Brower Home Power Hour

Keeping things on a positive note and looking forward to what’s on the horizon, hear about the most significant steps your service technicians are taking, following CDC recommendations in the best interest of the customer and the employee. And there’s more with Ultraviolet germicidal technology available to add an additional layer of support in the home. And if you are looking forward to the summer, remember your generators, especially Generac, need to be serviced by a licensed technician in the first 25 hours of operation. Brower is certified and ready to help. Electrification is everything now. Prices are less than natural gas and using the resources like induction heating, heat pump water heaters and electric furnaces. So much more and the good news…rebates are bountiful. SMUD and PG&E are both supporting these transitions. More importantly, learn why you need to do an energy assessment BEFORE you can make these improvements work to your best advantage. Duane walks you thru the details you need to know. Today’s caller is a revelation in comfort. 17 years later, an original Brower installation is due for some attention. This is a great call from a homeowner with a home built in 1981. That’s well before anybody cared anything about efficiency. The system, the attic, the ductwork was all in need of review if not repair or replacement. Listen to the steps the guys discuss and some of the pitfalls many homeowners encounter in the process of evaluation. It’s possible a complete upgrade could be done for the same amount as your utility bill today. Touching a bit on technology in this segment there’s an in-depth conversation about the changes in solar and battery technology as home energy in an emergency has changed dramatically. And in just a few years. Batteries, standby generators, whole home power generation have all become significantly more sophisticated, complex and efficient. Did you know your older solar system will not provide power in the event of a power outage? New technology is available to change that. What’s best for you? Find out by calling Brower Mechanical at 916-624-0808. Or visit on-line @ www.browermechanical.com

Your hosts Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small do address germs in the house and steps you can take to minimize them with better ventilation and air purification. With so much more time being spent in the home, being certain everything is functioning as it should be is critical. Service is still taking place and the Brower team is as concerned about your health and safety as they are about the health and safety of their team. Best practices for safety have all been implemented to insure the safety of all parties concerned. With more time spent in the home, the demand on the HVAC systems will grow and highlight the inefficiencies of your system. Now is a great time to assess the operation since you’re home all day to identify its’ functions. Knowing the available options could lead to rebates and reduce the costs necessary to upgrade. You’ll also hear in detail, the rationale for rebates and why the utilities are willing to pay you to do so. This is a compelling discussion that Duane explains in simple terms. Today’s caller is a live interview with an incredible story from a very satisfied customer that took some suggested steps to improve the air quality in her home. Impacted with COPD and asthma, Loretta explains the difference an air “scrubber” system with UV germicidal technology has made in her ability to breathe and the story is truly remarkable. The story from Loretta gets clarified by Duane to be certain the understanding of the UV germicidal is well understood. The explanation does exactly that and it’s important to understand if this might be a consideration for you. It’s not a cure all and still requires responsibility for good germ protection given the current situation. Today, however, it is a consideration worth investigation. For more information on what may work best for you call Brower Mechanical at 916-624-0808. Or visit on-line @ www.browermechanical.com

Hear from your hosts Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small address changes taking place in various communities throughout the state as natural gas bans are taking place. Lots of dialogue and many concerns about what this all means to so many businesses. There aren’t solutions yet but many issues. The utility companies are out to help you change your behavior. They’re offering incentives to change from gas to electricity. Not only is this technology an improvement in reducing expense, it also improves the comfort level in the home. There’s a great case study in the conversation. Today’s caller has concerns about his wife’s medical issues and PG&E power shutoffs. Here’s a great call relative to the interest people have in getting backup power. There are opportunities to get consideration for the expense when there is a medical issue in the household but you’ll need to know the proper steps to get the most support. Hear some of the suggestions Duane would address to minimize the anxiety. Battery technology is advancing at an incredible clip and everybody is jumping into the space. You’ll hear Duane and Bill talk about some of the considerations during power outages. Hybrid systems are going to be the norm with solar, generator and battery setups. For more information on what may work best for you call Brower Mechanical at 916-624-0808. Or visit on-line @ www.browermechanical.com

Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small start the show with a conversation getting into the values of a healthy home. There are many things to consider for the house and Duane describes some of the elements to consider. Some may be obvious but others not so much. Utilities are a very significant element of your opportunity to maximize efficiency in your home’s operating expense. Knowing your options vs the utility pricing could vary the decision considerably. Duane explains the process to help in the evaluation with some great case study description. If you’re considering upgrades for your home, be sure to listen in. It’s well worth your time. This is a special segment with a guest interview with Dr. Tom Hopkins addressing the preventative steps you can take in the home to address both Coronavirus and the common flu, a much more devastating disease in our society currently. Very good reminders that can fall by the wayside as the concerns mount. Dr. Tom spoke about some of the critical elements necessary for safety in the home with regard to many viruses. Yes, that includes the Coronavirus and flu. Duane explains how current technology can support the prevention in your home and some of the steps you can take to do your best for your family. For more information on some of the common steps you can take, call Brower Mechanical at 916-624-0808. Or visit on-line @ www.browermechanical.com

This episode is a special excerpt from the March 8th weekend broadcast show that focuses specifically on the interview with Dr. Thomas Hopkins. Dr. Tom walks your hosts, Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small through some of the steps to take to keep your home healthy and possibly prevent Coronavirus or the flu from spreading in your home. Some wise and simple steps to continue to keep your home a safe, healthy and comfortable living environment! For more information on additional steps you can take to improve the overall efficiency of your home's operation, call Brower Mechanical 16 916-624-0808 or on line at www.browermechanical.com. If you would like to reach out to Dr. Tom, he can be contacted thru his website, www.hopkinsmd.com

Your hosts Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small start with some of the concerns with generator power as well as some of the options when you must consider a solution to getting power to your home. You do have options and while Generac is the leading provider, Briggs & Stratton is also a choice. Hear more from the conversation as well as next steps on home usage and energy upgrades. The landscape of electricity usage has changed dramatically. How utilities bill you has changed dramatically as well. Rates are always in play and are most likely to increase rather than decrease. There are options and best practices to understand. Heating and cooling the home are the two greatest considerations to evaluate when you’re looking to improve the efficiency of your home’s energy consumption. The case study in this example is remarkable and one you’ll want to hear. Cooling your home for under $400 throughout the year would likely be considered significant for most of us. The clipboard audit revealed the opportunities. Now, for those rats… the call to Brower is one with a significant sense of urgency. The situation got so bad it was affecting the health of the inhabitants in the house. Insulation was badly impacted but they had also eaten into the ductwork as well. Not a good situation. But a great solution that accomplished more than one thing. Back to generators for the home. The state of CA is offering options to help those in need. The qualifications are discussed in this segment. Battery technology appears to be the direction the state of California is taking to offset power outages and PSPS. Hear Duane explain some of the details you’ll want to take into account in the event you may qualify of have a need. For more information, call Brower Mechanical at 916-624-0808. Or visit on-line @ www.browermechanical.com

Generator power is going to be a big consideration heading into the summer season which is really closer than you think. What to consider? Your hosts, Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small are turning up the juice with the discussion about utility expense and how it ties into your decision on what to do. And keep in mind Generac generators require service in the first 24 hours of run time. Brower can help. Whole house fans continue to be a viable option for consideration to save money on your utility bills, or, as you’ll hear in the discussion, they can also reduce your solar requirement. Even up to 5 panels and that means $5,000 in savings too! The value of workshops is clearly indicated by the caller from this segment as he schedules his home audit. The consideration for his questions is evident in the responses he receives and that’s one of the unique propositions you’ll be sure to get whenever you reach out to Brower Mechanical. Now, if your water is heated with gas or heated with electricity does it matter. YES!!! Not in the temperature of your water but in the cost of your effort to heat it. Electric water heating is more efficient and less expensive and there’s a huge incentive if you’re in the SMUD territory for service. A $3000 rebate for example. That’s an incredible value to convert to electric water heating and it will also reduce your operating bill each month as well. Learning all the details is critical and that’s the reason to call Brower Mechanical at 916-624-0808. Or visit on-line @ www.browermechanical.com

Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small are sweating it out today after the record heat this week. So, did you notice anything with your home? Is it ready for the heat? Did you know until recently, your solar would not run your house in the event of a power outage? Find out what the new technology is in this segment as there are options now to have your solar run your home in the event of outages of any kind. The significant emphasis of the clipboard audit can’t be underplayed and they are the answer to your questions. What’s up with the cost of gas? And we’re not talking gas for your car or gas in your belly. We’re talking natural gas in your house. The costs are creeping up and up and that plays into the decision on what your appliances should be; electric or gas. It’s an important decision going forward as you have to consider what’s happening in the future. It’s also important to know where you are. SMUD territory or PG&E territory. They differ greatly. This is one discussion you’ll want to hear. Duane breaks into a conversation from a case study and how one customer wanted to connect a portable generator to run his entire home in the event of a PSPS. This was a temporary situation and he eventually wanted a permanent whole house generator. What they found, and the way to make this happen is nothing short of amazing. Is bigger better? Well, if you know this show, you know the answer. Listen to find out how the explanation goes. You may learn there’s an option for you to save some money if you’re in the market for a new HVAC system. If it takes 13 minutes to reach peak efficiency and it’s too big, guess what? Yes, the answers are here. To learn more, check it out…call Brower Mechanical at 916-624-0808. Or visit on-line @ www.browermechanical.com

Your hosts Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small get right into the stories of change as a moment of reflection from the show’s beginning over four years ago to the significant differences then to now. And, wow, are things different. Nobody knew what a PSPS was back then, or electrification with induction cooking, or… Electricity is all the rage for efficiency going forward. A lot is going on in this field and you’ll hear the story of an ideal situation for the efficiency sake of things, about a homeowner who actually ended up getting a net even deal on top of getting value add with solar and other equipment. This would be a win win all around. Ultimately, this would likely result in a higher home value as well. An intangible until time to sell. What is the difference between a revitalization and a tune-up for your HVAC system? You may find that many companies are going to send two people out because one is a sales person and the other a tech. The goal of that company is simple. Sell you something. At Brower, it’s just the opposite. You’ll have one person show up and they’ll go thru the process of safety and maintenance with your equipment. If there are issues, not a problem. They’ll give you the report and you can make the choices and decision on your own. That’s a huge difference. With all the news about natural gas issues and the impact on the average customer, it’s not a bad idea to be aware of what the options are going to be at some point in the future. How do you make the decision to electrify? By getting educated, that’s how. Who better to get that information from? Brower Mechanical at 916-624-0808. Or visit on-line @ www.browermechanical.com

