February 18, 2014

Geothermal Technology May be the Future of Heating and Air Conditioning

At 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...

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February 11, 2014

Airflow Tests: What can they Tell Us?

Are 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...

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January 31, 2014

Duct Testing to Save Energy and Money

Duct 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...

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October 17, 2013

Three Ways to Keep the Air in Your Home Clean

Air inside a home isn’t naturally circulated the way that it is outside. This is especially true in the winter when most of us keep our windows shut against the cold. Because of this, harmful molds and mildews, bacteria, and allergens can build up in the air that you and your family breathe. Here are three solutions to clean the air in your home and keep your family healthy and...

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September 27, 2013

The 411 on the Duct Systems and Vents in Your Home

The HVAC system is like the heart of your home. It pumps cold or hot air to regulate temperature and comfort levels. Because it is so crucial, it is important to know the different parts of the system that makes your home a comfortable place. In this demonstration, Allen teaches us all about the different duct systems and vents found in the home!

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September 13, 2013

All About Your Ductwork

You see it all the time, but probably don’t know exactly what it does or that there are several different types out there. Your ductwork is an integral part of your HVAC system and it’s good to have all the facts. In this short tutorial, Allen gives you all the information you need to know about the ductwork in your home!

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August 22, 2013

R-Value in the HVAC World

R-value is a term that you commonly hear out of the mouths of HVAC contractors. So what is it, exactly?  Well, R-value is a measure of insulation’s ability to resist heat traveling through it. Technically, it is calculated by taking the ratio of the temperature difference across an insulator over the heat flux through it. But all you really need to remember is the higher the R-value, the better the...

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August 15, 2013

Even and Efficient Heating and Cooling in Two-Story Homes

If you have a two-story house, you might be concerned about whether your heating is being dispersed evenly and efficiently around the home. Comfortable heating is a major challenge because energy prices have risen dramatically in recent years. You don’t want to be paying more than you must on your energy bill. While a two-story house has a few disadvantages, it also has many advantages that make it more efficient...

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August 8, 2013

Energy (and Money) Saving Tips for the High-Use AC Season

Summertime usually calls for a lot of fun and a lot of sunshine. This usually brings with it lots of heat and, therefore, lots of air conditioning use. The air conditioning system is usually the highest draw of electricity and energy from your home. However, there are ways to cool your home without breaking the energy – or the money-  bank! For more tips and tricks, connect with us on...

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August 2, 2013

Duct Insulation : Don’t Let Your Cool Air (or Money) Leak Out!

You’ve probably seen HVAC ducts at some point in your life. Those silver space-age looking tubes that deliver hot and cold air to a home or building. But did you know that ductwork insulation is a major key in getting them to properly do their job? Ductwork insulation is important because it ensures that the air traveling through the ductwork will stay at the desired temperature and that the air...

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