Brower Home Power Hour

It’s no joke. The smoke from the fires is serious. Your hosts Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small address the issue and what you should do to minimize the smell in the home. If you can smell smoke, it’s coming in from somewhere on the outside. Know what that means? Something is allowing outside air in. Hear what it is when your hosts get into the conversation. You might be surprised...

The discussion shifts to another time sensitive matter and that’s solar for the home. In order to get the tax credit, it’s time to act if you want the deduction in 2018. The system has to be installed to get the credit and that means the timing is important. If you don’t act soon, you’ll miss the window to get things in time for the deduction in 2018. The interest in electricity has changed in so many of our applications that there are considerations that would never have been possible only 5 years ago. Find out why a happy customer gave his description of the outcome of electric heat as “womblike” comfort. Not that’s a big statement. And just another reason to make the move to get something started if you’re going to try to get the tax credit this year.

Having a guest in the studio is always a pleasure and when that guest is giving you information on how to save money and help you pay for it with attractive options, it’s just all that much better. Even better yet, this is not a credit based program but an equity based opportunity that helps homeowners reduce their energy consumption from electricity, gas, even water usage. Why would you not take advantage of the program? It’s possible that the cost of the program could be offset by the savings on energy expense. Isn’t that the objective?

Finally, are you a pie peeker? We know it’s Thanksgiving. We know the food is incredible, smells great and we all want to taste and sample. But if you’re trying to minimize the waste of energy, don’t want to over-heat the house, don’t peek on the pie in the oven! Just had to get that out there. I know you’re still going to do it. C’mon. That browned buttery criss-crossed crust on the top of the apple pie is so fun to see in its’ glory. Or the lightly golden orange of the pumpkin as it thickens in the crust while the oven does its’ thing. Oh the aroma, the smell of fresh baked apple or pumpkin pie. Yum. So, once you’re done stuffing yourself, give the guys at Brower Mechanical a call. 916-624-0808 or on-line

Lastly, be sure to give Thanks for all you have and remember those who have lost so much in the fires up north. Have a very Happy Thanksgiving.

Do you find yourself barking commands in your home when no one is there? And it all seems perfectly normal doesn’t it? There would have been a time when people would have thought you’ve gone mad. Today, it’s just you talking to your smart phone, smart speaker or smart thermostat. Soon it may even be your smart microwave, stove or faucet. Listen in as your hosts Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small talk about so many of the changes taking place with smart technology movement and how it’s going to lead to more home energy efficiency. There’s a lot going on you won’t want to miss and a whole lot more self-talking going on than you ever thought possible!

What is it that makes some companies more referred than others? Listen to a caller as he describes the reason he chose Brower, the next steps he wanted to take and how he felt his service was as provided by the technicians that came out. It’s really quite a statement to a company that cares. The discussion continues as Duane identifies the process and the reasons his team does what is they do. It really is all about customer service, identifying needs, catching problems before they occur and alerting you to options to make things more efficient, less expensive and even healthier!

Interestingly, the show can always come around to starting something on the road to more energy efficiency. It’s about a plan. Taking advantage of the opportunities. Start with the attic and you don’t have to get it all done at once. Get it right. Take your time. Maybe it’s over the course of several years. Things are changing dramatically. Remember, we’re talking about “smart” stuff here. There are HVAC systems that run on both gas and electricity. Are they worth considering? Why would you not if what you’re trying to accomplish is the most return on your investment? This is what it’s all about. Check out the website, watch a couple of the videos and learn what it is you’re thinking about doing. Then make the call and start with a clip board audit or even a home energy audit. Either way, you’re going to find the best way to do things for your personal situation. Don’t make a solar decision without doing an audit. Reach out today to Brower Mechanical at 916-624-0808. On line at www.gosmallsolar.com.

Your hosts Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small get into the opportunities some of you have been asking about. What things can you actually do yourself? And this is the weekend to do something yourself! It’s fall behind time change. Time change means battery change for all your devices like smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and even alarm clocks. If you want to consider even more steps you can take, visit the Brower Mechanical Home Energy Showroom. Get a demonstration on the project you’re considering and be sure it’s something you’re ready to tackle. The help is there for you.

