4 Money Saving HVAC Tips for Summer

During the hot summer weather, it’s more important than ever to have a comfortable home environment to cool down. Summer is the time of year when your AC unit works tirelessly to combat the heat. One of the easiest and most efficient ways to keep your HVAC system running smoothly is with preventative maintenance. In order to save money and energy, try these simple steps!

Programmable Thermostat:

Saving energy is as simple as utilizing a programmable thermostat. “Smart” thermostats allow you to program your settings to automatically adjust heating and cooling levels. This is more energy efficient and will save you money in the long run.

Change Air Filters:

Replacing your air filter regularly is a simple and cost-effective way to avoid costly repairs. A filter clogged with dust or pet dander makes the unit work harder to heat and cool your home. Having a clean filter allows air to circulate more freely through the system, saving you energy costs and reducing your bill.

Clean Outside Unit:

Do you have plants growing around your air conditioning unit? After a long winter, your outdoor unit is likely in need of some TLC. Remove any excess plants, dirt and debris on and around your AC unit that may be interfering with the ability to function. We recommend at least a foot of space cleared around the unit for maximum efficiency.

Call a Professional:

While it’s easy to give your HVAC system a once-over, a professional will be able to thoroughly check all parts of a unit to ensure it is running at peak efficiency. Professional technicians know when a filter should be changed, how to clean an evaporator coil and the repairs necessary to keep your home cool.

If you need assistance with preventative maintenance or have a cooling emergency, Blue Flame Heating and Air Conditioning LLC is here to help! We are fully licensed and insured to provide you with a range of commercial/residential HVAC services. Give our trained technicians a call at 509-536-0186 to discuss your cooling needs!

Home Automation Systems

Often called "smart homes", home automation systems were once only found in larger commercial buildings and expensive homes. Nowadays, anyone can have a "smart home"!

Smart homes provide their owners with convenience, comfort, security, and energy efficiency. But what are they, exactly? Home automation describes homes in which nearly everything - lights, appliances, outlets, plugged-in electronics, heating & cooling systems - are hooked up to a remote network, usually controlled by smartphone. From a home security perspective, this also includes your alarm system, and all of the doors, windows, locks, smoke detectors, surveillance cameras and any other sensors that are linked to it.

There are two main characteristics of home automation systems:

• Automation - this refers to the ability to program and schedule events for all the devices hooked up to your "smart home" network. The programming may include time-related commands like having your lights turn on or off at specific times each day. It also includes non-scheduled events, such as turning on all the lights in your home when your security system alarm is triggered.
• Remote Control - thanks to the rise in smartphones, tablets, cellular data and Wi-Fi, we can now readily connect to our home networks while we're away. With monitoring apps on your smartphone, you can check your security system's status, whether any lights were left on, if the doors are all locked, and your home's current temperature all while you're out and about, and make changes remotely if needed. In addition to monitoring these systems while away, you can also program your home automation system to send text alerts straight to your phone in the event of a problem.

At Blue Flame Heating & Air Conditioning, we used Nexia home automation systems. Nexia operates on Z-Wave technology, one of the most widely adopted smart home platforms that allows Nexia to work with some of the world's most trusted brands, including GE, Honeywell, and Schlage - to name a few. That means you're free to build your smart home with the brands you know and love! There are so many benefits to having a Nexia home automation system installed in your home. Give Blue Flame Heating & Air Conditioning a call at 509-536-0186 to learn more about home to turn your home into a Smart Home!

Why You Should Care About Indoor Air

We learned about it in school, we hear about it on the news: pollution. Most of the time, the topic is outdoor air pollution, like greenhouse gas emissions and big-city smog. But did you know that in most cases, indoor air is two to five times more polluted than outdoor air? Our quest to conserve energy indoors by sealing up every nook and cranny in our homes and office restricts fresh airflow, causing pollutants to become trapped indoors. Poor air quality where you spend the majority of your time can have serious complications. It can lead to headaches, fatigue, allergies, and worse.

Indoor pollution is a problem in all types of homes, regardless of size, inhabitants, or location. Common indoor pollutants are:

• Combustion sources: gas, oil, kerosene, fireplaces, tobacco smoke
• Building materials: insulation, carpet, cabinetry, and other pressed wood products
• Chemical products: cleaning products, personal care products, glues & pastes
• Outdoor sources: radon, pesticides, pollen, outdoor air pollution
• Other: pet dander, dust mites, mold, viruses

So what can you do? Ideally you’ll want to keep pollutants out in the first place. Have your HVAC system checked out by a licensed contractor to ensure it’s in good working condition. At Blue Flame Heating & Air Conditioning, we are experts in air quality. We can look at your current HVAC system and/or install a new HVAC system that ensures optimum indoor air quality. We offer installation and service of air filtration systems, which is a great way to improve air quality in your home or office. Since you and your family spend about 90% of your time indoors, be sure you’re in the purest, safest environment possible.

Call Blue Flame Heating & Air Conditioning at 509-536-0186 to see what we can do to improve your indoor air quality!

Preventative Maintenance For Your Heating and Cooling System

During the cold January weather, a strong heating system is a must for your home or business. While many people wait for something to go wrong, it's best to have your HVAC system regularly maintained. Preventative maintenance keeps your heating and air conditioning equipment running as efficiently as possible. After all, heating and cooling maintenance isn't expensive compared to what you might need to spend if your system stops working.

Check out our preventative maintenance tips for your heating and cooling systems:

When to Service:
Your heating system runs endlessly in winter and your air conditioning unit works tirelessly in summer. To ensure your system is working properly, we recommend getting your HVAC cleaned and serviced twice a year – before summer and before winter. This will bring a circulation of fresh air before the busy seasons.

What to Check For:
Like most mechanical equipment, parts of your heating and cooling system need certain upkeep to work properly. When inspecting your air conditioning system, check the filters for dirt and soot. If a dirty filter is not cleaned or changed, your HVAC might run less efficiently. Some other important parts to inspect and replace include condenser coils, drive belts, electrical relays, contractors, lubricants and fluids.

Why Is Maintenance Important:
Maintenance in your HVAC system means improved performance, improved air quality, extended life and energy efficiency. Without regular maintenance, you would not find broken, worn, or dirty parts that have negative effect on air quality.

Seek Professional Advice:
The first place to turn when you have questions about your HVAC system is Blue Flame Heating & Air Conditioning. Whether you need service at your home or business, we can help. With over 20 years of experience, our professional team can provide you with all of your preventative maintenance needs.

To learn more about the preventative maintenance service available at Blue Flame Heating & Air Conditioning, browse our website or call 509-536-0186.