Donald P. Dick Air Conditioning Blog: Archive for the ‘Energy Savings’ Category

Want to Reduce Your Home Gas Usage? Understand the Bill

Thursday, June 6th, 2013

Want to Reduce Your Home Gas Usage? Understand the BillAre you aware of your home gas usage amount each month? You may be like many other homeowners, who simply glance at the bill, write out a check and file the bill away. Unfortunately, terminology on the gas bill may prevent you from looking beyond the bottom line. It’s time to come out of the dark, and take a proactive stance against high energy bills. With the high cost of electricity in our region, it pays to take steps to lower energy costs.

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Energy Vampires: A Year-Round Drain

Thursday, September 27th, 2012

Energy Vampires: A Year-Round DrainEvery year, ordinary household electrical devices cost Americans at least $3 billion in wasted electricity. Many devices create a constant energy drain, even when they’re turned off. Learn how to detect these energy vampires and stop them before they put another hole in your wallet.

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Energy Savings Tips That Are More Fiction Than Fact

Tuesday, September 11th, 2012

energy savings tips fresno californiaFrom a very young age, we’re told not to believe everything we hear – but, somehow, we still end up believing most of what we see on the news and read about online without taking time to investigate further. When it comes to energy savings, believing all of those great “money saving tips” without doing your own research can actually hit you right where it hurts – in the wallet. Here are a few common misconceptions about home energy savings:

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Wise Consumers Know The Meaning Of Yellow EnergyGuide Labels

Tuesday, September 4th, 2012

energyguide label fresno californiaOne of the most difficult things about being a consumer in today’s market is knowing where to go for the right information, and the EnergyGuide label is a perfect source for this information. As a homeowner, purchasing a new appliance for your home – such as an HVAC system – is about more than just locating the right price. It’s also about quality and savings over the course of the product’s lifetime.

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How To Let Your Landscaping Provide Energy Savings

Tuesday, August 28th, 2012

energy savings with landscaping fresno californiaWhen it comes to keeping their homes energy efficient, people generally consider installing better insulation, replacing old doors or windows, laying down weatherstripping, buying an attic fan or investing in an Energy Star certified heating and cooling system. While all of these options are effective in both lowering utility bills and reducing energy consumption, there’s another option very few people consider – landscaping.

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A Radiant Barrier Can Reduce Your Cooling Costs

Thursday, July 5th, 2012

A Radiant Barrier Can Reduce Your Cooling CostsCool air is passive, but heat is always on the move in your home. Installation of a radiant barrier can slow it down. Heat rises, transfers through ceilings and walls, or radiates from a hot surface to a cooler one. Plugging air leaks can prevent heat loss from living spaces due to convection in winter. Adding insulation reduces downward conduction from a hot attic in summer. But heat from the sun’s energy radiating through the roof and into the attic can only be reduced by radiant barrier material.    

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Save Energy Dollars While On Vacation This Summer

Tuesday, July 3rd, 2012

Save Energy Dollars While On Vacation This SummerMost people look forward to their summer vacation all year. However, if you don’t prepare your home for the vacation, you may end up with high energy costs and other problems while you’re away. To give yourself maximum peace of mind and to reduce your home’s expenses while you’re gone this summer, take some of the following steps:

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Don’t Waste Energy Dollars — Seal Your Home’s Envelope ASAP

Thursday, May 10th, 2012

Don't Waste Energy Dollars -- Seal Your Home's Envelope ASAPWith energy prices staying high, some simple tactics can help you control the cost of cooling and heating your San Joaquin Valley home. Taking some time before extreme temperatures hit can help reduce costs by not allowing warm air to enter your home’s exterior shell (or escape in the winter). 

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Tired Of High Energy Costs? Try Boosting Your Insulation

Tuesday, May 1st, 2012

High energy costs take a huge bite out of most homeowners’ budgets. There are many things you can do to reduce your energy bills, such as purchasing energy-efficient appliances or switching to low-watt bulbs. When it comes to heating and cooling, the most effective way to cut your bills is to ensure you home has the right amount and type of insulation. This requires inspecting your home to determine how much insulation you have. Since Fresno and the surrounding area have average lows in the 30s and average highs in the 90s, your insulation should be designed for these extremes. 

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