Here at our AAA Heating & Air Conditioning office, the rain is coming down fast and furious, which reminds us of the possible flooding in our valley. We know the threat of flooding from the Green River Dam is close to passing, but we wanted to pass on the link to the King County website that talks about preparedness. It’s great info to have and keep in a safe place until the next flood season hits us. Check it out at: http://www.kingcounty.gov/safety/FloodPlan.aspx
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Because AAA Heating & Air Conditioning cares about helping our customers save money and improve the environment, we wanted to help you make sense of the ENERGY STAR® program and what it means for your heating or cooling system. This is Part 5 of a 9 part series on the subject that is published every other Thursday. If you missed our previous posts, you can find them here: AAA Heating & Air Conditioning ENERGY STAR blog posts
If you have tried all of the other steps shown in our previous posts and you still continue to experience problems, or if your heating or cooling system is over 10 years old or not working, you might want to consider replacing your equipment with a high-efficiency unit that has earned the ENERGY STAR. Here are some facts to help you in your decision making.
Furnaces are the most commonly used heating system in the United States. Those that have earned the ENERGY STAR have a higher AFUE rating, which is the measure of the efficiency. Most furnaces that can qualify for the ENERGY STAR will be the condensing furnaces where the transfer of heat is so thorough that water or condensate is a byproduct of combustion. Systems that are over 90% efficient have earned this distinction.
Central Air Conditioners
Most residential central air conditioners are called split-systems because they have an outdoor component and an indoor component. It’s very important to replace both of these units at the same time to maximize efficiency and prevent premature failure of the system. ENERGY STAR qualified central air conditioners have a higher SEER rating, which is the measurement of efficiency.
Heat Pumps provide both heating and cooling in one integrated system. They use the difference between the oudoor and indoor air temperatures to cool and heat. ENERGY STAR qualified heat pumps have higher SEER ratings than conventional models. They also have a higher Heating and Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF), which measures the heating efficiency of the heat pump.
Next week in our series on ENERGY STAR: Working With A Heating & Cooling Contractor
Source: www.energystar.gov
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Glen J., AAA Heating & Air Conditioning Senior Technician
Q. We often feel cold air coming out of our vents, even when our furnace is on. What is causing this and how can we fix it? –Gina M., Burien
A. It is possible that the duct work has disconnected somewhere in your crawl space. You will want to check it to make sure that all connections are secure and that there are no holes in it. Sometimes rodents or other animals will tear up the duct work and create holes, which allow the cold air from your crawl space to get into your house. Essentially, you end up heating your crawl space instead of your home. If you feel comfortable going under your house, take a flashlight and inspect each length of ducting. Look for any holes or disconnected and sagging duct work. If you want an opinion from a professional heating & cooling company, we are always happy to come out and take a look at it for you. Just call us at 253-630-9224 to get that scheduled.
If you have a question for Glen, our knowledgeable Senior Technician, submit it using our communication form and you might just be featured on our blog!
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Did you know that heating equipment is the leading cause of home fires each year? You can prevent them by following these tips from the National Fire Protection Agency:
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Because AAA Heating & Air Conditioning cares about helping our customers save money and improve the environment, we wanted to help you make sense of the ENERGY STAR® program and what it means for your heating or cooling system. This is Part 4 of a 9 part series on the subject that is published every other Thursday. If you missed our previous posts, you can find them here: AAA Heating & Air Conditioning ENERGY STAR blog posts
Programmable Thermostat
Programmable thermostats are ideal for people who are away from home during set periods of time throughout the week. Through proper use, a programmable thermostat can save you about $180 every year in energy costs. The US Environmental Protection Agency recommends that you do the following to get the greatest benefit from your thermostat:
You can always call us at AAA Heating & Air Conditioning to install a programmable thermostat for you. The most popular kind we sell is the programmable touchscreen thermostat, and many of our customers who have made the switch tell us they are extremely happy with how easy it is to use and how it has made their lives easier and more comfortable. You can reach us at 253-630-9224.
Next time in our series on ENERGY STAR: Choosing the Right Equipment
Source: www.energystar.gov
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We’ve had some glorious warm weather here lately, but its starting to get cold and rainy again. People are going to be hibernating indoors again and the cold and flu will have more of a chance to spread. We have definitely been hit by it here at AAA Heating & Air Conditioning this winter, and wanted to share some Tuesday Tips to help stop the spread of germs.
As simple as it seems, avoiding close contact with anyone who is sick is the number one way to stay healthy. And if you are sick, do everyone a favor and stay home from work or school. Believe us, they will thank you.