After a little banter on the big game today, your hosts Duane Knickerbocker (Niners!) and Bill Small (Chiefs) dive into the differences we’ve not only seen on the field but in home energy. Gas being banned in some communities, utility companies paying for upgrades, solar becoming more and more efficient. And unique to California is portable generator technology for the home and the best practices when building new. There are so many things to be aware of and the place to get the most current awareness of what they are is a clip board audit. Now this is a segment for something very new that most people are not aware of and it’s actually taking place in certain community utility districts. There are some areas of the state that will not let you put additional panels on your roof in the event you want to add equipment. They won’t allow you to go into a “Negawatt” condition with your home. So how do you add equipment that would require additional panels to run to keep you home at zero energy use? Maximize the energy efficiency of the home. Then you won’t need to add panels as you’ll not be using as much energy and therefore leaving some headroom with your panel production. Again, identifying the best way to make this happen, would be to start with a free clipboard audit. You’ll be surprised at what the results could be. What’s that “hold” button on your thermostat all about anyway? Did you know there’s a way you can use it to actually decrease your energy expense? Duane and Bill listen to a call from a customer as she learns how to take advantage of simple thermostat options to help her out. What teed this up is the concern for a newer system in the home when in fact, maybe not so much. And of course, that leads into the discussion of a set it and forget guarantee. You won’t hear that from many companies because you really have to know your business in order to make that guarantee. Now, that’s pretty cool. Now why would you use the expensive power to your home when you actually have options to use less expensive power? It used to be that gas was the way to go. It was cheaper. Unfortunately, that’s no longer the case. Now your water heater isn’t a very big deal when it comes to how it gets the water hot. You likely just want the least expensive way to get it there. And that would be electricity, especially if you’re in the SMUD utility district. In some cases it could be up to 50% less than gas. Now when you’re ready for the home heating upgrades, you can only imagine what those savings could be. The best place to know how best to do it, call Brower Mechanical at 916-624-0808. Or visit on-line @ www.browermechanical.com

Hear your hosts, Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small begin the conversation as it leads down the path to changes in the industry for home energy, solar and the dramatic differences from just a few years back. What’s changed is the myriad of options you now have to do what you need to do to get more comfortable, spend less and live healthier in the home. Wouldn’t you love to be able to make a “last payment” to your utility company? It can be done with the slight exception of having to pay for the connection, but that’s a minimal number and not one that will be going up as aggressively as power. Not to mention, you don’t want be caught short in the event an emergency arose and you needed utility power. Continuing the discussion, electrifying other elements of the home, Duane explains the value proposition of rebates and reduction of expense that net a gain after the total investment is complete. There are some great stories here that are well worth the time to listen. Case studies clarify the opportunity for you to compare to your own situation. Our caller today has a 16 year old furnace and a/c unit that is beginning to act up. Sometimes, the problem may not be the symptom for your homes’ energy. Hear what the suggestions may be to optimize the situation in the home do it right. What is the Brower Power Plan? Learn how Brower Mechanical will give you assurances for your power where there are concerns for the consistency of your utility’s delivery. When you do this process correctly, you’ll save money since your power supply assets will be much smaller than if you don’t execute the plan properly. Hear Duane address many of the elements that are necessary to get this done with examples of things to consider. Then take the next step to get your home assessed and see what your best options are. Call Brower Mechanical at 916-624-0808. Or visit on-line @ www.browermechanical.com

Your hosts, Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small, start where the year left off with portable generators for backup power. It’s not too soon to get your home ready for potential power shutoffs. Properly wiring the house to make the generator startup simple and safe is something you’ll want to do sooner than later… before you find yourself with no power. Sooner better than later. This is also an excellent time to have the electrical panel checked while you’re at it. WII-FM. Everybody’s favorite radio station. What’s In It For Me? Hear the explanation and the relationship to SMUD or any of the utilities as what gets evaluated when determining to get the energy expense under control. It’s always boiled down to what the most benefit to the customer is going to be. Get your home right, sealed tight, rebates earned. Tune into the station and get your home where you want it to be...then you can enjoy listening to that really low utility bill speaking to you. First in, last out. Last in wins. Old sales adages die hard but when considering what’s best for your home, Brower always wants to be first in. That way you have a great comparison when the rest of the characters come in to try to “sell” you something. You’ll also have a great template to ask questions from when the “other” guys come in. Start first with the true experts in home energy and then engage your other estimates from there. Better results in writing when it comes to your home’s energy consumption? And really, you’re going to cut the size of the A/C in half? Tell me! Tell me! This is the segment you’ll want to hear. The attic is where the greatest opportunities exist and once correctly sealed, it could reduce the size of the equipment necessary. And, you’ll get a written guarantee on the energy consumption as well. It really doesn’t get much better does it? This is why you need to give Brower Mechanical a call today. Efficiency, health and quiet. The number is 916-624-0808. Or you can visit on-line @ www.browermechanical.com

Yes, you may be thinking that’s how long a furnace can run or your AC unit. Not so true. Your hosts, Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small, share that it’s Brower Mechanical that’s been around 40 years. That means, they know the “guy”. Or the “girl”. When you need something relative to the home that may not be a service provided, Brower is surely going to know who to send you to for handling that issue. Continuing into the second segment, you’re going to hear all about zero energy homes and the requirements for the state on all new home construction. It’s more loosely related to zero net electricity usage. However, a truly zero net energy home would be all electric, no gas or other power source. Find out what that really looks like in the conversation and where the trend is headed. You’ll be surprised at the incentives to support the process. When is too much too much? When you get solar before upgrading the home to energy efficiency. The current average should be 1 panel for every 1500 SF. You can even do better depending on how well your home is sealed. At $1000 per panel, the offset easily can go into those upgrades yielding a much more efficient and valuable home. Address the symptoms of the home before you try to cure the problem. Here’s the elephant in the room. What if you’re considering a backup generator? Then you would certainly want the most efficient home you could create. You’ll need a smaller generator as a result. And of course, saving you money on the size of the generator as well. That’s truly the win-win-win. Know the end of the game before you start to play. Why would you look forward to a PG&E rate increase? Because you’ve got an efficient home with solar. You’re now saving more money than prior to the rate increase. That makes you smile. If you know what you’re trying to accomplish with the home before you invest in any energy products, you’ll be way ahead of the game. This is what Brower Mechanical does best. To get your free clipboard audit energy assessment, give them a call at 916-624-0808. Or you can visit on-line @ www.browermechanical.com

So you’ve weathered the holidays, you made it thru PSPS, and new year put an end to both a year and a decade. Phew! But now it’s time to get real again. Time to get your house in order and be prepared for anything. Hot, Cold, power or no power. You’ve heard it before and you’ll hear it again, start with the clipboard audit to tee the year up right. Home performance is everything. With the new year, get a plan put together that you can act on and take advantage of all the benefits. Did you hear that there is a possibility that new homes may not have gas lines connected to them, by law! Yes, California is pushing the issue and it’s not just net zero. Hear what that’s all about and how the code is mandating it. This is a big deal and will impact all new construction, possibly even commercial buildings. And if your home is not new, you can still get to net zero as well. That’s all in the discussion this segment and one that couldn’t be more informative. Looking for long term solutions to your home energy needs? There is a great caller here who has been keeping track of his family’s carbon footprint for 10 years. This is somebody who is aware of home energy consumption and its’ environmental impact. He’s describing, in detail, what he’s looking for. Now here is a great candidate for at the very least, a clipboard audit. Better yet, he would likely appreciate a full energy audit. Hear how the discussion continues into some of the elements and his next steps. This is one of the more informed callers that come into the show. Closing out the first show of the new year, the real question is, does your new year resolution include improving your home’s efficiency? What does energy independence really look like? Fixing the effect of the construction slop is what getting the home “right” means. And then evaluate your options, of which there are many. This also includes consideration for generator power if you’re in that area. Be sure to start the year right by calling Brower Mechanical and getting your energy expense in-line with what your goals are. Do it now and don’t miss a beat. 916-624-0808. Or you can visit on-line @ www.browermechanical.com

Your hosts, Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small dive right into the holiday discussion with a consideration to energy. Do solar panels impact the ability for Santa to land on the roof? What’s up with Tesla and why is natural gas going up in price? Duane starts this segment off with a little explanation about why the cost of natural gas is going up vs down when the actual cost of gas is down significantly. (hint: distribution). Following that discussion, why are home values in PG&E areas possibly getting challenged? Fires and power shutoffs don’t do you any favors when you’re looking to sell. BUT, there are solutions and they’re called energy upgrades. How you convey the value if you’re selling in these areas are to be able to demonstrate value with solar and backup power. So, the homes with these options for stabilizing utility costs and minimizing interruptions are going to get the greatest ROI on those investments as they’ll sell first… and likely for a premium. Does your furnace have issues? The caller in this segment does and it’s quite serious if not addressed. Listen as Duane explains the situation and the significance of ignoring the problem. Carbon Monoxide poisoning could be a very serious concern and one you do not want to mess with. This is a safety concern to be aware of. How does electricity compare in similar situations? You’ll hear it all in the conversation. OK, so it’s gotten a bit colder out, furnaces are firing up and people are more aware today than historically so they’re realizing that the attic is important to help keep the house more comfortable. It’s not just insulation but that’s a good place to start. Then sealing everything up right and tight and being certain there are no leaks improperly outside and no leaks improperly into the home. The “cool tools” used to identify the issues make all the difference to get it absolutely right. A clipboard audit would help identify this issue so it’s important to start with an assessment to get it right. And…what about those rebates and options? Brower knows. Don’t wait, call Brower Mechanical today. 916-624-0808. Or you can visit on-line @ www.browermechanical.com.

Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small start today’s conversation with generator hookup considerations. Do it right for sure but more importantly, have a plan to keep you and your family safe. It’s not as simple as you might expect and the most simple approaches may be the most dangerous. Building science and home performance. What? Well, this is going to give you an idea of how this whole thing about getting it right came to be for Duane when he decided to literally change the entire direction of his company. Yes, it’s all about home energy, indoor air quality and comfort. More importantly, that means your inner peace and health. Yes, it’s that significant. Back to that Clipboard Audit, this is where you start. For Free. It’s that simple. Then, Duane goes off on some case studies to really hammer home the values of the outcome of those clipboard audits. And your utility company thoughts on this? Check it out at any of their websites and you’ll see how consistent they are in the process. No surprise, they totally agree to get that plan in place with a audit, FIRST. Callers are always fun to hear their objectives. This caller is no exception. Educated customers are no surprise given the options on the internet and here is a customer that knows the brand and the fuel type she would like to get a proposal for and hookup. These are the best types of customers Brower loves to engage with as the expectations are clear. The ability to articulate the need and the understanding of the process just makes everything that much better when the decisions need to be made. So how do you keep up with utility bills in retirement? Can you afford the roller coaster billing from the utility company? Do you even want that sort of fluctuation? Well, there are ways to fix your utility bills so you have some security, especially in retirement. This is an incredibly important segment as there are ways to help you get to the comfort of knowing what that utility bill looks like. No hype, no gimmicks, this is something you should consider if that’s something you would like to see happen. As always, for more information on the topic, give Brower a call at 916-624-0808. Or you can visit on-line @ www.browermechanical.com.

Opening the show with a bit of a chill in the air, Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small get a bit more into the detail and process for a clipboard audit. If you’ve been aware, and not fully comprehending the specifics, you’ll get the details in this conversation. Then you’ll hear a bit more on the topic of discussion at every holiday dinner table…generators. It’s probably become a more engaging conversation than politics at the dinner table with relatives with a little less polarization. Choices are everything and today’s home energy options are so diverse. New homes are no longer using natural gas, they’re totally electric, solar, battery and more. What are some of the reasons, some of the elements to consider, best ways to go? This is the story to be told as the country makes it’s shift to different ways to do things. Even your vehicle is now able to be fueled in your home. No extra stopping at the gas station. No time wasted fueling up. No pollution either. Remarkable. You’ll be sure to learn something you didn’t know you didn’t know. This is a most interesting call as the caller is fluent in the process of what to do during a PSPS and how best to connect his home. He wants to be most cautious and do it right. He is looking at wiring directly to his home, minimizing the cords and hassle. The Brower representative walks him, and you, through pre-wire options in detail. This is a critical listen if a portable hard-wired unit is something of consideration for your home. Our guest this segment is David Duffield from Champion Power Equipment. Listen up as this is going to be an informative segment. Hear recommendations and options you have when the power situation is less than stable. Should you choose a portable or a home standby system? There are a considerable amount of risks that you should be aware of. They occur with both the unit itself as well from fuel to carbon monoxide and heat. Then you have the connection. Are you running extension cords? Open windows? Moving appliances to get the cord. Does that open window create an issue in itself? Would you be better off if you ran it through your own home’s wiring instead? Maybe even safer? To make these things happen, help is only a phone call away. Call Brower Mechanical at 916-624-0808. Or you can visit on-line @ www.browermechanical.com.

Your hosts, Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small give you an early payoff on that turkey oriented headline. Yes, it’s a joke from Duane’s nephew and you can’t help but laugh. Bringing a little humor to the program always helps lighten and brighten some of the great information they share like home energy to, well, lighten and brighten your home! As a continuing reminder, the solar tax credit does go down from 30% to 26% in 2020 so this is just about the last call on this to make it in time to get your full credit and solar installed in time. Energy upgrades are a popular conversation in nearly every show. And what better way to be more thankful during the holiday then to save a little money on your utility bill? Back to energy upgrades, they’re discussed in one way or another and you can be sure the detail of the upgrades can’t be understated. They not only reduce overall utility expense, but they also increase home value. Not to mention this is a much more comfortable, healthier and less expensive home to run and enjoy. These energy upgrades are such a valuable proposition, you absolutely want to get the clip board audit to start the process. This is before you do anything to change the energy scheme in your home. The worst case would be oversizing your solar requirements and then upgrading only to find you need far less solar to fuel the electricity. That would be a terrible situation to find yourself in and the case study today, really exemplifies that. How does going from two HVAC units to one sound as a start? The story ends very well. The caller in this segment seems to be in need of something that Brower offers and that’s a regularly scheduled visit to do both filters and tune up for both A/C and heat. The automatic activity takes all the burden off your mind. Hear why it’s worth the investment. Finally, what does it look like when your power is derived from alternatives? Do you think cooking the turkey in an alternative powered oven makes it taste different? Uh, no. So the discussion begins with PG&E power purchase agreement, to solar to more. Would 17 cents per kilowatt for a 20 year fixed price make sense with very little out of pocket expense? How about 14 cents for financed solar? Still way better than the twenty something cents for your utility bill on a roller coaster depending on the month. You can get a fixed payment. You can budget for your utility expense for the next 20 years. And of course, the least expense going forward would be to simply pay cash and buy outright. Then, no significant utility bill. It’s all just math. So there may be 50 ways to leave your lover or, well, 3 ways to leave your utility but a whole lot of things to be thankful for this thanksgiving holiday. Those answers as to what is best for you are all just one phone call away. Call Brower Mechanical at 916-624-0808. Or you can visit on-line @ www.browermechanical.com.

Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small open the conversation with our incredible, albeit dry, weather of late. Wow. Who needs air conditioning or heat in paradise, right? Well, the show really is all about home energy so a slight regression occasionally is perfectly OK. So you know something needs to be done, where it is you begin. What do you do? Where and when do you start? You’ll hear this time and time again, get a complimentary clipboard audit. Learn what you need to consider. Are you a good candidate for the idea you have to address your home’s energy needs? In other words, don’t do solar first! Start with an assessment. And then learn your options with rebates. You have many ways to go. You’ll hear it all here. I’ll bet you didn’t think your fridge, TV or any device in your home might notice a difference on how it gets power…or did you? Well, it doesn’t matter. Electricity is electricity. Doesn’t matter where it comes from. Now, if solar has been a consideration, this is the time to get a clip board audit, determine what your true need is going to be, what you can do to minimize the number of panels and maybe even move on then to get the solar ordered today to take advantage of the full tax credit benefit in 2019. Next year is less. Give it some serious thought and make that decision today, before it’s too late to get it installed. And if PG&E is still making you nervous, there’s always generator power to consider. Hear how proper wiring makes the process so much easier. Todays’ caller is right in line with what you might expect from a generator call given the recent power shutoffs. You’ll notice he’s is quite aware of what he needs. This is very impressive at the consumer level and you can be sure, he’ll get the best result given his particular situation. Yes, this particular homeowner is a victim of recent power shutoffs and is concerned about what’s going to happen going forward. He’s even got specific goals that he’s looking to meet. A very good call indeed. So, if you’re giving consideration to solar before the tax credit changes, you’re going to want to seriously consider battery backup as well. They’re both eligible for the credit when you do it right. And that’s the key consideration. How much backup and energy you need on the front side of it all is a big question. There’s one way to find out quickly and that’s to call Brower Mechanical at 916-624-0808. Or you can visit on-line @ www.browermechanical.com.

Wow. PSPS, Public Safety Power Shutoffs have been all the conversation when it comes to home energy of late. Solutions, temporary or permanent, begin the show and your hosts Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small get it going right from the start. Even some very simple solutions to keeping the fridge cold and minimizing loss. So what happens when these outages occur and does it impact your home equipment? May be…. are power surges possibly impacting or ruining your home appliances? Hear Duane explain the details and benefits of solar installation after home energy upgrades, not prior to doing them. Power is a critical thing when you’re used to it so the case studies discussed give great examples of how the proper approach is an efficient way to go. This applies not only to solar but also to generator power. The principals are the same. Get the home right first and then invest the money to keep it as you like it. Exactly as you like it. In every area of the house too. But that’s not all. The outcome and expense in operation of your newly upgraded, energy efficient home is also guaranteed. Yes. You would receive a guarantee on the monthly bill for the use of your newly upgraded home. Ready to save some big money? How about a $3000 rebate from SMUD on your installation of a new heat pump water heater? That’s literally like getting the water heater free. And, your monthly bill will go down by about 50% if you’re converting from gas. Be sure to explore this option if you’re currently looking or even think you might be in need soon. It’s that worth it. Closing the show out, the conversation moves to solar and battery backup. Timing is now if you want to get the maximum tax credit on your investment. Next year, the credit reduces a bit. The good news is that there is still time to get it done this year. Plus, if you install battery backup at the same time, the credit also applies to your battery backup as well. Bill calls the seamless process of battery backup power “wonderfulness”. And it is. Nothing for you to do in a power outage. It all happens seamlessly. If you’re in an area prone to short term power outages, this is a fantastic solution to what’s going on in your home. Following the batter backup situation is the generator alternative. Portable or permanent generator? What’s best for your situation? There’s a quick way to find out and that’s to reach out to Brower Mechanical at 916-624-0808. Or you can visit on-line @ www.browermechanical.com.

Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small start with some fun that occurs on a regular basis when the team is out on a service call. There were so many unique observations they started a YouTube channel and share what they see on their Facebook posts. Funny stuff. Maybe even something you could apply in your home too! And then it gets a bit more relative with a discussion of “that smell” when your furnace fires up for the first time in the season. Not to worry, it’s just dust burning off from sitting all summer long. BUT, run your furnace now while it’s still warmer out and let it burn that dust off. That way when you really need it, you won’t be having to smell “that smell” when you’re using it to heat the home. Now, that’s one smell. But there is another smell you may be sensing. Do you hear scratching at night, or have an occasional stench? It’s likely a dead mouse in the attic or wall. Kind of nasty. The answer is to move them to another hotel on your block and the solution is bantered back and forth by your show hosts. It’s fixable but better to nip it in the bud before it gets out of control. A clipboard audit will disclose the problem and if you’re concerned for your health, don’t you think it’s worth it? Oh my, the calls of late have been good but this is one you’ll really appreciate. For this caller, it was a fixed time that really surprised him. I think we all agree, we would prefer a live person and a set appointment vs a recording and a window of time. You can pretty much expect that live person when you call Brower and depending on your need, you can also get a fixed time. That’s how business should be done. So what actually happens when you make a decision for a major upgrade? Are you trying to manage the project with the generator guy, the electirician, solar guy, the HVAC person, the cable company, the pool guy, oh, and not to forget the roofing guy? C’mon. That’s crazy! Brower actually handles it all for you. Let Brower be your support team and general contractor you need to keep it together. It will save you money and saving you $$$ is something you also want to be aware of. I’m talking about the solar tax credit. You’ve heard they’re scaling it back in 2020 so why not hustle to get it done? You’ll want to be sure you’re all set by Thanksgiving with your plans or you’re not going to make it in time. The solar must be installed by the end of the year to get the tax credit. And the rebates? What rebates you ask? Well, who to call to be sure??? Brower Mechanical at 916-624-0808. Or you can visit on-line @ www.browermechanical.com.

