How to Change the Air Filter in Your Furnace

August 30, 2023

Of all the ways to protect and maintain your Seattle, WA home, changing your furnace filter is likely the easiest. It’s also among the most important. This component removes dirt, hair, lint, dander, and many other particulates before they enter your heating equipment and negatively impact its performance. Regular filter changes will improve your indoor air quality (IAQ) and promote furnace safety. They’ll also extend the lifespan of your heater. The following is everything you need to know about performing furnace filter changes. Refer to the Instructions of Your Furnace Manufacturer While most furnaces and furnace filters are fairly the same, each model has its own nuances and needs. If you’ve never changed the filter on your furnace before, take a minute to look at your owner’s manual. This should provide a clear diagram of the furnace, its filter location, and other details to help you along. If you still have questions after reading your manual, call your furnace manufacturer or your HVAC installer. Having a knowledgeable party guide you through this process is far better than installing your new filter incorrectly. Choose the Right Filter Type and Stock Up Air filters with accumulated debris place a tremendous amount of...

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Simple DIY Maintenance Guide for Your HVAC and More

August 30, 2023

Owning a home comes with a satisfying sense of autonomy and responsibility, allowing homeowners to shape their living spaces according to their preferences. Many tasks can be undertaken as simple and safe do-it-yourself (DIY) projects, providing a rewarding outlet for creativity and resourcefulness. From painting walls to assembling furniture, there’s a host of projects you can tackle without professional assistance. However, it’s crucial to recognize the line between DIY feasibility and the need for professional expertise. Certain tasks demand specialized skills, knowledge, and equipment that only trained professionals can provide, ensuring both safety and quality outcomes. This guide will explore a range of DIY opportunities for homeowners, offering insights into what you can accomplish independently and when it’s prudent to enlist the aid of skilled experts to safeguard your investment and well-being. Painting and Decorating Infuse your living spaces with your unique style by embarking on DIY painting and decorating projects. Whether you’re envisioning a calming oasis with soothing pastels or a vibrant haven bursting with bold hues, painting walls, furniture, or even exterior surfaces offers a tangible transformation. Armed with brushes, rollers, and painter’s tape, you can revitalize your home’s atmosphere. Remember to choose low-VOC paints for an eco-friendly...

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Keeping Your Indoor Air Quality Healthy With Proper Air Conditioning Maintenance

August 15, 2023

In recent years, news reports from Seattle and the surrounding area have warned residents about unhealthy air quality levels. These reports let you know how polluted the air is on a scale from zero to 500. The highest number denotes the lowest and most concerning air quality. In September 2022, for example, the air quality index (AQI) was close to 200, thus making it unhealthy for many residents. Similar to the AQI, there is an indoor air quality (IAQ) index to measure breathing conditions in your home. At , we get quite a few inquiries from customers concerned about IAQ levels in their Seattle homes. One of the most common concerns in this regard is related to IAQ and air conditioning. This is a valid concern because it ties into one of the primary functions of AC units, which is re-circulation. The cooling process and mechanisms can have an impact on IAQ, and it is important to understand them. Understanding the IAQ Index Similar to its outdoor counterpart used by environmental protection agencies, the IAQ index is scored numerically. The scale runs from zero to 150, and it accounts for the detected levels of the following pollutants: Volatile organic compounds...

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18 Awesome Lighting Ideas for Your Backyard Space

August 3, 2023

When designing our dream homes, we often turn our attention primarily to the inside. However, once you’ve nailed down the interior design, it’s time to shift your focus to the outdoors. One key element that can make a huge difference is lighting. Using clever lighting ideas in your backyard, you can completely transform the space, making it a fantastic spot to hang out in the evenings. Proper lighting can highlight the beauty of your landscaping and delineate spaces designed for relaxing, cooking, or sharing drinks with friends. Here are some ideas for using lighting to bring your outdoor space to life. 1. String and Fairy Lights String lights and fairy lights are fantastic choices to set the mood for any occasion, whether it’s a laid-back backyard party or a cozy bistro-style atmosphere on your deck. With our team, you can have these lights railed or woven through your patio cover. Choose from a variety of bulb styles, lengths, and power options to illuminate your backyard beautifully. 2. Solar Lights Solar landscaping lights are an ideal choice for outlining flower beds and highlighting your favorite garden features, like benches or fountains. They’re incredibly convenient because they don’t require complicated wiring and...

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10 Tips for Hiring a Professional Electrician

July 15, 2023

Electricians are valuable for installing, repairing, and maintaining your home’s wiring. Hiring the right pro is essential to ensure you have quality electrical work done promptly and cost-effectively. But with so many to choose from, how do you know which electrician is right for your job? Here are some tips to help you find a good electrician. 1. Check for Proper Licensing and Insurance Not just anyone can call him- or herself an electrician. Ensure the one you’re considering has a valid license and insurance in your state or local area. The license should be up-to-date and relevant to the work you have in mind. And even if the electrician is injured while working on your project, insurance protects you from legal trouble. In cases where the work is extensive, a permit may be required. You can ask your prospective electrician for help with this. Permits are often needed when wiring, rewiring, or even changing electrical systems. 2. Look for Experience and Expertise Having a license doesn’t automatically mean someone is an expert. Be sure to ask about the electrician’s experience and expertise before hiring them. When checking their experience, inquire about the projects they have done before and how...

