How Does a Thermostat Work?

February 20, 2020

Being able to turn on your home’s heating system is a luxury that we often take for granted. At the same time, it’s key that our heat can turn off when we’ve already hit our goal temperature. We have our thermostats to thank for our ability to maintain a certain temperature inside our homes. “Thermostat” literally means “to keep the temperature the same.” How Do They Work? Thermostats can be digital or mechanical. Digital thermostats can turn on their heating systems instantly, once the temperature drops below whatever mark you’ve set. Many modern thermostats can be programmed to maintain different temperatures at different times of the day. This can save you money if you don’t need to heat your home while you’re at work, for example. Smart thermostats are gaining popularity, and at in Meridian, ID, we regularly help people modernize their homes by installing thermostats that can be controlled by mobile devices. Many older thermostats are controlled through physics. They have thin strips of a special metal inside of them, and that metal can physically move depending on the temperature. This is because metal expands when it warms up and contracts when it cools down. That motion of the...

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What Causes Poor Indoor Air Quality?

February 10, 2020

Poor indoor air quality is a problem for millions of people nationwide. When you learn that on average people spend 93% of their lives indoors, it isn’t difficult to imagine how air quality plays a significant role in how they feel. Our indoor environment has a major impact on our health and well-being. This is especially true if you suffer from any sort of respiratory problem or allergy. Common Pollutants Sadly, you can find pollutants almost everywhere in a home, even one in which owners have the most meticulous housekeeping habits. Dust, dander, pollen, carpeting, cleaning chemicals, odors from paint and smoke can all pollute the indoor air. Substantial levels of free-radicals and contaminants increase the health risks to people breathing in these volatile organic chemicals. Potential Signs of Poor Air Quality If you are unsure of the air quality in your home, these are some of the signs that indicate it might be poor: Unpleasant smells Mildew or mold growth Dust buildup around vents High humidity Uneven air distribution All these signs should be taken seriously to ensure the good health of the residents and guests in your home. Health-related symptoms that could be associated with poor indoor air...

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Symptoms of a Dirty Coil

January 20, 2020

At [company name], we provide the reliable HVAC services you need to make your home more energy efficient. We’re always stressing the importance of maintaining a clean HVAC system. That includes maintaining a clean evaporator coil. If you’re unsure of whether you have a dirty coil, keep an eye out for the following symptoms. Your Home Stays Warm Despite Running the Air Conditioner Not all air conditioning malfunctions result in a sudden stop in operation. Many problems lead to a slow and steady decline. If you’ve discovered that your air conditioner has become less effective at cooling, a dirty coil may be the underlying problem. When dust and debris are allowed to build up on an evaporator coil, the coil becomes less effective at drawing heat from the air. As a result, the air that circulates into your home through the air conditioner will be warmer than usual. When your air conditioner no longer blows cold, we recommend the following: Evaporator coil cleaning service Air filter cleaning/replacement service Duct cleaning Your Air Conditioner Oil Freezes Condensation accumulates on your evaporator coil when the coil is no longer able to draw heat from the air due to built up dust and...

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How to Avoid Furnace Repairs

January 12, 2020

Part of an ideal winter is one where you don’t have to frantically call an HVAC service company in the hopes that it will come out and repair your home’s furnace. Any downtime for your heater can mean frigid temperatures inside your house. While you will never be able to control the unpredictable, there are steps you can take to minimize the chances you will need furnace repair. If you do end up needing repairs, in Meridian, Idaho, provides prompt, effective, and affordable service. A Yearly Tune-Up Is a Must As the weather transitions from warm/mild to cold, that’s the perfect time to bring in an HVAC technician for a thorough inspection and tune-up. This is your chance to make sure everything is functioning correctly and that your furnace is ready to handle another long, cold winter. Maintain Your Furnace on Your Own You don’t need any experience working with complex HVAC systems to be able to handle small tasks that will keep your furnace operating efficiently throughout the colder months. These are basic maintenance to-dos, such as replacing the air filter every couple of months, keeping the inside of your heater and accessible areas of your ducts clean, putting...

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3 Reasons To Use A Humidifier During Flu Season

December 15, 2019

There are simple steps that you can take to cut your risk of developing the flu virus. In fact, one of the most effective steps is simply having a humidifier in your home. Here are several ways that a humidifier can help protect you during flu season. 1. Humidity Kills Germs Flu particles thrive the most when it is dry in the air. Those are the ideal conditions for the particles to remain in the air and not fall to the ground. However, fly germs begin to have difficulty when the air is heavier. In fact, humid air can kill up to 85 percent of the flu particles from the air. Humidity stifles both large and small germs. Through a humidifier, you can keep the humidity level in your home at the desired 40 to 60 percent range. This will make the life of a flu particle a whole lot more challenging. 2. Moisture Helps Your Nose There are tiny hairs in your nose called cilia that are the first line of defense in your body against germs. When these small hairs are lubricated, they are even more effective. It is humidity that provides the cilia with this needed lubricant....

