When the temperature goes up outside in the warmer months, you turn on the air conditioning to keep the temperature as cool and comfortable as possible inside. But certain aspects of your home’s construction and design could be making it almost impossible to keep cool air in. These faults and flaws can result in your… Read more »
2016 a Record-Smashing Year for Solar Energy
Solar energy has been a pretty big deal for quite some time now, but 2016 marked a banner year for this green energy source. Last year, solar generation set a record that is encouraging for those who value all that solar power has to offer. It’s clear that more and more people are turning to… Read more »
Spray Foam vs. Fiberglass: How New Insulation Works Better
Insulating your home is a large part of making it energy efficient, which is why whenever you’re building a new home or looking at installing new insulation, you should consider what kind of material to use: spray foam or fiberglass insulation. Fiberglass insulation is often the less expensive option, but spray foam is known to… Read more »
Green Energy Storage: How New Facilities Could Improve Renewable Viability
Back in October 2015, a massive leak at the Aliso Canyon natural-gas storage field in Southern California threatened to leave thousands of people without power. It was a catastrophic event for those who live in the area, but there was some good that came out of it. Following the leak, California Gov. Jerry Brown declared… Read more »
Breaking Down an Analysis: What We Check When We Inspect
A Green Home Energy Analysis from Rick’s Energy Solutions takes a comprehensive look at your home to see where you are losing energy and suggests repairs that can save you tons on your electricity bill. This thorough inspection offers many different benefits for homeowners. Let’s take a look at the four categories where we run… Read more »
2016 Energy Code Changes: Lighting Requirements
California’s 2016 energy code calls for a number of changes to incorporate high-efficacy lighting into more homes across the state. High-efficacy lighting makes it possible for homes to use significantly less energy over time, so the goal of the 2016 energy code is to require more of this kind of residential lighting to bring overall… Read more »
2016 Energy Code Changes: Hot Water Requirements
The 2016 energy code calls for a significantly higher standard of compliance than the 2013 energy code did, and it affects a number of different areas of new homes. Once implemented, the state expects that homes would see a 28 percent savings in energy costs versus a home constructed using the 2013 code requirements. One… Read more »
2016 Energy Code Changes: Attic and HVAC Requirements
One of the main purposes of the 2016 energy code is to cut down on the amount of energy that home owners use on a regular basis. One of the most effective ways to do this is to rethink the way that you are using your HVAC system at home – from top to bottom…. Read more »
2016 Energy Code Changes: Envelope and Wall Requirements
The walls of a home divide the space into individual rooms and help keep the whole house comfortable no matter what the temperature is outside. This can be difficult, though, when walls aren’t built to code. The 2016 energy code has very specific requirements pertaining to walls and the overall “envelope” of the home, and… Read more »
Computer Efficiency Requirements: A Different Kind of Smart Home
Last month, the state of California was the first of the 50 states to set a standard on energy efficiency for computers. The energy commission for the state of California approved the regulations to limit the amount of energy being consumed by computers and smaller servers when not in use, according to reporting from NPR…. Read more »