February 21, 2019

How to Choose Your New HVAC System

Selecting a new HVAC system for your home is a big decision you’ll have to live with for at least 10 years and probably longer. At Honey’s Air & Solar, we prefer a step-by-step approach to determine what the right equipment is for a particular customer’s home. Inspect Your Ductwork Start by having your existing ductwork inspected. It’s often preferable to use your existing air ducts in order to keep costs low. However, if any maintenance or repairs are required, then this is a good time to complete them. It’s also important to know if your ducts are appropriate to the equipment you’re considering. Choose Your Air Conditioner For our customers in Modesto and the surrounding areas, Honey’s Air & Solar often recommends opting for a highly efficient air conditioner. When it comes to SEER, we recommend the higher the better in terms of keeping your long-term costs low. Choose Your Furnace If the furnace you’re replacing is old, you’ll be pleased to know that modern furnaces have come a long way with regard to energy-efficient operation. Furnaces are generally defined by their air handlers, and you have three basic choices: single-state, two-stage, and variable-speed. Consider a Heat Pump You...

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February 11, 2019

The Ins and Outs of Residential Solar Panels

More and more homeowners are starting to embrace solar energy. Technical efficiencies and improved product quality have increased the appeal of solar energy systems, which are also attractive to those interested in conservation. The technology of solar panels is somewhat complex, so here at Honey’s Air & Solar, we decided to break it down. Operational Details A regular solar panel features a layer of silicon cells, a glass casing and a metal frame along with wiring for the transmission of energy flow. The silicon absorbs and converts the sunlight into electricity. When the rays of the sun interact with the panel’s silicon cell, electrons start moving. These are captured by the panel’s wiring and nodes, which feed the current into a solar inverter that converts it to electricity. About Installation Several solar panel installation options are available. One popular option is a ballasted system because it does not require roof penetration. Instead, the system is ballasted with cement blocks and the panels are tilted. A standing seam system is another choice. With this type of setup, the panels are installed with clips that do not penetrate your home’s roof. If you have a sloped roof, then you can order a...

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January 25, 2019

3 Tips When Hiring the Right HVAC Contractor

The weather is cold, and your HVAC system isn’t working. No homeowner wants to deal with disaster situations like this. Routine service cuts down on such woes. If something unexpected does happen, hiring the right contractor to perform repairs gets the system back on track. Do you know who to look for when hiring an HVAC contractor? Here are three tips on hiring a legitimate, skilled one. 1. The Contractor Knows Your Specific HVAC System Not all HVAC systems are precisely the same. Different manufacturers produce different models with their unique designs. Of course, there are common traits among all systems. A skilled HVAC contractor should know how to clean or repair the average system. Do you want to take a chance, though? Look for a contractor who knows the “ins and outs” of your specific model. Ask if the contractor previously serviced similar models before. Is the contractor someone listed as a reputable provider who is capable of handling service for HVAC systems under official warranty? Think about these things when planning on calling a contractor. 2. The Contractor Offers Detailed Estimates An estimate shouldn’t be overly general, and it shouldn’t miss essential items. Top contractors deliver an unambiguous...

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January 5, 2019

What Tax Credits Do Solar Panel Upgrades Qualify For?

As licensed energy professionals in Modesto, our technicians at look forward to helping you create a more energy-efficient home with solar panels. If you have been considering installing solar panels, 2019 is an ideal time because of the available tax credits. Some of these tax credits are set to decrease or expire in 2020. Qualifying Products All solar panels made in the USA and installed by American companies qualify for solar panel tax credits. You must be the owner of your solar panel system. This means that if you signed an agreement with a utility company to install solar panels on your house, you do not qualify. You must be the one paying for the solar panels, and you must own the entire system. If you already had solar panels, but you need to replace them, your upgraded new panels will still qualify you for the credits. Qualifying Expenses All of the expenses related to a residential solar panel installation qualify for the tax credits. This includes the cost of the panels, the cost of associated parts such as batteries or wiring and the labor fees for the installation. You can receive the credit for a solar panel installation on...

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December 17, 2018

Benefits of the “Feel The Love” Program by Lennox

Honey’s Air and Solar of Modesto, California is proud to call ourselves a premier Lennox dealer for many reasons. However, one reason that we love Lennox that you may not be familiar with is their “Feel the Love” program–a program in which we’re proud to participate. We’re excited to have the opportunity to share the program with you. We’re sure you’ll be left with the same “warm fuzzies” we have! What is Feel the Love? Put simply, “Feel the Love” is a program, sponsored by Lennox where Lennox donates equipment, premier dealers (like Honey’s) donates time and labor and together we can provide heating and cooling to those who need it most. Anyone can nominate any individual, family or community in need and Lennox does their best to award installations based on need, community service, and other criteria. The program allows Lennox and dealers like Honey’s Air and Solar the chance to give back to the communities and make a difference the best way we know how. How Can You Help? We know our customers are truly the best around and want to do everything they can to help in the community too–and that’s great! The reality is, all you...

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April 20, 2016

What to Look for In An Air Conditioning Company

For most of us, a house represents the largest financial investment we’ll ever make. That means finding a company to handle your AC needs is of utmost importance, as well. The company you pick will be your partner in choosing and maintaining your home’s HVAC unit, which has consequences you might not have thought about. Since cooling and heating can account for almost half of a typical homeowner’s energy costs, making the right decision can have an impact on your financial well-being, in addition to the comfort of you and your family. For years, people in have trusted for their HVAC needs. We’ve assembled a list of things to consider when you’re looking for a company to trust with your air conditioning needs. It pays to seek out a firm with that gets consistently good reviews. Do you homework and see what the Better Business Bureau has to say, and check for consumer reviews on Yelp and other sites that post real-life feedback on local companies. An HVAC company should hire technicians who are certified by North American Technician Excellence. A NATE certification signifies a firm believes in hiring employees who are knowledgeable and know their stuff. Ask friends, neighbors...

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April 20, 2016

Should I Continue Repairing My AC Unit?

We have a lot of customers ask us if they should continue repairing their air conditioners, or if they should just go ahead and replace them. We tell them to consider the following factors: How old is your unit? After a unit has been in use for 10-15 years, it’s time to replace. By this age, parts start to break down and air quality is compromised. How often are you repairing your AC unit? If you’re repairing your air conditioner often, it could mean the unit needs to be replaced. Think about how much money you’ve spent on repairs and what portion of the cost of a new system that could cover. How efficient is your system? Older systems have poor energy efficiency ratings, and you could notice a big difference with a new, efficient system. How much are you spending to cool your home? The more efficient a system, the less you’ll spend on energy bills. Whether you’ve decided to continue with AC repair in or to go ahead and schedule the installation of a new, energy efficient system, we have you covered. Our knowledgeable techs will provide you with the services you need to have cool and comfortable...

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