That’s just the beginning of a high energy, exciting show. How do you realize a return much higher than your 401K is likely returning...and tax free? Consider the benefits of a home revitalization that may include solar, that’s how. The example given in the show returned over 18% in tax free benefit! Now, that’s a huge swing that makes sense to reduce your expense and then allow you to put more money into your savings or retirement accounts or kids college account or your vacation plan... Get it? Keep listening. You’ve surely heard that it’s not what you make but what you save. Well, this is exactly what the guys are talking about today. Not to mention, the solar tax credits for this year are coming to a close as the year winds down.

As the show progresses, you’ll hear about some unfortunate situation where a homeowner trying to torch spiders sets the house on fire! Well, spiders are a great indicator of energy inefficiency as they’re coming into the home from leaky areas. Who would have thought our creepy crawly web spinning friends could communicate something to us about the efficiency of our homes?

Closing the show, hear what your energy company has to say about reducing before producing. Get it right before you do solar. Check out the website of whomever it is you get your electricity from. You’ll be surprised what they encourage you to do. Smaller solar is absolutely the answer and you’ll love the case study Duane provides. This will give you all the motivation you need to do what you need to do. Give Brower Mechanical a call today at 916-624-0808. On line at ... you guessed it, www.gosmallsolar.com. Start saving and take the step.

It may seem like a “trick” if you don’t pay attention but could really be a “treat” to lower utility bills. With SMUD moving customers to time of use billing there are opportunities to take advantage of the new billing process. Are you aware? Are you paying attention? This is a big deal and incredible opportunity for you to save money. Did I say “save” money? Yes! But you have to know how to get around the goblins to do it right. Your hosts Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small help you shine light on the process before you get caught in a web of confusion. It doesn’t have to be a spooky experience.

And to match time of use energy consumption, what better way than to introduce what a net zero energy home is today. What does that really mean? Are there different interpretations? Is it even a possibility today? Listen to find the answers. It’s not an invisible situation lurking in a dark space. It’s here today. Find out if you’re a LIFOT home. (Living in Fear of Thermostat) Your thermostat should be a friend. Not frightening fiend. You’ll learn how to tame the darkness of the thermostat by shining a brighter light on home energy. And to shed a little more sunshine on the gloomy vampires casting a cloud on your home, listen to learn how best to evaluate whether you really do need solar as your silver bullet to lower energy expense. There may be other less expensive options when you take it all into account. That’s some good candy in the bag!

Sometimes it’s a good idea to listen to a family referral. Clears the cobwebs, if you will. Hear a caller actually reinforce what his father suggested. This is quite the compliment when you realize there’s a specific person that’s requested and an offer that most wouldn’t even think to share when referring a business to a family member. I mean if it was a creepy experience, would you talk about it with anyone else?

And here’s the best treat of the Halloween show. Don’t breathe the dirt of a dungeon in your home! Indoor air quality is a big deal and you wouldn’t want a bi-plane flying beast blowing thru the house stirring up and leaving dust and particulates all over the place. First, it’s filthy but secondly, you’re breathing that matter too. Stop! That’s just frightening to think about. There are silver bullet solutions to this and ways to exorcise these issues. Rely on your HVAC technician to address the them and recommend solutions to help you get it right. See the light of day. It’s starts with a clip board audit or home energy audit. Then you can begin to formulate the plan to remedy. Prevent those ghostly fears from re-occurring. The trick is getting it right when you assess the rebates and most efficient process to help you be where you want to be. The treat is working with Brower and beating the fear of doing nothing. Call Brower Mechanical today. 916-624-0808. On-Line at www.gosmallsolar.com.

Energy is at the forefront of discussion today with utility shutdowns, huge rebates and even money back from PG&E. So, you think home energy starts with a thermostat? You’re on the right track and Nest is one of the most respected devices for home energy management. You’ll find out why Brower is a NestPro valued dealer for their training and expertise with the product. If you can hear your hosts Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small, they’ve got you covered and that’s the service area you can expect them to reach. More likely than not, they can get to your home and get your needs handled. And beware, techs are challenged when the demand is greatest. So, when the season is about to change, check everything in advance. If you wait, you may wish you didn’t. If there are not enough techs to service the demand, you’ll be waiting until they can get to you and you may find yourself bundled in blankets to stay warm!

