What You Need To Know Before Replacing Your AC Unit?

Your AC unit works tirelessly all summer to ensure a comfortable indoor environment. If you are a homeowner, there are a few things you need to know about how an air conditioning system works. How long have you had your AC unit in your home? If it is 10 or 15 years old, it might be time to start thinking about replacing your AC system.

Here are a few things you should consider first:

• Should you replace all parts of an HVAC System? Yes. A mismatched system may not deliver the energy efficiency or performance you need. Therefore it is best to replace a heating system at the same time you replace an AC unit.
• Should you invest in programmable thermostats? Programmable thermostats allow you to program your settings to automatically adjust heating and cooling levels.
•  What is SEER rating? Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio is the measurement of system efficiency. The U.S. Department of Energy requires HVAC systems have a minimum rating of 13. However, the higher the SEER rating the more money you will save on operational costs.
• Do you care about comfort, energy costs or the environment? Today’s energy efficient units combine superior comfort for your home while saving money.
• Should you repair or replace your AC unit? If your system is over 10 years old, there’s a chance that it is not energy efficient. An energy efficient unit will help you save anywhere upwards to 30% on your energy bill.
• Who should you call? Professional HVAC technicians have experience doing the job right the first time. Before setting up an appointment, make sure they are certified, licensed and insured. 

A new air conditioning system can save you time and money by working more efficiently. If you have any questions about replacing your current air conditioning unit or would like to speak with a professional about your options, contact Blue Flame Heating & Air Conditioning. Our professionals have years of experience in both residential and commercial air conditioning including installation, replacement, repair and maintenance.

To schedule your free estimate, give us a call at 509-536-0186.

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!

Why You Should Change The Filter On Your Air Conditioning System?

As we get deeper into the heat of summer, you will likely be turning your air conditioning unit on more and more.  One of the easiest and most important ways to keep your AC running smoothly is by changing the filter.  Almost every air conditioning system has a filter and its job is to remove particles from the air and keep your air conditioner clean.

Changing your unit’s filter regularly ensures your system will run more efficiently and maintain better air quality. Experts recommend that you check your unit’s air filter monthly and change it every 1-3 months. 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 extending the life of your unit.  

Because an air filter affects indoor air quality, it is important to inspect heating and air conditioning filters regularly for your safety. Replace it if it looks brown, dirty, or clogged. Always replace a filter that feels damp, to prevent mold growth. Indoor air quality is important for everyone, but if someone in the home suffers from allergies, asthma, or other respiratory problems, it is especially important to make sure the unit is running with a clean filter. Those who run their units year-round, own pets, smoke, or have had construction or a wildfire in the area should also change the filter more frequently.

Replacing your heating and air conditioning filter regularly is a simple and cost-effective way to avoid costly repairs and replacements. It is also an easy step to take towards lowering your energy bill, reducing carbon emissions, and maintaining a clean indoor air environment. Avoiding an overworked, inefficient unit will help keep your heating and air conditioning unit in operation and cut down on allergens and pollutants in your home.

At Blue Flame Heating & Air Conditioning LLC, we have over 20 years of heating and air conditioning experience in the Spokane area!  Whether you are looking for preventative maintenance or are in need of a new HVAC system to keep your home cool, our professionals can help.  Give us a call at 509-536-0186 to set up a FREE consultation to discuss your air conditioning needs this summer.

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!

Springtime and Indoor Allergens

Almost everyone is happy when spring comes around, but there is one unfortunate drawback to the warmer weather... allergies. Seasonal allergies affect as many as 50 million Americans, making springtime a less pleasant time of year than it really should be. Although, there's not much you can do about seasonal outdoor allergens like pollen in the air; there are solutions for indoor air pollution - an arguably bigger problem for allergy sufferers.

Since indoor air pollution levels are two to five times higher than outdoor air pollution levels and we spend a good deal of our time indoors, the air quality we breathe indoors should be of the utmost importance. Regular maintenance of your HVAC system can improve indoor air quality and reduce allergens throughout the home.

• Replace filters. Use high-quality filters or permanent HEPA filters, which remove more than 90% of microscopic particles, drastically reducing indoor allergens. For replaceable filters, consider changing them every three months. For permanent HEPA filters, clean them or have them cleaned regularly.
• Keep your HVAC unit clean. Check your outdoor AC unit and indoor unit to make sure they are free of dust and debris. If you r unit is left dusty or dirty, that debris will be sucked into the HVAC system and circulated throughout your home. Keeping your units clean will reduce allergens. 
• Check for mold. Mold is one of the most dangerous indoor pollutants that can be in your home. You should be checking your air ducts, drip pan and drain, evaporator coils, and air handler every few weeks to make sure there is no mold growth. Mold spores cause allergies and in some cases if left unchecked, they cause serious illness and even death.
• Dust regularly. When dusting your home, you should dust your air registers and return vents first. If your registers and vents are dusty, then they will circulate dust to the rest of your home. And cleaning them with a damp cloth instead of a feather-duster will pick up the dust rather than just redistributing it elsewhere.
• Schedule HVAC maintenance. Spring is a great time to schedule an HVAC maintenance appointment. Regular professional maintenance is important to keep your system healthy and free of dust and blockage.

If you're due for new filters or maintenance on your HVAC system, choose Blue Flame Heating & Air Conditioning LLC! We know the importance of indoor air quality for you and your family. We also recommend the Air Scrubber Plus purification system for your home. Air Scrubber Plus offers the only environmental technology that is proven to actually reduce contaminants in the air and surfaces of the home. The difference in air quality is noticeable; 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. Dust, allergens, mildew and odor-causing bacteria are proven to be significantly reduced from the indoor environment with Air Scrubber Plus, which is available through Blue Flame Heating & Air Conditioning LLC! With our help, allergy sufferers will be able to breathe easier this spring.

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!