The goblins are out and your hosts Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small are having some fun with the holiday coming up. But in spite of the holiday treats, no amount of sugar is going to get the home right and we all know, that sugar high only leads to a sugar crash. Just like your energy usage, it feels good when you’re overpaying for comfort but it sure stinks when you get the bill. Here more of the options as the show continues. Now, one of the benefits of a Brower home energy audit is what the outcome of it all is. The conversation here is a wonderful case study of how a homeowner got himself battery backup and an energy upgrade all for less than his average monthly utility bill. And that’s not to mention his security of knowing his utility costs month in and month out. If you’re thinking about solar, remember, now is the time to act so it gets installed in time for the tax credit before the credits change in 2020. Be sure not to wait. This segment has a wonderful caller who has been doing her homework, had a great deal of information and had a great experience with Brower Mechanical before. She knew all about Generac generators and some of the capabilities they could provide. You’ll be surprised to hear her comments on what she would like to see happen. So in keeping with the holiday tradition, it is Halloween week and it just wouldn’t be right without some comment about the holiday. You’ve heard them all before… Don’t get spooked by the high costs of energy. Keep the ghouls out of your attic by sealing it properly. Electrification used to be for Frankensteins only, now we’re doing it to our homes. Don’t let your utility play tricks when you want to treat yourself to comfort. Hear what Duane and Bill have to say about it all as they close out yet another Halloween holiday. The payoff is more treat than trick. Give the energy experts at Brower Mechanical a call. 916-624-0808. Or you can visit on-line @ www.browermechanical.com.

Your hosts Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small share a little humor about the more controllable outages...like when a car or truck takes out a power pole. It’s still an inconvenience, it’s still no power but more often than not, the power is back on within hours. So, are generators something you still want to consider? Of course. Any power outages are covered with a generator regardless of the cause. And we’re still not out of the woods with PSPS so why not get ahead of it? How do you make money with your home’s efficiency? By now you probably know the details of what the guys talk about. Is your home efficient first…then do your upgrades. So now with all the interest in generators, guess what? You’re going to need a much larger generator to run an inefficient home. Get the house right with energy upgrades FIRST; And your generator requirements are going to be reduced. A smaller generator means less expense! That’s the way to do it right, keep your lights on in a power failure and save a lot of money. Plus, you’ll earn a rebate as well. That’s doing things right. The case study Duane shares is one you’ll appreciate as it addresses this issue and saved the family $5000 on the cost of the generator as a result of downsizing. Quite surprising. The caller in this segment lives cross country and was very concerned about what was happening with the power shutoffs and what steps he could take to mitigate the concerns he had for his home in PG&E territory. He also was well aware of his need and what his options might be for power all or mostly all of his home. The ensuing conversation is spot on with his comments. So, a Brower Mechanical home energy upgrade, tends to be more efficient than many of the new homes being built today. However, as Duane visits new home subdivisions regularly, there is one builder he’s come across that does an outstanding job on energy efficiency. Hear who that is and what some of the tactics they use to make they’re homes better sealed and more efficient. If you want to learn what you can do it insure the most efficient power for your home, give the energy experts at Brower Mechanical a call. 916-624-0808. Or you can visit on-line @ www.browermechanical.com.

Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small dig into the nature of the PSPS recently activated by PG&E. Hear them discuss the nature of the questions fielded by Brower Mechanical as the power began to shut down. Who did what? How did people prepare? What happened to those not well prepared? What were some of the actions people took to maintain the most important elements of the PSPS? In a very rare instance, the second segment today is a replay from last week, just a few days prior to the first big Public Safety Power Shutoff, unbeknownst to all concerned. It was a well-timed interview giving tips, instruction and updates on the information PG&E is providing. The discussion covers literally, many of the elements of what just took place in the week prior. It’s a prophetic discussion and deals with the updates, prep and expectations a customer can have in the event of a PSPS. It’s a valid discussion that you’ll want to take notes on to be sure you’re prepared the next time around. It’s an interesting conversation given we’ve got very recent history to compare notes on the good, the bad and the ugly. Generators start the conversation of this segment helping homeowners understand the values of what a generator can and cannot do. Too many people have unrealistic expectations of what can be done and how. Get an idea of pricing for some of the elements that can help run your home in the event of a power shutoff. Duane discusses the details and some of the challenges he saw this time around that homeowners did not prepare for. It’s not all about generators either. Battery backup if you have solar is another outstanding option. That part of the discussion carries into the final segment of today’s show. Good to know there are choices for you to make the best decision to fit your needs. Closing out the show, battery backup is a great addition to a solar system but you have to understand what the process should be to be as efficient as possible. This is a great choice and even more importantly, if you are considering solar, what should you do to be certain battery backup remains an option. So you’re wondering how does all this come together and what might the cost be? Got you covered there too. Duane talks about what you can expect for pricing in the event you’re looking at batteries to back up your solar. And when it’s all said and done, the best choices always revolve around making one simple phone call. Call Brower Mechanical at 916-624-0808. Or you can visit on-line @ www.browermechanical.com

Your hosts Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small start out reflecting on the most recent seminar where people had particular interests requiring deeper discussion on a topic you may not have expected. To be sure, it was a surprise to hear the interest in heat pumps and home electrification. A very different discussion than the norm. And of course, the highly anticipated conversation took place regarding Public Safety Power Shutoffs. What kind of generator power do you need? What about battery backup? What is the best option for your situation? Great stuff and more continued. What about results when a home is optimized for energy consumption? Why does one home of the same square footage require so much less energy than another? What does that do to the solar requirement? And now, think about this. What sort of generator do I need to keep the home operating comfortably? Just like solar, if your home is inefficient, you’re going to need a bigger generator. Yup, more money. But if the home is energy upgraded, guess what, smaller generator. Here again, you would be saving thousands if the energy upgrade was complete. With rebates and energy savings, they would come close to covering the cost of the backup power. Sounds familiar. The case study Duane shares is amazing. There is every reason in the world to consider a home energy upgrade and for so many reasons. Start with that clipboard audit. It gives you the roadmap to understand what your first steps need to be. The price is affordable to get that done. FREE. Considering solar or backup power? This is the step you must take. Call Brower Mechanical! This segment is a tutorial on mini-split technology. If you’re unfamiliar, it’s worth the listen to learn a little more about options you have to heat and cool your home…or possibly even your garage. They’re an outstanding option to consider when you don’t have the ability to run ductwork but need heating and cooling. The guys at Brower are experts and can walk you thru the process. This is an exciting segment as the guys have Brandi Merlo from P,G&E to share some of the information regarding the possibility of a Public Safety Power Shutoff. Did you know there were 100 cameras over the 70,000 square mile coverage area of P,G&E? And if you go to the website www.pge.com/firesafety you can actually watch those cameras and see what’s going on. The prediction of fire safety is handled by 12 meteorologists and they strive to get the information out in two phases, a heads-up and then the actual time of shutoff. For more information you can also call P,G&E at 800-743-5000. And if you want to get something done in the home for one or more of many reasons, here’s what you need to do. Call Brower Mechanical at 916-624-0808. Or you can visit on-line @ www.browermechanical.com.

9-29-19: Hot-Cold, Cold-hot season changes… now what and when? Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small dive right into the conversation with value. How do you know what to do to start? Begin with a free clipboard audit. That’s the answer. You’ll immediately know about your rebate options, your HVAC need, your energy upgrade potential and it’s all free. And it WILL save you money! Guaranteed. In this segment, the guys shed light on details that are now occurring between local communities and jurisdictions to get a permit to install a generator. If you’re not ahead of the curve proactively, you could be caught short with no power in the event of a PSPS or any other power outage. A good reminder is that battery backup is an option that is tax advantaged along with your solar installation. Reference back to the free clipboard audit to make the determination that is best for your particular application. It’s important to note that all the utilities are focused on more electrification. As a result, you want to be sure you cover all the options in your assessment and that means knowing what you see in your home in the not to distant future. Now is that special time of year for hear and cooling, back and forth and you’ll hear a fun call on somebody questioning their HVAC system operations. Probably one of the most entertaining callers we’ve had on the show in some time. What it reminds us though is that as we approach the fall season, it’s time to consider revitalizing your system. And when it’s hot days, cool nights, you can actually give both systems a solid check-up and revitalize them. Too cold out, it’s just the heater. Too warm out and it’s just the A/C. So, just like Goldilocks, now is the time that’s just right. Closing out the show, the discussion moves into a bit of future speak and how artificial intelligence has entered the home energy category as well. Not just consumption of energy but actual home health and how it impacts the people living there. Believe it or not, one surprise benefit on a home energy upgrade that many of the consumers comment on is that things got quieter. Pretty interesting and it’s because noise follows air. Air carries sound! How about that for a physics lesson? All in an effort to get your home more efficient and healthier. There are ways to manage the air in your home to get it to be the best it can be. This stuff really works and to find out how it can really work for you, give Brower Mechanical a call at 916-624-0808. Or you can visit on-line @ www.browermechanical.com. Be our welcome guest.

