List has been a trusted name for connecting consumers to top-rated service professionals. Angie’s List provides unique tools and support designed to improve the local service experience for both consumers and service professionals.

What’s in a name?

matt@chesapeakethermal.com — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 14:01:25 +0000

We’ve had customers over the years ask us what the significance of “Thermal” is in our name “Chesapeake Thermal”. For over 30 years we’ve dedicated ourselves to recommending products that improve the energy-efficiency of our customer’s homes. Here’s how a few replacement projects can impact the energy consumption of your home:

Replacement Windows: Improvements to glass and frame technologies have made replacement windows one of the biggest improvements you can make. Upgrading the glass alone can reduce the heating and cooling portion of your energy bill by as much as 20%. Additionally frame construction has made windows much more air-tight making air-infiltration issues a problem of the past.

New Entry Doors- Entry doors are the biggest opening in your home, and are the most used opening. Today our doors are constructed with a foam core and Q-lon weather-stripping very similar to the construction of your refridgeratior door. With an adjustable threshold you can make sure your door is air-tight forever.

Replacement Roofing- By calculating the cubic feet of your attic space, and the intake at your soffit- a new ridge vent will ensure passive air-flow and a ventilated attic space. If you notice splitting seams in the ceiling drywall and cracked caulking along your crown molding you likely need to evaluate how your roof is venting. You’ll notice your AC will get a break in the summer time too.

New Siding- When your old siding comes down we’ll get a chance to wrap your home with a weather barrier similar to a windbreaker for your home. Not only will the weather barrier help waterproof and protect your walls, it will also seal up the biggest problem areas for air infiltration. Additionally insulated siding panels can add as much as 30% more insulation to your walls.

If you’re ready to take a look at any of these replacement projects we’d love to explore how they might impact your home’s energy-efficiency. Give us a call today to schedule a no-pressure estimate (301) 261-3700

Winter Energy Saving Tips

matt@chesapeakethermal.com — Tue, 17 Dec 2019 22:33:56 +0000

It won’t be winter officially for a few more days, but we’ve already seen two snowstorms! (kind of). With the holiday season in full swing the last thing we want to worry about is high energy bills at home. Here are a few tips to help make it through the winter.

Lower the Thermostat A pretty obvious tip- but according to the department of energy for every degree you turn the thermostat down you’ll save about 1% on your Energy bill.
Small Space Heaters improve the comfort of the room where you’re spending the most time. To offset the cost of the space heater you’ll need to turn the thermostat down by about 5 degrees.
Add window treatments such as quilted curtains to help block air-infiltrations.
Open window treatments on windows with direct sun exposure- usually the south facing windows.
Find and seal leaks using an infrared thermometer. Seal leaks from the interior. Exterior caulking will help waterproof your home but to tighten up the air-infiltration it’s best to work from the inside.

If you determine that the windows need more work from a professional give us a call. We’ll let you know if we think your windows need to be replaced and what your options are.

What is really FREE when it comes to buying new windows?

nancy@chesapeakethermal.com — Fri, 08 Nov 2019 20:56:20 +0000

With all the advertising I see for new windows today, I wondered, what is really free? The process of shopping for new windows and doors can sometimes be daunting and time-consuming. There are advertisements everywhere touting free products or free installation. It’s confusing & it’s not everyday that homeowners buy new windows and most don’t know how to go about finding the right company to do the work. I thought I would show you how to start and hopefully help make it a little easier to navigate the process.Most homeowners start looking for reputable contractors by checking their reviews online or asking a neighbor or family if they can recommend a company. There are many sites that have reviews for contractors like Angie’s List, Home Advisor, Yelp, Google & Houzz. Once you find a company you’d like to get an estimate from, call or email to set a time to meet with a window professional. Typically this a free service, although some companies charge a fee. We offer free estimates and gladly schedule a time to meet with you.

The window professional will meet with you to discuss your priorities and budget. They’ll ask questions about your preferences, lifestyle and family to learn your needs. They will walk through your home to inspect your windows and take measurements to help identify the best products for your home. After that, they’ll show you all your options and make their expert recommendation. You should allow about an hour for this consultation to learn the features and benefits of the windows presented & get a feel for the company and how they work. It should not be a high pressure situation where the price they give you is only good that night. If they say that to you, show them the door. That is a sign they are not interested in your needs. They are only interested in making the sale and not giving you the opportunity to shop their price. It’s always a good idea to get a few estimates to compare what each company offers.

There are many products on the market to compare, so dealing with a company that sells more than one brand gives you more options and price points to fit your budget. Also, ask about their installation crew. The installation is one of the most important aspects of getting new windows & doors. You can have the most expensive window but if not installed correctly, it will not perform as it should and you could end up with costly repairs.

Once you pick a contractor and sign a contract, it usually takes 45 to 60 days to get your new windows installed since they are made to order to fit your openings. If paying by cash, you will be required to put a 1/3rd deposit down and the balance due when your windows are installed. There are also financing and credit card options.

In closing, read the fine print on all advertising and make sure you get more than one estimate. Compare the companies, their years in business, their reviews, products and warranties. The only thing FREE is the in-home consultation. Give us a call to get yours – Free.

Which windows are the most efficient?

matt@chesapeakethermal.com — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 15:52:16 +0000

For many of our customers researching replacement windows their main goal for the project is to improve the energy-efficiency of their homes. Done well, replacement windows can offer up to 20% energy reduction in your home.

The overall efficiency of the window is measuring by U-factor, which ranges anywhere from .15 to .30. The lower the number the better the window does at blocking the heat in the summer, and retaining the heat in the winter time. Our most popular window has a U-factor of .26 with the standard glass package. I think a U-factor in this neighborhood is appropriate for our region. A lower U-factor would be found in triple pane glass packages, which of course require a larger investment from our customers. It’s my opinion you’d likely never see the return on investment with the energy savings since you’d only see a benefit in the extremes- extreme cold and extreme heat.

Most of the windows we order today include a foam filled frame, the same foam that is put in your refrigerator doors, which reduces the thermal conductivity of the frame. Additionally we look for windows that have been tested by AAMA for air infiltration- which gives the homeowner an idea of how well built the window is. Air infiltration and U-factor are pretty dependent on the style of window. Most of the statistics mentioned above reference a double-hung window, while other styles can vary. A casement window is the most efficient- it would have the lowest u-factor and air-infiltration rating compared to the same size double-hung.

Ultimately there are many factors that contribute to a window’s energy efficiency. Give us a call to see some options for your home, and how they might improve your homes comfort and efficiency.