These Suggestions Can Help You Stay Cool Without Spending a Lot of Money! With energy costs on the rise, unseasonably hot weather in May or June may strike a note of concern in any homeowner’s heart, along with the sweaty brow. You might ask, “how much is this going to cost?” as you or someone you love cranks up the air conditioner to return indoor conditions to ... Continue Reading
What Are Insulation R-Values?
A well-built home has stylish features and high quality construction. Construction components should offer maximum insulation from nature’s elements. Though we live in a very agreeable climate, a well-insulated Pasadena home will still save you hundreds of dollars in heating and cooling costs. A well-insulated home will not only keep the elements out, it keeps your air ... Continue Reading
Insulation Basics: Control Heat Flow In Your Pasadena-Area Home
Your ability to keep your home comfortable lies, in large part, in the insulation inside the walls and the attic. Your home may not have enough in either place to control the heat flow, summer and winter, which increases your energy bills and lowers your comfort. Insulation is one of the least expensive and most durable ways to increase your home's energy efficiency. ... Continue Reading
Disarming Your Home's Energy Vampires
If you leave certain devices plugged in all the time, you could be at the mercy of your home’s energy vampires without even knowing it. Energy vampires consume standby power when devices are plugged in but turned off. Some of this standby power consumption is useful, such as with clock displays and timers, but other energy vampires serve no useful purpose at all. Here’s a ... Continue Reading
Even When Your Air Conditioner's Doing The Job, It Pays To Know How It Works
At their most basic, air conditioners work like a large refrigerator. While the familiar kitchen appliance that keeps your food cold chills a smaller, enclosed and insulated space, air conditioners cool areas as large as rooms or entire houses. ... Continue Reading
Those Little Air Leaks Could Be Costing You A Lot — Plug Them
There are probably more little air leaks in your house than you realize. From the attic to the frame, escaping air costs you money all year round. Plugging leaks takes a little time, but is well worth the effort. The more efficient your HVAC system runs, the better for you and the environment. There will be fewer emissions if the heating and cooling system is using less ... Continue Reading
The DIY Energy Audit: A Saturday Project That Can Yield Long-Term Savings
One of the best ways to save money year-round is to conduct your own energy audit. The Department of Energy estimates that half the money people spend on utilities each year goes toward heating and cooling. By searching your home for air leaks, insulation deficits and faulty HVAC equipment, you'll know where to start increasing the energy efficiency of your home. ... Continue Reading
Taking Charge Of Your Energy Bills As The Temperature Rises
If the upcoming heat of summer has you concerned about your energy bills, take some time to lower the cost of cooling your home. You don't need to spend a lot to rein in your cooling costs, and your efforts will trim your electric bill. ... Continue Reading
Have You Put Off Buying A Furnace? Why An End-Of-Heating-Season Purchase Makes Sense
A serious furnace breakdown can be a stressful matter for any homeowner. A mid-winter breakdown can be an urgent matter. If the breakdown happens near the end of heating season, however, you may have options that are not usually available when the weather is still cold. By delaying buying a furnace, you could save a great deal of money while getting better service and a ... Continue Reading
A Whole-Home Approach To Lowering Your Energy Bills
Proper maintenance of your heating and cooling system and cutting down on energy usage are the primary components to saving on your energy bills. During the heating season, there are several more things you can do around your home to cut energy bills. ... Continue Reading
A Guide To Duct Insulation For Los Angeles-Area Homeowners
You probably don’t give much thought to the ductwork running behind your walls, floors and ceilings. However, without proper duct insulation, you could be losing energy, especially in areas where ducts run through unconditioned spaces such as the attic or garage. Adding duct insulation prevents heat loss through conduction, which can waste 10-30 percent of the energy ... Continue Reading
Your Energy Bills: Seeing Where You Can Save Once You Understand Where Your Money Is Going
Taking charge of your energy bills is much easier when you know where those dollars go. Employing energy-saving tips can reduce your bill significantly, without sacrificing comfort in your home. ... Continue Reading
Seal The Leaks In Your Ductwork — You'll Plug A Drain On Your Pocketbook
Leaky ductwork is a major cause of home energy inefficiency. If you have a forced-air HVAC system in your home, running your air conditioner or heater when you have leaks in your ducts essentially causes the entire system to work harder than it would otherwise have to in order to cool or warm your home to the desired level. This is because conditioned air is escaping ... Continue Reading
