Stories like that are what make me proud to work for AAA Heating & Air Conditioning.  Our employees strive to provide customer service that is above and beyond our customers’ expectations.  I have heard of technicians changing light bulbs, moving furniture, and even mowing the lawn!  And it doesn’t stop there… the lovely people you talk to when you call in to our office have even been known to look up information for callers  about other companies!

At AAA Heating & Air Conditioning, we strive to exceed your expectations in every way.  We promise that you won’t be disappointed!

So here’s what you have to do:

1. Detach the dryer vent from the dryer
2. Use an electric leaf blower or a shop vac set in reverse to blow through the tubing.  All of the gunk that is in there will come out of your house on the other side.  IMPORTANT NOTE:  Do NOT use a gas leaf blower inside your home because the fumes are toxic and can cause some serious health risks, even death
3. Check the vent outside of your house and clear out all of the remaining debris

Another thing to take a look at is how close the vent is to your heat pump or air conditioner.  Often they are installed close together and lint from the dryer vent gets in the coils of your outdoor unit.  You will want to examine the unit to see if there is any buildup.  If you find any lint, have a reputable HVAC company do a professional tune up and cleaning on the system to ensure that there is no damage to the unit.  They will also be able to talk with you about ways to prevent the lint from collecting on the coils (in fact, my technician said he recommends a solution involving pantyhose).  If you want more information or to schedule a cleaning for your unit call me, Angie, at 253-630-9224.

If I haven’t convinced you yet to take a look at your dryer vent,  check out this news story about a family in Kent who suffered a tragic fire because of a clogged dryer vent.   Please don’t let this happen to you!  http://www.kirotv.com/video/9914544/

Recipes for a clean house

• For an all purpose cleaner that works on just about anything, mix ½ c. of vinegar, ¼ c. of baking soda, and a half gallon of water.
• Bathroom shower mold can be fought with one part hydrogen peroxide and 2 parts water put together in a spray bottle.  Spray onto mold and wait an hour before wiping off.
• Normal tub and tile cleaning can be done by simply using a sponge to scrub in baking soda and rinsing with water.
• To polish your furniture, add a few drops of lemon oil into a 1/2 cup warm water. Mix well and spray onto a soft cotton cloth. Cloth should only be slightly damp. Wipe furniture with the cloth, and finish by wiping once more using a dry soft cotton cloth.
• Toilet bowls can be cleaned with ¼ c. baking soda and a cup of vinegar poured directly into the bowl of the toilet. Let sit for a minute, scrub, and flush.
• To clean your windows or mirrors, mix 2 tsp of white vinegar with 1 liter of warm water in a spray bottle.  Spray onto windows and wipe off with newspaper.

Become one of the millions of people who are taking part in the ENERGY STAR pledge.  They are pledging to reduce the amount of energy that they use both at work and home.  Whether its your lightbulbs or your heating system, take a look at the ENERGY STAR Pledge website for more information about how you can save energy too.

Which makes us wonder… how many bulbs would it take to heat your house without a furnace?  That would be an interesting study to do.  Anyone up for trying it for us?

Glen J., AAA Heating & Air Conditioning Senior Technician

Q:  We recently moved into a newly built house and noticed that our furnace turns on and off frequently.  It will quickly get the house to the temperature we want it and shut off, but then turn back on again shortly afterward to start heating again.  Is this something we should be concerned about?  — Samuel Z., Maple Valley

A. It is possible that the furnace the builder put in the house is improperly sized.  Quite surprisingly, many homes, both new and old, have furnaces that are too large or too small for the space.  If the furnace is too small, it will run constantly because it is trying to keep up with the demands for heat that are put on it.  However, if a furnace is too large, it heats the home quickly and then shuts off quickly.  Because it is an inconsistent heat, the temperature falls soon, and the furnace is forced to come back on briefly to put out more heat.  It sounds like that could possibly be the problem at your home.  I would recommend scheduling a service technician to perform a full diagnostic on your furnace to determine if that truly is the cause or if there is more to the issue.  I would be happy to come out and take a look at it for you.  Just call our Kent Heating and Air Conditioning office at 253-630-9224 and they can set up an appointment for you.

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!

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!

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:

• Install the thermostat away from heating or cooling registers, appliances, lighting, doorways, fireplaces, skylights and windows, and areas that receive direct sunlight or drafts.  Interior walls are best.
• Keep the thermostat set at energy saving temperatures for long periods of time, such as when no one is home and at bedtime.
• Resist the urge to override the preprogrammed settings.  Every time you do, you use more energy and may end up paying more on your energy bill.  The exception to this would be if you were to go on vacation and put the system on “hold” at a lower temperature.
• Change your batteries each year if your thermostat runs on batteries.

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

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.