My heating bill is what?! Please tell me that’s a phone number and not how much I owe… With the kids at college, their rooms sit unused. Maybe If I close the vents in their rooms I can save on my bill?
Why you shouldn’t close vents:
Closing vents will waste energy- As the warm air from the furnace tries to come out of the closed vents, it is stopped by the vent cover. Instead, it will leak out back into floor cavities or into the basement. Your energy cost will be the same, but you’ll be heating your attic or crawlspace. The buildup of pressure can also cause a leaky piece of ductwork to burst completely. The average homeowner loses 20-30% of the heat they pay for because of duct leakage. By covering a vent you’ll increase the pressure in the HVAC system and lose more heat through these common leaks.
It can damage your home- Furnaces are installed based on square footage. If you begin taking away from the square footage your furnace is heating the furnace will need to work harder to pump heat.
What you should do instead:
Change your filter often- A filter that is dirty doesn’t allow for optimal airflow. Take out the filter and look for signs of dirt and debris. If you can’t see light through it, it should be replaced. A typical filter lasts 60-90 days but can last up to one year depending on the conditions of the home.
Clean registers- vacuum out any debris that accumulates in your registers. This debris can obstruct the airflow.
Replace with high-efficiency equipment- Any system with ENERGY STAR will be most efficient. If your system is more than a decade old, it may be time to replace. Though the upfront cost may be a bit much, the new HVAC system will pay for itself in just a few Washington winters.
When it comes time to service your Heating, ventilation, and air condition (HVAC) system, trust the professionals at Sturm Heating & Air Conditioning. We’ve been serving the Spokane, Washington and Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho and surrounding areas since 1945. We service all brands, but we specialize in Trane, Amanda, Mitsubishi, Rheem, Ruud, Daikin, and Honeywell. To set an appointment, give us a call at (509) 325-4505.
Dust and mold are often unseen to the naked eye, but can wreak havoc on the health of allergy sufferers. While you probably take the time to clean areas of your home where you know they will build up, what is lurking behind the walls in your home is quite often another story. Air ducts are a great place for dust and mold and other pollutants to proliferate and thrive. The warm environment allows mold spores to grow, and the forced air does its part to blow dust and other allergens all over your home. Here are five reasons you should consider getting your air ducts cleaned today.
1.Mold – Many homes in our area have basements where typically your HVAC system is housed. Because basements are at least partially underground, they can become damp and even wet. In addition to warmth, excess moisture is exactly what mold needs to thrive, which then moves into your air ducts.
2.Dust – Have you ever noticed how dust is far more plentiful during months when you are running your heat or air conditioning? This is because the dust that lives in your air ducts is being blown back into your home. Additionally, if you live in new construction or recently remodeled, drywall dust and construction debris can also find their way into your vents.
3.Pet hair – Similar to dust and mold, fur from your four-legged friends can also become trapped in your air ducts. Even if you don’t own a pet, if you recently purchased a home, fur and dander from the previous owner’s pets can be blowing around your home long after they have vacated the property.
4.Allergies – Ifyou or someone else in your home suffers from allergies, dirty air ducts can hold bacteria, mold, fungi and other allergens which could make you or your loved one suffer being inside.
5.Efficient heating – If your ductwork is not properly cleaned and is filled with hair, dust, mold and other pollutants, the air that is supposed to flow through it will not circulate as efficiently, making your furnace and air conditioning work harder and longer to get your home to the desired temperature. Thus, using more energy and wearing out your furnace long before its time.
The HVAC experts at Sturm Heating and Cooling have been keeping residents in Spokane and surrounding communities comfortable since 1945. Contact us today about our duct cleaning services.
Did you know the average American spends 90% of their day indoors? Or that indoor air pollution levels are 2-5 times higher than outdoor air pollution levels? With numbers like these, we can’t afford to be careless about our indoor air quality, especially because imperfect air can lead to a variety of health problems. Fortunately, there is a simple solution to improve the air quality of your home.The Air Scrubber Plus effectively removes 99.9% of household toxins, with 90% being eliminated within 30 minutes of use. Keep reading to learn more about how the Air Scrubber Plus can benefit your home!
How Does It Work?
Based on technology developed by NASA to keep air fresh on the International Space Station, the Air Scrubber Plus adapts this technology to home use. The Air Scrubber Plus works with your home’s HVAC system, being installed above the air handler.It effectively draws your home’s air in and kills any unwanted microorganisms that cause indoor air pollution.
As the source of indoor pollution slowly die off, your home becomes a healthier place! Install the Air Scrubber Plus and you will see a reduction in…
•Chemical Odors
•Dust
•Mold
•Cigarette Smoke
•Pet Odors
•Cooking Smells
•Environmental Toxins
If you suffer from allergies or seasonal colds, an Air Scrubber Plus could be the investment you’ve been looking for! The difference in air quality is noticeable almost immediately; the air is fresher and the surfaces are cleaner, with an up to 99% reduction in contaminants on surfaces like kitchen sinks, keyboards, and doorknobs. Additionally, the Air Scrubber Plus extends the life of your HVAC system. It traps loose dirt, dust, and pollen before they pass through the filters and keeps your system running efficiently.
If you are ready to enhance the air quality in your home, Air Scrubber Plus is the ultimate purification system! To learn more about the benefits of the Air Scrubber Plus, contact Sturm Heating & Air Conditioning by phone at (509) 325-4505. We’d be happy to serve you with enhanced indoor air quality!
