However, geothermal retrofitting is a major investment, and before you commit, you need to consider a number of important factors to determine whether or not your home is a good candidate. The major things to think about include:

• The size of your property. There are two different types of looping systems used in geothermal installations: horizontal and vertical. Horizontal loops are best employed on large tracts of land, whereas vertical loops generally make a better choice for smaller lots, or plots of land with steep elevations.
• Your foundation type. If you own a home with a slab foundation (in other words, a home that lacks a basement), you will have to create an underground space for the system components. This will add to your installation costs.
• The local climate. Special considerations apply to climates that tend to have extended periods of sub-freezing weather during the winter. While it’s rare for temperatures to plunge below freezing in the Sacramento area, the waterless heat exchange systems that are used in cooler climates offer benefits nonetheless. Since there is no coolant or water in the loop, pipes never spring leaks.

In addition to these considerations, also think about whether you want geothermal for heating and cooling or for heating only. Also, remember that if you upgrade your home’s duct and piping infrastructure when you install your geothermal system, your new addition will function with superior efficiency.

At All Year Heating, Air & Solar, we’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have about these money-saving and environmentally friendly home comfort systems. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if we can be of any assistance. We’re proud to have been serving the Greater Sacramento area since 1969.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Geothermal drilling image via Shutterstock

Programmable thermostats were a significant upgrade over manual models when they arrived on the scene several years ago. They were great for programming your HVAC system according to your typical schedule — but how often do you follow an exact schedule?

You get stuck at work, or baseball practice runs late or there is an accident on the freeway. Why should you have to pay for the air conditioner to run just because you weren’t able to get home at exactly 5:45 p.m.?

Remote access programmable thermostats are here to help:

• Constant Internet connection: The foundation for your energy savings is an always-on Internet connection. Remote access thermostats can use the web to do everything from track the peak hour rates that your energy provider charges to notifying you when there are toxins in your interior air.
• Smartphone applications and web interface: They also come with an “app” and an easy-to-use web interface that allow you to monitor and control your HVAC system from anywhere. So, if you get stuck at work for a few hours, it will only take you a few seconds to set your thermostat to stay at the “away” temperature for the extended time.
• Keep an eye on the kids: If there are other people in your home, you can receive notifications anytime they override your settings. Many devices also allow you to put password protection on the thermostat so you are always in control of how your system is used.

Not only is the remote access very useful, smart thermostats also have features that test your air for toxins, control humidity, adjust settings to use energy when it’s cheapest and much more.

For professional advice on the best remote access thermostats, contact All Year Heating, Air & Solar. We can help you select the perfect model, install it correctly and walk you through the initial settings and features. Serving the Sacramento area, we’re always happy to help.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about programmable thermostats and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Smartphone image via Shutterstock

You see, an annual service check keeps your A/C operating at peak capacity, helping to ensure that it stays free of buildup that can wreak havoc on the system’s internal components, which will lead to higher energy consumption and lower cooling capacity.

But the benefits of an annual service check extend beyond efficiency.

Maximize your investment

When your air conditioner is cleaned every year, you’ll help to extend its overall life span. In fact, most experts agree that just by engaging in regular maintenance, you can lengthen the life of your air conditioner by as much as five years. And with the costs to replace an A/C high, the relatively low cost of ensuring consistent maintenance will pay off in the long run.

Fewer repairs

A system that is maintained regularly is more reliable. An annual service check keeps your system clean, and can help ward off problems that would eventually require a repair. If the system’s fan motor is wearing out, for instance, that component can be replaced before it causes damage throughout the rest of the system.

Lower carbon footprint

If you keep your air conditioner running at peak capacity, it will consume less energy, thereby lowering your equipment’s overall carbon footprint. Using energy wisely is the responsibility of all homeowners, and will reduce our country’s fuel consumption, and positively impact the environment.

Energy savings

If you want to see an immediate affect of an annual service check, just look at your energy bills. An air conditioner that minimizes electricity consumption will result in lower energy bills.

Need to schedule an annual service check? It’s not too late to act. Contact All Year Heating, Air & Solar today. We’re happy to help you get your air conditioning season off to a great start. We have been serving homeowners in the Greater Sacramento area since 1969.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Maintenance image via Shutterstock

Too warm, too cold and nobody feels just right — unless you install a zoning system. In addition to bringing greater comfort to people in different areas of your home, a zoning system can generate energy savings and help eliminate fights over the thermostat.

It may sound too good to be true, but it isn’t. Like the name implies, a zoning system requires that your home be divided into zones so that warm and cool air is practically and efficiently delivered based on its location and other factors, such as its exposure and number of windows.

Zoning systems are a natural fit for homes that can be “divided” rather easily, such as those with multiple levels, those with a large room addition, those with a meandering area located far from the main living area or those that contain lots of windows, such as a sun room or solarium.