Your hosts, Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small open the show with a little joke Duane plays on Bill regarding cleaning your solar panels. As they settle into the show, the direction they take is supporting PG&E and the PSPS warnings. It’s a serious yet complimentary discussion to help you know where to go to get the direct link to the fire forecast and the potential it may have to affect you. The conversation travels into additional energy, backup batteries and generator power. When is high efficiency not necessarily the answer to higher efficiency? That’s a mouthful for sure but it means something different than it sounds like. How do you actually “get it right” to be sure you’ve got it right? Right! This is where the guys discuss the values of having your home properly maximized on its’ energy efficiency before you begin consideration of more efficient or high efficiency heating and A/C units. Are they really necessary. Hint. No. But there are steps to take into consideration to do so. Could you extend the life or your equipment as well? Yes. Do you need to make a move immediately on your current equipment? Nope. Is there more you’ll appreciate knowing? You bet. It’s all in the conversation. What’s up with all these “deals” of $45, $42 or whatever per week for your new HVAC? Gimmicks is what you’ll hear. Outrageous in the grand scheme of things. Toss that direct mail piece and if you’re interested in efficiency, call somebody who does it all the time. You know who that might be, of course. Brower Mechanical. Don’t be fooled into wasteful gimmicks for new systems. Often, you don’t even need a new system. A lot is happening fast when it comes to year end thoughts and solar is one of those considerations. The solar tax credit changes at the end of this year and if solar is a consideration, now is the time to get on top of it. You’ll need to have it confirmed by Thanksgiving to insure you’re able to have it completed in time for the year-end tax prep. It’s the time to act if you’re in this space at this point in time. Who to call? Brower Mechanical at 916-624-0808. On-line @ www.browermechanical.com.

Listen as your hosts Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small talk about some of the fun things the Brower team comes across on a regular basis as they work in customers’ yards. And yes, trash can speakers really are incredible. And yes, there are even videos that you can watch to help prevent a visit that could cost you a service fee. How is electrification changing in the home energy realm? It’s significant and the technology is actually providing opportunities to lower your utility bills. And does it make a difference when you need alternative power? Maybe during a PSPS? Batter backup with solar, generators both short and long term? The caller in today’s show was, we’re pleased to say, a referral from a neighbor. But the issue was pretty severe and making the home uncomfortable with indoor temps over 85 degrees. An obvious description was helpful in getting the home set for the techs when they arrived, likely giving them a little more opportunity to get things done sooner. It’s also a good heads up to say take a look at what your system is doing now, before the season hits. So it may seem a bit early to talk about revitalizations, but really, now is the best time to have everything done early. You’ll save money, get more comfort and really enjoy your home more. Before the rush. And learn all about the value of a subscription to monthly fee that minimizes the inconsistencies of service a couple of times a year. The money to be saved should more than offset the minimal investment. Learn more and call Brower Mechanical at 916-624-0808. On-line @ www.browermechanical.com.

Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small open todays show with the significance of Public Service Power Shutoffs as we enter into the fire season in the region. The conversation takes you into the values of a clipboard audit, the CBA, to get your home right as the calendar seasons begin to change. Heat outside is one good reason to do so to keep your home cooler in the summer but as we transition into the cooler outside temperatures, the opposite is true. Maybe your home is well shaded and comfortable in the heat, but it’s tough to escape the cold. Now is a good time to get your clipboard audit done. It’s free, it’s comprehensive and it gives you the road map to the proper steps to take to minimize your energy waste. Do solar panels mean no utility bills? Usually not! Don’t be fooled into thinking panels or tons of panels on a roof mean no bills. There are many factors that come into play. The case story is wrapped around two homes of similar size with a whopping 20 panel difference on the roofs. If you’re giving thought to solar, this segment alone may save you thousands! This bounces you right back to the values of the free clipboard audit. And the answer is yes, the audit alone could save you money. So… think about this. Why would you suffer through the summer with no A/C only to get it repaired when you sell the home? That’s the situation today’s caller; Interesting situation, and of course a good result. You’ll enjoy the story. Closing out this week’s show, the discussion turns to water heaters. If you’re a natural gas user, this is especially key for you to hear. You’ll learn why your natural gas bills may be going up and some opportunities you may have to lessen the impact on your wallet. You’ll also hear how SMUD is going to give you a huge rebate to make the transition to an electric water heater and save money with no real spend difference up front. The details of the rebate and the values will take you down the path to cutting your water heating expense in half. This same technology is also applicable to your home furnace. The explanation is of great value if you’re in that phase of your home’s energy equipment. Don’t miss out on getting the information you need by calling Brower Mechanical a call at 916-624-0808. On-line @ www.browermechanical.com.

Your hosts Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small have an interesting perspective on novel homeowner situations that they’re going to not only talk about today but actually share on social media. The Brower crew is out there in and out of homes every day. As a result, they see things that may benefit many from hidden safes to garbage collection. You’ll also hear about how you can donate a working window a/c unit to benefit those in need. It’s a project one of the Brower employees adopted. It’s really quite special. A great discussion continues on the cost of financing solar vs buying power from PG&E. Remember, your utility bill is a one-time expense every month with no equity built and nothing accrued. Bill, pay, repeat. If you were to look at solar and it’s benefits across a period of time, you’ll see how financing solar can be almost 50% less expensive than what you’re throwing out each month without solar. Similar payment, identical power delivery to the home. This does not include future unknown rate increases. It would seem this is a no-brainer. It surely should be! Alternate energy is a huge deal and that’s now transcending solar. Batteries, portable generators, whole home generators are becoming more and more a part of the home energy strategy. Duane takes Bill’s lead and discusses each of the options, how they function and how they are typically paid for. Remember this all begins with what the end goal is. Find out where to begin with a ClipBoard Audit. It’s free and it gets you started on the path to that end goal. Why is Brower Mechanical? Well, sort of serious, sort of fun but the bottom line is Brower is so much more than just HVAC, hence the word mechanical. It’s all the systems in your home that are mechanical. That includes heating and air but includes ductwork, solar, water heater, pool pump, attic sealing, etc. Now you know the backstory! So how much energy does a solar panel provide? What can it power in the house? Well, how about 3 panels to provide hot water for the next 25 years? Yes. That’s it. For possibly the rest of your lifetime! And that’s just the beginning. There are so many things to consider and ways to minimize the solar requirement to your advantage. The insight and knowledge comes thru in actionable terms. Don’t forget, solar tax credits will be diminishing in 2020 so now is the time to act or you’ll be getting less tax credit in the new year. Get your home energy plan started by giving Brower Mechanical a call at 916-624-0808. On-line @ www.browermechanical.com.

Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small dig into the local community scene with a conversation on the Public Safety Power Shutoffs and how that message is being disseminated in the community. This is a great and necessary outreach to keep homeowners aware of what they can do for prevention first, then power second. Generators, batteries, solar are all topics of the discussion. Those necessities, or bare essentials are individual to each consumer. The consensus is that a PSPS could be, on average, two to three days. Very important if you’re one of the families affected. I’ll bet you didn’t know why SMUD might be different than PG&E with regard to Public Service Power Shutoffs. Michael Corbett tells the story. The conversation then drives straight into time of use billing and how you should actually save on the program and how it’s going to benefit in Winter with little to slight impact in the Summer if you pay attention to the peak hours. The discussion continues with Michael Corbett talking more about why utilities give rebates to use less of the service. You’ll even hear about a big decision you’ll have to make when you purchase your electric vehicle. It has to do with saving money so you’ll want to hear it. Now, about those rebates…why. Start with carbon and emissions reduction. Environmental Stewardship is critical and knowing demand will likely continue to grow, managing it today preserves the future and in the long run, reduces cost to the consumer. This allows each customer to make choices to meet their specific needs to their best advantage. Electrification will be more and more significant in the future and now is the time to get educated. The case study here is one that literally took advantage of every energy upgrade and rebate available including solar. It’s a compelling story that starts with a solar only option to reduce the expense. You’ll hear how this turned out to be a terrible option. Then, after a home performance evaluation, the steps were taken to completely upgrade the home. The outcome is nothing short of remarkable. Originally bid at 45 solar panels, after all the upgrades were complete, the final solar panel count was 16! 29 panels less mean roughly $30,000! And that does not include all the rebates! If this makes sense to you, and you want to get that same evaluation and potential savings, you have to give Brower Mechanical a call at 916-624-0808. On-line @ www.browermechanical.com.

Warning: Fun show ahead. Well, you’re not going to really find much out about electric guitars but you will hear about why electric cars are becoming more and more significant to our environment. And you’ll hear an incredible story about a Brower employee who is taking older window units from homes being upgraded and bringing them to people in need and installing them to help them stay just a bit cooler. He’s doing this on his own simply as a service to help. That’s pretty neat or actually, darn cool! As the show progresses, you’ll hear from a caller with what is nicknamed the www casualty. He’s done the research on the internet and found out that a particular technology may be most efficient to pulling the heat down from 90-100. And he’s correct but it will only work to cool to about 80-85. Not what most would consider comfortable. Duane explains that situation as it’s not an uncommon occurrence. Flex alerts, PSPS, smart meters, battery backup… you never heard any of these things 10 years ago. Heck, electric cars were barely on the radar. Hear the explanation of many of these terms as they relate to your energy consumption. They’re all behavioral electrical manipulation and we sure hope for the greater good. Smart meters, talking to smart home appliances, talking to you telling you what’s going on…and of course the utility as well. Really neat stuff to look forward to. A glimpse into the future that’s here today. Knowing this all really dictates the need for a plan for your home energy consumption. Think about one of your on-going expenses. Home energy expense is a monthly variable expense every single month. You budget for it as it isn’t going away so why not get a plan together that gives you the most clarity possible? Let somebody who knows something about it, help. Brower Mechanical; Call today at 916-624-0808. Or on-line @ www.browermechanical.com.

