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Energy Efficiency Tips from Brody Pennell

January 31, 2017

Many homeowners spend a significant amount of time thinking about how to save money on home costs throughout the year. Your heating and cooling system contributes to a big part of your home spending. That’s why it’s vital that you look for ways to increase your energy efficiency to decrease your total costs. With a little planning and some small changes to your habits, you can be on your way to saving more energy (and money) in no time. Below, we’ve rounded up some of our best tips on energy efficiency from our top blog articles.

Los Angeles Energy Efficiency Tips

Want to cut costs while saving the planet? Here are some of our favorite energy-saving tips from past blogs that you can use to reduce your energy usage and lower your monthly costs:

  1. Use a ceiling fan to help circulate cool air through your home.

Many homeowners feel like they have to choose between their ceiling fan and AC. Though the ceiling fan certainly uses far less energy than the air conditioner, it does not always keep you comfortable. In Energy Efficiency: Using Fans vs. Lowering the A/C, we take a look at how homeowners can use their ceiling fan and AC together to keep their home cool and comfortable while saving a significant amount of energy.

  1. Weatherproof your home.

Does your home ever feel drafty? Warm or cool air may be leaking out of cracks around your doors, windows, and air ducts, which makes it harder for your HVAC system to keep your home comfortable. Weatherproofing your home can help you find and eliminate these air leaks that waste energy and cost you money. Want more simple tips like this? We’ve got an infographic for that. Check out 6 Simple Tips for Saving Energy (And Money Too!) for more easy ways to save energy and cut down on monthly home costs.

  1. Invest in an energy-efficient furnace.

Your heater uses a lot of energy while keeping your home warm and comfortable during the colder months. By investing in a more energy-efficient furnace, you can heat your home without wasting energy or money. To learn more about furnace efficiency ratings and what they can mean for your monthly energy costs, take a look at our article, What are the Ratings for Furnace Efficiency? This is a great read for anyone that is thinking about replacing their furnace this year.

  1. Make sure that your HVAC system coils are clean.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, dirty evaporator coils can increase your compressor’s energy consumption by about 30 percent. These dirty coils decrease airflow, which in turn decreases the efficiency of your system. That’s why it is vital to have your HVAC system’s condenser and evaporator coils inspected and cleaned annually. For more great tips like these, check out Going Green While Saving Green: How to Increase Energy Efficiency and Lower HVAC Costs.

  1. Purchase a start thermostat.

By now, you’ve probably heard about the smart thermostat. This device allows you to control your home temperature remotely from your smartphone or mobile device, and the system even gets to know your habits so that it can automatically adjust your home environment to your ideal home comfort settings. But did you know that this innovative piece of home technology can actually help you save energy and cut down on monthly heating and cooling costs? We explain all of this and more in What is a Smart Thermostat, Anyway? If you have been considering a smart thermostat, this is a must-read.

Want to learn more about energy efficiency, home improvement, and HVAC? Be sure to check out our blog each month for more great content. While you’re at it, follow us on FacebookTwitter, and Google+ so that you never miss an update from Brody Pennell.


About The Author

Brody Pennell

Since 1945, Brody Pennell Heating & Air Conditioning is the committed to helping homeowners in the greater Los Angeles area experience total home comfort. In 2021, the readers of the Los Angeles Times voted Brody Pennell the Best HVAC Company in the area.