A thermostat is installed in each of these zones so that the temperature can be set accordingly. This means that the crafter who is busy working on a project in the basement with a zoned thermostat set at 78 degrees can be just as comfortable as the bookworm who is curled up in bed with the thermostat set at 68 degrees. This may sound like a wide variable, but it really isn’t when you consider the law of physics: warm air rises, while cool air falls. This is why an upstairs room can be about 10 degrees warmer while a basement is 10 degrees cooler than rooms on the main level.

If temperatures are rising in your home, soothe the family feuds by calling All Year Heating, Air & Solar. We’ve installed countless zoning systems in the Sacramento area since 1969, and we know they’re efficient and can work wonders on multiple levels, quite literally.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about zoning systems and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Thermostat image via Shutterstock

To protect your health and the health of your family, it’s vital to identify and eliminate indoor air quality sources that contribute to pollution and contamination.

Broadly speaking, there are two ways in which indoor air quality sources can be classified: particulate matter and gaseous contaminants.

Particulate matter encompasses any indoor air pollutant that’s made up of solids. Examples of particulate matter include dust, pet dander, pollen, mold, dust mites, viruses and bacteria. Gaseous contaminants, on the other hand, include substances including radon gas and carbon monoxide, which can originate from your furnace and appliances or the ground your home is built on.

In both cases, source control is the key to eliminating indoor air pollutants. With particulate matter, you need to be proactive about prevention. Be sure to dust and vacuum regularly, and keep all floors and surfaces in your home clean. It’s also strongly recommended that you use air purification products that target specific types of particulate matter pollutants. For example, UV light systems are excellent at eliminating organic pollutants such as dust mites, bacteria and viruses. Air purifiers zap dust and other inorganic contaminants quickly and inexpensively.

Gaseous pollutants should be monitored through the use of specialized equipment. Carbon monoxide and radon gas detectors are every bit as important to your safety as smoke alarms. Also, be sure to keep your home properly ventilated at all times. Whenever the weather permits, you should introduce fresh, clean air from the outdoors into your home to allow the stale air to escape.

At All Year Heating, Air & Solar, we offer a wide range of products and services to help you eliminate indoor air pollutants and contaminants to improve your health and the health of your family. For specialized customer assistance, please contact us. We’ve been serving the greater Sacramento area since 1969.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about indoor air quality and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Allergens image via Shutterstock

While there are several things you can do to reduce some of the humidity in your home, such as checking for leaks in pipes, it’s not always enough. This is why many people choose to use a whole-house dehumidifier in their homes.

High humidity problems

There are a number of reasons why it’s a good idea not to let your home become too humid.

• Comfort: High humidity levels can make your home very uncomfortable for you, your family and your pets.
• Mold: High humidity levels can encourage the growth of mold spores, which in turn can threaten the health of those in the home, especially if they already have problems such as asthma or allergies.
• Damage: In the long term, high humidity levels can cause stains on your walls and even more serious damage.
• Energy waste. High humidity makes your air feel warmer, prompting homeowners to crank up the A/C. This wastes energy and increases utility bills.

Dehumidifier types

There are two types of dehumidifiers: portable units and whole-house dehumidifiers. Both can be effective when used properly.

• Portable units: Portable dehumidifiers can be placed in particular parts of the home where you would like to reduce the humidity. They require emptying each day, but can work well in small homes and are less expensive than whole-house units (unless you’re trying to remove humidity from a large home with several portable units).
• Whole-house units: Whole-house dehumidifiers are installed by a professional and are connected directly to your HVAC system. They work by extracting humidity from the air passing through your air return ducts. The system does not require daily attention from the homeowner. They’ll remove moisture from every room in your home, and you can control the amount that gets removed.

You certainly want your home to be a place where you and your friends can be at ease. An effective dehumidifier can help make this a reality. If you have any further questions, please contact All Year Heating, Air & Solar. Serving the Greater Sacramento area, our experienced team of professionals will be happy to help you.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about dehumidifiers and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Humidity meter image via Shutterstock

What are lifetime costs? Lifetime costs are calculated by starting with the equipment’s initial price, then adding the total costs of operating and maintaining the equipment over its working life.

HVAC systems that are powered by renewable energy are becoming more popular, not only because of growing environmental awareness but because they often have the lowest lifetime costs. They’re generally not much more expensive up front than comparable models that use traditional fuel sources, while the lifetime savings associated with “green” equipment are much greater.

The Sacramento area has qualities that make it particularly suited to renewable energy use:

• According to the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council, only 10 states had higher energy costs than California in 2011. That means homeowners here stand to save even more by using HVAC equipment powered by renewable energy than those who live in states with cheaper power.
• Not only is electricity expensive, California has a climate that lets us take full advantage of some renewable energy sources. For example, the National Climatic Data Center confirms that Sacramento ranks among the top U.S. cities in sunlight received each year. Homeowners here are in a unique position to benefit from HVAC systems that harness solar energy.

