One of the most important things you can do to keep your heating and ac system healthy and functioning is keep the filters clean. How often you need to clean or change your filter depends on what kind of filter it is and the environment of your home. The easiest rule to follow is clean it when it’s dirty. There are some advanced filtering systems that last for a long...
View Article Continue ReadingWe get really excited about technology, especially when it relates to HVAC. Right now, there is incredible innovation in networking household items together. This can be seen in products like the Nest Learning Thermostat, which was recently purchased by Google, and Smart TVs. However, with all this innovation around creating a Network of Things, there is one central piece that controls this network – your smartphone. A study released in...
View Article Continue ReadingA good furnace will last a long time, but not forever. If you have a furnace that has been working hard for you and your home for quite a few years it might be in need of replacement. Here are a few simple signs that it is time for a new furnace in your home. Age First, find out how old your furnace is. In homes today most furnaces last...
View Article Continue ReadingAt Alps, we like to stay on top of the latest ways to heat and cool your home while protecting the environment and keeping bills down. Geothermal heating and cooling systems are gaining popularity because they use very little energy to keep a home at a steady, comfortable temperature. Geothermal technology transfers heat between your home and the earth’s crust where heat is a naturally renewing resource. We know from...
View Article Continue ReadingAre you really getting what you are paying for from your air conditioning and heating system? Alps uses two Energy Star required tests to help you answer this question. The first is a duct test, which we previously wrote about on our blog: Duct Testing to Save Energy and Money. The second is an airflow test, which we will be discussing today. Both tests can tell you a lot about...
View Article Continue ReadingWhen it is cold out, a great heating system can keep you nice and cozy indoors. However, when the windows are closed and the air in your house is heated, it loses a lot of its humidity. Humidity refers to the level of moisture in air. Ideal humidity for your home in the winter is 25-40%. During cold months, air outside is usually low in humidity and the process of...
View Article Continue ReadingDuct tests aren’t actually required by the city or state, so why do we do them? A duct test is an important way to make sure that the air you are paying for is actually making it to the rooms you want to heat or cool. If there are any leaks in ductwork, the air is wasted because it goes into the attic instead of into your home. But, after...
View Article Continue ReadingIf it is time to leave your house for a business trip, a family visit, or a well-deserved vacation, there are a few things you should do to make sure your house stays safe without you. Keeping your lights on timers and stopping the mail are important steps to keep your house safe from burglars but there are also dangers within a home that build up without the care and...
View Article Continue ReadingIn any season, you want your HVAC system to get your house to the desired temperature as quickly and efficiently as possible. No one wants to spend their money on heating or cooling the outdoors. But if your house is poorly insulated you could be doing just that. Insulation is a material that resists the flow of heat. When it is installed in and around your house it acts as...
View Article Continue ReadingCarbon monoxide, or CO, is a colorless and odorless gas that is a byproduct of using common fuel sources like gasoline, propane and kerosene. It can waft around like steam or perfume but is undetectable by humans. If CO builds up in enclosed spaces it is very dangerous. Low levels of CO can cause a person to experience flulike symptoms and high levels can be fatal. High levels of CO...
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