With increasing temperatures often comes increasing A/C costs – but that does not always have to be the case. The sun may be out, but there are alternatives to turning on your costly A/C system. Below are a few tips that will be easy on your pocketbook while keeping your home cool during the hotter days: 1. Turn on your fans A few well-placed fans can do wonders to create...
View Article Continue ReadingOn January 1st, 2015, new standards of efficiency from the U.S. Department of Energy went into effect. Among these are higher SEER standards than in previous years. Now, you may be asking: what does SEER even stand for, and what do these changes mean for me? SEER, or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, is the standard given to air conditioning systems in order to measure their efficiency. In more familiar terms,...
View Article Continue ReadingProblem Every once and a while, we get a call from a concerned customer who asks: “Why does it smell like a dirty locker room when I run my A/C?” If that sounds familiar, then believe it or not, your A/C system may have Dirty Sock Syndrome. How would you know if you have Dirty Sock Syndrome and not some other issue causing a foul odor? Well, with Dirty Sock...
View Article Continue ReadingReminder for all you homeowners out there: The best time to schedule an inspection for your HVAC system is before the high temperatures of summer come around. So, while you’re doing some spring cleaning this month, think about getting a check-up for your hardworking HVAC system as well! Here are a few tips you can follow to get the most out of your HVAC system this summer. 1. Check your filters...
View Article Continue ReadingHere at Alps, we are a family company, and pets are a big part of any family. So, we’ve declared the month of April as pet month! For each picture of your pet that you post to our Facebook page, we’ll donate $5 to the Patriotic Service Dog Foundation. This non-profit foundation supports and trains service dogs and places them with children and adults who have physical ailments, emotional disabilities,...
View Article Continue ReadingOn July 1st 2014, a few major changes to a California law called Title 24 went into effect. What exactly are these changes and how do they affect you? Well, three of the most notable changes to HVAC requirements are: mandated air duct sealing and testing in all climate zones, a raise in the minimum insulation required in air ducts in certain climate zones, and new requirements added to Home Energy...
View Article Continue ReadingAlps Air Conditioning and Heating is proud to be a certified HERO Contractor. This allows us to offer homeowners financing through the HERO program. This special financing program has partnered with local governments to offer a number of benefits. It allows homeowners to make the energy-efficient upgrades they need with low-cost financing. HERO Financing does not look at your credit score to determine if you are eligible for a loan....
View Article Continue ReadingA home energy audit, or a thorough examination of the energy use in your home, can be very beneficial to homeowners like you who might be looking to save a little money and increase the comfort of your living space. A general rule of thumb is this: the older a home is, the more likely it is to benefit from audit-recommended improvements. Certain styles of homes, such as multi-story or Cape...
View Article Continue ReadingIf you are part of the 80% of Americans who own a clothes dryer in your home – take a look at this. Energy Star, the most widely recognized champion for energy efficient appliances in the world, just announced the release of over 40 new models of energy efficient, certified clothes dryers. The U.S. Department of Energy, washer/dryer manufacturers, retail stores, and environmental groups all throughout the U.S. collaborated in...
View Article Continue ReadingWith the spring season almost upon us, it is important to think about getting the air ducts in your home cleaned. Some benefits of cleaning your air ducts include: getting rid of mounds of old dirt and dust particles that build up in the air ducts over time, eliminating pet dander or harmful chemicals that might be clinging to the sides of the ducts, and increasing the efficiency of your...
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