Looking To The New Year

A new year is almost upon us. As most of us look for ways to make it a great one, the staff of Total Home Supply is gearing up for another year of providing a first-rate online store. Ever-changing, our website will continue to offer great products at great prices...along with consumer information and expert technical advice.

Our Do-It-Yourself Community page will keep on producing tips, household ideas and interesting information about how to help your community. And, as always, we look forward to interaction with our members and customers.

THS would like to thank everyone for another successful year. Have a very Happy & Safe Holiday.

New at THS: The GOBI Condensate Removal Pump by Refco

The newest item on the Total Home Supply website is a terrific condensate removal pump designed for mini split air conditioners.

The GOBI condensate discharge module by Refco, fits below any wall mounted mini split, and can be mounted either left or right side. Featuring the Electronic Energy Control System (EECS), this microprocessor control is Refco's most innovative water sensing system ever produced.

Capable of removing over 3 gallons of water per hour, the GOBI is extremely quiet, aesthetically designed and easy to install.

Prestyl Infrared Panels: Efficient Electric Heat

With technology 16 years in development, Prestyl USA is certainly creating buzz in the HVAC world with their Far-Infrared Electric Heating Panel Systems.

The thin-film technology used on the surface of the panels is exclusive to Prestyl and uses infrared energy to heat surfaces the same way the sun heats the earth. Extremely reliable and ecologically sound, the panel housings are made of recyclable materials and the unit itself is 99% recyclable at the end of its lifespan.

Ceiling or wall mountable, the panels are available in different sizes. Compared to a 30-40% efficiency rating of electric baseboard heat, the infrared panels are 60% efficient when wall mounted and 80% efficient when mounted to the ceiling.

For more detailed information on the technology behind the Prestyl Flat Electric Panels, visit the Prestyl Thin Film Far-Infrared Heater page in the THS Reference Library. Prestyl heating panels are Made in theUSA.

Make Your Holiday Party Into A Community Service Event

We've all been taught that it's better to give than to receive. But, it's even better to give and receive.

TotalHomeSupply.com has begun its second annual "Feed the Hungry, Then Yourself." food drive, where donations are collected at holiday office parties. Economic conditions have left so many families dependent on the food pantry in their neighborhood for providing their basic needs, and while food banks do what they can, donations are at an all time low...all across the country.

While last year's food drive initiative was really successful, we are starting it a little earlier this year to encourage more companies and individuals to get involved. Here's how to help.

...Talk to your party coordinator about choosing a local food bank for the donations. Announce the food drive in the party invitation or an office email. Send another email the day of the party as a reminder.

...At the party, set an area aside where people can leave their donations. Have volunteers in place beforehand to remove the donations from the party, for delivery to the chosen food pantry.

...Animal shelters and pet pantries are also overwhelmed by the volume of pets given up by families no longer able to care for them. Collecting dog and cat food is another alternative to a food drive, especially if your company is animal friendly.

...Many communities are also in the process of collecting coats for those in need. Collecting warm winter coats, as well as gloves and hats is another way to incorporate a charitable act into a night of fun and celebration.

...Don't forget, charity begins at home. When hosting a Christmas or New Year's Party, encourage guests to bring food items which can be donated to food banks. Isn't that what the holiday spirit is all about?

So, in the next few days, we invite you to send this blog post to anyone and everyone you know. Let's make it go viral. If we can get even 10% of the people who read this to initiate a food drive at their holiday party, so many families will be helped by one small act of kindness.

SOCIAL NETWORKERS: Use Facebook and MySpace to spread the message:
Encourage your company to accept food items at your holiday party for donation to a local food pantry. Click on the link below for details.
"At Your Holiday Party, Feed The Hungry, Then Yourself ."

Gas Flames Over Glass: The Log Alternative

Do you love the look of a dancing gas fire, but want a more contemporary feel than traditional logs? Total Home Supply now features the RH Peterson G45 Series Triple T Glass Burner System with your choice of Fyre Glass or Fyre Gems.

