Archive for the ‘Air Conditioning’ Category
May 13, 2013
You should get your furnace and AC serviced annually to make sure they’re operating safely and efficiently. And we find it’s best to do that with a regular service agreement. Hopefully this will prevent problems before they happen. Some things a technician will check as we go into the cooling season are:
Evaporator and condenser air conditioning coils. Dirty coils reduce the system’s ability to cool your home and cause the system to run longer,
Refrigerant level: Too much or too little refrigerant will make your system less efficient increasing energy costs and reducing the life of the equipment.
Blower components should be cleaned and adjusted to provide proper system airflow for greater comfort levels. Airflow problems can reduce your system’s efficiency by up to 15 percent.
These fixes are part a good service visit, but is it’s a good idea to inspect and change air filters on a monthly basis and that is something you can do.
Most of our locations offer our service agreement customers a discount on both service and replacement since we can schedule them before the busy season. An ounce of prevention can help your system run better and help you stay cool.
Thanks,
Jason
Like this:
Like Loading...
Tags:air conditioning, comfort, service agreement, spring, spring cleaning, tune-up
Posted in Air Conditioning, Heating & Cooling Tips, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »
March 18, 2013
We often preach “reduce first” as the sensable approach for homeowners who are looking at installing expensive renewable energy. It just makes sense. If it costs a lot to install solar panels, make your home more efficient first reducing the number you need, and then install less of them! Same goes for heating and cooling equipment. Reduce the need for cooling or heating and install a smaller unit.
As reported by KCET, one town in California may be looking at mandatory solar panels on every roof. Lancaster CA, a city of 160,000, is one of the top three cities for generating solar. Clearly it’s an area that has succeeded with solar as you would expect in such a sunny place.
Using solar to help reduce energy costs for lighting, water heating, and air conditioning is all well and good, but there are some simple steps to take first. Improvements such as adding efficient lighting, reducing air leaks and increasing insulation go a long way and cost far less. Our GreenHomes America folks in Fresno, Hayward, San Jose, Los Banos, and San Diego, know that, how a home performs matters a great deal, and they know solar too.
I vote for mandatory common sense with a side order of solar!
Thanks,
Jason
image from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun
Like this:
Like Loading...
Tags:air-sealing, Califonia, common sense, Fresno, GreenHomes America, Hayward, insulation, KCET, Lancaster, Los Banos, reduce, San Diego, San Jose, solar, solar panels, solar power
Posted in Air Conditioning, Air-Sealing, Energy / Efficiency / Renewables, Solar / Renewables | Leave a Comment »
January 23, 2013
It is an honor and a pleasure to welcome our latest partner Gundlach’s Plumbing & Sheet Metal to the GreenHomes America network where we can truly help fulfill their statement, “today’s technology with good old fashioned integrity.” It is great to see our network grow in Southern California, with this new location in Bakersfield.
Gundlach’s is a plumbing, heating, ventilation and air conditioning service provider, originating in 1900 as a plumbing repair shop. They also provide remodeling services for bathrooms and kitchens; becoming a GreenHomes America partner, they will now include home energy retrofits, allowing homeowners to dramatically improve their home’s energy efficiency and comfort levels.
Ken Wonderly, Owner of Gundlach’s says “We feel that the home energy retrofit market is going to grow substantially over the next few years and we are very excited to be part of it”. Too true, I can see it growing already. Welcome aboard!
Find out more
http://www.gundlachsservice.com/
.
Thanks,
Jason
Like this:
Like Loading...
Tags:Bakersfield, California, Energy Upgrade California, Gundlach's, HVAC, Plumbing, remodeling
Posted in Air Conditioning, Air-Sealing, Boilers, Energy Audits, Financing/Energy Loans, Furnaces, GreenHomes America, Insulation, News, Water Heaters / Hot Water | Leave a Comment »
January 9, 2013
One good result from the end of the year fiscal cliff hanger is an extension of the residential energy tax credit.
If you haven’t used it in the past, all the way back to 2006, there is a $500 tax credit for material costs of certain energy efficiency measures done to your home.
The American Taxpayer Relief Act extended the tax credit through 2013, making it retroactive from January 1, 2012. This means last year counts as well.
