5 Tips to Enhance Air Quality this Fall

With the cold weather here, our windows are closed and the furnaces are working hard to keep us warm. Both fall and winter can be tough times for indoor air quality. Reduced air circulation inside our home traps dust, allergens, mildew, toxins or other bacteria in the air, causing your home to have poor indoor air quality. It’s important to tackle these air quality problems head on.

If you would like to improve your home’s indoor air quality this season, here are a few tips to help solve the air quality problems in your home!

Purify Your Air: New technology has made it easier for pollutants and contaminants to be removed from the air. For example, Blue Flame Heating & Air Conditioning LLC offers AccuClean™ Air Cleaners and Whole-Home Filtration Systems that remove up to 99.98% of the allergens in your home. This means you can breath easier and safer without any extra hassle.

Clean Regularly: Dust and toxins can accumulate in your home. It’s important to vacuum, dust and clean regularly to reduce the build up of allergens in your home. There are also products available that can help keep your air fresher and cleaner for longer.

Open Up: One of the best ways to improve indoor air quality is with circulation of fresh air. The weather might be cooling down but it’s a good idea to open your windows or doors to let in fresh air.

Change Air Filters: When is the last time you replaced your air filter? Air filters should be checked and cleaned every 3 months and changed anywhere from 6 months to a year.

Clean Ducts: Have you cleaned your ducts lately? Over the years, air ducts can become contaminated with dust, mold, particles and even debris. Cleaning ductwork can be easily done with a vacuum or brush. Additionally, you can hire a professional to get the cleaning done properly.

At Blue Flame Heating & Air Conditioning LLC, we know the importance of indoor air quality. Our technicians can help you take the necessary steps to reduce pollutants and ensure your home or office has good, clean air circulating. If you need help cleaning your ductwork or would like to install an air purifier, contact Blue Flame Heating & Air Conditioning today!

Spring Energy Savings Tips

Springtime in the Spokane area can bring with it sunny warm days and cool crisp evenings. This often means fluctuating temperatures as Mother Nature gets ready for summer. Keeping up with the ebb and flow of irregular temperature shifts can lead to energy inefficiencies.  Here are seven tips to save money on energy costs in the spring months:

1. Open the windows – One of the benefits of spring is that the hot days of summer, that often require air conditioning, have not yet arrived. Opening the windows allows you to bring the spring air into your house to create pleasant cross ventilation in your home. These breezes will naturally warm or cool your home and keep your surroundings comfortable.
2. Service your air conditioner – Although the spring months do not generally require air conditioning, they are the perfect time to give your unit a check-up to be prepared for the warm summer temperatures ahead. A properly running air conditioner combined with clean air filters can reduce energy consumption by up to 15 percent.  
3. Turn on ceiling fans – Like cross ventilation from open windows, ceiling fans use minimal energy and can also help to circulate comfortable air flow throughout your house.
4. Keep the oven off – Spring is the perfect time to grill in the great outdoors. In addition to enjoying a delicious meal, you will have the added benefit of keeping the warm air caused by cooking out of your home.
5. Let the sunshine in – Open up your shades and allow natural light to spill into your home. Sunny days mean you can use a minimal amount artificial lighting sources.
6. Close the blinds – On those unseasonably warm days, closing window treatments can actually keep your home cooler. Consider looking into energy efficient window treatments that can save money in both warm and cold temperatures.
7. Seal up the holes – Cold winter temperatures can cause your home to expand and contract. Take some time to examine the exterior of your house for any gaps that could cause air leaks. Use caulking to close up these holes to keep your home properly sealed.

Contact the experts at Blue Flame Heating and Air Conditioning for even more energy saving ideas and don’t forget to schedule your annual air conditioning servicing!