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

That Odd Smell? It Could Be A Natural Gas Leak

Thursday, January 31st, 2013

That Odd Smell? It Could Be A Natural Gas LeakHomeowners have been using natural gas to fuel home heating and cooking equipment for decades. And it’s generally safe to use. However, it’s possible for a natural gas leak to occur, despite our best efforts to safely seal the gas within pipes. When that happens, the chances of an explosion or harmful exposure to the substance increase greatly.

Continue Reading

Is The Polluted Air From Your Garage Seeping Into Your Home?

Tuesday, January 29th, 2013

If your home has an attached garage, you probably enjoy the convenience factor, but have you ever wondered whether contaminated air from your garage can seep into your home? When your house is not properly sealed against your garage, the health of yourself and your family may be compromised. By educating yourself on the threats posed by dirty air from your attached garage and taking measures to prevent its passage into your home, you can protect your household.

Continue Reading

Your Plumbing System: Check It Regularly — You’ll Be Spared Trouble Down The Line

Thursday, January 24th, 2013

You won’t regret the time and money you invest in your San Joaquin Valley home’s heating and cooling system. It’s an investment that pays off in the immediate future and far down the line. The same can be said of your home’s plumbing system. Just like your heating and cooling equipment, your plumbing system requires regular maintenance. Give it the attention it needs, and it will continue to serve you in the long-term.

Continue Reading

Design It Right, And Your Duct System Will Deliver

Tuesday, January 22nd, 2013

Whether you’re building a new home or retrofitting an older one, it pays to take the time to design your duct system right. A poorly designed duct system nearly guarantees you’ll reap less-than-desirable effects including:

Continue Reading

Taking Charge Of the Batts In Your Attic: Get Your Gear Together

Thursday, January 17th, 2013

Adding batts in the attic – insulation batts – offers protection against heat transfer, giving your home’s uppermost region a fighting chance during the heating season to lock in comfortable home temperatures and limit energy consumption. Here’s a guide to choosing and installing insulation batts in the attic:

Continue Reading

Your Home Energy Evaluation: Why The Blower Door Test Is A Key Component

Tuesday, January 15th, 2013

You may have performed a do-it-yourself home energy evaluation in an attempt to seal air leaks that allow valuable conditioned air to escape from your home. If you have: Congrats! An airtight home creates lower heating and cooling loads, resulting in lower energy bills year-round. DIY jobs, however, generally don’t offer the same results that a professional home energy evaluation can. Namely, a pro utilizes a blower door test, which is considered the best tool to comprehensively measure a home’s leakage and locate those areas where air is leaking.

Continue Reading

You’re Shopping For A Furnace? Consider These High-Performance Features

Thursday, January 10th, 2013

You're Shopping For A Furnace? Consider These High-Performance FeaturesMake the most of your investment when shopping for a furnace. Choosing a system with unique, high-performance features impacts not just your bottom line; these features also dictate how comfortable your home is and how long the system lasts. The key to ensuring home comfort and lasting equipment lies in choosing advanced features that provide options in terms of operating speeds, while also improving safety and efficiency. When shopping for a furnace, here’s what you should look for:

Continue Reading

Learn How Your Furnace Works Now — You Might Be Tested Later

Tuesday, January 8th, 2013

Learn How Your Furnace Works Now -- You Might Be Tested LaterNo one is likely to show up at your home and hand you a quiz on how your furnace works. However, if your heating system malfunctions, you’ll definitely be tested – in your patience, your troubleshooting knowledge, and your ability to determine when it’s time to call in a professional. Here’s a basic description of how your furnace works to make it easier for you to “pass” these tests.

Continue Reading

Sealing Your Ducts? So What Are You Using, Anyway?

Tuesday, January 1st, 2013

Sealing Your Ducts? So What Are You Using, Anyway?Before sealing your ducts, you’ll need to select the right material for this important home maintenance job. It’s now possible to select an advanced duct-sealing material, ensuring a long-lasting, tightly sealed duct system. With efficient ductwork, homeowners experience improved comfort and lower energy bills. There are two basic options when it comes to choosing materials for sealing your ducts: mastic sealant and tape. Learn the pros and cons of each.

Continue Reading