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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The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Air Purifier for Your Home

April 18, 2023

When thinking of the best air purifier for your home, you need to take a variety of things into consideration. What are the conditions in and around the home? How many square feet will be covered? Will there be noise issues? Is the purifier easy to use? Below is what you need to consider when purchasing an air purifier. Single Room or Whole Home Air purifiers come in a variety of sizes and types. You’re probably familiar with free-standing air purifiers designed to clean a single room. But did you know that you can also get a whole-home air purifier? An in-duct air purification system will clean, freshen, and purify the air throughout your entire home. These systems can eliminate up to 99% of bacteria, mold, and viruses. Plus, you won’t have to lug it around from room to room. The Type of Filter That Best Meets Your Needs The first line of defense for indoor air quality is the system’s air filter. There are many different types of filters you can choose from. Each type has its own strengths and weaknesses. The best choice for you depends on your needs and budget. Retail air filters have a Minimum Efficiency...

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6 Ways to Prevent Cold and Hot Spots in Your Home

April 10, 2023

If you have ever noticed some areas in your house feeling unusually hot or cold, even when the thermostat is set to a comfortable temperature, you are not alone. These temperature fluctuations, commonly known as cold or hot spots, can be a persistent and frustrating problem for many homeowners. Not only can they make some rooms in your home uncomfortable to spend time in, but they can also lead to wasted energy and increased utility bills. The good news is that there are several steps that you can take to avoid cold and hot spots and attain more constant temperatures throughout your home. Identifying the main culprits of these temperature fluctuations will help you implement strategies to keep your house comfortable and energy-efficient all year round. 1. Repositioning Your Thermostat A thermostat tells your HVAC equipment how much cooled or hot air to deliver to attain the preferred indoor temperatures. Your thermostat requires accurate temperature readings to accomplish this task. Positioning the thermostat near a heating source, in direct sunlight, or in a warm part of your home will tell your heating unit that it has attained the set temperatures before adequately warming your space. Placing the thermostat near windows...

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How a Ductless System Can Solve HVAC Issues

March 13, 2023

Ductless mini splits are a cost-effective way to provide heating and cooling for specific home or business areas. They consist of two main components: an outdoor unit that houses a compressor and one or more indoor units that contain air handlers. The outdoor unit pumps refrigerant through the line set, connecting it to the indoor units, and circulates air through the space. They are easy to install, don’t require any ductwork, and can be used in various applications. They offer flexibility in zone control, allowing you to set temperatures for different spaces. This makes it easy to keep each room comfortable while maximizing energy efficiency. Common Issues That HVAC Mini Splits Solves There are a few issues that HVAC mini-split systems can solve. Uneven Temperatures At home and in the workplace, a comfortable temperature is essential for everyone’s well-being. Unfortunately, not all buildings are designed with this in mind. Some rooms and zones suffer from uneven temperatures or constant hot and cold drafts. Ductless systems provide an effective solution for temperature inconsistencies in your home. A ductless system works by creating one central unit which sends air through multiple outlets using the same thermostat. The auto system allows you to...

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Everything You Need To Know About SEER Ratings

March 1, 2023

If you’re a homeowner that’s planning to purchase a new HVAC system, it may be beneficial to get familiar with SEER ratings. They’re the standard measure of air conditioner energy efficiency here in the US. The thing is, though, you may not find any explanations of SEER ratings anywhere on the HVAC systems you’re considering. All you’ll see are the numbers assigned to each system. To help you make sense of them, here’s a guide to SEER ratings. We’ll go over what they are, how they’re calculated, and how you can use them to make smarter HVAC purchase decisions. What Are SEER Ratings? SEER is an acronym that stands for seasonal energy efficiency ratio. It’s a standard scale devised by the US Department of Energy (DOE), originally to aid in achieving the goals outlined in the 1978 National Energy Policy and Conservation Act (NEPCA). The idea was for the DOE to set and enforce minimum standards of energy efficiency for various appliances in the US, including air conditioners. Without going into too many details, the simplest way to understand SEER ratings is that they’re a numerical expression of how much energy a given air conditioning system uses in an average...

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Common Gas Fireplace Issues

February 14, 2023

Gas fireplaces are a great way to add warmth and ambiance to your home. They’re low-maintenance, convenient, and aesthetically pleasing, which makes them an attractive option for many homeowners. However, as with all appliances, gas fireplaces can experience some issues over time. From pilot light problems to uneven flames, it’s important to know the common problems that can arise to ensure your fireplace runs efficiently and safely. Here are some of the most common fireplace issues. 1. Soot Buildup You may have noticed soot buildup on the glass front if you have a gas fireplace. While soot is not necessarily harmful, it can be unsightly and difficult to clean. Soot is created when combustion gases do not burn completely. When these gases cool, they condense and form a fine black powder. There are several reasons why the gas in your fireplace may not be burning completely, including the following. Dirty burner Improper air supply Incorrect fuel mixture The best way to prevent soot buildup is to have your gas fireplace regularly serviced by a certified technician. They will clean the burner, ensure proper airflow and check the fuel supply to ensure that your fireplace is operating correctly. 2. Gas Smell...

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The Benefits of Getting Your Ducts Cleaned

February 2, 2023

HVAC systems are an incredibly important part of keeping a home healthy and comfortable. In the winter months, our furnace is responsible for keeping us warm. The warmer summer months can be kept more comfortable by utilizing air conditioning equipment. While both of these units will keep air flowing through the home, there is the potential for decreasing the quality of your indoor air because of dust, dirt, mold spores, and other particulates accumulating in your ductwork. Luckily, a routine duct cleaning can help improve the quality of your indoor air while also protecting the inner components of your HVAC system. Let’s look at some top reasons why you should get your ducts cleaned regularly. Removing Allergens From the Air A lot of people choose to have their ducts cleaned in the spring or summer months when allergens are at their highest levels. This is a time of the year when there are all kinds of irritants in the air both inside and outside. As dust, pet dander, pollen, and mold build up in your ducts, you can see an increase in things like sinus headaches, itchy eyes, sneezing, runny nose, etc. Removing these particulates from your ducts will keep...

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