Do I Need To Clean My Air Vents?

March 13, 2024

Over time, the air vents in your home can accumulate various allergens, such as dust, pollen, hair, debris, spider webs, and dirt, reducing the air quality you breathe. It is essential to make cleaning your air vents a regular task to ensure good air quality. Moreover, it can help you save money on heating and cooling. To determine whether your vents require cleaning services, it is crucial to watch out for signs, such as visible dust or mold growth, musty odors, increased allergies or respiratory symptoms, and reduced airflow from vents. Here are some signs to look for: 1. Mold and Mildew Growth Mold and mildew are fungi that can be highly hazardous to your health if they thrive in areas where you work or live. You might think that mold only grows in damp places like a bathroom or the crawlspace, but that’s not the case. Mold spores may thrive in moist, dark spots and air vents due to condensation in your HVAC system. If you find mold in your air vents, act fast to protect your home’s indoor air quality. Mold can be difficult to detect, but professional HVAC technicians can eliminate the problem and help keep it...

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How Often Should I Replace My Air Filters?

March 2, 2024

Knowing what to look for when shopping for air filters is vital to choosing the right kind. Air filters play an imperative role in indoor air quality and HVAC efficiency. For the HVAC system to work at its best, you must pair it with a compatible filter that doesn’t put extra strain on it. It’s also important to know how often to change the filter. After all, different filters have different replacement guidelines. By staying up-to-date on different filters, you can make informed shopping decisions. This knowledge also empowers you to select a filter that preserves the longevity and efficiency of your HVAC system. Fiberglass Filters Fiberglass filters are cost-effective air filters made of layered fiberglass fibers. These fibers are designed to capture large airborne particles like dust and lint. They work by trapping particles as air passes through the filter, improving indoor air quality. Ideal for standard HVAC systems and homes with minimal air quality concerns, fiberglass filters are suitable for those seeking basic filtration on a budget. They require replacement every 30 to 60 days, depending on usage and environmental factors. While effective for capturing larger particles, they may not address smaller pollutants or allergens, making them less...

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Maximizing Efficiency By Maintaining Your Heat Pump

February 12, 2024

Heat pumps provide efficient cooling and can also be an efficient way to heat a home. However, how efficiently a heat pump system works depends on whether it is properly maintained. Heat pump systems work most efficiently when well maintained, and their efficiency will quickly decrease when not tuned-up regularly. How Often Should a Heat Pump Be Serviced? If you have a traditional heating and cooling system, experts suggest having your air conditioner and heater serviced once a year. Most homeowners hire an HVAC technician to tune up their heater in the fall and their air conditioner in the spring. Alternatively, since a heat pump provides heating and cooling year-round, it needs to be tuned up twice a year, also in the spring and fall. The Importance of Regular Heat Pump Maintenance While maintenance is important for all HVAC systems, it is essential for heat pumps. They are highly efficient but can also be more prone to issues that prevent them from heating and cooling effectively. The reason for this is simple: heat pumps run for many more hours each year compared to separate heating and cooling systems. Furnaces and traditional air conditioners usually have a lifespan of around 15...

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Do I Need to Call a Professional to Have My Electrical Outlet Wiring Tested?

February 7, 2024

Any time you have an issue with an electrical outlet, it’s advisable to call a professional electrician to test the wiring. Electrical work is dangerous, and checking wiring requires special knowledge, skills and tools. A professional electrician can inspect your wiring, find problems and assure safety. Regular expert inspections prevent electrical fires and guarantee electrical system dependability, making them a smart home safety investment. Consider 11 reasons to have a professional test outlet wiring. 1. Will Childproof the Outlets Childproofing is a service that electricians provide when they check and test electrical wiring. To preserve electrical outlets, avoid accidents and protect children, childproofing is essential. Electricians childproof outlets with outlet covers, sliding plate covers or tamper-resistant outlets. To prevent youngsters from inserting objects that they should not, covers and tamper-resistant outlets work best at limiting access. This precaution prevents electrical risks and makes these electrical receptacles work longer, giving homeowners peace of mind. 2. Can Install GFCI Outlets Testing outlet wiring helps electricians determine whether to install ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets. These outlets improve safety by identifying power surges and other electrical problems. To avoid electrical shocks and fire hazards, they quickly turn off the power. Kitchens and bathrooms,...

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9 Things to Look for in a Water Heater

January 18, 2024

When it comes to household comfort and energy efficiency, nothing is more important than choosing the correct water heater. With so many choices, it’s crucial to have a good grasp on the various aspects to consider when making a selection. Different brands offer different features and selections, but it’s important to narrow your choices to the ones that will work best for your home. This not only improves your home’s interior comfort but also helps you save money on energy bills. Here are nine important factors to think about when selecting a hot water heater brand. Why Choosing the Right Water Heater Matters The water heater you select for your home will directly affect your comfort and convenience. With an effective and properly sized unit, you can be certain that you will always have hot water on hand when needed. Water heaters that are too big or too small for your home cause major energy waste, thus skyrocketing your bills. A water heater that’s too small will also result in you having to go without hot water when you need it most. 1. Fuel Type When choosing a hot water heater, it’s important to think about the fuel type since...

