Brower Power Hour Radio Show Archive
About the Show
Brower Home Power Hour: Formerly the CHERP Energy Wise Forum, Brower Mechanical has now recrafted the program to further promote the process of home energy optimization thru home energy audits, insulation, windows, solar and more. Continuing the relationship with the non-profit Community Home Energy Retrofit Project (CHERP)monthly seminars are designed to provide access to virtually free home energy assessments ($300+ value!)that can then lead to maximizing government and utility rebates and incentives to both reduce expense and increase home values. An incredibly informative show to help anyone considering solar or home energy upgrades make the best investment decision utilizing the small solar process by reducing before producing.
Presented in Part by: Ygrene Home Improvement Financing
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Radio Show Archive
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 to do what it needs to do in order 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.
You’ve heard it. You know it’s coming. The heat will eventually be here and it’s going to be different this year. Your hosts Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small get into the discussion of options for you to consider to help minimize the impact of the changes you’re sure to see with SMUD’s time of use cost and PG&E’s rate increases. Don’t let these become surprises. They could cripple your budget if you’re not paying attention. There are options, however, and to get the straight scoop, listen in. Are you on the right rate program? How do you know? Talk with an expert, that’s how. It’s a wonderful discussion of what to expect and even better, what to do!
Later in the show, listen to a very astute caller asking if rebates can be stacked in the same year, is there a way that an electric car and home energy upgrades can be combined and taking it so far as to consider it in his business as well! All with one company to handle everything? I’ll bet you can guess the answer to might be perfect to help with everything! You’ve heard of “Power Purchase Agreements”… Spot on.
To close out today’s show, learn how the benefits of a wet winter can wreak havoc on your health. Yes. Allergies are going to be a nightmare if you don’t take precautions and did you know, there are steps you can take to help your home be more healthy, allergy resistant and generally more comfortable to live in! It’s all in today’s show and if you need to take action, do it! Call Brower Mechanical at 916-624-0808, on line at www.gosmallsolar.com.
40 years ago a company called Brower Mechanical started and wow, what a 40 year run! You can not believe the changes in technology that have occurred over the past 40 years. Your hosts Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small talk about some of the key changes they've seen over the course of the years and how they have impacted your home energy activity. Even as specifically as the best way to time your highest energy consumption for the most efficient usage.
In this segment of the show, Derek from Ygrene really takes the lead from Duane on the literal terms for financing and how it ties together. The novelty of the relationship with the contractor like Brower makes the process incredibly seamless and fully transparent and it can be done right at the kitchen table in real time at the point you choose to make the decision. There is no need for credit history. This is about equity in the home. Ygrene is the ultimate win win all around and the driver to help you get to a positive cash flow situation with your home energy upgrades. Listen in and see how that becomes possible.
Finally, closing the show is a discussion taking us into the warmer seasons and the values of whole house fans. Good and bad... they're not for everybody and if you're thinking about one, this is a great segment to listen to. This will get you started heading in the right direction.
As always, with every show, education is everything. If you want to learn more, head this way...
Call Brower Mechanical at 916-624-0808 or visit them online at www.gosmallsolar.com. There's never been a better time.
Your hosts Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small start it all with comments on cabbage. Not with corned beef but still green. As in your money! And you’re going to love what you hear. Your friends will be green with envy. You’re going green and helping the environment. Yes, you’re saving green too and that’s what the show is really all about, every week!
Starting strong with a case study today is particularly important as the temperature and dust in this home was becoming detrimental to a pre-existing illness the homeowner had. It was critical to get it done right and done right the first time. The homeowner was very clear about that. And did it work? You have to listen for the unbelievable outcome. With rebates and energy savings and forward looking options, it’s a very good story. And that “green”? Oh yeah, less of it going out with the energy upgrades for sure.
