Today, more than ever before homeowners are concerned with the overall air quality in their homes. That said here are a few simple and easy ways to keep the air in your home is clean as possible. While everyone knows that it is important to change air filters regularly, here are some other ways of keeping your home clean that sometimes go overlooked. For example, adding a humidifier or dehumidifier to your home can actually help to stop the growth of mold and mildew.
Ensure That Mold and Mildew Do Not Grow Over Time
In many cases these systems can work in tandem with a regular HVAC system. Keeping the humidity level in your home below around 55% will help to ensure that mold and mildew do not grow over time. In homes where the air quality is poor and when there is mold and mildew growth, occupants can end up having dry skin, sore throats, allergies, itchy eyes and even bloody noses. Also important to note is that fungus can grow in damp environments such as in a basement or bathroom.
These Are Natural Filtration Systems
Checking for plumbing leaks is another great way to make sure that undesirable microscopic growth is not occurring someplace in your home. Another uncommon solution for keeping the air in your home as clean as possible is to add a generous amount of houseplants throughout the interior of your house. These are natural filtration systems that do wonders for indoor air quality. They remove toxins from the air and provide much-needed oxygen. This is one of the least expensive ways to improve the overall quality of air in your home. Contact Alpine Heating & Cooling today to learn more about HVAC system maintenance and care located in Burlington, WA and serving all of Skagit County.
Summer is a wonderful time of year especially for those who enjoy the great outdoors. That said coming home to a cool and comfortable home sometimes requires a little bit of proper maintenance, care and management when it comes to a residential HVAC system. Here are a few simple ways to maximize the efficiency of your HVAC system. For example, it is best to make sure that your HVAC system is balanced. Balancing a system of this nature simply involves making adjustments with regard to what are known as volume control dampers as well as registers.
Only Requires Moving a Lever
While not all systems have these components, the ones that do would be best served by having a quick inspection and balancing performed. Registers are perhaps the easiest to deal with and only require moving a lever to make an adjustment. Registers simply control how much conditioned air is allowed to enter a particular room or space within your home. As a note, registers that are positioned the farthest from the main HVAC system should always be kept full open.
Call An Expert To Adjust Registers
Conversely, those that are located close to the central system can be adjusted to be partially closed or completely closed as necessary. While homeowners can do this on their own, it is sometimes best to call upon an expert to adjust registers. This is simply due to the fact that professional technicians will have unique and special instruments that can measure airflow and temperature more accurately. The end result is energy savings and lower utility bills.
Replace Any Items That Have Proven To Be Defective
In addition, most experts recommend establishing a preventative maintenance program for your valued HVAC system. This includes routine changing of air filters as well as inspections at least annually or bi-annually. Having the heat exchanger surfaces cleaned as well as refrigerant coils, condensers and evaporators checked will ultimately be worth it over the short and long-term. Leaks should be repaired and coils, ducts and piping as well as fitting should all be inspected regularly. Always replace any items that have proven to be defective. Contact Alpine Heating & Cooling today to learn more about HVAC system care and maintenance in the Skagit Valley including Anacortes WA, Mount Vernon, Burlington and La Conner.
Most people would agree that the quality of the indoor air that we breathe has a direct impact on short and long-term health. That is why it is so important to take the time to consider these simple and important tips on how to improve the indoor air quality within your home. For example, something as simple as vacuuming and dusting regularly can greatly improve overall air quality. This helps to eliminate pet hair, dirt, debris and dust.
HVAC Air Vents Are Fully Open
It is best to also clean all overhead light fixtures as well as ceiling fan blades. Even cleaning behind furniture and under beds as well as other similar places throughout your home will eliminate dust and dirt and can also ultimately serve to improve air quality. As an added note, always make sure that all HVAC air vents are fully open to keep airflow movement continuing throughout your home. This is another easy way to make sure that the air quality in your home is always maintained at its best.
Proper Movement Of Air
It should also go without saying that air ducts throughout your home should be cleaned regularly. Most experts recommend having ducts cleaned at least once every five years while others recommend having it done every two years. The air ducts in your home are absolutely essential to the proper movement of air throughout the house. They move heated or cooled air to where it is most needed. However, as air moves through the duct system it can easily pick up pollen, mold, dust, dirt and even bacteria or viruses.
Professional Duct Cleaning
When these items are sent airborne throughout your home, you ultimately end up inhaling them causing health related issues. As debris builds up in ducts in your home the situation can only get worse over time. A professional duct cleaning service has the right tools and the right equipment as well as experienced and knowledgeable technicians who are able to professionally clean ducting in the most efficient way possible. Keep in mind that just because you can’t see inside the ducts in your home doesn’t mean that there is not a problem.
Cleanliness Of The Ducts
Finally, if you are unsure of the cleanliness of the ducts in your HVAC system it may be worth taking a quick look. All that is usually required is a screwdriver to unhinge an air vent. Once this is done simply use a flashlight to determine the overall cleanliness of the ducts in your HVAC system. If this is not something that you prefer to do it may be best to just have a professional take a look. A small investment in duct cleaning can pay for itself many times over by improved health and more efficient HVAC system operation. Contact Alpine Heating & Cooling today for HVAC services in Mount Vernon, WA and the Skagit Valley.
