June 6, 2020

Benefits of Dehumidifiers in the Summer

If there’s one thing you can count on when summer arrives, it’s that high levels of humidity aren’t far behind. More than the heat we experience in Modesto, it’s the humidity that can really make it uncomfortable. Fortunately, there’s a solution to this sticky and uncomfortable problem: a dehumidifier. Using a dehumidifier in your house has many benefits that we at think you’ll want to take advantage of. Here’s a basic explanation of just a few of these benefits. Lower Cooling Bills You know that the main way you keep your home cool in the summer is by running your air conditioner. What you may not know is just how your air conditioner works to cool the air in your house. Essentially, your air conditioner serves two functions: to remove humidity from the air and to draw heat out of your residence. Your air conditioner works to remove humidity because air with a lower moisture content feels cooler on the skin. Therefore, if you have a dehumidifier installed by in your home, there will always be a device working to remove humidity from the air, meaning the air will feel cooler. Since the air feels cooler, you won’t have to...

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May 11, 2020

How Does Indoor Air Quality Affect Our Health?

Much of your time is spent inside your home where you feel comfortable and relaxed. Your HVAC system plays an important role in creating an ideal environment to enjoy your family, friends, hobbies, and favorite activities. helps you achieve this goal by providing residents of Modesto and surrounding communities with heating, air conditioning, and solar solutions. One aspect of interior comfort that is often overlooked by homeowners is indoor air quality. Indoor Air Quality and Your Health Pollen, dust, pollutants, odors, chemicals, and other airborne irritants are not isolated to outdoor air. These same concerns inside your home and the effects such pollutants cause can be greater inside than outside. Your home is a closed space and does not have the benefit of wind and air currents to carry away airborne irritants. It is a closed system, and what is inside your home is circulated throughout the structure via your HVAC system. Health issues that are triggered by poor indoor air quality are allergies, respiratory issues, and asthma. If you have chronic lung conditions, such as bronchitis or COPD, the symptoms are worsened by poor indoor air quality. Signs That You May Have an Indoor Air Quality Issue Poor indoor...

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April 15, 2020

When Should I Turn my AC on in Order to Save Money?

Have you ever wondered if you’d save energy by switching off your AC at strategic times of the day? Perhaps the rising cost of energy has filtered down to your monthly bills, and you’re already beginning to feel the pinch. With the AC consuming almost 50% of the energy needed in your home, cutting back seems to make sense. Since there’s an endless debate on whether or not to switch off the air conditioner at particular times, we wanted to set the record straight. Read on to find out when you can turn off your AC to save money. Indoors for a Long Time If you spend a lot of time indoors in Modesto, CA, it makes perfect sense to turn on your AC. Saving money may be a priority, but it should not compromise your comfort. Switching the AC off while indoors would create an uncomfortable environment. Furthermore, stopping airflow through the HVAC system’s filter may lead to worse air quality. For this reason, switching the AC on while indoors can actually save money. This is especially true if some members of your family often suffer heat rashes or allergic reactions when exposed to a hot humid environment. Though...

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March 19, 2020

Is it Possible to Power a Household Entirely by Solar Power?

If you want your home to be comfortable and energy efficient at the same time, then a great way to achieve this is to use solar energy to power your house. While some people choose to provide part of their power needs using solar power, it is possible to go completely “off the grid” and supply 100% of your electricity from the sun. To achieve this goal, however, you have to make careful plans and preparations to ensure your Modesto home always has the power it needs. To get you started on this journey, here is a basic guide to powering your residence solely with solar energy. Limiting Power Consumption Before you convert to all solar power with , it is important to limit your home’s power consumption as much as possible. This will ensure that you are able to make the most of the solar array you have installed and will give you a much better chance of long-term success. To limit your power consumption, you can take common-sense steps, such as installing energy-efficient appliances. Additionally, you will want to lower your heating and cooling requirements by installing new windows, filling all gaps and cracks, and improving your home’s...

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February 20, 2020

How Does a Furnace Work?

A furnace is a simple system with some complex and delicate components. It is important to understand the basic process before understanding the rest of the components. The Simple Process The very first step is the thermostat sending the furnace a signal to start. When the furnace receives this signal, it lights the burner in the combustion chamber. This creates heat. That heat rises to the heat exchanger and warms it up. When the exchanger reaches the correct temperature, the circulating fan starts and moves air through the system. This fan draws air in through the return duct and pushes it through the exchanger. The exchanger then warms the air as it moves through, and the fan continues to push it out into your home. What Could Go Wrong? Many components in a furnace can malfunction. In the event that one does, the furnace can become dangerous if an ill-trained person attempts to fix or replace it. Most people can replace the furnace filters and the thermostat batteries on their own. This is actually the first step to diagnosing a furnace problem. From there, any of the following could be worn or malfunctioning, needing either maintenance or replacement. Circulating fan...

