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

Choosing the Right AC Installer

February 8th, 2021

Two HVAC technicians preparing tools for AC installation on an outdoor 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! For insight into timing and what to consider, here’s what you should know about when it’s time for an HVAC upgrade.

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!

Are You Heating Your Home Efficiently?

November 30th, 2020

What if you had the ability to increase the comfort of your home and lower your heating bill all at once? Would you jump at the opportunity? Well, you are in luck, because you do have that ability! There are actually some easy steps you can take to not only boost your heater’s efficiency throughout the remainder of fall and through winter but increase comfort too.

While it may not get as bitterly cold here as it does in other parts of the country, we understand the unique needs of Sacramento area residents, and we know that you want a powerful furnace that works when you need it. But you should be able to do that affordably! Read on to learn how you can accomplish this.

Sounds You Never Want to Hear from Your Furnace

November 16th, 2020

It can sometimes be easy to tune-out certain sounds. Cars on the street outside of your home, birds chirping outdoors—things we can take for granted. But what you should definitely never take for granted is any unfamiliar noise that comes from your furnace. The reason you shouldn’t ignore this is because it’s a clear sign that something is wrong with your furnace and requires your immediate attention. By calling our pros as soon as you notice something is amiss, you can help ensure your furnace gets back in shape and is able to provide you with effective and efficient heat for the years to come.

Not only that, but attending to furnace problems quickly protects your safety. That’s not to say that furnaces are inherently dangerous. But when not properly cared for, they can become unsafe. Read on as we uncover some of the sounds you should always pay attention to.

Go Solar With the Pros

November 2nd, 2020

With our dramatic shifts in weather over the past few weeks in California, it’s only fair that we’d like to talk about a more environmentally friendly energy system. Between the raging fires, record-setting temperatures, and climate systems that seem to be completely out of whack, we’re learning to adapt our energy and comfort systems to help keep us happy without the use of old fuel sources.

We’re going to be blatantly honest—solar energy in Sacramento, CA is one of the best ways to head into the middle of the 21st century prepared for whatever energy crises might occur.

Luckily, our team has been around for more than three decades here. We’ve become the local “solar experts” and we’re going to go into detail about why a solar energy system could be the perfect system for you, and why our team should be the one to set it up.

3 Signs Your Heater Is Struggling

October 19th, 2020

The weather in Sacramento this time of the year can be all over the place, with “unseasonably” warm weeks and chillier temperatures at night. That said, it’s important that we be prepared for whatever Mother Nature has to bring our way. The best way to do that is by staying on top of our HVAC service needs—namely maintenance and repairs.

Of course, scheduling your heating maintenance now (if you haven’t already) will reduce the likelihood that you’ll need repairs this fall or winter. During maintenance, our technicians thoroughly inspect, clean, and adjust your heating system all while checking for small repair needs before they become much bigger. To ensure your system’s longevity and avoid performance issues, consider these three tips for improving heating efficiency.

Of course, even with diligent care, there’s always a chance that something can go wrong. So, it’s important that you know the signs that something is amiss. Read on as we uncover three of those signs!

Is a Solar Energy System Worth the Investment?

October 5th, 2020

Our short answer to this is going to be, “yes of course!” But then again, you’d expect us to say that, right?

Seriously though, with all the advancements in solar technology over recent years, it really is a good investment to go solar, particularly here in sunny CA! Homeowners will find that there are a number of incentives available to them for going solar, and there are many other cost-saving benefits, too.

If you’re considering having solar panels professionally installed in order to save money on electricity, now is a perfect time! Keep reading as we go over some of the biggest advantages of doing so.