Advantages of Air Purifiers

July 30, 2019

Children, the elderly and adults can benefit when you install an air purification system in your home. Indoor air can be filled with all kinds of pollutants that have a detrimental effect on our health. The EPA states that many pollutants are found indoors in larger concentrations than what is found in outdoor air. You can breathe in these contaminants and not even know it. These are a few advantages that air purifiers can bring to your home. Clearing Away Harmful Substances Mold, second-hand smoke, volatile organic compounds, and carbon dioxide can find their way into your home’s ventilation system. As the air flows through the ductwork, it delivers these substances into the room. Some air purification equipment filters the air and removes these poisons before they reach your living environment. Freestanding purifiers can remove certain types of pollutants after the air exits a ventilation system. The purifiers then recirculate the clean air back into the room. Lowering Asthma Triggers Asthma-inducing substances such as dust, dirt, allergens and seasonal pollen, can float right through your indoor environment. Air filtration systems are designed to help reduce these irritants and improve the lives of asthma sufferers. Using an in-duct air purifier in...

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Why Do It Yourself Electrical Work Isn’t the Best Option

July 15, 2019

Doing electrical work on your own may seem like a great way to save money. But is it really worth the risk? Perhaps you should consider hiring a professional electrician to get the job done. Here are three reasons you may want to consider a licensed contractor. 1. You Want to Be Safe Working with electricity on your own can be very dangerous and unpredictable. Hiring a professional greatly reduces the potential for any major accidents or serious damage. Skilled electricians are capable of producing quality work and keeping all hazards to a minimum. Thanks to proper training, electricians know how to follow the proper safety procedures for a smooth experience. 2. You Don’t Want to Waste Time If you haven’t had previous training in electrical work, you’ll likely be very confused as to what exactly you’re supposed to do. Electrical wiring can be quite complicated, and you’ll likely spend too much time trying to figure out what to do and what you’ll need for the job. There’s also the possibility that you could do everything completely wrong and will have to start all over. Skilled electricians know how to do the job correctly the first time and will ensure...

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How to Fix Uneven Cooling in Your Home

July 5, 2019

Uneven cooling in your home means that there are differences in temperature across different rooms. You may also feel a difference in air pressure and airflow throughout your home. There are some ways that you can make cooling more uniform throughout your house, but you may need to have your AC unit checked out by a helpful technician from in Kirkland, Washington. Controlling the Air Vents Did you know that you can close off certain air vents in particular rooms and redirect the airflow to other areas of the house? It is best to do this in the lower portion of the house because hot air rises. Also, be sure to uncover and remove obstructions from any vents upstairs so that the air can flow freely out of them. Fixing Attic Insulation Gaps in the attic insulation in your home can allow hot air to get in the upper levels of your house. Cool air will flow right out of those spaces, too. Cleaning Air Filters Air filters accumulate dust when they are not changed frequently enough. If you allow one filter to clog up, the air will not flow adequately in that room. Repairing Cracked Ductwork Any leaks in...

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3 Easy Ways to Be More Energy Efficient

July 1, 2019

Of course, you want your home in Seattle to be as comfortable as possible, but at what cost? It’s no secret that the demands the scorching summer months have on your HVAC system can make your energy bills add up quickly. Luckily, there are some things you can do to combat this. Use these tips below to become more energy efficient. Update Your System How old is your actual air conditioning unit? If it’s more than 10 years old, you may want to consider updating it to a more energy-efficient model. Modern air conditioners are designed with low power usage in mind. In fact, the money you spend replacing your unit is almost outweighed by the money saved on energy bills over time, making it an even wiser investment financially. You can replace the AC unit or your entire HVAC system, depending on your needs and your budget. Check the Filters and Registers Dust and debris can accumulate over time in the air filters and registers of any HVAC system. Over time, this will block the airway, making it harder for the system to distribute cold air around the house. This causes your system to have to work harder, using...

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Will Closing Vents in Unused Rooms Save Money?

June 30, 2019

If you want to save money on your utility bills, you might try closing the air vents in rooms you don’t use. In theory, this sounds like a way to avoid paying for heating and cooling costs in parts of the house that aren’t utilized. Unfortunately, it isn’t going to work out the way you might think. How Closing Vents Affects Your System Individuals tend to close vents because they believe an AC system will just ignore the closed-off part of the house. However, the reality is that an HVAC unit is designed to work with all the ductwork and vents in the home. It will still try to put out the same level of cooled or heated air. The only difference is that there will be more pressure in your ducts since some of the vents will not release that air properly. Closed Vents Reduce Efficiency Does this mean that closing vents just results in the same utility bill you would get with all the vents open? Not exactly. It turns out that your HVAC system actually has to work harder when vents are closed. It senses an increased pressure, so the blower motor will ramp up in an...