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The Top 9 Advantages of Ductless Air Conditioning

July 2, 2023

It’s crucial to have a reliable and efficient cooling solution for your home. This is especially true when you live in Kirkland, Washington, where temperatures can fluctuate throughout the year. Ductless air conditioning, also known as ductless mini-split systems, offers numerous advantages. People who are interested in better control of individual cooling zones, reduced energy bills, and improved indoor air quality will want to consider this popular option. 1. Create Individual Cooling Zones Sometimes, you want your office to be a little bit cooler to help you focus, but you don’t want to freeze out the whole house. Sometimes, you want the downstairs to be cool but no one will be using the upstairs for a while. In some homes, the front room gets too much sunlight and is often overly warm, but when you turn the air conditioning on, you freeze out everyone on the other side of the house. It has never made sense to have to pay for cooling to all these different areas. Many families find this a constant source of frustration and discomfort. One of the significant advantages of ductless air conditioning is the ability to control the cooling independently in different zones of your...

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How Is a Ceiling Fan Installed?

June 15, 2023

Whether you just like the feeling of a breeze or you’re hoping to help reduce your energy bills throughout the year, a ceiling fan is a great way to do it. A fan can even upgrade the overall look and functionality of your home. However, it’s imperative that your new fan be installed correctly, or it could lead to ineffectiveness and even danger for your family. Picking Out the Ideal Fan It’s imperative to pick a ceiling fan that is designed for the space that you have. It should be rated to handle the square footage of your room. A fan that is rated for rooms bigger than yours will tend to overpower the room and look visually out of place. Contrarily, a fan that is too small for your space won’t circulate the air properly. Generally, the bigger your roof, the bigger your ceiling fan blades will need to be. Apart from the size of the fan, you also need to consider any height limitations. It’s typically recommended that there be a minimum of seven feet of space between the floor and the fan blades. If you have taller rooms, you can install the fan even higher, at eight...

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Simple and Effective Ways to Maintain Your Air Conditioner for Optimal Performance

June 1, 2023

Maintaining your air conditioner is crucial for its performance, energy efficiency, and longevity. Regular upkeep prevents decreased cooling capacity, increased energy consumption, and potential system breakdowns. By following a few simple steps, you can ensure that your air conditioner operates at its best. Clean or Replace the Air Filter The air filter is an integral component of your air conditioner that not only affects its performance but also plays a significant role in maintaining good indoor air quality. These filters are designed to capture dust, dirt, pollen, pet dander, and other airborne particles, preventing them from circulating throughout your home. However, over time, air filters can become clogged with accumulated debris, impeding proper airflow and diminishing their effectiveness. Proper maintenance of your air filter is crucial to ensure the efficient operation of your air conditioner. It is generally recommended to clean or replace your air filter every one to three months, although the frequency may vary depending on factors such as the type of filter and the level of pollutants in your environment. Checking the manufacturer’s instructions or consulting with an HVAC professional can provide you with specific guidelines for your air conditioner model. Regularly cleaning or replacing your air...

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What You Should Know About Electrical Service Panels

May 15, 2023

It’s hard to imagine a modern Kirkland home without electricity. Electricity plays such an essential role in today’s world that it can be easy to take for granted the complex systems required to deliver electricity to your various electronic devices. One of the most critical components of residential electrical systems is the electrical service panel. Electrical service panels play multiple roles, including distributing electricity and helping to protect you and your family members from electrocution. Since electrical panels are so vital, it’s a good idea for you to know some basics about these devices to know when you need to call for assistance. Introduction to Electrical Service Panels Electrical service panels help ensure that electricity can travel safely and efficiently from the overhead or underground utility line that services your home to the various electrical circuits in your home. Electrical panels come in assorted sizes and ratings for different applications. In most locales, homeowners are the party responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the electrical panels. Fortunately, a professionally installed and maintained electrical panel will require extraordinarily little ongoing attention. Explaining the Roles of Electrical Service Panels Several types of electrical service panels play distinct roles in the electrical...

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Is There a Good Way to Clean Your HVAC Ducts?

May 2, 2023

Back in the 1950s, American homes began getting built with pre-installed ductwork to support forced air heating and cooling systems. It was nothing less than a revolution in home comfort that continues to this day. For the first time, homeowners could control their home’s indoor temperature year-round without standalone heaters or window air conditioners. However, forced air HVAC systems aren’t perfect. For one thing, they accumulate dust and dirt from all over your home as they operate. And although HVAC systems have air filters to mitigate that somewhat, your home’s ducts will eventually need a thorough cleaning. Failing to do that could destroy your home’s air quality and even lead to health complications. The trouble is that most homeowners don’t know how to clean their home’s air ducts. So, the experts here at decided to put together this guide on the best ways to keep your home’s HVAC ducts clean. There’s No Substitute for Periodic Professional Duct Cleaning Right at the outset, we’d like to point out that there’s really no substitute for a periodic professional duct cleaning service. The fact is that a professional HVAC technician has tools and experience that a homeowner doesn’t. When you call to schedule...

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