It’s hot, it’s been hot and it’s likely going to get a bit hotter yet. Now what? Your hosts Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small enter into a fun discussion on HVAC monikers and where the description of “mechanical” in the name actually comes from. Fun story and really interesting to hear how much more the industry has changed and how inclusive what used to be just a simple heating and air conditioning company is now so much more. Brower Mechanical now means, HVAC, attic sealing, ducting, solar, home energy assessments, backup power including batteries and generators, roofing, windows and even pool pumps. If it has something to do with home energy, you can be sure your mechanical service company is involved to some degree in many of the options. So what’s going on now and what’s on most people’s minds? Power. Backup power. What if there’s a Public Safety Power Shutoff? PSPS? Will you be able to have your home powered up? And how are you going to do that? Depends. Do you have solar, do you need a generator? What are the steps to all the processes for all this energy? This isn’t something you’re going to want to tackle on your own. A big investment could go down the drain if you’re unaware of the legal variations in locale. Trust the experts here. It’s covered in the conversation in this segment. So what happens when you have an A/C unit that just can’t keep up with the temperature you expect? Or not even really comfortable? Well, first off, it depends on if your expectation is realistic. But, in many cases, it could be signaling something bigger and a problem you’ll want to address. The caller case study did just that. Hear about it in this segment. Solar size and expense is always a critical concern when you’re considering options for home energy. An absolute must is understanding not only today but tomorrow as well. Is there anything you’re going to do differently that could change your home’s energy consumption? Be sure to factor everything in. If not, you WILL make an investment that’s unnecessary. Home energy upgrades planned properly will yield less panels and at $1000 per panel, that could be a significant savings. So, what to do? Pick up the phone and make the call to Brower Mechanical a call today at 916-624-0808. Or on-line @ www.browermechanical.com. Stay cool!

Yep. I said Free and so do your hosts Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small. A couple of things are free. Like the service to provide you the information you need to best assess and get the biggest rebates possible. That would be the free clipboard audit. And the free clipboard audit is what leads you to big rebates which some consider free energy devices or free energy in some way shape or form. Whatever your interpretation, free is free. Listen and learn here. Solar only may be a good consideration for many of you in the listening area and there’s a case study on two homes with different approaches. Two similarly sized homes with full solar systems are providing energy in roughly 2300SF. One home has 36 solar panels and the other with 13. Both are accomplishing the same thing. The home with energy upgrades is using the 13. At $1000 per panel, that’s a $23000 difference in solar alone! Yikes. What happened? Clearly the home with more panels is consuming much more energy to warrant the panels. What a waste. There’s so much more to solar than just adding solar. This is why Brower suggests reducing before producing. The case study in this segment is about a referral from a co-worker for a customer that understands the process of solar and knows what she wants. Battery backup, solar and new HVAC. Wow. This is a rare situation but you’re going to find that more often than not, you’re going to be asking these questions as well. Great stuff. So, you may have heard the “set it and forget it” option you have. Set your thermostat to the temperature you want it to be and get the estimate of what that’s going to cost you. No solar. Just an accurate estimate of what your expense is going to be. You’ll have your energy assessment identify the issues and what needs to be done and from there, the rest is simply completion and confirmation. This is a great report with full data from case studies to demonstrate the accuracy of what’s capable in your individual situation. If this is something you think may make sense for you, give Brower Mechanical a call today at 916-624-0808. Or on-line @ www.browermechanical.com. Stay cool!

Who doesn’t love an outdoor thermostat reading of 107 degrees! Certainly not your show hosts, Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small. Heat is good as it gives them an opportunity to help demonstrate how they can keep your home as comfortable as you like it and do it for less than you would have thought possible. The season of heat is now and the next 6-8 weeks are exactly the reason this show exists. Whole house fans have been the rage of late since the weather has been mild in the evenings allowing the house to pull in the cool outdoor air and stay relatively comfortable most of the day. By nighttime, more cool air for the home from the moderate night. Repeat daily. Ahhh, the benefits of the whole house fan. And especially so when the nights are cool. The case study here is a great example of how a home was upgraded to accommodate the whole house fan and in the long run, it represented a reduction of 5 solar panels needed for energy. That’s easy math; A savings of $5000 on what would have been needed prior to the upgrades and the whole house fan. Now that it’s getting hotter, what to do? More answers are in the show. This third segment, our usual segment with a caller from the market is actually very aware of his situation. He knows roughly what’s wrong with his system and he also knows it’s been some time since anyone has looked at his system. Like 16 years. Not a bad run to have nothing done. But just think if he was getting some sort of regular revitalization? Even if it was only every other year, or two or three. Likely, the demise of something in his system would have at least been noticed had he done something about it with regular maintenance. Finally, we’re all faced with the certainty of Public Safety Power Shutoffs. What are some alternatives to protecting the integrity of your home’s energy? Well, generators for sure, but the big deal now is battery backup. Generators can be expensive but battery backup is reasonable and depending on your expectations, more often the choice of most. Make your home energy system comprehensive and complete. This way you’re able to have some electricity if and when you need to power those things that were in your plan. You’ll also get your neighbors attention if their lights are out and yours are on! You’re either going to become very popular or irritate somebody, but that’s another story. Let Brower Mechanical do what they do to help you get what you need. Give them a call today at 916-624-0808. Or on-line @ www.browermechanical.com.

Listen up as your hosts Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small start right in on the increases seen in rates from the utilities just in front of the most demand from air conditioning. That’s not to mention the issue of power shortages or complete power shutdowns. So what’s the deal if power is reduced or completely shut off? What do you do? What are some of the options.? And did you know who uses the most electricity in your town? You might be surprised to know who it is. You’ll hear it in this first segment of the show. OK, here are 9 tips to help save you money on your a/c expense. Take your notes as you know you can make some of these things happen quite simply. Stage by stage in order of importance, you’ll hear the most to least significant things you can do but they’ll all save you money. The case study here is a remarkable story and demonstrates that when the house is correctly retrofitted for energy efficiency, there are huge savings to be had. This is extremely valuable information that you’ll get here and easy takeaways for knowing what you didn’t know you didn’t know. Always a popular topic and that’s the one most people are likely to make a mistake on... rebates! It’s where the money is right now. SMUD is way out in front of it with significant rebates to convert elements of your system to electricity. Your water heater is one of the most valued rebates today with a $3000 rebate if you replace it with an electric one. Only if you’re in SMUD’s service area, of course! What is that anyway money, anyway? Hear how you may be able to get assets, increase your home’s value and flat-line your utility expense in both the short and long-term, all with literally no change in your monthly expense. If you’re going to be spending the money on a utility bill and getting only the service, what if you changed the concept and invested in home energy upgrades, took the rebates and lowered your utility bill…forever? Literally, you’re locking in your utility bill forever! This is what Brower does every day. It’s worth reaching out to learn what you can do and get your free clip-board audit to find out everything you need to know by calling Brower Mechanical at 916-624-0808. Or on-line @ www.browermechanical.com.

When does revitalization recoup its’ value? How about when it actually pays for almost two solar panels? This is a most interesting story that your hosts Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small get into at the beginning of the show. It’s an incredible story of an A/C unit running poorly, not needing replacement but just needing some attention. Since the family was also looking at solar as well, this was a critically timed visit saving the family nearly $2000 on a simple revitalization call. Amazing. Hear how here. Tax credits. Solar. Changing. Did you know that the solar tax credit dips from 30% to 26% next year? Or that if you purchase a battery and solar system together you can still get the full 30% tax credit? It’s true. Learn some of the options you have when making this decision since there have been changes and they mean both money and comfort in your home. With Public Service Power Shutoffs imminent, do you have to go without power should that happen? Or, do you have to suffer the high rates in prime time to stay cool? Well, with batteries as backup, you may find that you’ll barely notice that you’ve even had a power outage or premium time of use expense. Also, you’ll hear how the Brower teeny tiny Solar club is growing and what those case studies are all about. There are two examples that will really surprise with what can be done with fewer solar panels on the roof. Natural gas has risen faster in price than electricity when purchasing from PG&E. Fact. That means there are options for you to consider when looking at the equipment your home is using. This is critical. Electricity may be less expensive to heat your home and water now when compared to gas. Not to mention, burnt fuel sucks all the moisture out of the air so your furnace, if it’s gas, is really drying things out. Heat pumps pull less moisture from the air for a higher humidity heat. And humidity is a good thing within reason. This makes electric heat a pretty attractive deal and even more so when you consider the rebates offered by SMUD. Could your bill be even smaller than you expected after installation of more electric home energy systems? Find out in today’s show. Finally, could your existing home energy system be in trouble after only a few years? Only if it was defective or installed improperly. These systems are meant to last much longer than a few years. They should be good for much, much longer. And many times, you’re replacing the system well before it’s needed. More importantly, you may be a candidate for a much smaller system once your home energy upgrades have been completed. And…small solar. Call Brower Mechanical at 916-624-0808. Or on-line @ www.browermechanical.com. Now is the time.

OK, that headline doesn’t really make sense until you hear your hosts Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small talk about one of the local utilities that has a $50 rebate for a home energy revitilizaton. Find out which utility that is. You’ll also hear about SIM’s. They’re known as a “SIM”. A salesman in masquerade. Don’t be fooled. If two people show up on a service call, beware. It’s very possible the second person is a “SIM”. They’re only there for the purpose of working to figure out how to sell you something. And more often than not, it’s something big and expensive. Don’t be fooled. Making your home run like it should to provide you the Independence from the utility that you would like to have is becoming more and more available to every homeowner. What does energy independence look like to you? Knowing that is the first step to getting your plan put together. Technology can be your best friend with all that is going on with electric appliances. Induction cooktops, electric water heaters, heat pumps, even electric cars… and then solar. So many options, so many ways to become independent. One other benefit is the comfort you’ll have both inside your home and in your mind. Knowing what that utility bill is going to be month in and month out is a truly comforting experience. Now, here’s a first on the show. A home warranty issue. Unfortunately, it was a situation where the warranty lapsed. You’ll hear how the caller’s situation was alleviated, what needed to be done and the next steps. When you take proactive steps with a revitalization, you’ll mitigate the problems most of the time but that doesn’t always happen. Brower knows. And while it’s important to know about your home warranty expirations, sometimes stuff just slips thru the cracks. There’s a good heads up in this segment. So why is thinking about heat when it’s hot, reasonable? Yes, when it’s hot. Well, listen closely to Duane and Bill talk about why this could make sense for you. Take all the steps necessary to really look ahead. Think about the winter coming up before it’s time to heat your home and pay that big energy bill. What better time to do that than while you’re paying the big bill for the cooling season? This is where most of us are impacted. While we may have efficiencies in our electricity and reasonably inexpensive service depending on our utility, many may have gas for heat. Now’ the time to look at the options since natural gas prices are only going up. So what to do with $10K? Listen to Duane’s picks. Hear what he suggests. Make the right call and do it now. Call Brower Mechanical at 916-624-0808. Or on-line @ www.browermechanical.com. There’s never been a better time.

