REMERGE AUTOMATIC E-MAIL ALERTS BEGIN APRIL10, 2006
The REMERGE system is in the last stages of automating many of the alerts that Agents are currently requesting to receive by phone or individually written e-mails. These alerts are generated by dates of the contract as and/or dates entered by the Coordinator as action steps are complete. Our goal is to eliminate time-consuming missed communications in our efforts to keep the Agents alerted to key time stamps of the real estate process. These alerts begin with the point of receipt of a Listing or Sale and end when the file has been sent out to your Broker.

The inside text messages are very useful in orienting Agents who are new to real estate or want to get in synch with the REMERGE work flow. Each alert is a confirmation that REMERGE has taken a critical action step as well as an instruction as to the Agent's next action step. We highly recommend that you read the e-mail messages at least a couple of times.

To make it quick and easy for you, the REMERGE auto e-mail Subject references REMERGE , the alert and the property. The Subject will read like this: REMERGE: Confirm NEW LISTING 123 Main St. There is no need to open the e-mail.

OPT OUT OF ALERTS YOU DO NOT WANT
To begin, on April 10, 2006, you will receive ALL -16 e-mail alerts automatically on all your transactions. We recognize that if you have several transactions with REMERGE, you will be inundated with REMERGE e-mail alerts. So, we have included an "OPT OUT" button at the bottom of each e-mail message.  This way, you can OPT OUT of specific alerts or OPT OUT of all alerts.

AN ALERT ON OR OPT OUT APPLIES TO ALL TRANSACTIONS
Please note that when you click an OPT OUT button, it is a general instruction. You will no longer receive that particular alert on any of your transactions. If you click OPT OUT for ALL ALERTS, you will not receive any alerts on any transactions. contact your Coordinator who will reset your alert system..

AUTOMATIC ALERTS DO NOT ELIMINATE REMERGE PERSONAL SERVICE
You and your REMERGE Coordinator will continue to communicate with each other by phone, fax and e-mail, as needed to attend to the details of your transactions.

We are very much open to your comments and suggestions for making this auto e-mail system work for you.

SEER  RATING: Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio
The U.S. charges the Department of Energy with managing the country’s use of gas, electricity, natural gas, and other forms of energy. In accordance with their goals, the Department of Energy is focusing on initiating regulations to create air conditioners and heating systems that operate using less energy.

In other words, the Department of Energy gradually raises the requirements for SEER ratings:

*            Seasonal
*            Energy
*            Efficiency
*            Ratio

For almost 10 years, the minimum efficiency standard has been 10 SEER. On January 22, 2006, the minimum standard will be raised to 13 SEER. The new 13 SEER standard requires manufacturers to cease production of 10 SEER components on January 22, 2006.

 No one can predict how long current equipment rated less than 13 SEER may remain in use. As of January 23, 2006, manufacturers are prohibited by law to build less-efficient components. The law will ultimately result in a phase-out of less efficient components altogether.

 The 13 SEER minimum requirements affect everyone: consumers, HVAC dealers, and manufacturers of air conditioners and heat pumps. The 13 SEER minimum efficiency law is unavoidable.

AHS WARRANTY NOW COVERS SEER
Most central air conditioning systems contain two separate units, the outdoor unit and the indoor unit. In order to meet manufacturer guidelines, the two units must be compatible in terms of efficiency. If the outside unit rated 10 SEER needs to be replaced once there are no remaining 10 SEER parts, it will be necessary to upgrade to a 13 SEER unit. This may require a modification to the inside unit to ensure proper compatibility between the inside unit and outside unit.

How contractors go about making the two units compatible can vary, depending primarily on the age of a system. In certain circumstances, a valve called a thermal expansion valve, a metering device, can help the two units “talk to each other,” and in other instances, the system will not work to peak efficiency unless the homeowner replaces the inside equipment. The cost for these internal fixes can range from several hundred to several thousand dollars.

To help our customers through the transition, American Home Shield has modified our contracts to address 13 SEER compatibility issues. Each customer’s contract will be upgraded to include the new coverage upon renewal of the existing contracts.

In addition, we will be offering each current customer the opportunity to purchase a 13 SEER upgrade option, where approved and available, to cover the remainder of their current contract. We expect the upgrade option will be available beginning February 2006.

Call 1-800-776-4663 with questions or go to http://www.13SEERsolutions.com/overview.html

 COMMENTS? QUESTIONS? LETTERS TO THE EDITOR?
The REMERGE Gazette welcomes your comments and suggestions for future articles. E-mail to shelly@remerge.com