Ask Bob

What is the advantage of the Nest thermostat featured in last months Ruralite?

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 16:40:16 0000

The Nest is a thermostat that gives you all the energy savings of a programmable thermostat without the frustration of having to program it. It solves a human behavior problem. Even though many of us have programmable thermostats already, a large portion of them are not running on an energy-efficient schedule because it is a hassle to program them...

I see the new Exede Internet packages are based on data, but I have no idea which package I need. How much is 10 GB?

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 07:57:32 0000

For those who aren’t familiar with the Exede service, it is the second generation of WildBlue Satellite Internet. At 5 Mbps, it is much faster than the WildBlue packages. With Exede, all three of the available packages have identical speeds, the difference is the amount of the 30-day data limit. There are plans of 10GB, 15GB and 25GB for $49.95, $79.95 and $129.95, respectively.

I have heard that WildBlue is coming out with new equipment that allows faster speeds. When will this be available?

Thu, 2 Feb 2012 08:32:36 0000

That is correct! Not only is WildBlue coming out with new satellite dishes and modems, but they have also launched a new satellite and made a huge investment in network infrastructure upgrades.

We are building an addition to our home. Can we get rebates for the insulation and windows?

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 11:05:38 0000

No, additions are considered new construction and it is expected that you will have to buy insulation and windows for that application to meet minimum building codes so there are no rebates for them. However, if you are adding insulation or replacing windows in your existing home,

It is pretty cold where I live. Will a heat pump really save me money?

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 11:39:54 0000

The quick answer is yes it will. A heat pump requires an initial investment...