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Robert B.
1713492161
David M. And Fabio were great. Explained everything thoroughly and we're friendly and helpful.👍
Pierre C.
1713481959
Armando and Juan De Jesus were very professional and effective.
Sharon B.
1713479587
We’ve been using Brody Parnel for maintenance. Our air conditioning system was destroyed by a a getco who was fried in the wires and destroyed our unit. David came out to repair it, but it was too far gone. His supervisor immediately arrived, gave us a quote and within a day we had a new system installed by Michael M, Marcelo M, Gerson G and Dio C. So far who could ask for better service.
S
1713473973
Ruben and Pablo L. did a fantastic job servicing our AC and heating system. Super communicative, thorough and so professional. Explained everything clear as day. Wouldn’t hesitate calling on these guys, as I know it can be hard to find the right provider to trust. These guys are my go to from now on! Thank you for the great experience!
Stan A.
1713473583
Kelly P
1713471321
They do excellent work in a timely manner. My service Technician was Daniel A , he was professional, arrived on time and very personable.
Connie L.
1713469009
Kevin and Philip did a great job today!
Elena V.
1713467107
Juan romo good job
Diane M.
1713463932
The technician, Juan De did an excellent job. He was extremely thorough and friendly. And very thoughtful about sharing information and making sure everything was left clean.
tracie B.
1713459399
Juan Molina was very helpful & kind.He resolved the issues the AC unit was having with his partner Daniel! They worked for hours in sweltering heat, job well done!! Ivan & Angel who were here were also very kind & helpful with helping me with my HVAC system!! 👏👏
Pam S.
1713455441
Rene has long been our technician and he is fantastic. Brody Pannell’s Fabio from sales also has been very helpful. 5 stars all around.Rene once again has serviced all of our systems beautifully. I love that he is a trusted part of my house’s maintenance team! Thank you!!
Max B.
1713415161
We’d worked with three different HVAC companies prior to Brody Pennell (BP). We were told about a ton of issues and expensive fixes, including replacing the unit which is only 5 years old.We worked with Spencer from BP and he was great, helping us understand why the air had a faint odor. He was super thorough, took photos and videos explaining the work, and echoed what we knew about our unit - it’s not old, but it needs regular maintenance.Spencer triple cleaned our machine and the smell is gone. He wasn’t trying to sell us on work we didn’t need. It was affordable and effective which is really what’s important, he’s also an amiable guy.Five stars. I recommend.
Mario M.
1713396460
Cesar C. & Juancho came out to repair my blower. Very professional technicians. They showed up on time and were successful with the install of the new parts. They tested the heater and AC before they left the house and made sure I was satisfied with their work. We’re happy and staying cool. Great job!
Deb R.
1713390969
Iftki and Angel O. were great 👍. If I need future service, I'm definitely requesting those 2 guys. They were very polite and kept me informed on what they were doing.
Esther N.
1713388204
Kevin Lopez was friendly efficient and knowledgable. He was fantastic. Thank you
OLIVIA A.
1713387848
Marcus was very professional, personable and thorough. He listened patiently and understood my concerns. Because of Marcus I have decided to replace my HVAC with Brody Pennell. He is an outstanding representative of your company.
David W.
1713386688
Giovanni did a very good job. He was on time, efficient and courteous, like all the Brody Pennell employees I've worked with have been.
Mary G.
1713386077
Rodrigo was at my house today,and he was fantastic!! On time and was very professional, and was able to answer all of my concerns today. Rodrigo had a lot of good suggestions!04/17/2024Ruben came out today for a maintenance inspection. He was very professional and friendly. He also explained a purifier system and how it works. Ruben had a lot of good suggestions! Thank you Ruben!
Steve A.
1713384782
HVAC above all, on time, respectful, knowledgeable - great team Daniel A & Hilton K
June M.
1713384246
Anthony Manzo and David E. are the best. They explained everything and were extremely professional. 5 Stars!!
Rori H.
1713379119
Thanks to all of the workers: Frank, Pascal, Jonathon, Ramiro, Jose Rivera, and Alessandro, that assisted in the new A/C, combustion vent addition, and small ventilation repair. On time, patient, and knowledgeable!