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Furnace Tips for the Holidays

December 5, 2019

Holiday parties and get-togethers can be both fun and memorable. Rarely is it possible to get so many friends and family in the same house for the same joyous event. To make sure everyone stays happy, the temperature inside the home should be appropriate. There are some smart ways to run a furnace during the holidays. Let’s take a look at some tips. Make Sure You Have the Right Thermostat A running theme here involves taking steps in advance of the holiday party. Don’t cut things too close because you want enough time to make sure the work is done. Upgrading a thermostat might be a valuable way to keep the interior temperature at the preferred level. A high-tech, modern thermostat can adjust temperature levels quickly and without much trouble. Some may even work with your smartphone adding further conveniences. Clean Out the Ducts Dirty ducts aren’t beneficial to your guests. You don’t want guests in your home breathing in poor-quality air. For the same reason, you want to change a dirty filter if necessary. Besides addressing air quality, cleaning the air ducts could help you avoid some problems with the furnace. Running the furnace when there’s tons of dirt...

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What To Do If My Furnace Keeps Turning Off

November 15, 2019

If your furnace is constantly turning off and on, damage leading to costly repairs can happen over time. Taking immediate action will not only help you to stay warm, but it will also help save money. Try these few suggestions to keep your furnace from constantly turning off: 1. Make Sure All Heating Vents Are Open Go around your home or business and open all of the heat vents. Make sure none are blocked. This will allow appropriate airflow through your heating system. You will not save money by closing vents. When vents are closed, less air is circulated by the furnace’s blower. Less air circulation means less heat is absorbed from the furnace. Heat will start to build up in the heat exchanger. As a safety measure, the furnace turns off to keep the exchanger from failing. Once the heat exchanger cools down, the furnace will restart. It will run until the heat exchanger overheats again. Over a period of time, the heat exchanger will be damaged and need replacing. 2. Make Sure the Air Filter Is Clean A dirty air filter restricts the airflow into your furnace. Restricted airflow will also cause the heat exchanger to overheat, shutting...

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Why Is My Furnace Making a Loud Noise?

November 7, 2019

Sounds from your furnace don’t always indicate a major problem. However, if you’ve recently noticed some loud, strange sounds from your heating system, chances are the unit needs a professional tune-up. So what exactly could be the cause of all that noise? Let’s look at some of the potential causes of loud sounds in a furnace. The Blower Wheel Is Broken Does your furnace produce a noise like metal scraping against metal? The most likely reason is that the blower wheel of your furnace is broken. As soon as you hear this noise, turn off the furnace right away and call [company name]. It’s highly likely that you’ll need to replace the faulty part. Don’t panic, though, as this is a relatively easy repair. The Burners Are Dirty Do you hear a loud bang from your furnace? The most likely cause is a dirty burner, and you need to be concerned. Dirty burners can delay ignition, causing the gas to build up instead of igniting immediately. After the buildup of gas, the spark causes a small explosion inside the furnace. The best way to avoid this is by scheduling regular professional maintenance. The Blower Bearings Are Worn Out A high-pitched...

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What You Should Ask Before Buying Your First Furnace

October 22, 2019

Buying a furnace is an important task, and you’ll want to choose a model that’s compatible with your home’s dimensions and needs. If this is your first experience with making such a purchase, there are some important questions you ought to ask. What Type of Furnace Is Best for Your Requirements? Furnaces can be fueled by electricity, oil, or gas. They also come in various sizes. The type and size of furnace you need will depend on how much interior space you must heat and how well-insulated your home is. Buying a furnace that’s too big for the property tends to cause short-cycling problems. As a result of short cycling, it probably won’t heat your home effectively. A professional heating installation company will evaluate your house to determine an appropriate recommendation. How Is a Furnace’s Efficiency Rated? The AFUE rating will let you know how efficient a furnace is. This stands for “annual fuel utilization efficiency,” and it represents the average, season-long efficiency of the equipment. It’s a simple ratio of the effective energy output you’ll derive from the energy input you utilize, and it’s expressed as a percentage. For example, if you expend 100 BTUs of natural gas in...

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Early Fall Issues Your HVAC System Might Encounter

October 2, 2019

While you may be ready to enjoy the cooler weather and all the fall festivities, your home may not be properly prepared. When you test your heating system, be aware of any strain, noises, or odd smells. Some odor at the very first start is normal; however, if it doesn’t dissipate quickly, you might want to have check it out. Read on to learn about some more specific early fall issues your HVAC system might encounter. Clogs and Blockages If you haven’t used your heating system in a while, clogs and blockages can form. This can be anything from leaves to overgrown shrubbery. Cleaning up around the unit’s internal and external components can help to prevent this problem at each change of season. Remember, leaves begin to fall in autumn, and this could be bad news for your outdoor unit. Dirty Air Filters Dirty air filters can cause a similar “clogging” problem by circulating dirty air and straining the system. This can lead to increases in utility bills and cause health problems in allergy sufferers, asthmatics, children, and seniors. Changing the air filter within the recommended manufacturer time frame is the best practice. Malfunctioning Thermostat It’s going to get pretty...

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