Kilowatt Heating, Air Conditioning and Electrical Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Insulation’

My Electrical Bills Seem Way Too High—What’s Up?

Monday, February 11th, 2019

We’ve had a longer cold spell here in Southern California than we often get. Of course, it’s nothing compared to the awful deep freeze that recently struck the Midwest. But it’s still cold to us, and if you use an electric-powered heating system like a heat pump or an electric furnace, you can expect to see an uptick on your electrical bills. That’s normal: just check electrical usage with previous bills to see that the rise in costs corresponds to more use.

This post is about dealing with abnormally and inexplicably high electric bills. What might be causing these spikes? We can help you investigate this, although for real repair work and other jobs, always call on a professional electrician in Burbank, CA.

Tags: Burbank, electrical installation, electrical repair, Insulation
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DWP is Giving Away $100,000,000 for Energy Efficiency Upgrades

Monday, September 24th, 2018

LADWP offers the Consumer Rebate Program (CRP) to their residential customers to promote the use of energy-efficient products.

DWP Customers who install attic insulation can see energy reduction and savings of $200 to $374 in a year, depending upon the size of the home and its location.

Installing attic insulation might seem daunting and expensive, but the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) can help pay for insulating your attic. Qualifying customers can receive rebates up to 80% of the total insulation installation costs or $1.00 per square foot of attic floor insulation (whichever is less).

Insulation Materials

Insulation materials are defined as material/product used to slow down heat flow, which is measured in terms of thermal resistance or R-Value. Qualified attic insulation types include blanket (batts and rolls), loose-fill, blown-in, attic-applied rigid foam, sprayed foam, and foamed-in-place insulation systems.

Installed insulation materials must achieve a minimum thermal resistance of R-30 (or R-19 if less than 24 inches of attic clearance is available and R-30 cannot be achieved) to qualify for the program.

Insulation Costs

Installation costs are defined as the cost of the insulation materials plus the labor associated with the installation of insulation materials, including labor undertaken to comply with codes and regulations, such as sealing attic air leaks, weather-stripping attic hatch or door, attic ventilation modifications, and installation of rafter vent/insulation baffles. Complete attic insulation coverage is required above all air conditioned spaces. New construction or non-living building, such as a detached garage, do not qualify for the insulation rebate.

Customers interested in the program should:

Decide on hiring a licensed contractor or installing the insulation materials themselves; LADWP strongly recommends working with a licensed contractor.
Take pictures of the attic BEFORE installation to submit with application package.
Install insulation materials in accordance with the program requirements.
Take pictures of the attic AFTER installation.
Submit Consumer Rebate Program (CRP) application by mail to LADWP with required documentation.

If you are interested in attic insulation call Kilowatt now to schedule a FREE estimate 818-780-0701. The rebate money is given out on a first come first served basis.

Tags: dwp, Insulation, rebate, Utility Rebates
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Ways an HVAC Company Can Prep Your House for Hot Weather

Monday, February 26th, 2018

We just went through a genuine cold spell here in Southern California. Saying that to somebody from the Midwest would probably get laughter or anger. “It was in the 40s at night!” But it’s cold for us, and our homes often don’t have heating systems meant to deal with these conditions for long stretches. (We’re always happy to help boost your home heating if you need it!)

Now, however, we’re heading toward spring and the major heat of summer. The hot weather arrives fast in So. Cal. In fact, it could strike at any moment. Here’s how a Burbank, CA, HVAC contractor can help your home get ready for the big heat during the early spring.

Tags: Air Conditioning Maintenance, Air Conditioning Replacement, Burbank, Insulation
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How Is Your Heating Handling Our Cold Snap?

Monday, January 2nd, 2017

How the winter weather goes in Southern California is something that’s hard to predict from year to year. There are times when New Year’s Day can have a high of 85 degrees. But sometimes—as in this year—we can wake up to temperatures down in the mid-40s. True, other parts of the country might laugh at the idea that this is a “cold winter,” but it’s our cold winter and we have to find ways to deal with it, Southern California-style.

