Serving Northern California Since 1984
We understand that making the switch from your current electrical system to a solar energy system is a big leap for some homeowners. Going from what’s familiar to having giant solar panels on your roof overnight is a big change!
And we also know that a lot of people would feel better if they could make baby steps toward solar energy. Lucky for them, they can do just that by starting with their water heater. Keep reading and we’ll explain:
It looks like the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) will be raising their prices in the next two years. Unfortunately, this is no small increase. They’re planning to raise rates as much as 4.75 percent in 2020, and 4.5 percent in 2021. The last time we received an increase this large was in 2010, when rates when up by 5.5 percent.
According to SMUD’s website, the increase comes from the need to make improvements for wildfire mitigation, increasing capacity to serve more customers, making upgrades to their existing systems, and investing in renewable energy systems.
Are you looking for the best tips and tricks for lowering your monthly heating expenses?
While most “tips and tricks” consist of using your heater as little as possible, we don’t think that’s a comfortable or practical approach. Besides, why have a heater if you’re not going to use it?
Instead, we think you can achieve the comfort you want—at the cost you want—with various HVAC services in Placerville, CA and some general tips.
After a homeowner is set up with their own heating and cooling system, what’s left? Ask them, and what most of them might say is: efficiency. It’s all about keeping those monthly HVAC costs as low as possible, and that means using the system purposefully and without waste.
When it comes to a solar energy system, efficiency is even more important. After all, that energy is coming from your own supply. Once you run out, you have to start paying the electrical company again.
So, how do you get your system to be even more efficient? Aside from keeping up with maintenance and repairs, you can try investing in some various products and services to get the edge. Here are several examples:
Are you considering solar energy for your home? Or maybe you’re already convinced but are trying to understand how a solar energy installation would work from a practical standpoint.
There are a lot of reasons to be apprehensive about a solar energy installation. The necessary legal and tax incentive documentation, the process of finding a quality contractor, and the actual installation itself can all sound like daunting tasks. But, if you go with a professional from the beginning, there’s little to worry about.
It does help to know what you’re getting into. Here are some of the things you need to keep in mind before and during your solar energy installation:
How can you tell when you need a new furnace in Sacramento? There are many answers to that question, but we want to begin by saying that age is one of the best determining factors … But only in conjunction with other symptoms!
The average lifespan for a modern furnace is anywhere between 16 and 20 years. You may have even heard other furnace owners tell you that they’ve had theirs longer than 20 years. Just because your furnace is over 16 years old doesn’t mean it needs to be immediately replaced. Likewise, some furnaces may even need replacement before that 16-year mark.
If your aim is to be proactive about replacement, the best approach is to start paying attention to your furnace after it turns 12 years old. That’s when you should keep a closer watch on symptoms like:
We encourage all owners of heating systems to keep a close eye on their heating bill. By monitoring your monthly spending, you’ll be able to prevent costly repair issues and monitor your usage habits. Most of all, you’ll be able to spot an upward trend that indicates the system is becoming gradually less efficient.
If you’re noticing that your system is becoming inefficient, here’s what you can do to get to the root of the issue.
As a resident of Sacramento, you’re most likely aware of Time-of-Day rates. These are the different rates you pay for electricity during certain times of the day. You can make significant savings to your energy bill by running your appliances in times of less demand.
With the start of 2019, new rates are going into effect, so we’ll refresh you on how these rules work.
We’ll also include some advice on how to save on electricity during these times without sacrificing too much of your comfort.
Solar energy is an attractive offer. After all, who wouldn’t want to effortlessly make their own electricity? There’s even a chance you can sell that energy back to the electrical company.
Of course, not everyone is convinced that solar energy is worth the cost. They’re willing to go through the back-channels in order to get solar energy at a price they believe is right. Often, that means going the DIY route. But don’t be fooled by videos and articles online—solar energy installation is by no means a DIY task.
Not only is it dangerous to work with electricity, but the world of solar energy is complicated right now. It’s better to trust in a professional. Here’s why:
When you’re in the HVAC business for as long as we have been, you hear plenty of the same questions. We’re always happy to answer any of your questions, so in this post, we’re going to go over some of the most common questions we get about heating systems.