The attic is one of the primary spaces where you can prevent energy loss in the home. Attic insulation is the key to creating an effective barrier against unwanted heat exchange. The overall effectiveness of the attic, however, also depends on moisture control through proper ventilation.
Insulation and air sealing
Did you know that according to the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air pollution ranks among the top five environmental health risks? It also reports that the air inside the average San Diego home can be nearly 100 times more polluted than the air outside. So what are homeowners to do?
Here are three tips that will help improve the indoor air quality of your home.
Today more than ever, homeowners are looking for every way possible to save energy and money. We’re all aware of the need to protect the environment and, of course, preserve our household budgets. One excellent online source for consumer information about energy efficiency and conservation is Energy Star.
Energy Star’s Home Advisor tool provides specific efficiency-enhancing recommendations based on your region of the country and the HVAC components operating in your home. For example, San Diego residents using a heat pump and a gas water heater would receive suggestions such as these:
California summers are filled with sunshine, hot temperatures and high utility bills. So what’s a homeowner to do? Why not harness some of that sun’s energy to operate a solar powered air conditioner? These units are proven money savers, will increase your home’s property value and the energy is free.
There are different types of solar powered air conditioners on the market today that incorporate new and exciting technologies.
There are lots of air filters on the market at many different price points. San Diego homeowners often ask if there’s really any difference between them. To better understand the various types of filters available, it’s important to understand MERV ratings.
The Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value scale expresses the amount of airborne particles, and the size, that a filter is capable of removing from the air. Harmful particles removed by filters include dust, pollen, bacteria, viruses and mold spores. MERV is an excellent tool for comparing the effectiveness of filters and for matching the filter to your needs.
When you’re in the market for heating or cooling equipment for your San Diego-area home, you’ll see an alphabet soup of ratings listed on the products. The HVAC industry provides several types of ratings that allow consumers to compare the efficiency of heating and cooling equipment they are planning to purchase. MERV is the rating system for air filters. SEER rates the efficiency of air conditioning equipment and AFUE is used to compare heating products. Here is how these ratings work:
One of the biggest complaints San Diego homeowners have about air conditioners is the noise. Many A/C manufacturers claim their products are quiet but few older units have really lived up to that claim. New technology has made quiet-running A/C systems a bit easier to find these days. For those without duct systems in their homes, or in home additions, ductless mini-splits are an excellent choice when you’re looking for quiet operation and efficient, effective cooling.
Did you know that your attic could be causing you to waste energy and money? A dry, well-ventilated attic will go a long way toward keeping your home in great shape, avoiding moisture problems and lowering monthly energy bills.
On the other hand, moisture can warp your roof, ruin insulation and cause mold growth and moisture problems in the living areas of your house here in theSan Diegoarea. So how can you keep your attic dry when there are so many ways for moisture to get in?
Energy Star is a website we often recommend for energy-saving tips for consumers. Right now, the site has the handy Home Advisor, offering tips for homeowners here in the San Diego area and other parts of the country.
Using information such as your local zip code and how you cool and heat your home and water, the tool will give you energy efficiency home improvement suggestions tailored to our area. The tips can also save you money on your monthly power bills and help you create a more comfortable home environment for yourself and your family.
Local residents in zip code 92101, with a heat pump furnace, air conditioner and gas water heater get tips like these:
Have questions about energy savings? Contact the pros at ASI Hastings Heating and Air Conditioning. We provide complete home comfort services to the residents ofSan DiegoCounty. If you’d like, we can schedule an energy assessment (Click Here to learn more) of your home and suggest specific improvements to save you energy and money long term. We can also handle most of the recommended work for you. Please visit our website for more information or contact us.