Todays call is quite unique in that the caller is looking for a whole house fan to get the kitchen cooking smell and smoke out of the home. Now that’s either a very savvy chef or a terrible cook burning things too often. What you’ll find out though is that maybe it’s not really a whole house fan that this customer needs. There may be options but that’s more a problem with the current ventilation than requiring a whole house fan. And that’s why you want a home energy company coming in to assess your situation. If you want a whole house fan for the right reasons, they’ll steer you in that direction. Not simply to get the fan in the house regardless of the reason. And seriously, a whole house fan isn’t really the right way to go to stop your smoke detector from going off when you cook. It’s all about trust.
Finally, closing out the show, is a discussion taking us into the warmer seasons and the values of whole house fans. Good and bad… they’re not for everybody and if you’re thinking about one, this is a great segment to listen to. This will get you started heading in the right direction.
As always, with every show, education is everything. If you want to learn more, head this way…
Call Brower Mechanical at 916-624-0808 or visit them online at www.gosmallsolar.com. There’s never been a better time.
Your hosts, Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small open with a little birthday celebration as the company turns 40. And what a great run it’s been with so much interest in the future ahead, especially in the essence of what home energy is really about. Isn’t it really all about living better? A more comfortable home really is the expectation of living better. That’s what you want when you invest in home energy upgrades after all.
The show continues to a discussion of big money rebates, how it all happens, how simple it is and the value of it all. The example of rebates demonstrates the significance of it all with a real life story of a $25000 upgrade that yields dramatic energy use reductions AND a $10,000 rebate. That’s 40% reduction. You’ll also hear how you can trade your energy bill for a solar payment and own your power in a shorter period of time. This is incredible.
Today, you’ll hear from a caller looking for an emergency hot water situation and Brower comes to the rescue with a same day appointment…and a wealth of knowledge on how to best get the project done in the most efficient way. That’s what 40 years of experience can show you.
Closing the show out is a brief discussion of tax credits on solar, choices on solar and considerations for what may be rolling power outages going forward. They’re coming this summer and you’ll want to know you have options. As always you can reach the Brower team for more information at 916-624-0808 or visit them online at www.gosmallsolar.com.
OK… todays’ show opens with your hosts Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small discussing some of the collateral benefits of home energy upgrades. A recent project that was completed had the homeowner marveling at the difference in, believe it or not, how quiet the home was after the upgrades...and this did not include windows! You’ll hear how this often occurs and what the reasons are for the effect. It’s a pretty nice benefit you actually don’t expect and a very nice result when it comes to home comfort. And no, we can’t help you with snoring!
You’ve heard it before if you’re a show listener with any regularity but for those of you less familiar, the “Set it and Forget it” program gets a healthy explanation on the benefits and the process. This is a no-joke situation. Brower will actually guarantee you the cost of the energy to keep your home at exactly the temperature you choose. If that’s of interest to you, make the call at the end of the show. The discussion continues into the benefits and options that are now available to keep your home running on backup power with battery storage. The technology is now there and you know who is right on top of it giving you the detail you’ll need to meet the requirements you have. And if you don’t know, you can be sure you’ll learn your options.
You’ll hear from a caller in this segment who doesn’t really need a new system because the current HVAC is still working...even though it’s 30 years old! Trick question is, does she need a new unit at this point in time? The Brower answer is maybe not! Just because it’s old, doesn’t mean it needs to be replaced. The solution Duane explains will surprise you.
Ever go thru the process of having to decide on which filter your system needs? With all the issues that can occur, like the issues last year with the fires, the pollen in spring, the dust in the summer, it’s important you have the proper filtration and clean it regularly but there are other ways to make sure your home is not sucking in the air from the outside first. Filtration is really a secondary consideration, not the primary one. Getting the house sealed up properly is the first and foremost process to go thru. Your indoor air quality IS the most important part of home comfort. Just think if you didn’t have all that dust to deal with every week. Make the call to Brower Mechanical at 916-624-0808 or visit them online at www.gosmallsolar.com. You’ll be pleased you did.
