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Air Quality Matters

10/13/2018

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Indoor air quality (IAQ) can have an important impact on your health, as indoor air can be 5 times more polluted than outside air. Your air ducts and heating and cooling equipment could be housing and spreading bacteria, viruses, mold and more. 

Luckily, there's a solution to the pollution! Depending on the air quality issues you're facing, there are a number of easy fixes.

Dehumidifiers
In order to make a room comfortable in hot, humid climates, an air conditioner must lower the indoor humidity level as well as the air temperature. If an air conditioner fails to lower the humidity adequately, the air will be cool, but will feel uncomfortably damp. Read More

Duct Cleaning
Dirt, mold, bugs and mites, among other things, are all living in your duct system. Our technicians can get rid of them all with our duct cleaning services. Read More

High Efficiency Filters
Most heating and cooling systems still use a basic air filter. There are several types of permanent air filters available in various efficiencies that can help you filter the air in your home. Read More

Humidifiers
With the proper level of humidity in your home, you will feel more comfortable and breathe easier. You can eliminate that dry eye, nose and throat feeling you have when you wake up in the morning, and even prevent certain cold weather illnesses. Read More

UV Lights
Residential ultraviolet units have been independently tested and proven to be effective in the constantly moving air environments of heating and cooling systems, killing mold and bacteria quickly and effectively. Read More

Your family could be breathing in:
  • Allergens
  • Bacteria
  • Chemicals
  • Dust
  • Dust mites
  • Germs
  • Mold
  • Pet dander
  • Pollen
  • Smoke
  • Viruses
  • And more...

Visit our website to learn more about indoor air quality, and how we can help ensure your family is breathing clean, healthy air.
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Maintaining Your Boiler

9/18/2018

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​Keeping your boiler in optimum shape takes effort. Years of winter heating takes a toll on your boiler system as well as the piping and accessories. Here are some ways you can maximize your boiler’s performance and keep its efficiency up.
 
Check for leaks
If you make this a regular part of your routine, you’ll recognize issues as soon as they happen. You don’t want to discover a boiler leak only after your basement floods.
 
Bleed radiators
Air in a hot water system reduces the heat you get and forces your boiler to work harder, consuming more fuel. At the beginning of every heating season, walk through your home and open the air bleed valve on each radiator to let the air out. Don’t forget to use a bucket to catch the water that comes out once the air escapes.
 
Check and clear flue vent openings
Flue vents are vital for removing by-products of combustion. Blockages can cause gases like carbon monoxide to enter your home, putting your family at risk. A clear vent also ensures that your boiler is working at maximum efficiency.
 
Clear the space around your boiler
Boilers need air for the combustion process. If there isn’t enough air, incomplete combustion will occur, creating increased levels of carbon monoxide. Keep your boiler room clear, paying close attention to the area around the boiler itself. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for clearances and if you’re still not sure, get a professional opinion.
 
Check the color of your boiler’s flame
Your boiler’s flame should be blue. If it’s yellow or smoky, your burner system is malfunctioning and needs immediate attention. Delaying this repair can  result in a fire or carbon monoxide poisoning.
 
Check the water level in your boiler
If water levels drop too low, your boiler can become damaged. This can cause a fire, putting you and your family at risk. Because of this safety issue, getting water levels up is a critical maintenance item.
 
Have the boiler flushed or descaled
Scale buildup compromises heating performance. Keep your boiler working at maximum efficiency by keeping it clean. Follow the boiler manufacturer’s instructions to flush your boiler annually or call in a professional to have it thoroughly cleaned.
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Check the boiler pressure
The boiler pressure gauge should give a reading that is within the manufacturer’s range. If it drops too low, your boiler may not run. If it is too high, your distribution system can become damaged. If you are unsure how to modify your boiler temperature, call in a professional. 

If you're concerned your heating system isn't working as well as it should, or if you have questions about boiler maintenance, give us a call! 
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Radiant Floor Heating Installation

8/10/2018

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This new construction, single family home is using the best heating method, radiant floor heating. Radiant floor heating is extremely comfortable, silent and efficient. This home will feature the latest energy efficient geothermal technology for year round comfort. More photos of this project to come!
Floor heating can be installed in just one room, or an entire house - and in brand new construction, or in existing homes. It provides quieter, cleaner, and more even heating. While it can be a little more costly to install, radiant floor heating saves you money in the long run, because it is more energy efficient than other heating methods.

For more information about radiant floor heating, visit our website here or email us and we will be in touch!
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Lowing Your Energy Costs

7/31/2018

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Can you imagine what lower energy consumption can do for you and your home? Not only will it help save you money, but it will also help your home maintain cooling and heating, to keep you and your family comfortable. Although some people may think that lowering your energy consumption will also lessen the comfort in your home, that's not completely true. You can decrease energy consumption just by removing energy-wasting elements.

Energy Audit

In order to find out where your energy usage is going to waste, you need to run a home energy audit. An energy audit is essentially an inspection of how energy flows and is used in a home, taking into consideration factors that can be addressed to improve energy efficiency in cooling and heating. An audit of your home’s energy efficiency will include comprehensive overviews of your walls, floors, doors, ceilings, and even skylights. This is to determine a leakage rate, which affects the energy consumption of your home.
The energy audit will also show you whether or not your heating and cooling systems are working properly, whether door seals and weather stripping are doing their jobs, and if your insulation is properly installed. Once the audit is complete, you will know what changes need to be made in order for your home’s thermal performance to improve. 

Adopting Energy Saving Measures

Aside from an energy audit, you will also want to adopt energy saving habits. These include the following:
  • Make a Habit of Turning Off – If a room is empty, turn the lights off. If a computer is not in use, turn it off. Turning off electronics when they are not being used will help save you hundreds of dollars in energy costs.
  • Unplug Anything Not in Use – If you want to go a step further, unplug electronics that are not being used. Even when some appliances are turned off, they still consume energy if left plugged in. Some people call this an energy vampire, while others call it an energy leak. Whatever term is used, in order to prevent energy from going to waste and increasing your energy costs, unplugging is recommended.
  • Use Power Strips – If unplugging is too tedious, consider using power strips that you can switch off when not in use. Although they are still plugged in, power strips stop electricity from flowing  when the switch is off.

These are just a few habits you can adopt to help lower your energy costs. Other things to consider include using more energy efficient lighting options, using appliances effectively, and having an energy monitoring meter in your home.

TriState Home Services offers $100 Energy Audits for Maryland Energy Rebate Customers (for homes up to 3000 sq. Ft. with one heating and cooling system).


To request an energy audit or to discover how you can save on energy costs in Frederick, MD or surrounding areas, contact TriState Home Services today. We can help you address these energy wasting issues in your home with services that include insulation, air sealing, ductwork, and more.
Call us today at 866-624-5970 or complete our contact form.
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    Blog Posts

    • Humidity Levels in Your Home
    • Sensi Predict™ - 24/7 HVAC Monitoring
    • Waterproofing & Crawl Space Encapsulating
    • Save Our Planet/Earth Day
    • Beating Spring Allergies
    • Importance of Humidifiers
    • Staying Warm in Winter
    • Geothermal Energy
    • Energy Analysis
    • Lowering Your Energy Costs
    • Air Quality Matters
    • ​Staying Entertained  During Winter
    • Maintaining Your Boiler
    • Radiant Floor Heating Installation
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