Need a roof? Well, listen up since the way the energy upgrades happen today they could actually help you pay for the repairs you need. Solar, energy savings and roofing all impact the equation when it comes to home efficiency and if you do nothing else, at least explore the options. You may be pleasantly surprised at how much you can actually get done and the end result by doing so. The rebates are huge right now and you can take advantage of them while they last if you act soon. You may even protect yourself from those unwanted “guests” in your attic know as rodents. Yuck! Getting to the next steps as best you can, should always start with a clipboard audit. Don’t wait for the rain to begin, do something now while the sun is still shining.

Today, Brower is proud to welcome David Kelly from Ygrene to the studio today to discuss the values and opportunities when financing your home energy upgrade. You’ll find out how simple they can make it. The speed for the application process is immediate when you’re ready to make your decision on energy fixes in your home. No waiting, no slow processing. You’ll know right then and there what you can get done and how best to make it happen. And it’s all done with attractive interest and terms. The simplicity of it all is what’s the most important part of it all and the outcome in a more efficient, healthy and comfortable home is something you’ll enjoy for a long time to come.

So...somebody has to help you gather this all up and keep it all in one spot. You surely don’t want to do it yourself. Rebates and financing and best steps to take advantage of what your utility company is offering can get really confusing and even complicated. Let Brower handle the details. Call them today at 916-624-0808 or visit on line at www. gosmallsolar.com

The guys are fired up. And they want you to get fired up about firing up the furnace for the first time of the season! Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small get after it immediately as they share the need to get the furnace ready and how best to do so for the season...and saving money by doing it right! When you use the Brower videos to help you understand why certain things happen in the home, you’ll have a much better perspective on what your next steps to energy efficiency should be. And wait until you hear the information you’re going to get on insulation.

Ducts and wraps and huge thermal variations in the attic of your home will be discussed during the show and there won’t be a single listener who will come away thinking their insulation is “done right”. Unless of course it was just upgraded by a home energy company with the expertise to do so, like Brower Mechanical. This is pretty compelling stuff when you hear it.

Reducing before you produce. You hear about it every show. Today, you’ll hear a caller who listens to the show who really gets it. They understood the message of energy efficiency and asked all the right questions. They even knew where they wanted to start because they’ve heard the message so often and so clearly. What is it? The home energy audit or at the very least, the abbreviated clipboard audit.

And finally, to close the show, how about this? Heat your water with electric and get $3000. Yup. That’s it. Get $3000 from SMUD when you install a new electric water heater. Then, buy 3 solar panels and cover the energy cost of the solar panels with the rebate from SMUD. That means you’re heating your water for free for the life of the solar! Now that’s a deal you can’t pass up. For more information on how you can actually heat your water for free, learn about the energy rebates available to you today or just to get your free clipboard energy audit, give Brower Mechanical a call at 916-624-0808 on line at www.gosmallsolar.com.

Now is the time for testing the heater and since the weather is good there’s no better time to run and test the furnace. By firing it up for the first time, you get “that smell”. Yes. It stinks. Is it a problem? Well... your hosts Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small, get you fired up on good ideas to get squared away for the fall/winter season. And, how you can be prepared with your home’s energy systems. It’s another great show talking about the V in HVAC. AND the “H”. Get ahead of the game and insure everything is ready and raring to go.

Did you know running your A/C more often could be a good thing...only if you’ve had your home analyzed for efficiency. The case study here is quite incredible. But the process saved 29 solar panels on the home in question! The actual net investment was actually less than had the homeowner just gone with the solar alone. It’s a process that started with so much more and it all began when the energy efficiency came into question and was tested.

Two-Two-Two. If your bill averages over $200 and Brower can’t show you how to save 2 solar panels when considering solar, Duane will actually give you $200. Two panels means $2000 in savings if you let Brower show you how it’s done. In this case, how can you lose!!!

Get that annual smell out of the way, get your energy system revitalized and get ready for the season. It’s time to act (What are you waiting for anyway!) Call Brower Mechanical. 916-624-0808. On-Line at www.gosmallsolar.com.