10% of the cost of materials, such as insulation, exterior windows, and doors that meet Energy Star requirements, can be used. Credits for window expenses are limited, as are AC units and furnaces, so a combination of improvements will help maximize what you can get, just perfect for home performance work on your home.
Check out http://www.irs.gov/ for more information. Or see the entire American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 here. Ask us we can help!
Thanks,
Jason
Like this:
Like Loading...
Tags:2013, air conditioner, boiler, energy tax credit, Fiscal cliff, furnace, insulation, IRS, rebate, tax credit
Posted in Air Conditioning, Air-Sealing, Boilers, Economics, Energy Audits, Furnaces, Home, Homeowners, Insulation, Oil / Coal / Natural Gas, Rebates and Incentives | Leave a Comment »
November 26, 2012
Maybe you have a great HVAC company that services your equipment. It’s not always the easiest thing to do, and kudos if you’ve found a good one. With a good provider I like service agreements because you know your equipment is taken care of and in a cost effective way. But a good HVAC contractor should consider the whole house when thinking of heating and cooling systems not just the box in the basement or the attic.
From the Building Performance Institute
As we go into fall and colder weather, it’s time for tune ups, and service calls, but what about the rest of your home as well. Who is paying attention to that? A heart works well when we take care of the rest of our body. We eat well, exercise and get good sleep, but also protect ourselves from the cold. Put on a cap, coat and boots before going outside or you’ll get sick right?
Is your HVAC company’s solution to comfort a bigger “heart”, more ducts, more baseboard, more cooling, or does it consider a better house so that heart “fits” well and works as it should? Keep in mind that the heart is a very important part, but it is part of the whole. Taking care of the whole house can really make a difference, as they say, “Home is where the Heart is!”
Thanks,
Jason
Like this:
Like Loading...
Tags:air conditioner, air conditioning, boiler, BPI, comfort, energy-efficiency, furnace, have a heart, home improvement, service agreement
Posted in Air Conditioning, Air-Sealing, Boilers, Heating & Cooling Tips | Leave a Comment »
November 16, 2012
In New England it is easy to see the seasons change. It’s a time of harvest and preparation for our comfort through the coldest part of the year. There’s plenty to do outside the home never mind on the inside.
For one thing it is time to tune up the furnace or boiler before the heating season begins. Preventative maintenance is a good thing and worth the minor expense to ward of a major one in the middle of the heating season. With a contractor you trust, that clean and tune may be part of a service agreement and can save you even more.
Your heating system is not the only thing that should get a tune up though. For many of us, it’s the home too! Even with the cleanest running furnace or boiler in your home, it is important to consider how well the building is insulated, resists air leakage, deals with moisture and provides indoor air quality.
Since heating systems and buildings interact with each other, it’s a great idea to consider treating them together. Seek out certified and experienced heating and cooling technicians, and the same for your home. Consider a BPI accredited contractor that will look at your home as a system and help you prepare for the coming season making it healthier, safer and more energy efficient.
Thanks,
Jason
Like this:
Like Loading...
Tags:comfort, air conditioning, energy-efficiency, oil prices, furnace, home energy, tune-up, boiler, fall, clean and tune
Posted in Air Conditioning, Boilers, Electricity Use, Furnaces, Energy / Efficiency / Renewables, Health / Safety / Indoor Air, Oil / Coal / Natural Gas, Efficiency | Leave a Comment »
October 23, 2012
Nothing new here! But here is a news report featuring our very own A. Johnson Heating Cooling and Plumbing on an energy assessment in a home in eastern New York.
Video Link:
http://cbs6albany.com/news/top-stories/stories/homeowners-save-money-making-home-more-efficient-3498.shtml
If they cover your area give them a call if not, find a location near you.
Thanks,
Jason
Like this:
Like Loading...
Tags:assessment, CBS Albany, efficient, energy, New York, news, save money, story, video
Posted in Air Conditioning, Air-Sealing, Efficiency, Energy / Efficiency / Renewables, Energy Audits, Energy Loss, Green, GreenHomes America, Home, Homeowners, Insulation, Lighting and Appliances, Utility Bills | Leave a Comment »
October 1, 2012
Young’s Air Conditioning of Los Banos, California came on board before the start of the New Year. Young’s is a family business with strong roots in Los Banos and a reputation as the area’s leading provider of energy efficient heating and cooling services.
