Will Closing My Upstairs Vents Really Reduce My Energy Bills?

If you’re like most homeowners, you’re always looking for ways to save money on your energy bills. One of the biggest misconceptions out there is that shutting vents in your unused rooms will save you money. If you’re thinking of trying this method to save money, we encourage you to think again. The Concept Behind Shutting Vents Let’s say that you likely have a room or two in your upstairs that doesn’t get utilized that often. You may think that shutting vents in those rooms will allow your HVAC system to work less since it doesn’t have to deliver any air to those rooms. But, in reality, shutting vents has the opposite effect on your energy bill. Understanding Your Ductwork When the ducts were originally installed in your home, it was designed with the objective of delivering treated air to all the rooms throughout your home. When you shut even just one vent, it will cause a pressure increase inside of your ductwork. This pressure increase happens because your HVAC system is designed to work at full capacity with all of your vents open. The more vents that you close, the higher the pressure is going to build. How Does...

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10 Ways a Smart Thermostat Can Save You Money

10 Ways a Smart Thermostat Can Save You Money Many homes today have a smart thermostat and an app that allows you to control the temperature remotely. There are numerous benefits to this type of device, including its ability to save money on your energy bills. With a smart thermostat and the app, you can start saving by simply making small changes in your daily routine. 1. They Learn Your Behavior Like a smartphone, a smart thermostat can be programmed to learn your behavior and adjust accordingly. Let’s say you start your day at 8 a.m. In that case, the device can predict that and adjust the temperature early to reach the desired temperature by 8 a.m. It will do this to match your comfort, instead of staying on the entire time. 2. They Offer Money-Saving Features The app will allow you to schedule your program to what is convenient for you and sync it with the smart thermostat. You can do the same for away mode, which enables you to pre-set a period that you will be out. The device can automatically determine how long it needs to keep the temperature at your set rate to conserve energy. For...

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Why Working With a Licensed HVAC Contractor Matters

Your heating and cooling systems can be expensive to maintain. When you need help with your HVAC system, it can be tempting to look for an option that is less expensive than a professional company. However, online videos or a friend who knows something about furnaces are no match for a trained expert. Working with a licensed HVAC contractor is essential for the best care of your equipment. Specialized Knowledge and Training It takes years of training to become an HVAC expert, but the education doesn’t stop there. HVAC technicians must stay current with the latest innovations in technology. This additional training means that these professionals are best suited to diagnose and repair problems at your home. At , we take pride in the fact that our NATE-certified technicians have the knowledge and skill to provide care for any make or model of HVAC equipment. Experience Professional HVAC technicians do not just study for years. By the time they are working on your furnace or air conditioner, they have had many hours of practical experience. Heating and cooling systems are their primary focus. This background lets them diagnose problems and perform repairs faster than an amateur. For installations, they will...

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Air Purifiers vs. Dehumidifiers: Which One Is Right for Your Home?

Air purifiers and dehumidifiers are a great investment to make for your home. You can indeed breathe happily in every room when these devices are in working order. No worries about allergies for you or what other pollutants might be lurking in the air around you all the time. If you have a family member living with asthma, it’s essential to make sure the air you’re breathing is clean and healthy throughout the day. Your lungs will thank you later on down the road for taking the time now to check into your options before deciding on whether to install air purifiers or dehumidifiers. What Is an Air Purifier and How Does It Work? Air purifiers are electro-mechanical devices that remove contaminants from the air in a room or building. They are also known as air cleaners, air filters, and air pollution control devices. Air purifiers are used for: Trapping pollutants such as dust, mold spores, and pet dander Removing smoke and other airborne particles Removing odors, such as those from cigarettes and pets Reducing the risk of allergies and asthma symptoms The most common type of air purifier is the electrostatic precipitator, which uses an electric charge to attract...

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Heater New Year’s Resolution Checklist

Each year, you may tell yourself that you’re going to make your heating system work more efficiently. However, how many years have you actually followed through with that resolution? If you’re like most homeowners, you haven’t. Make this year different by setting the manageable resolutions below. Join an Annual Maintenance Plan One of the most common issues that homeowners have in regards to their heating system is remembering to get it serviced by a professional each year. This is necessary to keep the internal components of your system clean and working optimally. And, most people don’t realize that their system’s warranty has a clause that requires the system to get annual maintenance by a professional. Do yourself a favor and join an annual maintenance plan so that your HVAC professional can remind you that it’s time for service. Check Your Filters More Often It can be easy to realize that you haven’t checked your air filter in months. While it may seem like a minimal task to change your air filter, it’s actually super critical to your heater’s ability to perform at its best. If your filter isn’t changed when it gets overly dirty, your heater is going to have...

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What is a Heat Exchanger and How Does is Work?