Featuring a wide range of colors, the stones rest on a bed of sand or lava granules to raise the elevation of the flames, offering the maximum effect of the fire. Available in the most popular log sizes, the available packages allow you to choose the type of burner, choice of manual or automatic pilot, color of the stones and the natural gas or liquid propane option.

Peterson Fyre Glass is also an affordable and safe way to replace gas logs in your existing fireplace with a new and more modern look. The glass will keep its original color and clarity, and as with all RH Peterson products, it is Made in the USA.

Find The Right Sized Heater With The THS Heating BTU Calculator

Are you looking for a new gas heater or furnace, but are unsure of how big a unit you need? Well, just in time for the heating season, Total Home Supply has added another great feature to our website.

For a fast and easy way to determine the BTUs needed for your home, click on the THS Heating BTU Calculator on the lower left side of every web page. Located below the Resources section, using the BTU Calculator is simple. Just click on the image to bring up a page where you can enter your room's dimensions, the type of insulation found in your home, and the lowest outdoor temperature typically found in your area. Then click on the "BTU/HR Required" box, and the correct calculation for your home will appear.

Now that you know the size unit you need, the fun part of shopping for it becomes so much easier. And you know, by calling 877-847-0050, the Technical Support staff at Total Home Supply is always ready to answer all questions and concerns.

PTAC Units: For All Year Comfort

While the air conditioning season is winding down in most parts of the country, the need for dual air conditioning/heating units remains a needed commodity year-round. Hotels, Motels, Medical Offices and other Professional spaces are just a few applications for Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners, also known as PTACs. Increasingly, they are also being used in residential applications.

Offering electric heat pumps and the option of electric resistance heat for colder climates, PTACs will keep you comfortable year-round. Amana features a full line of PTACs, with sizes for every need and Made in the USA. One of the most popular units, the PTH153G35AXXX offers 14,000 BTUs, Dehumidification of 4.4 pints per hour, and Back-Up Electric Resistance Heat. Highly efficient and quiet, this Amana PTAC is easy to operate and will be a great addition to most business, commercial and residential applications.

10 Years Later: We Remember

As we all remember where we were when the world forever changed ten years ago, the staff of THS joins in a moment of reflection.

From the World Trade Center, we think of the heroes: 343 firefighters, 23 NYC police officers, 37 Port Authority officers and countless unnamed civilians who lost their lives attempting to save others. From Flight 93, we think of the courage and resignation of fate. From the Pentagon, the men and women led to safety by a stranger or an angel on their shoulder.

But most of all, we think of the sheer tragedy, the lost innocence and the new normal.

Take the time today to look back and forward. Each moment is a gift, don't waste them.

High Efficiency Heating with Williams Furnace

Heating season will be here before you know it. Williams Furnace Company offers gas and electric heating systems for every situation. Their High-Efficiency Direct-Vent Furnaces can be installed easily, almost anywhere. With a modern appearance, these gas heating systems will easily blend into any room.

Requiring no electricity for operation, you are assured of keeping warm even during a power outage. All fumes are vented to the outside air; the sealed-combustion technology uses no inside air for operation. The 177351 and 29035 models feature a humidification system which will keep the air moist during the dry winter months. With a programmable timer, you can schedule when you want your home warmed. Even in the summer, the heater's recirculating fan may be used to circulate the cooler air at the floor level, around the room.

All Williams Furnaces are available in either natural gas or liquid propane options. Don't wait until you start to shiver, check out all the Williams heaters at Total Home Supply.

Williams Furnace Company: Gas Heaters and Accessories

USA based heating manufacturer, Williams Furnace Company continues to produce highly efficient and affordable heating solutions. From Vent-Free Heaters to Vented Hearth Heaters to Direct Vent Furnaces, Williams offers a gas heater for every need.

For example, Williams High Efficiency Direct-Vent Furnaces are offered in three BTU ranges: 7,400 btu, 17,700 btu and 29,000 btu ratings...an ideal size for any application. These furnaces are wall mounted, freeing more floor space in your home. The air-to-air system offers instant heating and the programmable timer allows you to save energy. One great feature on these High Effciency Direct Vent Furnaces is the Humidification System, which helps keep air moist during the dry winter months. In the summer, you can use the 2-speed recirculating fan to circulate the cooler floor level air around the room. All Williams heaters and furnaces are available as a Liquid Propane or Natural Gas unit, and are Made in the USA.