victoria F.
1713378557
Alessandro and jose rivera did a fantastic job! Thank you!
Jeff B.
1713378541
Louise G
1713312082
Superb service and very efficientAlex was an excellent technician…he was very knowledgeable and friendly and very helpfulUpdate 4/16: Kevin and Angel were wonderful, very helpful and knowledgeable. Will definitely ask for them again.
Estela N.
1713307133
Jose Rivera was helpful and fixed the issue with my new key pad and pump quickly and efficiently. He also made sure the remote access was working.
Maura L.
1713305706
Very knowledgeable and helpful!
Valencia M.
1713305546
Juan Molina was very thorough in his assessment of our heaters conditions. Was prompt and courteous.
Adam C.
1713305048
Great service from Michael I., Raul I., Jonathan A., Edwin C., Ramiro S. and Jesus F. -- excellent work done efficiently!
Israel
1713304719
RENÉ IS GREAT .
Cary T.
1713297820
Leo H and Tristen C were great!! Explained everything. Most important they did a terrific job!
Nancy H.
1713291151
Excellent work from both Stevens and David E. They did very thorough maintenance cleanup and before and after photos made it clear how necessary it is to do the twice yearly maintenance - will clearly keep system running at peak performance. Would recommend these two highly.
Bill B.
1713232027
Our technician Leonel was thorough in both accomplishing his goal of performing the seasonal tune-up on our system and updating my wife and me as to the overall health of our system. I found him to be competent, polite and trustworthy.
Egisia M El Basha H.
1713225482
Jose R.Pascul HGets on CRafa BPablo P. All excellent
Lauren K.
1713222854
Daniel B. went above and beyond fixing my air conditioning equipment today. He explained everything to me and made sure I knew exactly what he was doing throughout the process. My issue was tricky and he was able to figure it out and fix everything. Daniel is also incredibly kind and personable and made the process easy for me. I am completely satisfied with the service and will be contacting Daniel again for all my HVAC needs!
Mary H L.
1713221057
Ariel A. performed outstanding services! It was his first visit and he asked for an orientation which I thought was a very good approach. He wanted to make sure that he covered all the areas. We have been a customer of Brody Pennell for more than 30 years, and I can honestly say this young man is in the top 10% of the employees who have had the opportunity to service our home.
Margaret G.
1713219070
These guys are total pros. They know what they are doing and they explain everything clearly and the pricing is very transparent. Ivan and Jose C. are very friendly and efficient. I have just had a second very great experience with Armando. He came to maintain the heating system and was very thorough and efficient.4/15/2024: Ruben and Phil just came by to do maintenance on my ac system. They were so friendly and explained everything really well. They inspired total confidence. Another great Brody Pennell experience.
Rinzai-ji Zen C.
1713212152
We appreciate your recommendation of Ken. He demonstrated diligence and honesty throughout his time with us. I eagerly anticipate receiving the quote and reviewing its details. We look forward to the possibility of collaborating with Ken in the near future.
Andrea S.
1713210077
Jason, Hilton, And Leo were great. Polite and neat. All is well.
Michael C.
1713206188
Very professional and knowledgeable. We think the problem was solved due to high heat. Thank you
justin H.
1713205580
Armando and Benny were great. Highly recommend!
Mycroft
1713132842
Our old furnace was about at the end of its life. After discussion with our favorite technician Marco Ayala we decided to have a heat pump installed. A crew arrived this morning headed by Edwin Cabra. He was assisted by Diego B, S. Ramiro, Edgar H, Jonathan A. This team was well trained, worked well together and was finished this afternoon! Great job by all. That's why we have been customers for more than 15 years!!Update: there was a small issue with one of the wires. Ruben Medina found the issue and corrected it. Again Brody Pennell to the rescue! Thank you again!!Further update. Giovanny Quinterro found that the outlet being used had no power. He changed the outlet and we're back to having heat. Yay! Thank you once again!!
Daniel D.
1713054294
Diego B., Sergio S., Alberto H,. And Alex S. installed a brand new system in one of my units and replaced the piping. They took a job that's usually 2 days and did it in 6 hours. They were unobtrusive to the tenants, thorough, and genuinely nice guys. Works perfectly. Extra kudos to the guys for being cool with a couple of very friendly dogs that like to jump and lick. 10/10 would recommend.
