July 20, 2019

Do You Need a New Thermostat Installed?

Thermostats, like any other device, only have so much of shelf life. At some point, they stop working efficiently. An old thermostat could continue to operate without creating severe troubles with the heating or cooling system, but it still may need to be replaced. Inefficient thermostats aren’t reliable. Be alert for the following signs that you should get a new thermostat. The Thermostat Is Outdated Some homeowners live in their houses for decades. Many do not make all the necessary upgrades. Instead of a modern digital thermostat, homeowners may still be using a dial-faced model from the 1980s. Aged-out thermostats might not be up to the task of maintaining energy efficiency. They are also not always easy to read. If a thermostat is too old, think about requesting a replacement. can help with repair and maintenance work involving a new thermostat. Your Energy Bills Are High Many factors contribute to inefficiency, which, in turn, contributes to high energy bills. An outdated or poorly operating thermostat can undermine efficiency. Replacing the thermostat might cut down on those costs. Remember, in the dead of winter and the heart of the summer, energy bills will spike. Why spike them more? The Right Temperature...

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July 10, 2019

Top 5 Reasons Behind AC Airflow Problems

Air conditioning airflow issues are easy to spot when you pay attention to hot or cold spots throughout your home. In addition, you might notice changes in air pressure throughout your rooms or issues with your home not getting cool enough in the summer. Fixing airflow issues with your AC unit can prevent your air compressor from being permanently damaged. 1. Blocked Condenser Unit The AC condenser can be exposed to the harsh outdoors. Be sure that all of the dirt and yard debris is removed from the condenser. This will help ensure better airflow. 2. Slow Blower Fans The blower fans in your AC unit must maintain a constant speed in order for the air to be sufficiently cooled. They can get clogged with dirt and dust and end up working much slower over time. 3. Old Air Filters Dusty air filters are one of the easiest ways for your airflow to get blocked. They must be changed as frequently as the manufacturer of your AC unit recommends. This task can be easy to forget. 4. Leaked Refrigerant Liquid Refrigerant liquid is important to keep your system working properly and the air cool in your home. If your AC...

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June 11, 2019

Why Financing Your Cooling System Is a Smart Move

Is your home cool and comfortable inside? Do you have to pen yourself into a few rooms just to make it through the summer? If so, it sounds like it’s time to install a new cooling system. A new air conditioner can provide you with better air distribution and ways to save money. Once you’ve received credit approval from a reputable lender, financing makes good sense for many reasons. Cover the Complete Cost of the Project Financing can cover the purchase of the product and the actual labor and material costs to install the system. Every step of your installation project can move forward for you. You’ll make one payment every month to your lending institution, and in return, you’ll get a brand-new AC unit. That means you and your family will enjoy cold indoor temperatures sooner rather than later. Summer is sounding like a great opportunity to celebrate the benefits of financing your cooling system. Improve Air Quality Quickly Older air conditioning systems often harbor stale, dirty air that gets delivered into the home. Today’s energy-efficient systems do a much better job of keeping contaminated air at bay. They also offer many additional air quality control options, including humidifiers...

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June 1, 2019

How Long Does It Take My Solar Panel Investment to Start Paying Me Back?

One of the biggest reasons people often decide to go with solar energy is because they like the idea of getting free power from the sun. However, the cost of installation might have you wondering if you really end up saving money in the long run. It is true that you pay more for installation initially, but the investment will start paying you back eventually. How long this takes will depend on a few factors. Initial Costs To figure out how long it takes before your installation pays you back, it is useful to know how much it costs in the first place. Prices can vary depending on your location, power needs, and property size. Costs to Produce Energy The savings from getting to install solar power in your Modesto home will be apparent once you look at the energy production costs. There are absolutely no charges to use the power that solar produces. A residential household has power bills that average up to about $111 each month. This means that you end up saving enough to pay off your solar panel installation in roughly six to nine years. Solar Panel Duration To figure out if it’s a worthwhile investment,...

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May 22, 2019

The Best Ways to Save Money on Your Energy Bills

Summer is the hottest season of the year, and having a faulty HVAC system can just make it unbearable. Even if your system is performing at its peak, the cost of cooling your home through the long sweltering months of summer can put a strain on your finances. Luckily, there are simple ways to save some money by reducing your cooling costs. Adjusting your thermostat, using auxiliary cooling like fans, getting your AC routinely serviced, and opening windows at night are just some ways to cut your electric bill. Adjust the Thermostat This is a simple step that some people may not consider. Adjusting your thermostat even a few degrees can result in significant savings. When temperatures approach triple digits outside, setting your thermostat to the high 70s or low 80s when you’re away can keep the environment relatively cooler in your home until you return. Consider an automated programmable thermostat that can make this step easier. Use Fans While ceiling fans and portable fans don’t actually cool the air, they’re a great way to circulate the air in your house. This helps you to stay cooler when used in conjunction with your AC. Since the air is moving, this...