Your hosts Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small kick off the show with some fun Fourth of July stories the segue perfectly into home energy like only they could do. Power outages, fires, whole house fans, energy assessments, there’s a little bit of it all in today’s show. The first discussion wraps right around the ability to learn about what’s happening in the home. A clipboard audit, which is free by the way, identifies the opportunities and first places to start with your home energy upgrades. Listen as Duane explains a case study from one of the home energy upgrades as a great example of the process and the outcome. The story begins with, of course, the clipboard audit. The exercise goes top to bottom and clearly, the attic would be the first place to start. And one of the obvious, no brainers was upgrading the pool pump as well. With rebates and energy reduction, you’ll hear the monthly outcome they were able to achieve. Wouldn’t you like to have your home energy system decrease in size and consumption…by 50%! UH OH! It’s 95 degrees out and the A/C is not going on. Now what? Well, there are some tips to ensure that you’re A/C is truly the problem. Before you call and pay that service call fee, follow these few simple steps to be 100% sure you’ve got a real problem and not something simple that you can correct in just a few easy steps. These actions alone could be your situation and you’ve likely saved yourself the cost of the service call. All in this segment. Did you know that Brower can actually monitor your energy systems from afar? If they notice a power event at your home, they can alert you to the fact that something may be going on. Many times, it’s something simple and if you want to hear how “squirrels” can be really be cute culprits, listen in for a little humor and a fun story. Keeping your home running full-time takes planning and it’s not something you can do on your own. Get the security and comfort you need by calling Brower Mechanical at 916-624-0808. Or simply visit on-line @ www.browermechanical.com.

Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small get you started on an interesting visual in this really high heat. You can save money by raising the thermostat but what if that gets too warm for you and you’ve gone as far as you can? Yeah, like took all your clothes off. Then what are you going to do? Sweat. Or change something in your home energy plant. This is a fun show today and you’ll hear all about options you have, processes to evaluate and ways to look at bringing down that energy bill. So now you’ve come to a decision to evaluate solar. Have you taken into consideration all the energy consumption elements before you’ve made a decision on the solar panels? That way, you’ll do it right. You’ll save yourself money in the long run and make a decision that works for your overall goal, not just a short-term fix. If solar is in your future, this is a great segment to glean some significant value from. There’s so much more… don’t miss it. Rebates, rebates. Do you know what you can do, how much you can get back? It’s huge! Be sure you’ve got an idea of what that means to you in the long run. It may be really surprising for you to learn. Or simply visit them on-line @ www.browermechanical.com. Start saving sooner.

PSPS. No, that’s not a super-secret, it’s a Public Safety Power Shutoff and before we get into “cool Dads” first a few of the public service messages. Listen in as your hosts Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small discuss the impacts and process of what happens when the power is shutoff and how it affects you and your home comfort. It’s a big deal and you do have options in the event the outage takes place. You’ll hear some of those options and the significance of what they look like in today’s show. Did you know there are high fire areas/cities that you can identify on line? These are the same cities that are most likely for a PSPS when the weather gets hot and the wind’s get high. Flex alerts are another option the utilities exercise to pull power consumption back in high demand periods. There’s a great case study here that gives you an idea of expectations and capabilities based on the needs of the consumer. Louise, a new homeowner, encounters some interesting challenges here with her purchase and she knows who to call. Of course, she reaches out to Brower and gets a whole lot more than she expected. What is it? New roof? Solar? Attic sealing? Ductwork? Find out what some of her issues were and questions she asked. You may have the same concerns. And then, you’ll have some answers! Thermostat settings are all over the place for comfort as you’ll hear from a local newscast poll. Shocking is what you’ll find in the discrepancy. Swings from 68 to 82. Here’s what’s important, it’s not the room temp as much as it is the surface areas of the home. How’s that for a surprise? Well, radiating heat makes a huge difference and there’s one way to fix that unwanted radiated heat without needing a new HVAC system. It’s fixable for much less investment than new equipment. Find out what your options not only are but actually should be to save the most on your energy costs. Call Brower Mechanical @ 916-624-0808 or visit them on line at www.browermechanical.com. And by all means, keep dad cool!

OK…we’re into the heat of the summer. What’s important? Your hosts Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small discuss some of the key elements of what to expect with the new PSPS, Public Service Power Shutoffs. And as you know, this weekend was a test of the system with power shutoffs due to the high winds. What can you do to prevent significant gaps in your energy usage and loss of those things you care about most. Your food. (… or your beer!) There are options. Whole house fans are always a hot topic of discussion. This show is no exception and there’s a discussion that takes place regarding the value the whole house fan to reduction of energy consumption. They work great for some. Not all. Are you one of those in the pro or con usage? You’ll learn more by listening to this segment. Next hear from a caller that’s returning to Brower for a solar system with battery backup after a complete HVAC replacement. Something must have gone right! And she’s even getting the same tech out to her home again. Over a year later! Now that’s pretty remarkable. All that and more … Hardly a show goes by where the attic isn’t a topic of discussion. You’ll hear a great upgrade case study that was critical as the homeowner suffered from a disease that made him sensitive to temperature swings. The outcome included huge rebates on his total investment that could have easily been overlooked by other companies. Not Brower! Everything was completed and the rebates handled by the Brower team. Closing up the show is a quick discussion of the teeny tiny solar club. If you’re not familiar, give a listen as it’s the story of homeowners who have been able to go with less solar panels to accomplish their goals and save big! Always fun stories. Learn how you can save with on your home energy system by calling Brower Mechanical @ 916-765-9021 or visit them on line at www.browermechanical.com.

Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small get you started on an unusual phrase today. Yep, the drip and the temp. Your simple way to get quick confirmation your HVAC is working properly in the summer. You’ll have to listen to hear what to do but it’s free! And simple. Doing this simple test could save you thousands this summer. You’ve heard “set it and forget it” in several of the shows historically. Duane goes deeper into the discussion on what that all means and how it gets completed. You’ll hear the results from a 1500 SF home and the incredible outcome that included more than just the basics. Would $325 annual energy expense to keep your home at 75 degrees all year be reasonable? It is with this home. And that’s a great reason to listen in for this case study. And there were rebates as well! Keeping the heat out and the conditioned air in is exactly what it is you want for your home. It can be accomplished if you take the correct steps. One stop shopping… is there a place that can handle the majority of the home energy upgrade process? Well, yes, we can think of one that handles the roofing, the attic, the HVAC and the process to remove and replace the solar as well. You really can one-stop shop the majority, if not all, of your home energy upgrades. PSPS is upon us and home energy issues are becoming of paramount importance. You don’t want to get caught with a Public Service Power Shutoff and not be prepared. Listen to what Duane has to say today about the options you have and steps you can take to be certain your home is doing what it should be doing. There’s so much more to learn than can be shared in the confines of the show. It’s just best to call Brower Mechanical at 916-624-0808. Or simply visit them on-line @ www.browermechanical.com. Start saving sooner.

It’s whole house fan time and now is when you need to seriously give it consideration before the heat of the season hits. Do you know what you need to know? Have you considered the pros and cons and have you seen the new styles of whole house fans available to you? Your hosts Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small discuss a lot about how these new fans can have an effect you desire and a few you may not. Pay attention to the segment as it may help you make that decision. Whole house fans are great but may not be for everybody. Moving into a topic that can help you save more money with rebates, here’s a thought: why wait on an older unit, like a water heater, to fail and miss a rebate when you can pro-actively move and replace the system and get the rebate for that upgrade. Of course you wouldn’t do this on a newer system of any sort but if you have a system you know to be older, maybe on the edge, why not take this step before it’s a panic situation? Then you aren’t in control. Take control. And it doesn’t stop with water heaters. It’s similar with HVAC units as well. Don’t wait for a catastrophic failure. When time is of the essence, you’ll want to move to get ahead of it all. Act now for a win-win-win situation. Rebates-Savings-Confidence. Know you’re set for the future. There’s a great call you’ll hear in this 3rd segment from someone who had an $800 utility bill…in a month! And that was enough to get his attention to act. Fortunately, he’s doing his homework and even more fortunately, he called Brower Mechanical. Hear his efforts and I’m sure you’ll find some familiar situations. His choices and logic may surprise you. Lastly, why does a red flag alert from the California Department of Forestry mean anything to you? How about PSPS? A Public Service Power Shutoff is what that means. No A/C. No refrigeration. No WiFi. No good from this writers’ perspective! Do you have options? What to do to support the situation if and when that happens? The answers are in the last segment of this show and you’ll pay attention if you’re in one of the fire prone areas likely to have power shutoffs. If any of today’s information piques your interest, do something give Brower Mechanical a call at 916-624-0808 or visit on-line at www.Browermechanical.com. And finally, with the utmost respect and sincere appreciation, the entire Brower Mechanical team recognizes the sacrifices given and honors those who gave their lives for our country this Memorial Day weekend.

