With the extreme variables we have in our weather throughout the year, it’s no secret that you’d like to do everything you can to lower your energy bills. The good news is, you don’t have to decrease your energy usage in order to do that. In fact, there are some simple steps you can take to boost HVAC efficiency, whether we’re talking about your heater or your air conditioner.
Tips for Boosting HVAC Efficiency
February 10th, 2020Signs You Need a New Furnace Soon
January 27th, 2020
Wouldn’t it be nice if our heating systems lasted forever? Unfortunately, this just isn’t the case.
But furnaces can last a long time—if they’re well maintained. Maintaining your furnace means being diligent about scheduling maintenance and repairs and having a basic knowledge of what to look for as signs something is amiss.
This is where we come in. We’ve provided below a guideline you can follow when considering if your furnace can get by with another repair, or if it’s better for system efficiency and your budget to go ahead and make a system upgrade.
Some of the problems listed below are more serious than others, and some alone don’t necessarily mean you have to replace your furnace right away. But when two or more of these problems are combined, it may be wise to consider a new heating system.
What Are the Benefits of an HVAC Maintenance Program?
January 13th, 2020
If you’ve been following our blog, then you’ve probably seen us mention the importance of scheduling maintenance for your heater in the fall, and your air conditioner in the spring. These are the ideal times since they’re right before you need your respective home comfort system the most.
However, what’s most important is how consistently you have maintenance done—it should be once a year for central AC and heating systems, and twice a year for 2-in-1 heat pump and dual fuel systems. You can make sure you stay on top of these tune-ups by enrolling in a maintenance program. Curious? Read on to learn more!
Please Join Sierra Pacific at the Northern California Home & Landscape Expo!
January 10th, 2020
Please join Sierra Pacific Home & Comfort, Inc. at the Northern California Home & Landscape expo. We will be at booth P151 inside the Pavilion building. Come say hello!
Location: Cal Expo Fairgrounds: 1600 Exposition Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95815
Dates: January 24th-26th, 2020
Gary Brown Enterprises has been producing the Northern California Home & Landscape Expo for 26 years. In 2019, 31, 194 homeowners attended this annual event and enjoyed over 1,000 exhibits, free workshops and the popular Landscape Showcase along with great DIY ideas, interior design and special features.
Please visit the expo website for more information about admission, hours, parking, and additional services.
We look forward to seeing you there!
How to Choose the Right HVAC Contractor for Your Heating Services
December 30th, 2019
It’s that time of year again—if it’s not already happening, then in the next few weeks HVAC companies are going to start getting bombarded with calls about heating services. Chillier temperatures will lead to inevitable heating equipment breakdowns, some of which could have been prevented with routine maintenance. (Have you scheduled your appointment yet?)
This is why we recommend that if you don’t already have a regular HVAC contractor you trust in your area, you find one now, before you need one on short notice. Early repair or replacement, paired with routine maintenance in early fall, will help you keep heating costs down and prevent you from dealing with a heating system breakdown when you can’t afford to wait for some general handyman or enthusiastic do-it-yourselfer to show up at your door.
So if you’re choosing an HVAC contractor, how do you do so? What qualities do you look for? We’ve shared these answers below.
Consider a Solar Attic Fan for HVAC Efficiency
December 16th, 2019
We may be heading into our cooler months now, but as we well enough know, heat waves can surprise us. When they do, we don’t want to pay an arm and a leg to cool down our homes. The good news is, there are steps you can take to ensure this isn’t the case, and that you’re always getting the best in efficiency from your HVAC system, whether it’s your cooling or heating unit.
One home addition that can help with this is a solar attic fan—a large fan installed in your attic that is efficiently powered by the sun.
Think about what this means—in our hotter months the sun beats down on your roof for hours at a time. Your air conditioner has to work even harder than normal to keep you home cool, meaning that it will struggle at times, and cause your system to wear down faster than it should. Fortunately, there’s a solution!
Is Your Furnace Making Any of These Noises?
December 2nd, 2019
We’ve got some news—it’s not necessarily bad news, but depending on how you look at it, it can be disappointing—there’s no such thing as a silent furnace. We wish this were the case, and there are definitely some advancements being made in recent years to make them quieter, but overall, you can expect to hear it when your system is starting up, shutting down, and running in general.
What you should be concerned about, are noises that are unfamiliar and loud coming from your furnace. Anything outside of the normal operation sounds are cause for concern. What, specifically, do we mean? Read on to learn more!
Is Going Solar Worth the Hype?
November 18th, 2019
Before we answer that … were you aware that your HVAC system use accounts for half of all your energy usage? That’s why your electricity and gas bills are so much higher in the middle of summer—or winter for that matter. The thing is, it doesn’t have to be this way. There’s not a lot we can do to change the weather or how often you need these systems, but there is absolutely something we can do to help you drastically cut these costs—install solar panels.
If you haven’t guessed yet, our answer to the question of whether going solar is worth the hype is a resounding yes!
While installing solar panels has a relatively high price tag initially, it saves you money in the long run. If you’re wondering if installing solar will help you save money, we’re here to tell you it will. Here are a few of the top cost benefits of going solar:
Solve Your Heating and Cooling Needs in One System
November 4th, 2019
While we may not experience the bitterly cold temperatures that other parts of the state do, there’s no denying that our weather does get quite cold as we venture into fall and winter. And with that, you’ll want to make sure your home heating system is in great shape and ready to take on the cooler temps. Professional preventive maintenance and timely repairs will help accomplish this.
However, if you have an aging heater, it may be time for you to consider replacing your heater altogether. But wait, before you go out and buy a simple upgrade from your existing system, we have a question for you. Is your air conditioner also approaching the end of its lifespan? If so, you’d do well to consider the installation of a heat pump system—a system that both heats and cools the space where they’re installed.
What to Know About Solar Panel Installation
October 21st, 2019
Are you considering having solar panels installed on your home? This is a popular home comfort choice in our area. After all, California gets more than enough sunshine, and with incentives and rebates from the state, solar panels are getting easier and more affordable to install. If you’d like to do your part for the environment while cutting your electricity bills down to almost nothing, solar power is the way to go.
If you’re considering this installation, there’s no time like the present to do it! We’re blessed with pleasant, fairly predictable weather this time of the year, and our technicians are ready to help.
Before you schedule your solar panel installation, there are factors for you to consider. Our technicians will help you make an informed decision, but we want to offer a few discussion points for you to talk about when you call for your solar panel installation.