Alps Air Conditioning and Heating Blog HVAC maintance

October 11, 2017

Is It Time to Replace Your Thermostat?

A thermostat is the temperature gatekeeper of the home. It detects interior temperature and adjusts accordingly to meet a homeowner’s desired preferences. However, they are not invincible, and are susceptible to normal wear and tear, like other home appliances. The difference is that a defective thermostat can disrupt your level of comfort, as well as incur hefty costs to your wallet over time. Here are a few things you can...

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October 4, 2017

Shake It Up: Preparing Your HVAC for an Earthquake

Earthquakes are a part of life in California. While we have not recently experienced dangerous seismic activity, many other places have, which is why it is important to be prepared before a quake happens. Major earthquakes can damage a home’s foundation, walls, and roof. If there is damage to the HVAC or electrical system, homeowners without proper insurance could spend as much as $30,000 in home repairs. Although we cannot...

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September 27, 2017

Four Reasons to Upgrade to Smart Light Bulbs

Benjamin Franklin would be floored if he could see the array of light bulbs available to homeowners today! Light bulbs from this century are more efficient and can be controlled with a smart phone. You may be blinded by the light of endless options, so we have come up with four reasons to choose “smart” bulbs. Energy Efficiency This is one of the main reasons to purchase smart light bulbs....

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September 20, 2017

How Dirty Filters Can Negatively Impact Your Home & Your Health

The negative impact of not properly maintaining your HVAC system can affect your family and your home. Filters are responsible for air quality, if they are not clean, then neither is the air in your home. By changing filters regularly, homeowners can avoid illness and expensive energy bills. Why is it Important to Change My Filters? First of all, air filters are your HVAC system’s best line of defense against...

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September 13, 2017

Fall Trips: How to Keep Your Home Safe

As we step into fall, many homeowners with families may want to fit in an outing before they are swept up in the homework and science projects of a new school year. But, before you rush out the door, there are a few things you should do to make sure your home is safe while you are away. Thermostat One of the most important things to check before leaving for...

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September 6, 2017

How to Stay Cool Without Exhausting Your Air-Conditioner

The heat has been hitting us hard this year. Many homeowners are desperate to cool off, but want a solution that doesn’t involve running their air-conditioner 24/7. Luckily, there are many ways to stay cool, without running up your utility bills. Hydrate One of the easiest ways to beat the heat quickly is by filling your body with cool fluids. Keeping your internal body temperature low can be much more...

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August 30, 2017

Small Ways to Save Big on Your Energy Bills

Sometimes, change can seem overwhelming, especially when it comes to your home life. But, don’t fret; there are lots of little things you can do to get started on the road to bigger changes. If you make more green decisions early on (i.e. when purchasing new appliances), it can save money for years to come. Here are a few ways to save energy around your home. Load Up Your Washer...

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August 23, 2017

How to Keep Your HVAC System from “Bugging Out”

Summer in Southern California brings sun, fun, and…bugs. When it heats up outside, pests look for refuge inside. Although it may be tempting to just cross your fingers and hope that they don’t choose your home as their summer hideout, ignoring pest problems can have major consequences. Many homeowners may not realize that an easy path into the heart of their home lies in the HVAC system. It is important...

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August 16, 2017

Three Natural Cleaning Supplies That Can Improve Indoor Air Quality

When was the last time you read the label on the back of your cleaning supplies? You might be surprised to learn that the even the most common cleansers are full of phosphates, chlorine, ammonia and even a few types of acid. If you clean your home regularly, you may be ingesting or inhaling toxic chemicals can lead to lung complications, irritation, and corrosion of delicate tissues in the body....

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August 2, 2017

4 Easy Ways to Enhance Your Energy Efficiency

It’s summertime and we’re all looking for simple hacks and tricks to save on our energy bills. Surprisingly, simple home improvements can help reduce the amount of energy it takes to heat and cool your home. Tired of living in an oven this summer and in an igloo during the winter months? Check out these easy ways to improve the efficiency of your home and save big on your energy...

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