Tax credits and other incentives can make the costs even lower, so make sure you know how to take advantage of all these possible benefits when you make your purchase. The most common options for sustainable HVAC power are geothermal and solar. Your local heating and cooling contractor can help you decide on the best option for your needs and budget.

For help comparing the true lifetime costs of new HVAC equipment, contact the experts at All Year Heating, Air & Solar. We’ve been helping Greater Sacramento save energy for more than 40 years.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Renewable energy image via Shutterstock

The ducts, however, are the conduit by which conditioned air is delivered to your rooms, and dust particles tend to adhere to the walls of ducts. Over time the buildup of dust or other debris may cause problems with your HVAC system. In some situations, duct cleaning can be helpful.

There is more to your HVAC system’s ductwork than the grilles through which warm and cool air flow. Duct cleaning also involves the air handling unit, drip pans, fans and heating and cooling coils — any element of your system that is in the path of moving air.

Duct cleaning isn’t appropriate for every home. But in the following situations, it could help improve your indoor air quality:

• When you see visible signs of dirty or dusty buildup. This would include dust or dirt blowing out of the vents. Dirty vents do not necessarily mean you have duct problems — they might have just collected dirt from the rooms in your home — but if you notice dust blowing out of the system, you might need to clean more than just the vents themselves.
• When you see mold growth on the inside walls of a duct. A professional should evaluate the duct system to determine whether the mold growth is extensive. Severely infected ducts, particularly if they have insulation, may need more than just a cleaning.
• When there are insects, mouse or rat droppings inside the ducts. First have a exterminator deal with the infestation. Then have the ducts professionally cleaned to remove droppings and debris.

If you are unsure whether a buildup of dirt in your air ducts is affecting your HVAC system, ask a professional to perform an evaluation to determine if cleaning is appropriate. For advice on duct cleaning or any home heating and cooling issues, contact All Year Heating, Air & Solar today. Serving the Greater Sacramento area, we’re always happy to help.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Duct image via Shutterstock

Geothermal heating and cooling

While the initial cost is higher than installing a traditional furnace and air conditioner, operating costs are lower, maintenance requirements are minimal, and the underground piping can last for 50 years. Through savings in operating costs, your investment can pay for itself over the years.

There are three major factors you must evaluate to determine if your site fits the bill for a geothermal heating and cooling system installation:

• Geology. The composition of your site’s soil will affect the size and design of the “ground loop,” which collects heat from under the earth’s surface to use inside your home. For instance, if the soil has good heat transfer properties, less piping is needed compared with a site with poor heat transfer properties. Also, if there is extensive hard rock in the area, less-efficient vertical loops may be necessary instead of horizontal loops.
• Hydrology. The availability of water on the site also plays a role in geothermal heating and cooling ground loop design. Both groundwater and surface water may be used as sources for loop systems as long as the water quality is high enough and the installer meets discharge regulations. If your installer decides that your site is a candidate for an “open-loop” system, make sure there is a full inspection of the area’s hydrology so the groundwater is not contaminated.
• Land availability. The total area of your property as well as its layout, landscaping and underground utilities also figure into what the geothermal heating and cooling system will look like. New-construction projects often allow for the installation of horizontal ground loops, which are usually the most economical option. Vertical ground loops or “slinky” designs are installed in existing buildings when the land availability is smaller. This limits the disturbance to surrounding buildings.

If you are interested in determining whether geothermal heating and cooling is a viable option for your site, contact the experts at All Year Heating, Air & Solar to get started. We have proudly served the Greater Sacramento area since 1969.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about geothermal systems and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Geothermal image via Shutterstock

Here are five ways to reduce your household’s energy consumption, no matter the season:

• Change your HVAC system’s air filters. Cooling and heating equipment, including window-mounted air conditioners, have filters that should be checked monthly and cleaned or replaced (depending on the type) when they’re dirty. The equipment runs more efficiently and effectively with clean filters, which trap airborne particles to improve your indoor air quality and protect your HVAC system.
• Close your curtains on the south and west sides of your home during the hottest days of summer. Blocking the sun means blocking the heat, and that helps your A/C cool your home more effectively.
• Insulate your attic for both winter and summer energy savings. Laying fiberglass batting is a relatively simple — and cost-effective — project, reducing unwanted heat gain in the summer and heat loss in the cooler months.
• Install weather stripping around windows and doors to block drafts, which lead to energy waste by forcing your air conditioner to work extra hard.
• Consider planting bushes and trees around your home. They can act as shade barriers in the summer and block wind in the winter.

For more ideas and expert advice about improving your home energy efficiency, as well as other issues related to home comfort, contact All Year Heating, Air and Solar. We’ve been serving homeowners throughout Greater Sacramento since 1969.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about home energy efficiency and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Home energy efficiency image via Shutterstock