How Do You Tell If Your Dryer Vent Is Clogged?

May 15, 2023

A clogged dryer may be caused by an accumulation of lint, which restricts airflow in the ventilation system. The lint that has developed for a while affects the normal operation of your dryer vent and may even cause a fire. A clogged dryer can also be caused by items falling into the lint trap. If you forget to remove elements from your pockets, such as coins or gum wrappers, they can easily fall into the lint entrapment and get sucked in by the vent, causing a blockage. Numerous signs can indicate that your dryer vent is clogged. Excess Dry Times One sign that your dryer vent is clogged is when you get damp clothes out of your dryer during a regular dry cycle. The drying time should not exceed 30 to 40 minutes per load. If your clothes take longer to dry, it is a sign that your dryer vent has clogged. A clogged dryer vent traps air, keeping the clothes hot and moist. If you remove your laundry from the dryer and find that they are no longer fully drying, it is time to clean your vent. Hot Exterior If your dryer is clogged, it strains itself and works...

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Does AC Cause Pollution?

March 15, 2023

Air conditioning is a common technology in warm climates or anywhere that gets uncomfortably hot during the summer season. Four in five American homes have air conditioning, and those families likely couldn’t imagine coping with the heat without their HVAC systems in place. However, many of those households are also worried about the global environment and wonder whether or not their AC units cause pollution. An Unfortunate Reality The sad truth is that any air conditioning unit can cause air pollution. This is a technology that needs a lot of energy, and the result is emissions being released up above into the atmosphere. Also, AC units don’t always work well or efficiently when temperatures get high, and that can result in even more pollution. Energy-efficient models and proper maintenance can help reduce this pollution, however. Fossil Fuel Use HVAC units need power to operate. On average, they need 318 watts each hour, and that can spike into the thousands just to startup a cooling cycle. Unfortunately, many homes get their power from power plants burning coal or natural gas. Coal, in particular, creates a lot of carbon dioxide. Some homes are switching to solar air conditioning, but it’s only a...

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Improving the Air Quality in Your Home by Keeping Your HVAC System Properly Maintained

February 16, 2023

Your HVAC system is the central hub for all of the air circulating in your house. While most people believe HVAC systems only heat and cool the air, they also have a massive impact on the air quality within your home. Under the best circumstances, your HVAC system provides your home with clean air that is regularly circulated to create the healthiest environment possible for you and your family. However, when an HVAC system is poorly maintained, it has the exact opposite effect. Here is everything you need to know in order to understand why regular maintenance is important to improving the air quality within your home. Clean Air Filters Provide Strong Defense The air filter is one of the most important parts of any HVAC system. Not having a clean air filter not only causes functionality issues, but it also creates low air quality in your home. High-quality and clean air filters remove dust, pollen, mold spores, dander, bacteria, and much more from the air. Dirty air filters can’t provide effective filtration to remove most of these substances. Airflow is also impeded greatly when the air filter is dirty, allowing much of the air to become stagnant. You need...

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Should You Repair or Replace Your Furnace?

January 20, 2023

A furnace is a major appliance investment that homeowners only want to make very few times during their lifetime. Whether your home doesn’t feel as warm during the winter as it used to or your furnace is making some unusual noises lately, you might be wondering if replacing the unit entirely or doing some repairs is the better move. Ultimately, you should consult with an HVAC technician for professional guidance. Keep reading to learn some factors to help you make your determination. Frequency of Repairs A constant need for repairs is one sign that you should investigate when considering a total furnace replacement. If you’re constantly scheduling repairs, you might infrequently be able to enjoy the benefits of the furnace. Also, some people avoid replacement because of the costs associated with this option. However, constantly putting money into repairs is expensive. A furnace replacement can save you money in the long term. Cost of the Repairs When you call a licensed technician to your home, you can get price quotes for both repairs and a total replacement. Evaluate and compare the two quotes when making your decision. If the price of the repairs is close to a total replacement, you...

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Are Ductless Systems Energy Efficient?

December 16, 2022

There are many reasons to consider a ductless system for your Meridian, Idaho home. Also known as ductless mini-splits and ductless heat pumps, these units easy to install, easy to maintain, and capable of providing reliable service all year long. More importantly, they’re incredibly efficient. Read on to find out how a ductless system can dramatically reduce your carbon footprint and home energy bill. A Heat Pump Uses Less Energy Than It Produces The efficiency of furnaces and boilers is measured according to how much of the fuel they consume produces heat. For instance, high-efficiency boilers and furnaces can convert over 97 percent of the fuel they consume into heat. The remainder is wasted due to incomplete combustion. Sadly, many Meridian homes have only medium-efficiency furnaces that convert about 80 to 83 percent of their fuel into heat energy. Comparatively, ductless heat pumps don’t combust any fuel at all. Although they require a constant electrical supply, electricity merely powers their operations. Rather than burning natural gas or heating oil to produce heat, they simply transfer it. In winter, these units can collect heat from outdoors and move it inside even when the outdoor environment is much colder than the temperatures...