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February 10, 2020

How Do Solar Panels Work?

More and more solar panels are popping up all over the country, especially in California. Since the sun is our greatest source of power, it only makes sense that we try to harness some of its energy for our own advantages. The Idea Behind Solar Power The sun releases millions upon millions of photons each day, which are tiny packets of energy. Those photons make their way to Earth, and when they hit solar cells in solar panels, they cause enough disturbance to knock electrons away from their atoms. When those break loose, electrons flow between the negative and positive layers of solar cells and electricity is generated. The electricity that’s created is called direct current (DC) energy. Since the electrical power grid in the US uses an alternating current (AC), an inverter is used to make the DC energy compatible with the AC circuit in your home. At , we take care of the whole solar panel installation process for our customers in and around Modesto, CA. What About When the Sun Isn’t Out? Many solar energy systems are able to store energy through a process called “net metering.” If your system creates more energy than you use during...

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January 20, 2020

How Much Energy Can Solar Panels Create?

Before you make the upfront investment required to install solar panels, you will understandably want to know how much power you will get from the system. This information will help you decide if the system makes sense for you and how many solar panels you need to purchase. Not only can you meet all of your electric needs, but you can have extra power left to sell. Solar Panels Can Meet Your Electric Needs One array of solar panels can produce up to 850 kWh of AC energy per month. To put that in perspective, the average household will use just under 900 kWh each month. Thus, a solar array can meet practically all of your power needs for your home. Of course, if you purchase additional panels, not only can only all of your needs be met, but you will have extra solar power. It Depends on the Type of Panel When you are choosing a solar panel, you have two different options. Monocrystalline panels will be the most efficient and produce the most energy; although, they will be more expensive. If you are looking to get the most possible electricity from each panel, you should opt for this...

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January 11, 2020

Symptoms of a Dirty Coil

Condenser coils have an important role in your home’s cooling process. Since they are located on the outside, they may experience a buildup of dirt over time. If you fail to keep the coils clean, you can expect some serious consequences in the future. Here are some symptoms that your coils are dirty and that you might need to schedule a service call. Your Home Does Not Cool Down When dirt collects on the coils, it creates a layer between the refrigerant and the blowing air. That layer makes it harder for the heat to transfer from the coils to the outside air. In simple terms, all that humidity and heat will not be removed from your home. If you have a home that isn’t cooling down in Modesto, then you need to contact for an inspection. Your Energy Bills Are Rising With dirty condenser coils, the process of cooling your home becomes difficult for your system. The air conditioning unit will have to work harder and longer to cool down the warm air. In the process, your cooling system starts to consume more energy to keep your home at a comfortable level. When there is a sudden spike in...

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December 20, 2019

3 Common Water Heater Problems

When you’re trying to take a shower or bath and cannot get the proper water temperature, it is frustrating and inconvenient. Some problems may be minor, but others will require professional repair to return your hot water heater to working order. Here are several common hot water heater problems. 1. Leaks Leaking water can be a minor problem or a serious one, depending on the cause. If your water heater is corroded and water is leaking, this is a more serious problem that will require extensive repair or replacement. Such issues could be caused by sediment that has built up on the bottom of the heater. However, there could be loose connections or valves that are easily fixed after diagnosing the problem. You will need a professional to diagnose the problem and its severity. 2. Broken Thermostat When your hot water thermostat is broken, it will not be able to regulate the temperature of the water. Specifically, you will not be able to get hot water at all or will have water that is too hot. Alternatively, it may take a long time to get any hot water or you may not get a lot of hot water with your...

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December 10, 2019

The Biggest Reasons Your Heating Bill is Too High

Having an efficient heating system is important no matter what region of the country you live in. While residents of Modesto and other Central Valley cities can expect an increase in their gas bills during the winter, you shouldn’t experience an extreme change in your monthly charges. If your heating bill seems too high, here are some factors that could be the cause. 1. Dirty Furnace Filter Do you know when you last changed your furnace filter? A dirty filter that contains dust and debris makes it difficult for the blower to circulate air. When this happens, the airflow is reduced and the system must run longer to heat your home. 2. Leaks in Air Ducts When ductwork is damaged or installed improperly, the air leaks often result in higher heating bills and a reduction in indoor air quality. It’s not uncommon for 20% of the air circulating through a furnace to be lost due to holes or poor connections among the ducts. Uneven heating throughout your home is often a sign the ducts are damaged. 3. Lack of Heating Maintenance Annual furnace maintenance helps you save money by catching any problems before they become a major issue. Scheduling regular...

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