Donald P. Dick Air Conditioning Blog: Archive for March, 2013

Improving Water Heater Efficiency: Troubleshooting Tips That Help

Thursday, March 28th, 2013

Considering that water heating accounts for a hefty slice of the energy bills in the average home, improving water heater efficiency should be underlined twice on any homeowner’s efficiency-upgrade checklist. With a little TLC and these troubleshooting tips, your water heater will respond with hotter water at lower water-heating costs.

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How To Handle A Red-Tagged Furnace

Tuesday, March 26th, 2013

Homeowners who hear that they have a red-tagged furnace may not like the news, but at least they can avoid the serious consequences that the condition may create if left untended. A furnace that receives the red tag, or a document meaning the same thing, usually has a cracked heat exchanger that may emit carbon monoxide (CO) into the home, an odorless and colorless gas that is deadly in sufficient quantities.

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Averting Potential Furnace Problems

Thursday, March 21st, 2013

Averting Potential Furnace ProblemsWhile the Fresno area is not known for particularly rough winters, furnace problems can make cool winter nights uncomfortable for your family. Learning how to spot problems early can help you fix them before they become a huge issue and in so doing, allow you to avoid expensive repairs. Here are some signs to look for when troubleshooting furnace problems:

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Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Ensure Proper Selection And Installation

Tuesday, March 19th, 2013

Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Ensure Proper Selection And InstallationThe State of California has a law that requires carbon monoxide detectors in all residential dwellings that use any kind of combustible fuel or that have attached garages. The law requires a carbon monoxide (CO) detector on all floors of the home. If you haven’t installed yours yet, use this as a guide to choosing and installing CO detectors so they give you the protection you need against carbon monoxide poisoning.

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Air-Source Heat Pump Performance Depends On The Proper Balance Point

Thursday, March 14th, 2013

Air-Source Heat Pump Performance Depends On The Proper Balance PointFresno area homeowners enjoy relatively moderate winter temperatures, which, for many, makes high heating bills quite confounding. If you’re baffled by high heating bills, remember that air-source heat pump performance depends on an optimal balance point. Lower the heat pump’s balance point, and you’ll lower your heating bills.

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Learn These Solar Basics Before Upgrading

Tuesday, March 12th, 2013

Learn These Solar Basics Before UpgradingIt’s time for you to start taking energy savings into your own hands. No more depending on the power company for all of your electric needs. But before you jump in and buy the first system that strikes your fancy, here are some common solar basics you need to know to make the best decision.

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Choosing The Right Type Of Insulation For The Attic

Thursday, March 7th, 2013

Adding more insulation for the attic is a great way to lower your heating and cooling bills for decades to come. One of the easiest and most affordable ways to increase the thermal protection in the attic is to blow in insulation using loose fill. It’s a reasonably easy and affordable project that will last for decades, as long as you choose the right insulation for our climate.

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The EPA’s WaterSense Program: Good For Consumers, Good For The Planet

Tuesday, March 5th, 2013

Going green is a sound choice that consumers can make to reduce their carbon footprint and help protect our world. Unfortunately, many consumers focus on conventional methods of energy efficiency and forget about the amount of water they waste in a day. Thankfully, the federal EPA’s WaterSense program not only helps you save money but also helps protect our nation’s water supply. This is good for both Fresno area consumers and the environment.

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