Humidifiers and Healthy Homes

May 12, 2019

When the weather turns cold, dry air becomes a problem. If there’s not enough moisture in the air, you won’t look or feel your best. A humidifier can help improve your home environment. Here are some examples of what adding moisture to the air in your home could do for your overall wellness. Skin Health Dry air can really do a number on your skin. When your environment doesn’t contain enough humidity, you might struggle with cracked lips, rough hands, a scratchy throat and a flaky face. As your nasal passages dry out, you might deal with nosebleeds or stuffiness. Equipping your home in Seattle with a whole-house humidifier from can help you feel more comfortable in your skin in any weather. Illness Relief When you have a respiratory infection, getting better as soon as possible is a top priority. Dry air can aggravate illness symptoms like a sore throat and an incessant cough, but humidified air can help you feel better. Plus, a humidifier may decrease the chances that a bug will spread from one family member to another. Moist air helps your body’s natural germ-filtering systems work their best, and scientific research indicates that influenza viruses can’t survive...

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5 HVAC System Sounds You Don’t Want to Hear

May 2, 2019

Both packaged units and heat pumps can make unusual noises when something is wrong. That’s why owners should keep their ears on alert. Here are some of the worst sounds your system might make and what they could indicate. I Need An HVAC Technician Today! 1. Rattling and Clanking Loose parts in the system, especially in the compressor and blower unit, will rattle. Sometimes, even the compressor can become loose. If the blower fan blades are out of balance, they may give rise to a clanking noise, and if the blades hit against something that’s stuck in them, they may create a “thwapping” sound. 2. Banging The motor mounts may become loose and start banging. More often, though, the noise results from broken or disconnected parts. That’s why this is a more serious sign than rattling. 3. Hissing and Humming Humming usually denotes an electrical issue, such as loose wiring. Hissing, though, may signify a leak in the air vents. Owners may come to realize this if they see a sharp rise in their electricity bills. This is because leaks can force the unit to work harder and longer to do its job. 4. Clicking While clicking is normal when...

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3 Ways an AC Tune-up will Improve Your Life

April 30, 2019

Many homeowners tend to take maintenance issues for granted due to the cost or just too many other things on their minds. However, getting a regular AC tune-up could provide many benefits to your Kirkland home. Here are just three ways an AC Tune-up will improve your life. 1. Maintaining a Comfortable Environment When it’s hot outside, it’s not the time to discover that your AC unit is not working properly. By having regular AC tune-ups, you can be assured that the system is working properly when it’s needed. By having regular maintenance, you can also avoid costly repairs if the system breaks down during peak season. 2. Know What To Expect The last thing you want is unexpected expenses when you can least afford them. If you have our technicians at perform regular AC tune-ups on your system, you won’t have to worry about sudden costly breakdowns. We will be able to tell you if your system needs additional repairs before an emergency happens. This will help save you money and keep the system running efficiently. With a regular AC tune-up schedule, our technicians will also be familiar with your system. In the event of an emergency, you will...

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Reduce Your Exposure to Indoor Air Pollutants

April 20, 2019

Many people spend the majority of their lives inside their homes. Our homes should be sanctuaries, but the unfortunate truth is that residential indoor air often has much higher levels of pollution than outdoor air. So, what can you do about it? I Need Indoor Air Quality Solutions! Dust and Vacuum Daily Dust is the biggest offender because it actually traps pollutants and then rereleases them over time. in Kirkland recommends dusting every day and vacuuming as often as possible. Our team also recommends a more extensive cleaning each week. Consider using microfiber cloths for dusting and HEPA vacuum bags. Change Your Filters Regularly Your AC and furnace filters need to be replaced every three months and perhaps more often depending on your pets and the general dustiness of your home. If you also use air purifiers and similar technologies, then ensure those are refreshed according to manufacturer recommendations. Ensure Optimal Ventilation If the weather allows and you want to open windows and doors, that can be a great way to reduce indoor pollution. But it is also necessary to ensure proper ventilation for the system itself. Modern homes are sealed tight, which can cause pollution problems if the ventilation...

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Save More Money on Energy Every Season

April 10, 2019

Whether you are heating or cooling your home in Seattle, there are a number of steps that you can take to leave more money in your pocket. How to Lower Your Summer Energy Bills At the start of the warm months, have a professional technician from give your cooling system a tune-up. We will make sure all the electrical and mechanical components of your air conditioning system are functioning properly. A well-tuned system runs more efficiently and saves you money. Steps to take to save on cooling costs: Have AC maintenance in the spring Raise the temperature on your home thermostat Block the sun coming into your home with shades and curtains Shade your house with trees How to Lower Your Winter Energy Bills In the autumn, it is important to have your heater, furnace or boiler in your Seattle-area home thoroughly checked out. can give you peace of mind that your heating system is operating safely and saving you money. Here is how you can take action to save on heating costs: Have your furnace tuned every fall Lower the temperature on your home thermostat Turn the temperature down at night Use natural sunlight to warm your home How...