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May 2, 2019

Three Ways to Find Air Leaks At Home

Air leaks can lead to your home losing energy efficiency and having higher energy bills. Leaks often pop up around doors and windows, but they can also occur around air vents and electrical sockets. Air leaks can be subtle, so you may not realize you even have one until you do some detective work around your house. In Modesto, daytime heat can be grueling during the summer, and air leaks will allow that hot air to seep into your home. This impacts both your home’s comfort and utility bills. Before you can fix an air leak, you first have to confirm that you have one, and then figure out where it’s coming from. Our experts at put together this handy list of three easy tests you can perform to check your home for air leaks: 1. The Candle Method Candles are a simple and surprisingly effective way to find air leaks around your house. Before you get started, turn off your air conditioner, furnace and any fans you have running. The test itself is as simple as lighting a candle and making a tour of your home. Slowly (and carefully) move the candle near the area you suspect has an...

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April 19, 2019

Learning the Difference Between HVAC and Air Conditioning

Many homes, offices, and public places today have HVAC or air conditioning systems in place. They may seem to be similar, but there’s a thick line between the two terms. Understanding the differences might be the key to avoiding getting lost in all the technical terms and jargon. 1. Definition of Terms You probably have used the phrases AC and HVAC sometimes without the need to define what these acronyms mean. The two terms are used interchangeably in most common settings but may bring confusion unless one defines their meaning. AC stands for air conditioning, while HVAC is more of a technical acronym used in the air conditioning industry that stands for heating, ventilation, and cooling systems of a home. AC can also be used to define a single unit of the HVAC system (the cooling half). In most settings, “air conditioning” is used to define a system that conditions or controls the air properties whether cold or hot. 2. What’s the Difference? Air conditioning defines the whole field of processes, power machines, and appliances used to control the air flow, humidity, smell, and temperature. Examples of air conditioning systems include: Window AC: Only cools the rooms in which it’s...

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April 9, 2019

How to Keep Air Pollutants Out of Your Home

The air in your Modesto house is probably not as clean as it seems. Everyone has had the experience of sunlight shining through a window and exposing the dust particles in the air. Some pollutants are even less obvious. Volatile organic chemicals, or VOCs, are produced by cleaning products, cooking oils and beauty products. They are also released into the air as the plastics in your house slowly degrade. Here are some tips for reducing exposure to all these air pollutants. Keep Pollutants Outside Many irritants such as dust, pollen, and dirt are brought inside as people enter your home. Encourage visitors to take off their shoes and leave them in the entryway. It is also helpful to do the regular chores of sweeping and vacuuming to pick up these substances before they spread around. You might invest in a vacuuming robot that will do the job more frequently. Ventilate Your Home A big part of getting VOCs out of your home is making certain that there is an exchange of indoor and outdoor air. Getting the stale air out will also lower unwanted chemical levels. Make sure to use beauty and cleaning products in ventilated areas. Run an exhaust...

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March 20, 2019

4 Benefits of Solar Energy

Solar panels have recently experienced a major spike in popularity, and with the numerous benefits they provide, it’s no wonder why. Lowering your energy consumption, slashing your energy bills, and reducing your environmental footprint are just a few things you can look forward to. Interested in installing solar panels on your Modesto home? Take a look at these top four benefits. 1. Lower (or Eliminate) Energy Bills Harvesting your own energy directly from the sun means you won’t need to buy as much from the electrical grid, so your monthly bills will naturally be lower. Not only that but if you end up producing more energy than you consume, you can actually sell it back the grid for a profit. 2. Sustainable Energy Source Solar energy is one of the most sustainable forms of energy because it’s 100 percent renewable. Unlike oil or natural gas, which is only available in limited quantities within the earth, sunlight will never run out. If you’re interested in minimizing your carbon footprint, solar is an excellent option. 3. Improved Home Value Remember those energy perks we discussed in the first point? The promise of a lifetime of lower or non-existent monthly energy bills makes...

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March 1, 2019

3 Easy Ways to Be More Energy Efficient

The biggest users of energy in your home are the systems that heat and cool the interior. By decreasing the use of energy, you can save money. Fortunately, there are many easy and simple methods that you can implement. Try some of these energy efficiency tips we here at recommend. 1. Ceiling Fans Installing energy efficient ceiling fans is a great way to save on energy costs. Only use ceiling fans in rooms where there are people to cool. By using fans, you can change your thermostat a few degrees higher or lower depending on the season and save money in energy costs. Remember to reverse the fans in the winter to circulate the warm air down from the ceiling. 2. Maintenance Having routine maintenance performed on your heating and cooling systems can help your systems run more efficiently. These systems endure a lot of use during the winter and summer months, and it pays to have them checked in regular tune-ups. When checking your system, professional technicians will check and clean the components and monitor the system for any possible issues that need correction. 3. Programmable Thermostat Installing a programmable thermostat is a great way to save energy effortlessly....

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