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What to Do When Your Furnace Breaks Down in Winter

January 4, 2024

Furnace breakdowns in winter can range from inconvenient to dangerous. There are ways to predict these issues before they make your home unliveable. We’ll discuss the signs of a breakdown and what to do if it happens so you can remain calm in the face of furnace troubles. Signs of a Furnace Breakdown Strange noises or no sound at all Cold air coming out from the vents Thermostat not responding Indoor temperatures have dropped Strange odor or burning smell What to Check Facing a furnace breakdown can be stressful, but a cool head and quick action can make all the difference. Here are some immediate steps to take to determine if your furnace needs repair: Check your thermostat: Before doing anything else, make sure your thermostat is set correctly. A simple misconfiguration might be the culprit. Inspect the circuit breaker: Head to the circuit breaker and check if the furnace switch is in the “on” position. If not, flip it on and see if that jumpstarts your heating system. Check the pilot light: If you have an older furnace with a pilot light, check if it’s still burning. If it’s out, relight it following the manufacturer’s instructions. Change the air...

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8 Ways Annual HVAC Maintenance Saves You Money

December 5, 2023

knows that many people in Seattle fail to schedule an annual HVAC maintenance checkup because they want to save money. Unfortunately, this is a proven way to cost yourself more money in the long run. That’s because getting your HVAC system checked at least once a year is a good way to catch issues before they have the chance to become too expensive. It’s the same as getting your oil changed every 3,000 miles. If you don’t do it, you may temporarily save money, but it’s going to be far more expensive in the long run. To show you more about what we mean, let’s take a look at some of the many different ways that annual preventative maintenance can save you money. 1. Reduces Energy Bills Did you know that if you don’t have your HVAC unit checked and cleaned annually, you’ll probably pay higher energy bills? There are a ton of different reasons that this happens, too. For instance, wear and tear decreases energy, and loose belts decrease airflow. In addition, dirty condenser coils increase your energy bills while dirty burners cause poor combustion. The only way to keep your HVAC system working at full efficiency is to...

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Troubleshooting Electrical Problems

December 4, 2023

There are many ways your electrical systems can go awry. In this short guide, we will cover some of the most common problems and explain their solutions. Because electricity is dangerous, it’s best to have professionals fix electrical issues. Appliances can sometimes malfunction and cause your electricity to stop working or develop other issues. The wiring in your home can also be the cause of electrical problems. When your electricity malfunctions, it can also cause higher energy bills. If you notice a sharp increase in your electric bill, it may be a sign that something may not be working properly. Safety First: Always Call a Professional Electricians go through years of extensive training to learn how to handle electricity more safely. This is why it is important to call in the professionals when you notice anything strange happening with your electrical appliances or outlets. Electricity can cause electric shock or electrocution as well as fires. If you observe sparks or hear crackling noises, it’s wise to reach out to one of our trusted electricians to inspect the situation. You and your family can feel safe knowing that you and your loved ones are in good hands with our licensed electricians....

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Advantages of Heat Pumps for Energy Efficiency

November 9, 2023

You have probably heard a lot about heat pumps in recent years. For heating and cooling homes, this option has seen a major surge in popularity. If you have not yet made the switch to this type of system in your home, you may be wondering just how energy-efficient they are. You also may not know all of the advantages that come with the level of energy efficiency that heat pump systems advertise. To clear up any questions you might have about heat pumps, let’s go over their energy efficiency and the kinds of advantages that they can give you. What Makes a Heat Pump So Energy Efficient? Instead of having to create heat, like a furnace, a heat pump pulls the heat from a source where it already exists and then transfers it into your home. Where a heat pump pulls heat from depends on the kind that you utilize. It is most common to own a heat pump that pulls from the air, but some pull from the ground, and some extract heat from water. A good way to illustrate how a heat pump works is to think of it like an air conditioner, but in reverse. An...

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11 Things to check if your furnace stops working

November 2, 2023

Your furnace works hard to keep your home nice and comfortable throughout the winter. However, when it stops working, you might feel like panicking. There is good news. You might be able to resolve this issue with some troubleshooting. These few steps can get your system up and running. Here are the top 11 things to check if your furnace stops working. 1. Check the Thermostat You always want to start with the thermostat. This device controls your entire heating system. If there is a problem, it could be tied to this part. Sometimes, you might have the wrong furnace settings. You might have put the thermostat in the “off” mode. Make sure that it is on the “heat” setting. Along with that, set the temperature above your current room temperature. If it is still not responding, then make sure the device is powered on. Don’t forget about those batteries. An old battery can cause the thermostat to cease operation. While these steps are simple, many people overlook them. These easy fixes could get your heating system back in working order. 2. Look at the Air Filter The next step is heading to the air filter. If the heating unit...

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