Therese B.
1712963432
I just had David Mares here to service the A/C system that they installed 2 years ago. David was great at explaining all the pertinent information about the function and cleaning of my A/C / heating system. He took pictures to show me whatever potential issues there may be down the road. I would highly recommend Brody Pennell for the A/C / heating system and specifically David Mares as a technician.
Dominique Z.
1712961408
Juan Molina was wonderful and so helpful
Baden S.
1712961375
Ruben and Leo M were so great. So professional. So friendly. Great to work with
Jeff T.
1712961025
We just bought a complete HVAC system from Marcus at Brody Pennell and I've never felt better about a manager or a company, and I'm an exacting retired general contractor. Clear choices with zero pressure or upsellng, and character as solid as their well respected company, with the resources to back it up. Marcus was impressive with his expertise, and genuine honesty well beyond that of a company representative, as the kind of person you'd look for in a friend, who seems every bit as stable as this well established company. A real pleasure!
Nancy T.
1712960484
Kevin and David provided amazing customer service for our home in Beverly Hills. They were detailed, thorough, and did not try to rush through our appointment. I received text messages from David throughout their 3 hour visit with photos of the condition of our HVAC, areas of concern, and proof of filter changes! You really can't ask for more. These guys are the best and I would highly recommend them to anyone who needs HVAC maintenance/cleaning.
Nili H.
1712957739
Juan Romo was my technician. He was on time, thoughtful, clean and thorough. He was also very knowledgeable and answered my questions in detail. He took his time and didn’t rush. I’m always delighted with Brody Pennel’s service and recommend them highly. Today I had another service called by Ivan and Hilton And they were wonderful. Gave me a beautiful service and cleaned up as they went and tried to sell me a new filter which I’m for air purification
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This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Robert B.
1713492161
David M. And Fabio were great. Explained everything thoroughly and we're friendly and helpful.👍
Pierre C.
1713481959
Armando and Juan De Jesus were very professional and effective.
Sharon B.
1713479587
We’ve been using Brody Parnel for maintenance. Our air conditioning system was destroyed by a a getco who was fried in the wires and destroyed our unit. David came out to repair it, but it was too far gone. His supervisor immediately arrived, gave us a quote and within a day we had a new system installed by Michael M, Marcelo M, Gerson G and Dio C. So far who could ask for better service.
S
1713473973
Ruben and Pablo L. did a fantastic job servicing our AC and heating system. Super communicative, thorough and so professional. Explained everything clear as day. Wouldn’t hesitate calling on these guys, as I know it can be hard to find the right provider to trust. These guys are my go to from now on! Thank you for the great experience!
Stan A.
1713473583
Kelly P
1713471321
They do excellent work in a timely manner. My service Technician was Daniel A , he was professional, arrived on time and very personable.
Connie L.
1713469009
Kevin and Philip did a great job today!
Elena V.
1713467107
Juan romo good job
Diane M.
1713463932
The technician, Juan De did an excellent job. He was extremely thorough and friendly. And very thoughtful about sharing information and making sure everything was left clean.
tracie B.
1713459399
Juan Molina was very helpful & kind.He resolved the issues the AC unit was having with his partner Daniel! They worked for hours in sweltering heat, job well done!! Ivan & Angel who were here were also very kind & helpful with helping me with my HVAC system!! 👏👏
Pam S.
1713455441
Rene has long been our technician and he is fantastic. Brody Pannell’s Fabio from sales also has been very helpful. 5 stars all around.Rene once again has serviced all of our systems beautifully. I love that he is a trusted part of my house’s maintenance team! Thank you!!
Max B.
1713415161
