March 15, 2023

Understanding California’s 2023 HVAC Regulations

HVAC regulations in California can be quite complex, which is why it is essential that you always hire a certified, experienced contractor whenever you need any type of work done on your home’s HVAC system. If you were to hire someone without the proper certifications, there is a high chance your system may not meet all relevant building codes in which case you could be charged with a code violation and forced to make expensive changes or upgrades. HVAC regulations also vary quite a bit from state to state and even from city to city, and here is a quick overview of the 2023 HVAC regulations in California. 2023 Federal Minimum Energy Efficiency Requirements Federal law always supersedes state law in the US, which means that all new HVAC units installed in California must meet the federal minimum energy efficiency standards set out by the US Department of Energy. These efficiency standards were updated at the start of 2023 to increase the minimum energy efficiency rating required for all new central air conditioners and heat pumps. All new central air conditioners and air-source heat pumps installed in California or anywhere else in the southwest or southeast US must have an...

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January 20, 2023

How Net Metering Makes Rooftop Solar Worthwhile

Here at , we make it our mission to let as many homeowners as possible know about the benefits of installing rooftop solar systems. If you’re considering investing in solar, you may think that a rooftop solar power system will eliminate your home’s electricity bills. In reality, this is rarely, if ever, the case. Most of the savings come from the usage of a system called net metering. Here’s an explanation of what net metering is, how it works, and how it makes rooftop solar installations worthwhile. Rooftop Solar Generation Capacity Before going over net metering, it’s important to understand why rooftop solar systems don’t typically eliminate a home’s electricity bills. The simple answer is that most of them lack the generation capacity to fully meet a home’s power needs at all times. There are a few reasons for that. The first reason is a lack of space on a home’s roof. It’s only possible to install a solar rooftop system that’s as large as the space you have to work with. Most homes can’t support systems large enough to replace grid power. Second is the orientation of the roof. The direction a roof faces plays a key role in...

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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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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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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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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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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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