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How to Stop Painful Static Shocks

April 1, 2019

When you receive a static electricity shock every time you touch a doorknob or kiss a loved one, it can feel as though your own house is out to get you. Instead of resigning yourself to a winter full of static shocks, learn what adjustments you can make to reduce this annoyance. When Static Electricity Becomes a Problem Have you ever noticed that you don’t struggle with static electricity nearly as much in the summer? There’s a sound reason for that. In the summer, there’s usually a good deal of humidity in the air, both inside your home and outside. When the air is humid, free electrons in the environment typically slide over your body instead of resting on your skin. The situation is quite the opposite when the air is dry, such as it is in the winter months. At those times, free electrons tend to accumulate on your clothes and your skin. Consequently, when you touch something that’s a good conductor like a metal light switch plate, the electrons transfer to it. In the process, you get zapped! How to Adjust the Humidity Level in Your Home You don’t have to settle for whatever humidity level the weather...

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3 Heating Myths That May Be Raising Your Temperature

March 31, 2019

When it comes to saving money on your electric bill, the heating system is the first thing that you will probably consider. Heating systems typically consume quite a lot of energy, and you will most likely strive to lower these costs as much as possible if your bills are high. However, it can be confusing to separate the facts from the myths when it comes to reducing heating costs. You can rely on in Kirkland to discuss all types of saving strategies and debunk the following three myths. 1. Closing Vents Can Save Energy It is tempting to think that closing off the vents in rooms you do not need to heat will cause your heating system to not work as hard to heat your home. However, this is not true. In fact, with a forced-air heating system, this can actually cause your heating system to use more energy when the airflow from the vent is restricted. 2. Keep the Thermostat the Same Temperature While changing the temperature every few minutes will not be effective, lowering and raising the temperature for an extended period of time can offer significant energy savings for the relevant seasons. For instance, in the winter,...

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Here Are a Few Ways to Shut Down Your Furnace

March 19, 2019

Heat in the winter is nice, but your unit should not be constantly running. If you have a furnace that will not shut off, you need to put in a service call. With the heater in constant operation, you could be causing harm to your entire system. What Causes the Heat to Stay On? There are several reasons causing your heater to stay on. Some of the most common problems are the following. 1. A bad thermostat: This is the most common issue. A defective unit will have a non-responsive switch, poor wiring, or a faulty heating sensor. In most cases, the thermostat will need to be replaced with a new unit. 2. A damaged primary controller: In some cases, the main heating element is damaged. The primary controller is often the cause of the problem. Some other mechanical issues may be at fault as well. 3. A defective check valve: If your heating system relies on hot water, the check valve can keep your heater on. A good check valve circulates water and keeps the heater running efficiently. If this is a problem, you need to contact a professional technician for a replacement. There Are Ways to Turn Off...

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Find Out How Your Furnace Works

March 10, 2019

For over 20 years, the technicians at have maintained and installed furnaces in Kirkland, WA. It gets chilly in Kirkland during the winter, so our customers must have reliable heating systems. Lots of our customers want to know the differences between furnaces. All furnaces are types of forced air systems where hot air is blown through ducts and up through registers into the rooms. But here are the differences between them: An Oil Furnace When the thermostat is turned on, the burner found at the bottom of an oil furnace sprays oil and air into the combustion chamber where it’s ignited thanks to the pilot light. The hot oil/air mix enters the heat exchanger, and a blower pulls in air from a return duct and forces it into the heat exchanger. When the air is warm enough, it rises and flows into the plenum and into the supply ducts. From there, it flows up into the registers. A Gas Furnace With a gas furnace, gas is sent to a burner assembly where the pilot light ignites it. The warmed gas rises through the heat exchanger and escapes through the chimney. At the same time, the blower pulls in air from...

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Signs Your Home Needs Electrical Repair

March 1, 2019

The electrical system in your home is one of the most important components. Without it, the setting would lose most of its functionality and efficiency. Over time, issues can occur due to mistakes that were made with the initial installation of the wiring or the age of the parts. There are signs that your residence may need electrical repair. If you want to maintain the safety and convenience of your home while avoiding potential issues, then be conscious of these indications. Outlets and Switches That Don’t Work Outlets and switches are prone to wearing down over time, and they can malfunction due to their age. If they’re constantly dying, then you’ll probably require an electrical upgrade and the help of a professional. The outlets and switches will need to be repaired, which is a simple and easy task when performed by a trained electrician. Circuit Breakers That Trip You may notice that the power goes out frequently in different areas of your home or in the entire building, which is a sign of tripped circuit breakers. You can address the issue by unplugging all electronics and appliances to prevent the items from becoming damaged by power surges. You may have...

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