We’d worked with three different HVAC companies prior to Brody Pennell (BP). We were told about a ton of issues and expensive fixes, including replacing the unit which is only 5 years old.We worked with Spencer from BP and he was great, helping us understand why the air had a faint odor. He was super thorough, took photos and videos explaining the work, and echoed what we knew about our unit - it’s not old, but it needs regular maintenance.Spencer triple cleaned our machine and the smell is gone. He wasn’t trying to sell us on work we didn’t need. It was affordable and effective which is really what’s important, he’s also an amiable guy.Five stars. I recommend.
Mario M.
1713396460
Cesar C. & Juancho came out to repair my blower. Very professional technicians. They showed up on time and were successful with the install of the new parts. They tested the heater and AC before they left the house and made sure I was satisfied with their work. We’re happy and staying cool. Great job!
Deb R.
1713390969
Iftki and Angel O. were great 👍. If I need future service, I'm definitely requesting those 2 guys. They were very polite and kept me informed on what they were doing.
Esther N.
1713388204
Kevin Lopez was friendly efficient and knowledgable. He was fantastic. Thank you
OLIVIA A.
1713387848
Marcus was very professional, personable and thorough. He listened patiently and understood my concerns. Because of Marcus I have decided to replace my HVAC with Brody Pennell. He is an outstanding representative of your company.
David W.
1713386688
Giovanni did a very good job. He was on time, efficient and courteous, like all the Brody Pennell employees I've worked with have been.
Mary G.
1713386077
Rodrigo was at my house today,and he was fantastic!! On time and was very professional, and was able to answer all of my concerns today. Rodrigo had a lot of good suggestions!04/17/2024Ruben came out today for a maintenance inspection. He was very professional and friendly. He also explained a purifier system and how it works. Ruben had a lot of good suggestions! Thank you Ruben!
Steve A.
1713384782
HVAC above all, on time, respectful, knowledgeable - great team Daniel A & Hilton K
June M.
1713384246
Anthony Manzo and David E. are the best. They explained everything and were extremely professional. 5 Stars!!
Rori H.
1713379119
Thanks to all of the workers: Frank, Pascal, Jonathon, Ramiro, Jose Rivera, and Alessandro, that assisted in the new A/C, combustion vent addition, and small ventilation repair. On time, patient, and knowledgeable!
victoria F.
1713378557
Alessandro and jose rivera did a fantastic job! Thank you!
Jeff B.
1713378541
Louise G
1713312082
Superb service and very efficientAlex was an excellent technician…he was very knowledgeable and friendly and very helpfulUpdate 4/16: Kevin and Angel were wonderful, very helpful and knowledgeable. Will definitely ask for them again.
Estela N.
1713307133
Jose Rivera was helpful and fixed the issue with my new key pad and pump quickly and efficiently. He also made sure the remote access was working.
Maura L.
1713305706
Very knowledgeable and helpful!
Valencia M.
1713305546
Juan Molina was very thorough in his assessment of our heaters conditions. Was prompt and courteous.
Adam C.
1713305048
Great service from Michael I., Raul I., Jonathan A., Edwin C., Ramiro S. and Jesus F. -- excellent work done efficiently!
Israel
1713304719
RENÉ IS GREAT .
Cary T.
1713297820
Leo H and Tristen C were great!! Explained everything. Most important they did a terrific job!
Nancy H.
1713291151
Excellent work from both Stevens and David E. They did very thorough maintenance cleanup and before and after photos made it clear how necessary it is to do the twice yearly maintenance - will clearly keep system running at peak performance. Would recommend these two highly.
Bill B.
1713232027
Our technician Leonel was thorough in both accomplishing his goal of performing the seasonal tune-up on our system and updating my wife and me as to the overall health of our system. I found him to be competent, polite and trustworthy.
Egisia M El Basha H.
1713225482
Jose R.Pascul HGets on CRafa BPablo P. All excellent
Lauren K.
1713222854
Daniel B. went above and beyond fixing my air conditioning equipment today. He explained everything to me and made sure I knew exactly what he was doing throughout the process. My issue was tricky and he was able to figure it out and fix everything. Daniel is also incredibly kind and personable and made the process easy for me. I am completely satisfied with the service and will be contacting Daniel again for all my HVAC needs!
Mary H L.
1713221057
Ariel A. performed outstanding services! It was his first visit and he asked for an orientation which I thought was a very good approach. He wanted to make sure that he covered all the areas. We have been a customer of Brody Pennell for more than 30 years, and I can honestly say this young man is in the top 10% of the employees who have had the opportunity to service our home.