Total Home Supply also offers the entire line of Williams Gas Heater Accessories. Whether you are looking for a towel warmer for the High Efficiency furnaces or additional venting or gas conversion kits, shop online at THS for the accessory you need.

For assistance in determining the size furnace you require, or help in deciding which system is best for your home, call Total Home Supply at 877-THS-0050 and speak to our technical team.

THS: Expert Advice, Community Oriented, Great Products

As many of our customers already know, Total Home Supply has a customer service department with knowledge that goes above and beyond what products we sell and their delivery status. Sure we want to sell you a product; but we want to be sure we sell you the right product.

With air conditioners, for a simple room AC you can look at a BTU chart and figure out what you need. However with PTACs, VTACs and Mini Split systems, it can get complicated. What size line set, what is a plenum, do you need AC with a heat pump or electric heat? What kind of room; lots of windows, doors or electronics equipment? And, how many people will be using that room at one time?

If you don't know the answers to these questions, we do. That's why we have so many repeat customers. Not only can we offer you expert technical advice on our product line, we follow your order from the time it's placed to delivery and beyond.

We enjoy having you as a customer and invite you to join in our Do It Yourself Community. This interactive part of our website allows members to join in discussions, ask questions, add photos, videos or blog posts or even review products. This page offers tons of hints, ideas and consumer information, so valuable in today's changing consumer market.

Expert advice, quality customer service and a community that cares, Total Home Supply has all that and great prices. It's an online store like no other.

Keeping Cool While It's Getting Hot: The Mini Split Option

It's just a few short weeks before Memorial Day Weekend, warmer weather, and the need for a working air conditioning system. Now is the time to take the cover off, clean the filter and start it up. If your AC starts to cough, it might be time for a replacement. A mini split system is a great choice if you need to cool several areas, but don't have existing ductwork for a central air conditioning system.

Mini splits work with an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. They are connected through an outside wall by way of tubing. Because the compressor is outside the house, the indoor unit is extremely quiet. With a multi zone system, you can control which units are on or off, so you only cool the rooms you want, saving you in energy costs.

Lower The Humidity In Your Home With An Energy Star Dehumidifier

Warmer temperatures mean higher humidity. While we can't help with bad hair days, we can help with bad air days.

While air conditioning helps to control household humidity, there may be areas in your home, such as the basement or garage, where the moisture level in the air is too high. High levels of humidity, if left unchecked, can cause health concerns. Dampness can lead to mold, which can be extremely dangerous, especially to anyone with asthma or other immune system issues.

In addition to air conditioners, most major appliance manufacturers are now producing portable Dehumidifers. These units create a comfortable breathing environment, free of the mildewy odor you want to keep out of your home. Many of these units have a continuous drain option that will deposit water as it is pulled out of the air, into a drain, so there's no need to empty the tank. And, if there is no drain available, some units have an Automatic Shut-Off, which will turn the unit off when it is almost full.

The easiest way to control mold and mildew is to not allow it to grow in the first place. Keeping a low humidity level is the best line of defense.

We Know It's Warm Someplace

Today, it seems most of the country is in the middle of another snowstorm. And, while most of us are struggling with the cold temperatures, it does appear the weather is warm somewhere because Air Conditioners are still selling at Total Home Supply.

PTAC units don't seem to have a selling season. For the commercial and professional sectors, many PTAC units, especially those with Heat Pumps, are used year-round, creating a selling trend that knows no calendar year. PTACs like the Amana PTC123G35AXXX are a perfect example of a unit suited for a motel or hotel, as it comes equipped with a DigiSmart Front Desk Control. This is a type of energy management system where it is possible to monitor and manage heating & cooling in unoccupied rooms...all from the front desk.

So while the winter drags on, think about someone in a warmer climate who is deciding on how many BTUs are needed to cool their home. In a few months, it could be you.