While many homes in the Pacific Northwest do not have air conditioning, some newer homes include this option as a way to enjoy a comfortable living space year-round. Summertime is a time of year when it can get hot and sticky even in Washington State. That is why it is important to consider some great money-saving tips when it comes to home air conditioning. For example, something as simple as turning off your HVAC system at night while you sleep can save a considerable amount of money.
Simply Turn The System Off While You Sleep
Keep in mind that the evening air is naturally cooler and that is why it is a good idea to simply turn the system off while you sleep. Opening windows and allowing the breeze to enter is free and can actually serve to improve indoor air quality. Another great way to save money on air-conditioning this summer is to make full use of thermostats and timers. The modern thermostats make it easy to keep your system operating as efficiently as possible.
Windows That Are Sun-Facing
In addition, make full use of shade around your home. Something as simple as planting foliage, trees and other types of natural cover can keep your house cooler during the summer. Along the same lines, it is a good idea to make full use of curtains, blinds and drapes as well as awnings in order to keep your home cool. This is especially true of windows that are sun-facing. When choosing blinds or curtains for your home choose light colored products that will only serve to improve reflectivity and keep your home cool. Contact Alpine Heating & Cooling today for the best in Burlington Washington HVAC system maintenance and care.
Spring has arrived and summer is not far off. It is worth considering some simple yet highly effective ways of saving money on your monthly energy bill as it relates to your HVAC system. For example, a very simple and often overlooked strategy that can greatly improve the efficiency of an HVAC system is to simply install an inexpensive programmable thermostat. One of the biggest benefits of using a programmable thermostat is that your HVAC system can be controlled even when you’re not at home.
Exact Temperatures Can Be Programmed
A thermostat that is easily programmable can be designed to operate an HVAC system around your schedule. Exact temperatures can be programmed for specific times of the day, greatly reducing the amount of energy that is used when you’re not home. In addition, ceiling fans are another inexpensive way of greatly improving overall energy efficiency around a home. Home Depot in Burlington and Lowes in Mount Vernon sell attractive and multi-functional ceiling fans at a very reasonable price.
Ceiling Fans
Because heat rises expect the heat in your home to accumulate around the ceiling. This is especially true when talking about a home that has more than one floor. One of the best ways to evacuate hot air out of your home is to make use of the airflow that is provided by a ceiling fan. In lieu of using a ceiling fan a regular standing fan can produce similar results. Good air circulation provides for better temperature control and takes a lot of stress off of a typical residential HVAC system. Never underestimate the benefits of installing ceiling fans throughout your entire home.
Vents and Returns
Finally, make sure that all vents and returns related to your HVAC system are always open and clean. Obstructions and the blockage of vents and returns simply mean that a system has worked harder than is necessary. Lowering your energy bill on a monthly basis especially during the summer months means more money in your pocket for you and your family. With so much to gain from a few easy tips, now is the best time to take full advantage of maximizing the efficiency of your HVAC system. Contact Alpine Heating & Cooling today to learn more about HVAC system care and maintenance in the Skagit Valley!
Now more than ever before it is important for homeowners to stay proactive when it comes to upgrading an HVAC system that has exceeded its useful life. There are many reasons for this including the fact that aging wiring can cause serious fire related hazards. Thousands of home fires occur every year across the country due to faulty wiring. An HVAC system is just as susceptible to old and damaged wiring as any other part of the home. This is one of the main reasons to upgrade an HVAC system when it’s time.
Technological Advances and Modern Manufacturing
In addition, always remember that an outdated, old or poorly maintained HVAC system can be very inefficient. Today, technological advances and modern manufacturing allow for the development of highly energy-efficient HVAC systems. In short, these units are optimized to use less energy while keeping your home cool and comfortable during the summer and warm during the winter. Another key consideration when it comes to upgrading this particular system in any home is that older units may not be easily repaired.
Better Quality Of Air Distribution
This is largely due to the fact that older systems may not have parts available. Finding parts for an outdated HVAC system can be difficult and in some cases impossible to locate. This results in added expenses and headaches. As a matter of fact, the money spent on locating older repair parts could easily be used to upgrade to a newer more energy efficient system. Keep in mind also that newer HVAC units will provide for better air distribution overall. This means a healthier indoor environment and less possibility of mold forming around a home.
Substantial Savings
Finally, another reason to consider updating an older HVAC system is that you can take advantage of tax deductions and other incentives. There are many local, state and even federal programs that offer substantial savings to those who upgrade to a newer and more efficient HVAC system. As an added note, a newer system will be quieter and simply make your home look more modern and attractive. With so much to offer it is clear to see why more people than ever before are turning to newer and more advanced HVAC systems for their homes. Contact us to learn more about Skagit Valley HVAC system repair, maintenance and installation.