Margaret G.
1713219070
These guys are total pros. They know what they are doing and they explain everything clearly and the pricing is very transparent. Ivan and Jose C. are very friendly and efficient. I have just had a second very great experience with Armando. He came to maintain the heating system and was very thorough and efficient.4/15/2024: Ruben and Phil just came by to do maintenance on my ac system. They were so friendly and explained everything really well. They inspired total confidence. Another great Brody Pennell experience.
Rinzai-ji Zen C.
1713212152
We appreciate your recommendation of Ken. He demonstrated diligence and honesty throughout his time with us. I eagerly anticipate receiving the quote and reviewing its details. We look forward to the possibility of collaborating with Ken in the near future.
Andrea S.
1713210077
Jason, Hilton, And Leo were great. Polite and neat. All is well.
Michael C.
1713206188
Very professional and knowledgeable. We think the problem was solved due to high heat. Thank you
justin H.
1713205580
Armando and Benny were great. Highly recommend!
Mycroft
1713132842
Our old furnace was about at the end of its life. After discussion with our favorite technician Marco Ayala we decided to have a heat pump installed. A crew arrived this morning headed by Edwin Cabra. He was assisted by Diego B, S. Ramiro, Edgar H, Jonathan A. This team was well trained, worked well together and was finished this afternoon! Great job by all. That's why we have been customers for more than 15 years!!Update: there was a small issue with one of the wires. Ruben Medina found the issue and corrected it. Again Brody Pennell to the rescue! Thank you again!!Further update. Giovanny Quinterro found that the outlet being used had no power. He changed the outlet and we're back to having heat. Yay! Thank you once again!!
Daniel D.
1713054294
Diego B., Sergio S., Alberto H,. And Alex S. installed a brand new system in one of my units and replaced the piping. They took a job that's usually 2 days and did it in 6 hours. They were unobtrusive to the tenants, thorough, and genuinely nice guys. Works perfectly. Extra kudos to the guys for being cool with a couple of very friendly dogs that like to jump and lick. 10/10 would recommend.
Therese B.
1712963432
I just had David Mares here to service the A/C system that they installed 2 years ago. David was great at explaining all the pertinent information about the function and cleaning of my A/C / heating system. He took pictures to show me whatever potential issues there may be down the road. I would highly recommend Brody Pennell for the A/C / heating system and specifically David Mares as a technician.
Dominique Z.
1712961408
Juan Molina was wonderful and so helpful
Baden S.
1712961375
Ruben and Leo M were so great. So professional. So friendly. Great to work with
Jeff T.
1712961025
We just bought a complete HVAC system from Marcus at Brody Pennell and I've never felt better about a manager or a company, and I'm an exacting retired general contractor. Clear choices with zero pressure or upsellng, and character as solid as their well respected company, with the resources to back it up. Marcus was impressive with his expertise, and genuine honesty well beyond that of a company representative, as the kind of person you'd look for in a friend, who seems every bit as stable as this well established company. A real pleasure!
Nancy T.
1712960484
Kevin and David provided amazing customer service for our home in Beverly Hills. They were detailed, thorough, and did not try to rush through our appointment. I received text messages from David throughout their 3 hour visit with photos of the condition of our HVAC, areas of concern, and proof of filter changes! You really can't ask for more. These guys are the best and I would highly recommend them to anyone who needs HVAC maintenance/cleaning.
Nili H.
1712957739
Juan Romo was my technician. He was on time, thoughtful, clean and thorough. He was also very knowledgeable and answered my questions in detail. He took his time and didn’t rush. I’m always delighted with Brody Pennel’s service and recommend them highly. Today I had another service called by Ivan and Hilton And they were wonderful. Gave me a beautiful service and cleaned up as they went and tried to sell me a new filter which I’m for air purification
×
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