Should you throw on an extra layer or turn the thermostat up? It’s on everyone’s mind this time of year. The temperatures are dropping and as we attempt to stay warm, we consider the trade off between staying warm and saving money. If you’re like most people, you know that turning your heater up costs more money, but you aren’t sure how much money it will actually cost you. All...
View Article Continue ReadingThis time of year is a common time for houseguests. Whether it’s your in-laws, siblings or old friends, it is likely you will be hosting a guest in your home. And where will they stay? They will probably stay in your guest room. And when was the last time YOU spent a night in your guest room? You set the thermostat to be comfortable in your bedroom at night, but...
View Article Continue ReadingIf you’re looking to upgrade to a more energy efficient heating system, we’re here to help you. And if you haven’t thought about upgrading yet, it might be time to look into your options. The first step is to understand how efficiency is measured for a furnace system. Once you understand this, you can upgrade knowledgeably and take advantage of some great incentives. The measure of efficiency for a furnace...
View Article Continue ReadingHere are a few tips to keep your house warm in the winter months without turning the heater up. Pair them with a nice sweater and some thick socks and you’ll be nice and cozy all winter long. Get a Draft Snake Draft snakes cover the cracks beneath doors and windows to keep out drafts. They can be as simple as a rolled up towel placed over any gaps. You...
View Article Continue ReadingWhen it gets cold, many people wonder if it is more fuel efficient to turn on their gas furnace or huddle around a gas fireplace. Unfortunately there is no simple answer to this question, but there are a few things to understand when you’re wondering which way to get warm. Gas appliances have a BTU consumption rating that indicates the amount of gas they use in an hour. The rating...
View Article Continue ReadingIt’s the first really cold day of the year, your house is chilly, and it’s time to turn on the heat. You flip on the furnace but after a few minutes you realize . . . nothing is happening! Before you call in an HVAC repair man there are a few things to check that might be preventing your heating system from turning on. Check the Thermostat What seems like...
View Article Continue ReadingSometimes, your standard one-inch think air filter just doesn’t cut it. Maybe you have allergies, maybe you have a sick family member or maybe you just want to have cleaner air! Whatever your reason, if you want to have cleaner air in your home, there are several options to choose from to help filter your air and keep it clean. Media Filter If you are interested in filtering out more...
View Article Continue ReadingNovember means we’re starting to have some chilly days in California, but it also means the sun is still shining brightly. You don’t need solar panels or fancy technology to use the sun to heat your home. Being smart about which window blinds to open and close is an easy way to harness the oldest clean energy there is: sunlight. To heat your home effectively, simply follow the sun. Open...
View Article Continue ReadingWith so many options of thermostats in today’s market, how will you choose which is best for your home? In the video below, Joey Gibellino, Project Manager at Alps Air Conditioning & Heating, explains the difference between a basic thermostat and a programmable thermostat such as the products of Honeywell, a proud partner of Alps. Joey describes homeowner benefits like saving energy, comfort and convenience. In the next video, Joey...
View Article Continue ReadingWhen it comes to your HVAC system, it’s important to know the difference between good ductwork and bad ductwork. Most contractors install cheap and basic ductwork. The problem with this is that the insulation cracks and falls apart pretty quickly, which exposes the actual duct. If you are running the AC, for example, the cool air from your duct will warm up before it gets into your home, causing you...
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