Do Plants Help Indoor Air Quality?

There has been some debate over the years about whether having plants inside your home improves the air quality. An earlier study by NASA indicated that this is the case, but later studies have partially contradicted that conclusion, especially concerning the quantity of plants people would need to have in their homes. NASA Study NASA’s study was released in 1989. The goal of the research was to find out how to clean the air inside space stations. The study found that plants could clean the air in a closed, restricted environment. The experiment took place in a small chamber, and the plants did remove harmful substances such as formaldehyde from the air. However, this study didn’t translate to the reality of most people’s homes. Home environments are nothing like that of a space station. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reviewed this study in 1992 and determined it would take 680 plants in a typical home to clean the air. This is, of course, far more plants than anyone would want or be able to fit inside their home. Fortunately, there are other ways to clean the air in your residence. Throughout the Puyallup area, provides services and equipment to maintain...

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What is The Most Energy Efficient Heating and Cooling System?

Are you concerned about rising energy prices and the future of the environment? If you want to have the most energy-efficient heating and cooling system for your home, then look no further than a geothermal system. With this system, you can heat and cool your Pierce or King County home by harnessing a free and renewable energy source known as geothermal energy. What Is Geothermal Energy? If you dig just a few feet below the ground, you will find that the temperature remains between a range of 50 to 60 degrees year-round. That temperature is not affected by the weather or temperature above. A geothermal heating and cooling system is designed to harness the geothermal energy below the Earth’s surface. It uses that energy to keep your home at a constant and comfortable temperature all year long. How Does a Geothermal Heating and Cooling System Work? A geothermal heating and cooling system consists of three main components: Heat sink and tubing: A heat sink is placed 10 to 20 feet below the ground or a pond where it will absorb heat energy. This is done by drilling into the ground. The heat sink is attached to a loop of tubing...

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How Long Does an Average Toilet Last in a Home?

Theoretically, a toilet can last until its porcelain cracks, which could be 50 years or more. That doesn’t mean that you as a homeowner want it to last that long, however. A number of factors may influence you to replace your toilet. These factors include environmental sensitivity, economics and personal taste. Eco-Friendliness Older toilets use as much as six gallons in a single flush. That means that a single person who uses the toilet five times a day is going to waste approximately 30 gallons of water unnecessarily. The new standard set by the federal government dictates that toilets should use no more than 1.6 gallons in a single flush. A number of low-flow toilets are on the market today. These include the following: Composting toilets Sink/toilet combos WaterSense-certified toilets Dual-flush toilets WaterSense is an EPA program that assesses the efficiency of water-using equipment much the same way that ENERGY STAR programs evaluate electrical efficiency. A WaterSense logo on a toilet indicates that the device uses only 1.28 gallons per flush. Dual-flush toilets have options that allow you to select how much water you want to use with each flush. Composting toilets use no water at all and aren’t practical...

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What Are the Different Types of Furnaces?

Over our 70 years in business serving homes and businesses in the Puget Sound region, our customers have come to trust us with all things related to their HVAC systems. We are often asked the key differences between the types furnaces that are most often found in households. The following will outline the three types of furnaces and key features of each. Central Warm-Air Furnaces Central warm-air furnaces have a fan that blows and circulates the warmed air throughout the ducts that lead to the rooms in your home. These furnaces can be further classified into three types, based on the type of fuel they use: natural gas, oil and electric. Most furnaces in North America are powered by natural gas, though many homes have oil and electric furnaces. Natural Gas Furnaces Natural gas furnaces are powered by fossil fuels that flow to your home through a municipal line. Combustion takes place in the furnace to convert gas to heat. Next, heat exchangers and blowers complete the process by warming air inside the furnace before the furnace fan circulates the warm air into your home. Oil Furnaces Some households do not readily have access to natural gas. Homes in these...

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What Causes Heating Repairs?

is a heating company in Puyallup, and we respond to a wide range of repairs. Customers often ask us what caused the problem and if it could have been avoided, and with that in mind, let us consider the leading causes and what you can do about them. Normal Wear and Tear Your modern furnace or heat pump is a complex piece of equipment with moving parts and finely calibrated electronics. It is subject to vibrations and other wear, and over time, that deterioration will lead to a fault or failure. This is the reason seasonal tune-ups are so important. Tune-ups can undo that wear at a reasonable cost, before it manifests into something more serious. Unnecessary Wear and Tear Heating equipment can be subject to undue wear and tear as well. A furnace that is improperly sized for a home, for instance, will be overworked and thus have a shorter life span. Likewise, if you have a fixed-speed blower and disrupt the pressure balance, the blower will work harder and fail sooner. Inadequate Filtration Not replacing air filters on time is another way that you can increase pressure. Dirty air filters present another problem. They become compromised and allow...