How is your home’s heating system doing this unusually cold winter? It may be taking on work that it isn’t accustomed to, and this can lead to the need for repairs.

Tags: heating system installation, Heating System Repair, Insulation, Studio City
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Attic Insulation Delivers Great Value!

Monday, December 12th, 2016

If you notice that you’re paying higher heating bills than you think you should, the problem might not be the heating system—it might be the insulation, or lack of it, in your home.

Insulation for Better Heating Efficiency

The key place where a home needs an effective insulation layer is in the attic. During cold weather, the heat in a home rises toward the top of the house where it easily escapes through the attic. But an insulating layer between the attic and the rest of the house slows down the escape of heat and keeps the rest of the house warmer. It’s like putting a wool cap on your head, except it’s a wool cap for the house. Thanks to this “wool cap,” you’ll spend less money running your heater.

But it’s hot most of the year where I live!

You live in Southern California, so the most common temperature problem you run into is the heat. With mild winters and scorching summers, is insulation in the attic really that worthwhile?

Yes, absolutely! People often don’t realize that insulation is a two-way barrier against the movement of heat. During cold weather, it keeps heat trapped in a house so it won’t rise right out the top. And during hot weather, it keeps heat trapped in the attic so it doesn’t get down to the rest of the house. An attic can attain temperatures around 130°F during sunny summer days, which is enough to raise the temperature of the rest of the house by 10°F. That means wasting more power to run the air conditioner. Good attic insulation is a money-saver all through the year, and one of the best values for improving home performance.

You can trust to our insulation experts to find the best way to replace your old insulation and put in an effective new layer in your attic.

Kilowatt Heating, Air Conditioning and Electrical serves Lake Balboa, CA and throughout Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley. Call our certified service technicians 24/7 for exceptional customer service!

Tags: Insulation, Lake Balboa
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Is Fiber Glass Insulation Safe for My Ductwork?

Monday, July 6th, 2015

Fiber glass insulation has been used as thermal insulation inside ventilation systems for homes (as well as other buildings) since the widespread use of forced-air heating and cooling systems after World War II. This insulation is important for preventing heat loss during warm weather and heat infiltration during cold weather. Without proper ductwork insulation, a home’s HVAC system would be highly energy inefficient—and probably much less effective at providing comfort.

Tags: Indoor Air Quality, Insulation, North Hollywood
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How Does Insulation Help Heating?

Friday, November 14th, 2014

Having good insulation in your home is critical to your comfort and the overall energy efficiency of your home. This is why having good insulation is a year-round concern. If you’ve been concerned about the level of insulation in your home, and how it is affecting your heating, Kilowatt offers the insulation services in Los Angeles you need to help your home become more energy efficient. Call us today!

What Does Insulation Do?

Insulation slows the transfer of heat. Heat moves in three ways:

Conduction – the way heat moves through materials
Convection – the way heat moves through liquids and gases
Radiation – heat moves in a straight line and heats anything in its direct path

Looking from a seasonal perspective, during the summer, insulation slows heat from transferring into the cool areas of your living spaces. In winter, it slows heat from transferring to areas like your attic, basement and the outdoors. It also helps to retain your cool air during the summer and your warm air during the winter. Insulation provides the barrier you need to stay comfortable all year long.

How Does Insulation Help with Heating?

There are a few ways in which insulation helps with your heating:

Energy efficiency – without proper insulation throughout your home, you could lose a great deal of your home’s heat – up to 30% of it. When this occurs, your system needs to work harder to achieve the temperature you’ve set on your thermostat. Any time your heating system has to work harder, it uses more energy to do so.

Less stress on your system – having the right amount of insulation means that your home retains its heating. This allows your system to work normally, reducing stress levels.

Lastly, having good insulation helps reduce noise levels and improves your indoor comfort.

As we head into another heating season, you may be wondering if you have enough insulation in your home. The best way to assess this is to work with one of the professionals from Kilowatt. Call us today and schedule an appointment with one of our insulation experts.

Tags: Insulation, Los Angeles
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