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The Benefits of a Heat Pump

November 17, 2022

7 Benefits of a Heat Pump Even in Idaho, heat pumps offer a host of benefits when you understand when and how to use them. If you’re unfamiliar with heat pumps, they use a refrigerant to transfer heat into your home, much like an air conditioner. Discover the different types of heat pumps available and the seven benefits you can expect when you switch to one. Different Types of Heat Pumps There are three different types of heat pumps available. The most common one is an air source heat pump, which pulls heat from the air outside and transfers it to the air inside. This heating and cooling system is most efficient when the temperature outside is above freezing, but a heat strip can be added to sufficiently warm your home in frigid weather. The geothermal heat pumps, which include ground source and water source models, are even more effective throughout the year. Ground source heat pumps run refrigerant lines deep enough underground that they’re unaffected by the temperatures at the surface. This allows them to pull heat from the ground even when the arctic air blows into the area. Water source heat pumps require a natural water source, such...

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4 Reasons Why HVAC System Maintenance is Important

October 19, 2022

As a homeowner, do you remember to schedule HVAC system maintenance? Tune-up service may be one of the most important services in your home that you easily overlook as long as your heating and cooling appliance works correctly. Since your equipment runs almost daily, taking care of it will come in handy in ensuring it keeps up with your home’s comfort needs. You don’t have to wait until something goes terribly wrong for you to start paying attention to your system. With proper maintenance from a qualified professional, you can avoid the headaches of unexpected repairs or breakdowns. Here are more details on the benefit of HVAC system maintenance. 1. Raise Efficiency Levels Certain parts of your heating and cooling system wear out in the long run. As a result, your unit’s energy efficiency levels start to decline. Also, when essential parts of your system collect dust, dirt, and other debris, they make your appliance run much longer to deliver conditioned air to your entire home. This means your unit consumes more energy to keep your indoor space comfortable. When you hire our experienced professionals, we will thoroughly inspect all parts of your system and do the necessary test to...

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The Impact of Smoke on Your Indoor Air Quality

September 19, 2022

The day after a fire, people are usually busy cleaning up their homes, belongings, and themselves. Restoration contractors are working to remove any damage the fire has caused. However, it’s important to know how fires impact indoor air quality (IAQ). Below we’ll go over the key implication of IAQ on our health after a home or business has experienced a fire. Smoke Smoke contains a variety of chemicals, including carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide. As the smoke fills your home, these chemicals can damage your lungs and other body systems. Toxic Chemicals Smoke contains many different toxins, including benzene, formaldehyde, and dioxins. Benzene is a chemical used in manufacturing that has been linked to cancer when people are exposed to large amounts over time. Formaldehyde is used to produce building materials such as plywood and particle board. It can cause burning eyes, headaches, and fatigue. Dioxins are byproducts of burning plastics or other materials that contain chlorine (such as PVC). They can cause cancer and reproductive problems if they are inhaled at high levels for long periods. Ash Ash is produced by burning wood, paper, and other organic materials. Ash contains chemicals called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). PAHs are associated...

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What Are the Benefits of Having New Ductwork Installed?

August 18, 2022

When you think about your heating or cooling system, your ductwork might be the last thing that comes to mind. However, ductwork plays a major role in keeping your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Typically, your ductwork should be replaced every 10 to 20 years. Read on to learn more about how you could benefit from having new ductwork installed and how ductwork functions. 1. Increased Energy Savings When temperatures soar and plummet, your HVAC unit works overtime to make your home more comfortable. If your ducts are old, damaged, sagging, or leaking, you’ll notice a spike in your energy bills. Fully intact ducts can move air more efficiently to every part of your house, which results in a decrease in energy consumption and energy bills. 2. Quieter Operation Your ducts may begin to bend or sag as they age. As air passes through older ducts, you may notice that your heater or air conditioner sounds louder during operation. Having new ductwork installed could take care of this annoying problem. 3. Better Air Quality Holes, leaks, bending, or sagging in older ducts can allow potentially harmful substances like dirt, dust, pet dander, and other allergens...

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Why Does My AC Increase My Home’s Humidity Level?

August 2, 2022

Have you noticed a thick, muggy feeling in the air when your AC is on? Is more condensation present on your windows and mirrors? Maintaining a healthy humidity level in your home is essential to your health and comfort. If your AC is producing excess moisture, the system is likely malfunctioning. Here are a few of the reasons your AC unit may be increasing your humidity level. Wrong Thermostat Setting Air conditioners naturally remove moisture from the air as they cool your home. If your thermostat is set to ON rather than AUTO, your blower will continue to circulate air even when the AC unit isn’t cooling the home. This can be especially detrimental to your indoor comfort if you live in an area with a high humidity level. Instead of leaving your blower on constantly, switch your settings to AUTO and rely on ceiling fans or a ventilation system instead. Frozen Evaporator Coils Once your air filter gets dirty or you begin to experience water leaks, you’re at a higher risk of dealing with frozen evaporator coils. These coils are responsible for cooling the refrigerant so that it can continue to absorb heat from the home. Once these coils...

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