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The Benefits of an Electrical Wiring Inspection

June 20, 2019

Most people go through their days regularly using electrical devices in their homes. From making coffee in the morning to flicking on the nightlight before bed, electricity plays a vital role in so many components of our lives. Despite how often you use electricity, you may not think much about the system behind it, including your household wiring, but good reasons exist to have the wiring in your home inspected. Staying Up to Code The National Electric Code helps to ensure that our electrical systems are updated and safe. When new electrical work is done, it must comply with this standard. At Black Lion Heating & Air Conditioning, we can check out your electrical wiring and keep you informed and prepared. You may discover that your current system isn’t up to date and decide to have the recommended work done. Otherwise, if you try to sell your house, you might find that potential buyers are hesitant because the system in place doesn’t meet the current codes. Protecting Your Loved Ones Faulty electrical wiring can lead to serious problems in your home. You might only have trouble with your appliances or lights, but in some cases, the results can be devastating....

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What Happens During an HVAC Repair?

June 10, 2019

All HVAC systems will require some kind of maintenance or repairs over time to ensure proper operation. If it’s your first time hiring a contractor to fix the appliance, you may not know what to expect with the process. Here’s what’s included with a typical HVAC repair. Fix My HVAC System Today! Checking the Thermostat Once the technician arrives at your home, you can expect him or her to check the thermostat to determine if any of the settings need to be adjusted. In many cases, this is why an HVAC system will not turn on. The professional will also check some of the wires before inspecting the appliance. All minor components will be thoroughly inspected in the first few minutes of the appointment before the technician moves on to taking a look at the HVAC system. Diagnosing the Problem If the thermostat and settings seem to be working correctly, then the professional will start examining the parts of the appliance to determine the underlying cause of why it’s malfunctioning. Expect the process to take anywhere from five minutes to an hour, depending on how complex the issue is with the parts. Once they discover the problem, he or she...

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Why You Need an Air Purifier

June 1, 2019

You and your family deserve to breathe the cleanest air possible while in your home. Unfortunately, dust, smoke, chemicals, and many other materials pollute the air. Luckily, an air purifier can help to clean the air. Here are some specific benefits of an air purifier. Great for Allergies When someone has allergies, his or her respiratory system is affected by a specific allergen. Some of the most common allergens in the air include: Dust mites Mold Pet dander Pollen The person with allergies comes into contact with these allergens by breathing them in. When you get an HVAC system from Black Lion Heating & Air Conditioning, you may notice a significant decrease in allergens in your house. Eliminate Mold Mold is a nightmare for any homeowner. It looks horrible, and it can be dangerous to the health of you and your family. It has to go, but getting rid of mold can be extremely expensive and time-consuming. You may even need to find other accommodations while the issue is taken care of. While it can’t clear away established mold growth, an air purifier can help to get rid of any mold in the air. This prevents it from building up...

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3 Reasons to Let a Professional Fix Your AC

May 31, 2019

At , we’ve been providing the residents of Kirkland, WA, with air conditioning repairs, installations, and maintenance for more than 20 years. We take pride in serving all of the Seattle area, so we hope you’ll let us repair your AC. While fixing your own cooling system might seem tempting, it’s usually best to hire a professional. Consider the following reasons for reaching out to an expert. 1. High-Quality Workmanship Technicians are generally well-trained and seasoned enough to provide their customers with effective repairs. Their livelihoods often hinge on having a good local reputation, so they do their best to perform well while on the job. Allowing a professional to handle your repairs instead of trying to do them yourself is the wisest course of action. 2. Expert Problem-Solving Abilities You might think you know what’s wrong with your cooling system, but that may not be the case. That simple fix can easily turn into a wide-scale problem that you can’t easily repair. A professional is equipped to contend with a large range of air conditioning problems, however. You can count on a professional to be able to evaluate your system and to give you the right solution to its...

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3 Ways to Uncover Air Leaks in Your Home

May 20, 2019

If you feel like your home is less energy efficient and your energy bills are higher than they should be, air leaks might be to blame. In the Kirkland, Washington area, where winters are cold and damp, that wintry air can seep into your home and impact your ability to stay comfortable. Not to mention, it can raise your energy bills! Air leaks can stay under the radar unless you do some careful detective work around your home. Take a look at these three techniques that our technicians at recommend for checking your home for air leaks: 1. The Candle Technique One of the easiest methods for discovering air leaks around your home is by using a candle. To make sure the test is as accurate as possible, turn off your furnace, air conditioner, and any fans before you begin. Next, light a candle and walk around your home, moving the candle near the edges of any exterior facing doors and windows. When the candle flickers or blows out, there’s a draft in that spot. 2. The De-Pressurization Technique For this test, you’ll need a stick of incense instead of a candle. As with the candle test, you’ll have to...

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