Your hosts, Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small really turn it on today in spite of the liquid dumping that’s imminent and the anxiety most of us have about how much rain it’s going to be. For what it’s worth, there are a few comments relative to that soaking we’re getting you’ll certainly appreciate. From there the show takes off with discussion of the 40 years of experience Brower brings to the table. Do heat and/or cold influence your home heating and cooling systems differently? Maybe. You can find out more by listening.
The second segment in today’s show is significant in that you’ll hear from a customer who has gone thru a deep energy upgrade that kept the home warm in an actual power failure. They converted from gas to electricity but even before that, the first step was to be sure the attic and ductwork were properly sealed. This is the most significant part of any energy upgrade as it confirms the home is ready and optimized. This is the right way to go to get things done properly. Even your utility company will verify this fact. Check it out on their website!
Our third segment will shed light on the most simple process you can follow to get your energy upgrades completed. No credit check, no hassle. A nearly immediate response that will give you all the details of what you can expect and how they could impact your utility expense to your favor. It is certainly worth the investigation to check into Ygrene options to finance your project. Just visit www.ygrene.com and you’ll find what your options are.
Finally, a very detailed discussion takes place on the benefits of SMUD options and rebates to make electricity work to your advantage when you consider the cost of SMUD rates. It’s very efficient and may well be the answer to help you save more, month after month. And while different, the rebate values are now stabilizing with the utility companies. PGE is no different either. There are solutions to minimize utility expense and you’ll know where to go to get the answers you’re bound to have. Call Brower Mechanical at 916-624-0808 or visit them online at www.gosmallsolar.com. Many of your questions can be answered right there. And do your best to stay dry!
Well, both your hosts, Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small, fess up on their Valentines memory. And hop right back into the show to bring you information that is going to save you money. Listen up to learn how you can get a simple set of steps to help you make better decisions on your home’s energy systems. Frequent listeners to the show can probably answer the very first step. Begin to build a plan. Have a plan. Just plan! And you can get started with that plan by starting with a free clipboard audit of your home. Did I say “FREE”! You bet. It gets you started on that plan.
You may frequently have heard of “Cool Tools” that are used for home energy assessments. What are they? What do they do? How do they work? That’s the topic carrying most of segment and it’s pretty exciting to understand. Testing is everything as it relates back to something that can be measured. If you can measure it, then you know what the likelihood of improvement is going to be. And the tools are just the beginning. They’re the start of what allows the team to get to building out the plan and how it’s going to benefit you on your energy expense and home health.
There’s a lot of energy noise in the community as it relates to PG&E right now. Bill calls much of it “Fake Utility News”. The acronym is anything but F.U.N. He’s probably right. But get the straight story here. Listen to how Duane explains it all. And how it can be really important that you understand it.
Hear next how you can save money on a payment you were going to make anyway. If you’re a PG&E customer, things are very different. You can get your house to be more valuable, net even on your home energy expense and get upgrades that are cleaner operating resulting in a healthier home. All for the same money you’re already spending. It’s a pretty simple math equation and If math is not your thing, let the guys from Brower come out and help you see how that math works. You can create stability in your payments. You can budget. You can be more comfortable and rest better knowing there will be no surprises.
Closing this Presidential show takes us into an energizing conversation. Electrifying actually. Literally. No Congressional act necessary. The concerns about rate increases are motivating people to take action to evaluate their utility expense knowing things are likely going to change. Solar systems may only have a 26% tax credit vs 30% today. Utility expenses may go up. Rebates may go away. Nobody knows for sure what’s going to happen. Make the most of it. Act! Like the gentleman who Duane talks about in this segment. He finally made the decision after deciding against it. Find out why when you listen. And then call Brower Mechanical at 916-624-0808 or visit them online at www.gosmallsolar.com. Many of your questions can be answered right there.
