HVAC & Solar Blog | Sierra Pacific Home & Comfort, Inc.

Boost AC Efficiency and Prevent Repairs This Summer

April 19th, 2021

There’s no denying that when you live in our area, having a fully functional and efficiently operating air conditioner is an absolute necessity. Your cooling system gets quite the workout during this time of the year. And you want a sturdy one that can get the job done!

Of course, the only way to really ensure that yours will stay in excellent shape is if you take good care of it and use it as efficiently as possible. But how do you know if you are using it efficiently, and how do you know if your AC use is doing harm to the system or not?

First off, if you feel you’re paying more than you should on your energy bills each summer, chances are you could stand to boost AC efficiency. And by boosting AC efficiency you could also prevent unnecessary AC repairs. Read on to learn more.

Solar Panel Installation: Ground-Mounted vs. Roof Mounted

April 5th, 2021

More and more homeowners are discovering the eco-friendly power of solar panels that help them enjoy comfort at as low of a cost as possible. When a new homeowner decides to have solar panels installed, however, they might think their only option is to have them installed on the roof. This is a good choice in many cases, but it can be more difficult for some households to truly enjoy all the solar benefits if those rooftop-mounted solar panels aren’t angled correctly.

What if we told you there is another option? That’s right—you could opt for ground-mounted solar panels. These aren’t the right choice for all homes, but they’re the best choice for many homes. Keep reading to learn more.

How Much Can Solar Energy Save?

March 22nd, 2021

This is a great question. While we can’t give you exact numbers on how much your solar energy system could potentially save as opposed to a conventional energy system, we can help quell some questions you might have.

The biggest worry that keeps homeowners away from talking to a solar company in Rocklin is the initial cost. People have tight budgets these days, and that means they’re less likely to go out on a limb and pay for something that might make return their investment down the line. Unfortunately, solar energy isn’t one of those exciting gambles that can get you savings quickly. It’s a long-term investment that is more likely to save you money over your lifetime.

Every home needs energy. A solar energy system switches things up so that you have easier access to abundant, free energy. Here’s how it can help your budget.

Time for a Tune-Up! Prepping Your AC for Summer

March 8th, 2021

We’ve been seeing some cooler temperatures for now, but you know as well as we do that when summer decides to grace us with its presence, it will arrive fast and hard. Therefore, it’s a good idea to make sure that your air conditioner is ready. That’s right, it’s time for a tune-up!

Scheduling your cooling system maintenance now, before the weather starts taking a turn, is the best way to make sure that your system remains as effective and efficient as possible for as long as possible, saving you money on your utility bills and in repair costs.

Wondering how maintenance can do all this? Read on to learn more!

End-of-Season Furnace Needs Not to Ignore

February 22nd, 2021

We may have just talked about air conditioners in our last post, but that doesn’t mean you should ignore your heater in these final weeks of winter. Sure, we are definitely not experiencing the severe winter conditions that other parts of the country have in recent days. But no matter how long or how frequently you need your heater, you need it to be in good shape when it operates! So, what kind of shape is yours in?

If you don’t know the answer to this question, then this blog post is definitely for you. Hopefully, you had professional maintenance done this past fall. That will ensure that your system works as efficiently and effectively as it’s meant to. Even if you did not, however, it’s not too late! Scheduling maintenance now will allow our technicians to check for the repair needs we’re about to mention.

If you aren’t sure of how to tell if your heater needs repair as we near the end of the season, read on! We’ve uncovered some of the top indicators.

Choosing the Right AC Installer

February 8th, 2021

male-and-female-technicians-standing-over-outside-ac-unit

Temperatures may be on the cooler side for now, but you know as well as we do that warmer days are right around the corner. If you’ve been considering having a new air conditioner installed, now’s the time to start doing your homework!

You may be thinking, “Why can’t I just wait until spring and see what’s in my budget to go from there?” You could do that, but what if we’re surprised by unseasonably warm temperatures? Then you may want to rush the decision, and that is where mistakes are made.

When you hire a professional to help you decide on an air conditioner and then install it, you can count on it being properly sized, the best system for your needs and your budget, and for it to operate as it should. Read on for our tips on choosing the right professional AC installer!

3 Reasons to Schedule a Home Energy Audit

January 25th, 2021

If you’re like many homeowners in our area, you may not even know what a home energy audit is, let alone why one might benefit you. Fortunately for you, you’ve found your way to the right blog post!

Energy audits consist of a series of tests, performed by our technicians in order to determine if and where your energy opportunities—or in other words, inefficiencies—exist. You might be losing energy from any number of places within your living space without ever knowing it. Damaged HVAC ductwork can be to blame, as can improper HVAC installation form the start. Drafty windows and doors are also common culprits, and poor insulation is another possibility.

Once we perform your energy audit, we can start helping you improve your efficiency, and in turn save considerable money on utility bills. Unsure if it will really be that much of a benefit? Read on as we uncover not 1, but 3 benefits to such a service, or 3 reasons you should schedule your home energy audit today.

“Should I Invest in a Maintenance Program?”

January 11th, 2021

Would you think twice about taking your car in for maintenance or an oil change when it’s needed? True, 2020 was a time for a lot less driving for many folks—but just because it was sitting in wait doesn’t mean your car doesn’t need work. The same concept applies to your HVAC systems! Yet, many homeowners forget about scheduling this important service.

Routine annual heating (or cooling) maintenance is the leading way to keep your system running well—efficiently and effectively. It also reduces the need for costly repairs and helps the system last longer.

We often say that the best time to schedule maintenance is before you need the system the most. So your heater should be tuned-up in the fall and your air conditioner in the spring. But consistency is what matters the most here. You should be having maintenance done once a year for each of your comfort control systems (and twice a year if it’s a heat pump). The best way to stay on top of these maintenance appointments is by investing in a maintenance agreement. Read on to learn what this will afford you!

Signs You Need a Heater Upgrade

December 28th, 2020

Temperatures can be pretty unpredictable in our area, and some years we may not even need our heaters for more than a few weeks. So, it makes sense that you don’t want to spend a lot on that heater. The best way to ensure you’re not spending too much month-to-month is to invest in annual maintenance. If you haven’t done so already this year, now is the perfect time.

But even with maintenance, there will come a day when your system will need to be replaced. Even the most well-cared-for heater can only last about 10–15 years before it stops working as efficiently and effectively as it used to. But how do you know for sure when your system is in need of an upgrade? Read on to find out!

“Why Is My Heat Pump Stuck in Cooling Mode?”

December 14th, 2020

woman-inside-with-parka-on-drinking-from-mug

It may not get as bone-chillingly cold here as it does in other parts of the country, but that doesn’t mean that we don’t need our heaters to work effectively and efficiently when it does get cold. Without a reliable heater, it can get pretty dang uncomfortable. So, if you have a heat pump and all it’s doing is blowing out cold air, you will probably be pretty concerned!

The first thing to check if this occurs is the thermostat. Is it actually set in heating mode? This may seem obvious, but there is always at least a small chance that a family member switched it back over because they preferred a different temperature than you did. Assuming that you’ve checked this though, and the heat pump is still blowing cold air even though the thermostat indicates you switched it to heating mode, then it probably means your heat pump is stuck. But how does this occur? Read on!