Now is the time for testing the heater and since the weather is good there’s no better time to run and test the furnace. By firing it up for the first time, you get “that smell”. Yes. It stinks. Is it a problem? Well... your hosts Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small, get you fired up on good ideas to get squared away for the fall/winter season. And, how you can be prepared with your home’s energy systems. It’s another great show talking about the V in HVAC. AND the “H”. Get ahead of the game and insure everything is ready and raring to go.

Did you know running your A/C more often could be a good thing...only if you’ve had your home analyzed for efficiency. The case study here is quite incredible. But the process saved 29 solar panels on the home in question! The actual net investment was actually less than had the homeowner just gone with the solar alone. It’s a process that started with so much more and it all began when the energy efficiency came into question and was tested.

Two-Two-Two. If your bill averages over $200 and Brower can’t show you how to save 2 solar panels when considering solar, Duane will actually give you $200. Two panels means $2000 in savings if you let Brower show you how it’s done. In this case, how can you lose!!!

Get that annual smell out of the way, get your energy system revitalized and get ready for the season. It’s time to act (What are you waiting for anyway!) Call Brower Mechanical. 916-624-0808. On-Line at www.gosmallsolar.com.

You may be able to deduce what the “H” in HVAC is and more likely than not, you really know what the “AC” stands for. But what about that V? Listen in as your hosts Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small discuss a lot about that “V” and its’ impact on your home. It’s possibly one of the most significant letters in HVAC. That naturally leads to the conversation on how to best seal your home from the unwanted outside elements while keeping in the intentional interior elements.

Unfortunately, one of those elements of the “V” is dust in the house. Quite often, it’s a by-product of the attic and more often than not, deteriorating insulation. That’s right, you could be breathing in insulation while you’re in your home. At the least, it’s a bunch of junk. And junk you don’t want to be inhaling.

You’ll also hear how Brower handles its’ callers timing requests for service for revitalization or whatever the need is. You’ll be shocked at how they operate and it’s definitely not like your cable company!

Using financing programs to provide your energy efficiency has never been easier since there are now many programs that allow you to do what you need to do to reduce those outrageous energy bills. Hey, with Christmas less than three months away isn’t saving a few bucks a good thing? What if you knew exactly what your bills were going to be? Every month. Fixed. And eventually, you’ll have the financing paid off and very, very low utility bills. In today’s last segment, you’ll hear a great example of a case study that demonstrates exactly what the guys are talking about. If this doesn’t motivate you, nothing will. And to make it even easier, here’s who to call or email for more info.. Brower Mechanical. 916-624-0808. On-Line at www.gosmallsolar.com.

Your hosts, Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small, get after it quickly today with the significance of things that may smell good in the house but could be tragically dangerous to children or pets. Some of those cleaners in your kitchen cabinet under the sink, they’re toxic but smell really good. Maybe good enough to want to eat or drink if you’re a small child who doesn’t know better. But wait, there’s even more that they address and it impacts everyone in the home. Air fresheners. Those things you plug in or pop up or peel off to make the home smell fresh. You know what they’re talking about. They smell great! They’re also potentially toxic to breathe. They’re called Volatile Organic Compounds. VOC’s. What you’re buying is the actual “off gassing” of these VOC’s. Doesn’t sound too healthy does it? It’s not! Don’t overdo it. Let fresh air carry some of the smell in your home without all the artificial and unhealthy smell.

Phew, that’s just the opening. PG&E rebate programs are changing. What is it you need to do to make the most of it? Hint, reduce before you produce. It’s all there on the PG&E website or even the Brower Mechanical site. Watch the 9 steps to getting your house right for energy efficiency it’s easy to access and actually easy to do. Move forward one step at a time in a proper sequencing. Plan. Don’t reverse engineer your system. Do it right the first time. You save in so many ways.

You’ll love the caller on blown in insulation and the response to her concerns about the speed with which the action could be taken. Secondly, the significance of the process to be sure you can trust the representative visiting your home gets a full discussion. There’s a reason for Brower sending you a brief bio on who it is that will be coming to your home.

Finally, and so important is the discussion on time of use energy consumption so you know there’s a way you can save a fair amount of money if you play the game correctly. Summer cooling is one thing but wait until you hear the situation for winter heating. You’ll be very surprised. It’s a huge deal. For more info.. Brower Mechanical. 916-624-0808. On-Line at www.gosmallsolar.com.