Always cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing. If you don’t have a tissue nearby, use the crook of your elbow, not your hands. If you use your hands, you will spread the germs much more readily than if they were captured in your elbow.
Wash your hands frequently. This is a good practice in general, but during the cold season, it is even more important. You will stop the spread of your germs to others and prevent the spread of their germs to you.
Avoid touching your face at all. Our skin does such a great job of protecting us that germs have to find a way in somehow. The mouth, nose, and eyes are all hot spots that germs love to gain entry.
Make sure you get plenty of sleep, eat a healthy diet, and keep your stress levels down. The immune system is compromised by a lack of sleep, improper nutrition, and high stress levels. When your body has to concentrate on combating those problems, it has less ammunition for colds and the flu.
Ensure that you are changing or cleaning the filters on your furnace every couple of months. If you have someone with a compromised immune system or someone who often gets sick living in your house, you might want to consider a UV light. They are often installed in doctors office and hospitals to ensure that all of the bacteria in the air is killed as it is being circulated through the building.
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A Walla Walla, WA elementary school recently was found with exceptionally high levels of radon in the air. The radon was especially present after hours and on the weekends when the heating & cooling system was shut off. The school decided to keep the units running constantly to keep the naturally occurring radioactive gas from reaching dangerous levels until a permanent solution could be found.
While homeowners won’t have to necessarily worry about high levels of radon in their houses, this story does bring a message about the power of your furnace, heat pump, or air conditioner. A good filter on your system will collect dust and other allergens, and allow your family to breathe well. We strongly recommend talking to a heating or cooling company about your filtration options to ensure that the air inside of your home is healthy for you and your family. You can always call us at 253-630-9224 and we would be happy to answer any questions over the phone for you.
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Did you know you can watch the amount of energy used at all of the venues of the Olympics this year? The Olympic organizers teamed up with BC Hydro to make sure that the games were ‘green’. They made changes to lightbulbs and the heating & cooling equipment to ensure the lowest amount of energy usage possible. The best part? They can heat 1,600 British Columbia homes for a year with the amount of energy they will be saving. To spy on the energy consumption yourself, go to this website.
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Because AAA Heating & Air Conditioning cares about helping our customers save money and improve the environment, we wanted to help you make sense of the ENERGY STAR® program and what it means for your heating or cooling system. This is Part 3 of a 9 part series on the subject that is published every other Thursday. If you missed our previous posts, you can find them here: AAA Heating & Air Conditioning ENERGY STAR blog posts
Ductwork is what distributes the heated or cooled air from your furnace throughout the rest of the house. In a typical house, 20% of that air is lost due to leaks, holes, and poorly connected ducts. Inefficient heating or cooling systems, high utility bills, and difficulty keeping the house comfortable are the result.
If you feel comfortable enough, you can seal leaks by yourself with a mastic sealant or a foil tape. You will also want to ensure that the connections at the vents and registers are well-sealed where they meet the floors, walls, and ceiling.
However, many homeowners choose to hire a professional Heating and Cooling Contractor to perform an inspection on the duct work and to make any repairs. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends looking for a contractor who will:
AAA Heating & Air Conditioning has trained specialists who can perform these checks and repairs for you. Give us a call at 253-630-9224 to schedule an appointment.
Next time in our series on ENERGY STAR: Using Programmable Thermostats
Source: www.energystar.gov
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With the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympics rapidly approaching, we wanted to cheer on some of the Olympians who are representing South King County in Vancouver this year.
NICOLE JORAANSTAD is from Kent and will be a member of the women’s curling team. She graduated from Kentridge High and has been dominating the world of curling since 2006 when she didn’t qualify for the Olympics that year. We look forward to seeing what she can do at the Olympics this year!
APOLO OHNO of Federal Way is poised to set a new record for the most winter Olympic medals. He is currently tied at 5 medals with long track speed skater Eric Heiden for the most in a career for an American man, and is hoping to add at least one more this winter to tie with Bonnie Blair. We look forward to cheering him on to meet that goal!
J.R. CELSKI, also of Federal Way, joins Apolo Ohno in the short track speed skating. He had a bad accident in September at the Olympic trials where he cut his thigh to the bone and required surgery to fix it. He is optimistic that he will be up to the task of winning some medals in Vancouver. With his record of winning 5 medals at the World Championships in March, he will be one to watch at the Olympics.
All of us at AAA Heating & Air Conditioning wish these Olympians the best of luck in Vancouver and look forward to watching them win many medals in the next few weeks!
Image sources: http://www.usacurl.org/athletes/biographies/nicole_joraanstad.gif & http://www.g-skate.com/images/blades/Apolo_JR.jpg
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