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.
While not every home in the Pacific Northwest and the Skagit Valley has an air conditioner, many newer homes do indeed have some type of air conditioning system. For those Skagitonians with AC, there are some easy and effective ways of saving energy when it comes to keeping your home cool during the hottest days of summer. For example, having an air conditioning tuned up and cleaning or replacing filters on a monthly basis can improve efficiency and save money over the short and long-term.
Keep Your Home Just A Little Bit Cooler
Also important is to make full use of window treatments like blinds and shades during the day to keep the heat of the sun under control. This is a free way to keep your home just a little bit cooler during the hottest times of the summer. Another great way of saving energy when it gets warm in the Pacific Northwest is to make full use of ceiling fans.
Reduce The Amount Of Heat That Accumulates In Your Home
Ceiling fans are great way of keeping airflow moving throughout a home while also reducing the temperature by just a few degrees. Another great tip for reducing energy usage during the summer is to use appliances like the dishwasher and washer and dryer at night in order to reduce the amount of heat that accumulates in your home. Many people today also choose to set their water heater temperature at around 120°F. This is a safe temperature and will also help to reduce energy usage as compared to keeping it at a hotter temperature.
A Few Pennies A Day Can Add Up
If you have additional freezers or refrigerators in your garage consider deactivating them, unplugging them or turning them off when not in use. This will reduce the amount of energy that these appliances use even when they are not actively keeping something cold. Along with appliances unplugging anything including TVs and DVD players can also save money. While it may not be a substantial amount of money, a few pennies a day can add up over a year’s time. Contact Alpine Heating & Cooling today to learn more about cooling your home during the summer and saving money on energy!
As spring arrives and summer approaches it is important to maintain an HVAC system at peak operating performance year-round. Keep in mind that it is vitally important to avoid neglecting your HVAC system really anytime of the year. Keeping a system in top condition year-round helps to ensure that it will work when it is needed the most. All HVAC systems require regular cleaning and proper lubrication. This is especially true following the winter months. This reduces the chances of breakdowns especially during times of the year when you want your AC to be working at peak condition.
Improve Overall Health and Well-being
Another important factor to consider when it comes to continued ongoing maintenance on an HVAC system is that it improves the air quality in your home. It helps to reduce dust buildup and limits the amount of time that a system operates with a possible clogged air filter. Good indoor air quality can greatly improve overall health and well-being. Also important is that regular and routine HVAC maintenance and upkeep will improve efficiency and save money. A system that is clean and that operates efficiently will not have to work so hard for the results you are expecting.
Save Money and Keep Your System Working Without Interruption
It is a proven fact that a dirty HVAC system with coils that have layers of dust and dirt on them can increase energy usage by up to 30% or more. Leaks are another serious concern that can end up increasing energy usage as well. Whether your system is leaking or it is clogged, having regular maintenance and inspections can save money and keep your system working without interruption. Working with an experienced and knowledgeable team of professional HVAC experts is the best way to make sure that your system is cared for in the right way.
Return Your System To Full Functionality
Homeowners are choosing to have regular routine maintenance inspections of their HVAC systems. Whether it is low refrigerant or a malfunctioning component, a seasoned and experienced technician will find the problem quickly and return your HVAC system to full functionality. Contact Alpine Heating & Cooling today to learn more about our HVAC system maintenance repair and upkeep for homes and business in the Skagit Valley including Mount Vernon WA, Burlington WA, Anacortes, Bow, WA, Sedro-Woolley and Stanwood.
Not surprisingly using excessively large amounts of hot water can greatly increase your energy bill on a monthly as well as an annual basis. Here are some ways that you can drop your water heating expenses ultimately saving a substantial amount of money each and every year. For example, reducing waste when it comes to hot water is one of the best ways to save money. It is a proven fact that heating water is indeed the second biggest energy cost in the average residential home. As a matter of fact this type of energy usage can easily account for nearly 20% of an average utility bill.
One Easy Way of Reducing Hot Water Consumption
The only more substantial expense in terms of energy usage is environmental heating and cooling. Conserving hot water by using low-flow fixtures and repairing leaks as well as choosing only energy-efficient appliances can really make a big difference. Keep in mind that many routine activities around your home use more hot water than you might ever imagine. For example a typical clothes washing machine can easily consume 25 gallons of hot water. In addition, an average shower can use over 10 gallons of hot water at a time. One easy way of reducing hot water consumption is to make sure that all leaks are identified and fixed.
Low-Flow Fixtures – Relatively Inexpensive
Faucets, showerheads and other water outlets that use hot water must be repaired if found to be leaking. Even a leak that produces a small amount of water loss such as one drop per second can waste well over 1500 gallons of water on an annual basis – increasing energy costs by as much as $40 per year. Another great alternative is to install low-flow water fixtures in your home. Today, federal laws require that new showerheads have a flow rate that is no more than 2.5 gallons per minute. The good news is that low-flow fixtures are relatively inexpensive and can achieve substantial water savings of usually well over 50% or more. Equally important is to make it a point to purchase only the most energy efficient appliances available today.
Ways To Reduce How Much Hot Water You Use Around the House
From clothes washers to dishwashers and other types of appliances that use water, always go with energy efficient machines. The best option in this regard is “Energy Star” type appliances. This will significantly lower your energy bills and save you money. In fact, over time this type of energy efficient appliance will actually pay for itself after several years of use in most cases. These are just a few examples of easy ways to reduce how much hot water you use around your home on a daily basis. Contact Alpine Heating & Cooling today to learn more about hot water heater repair, maintenance and installation in Mount Vernon Washington. Alpine is always standing by and ready to help.
Many people today may not be aware of the fact that a significant increase in a homeowner’s monthly electric bill could be directly related to a lack of adequate attic insulation. As a matter of fact, The Department of Energy recommends that homeowners increase attic insulation as one of the best ways to decrease electrical energy consumption. This makes sense simply because an abundance of insulation helps to keep heat inside your home and it avoids waste.
Adequate Insulation
Simply stated, when there is sufficient attic insulation the end result is outstanding performance when it comes to preventing heat loss or transfer. When heat transfer is prevented, electric bills are lower. Even those who think they have adequate insulation may find that old insulation may not be working as it was intended. It is best to have a professional inspect your attic to determine whether or not the existing insulation is doing what it was intended to do.
Properly Installed In The Beginning
One thing that a professional technician will look at is whether or not the insulation was properly installed from the very beginning. A technician will also check for loose, broken or uneven sections of insulation as well as sections that have become settled over time. These are all conditions that can have a big impact on preventing the transfer of heat. In addition, there are circumstances where a contractor may not have used the right type of insulation with an approved R-value. Keep in mind that an R-value is the measurement of an installation’s ability to effectively prevent heat transfer.
Trusted Heating and Cooling Professional
The higher the R-value the better the insulation will be at stopping heat transfer. Regardless of what the reason is for insulation not performing the way that it should, it’s never too late to improve the insulation in your attic as a way to save money on energy. Those wishing to save up to 20% on electric bills can also do something as simple as seal insulation air leaks. Contact a trusted heating and cooling professional today to arrange an insulation inspection in order to save money over the long term. Contact Alpine Heating & Cooling today to learn more about Mount Vernon Washington heating and cooling services that get results.