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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Vacation Soon? Leave Your AC On

The key to a fun and relaxing vacation is taking care of all the right details before you leave. You can also give your home HVAC system a “working vacation” of its own and save a little money in the process. Here are a few easy tips to help you prepare your home HVAC system for safe and energy-efficient operation until you return from your trip. Choose your Optimum Vacation Temperature The United States Department of Energy recommends setting your thermostat to 78 degrees when you’re at home, 85 degrees while you’re at work, and 82 degrees when you’re asleep. Some families prefer a higher or lower everyday temperature, but the Department of Energy bases their recommendations on what represents the best balance of comfort and energy usage. When you’re going on a summer vacation, you can save some money by raising your thermostat to 82 degrees or higher. If you’re taking a winter vacation, you can set your thermostat to the mid to high 60s. If you’re leaving pets at home while you’re away, you should check with your veterinarian for a recommended pet-safe temperature. If you and your family prefer your home to be a different everyday temperature...

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What Is the Ideal Temperature for Home Air Conditioning in the Summer?

There’s no denying that summertime can bring some very hot weather. As it starts to make us uncomfortably sweaty, we rely on our home air conditioning systems to keep us nice and comfortable. Unfortunately, these systems can be quite costly to run if not run in an optimal manner. Using a Programmable Thermostat In order to set your thermostat to its most optimal efficiency, you’re going to need a programmable thermostat. Most newer air conditioning systems come with a programmable or smart thermostat. If your system still has an old dial regulator, you really should consider upgrading to a programmable one. The trick to optimal efficiency with a programmable thermostat is being able to set different temperatures depending on whether you’re at home or not. When you’re at home, you want to keep your house at a comfortable temperature so that your family can relax while they’re indoors. However, when none of your family members are home, it makes sense not to have your air conditioner running. That’s simply a waste of energy and your hard-earned money. A smart thermostat takes efficiency to a new level. In addition to programming your schedule into your thermostat, you can control it remotely....

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What Size Air Conditioner Do I Need for My Home?

If you are shopping for a new air conditioner, chances are that you are looking forward to having cool air with less cost. However, it can be stressful shopping for a new unit because you don’t know what factors to consider. One of the most important factors is the air conditioner’s size. Here’s a quick guide to help you determine the right size air conditioner you need before buying your new unit. Call A Technician Today For AC Installation Services! How Air Conditioners Work Before we discuss the air conditioner size you need, it may be helpful to understand how your unit works. When you think about your air conditioner, you likely think about the cool air coming from your vents. That cool air is a by-product of the heat transfer that occurs as your system runs. Air conditioners need refrigerant to make the air cool. With the help of fans and condenser coils, the refrigerant in your system absorbs heat from the air and transfers it to the outside. After the transfer of heat occurs, the refrigerant moves back through the condensing coil, resulting in cool air. The size of your unit is typically discussed in BTUs, or British...

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How Does the REME HALO Air Purification System Work?

Are you prone to allergies? Are you seeking to eliminate foul smells in your home? Or are you looking to reduce disease-causing microbes? An air purifier can help you deal with all these issues. Your home may seem like a haven that’s free from contaminants, but it isn’t. Remember, it is not unusual for indoor air to be more polluted than outdoor air. That’s why an air purifier is essential. It can enhance air quality indoors and provide a comfortable and healthy environment. There are several air purifiers available on the market. Here is a deeper look at the REME HALO air purification system and how it works. What Is the REME HALO and How Does It Work? REME HALO is a sophisticated air purification system produced by the RGF Environmental Group. It uses a natural technique for purification. In nature, hydrogen peroxide is a naturally occurring substance that is formed when sunlight acts on water. The hydrogen peroxide combats microbes, mold, or dirt and quickly biodegrades, leaving a pleasant smell. The REME HALO that’s compatible with most HVAC systems uses a somewhat similar process. The REME HALO system uses cutting-edge Reflective Electro Magnetic Energy (REME) technology to produce hydrogen...

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How Do I Conserve Heat During the Winter?

Winters in Puyallup, WA, are chilly, and your heating system will work hard in order to keep your home warm and comfortable. You don’t want to pay any more for home heating costs than necessary, so it’s important to consider how you can conserve heat during the wintertime. Use these eight tips to reduce heat loss from your home during the winter months of the year. 1. Seal Gaps and Cracks Your heating system works hard to warm your home. You don’t want the heat to leak to the outdoors. Inspect the caulk and weatherstripping around doors, windows, and vent openings. If it’s damaged, cracked, or missing, replace it with the right type. Check around the openings for cable, plumbing, and electrical components. There may be gaps where cold air can infiltrate your home. If you have a fireplace, make sure that its damper and glass doors are closed when it’s not in use. 2. Add Insulation Determine if your home meets the Department of Energy’s recommended R-value for insulation. If it doesn’t, add enough sprayed foam, blown-in, or rolled insulation. Focus on your attic and perimeter walls. An energy audit of your home can find where the air is...

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What Type Of Water Heater Is Most Energy Efficient?

Water heating accounts for about 20% of a typical American household’s monthly energy bills. When it’s time to replace your old water heater, it pays to select the most energy-efficient unit that fits into your budget and has the right capacity for your needs. Use these tips to choose the most energy-efficient water heater for your South Hill, WA, home. Consider the Efficiency of Water Heater Power Sources Water heaters can be operated with solar, geothermal, electricity, natural gas, propane, or heating oil. Solar power and geothermal water heaters use a minimal amount of fossil fuels, so they’re an environmentally-friendly choice. Natural gas and propane are the most energy-efficient fossil fuel sources of power for water heaters. Electricity follows behind natural gas and propane when it comes to the energy efficiency of the power source. Heating oil is the least-efficient source of power for a water heater. You’ll also need to consider the availability and feasibility of the power source. Solar power may not be a cost-effective investment in South Hill, and geothermal may have a long payoff period. Natural gas may not be available in all locations. Propane and heating oil have variable prices. Propane and heating oil also...

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How To Humidify Your House In The Winter

During winter, naturally lower humidity levels and more time spent running a heater can lead to low humidity inside your house. Once relative humidity drops below about 40%, it can be quite unpleasant. Low humidity can cause respiratory issues, rough skin and hair, and static electricity shocks. It may also harm your home by causing wood to shrink or warp. If you want to avoid all the unpleasant effects of low humidity, follow these helpful methods. Dry Your Laundry on an Indoor Line When it gets cold, consider using a clothes drying rack inside. This allows the moisture from your freshly washed laundry to naturally humidify your home. Just remember to place the clothes near a radiator or heating vent since it might take them a long time to dry otherwise, and if the clothes aren’t near the heating vent, the moisture won’t disperse into the home as well. If you feel like it still takes too long to dry clothes on the line, consider drying them halfway in the dryer and then letting them air dry the rest of the way. This can still boost humidity quite a bit. Weatherproof Your Home When your home is not weatherproofed, your...

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