How Dust Mites Affect Your Indoor Air Quality

March 1, 2020

Virtually every home has dust mites lurking in unsuspecting areas. Fortunately, there are ways to control these nasty critters. Dust mites are one of the primary causes of indoor health issues such as allergies, asthma, and respiratory problems. With a few steps, you can stop dust mites from affecting the indoor air quality of your home. What Are Dust Mites? Within a particle of dust, there are tiny bugs called dust mites. These creatures survive on dead skin cells from humans. You can find dust mites in carpets, rugs, and upholstered furniture. They especially love to live in bedrooms. Dust mites are one of the most common year-round triggers of allergies and asthma. In warm and humid homes, these bugs can survive throughout the year. The average human sheds about 1.5 grams of skin each day. Those skin cells will increase your chances of dust mites thriving in your home. Dust mites can inflame the nasal passages. They may also trigger the following allergy symptoms: Runny nose Sneezing Itchy or watery eyes Postnasal drip Cough Facial pressure and pain If you have asthma, dust mites might also cause the following symptoms: Difficulty breathing Chest tightness or pain Wheezing Sleeping issues...

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How Does Indoor Air Quality Affect Our Health?

February 20, 2020

According to recent stats reported by the Environmental Protection Agency, the average American spends 93% of their life indoors. That’s a lot of time! For many people who spend the majority of time inside, indoor air plays a significant role in their overall quality of life. Potential side effects of poor air quality could include any of the following symptoms. Irritation Irritation of the nose, throat, eyes and skin are common when air quality dips below acceptable levels. Indoor air that contains contaminants, dander and dust can flare up these symptoms more frequently. Nausea and Headaches People who live in homes or work in environments with poor air quality may experience headaches or nausea. These symptoms can get aggravated by factors, including airborne chemicals, gas emissions and other contaminants commonly found indoors. Respiratory Issues Polluted indoor air can instigate respiratory issues, such as shortness of breath, sinus problems, congestion, coughing and sneezing. Young children, the elderly and those struggling with existing breathing issues could be particularly sensitive to air quality. Fatigue Poor air quality can play a factor in feeling fatigued. If you always feel tired, and you can’t pinpoint why you feel this way, testing your indoor air quality...

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Do Plants Help Indoor Air Quality

February 15, 2020

Not only do plants around the home look great, but they also have a practical application. You probably recall from back in your school days about how plants absorb the carbon dioxide that we breathe out and they give off the oxygen that we breathe in. As they do this, they also remove toxic elements from the air and help keep our environment healthy. One of the simplest and most attractive ways to provide your home with good, clean air is by relying on nature as your partner. Put some plants around your house. Our Indoor Air Is Much More Polluted Than Outdoors Cooking, burning candles and using cleaning products all contribute to poorer indoor air quality than we encounter outside. That’s why stepping out into the fresh air feels so good. Our homes can essentially capture airborne toxins and prevent them from leaving. They get trapped within our carpets, curtains and upholstery. The NASA Study In 1989, NASA embarked on a 2-year study into the effect of 19 different house plants on air quality. What their study found was that some plants were excellent at filtering out volatile organic compounds such as trichloroethylene, benzene and formaldehyde. Which Plants Will...

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How To Light The Pilot Light on Your Hot Water Heater

February 10, 2020

Your pilot light is a crucial component of your water heater. This device provides the flame that ignites the natural gas that then heats your water. If it goes out, you will quickly run out of hot water until you’re able to re-light it. However, you can bring the heat back if you follow this three-step procedure. 1. Safety First Before you do anything, make sure you can complete the lighting process safely. To do this, you need to turn off the gas supply to your water heater. Excess gas present in the ignition chamber could explode when you introduce a lighter into the space. Therefore, it’s crucial that you turn off the gas and then give the gas ample time to dissipate before continuing. 2. Locate the Light After the gas has dissipated, you’ll need to locate the pilot light. This is especially crucial if you have to ignite the pilot light using a lighter instead of an ignition switch. Once you are sure of the pilot light’s location, carefully turn the gas shutoff knob to the “pilot” setting. In most models, you’ll have to press and hold the knob to allow gas to flow to the pilot light....

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How To Install An Air Filter In a Furnace

February 5, 2020

A furnace’s air filter plays a key role in preventing you from breathing in dust, pollen, and other pollutants. Therefore, it is important that you understand which type of air filter your furnace needs and how to install it correctly. What Type of Filter Does My Furnace Need? An air filter will come with either a cardboard or plastic border, and it will vary in thickness from 1 to 5 inches. If the filter has a plastic border, it can likely be reused after you clean it. Typically, a furnace is built to take filters that are 1 to 2 inches thick on the sides. Generally speaking, the thicker the filter, the better it does at removing debris from the air. You can consult the owner’s manual to determine the best choice for your product. Put the Filter in the Right Way Once you have a filter that is right for your furnace, the next step is to install it. There should be an arrow that tells you which way it is supposed to be installed. It may be a good idea to trace that mark in permanent ink so that you will always know which direction is the right...

