Donald P. Dick Air Conditioning Blog: Posts Tagged ‘energy costs’

Consider Duct Sealing as Part of Your Home’s HVAC Maintenance

Thursday, May 29th, 2014

Consider Duct Sealing as Part of Your Home's HVAC MaintenanceOne important aspect of an energy-efficient HVAC maintenance strategy is to make sure that your home’s ductwork is delivering conditioned air where it’s supposed to go with a minimum of leaks. The ducts in a home are your forced-air heating and cooling system’s circulatory system, and if those “arteries” and “veins” are leaking air, your system will be starved of fresh air on the intake and conditioned air where it’s needed in your living spaces. Air quality may suffer as well. Regular HVAC maintenance should include an inspection for leaky ducts.

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Choosing A New HVAC Contractor? 7 Tips That Can Help

Thursday, July 12th, 2012

Choosing A New HVAC Contractor? 7 Tips That Can HelpYour HVAC system is a vital component of your home, and as such the cooling and heating equipment will require repair, maintenance and even replacement from time to time. While some minor tasks, such as filter changes can be done yourself, the bigger jobs will require a professional. If you’re looking for an HVAC contractor in the San Joaquin Valley, here are some tips to help you with your search:

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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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The Basics Of High-Efficiency Air Conditioning — What To Look For

Thursday, June 14th, 2012

The Basics Of High-Efficiency Air Conditioning -- What To Look For  Given our long the cooling season in the San Joaquin Valley, choosing high-efficiency air conditioning systems for your home can increase your indoor comfort and lower your electric bill. The minimum SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ration) for new air conditioners and heat pumps stands at 13 in the United States. The SEER rating gives you a good idea of how efficient an air conditioner is over an entire cooling season. Some features of cooling systems increase the SEER number, including:

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Energy Costs Through The Roof? It May Not Be A Figure Of Speech

Thursday, April 12th, 2012

Heat is naturally drawn upward. That’s why over 25 percent of your energy costs can go through the roof of your house if you don’t take measures to stop it. It’s the basics that count. Seal air leaks, insulate and make sure your HVAC system is operating at full efficiency.  

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Energy Costs Still Climbing? Consider A Professional Energy Audit

Tuesday, March 27th, 2012

Various factors in your home can cause energy costs to rise. Sometimes, simply reducing the amount of electricity you use or setting back your thermostat is the easiest way to reduce these costs, but if you stop there you’ll miss out on many more ways to save energy in your home. A home energy audit can pinpoint exactly why and where your home is losing energy. Once you have this information, you can take the necessary steps to correct the problems and reduce your energy costs.

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Are Heating And Cooling Needs Influenced By Degree Days?

Tuesday, September 13th, 2011

There’s a concept in heating and cooling homes that residents should be aware of, especially in these tough economic times.  You need to become familiar with the term “degree days,” and how it relates to your energy use and utility bills.  With our energy costs being some of the highest in the nation, it’s well worth becoming at least a little familiar with this concept.

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With As Much As San Joaquin Valley Homeowners Need Their A/Cs, Preventive Maintenance Should Not Be Ignored

Thursday, September 8th, 2011

Having your air conditioning cut out during the peak of the season can be more than frustrating; it can threaten your health. Summers in the San Joaquin Valley can be unbearable with their high temperatures, and for some segments of the population, such as young children and the elderly, they can also be dangerously hot. Keeping your air conditioning in top shape with a little preventive maintenance can prolong the life of your unit, which helps avoid costly repairs as well.

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How Ductwork Efficiency Depends On Its Design

Tuesday, August 23rd, 2011

Your ductwork plays a huge role in the comfort you feel within your home on a daily basis.  This is because it is solely responsible for distributing the conditioned air that your HVAC system generates.  If your ductwork design is flawed, even the most efficient HVAC systems won’t help you save money on your energy costs.  

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Upgrading Or Servicing Your Air Conditioner? Cooling Concepts You Should Know

Tuesday, August 16th, 2011

As a San Joaquin Valley homeowner, you’re probably no expert in cooling/heating. This makes it hard to know when those little problems arise whether your system simply needs servicing or whether you should consider an upgrade. There are several factors that can cause the air inside your home to be less comfortable than it should be. Other factors can affect indoor air quality. Nearly any problem could mean that you are paying more in energy costs than you should be.

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