Most homeowners usually take the functions of furnaces and boilers for granted until something goes terribly wrong. When these appliances are in good working condition, it can be quite easy to forget the components that allow them to do this. Most people are unaware that the heat exchanger is basically the most important part of boilers and furnaces. So, what exactly is a heat exchanger and what does it do? Read on to find out! What Is a Heat Exchanger? A heat exchanger is basically a device that facilitates the transfer of heat between two or more fluids. This usually takes place without letting the two fluids mix together. It is important to note that heat exchangers can be found in all sorts of appliances and industries. For instance, you can find heat exchangers in power plants being used to recycle heat in the waste gases or being used to heat swimming pools. Additionally, heat exchangers can also function in the opposite way. Heat exchangers can also be used in air conditioners and refrigerators to draw heat from mediums and keep compartments cool. How Does a Heat Exchanger Work? When your boiler or furnace is ignited and starts burning natural...

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Making Sure Your Home Is Ready for Winter Weather

If you’ve spent any time at all in Puyallup, you know that the winters can be long and cold. To avoid discomfort during the upcoming cold months, it’s important to know how to prepare your home before the cold weather arrives. Fortunately, there are plenty of action steps that recommends to make sure that your home is warm and comfortable all winter long. Clean Your Gutters When precipitation falls during the winter, you want to be sure that your gutters are ready to divert that precipitation away from your home. That’s why cleaning your gutters is such an important part of winter preparation. If you don’t properly clean your gutters, you could end up with ice dams that cause serious damage to the structure of your home. Even if your gutters aren’t full of leaves, your downspouts may still be blocked by small pieces of debris. Take a few minutes, then, to make sure that everything will flow smoothly during winter rains and snow. Prepare Your HVAC System You’ll want your HVAC system to perform perfectly all winter long to prevent your house from becoming an icebox. That means taking time to give your system a once-over to make sure...

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Fire Prevention Week – Space Heater Safety

If you’re someone with perpetually cold toes, setting up a space heater might be the best way to get the extra, targeted heat you need. Countless homeowners in the Puyallup, WA, area rely on space heaters when working in or relaxing in remote rooms or when their central heating systems under-perform. Although these appliances have relatively low upfront costs and often have impressive heating capabilities, using them safely is absolutely critical. Following are several ways to know whether you’re using your space heater the right way. Do You Need a Long-Term Heating Solution? Despite being incredibly convenient, space heaters aren’t very efficient. Running a space heater all of the time can result in major increases in your home energy costs. These units are meant for use as temporary, supplemental heating solutions. They are not made for everyday, ongoing use, and they are not meant to serve as primary home heaters. There are several reasons why you might need a space heater in your home. For instance, you can set one of these units up if your central heating system is broken and you’re waiting for repair professionals to arrive. Conversely, if you’ve got hot and cold spots throughout your living...

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5 Highly Efficient HVAC Systems for Your Home

Winter months in Puyallup, WA, can reach freezing temperatures. While staying indoors and wearing layers of clothing can help you and your family stay warm, it is usually not enough. A heating system can help keep you warm and cozy once temperatures begin to drop. Which HVAC system should you get? There are numerous choices available on the market and knowing the strengths and weaknesses of each one is key to choosing the right HVAC system that suits your household size, budget, and other needs. Here are five highly efficient units to consider. 1. Geothermal Geothermal heating systems capture and release hot air by using the soil beneath your home or an adjacent body of water as the source of heat. Geothermal systems are considered the most efficient type of heating system. It can reduce utility costs by as much as 70%. Geothermal systems are also the preferred choice by environmentally conscious homeowners as these systems use relatively smaller amounts of fossil fuel to operate. A common barrier to entry when it comes to geothermal heat pumps is their initial cost. The heating equipment and the installation process are often more expensive than other types of heating systems available. 2....

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Tips for Getting Your AC to Run Proficiently

Funding your summertime air conditioning shouldn’t have to cost you your entire paycheck. When your air conditioning system is running proficiently, you’re getting the best bang for your buck. We’re going to share with you some of our best tips for ensuring that your air conditioning system is running as proficiently as possible throughout the entire summer season. It Starts With Efficient Settings You can have your air conditioning system set up perfectly so that you’re getting the most bang for your buck for every dollar spent. However, if you don’t have efficient settings on your thermostat, you’re still going to be dealing with high power bills. You should have a programmable thermostat that is set based on your normal weekly schedule. At times when you’re at home, your thermostat should be set around 78 degrees. When you’re away from home, your thermostat should be set 10 degrees higher. This will help to ensure that your air conditioning system isn’t constantly running when you’re not at home. That’s just a waste of energy and your hard-earned money. Frequently Check Your Air Filter Your air conditioning system has an air filter that is responsible for enhancing the quality of your indoor...

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