In the early part of the winter, we added three locations with Carolina Green Energy Systems. CGES is one of South Carolina’s oldest and largest comprehensive Home Performance Contractors, and we are proud to include them in the GreenHomes Network.
Also new in town is Air Rescue Air Conditioning of Tampa, Florida. This is our first partner from the Sunshine state. Air Rescue started in 1965, and is one of the oldest and largest residential HVAC contractors in the Tampa Bay Metro area. Air Rescue will service customers in over seven counties.
This is only the beginning as GreenHomes grows to better serve you nationally! Stay tuned for more!
Thanks,
Jason.
Like this:
Like Loading...
Tags:air conditioning, California, contractors, cooling, family, Florida, green homes, GreenHomes America, heating, national, new year, South Carolina
Posted in Air Conditioning, Air-Sealing, Efficiency, Energy / Efficiency / Renewables, Energy Audits, GreenHomes America, Health / Safety / Indoor Air, Home, Homeowners, Insulation, Lighting and Appliances, News, Rebates and Incentives, Utility Bills | 1 Comment »
September 28, 2012
A recent study this summer from UC Berkeley and UCLA looked at homes that were certified as green from a few different organizations. Although the certification standards varied, the homes needed to have details such as well-insulated ceilings and walls and energy-efficient lighting. These are just some of the basics of making a home “green”, as well as efficient appliances, proper HVAC equipment and good indoor air quality. These things unfortunately don’t always happen in new homes, even those with the green label. However, they can and should happen in every home, and that’s why we do what we do.
This study comes from a state with a very nice incentive system in place for energy efficiency retrofits. Energy upgrade California is a good place to start if you are a resident of CA. For residents of other states, you can find some incentive programs from DSIRE. The full study can be found here.
You can also contact one of our locations to learn more about how you can make your home safer, energy efficient, more valuable, and of course, green!
Thanks,
Jason
Like this:
Like Loading...
Tags:California, DSIRE, energy efficient lighting, environment, green, home, HVAC, money, resale, UC Berkeley, UCLA, value
Posted in Air Conditioning, Air-Sealing, Consumer Protection, Efficiency, Energy / Efficiency / Renewables, Energy Audits, Energy Loss, Environment, Green, GreenHomes America, Health / Safety / Indoor Air, Home, Homeowners | Leave a Comment »
August 17, 2012
Visiting family last month in the south brought home the importance of comfort. After all, it was vacation and we were visiting a wonderful home able to accommodate a few families coming together. It was a relatively new home too, clearly built to entertain, with large open spaces and expansive porches. While it was great to relax on those porches, the afternoon sun often caused us to retreat inside for some cool air. The air conditioners seemed to run the whole time we were there and I’d bet that was the case for much of the summer.
Always thinking about how efficiently a house works, I have to say there were a few rooms that always seemed to be on the warm side. They were second story rooms above the garage with small closed off side attics. The air conditioner had to work particularly hard to keep these spaces cool and the rooms really didn’t cool off until the sun went down.
Built to code, spacious and beautiful with all the bells and whistles, this home only fell short in one area: performance. For me this translates into more than just a loss in energy efficiency but also a lack of comfort.
I can’t stress enough the benefits and values from a comprehensive home assessment, even for new homes. In fact, next time I visit I might bring along a blower door and infrared camera to conduct my own assessment. Then I would be able to provide the family with some real solutions for their home performance. After all, it’s the least I can do considering how well they fed me!
Thanks,
Jason
Like this:
Like Loading...
Tags:energy, family, home assessment, performance, saving money, solutions, vacation
Posted in Air Conditioning, Efficiency, Energy / Efficiency / Renewables, Energy Audits, Energy Loss, Green, GreenHomes America, Home, Homeowners | Leave a Comment »
You should get your furnace and AC serviced annually to make sure they’re operating safely and efficiently. And we find it’s best to do that with a regular service agreement. Hopefully this will prevent problems before they happen. Some things a technician will check as we go into the cooling season are:
