How Ductless HVAC Can Solve Heating and Cooling Issues

March 17, 2022

Ductless HVAC systems offer a convenient and efficient way to control the temperature in either a single space or your entire home. Also known as ductless mini-splits, they can provide both heating and cooling from the same system. Better still, they don’t suffer from many of the problems that can plague traditional forced-air HVAC systems. This makes them a great choice for overcoming a variety of heating and cooling problems. How Ductless Systems Work A ductless mini-split system consists of two parts: an indoor air handler and an outdoor condenser/compressor. The compressor unit utilizes refrigerant to draw heat out of the air in order to provide heating and cooling, while the air handler pumps the heated or cooled air into the room. The two units are connected via a small conduit that contains the refrigerant line, wiring and condensate drain line. This conduit usually passes through a small hole in an exterior wall to join the condenser and air handler. In most cases, the air handler is mounted high up on a wall, but you can also choose a ceiling- or floor-mounted air handler. You may even be able to have the air handler recessed inside a wall or ceiling...

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Your Guide to Understanding SEER Ratings

March 3, 2022

If you’ve ever looked at an air conditioner’s specifications, you might’ve noticed the SEER rating. This little number has a big impact on how your air conditioner unit runs. What is a SEER rating and why do they matter? Keep reading to learn more about what this rating means and how it affects your HVAC system. What Does SEER Mean? When HVAC experts talk about SEER ratings, they are referring to the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. This is a special type of efficiency measurement that helps you see just how much energy a machine is using. A SEER rating is only used for air conditioners. If it is attached to an HVAC system that heats and cools, the SEER rating only measures the efficiency of the machine while it is cooling. SEER ratings are used on all sorts of cooling products. Standard electric air conditioners, window units, heat pumps, and ductless mini-splits will all have a SEER rating. As you can probably tell from the name, SEER ratings are calculated with a ratio formula. Experts start by looking at the air conditioner’s cooling output over a typical cooling season. In lab settings, manufacturers will run the air conditioner at a...

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10 Common Gas Fireplace Problems and How to Solve Them

February 18, 2022

Many homes in Kirkland, WA include a gas fireplace. With no need to store and haul wood, many people find gas fireplaces to be more convenient than their wood-burning counterparts. These fixtures also offer warmth and create a cozy atmosphere, and they add value to your home. Like other gas-powered appliances in your home, they require maintenance and are prone to certain types of issues. Let’s take a closer look at 10 of the most common gas fireplace problems and what you should do if you notice these issues with your fireplace. 1. Malfunctioning Ignition Ignition malfunctions are common in gas fireplaces. Damaged wiring might cause the ignition to draw too much current. This will trip the breaker in your circuit breaker box. If you notice that the breaker repeatedly trips after resetting it, you’ll need professional fireplace repairs. The fireplace ignition may also malfunction if the gas valve is closed. If there’s nothing to ignite, it can’t create a flame. If you’re unsure of how to open the gas valve or what level to set the gas flow, call for service. Check the other gas-powered appliances in your home. If they are also malfunctioning, your home might have an...

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Reasons to Have a Professional Clean Your Ducts

February 2, 2022

Most homeowners ignore their home’s ductwork until a problem arises. They don’t realize that air ducts play an essential role in keeping them comfortable in their homes. Ducts are pathways that distribute conditioned air from your cooling and heating system to various areas in your home. They also allow fresh, clean air into your home. However, over time, dust, debris, and other substances can accumulate in your ducts and reduce their effectiveness at keeping the air in your home clean. Dirty ductwork can result in various health issues for you and your loved ones. They can also reduce the performance of your HVAC system. This means you’ll have to spend more money to keep your home cozy and comfortable. Although ensuring your HVAC system is running properly and changing the filter regularly is the most crucial thing you can do to improve the quality of air in your home, cleaning the ducts can help improve indoor air quality. Duct cleaning is a simple and inexpensive task that doesn’t consume much of your time. Here are a few reasons why you should get your air ducts cleaned regularly. Minimize Allergens The air in your home gets circulated through the ducts several...

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What Are the Common Electrical Problems in Winter?

January 18, 2022

Your electrical system is an essential part of your home, especially in winter, but problems may arise due to storms, rain, or snow. However, the system could also be defective. Here are some of the issues you may encounter in winter and how to troubleshoot your electrical system. Contact An Electrical Specialist Today! Lights Flickering More Frequently One electrical issue you may experience in winter is flickering lights. Bad weather characterized by storms sometimes forces lines on the grid to move back and forth. A lightning strike could also affect the function of the grid and encourage the fluctuation of the current. Other than the weather, your electrical system may have a fault. Another reason for power fluctuations is loose connections and wiring. You can call an electrician from to inspect the circuit in your Seattle home. A professional inspection can detect faults with the fixture or your electrical system. You can troubleshoot by checking how the lights are flickering. If it affects only one bulb, it is probably an issue with the fixture. If the lights flicker when you plug in an appliance, it is probably an issue with overloading. It means that you are drawing more power than...