Your hosts immediately get into reflection of a seminar they recently attended that was focused on home energy upgrades, solar and home energy efficiency. What took place and what occurred will surprise you. Both Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small stay laser focused on those things you can do to improve the energy consumption of your home’s systems.
Today’s second segment moves the discussion into battery backup and how it can impact your home in the event of blackout, power failures or intentional shutdowns. This is a big concern for many of you in PG&E territory. It can even supplement power to your home if solar is inclusive as it will power the home while power is out and extend the length of time you can run on your own system. This is a great option for anyone concerned about the utility service to their home. It’s all customizable to your particular interest and budget. It’s worth the exploration if you think these are an option for you. You can find “Ways to pay and save on Home Energy” and the “Home heating and cooling Cheat Sheet” on www.gosmallsolar.com. Just click and get. Simple. You’ve effectively asked the expert!
What do any, likely all, utilities say about the “right” steps to maximize your home before going solar? View it on the site itself or simply visit your own utility to see how they address the opportunity to add solar. Or NOT! You may not even need solar to meet your objectives. The case study of a 2300 SF home with 36 solar panels is a great example. Compare that to a Brower energy optimized home with only 13 panels to accomplish the same objective. 23 panels difference. That alone is a $23000 difference! Could there be an opportunity to upgrade many of the home’s energy systems for the same or less cost? The net result would most often be the same or better. This should be a no-brainer.
Lastly, what is it about all this “electrification” any way? Depending on your utility, home performance could really be something you want to look deeper into. Like changing from gas to electricity with your cooktop, your water heater, your furnace. What really makes it impactful is the availability of rebates that you won’t know exist until you look into it and have your home assessed. Many of the projects Brower does are returning $10,000 in rebates alone. Don’t waste any more time thinking about it. These rebates don’t last forever. Now is a good time to act. Call Brower Mechanical today @ 916-765-9021 or visit www.gosmallsolar.com. There’s so much there for you to work with.
OK, so the big game is today. Just imagine having to have everyone wear sweaters. That might be awkward. So… is you’re home as comfortable as it can be? Are you concerned about the bill because you’re going to need to run the heat higher so it’s comfortable for guests? If that’s the case, this is the show for you. Listen up and learn as your hosts, Duane Knickerbocker and Bill Small address many of the opportunities you have to get your home where you want it to be on the comfort scale. Don’t get yourself caught in the fourth quarter with the clock ticking and running out of time to save money on your utility bills.
If you’re a show regular, you’ll hear us repeat the content from the websites of the major utilities demonstrating that the best way to upgrade your home is to first eliminate the energy waste. That’s reducing before producing in our minds. It’s also doing it “right”. On another note, moving into a new home always has its’ challenges but you can minimize some of the big ones with Brower stepping in to help. Find out more about what that means in today’s show.
If you have a situation like the caller in today’s show, you need to know what to do. A hot hallway and cold bedroom are not the most preferred means to comfort. This is where you’ll find there are ways to help alleviate this type of situation. If it’s something you’re experiencing in your home, you’ll want to learn some of the steps that can be taken as remedy.
The final segment in today’s show really wraps it all up. The use of cool tools to best identify the “whys”. Why do I have dust bunnies all over the place?” “Why do I have black lines on my carpet?” “Why does my house feel so drafty?” And on and on and on. Of course the next logical line that comes “how can I fix …(insert the problem here)”. That’s the explanation you’ll get from a discussion on cool tools. If you’re considering an HVAC contractor, be sure you’re getting the most sophisticated evaluation for your issues or concerns. It’s worth the time to consider the best company for your project. You’re spending a great deal of money to do what it is you want to do so be sure the result is what you expect and the contractor you choose is capable of doing what it is you want done. Check it all out on-line. Grab a takeaway document when you visit www.gosmallsolar.com. You’ll get some great information you can use.
Or you can call Brower Mechanical at 916-624-0808.