Your hosts Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small open on a really high note today as Duane shares the recognition by PG&E for their home performance success. It’s all about saving energy and Brower Mechanical is a leader in the process. The shift from home energy successes to whole house fans is one not to be missed. This is one of the best seasons to consider a whole house fan but know the value and the challenges they can present. And yes, you can have Brower give you a guarantee on your utility bill for the foreseeable future. How about that if you’re on a fixed income? It’s all in a jam packed segment. Oversizing A/C units. Why do so many builders and HVAC firms do it? You’ll learn more when you listen but the bottom line on this is that the efficiency of your home, not the A/C unit, is what’s important. 62% is one of the low points in efficiency which means you’re wasting 38% of that cooling. How could that be? Just a couple of simple reasons. But don’t rush out and buy a new A/C unit. Don’t oversize. Get things right. Your A/C unit needs to run to reach its’ most efficient operation. You’ll use less energy with a smaller system running longer than a bigger system running less. Now that’s a concept that’s not familiar. Learn more when you listen to the discussion. Did you know there are ways to help you finance the energy upgrades you’re looking for? And that you can also use these same opportunities for commercial use as well? Like multifamily dwellings. Hear what Derek from Ygrene has to say and how you’ll not even need to do a credit app to make it happen! So what the heck is PSPS? You’ll hear that acronym in home energy circles more and more but it means Public Service Power Shutoff. And that is a clear description that you’re not going to have power. Period. One hour or maybe even up to one week. Hear the guys discuss variations in proper sizing for A/C and solar installations and how they correlate to the correct size of battery system for backup… or generators, or even other options. You may want to consider these if you live in an area with high likelihood of PSPS activity. This is key information and the one place to get it all remains the same. Brower Mechanical. 916-624-0808 or on line at www.browermechanical.com

So you’ve heard the abbreviation before. B-T-U. What’s that mean anyhow and how does it tie into Mother’s day. Well, a BTU is a British Thermal Unit and it’s a gauge of heat. And what’s that got to do with Mother’s day? The more people in the house the higher the energy released in the room and the greater the heat. (I know… it’s a stretch!) So your hosts Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small want to get into the value of keeping Mom cool. OK, she may already be “cool” but we’re talking comfortable cool! You know Mom is special and you want to be able to get her something special for a gift on her day today. So don’t go wasting energy on your home. Spend it on a great gift for Mom. The best way to be able to do that is to reduce the expense of your home energy. How’s that for a great analogy to making Mom happy? But seriously, there is a great deal of energy wasted every day. You’re going to hear an incredible story of efficiencies and air conditioning. If your car was supposed to be getting 20 miles to the gallon and was running at 59% efficiency, that would mean you’re only getting 12 miles to the gallon! The majority of homes that go thru a clipboard audit are producing energy at about that efficiency. 59% of the 100% that’s ideal. Ouch! Simple math for everyone, I hope. Don’t let that be the case with your home. Get that 40% inefficiency back and take advantage of that money…for Mom of course. Get your home from a D- and upgrade to an A+ by making that call for a clipboard audit. The fire department for a hot water tank? That’s what happened in today’s callers’ inquiry. It blew! And that meant no water. A very serious problem with an excellent outcome. Got a problem? Brower Mechanical to the rescue. And a great suggestion for you to take the opportunity to check your water heater. Just a short visual to be sure you’re OK and not on the receiving end of any surprises. This is important so be sure to listen up when you’re on the podcast. Before it gets too hot, you may want to start practicing your home energy usage to get used to the “Time of use” billing that SMUD introduces beginning in June. One thing you don’t want to find is that you’re a “Superuser” or some of biggest bills the utility sees from customers. Don’t be that person! Have somebody, anybody you trust, get out to the house and see what you can do to minimize the waste in your homes’ energy systems. Higher bills sap your after-tax income. Get things fixed and start saving money sooner than later. Enjoy Mother’s day today and then Call Brower Mechanical @ 916-624-0808, online at www.browermechanical.com. Start saving for Mom next year... today!

When it comes to energy, efficiency is everything and efficiency is what we’re all about. That’s why you’ll hear your hosts Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small talking about the recognition Brower Mechanical has been recognized as the best in the trade at home energy efficiency by P,G &E. In other words, the delta from your prior energy consumption before a home energy upgrade and the energy consumption after your upgrade, was the greatest on those homes upgraded by Brower Mechanical. That’s a long way to say that after 40 years in business, these guys know what they’re doing. It’s no secret, your energy bills are likely rising and likely to continue rising in the future. If this is a concern of yours, you’ll want to listen closely to better understand that you do have options to reduce your home’s energy consumption. You can be in control of your energy consumption and know exactly what your bill is going to be. Guaranteed! Yes, Brower Mechanical will guarantee your power consumption to be the same for the duration of the solar on your roof. How about that! Stable utility bills for 20 years. So what are “cool roofs” anyway? Listen as Kathy calls in and asks questions about what she knows and wants to know about “cool roofs” for her home. You’ll get a great overview of what these cool roofs can do for the excess heat in your home. You’ll really appreciate how Neal from Brower shares his knowledge and support with the caller. Why do the attics continually represent the most significant opportunity you have to improve your homes’ energy efficiency? This is a drum the guys beat often but there are a few tips in this closing discussion today that you’ll appreciate it. Especially if you’re like most and haven’t done anything in that part of the house. As always, when you have questions, give Brower Mechanical a call @ 916-624-0808, online at www.browermechanical.com

Hey, did your A/C kick on this week? If so, you may need an energy upgrade. It’s not really that hot overall all day long or at night so if your home is correctly insulated and energy efficient, the recent daytime heat should not have caused the A/C to turn on. Hear Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small share with you the steps necessary to get there. You know cooling the home means spending money. Not needing that cooling means the opposite. Yes! Savings. Money in your pocket and that feels good for most of us. Electrification is here. That means things are changing and it’s likely your home is going to be fully electric at some point in time. It’s inevitable. Solar has changed the landscape of home energy and right behind that are batteries. Hear a great discussion of how the next step, the natural evolution of electrification, is taking place and what that means to you, your home’s energy efficiency and ultimately, your energy bill. The case studies are incredible. How to finance those next energy upgrades? Derek from Ygrene goes a little deeper today into the mechanics and resources to help you build that bridge between product and payment. It really can’t get any simpler, quicker or more convenient. I think you’ll agree. Quiet, efficient and healthy. That’s how your home should be. What is the number one step to take? If you’re a regular listener, you know. If not, listen up. It’s the single most important element to home energy upgrades. That means it’s the number one change to make to save the most money. This is not complicated. Want to know the reality of what you’ll notice? The answers are in the show. Ready to act? Give Brower Mechanical a call @ 916-624-0808, online at www.gosmallsolar.com.

Your hosts Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small are really amped for todays show. You’re going to learn a lot about your options when it comes to keeping the power on in your home when the power in your neighborhood is out. Yes, there’s a lot of value in considering battery backups. And you’ll never even see them, like a well-hidden Easter egg. And yes, they come with rebates you didn’t’ even realize existed. Yes, they are now affordable. One of the benefits of the Brower Home Power Hour is really learning about the benefits and options you have when considering a home energy upgrade. You’ll hear real life case studies that could only come from someone who has been in the business for over 40 years. This segment gives you one of those examples of a customer who saved big on energy upgrades without having to spend a penny more than they were already spending. Call it “anyway” money in your Easter basket. You would have been spending it anyway, right? The benefits are immense. Now here’s a way that you can get plugged into some great choices. Like deciding between the jelly beans or peanut M&M’s. Evaluate what your best options are with a plan and then build it out to see how you are in control with nothing extra out of pocket than what you’re already used to. It’s like sweet treats for free! You control your own inflation. In another case study, you’ll hear how the financed solar system will lock in the payments to keep your payment predictable and not change for the life of the system. That makes even the Energizer bunny look tired. You’re locking in your electricity bill for about the next 20 years. How many things can you say for certain will be the same 20 years from now? That’s an incredible feeling especially if you’re on a fixed income. Just think about that. Your friends and neighbors will all be moaning and groaning about the utility expense increase when all you’ll be doing is smiling and eating candy. Learn more by giving Brower Mechanical a call @ 916-624-0808, online at www.gosmallsolar.com.

What’s that house of yours worth? Same as the guy down the street with a similar floorplan? Hmmm. Maybe not! Listen today as your hosts Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small discuss how real estate professionals look at homes with small solar. Hint: done right, they’re worth more. Things to benefit your home energy expense can be tracked. They can be documented. They can give you a road map to where you want to be once you know your objectives. Did you know 2019 is the last year of the full 30% solar tax credit? We’re four months into the new year. You’re still thinking of putting it off? The end of the year is going to be here before you know it. Don’t wait! Start that process now. It’s worth every penny of it. Now every so often, a very unique call comes in that you really just have to shake your head at. Today’s caller has a situation with her water heating system in an apartment complex that code enforcement has stepped in to request to fix. You’ll never believe what the problem is but you’ll appreciate how Brower steps up to help. Wrapping up today’s show, you’ll hear about a customer who is using his energy savings dollars to apply toward his mortgage, reducing the life of it by 3 years and over $18,000 in savings! And it’s not a lot of money he pays forward. Hear what it is, how he’s disciplined about it and what the reality of it is like. And not to get too terribly complicated, this is an effortless way to reduce a mortgage. To find out how you can not only live more comfortably and possibly reduce your mortgage expense, give Brower Mechanical a call. 916-624-0808, online at www.gosmallsolar.com. The benefits are all yours.

Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small take you on a discussion today that opens with the health of your home. Like great fruit, vegetables and meats, can you say it’s “organic”? What does that even mean anyway? The answers come in a variety of choices. Just like fruits and vegetables. And they can be tailored to fit your personal home energy diet just like your body’s needs. Funny how the theme of todays show actually has a strong solution in the sun. Yup, just like fruits and vegetables. Now, they may enjoy heat a little more than you do but the sun can do something different for the human than it does for plants. Like cool. Yes. Cool. Using solar to cool your home is one of the best ways to minimize your expense with the installation of small solar. And to insure your home is using its’ energy properly, you need to maximize the performance of the system…before you do anything else! Think of it like pruning your plants or trees. You have to help them draw from the resources with maximum efficiency. Hey, your home is no different! Analogies aside, you do need to get your home right to save the most money on your utility bill. That’s why the energy assessment is so critical. SMUD and PG&E rebates mean everything in your home energy upgrades…but only if you get the attic right to do what it needs to do to keep the heating/cooling in the home. Rather than buy a unit that is big enough to handle all the flaws in the home, get the home right and you can downsize on the equipment. And, that’s how you get your utility company to give you the biggest rebate. I guess that would be like harvesting the most fruit from the land, or getting the most heating/cooling from the equipment. Hey, get the most out of your energy crop. You’ll find so much more when you actually get there. We would be remiss if we didn’t’ touch on the reality approaching just around the corner. Tax time is here and you need to be sure you’ve got all your documents in order. Be sure your energy upgrades are totally accounted for, do you have any tax credits coming? Did your vendor handle everything for you? Brower does. But most importantly, do you have everything you need? And if last year wasn’t the year, is this the year? Get your home right. Reap the rewards of your hard work with a great harvest of efficiency. Save money and maybe save on taxes too. Call Brower Mechanical at 916-624-0808, online at www.gosmallsolar.com.