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New Year Resolutions for Your Home’s Electrical System

January 4, 2022

We all know that the New Year is a time to set new resolutions and get motivated to start fresh. When it comes to your home’s electrical system, this can be a significant time of year. If you have not had your system inspected recently, now would be the perfect opportunity. I Need An Electrician! With so many changes in technology and more people demanding better service from their providers, there has never been a better time for homeowners like yourself who want peace of mind when it comes to their energy needs. How to Come Up With Resolution’s for Your Home’s Electrical System If you know what areas of your home could use improvement when it comes to your electrical system, then you are better placed to make resolutions for it, but if not, there are different resources to help you get started, especially online. An essential aspect to have in mind is the benefit of the resolutions that you come up with. It would be best if you also had a timeframe in which you want resolve to be completed and how it can help your family and your home in the long term. Once you have these...

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14 Extension Cord Safety Tips

December 14, 2021

A power extension cord is vital in any household since it helps deliver power to inaccessible spaces. Extension cords also allow for multiple gadget use simultaneously. However, when improperly used, an extension can overheat and cause a fire. Here are some helpful extension cord safety tips. 1. Do Not Use Electrical Cords as Permanent Wiring Never use power extension cords as a permanent substitute for your electrical wiring. This should be a temporary power supply solution. Heavy reliance on electrical cords is an indication that you have fewer electrical outlets. Have a professional install more outlets to meet your house needs. 2. Avoid Overloading the Extension Cord If you overload the extension cords, they will quickly wear off and cause electric shock and fire. Check the wattage, which is the maximum amount of electricity the cord can transmit safely. Don’t plug in appliances with a higher wattage rating than indicated. When plugging multiple appliances into the extension, add up the wattage to determine the total electrical load. 3. Buy the Right Extension Cords Choose an appropriate extension cord for the intended use. Check the product before purchase to see if it suits indoor or outdoor use. Outdoor extensions have insulation...

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What Causes the Lights in My Home to Flicker?

December 7, 2021

There are several reasons why your home’s lights keep flickering. The lighting fixture may be defective, or your electrical system has faults that you need to fix. Issues within the circuit can raise safety concerns in your home. Keep reading to learn about how you can prevent your lights from flickering. Loose or Faulty Bulb Fixture If your lights are flickering, you may want to start by checking the light fixture. It could be that the bulb is not secure in its socket. Turn off the power and give it time to cool down before screwing the bulb back into its socket. It is also possible the problem is the wall switch rather than the bulb. There could be faulty connections between the bulb and the fixture. Such issues may occur during installation or due to aging and defective wiring. If you have a dimmer, the bulb may flicker if it is incompatible with the switch. A mismatch in power ratings can cause buzzing and flickering. You may need to replace the wiring of the light fixture. AS a solution to this problem, you could use Smart bulbs instead of changing the wiring. If you are unsure how to proceed,...

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7 Ways to Prevent Dryer Fires

November 17, 2021

Between clothing, bedding, and towels, we rely on our washers and dryers to be working quite frequently to keep our various items of fabric nice and clean. The more members of your household that there are, the more regularly your home’s dryer is going to be operating. The winter is almost here, and with the cold weather approaching, having nice, dry clothing and bedding is more important than ever. However, if certain safety measures aren’t taken, your home’s dryer could actually be a serious fire hazard. These appliances are the cause of devastating house fires every year, leading to major property damage and even loss of life. Fortunately, as long as you take the proper precautions, there’s no reason you should ever have to worry about your dryer starting a fire. 1. Invest in Professional Installation Many people like to do household jobs on their own, without the help of professionals. While this is admirable, and for certain jobs it’s completely safe, installing your dryer should probably not be one of them. When you have a trained technician set up and install your dryer, you can be certain that the appliance is being installed correctly and safely. Your technician will...

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Electrical Mistakes That Can Damage Your Household Appliances

November 3, 2021

An efficient electrical system is an essential convenience in modern homes. However, errors in design or installation can trigger problems that put your household appliances at risk. Understanding the most prevalent circuit issues is the first step to protecting your home. Here are some of the electrical mistakes that you should know. Faulty or Misaligned Connections One of the most common causes of circuit problems is a loose connection in the outlet. When the outlet has faulty connections, you may notice a buzzing sound, especially when using heavy-duty electronics. When the receptacle is buzzing due to loose wires, tightening the screws can eliminate the problem. You have to secure the wiring correctly, or you could trigger electrical faults or damage your equipment. Using tape or substandard electrical components can make the connection prone to damage. Therefore, when securing the wires, you have to use the correct connectors. Unsecured connections tend to deteriorate faster, leading to premature appliance malfunction. If you are in doubt, you can call in Kirkland. Overusing the Extension Cord An extension cord is one way you can extend your circuit to power multiple appliances. But it is advisable to be cautious of overusing the extension cord as...

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