Alps Air Conditioning and Heating Blog HVAC maintance

November 13, 2014

Non-Toxic House Cleaners

Have you ever read the label on your household cleaning supplies? You might be surprised by what you find. Phosphates, chlorine, ammonia and some types of acid are all common ingredients in our favorite cleaners. Ingesting or inhaling too much of these toxic chemicals can lead to lung complications, irritation, and corrosion of delicate tissues in the body. Leaving bottles of these cleaners can endanger children and pets alike, and...

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November 6, 2014

The Benefits of Double Paned Windows

Looking for ways to cut down on heating or cooling costs? Insulation is a key factor in household energy usage, so if your windows are the old single panes, it may be time for an upgrade. Regular windows allow air to escape more easily. This requires more work from the heating/cooling systems to maintain the desired temperature, and in turn, raises energy costs. Installing double paned windows can effectively double...

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October 27, 2014

Cool Roofs – Lower Your Energy Bill Naturally

In Southern California, it can get hot any time of the year. It’s not unusual to have a few days each month, even in the winter, where temperatures warm up to the point of needing to turn on your air conditioner. Because of that, there are many unique ways to combat the heat and keep your home cool. One of those is a reflective roof. Reflective or “Cool” roofs reduce...

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October 16, 2014

Ways to Make Your Home More Green

When it comes to your home, saving energy can seem like a big task. Fortunately, there are a lot of little things you can do to be more green. Additionally, if you make smart decisions when it counts (like when you purchase appliances), it can save more for years to come. Here are a few ways to save energy around your home. Minimize Washer and Dryer Use Be sure to...

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October 9, 2014

4 Ways to Prepare your Home for Winter

If you are like most people in Southern California, you probably don’t worry too much about the winter being too cold. After all, we are famous for it being 75 and sunny all year long. However, the truth is that the temperature does drop significantly during the winter months. It’s common for temperatures to drop into the 30s and 40s in the evening during the coolest part of the year....

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October 3, 2014

5 Ways to Save Money on Air Conditioning Costs

Cooling your home in Southern California can be expensive. We live in a climate where it is warm for most of the year, meaning we need to run our air conditioner more often than those in other parts of the country. With the added expense, it’s important to understand different ways to cut down on cooling costs. We identified 5 easy steps to take to save money on your air...

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September 26, 2014

Benefits of a Multiple Zone HVAC System

If you are looking to take your HVAC system to the next level of comfort, you should consider installing a system that gives you more control over the temperature of your home. A multiple zone system does just that – it allows you to control the temperature in different “zones” in your home. Depending on how you set the system up, the zones can be simply be upstairs and downstairs,...

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September 17, 2014

Fall is Almost Here, is your Heater Ready?

We have been talking about air conditioning for a long time now. It’s been a long, hot summer and it doesn’t show any signs of stopping. Well, except for the calendar. As we head into September and as Fall quickly approaches, the temperatures will drop, your AC will no longer be needed and your heater will become necessary. The great part about Fall is that the temperatures usually stay pretty...

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September 9, 2014

4 HVAC Myths

We work with a lot of great people, but sometimes they have the wrong idea when it comes to their HVAC system. Here are some common myths we hear and the right answer. Duct Tape is Good for Sealing Ducts Unfortunately, duct tape doesn’t really stay sticky for that long. After a few years or less, it can lose it’s adhesion. If you are going to seal your ducts, use...

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September 2, 2014

4 Useful Outlet Covers

Electrical outlets are pretty standard, right? A couple places to plug things in and you’re set. Well, the world of electrical outlets has been changing recently, and for the better. There are a lot of different outlets and outlet covers you can now purchase to make your life easier. Here are four that you should know about. USB Outlet Cover If you are like most people, you have a particular...

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