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Why Hiring a Professional Electrician is Important

January 20, 2020

Choosing to hire a professional electrician is important and also offers numerous benefits. Trying to repair electrical work on your own isn’t always safe, so it’s a much better option to leave this task to a professional. Here are three reasons why hiring a professional electrician is a good idea. 1. Professional Expertise One of the main benefits of using a licensed electrician is that you gain access to professional expertise. Many of these electricians have years of experience in the industry. They can quickly identify the source of the problem with your electrical system and help to solve any issues without sacrificing safety or quality. 2. Reduces Safety Hazards Safety is always a top priority whether you’re in the workplace or performing a DIY project at home. Working on electrical equipment is a dangerous task that can cause fire or electric shocks if you make a mistake. However, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your house is in good hands by using a professional electrician at in Kirkland, Washington, who has undergone the latest safety training in the industry. 3. Saves You Money Many people believe that doing a project on their own can save you a lot...

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Symptoms of a Dirty Coil

January 14, 2020

We often tell our customers that cleanliness equals longevity when it comes to remaining energy efficient during the cooling season. In addition to cleaning and changing the air filter, the evaporator coil is another critical component that must be regularly cleaned. The following signs suggest the need to have your evaporator coil professionally cleaned. Your Home Remains Warm When Running the AC An air conditioner that blows out warm air is likely to be the first sign you notice if you have a dirty coil. When dirt collects on the coil, your air conditioner’s ability to remove heat from the air can be substantially limited. To avoid buildup collecting on your evaporator coil, we recommend: Evaporator coil cleaning Air filter cleaning/replacement Duct cleaning Your Evaporator Coil Freezes A frozen coil is the direct result of dust and debris accumulating over time. When a dust-covered evaporator coil is no longer effective at drawing heat from the air, condensation may accumulate on the coil. If the condensation freezes, you should immediately turn your air conditioner off and contact a licensed HVAC technician in Kirkland. Your System Is Working Harder Than Usual Because a dirty coil can’t effectively remove heat from the air,...

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How to Measure Indoor Air Pollution

January 7, 2020

Substances containing volatile organic compounds, particulate matter and fumes from gas appliances can reduce indoor air quality. Airborne irritants could bother your respiratory system and eyes, cause headaches and result in fatigue. Because no single thing is always the source of indoor air pollution, you need multiple devices to measure indoor air pollution. Types of Indoor Air Pollution Sensors VOC Sensor Carbon Dioxide Meter Carbon Monoxide Meter Mold Detector Radon Detector The Environmental Protection Agency recommends that people place one sensor for every 10,000 square feet. Sources of Indoor Air Pollution Gas-burning appliances, new carpeting and flooring, chemical cleaning products and excessive moisture are some of the most common sources of indoor air pollution. A professional air quality test provides you with a wide-ranging analysis of what might be affecting your indoor air. After identifying pollutants, you can take steps to remove sources of pollution and cleanse the air. Air Quality Solutions You can take steps to improve air quality by removing chemicals containing volatile organic compounds. Moving chemical products to a shed or garage will shift their pollutants out of your living quarters. Improving ventilation might solve problems related to moisture buildup that triggers mold growth. If radon gas...

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What Does It Mean If a Furnace is Blowing Cold Air?

January 1, 2020

The furnace in your home should never blow cold air. The purpose of a furnace is to blow hot air throughout your house regardless of the temperature outside. If it is not executing its job correctly, you are encouraged to hire an HVAC professional to take a look at the unit. Here are a few reasons why your furnace might be blowing cold air. Dirty Filter Often, the most common reason a furnace blows cold air instead of hot is a dirty filter. Although a heater may seem like old technology, it is actually quite smart. A furnace whose filter is dirty has to work harder. If the unit senses that it is working overtime, the heat exchanger shuts off. If the heat exchanger was to continue running, the entire unit would overheat and stop operating completely, which would require a total replacement. Thermostat Issues Whether the thermostat of your furnace is old or the settings are off, it could be causing your furnace to blow cold air. It could even turn out to be that the wrong thermostat was installed on the furnace. An HVAC professional in Kirkland can offer you more guidance. Leaks If the furnace is blowing...

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Why Is My Furnace Making a Loud Noise?

December 30, 2019

While furnaces are not designed to operate as entirely silent machines, they shouldn’t produce excessive noise either. Rambling, rattling, and squealing noises indicate that your furnace could be running into a serious problem. According to our experience at , the following are the main causes of loud noises in your furnace. Dirty Burners When your burners accumulate a lot of dirt and soot, they tend to constrain the efficiency of the burning flame. This occurs in the old fashion, flame-operated burners. The semi-clogged burner nozzle may cause a constraint on the flame. This often leads to the accumulation of unburnt gases, which explode with a boom when the burners finally get sparked. Cracked Heat Exchangers In case your heat exchanger is slightly cracked as a result of repetitive usage and poor maintenance, the chances are that it is going to produce some weird crackling noises. The clicking sound, whenever the furnace is running, continues to develop cracks along the heat exchanger’s metal surfaces. Constant usage of the furnace without maintenance is highly likely to cause a significant failure and even accumulation of carbon monoxide in the house. Faulty Blower Motors The blower motor is designed to run a fan on...

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