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Common Reasons Your Heating Bill is Too High

Your heating bills will naturally rise during the fall and winter, but there’s a reasonable limit to that change. When that limit is exceeded, you know that something is wrong. Below are some common reasons for unusually high utility bills. Blocked Airflow It could be that you’ve neglected to replace your air filters or clean your air ducts. A piece of furniture may be blocking a vent. Whatever the case, an airflow problem will put stress on the heater and raise your bills. One way to detect an airflow problem is to check for cold spots and other signs of uneven heating. An Overused Heater The more you run your heater, the higher the bills will be. The problem is that many run it when it’s not really necessary; for example, some people keep the heat on when sleeping or out of the house. Programming the thermostat and keeping the temperature at a moderate 65 degrees or so will help you save on your bills. An Old or Oversized Heater Whether you own a packaged system, heat pump, or furnace, it will decrease in efficiency the older it gets. This tends to have an impact on heating bills. In addition,...

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Why Are Some Rooms Colder Than Others?

There are a number of factors that could explain why some rooms in your home are colder than others. While these types of issues can usually be resolved, you may require professional help. Obstructions to Airflow Some rooms may be cold because there are obstructions to the flow of warm air. For example, the ductwork leading to those rooms may have built-up dirt and other debris. Air filters, if they are not replaced (they should be changed every three to six months), will also get dirty and reduce airflow. The problem could be as mundane as an article of furniture blocking an air vent. Lack of Insulation Poorly insulated rooms will naturally be colder because the warm air will more quickly escape from them. You’ll want to ensure a good amount of insulation in the attic and wall cavities. The insulation should be highly resistant to heat penetration; the higher its R-value, the more resistant it is. A Poorly Maintained Unit Packaged systems, heat pumps, furnaces, and mini-splits all wear down over time, and this can lead to uneven heating. The technicians at in Puyallup, WA, can provide yearly tune-ups that cover all the basics. Among these are duct cleaning...

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3 Tips for Maintaining Your Furnace This Winter

The winter months, especially in the northwestern region of the United States, can be brutally long and cold. It will also be very taxing on your home’s furnace. Your furnace is going to run a lot through these frigid months, which is why it’s important to provide the special attention and care it needs to be ready to work through the long haul. 1. Have It Ready to Go When You Need It You will have great peace of mind knowing that your furnace is in tip-top condition the moment it is needed. For a thorough inspection and maintenance regimen, hire professionals for the job. This is a cost-efficient way of ensuring the long life and efficiency of your furnace. General maintenance might include: Inspecting and testing all important components Lubricating mechanical components Thoroughly cleaning the equipment Checking fuel supply Looking over all elements of the system (i.e. ducts, vents, registers, etc.) Preparing your furnace can make for smooth sailing in the winter. 2. Clean Your Furnace and Monitor Its Performance You can take measures to keep your furnace running efficiently through the winter. For instance, always make sure to replace the air filter once every couple of months. Your...

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How to Locate Cold Air Leaks in Your Home

Most homes have leaks in them that can let in cold air during the winter. These leaks can cool down your house and drive up your winter energy bills. At in Puyallup, WA, we believe that it’s important to find and fix these leaks so that you can stay comfortable and save money in the long run. We’d be happy to assess the source of any potential cold air leaks in your residence. Use Your Hands The skin on your hands can be used to find some of the larger air leaks in your home. Choose a cold day when the inside of your house is warm. Run your hand around the edges of any doors or windows that open to the exterior of your home. If you feel any cold air, it’s likely an air leak. You can also use your hand to check air vents, fans, and electrical outlets. Light a Candle A flickering candle flame is an excellent indicator of an air leak. After turning off your central heating system, light a candle and move it along any electrical outlets, baseboards, or phone jacks. Use an Air Leak Detector For a more accurate assessment of air leaks,...

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3 Thermostat Best Practices for Fall

Fall can be a confusing time for your home’s heating and cooling system. As the daily temperature jumps from warm to chilly and back again, you may find yourself constantly adjusting your thermostat. To make things easier, the technicians at recommend following a few thermostat best practices this season. 1. Stick to a Schedule If you have a programmable thermostat, it’s beneficial to program the temperature settings early in the fall and stick with them. A consistent schedule helps your control system work at peak efficiency and comfort. This is because your thermostat has a chance to gradually rise to your desired temperature as opposed to having to accommodate a sudden, drastic change. 2. Get a Programmable Thermostat If you don’t have a programmable thermostat, fall is the perfect time to upgrade to one. Fall and winter are the most active seasons for your furnace, and adding a new thermostat will reduce your energy consumption and utility bills. Plus, you’ll have more control over your home’s heating needs to maximize your comfort during cold weather. Newer “smart” units have additional features like Wi-Fi connection, so you can update your settings on the go. 3. Replace the Batteries Most wall-mounted thermostats...

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