You’d think that MERV, which stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, would be a common rating on practically any HVAC filter’s packaging. Devised by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) as a helpful way to analyze and compare air filtration media performance, most companies rate their filters based on the MERV system.
What’s Fenestration? Why Windows, Doors and Skylights Are Key to Energy Savings
February 6th, 2014
Fenestration, a collective term for the doors, windows and skylights that penetrate a building’s exterior, is a key element of your home’s design, providing attractive natural lighting, ventilation and access. With proper design and maintenance, fenestration can enhance your home’s energy efficiency. However, even in our mild climate here in the San Joaquin Valley, bad design, improper installation and neglected maintenance can lead to unnecessary energy losses.
Some Whole-House Air Cleaner and Filtration Options
February 4th, 2014
A whole-house air cleaner/filtration system can make a drastic difference in the quality of the air you breath in your home. This is even more important in today’s energy-efficient, tightly sealed homes, as chemicals, dust and other irritants get trapped indoors with you. When Dust Invades Your Home
January 30th, 2014Signs Your Ductwork Is Too Old to Do the Job
January 28th, 2014
Is your ductwork beginning to show its age? That often happens much sooner than homeowners expect, since price often takes priority over quality in builders’ minds when it comes to air ducts. Since a deteriorating air duct system can reduce your home’s energy efficiency, it will increase your energy bills, and can cost you in terms of home comfort and indoor air quality as well. So how do you know whether your ductwork needs replacement?
Mold and Mildew Growth: A Real Indoor Air Quality Issue for Homeowners
January 23rd, 2014Maintaining good air quality in your home is crucial to protecting your family’s health. Among the common threats to the clean air in your home are mold and mildew. These organisms may be lurking in your home in places unseen, and endangering your family’s health, but you can take a few simple steps to protect yourself from this threat.
Redirecting Your Home’s Air by Closing Vents May Not Be the Best Solution
January 21st, 2014
There are a lot of suggestions for saving household energy these days, especially as utility costs increase. Some of these work better than others do for your Fresno area home. One common suggestion is to close off registers in unused parts of your home. This used to be true, but with modern HVAC systems, it can actually create more problems, and end up making your utility bills go up instead of down.
Determine Where Your Home Is Wasteful With a Professional Energy Audit
January 16th, 2014A home energy evaluation, also known as an energy audit, is an excellent way for Fresno area homeowners to determine the effectiveness of their home energy system and uncover where energy is being wasted. This audit evaluates how well your HVAC system performs, the effectiveness of the building’s thermal envelope, and which improvements should be made to better your system.
Before Replacing That Old Water Heater, Consider Going Tankless
January 14th, 2014
If the storage-tank water heater in your Fresno area home is 10 years or older, it’s probably getting near the end of its useful service life. This is especially true if your conventional storage-tank heater has received minimal preventative maintenance, or if your water supply is full of minerals. While looking at suitable replacement units, or as a first-time installation in a new house, you may want to consider a tankless water heater. Although upfront cost for a tankless water heater is greater than for a conventional storage-tank type, the benefits, including reduced energy use, will last the lifetime of the unit. This should more than make up for the initial price difference.
Sufficient Insulation Works As A Virtual Coat for Your Area Home
January 9th, 2014The best heating and cooling system your hard-earned money can buy for your Fresno area home will be of little use if your home is poorly insulated. Insulation is a one-time investment that pays great dividends year after year in fuel savings, conserved resources, and increased comfort for you and your family. Let’s review the basics, from top to bottom, starting with vocabulary: