If you’re looking for a smart and cost-effective alternative to having a central HVAC system in your Seattle home, you might want to consider the potential of a ductless mini-split system . A mini-split system is a type of HVAC system that works without the ductwork that central systems require to function. Instead, a mini-split system uses an outdoor unit and an indoor unit—connected by wires through a small hole in the wall—in tandem to heat and cool one or more rooms inside your home. Mini-split systems are easy to add to homes that you’ve just moved into, and they’re a terrific way to upgrade your current house as well. If you don’t want to install ductwork, or if your home is small, a mini-split system may be a better option for you than a new central HVAC system. Mini-split systems are one of the most efficient climate control options available, and they are simple and convenient to operate.

If you’re concerned about the quality of the air inside your Seattle home, talk to an HVAC professional about germicidal UV lamps. These lamps are designed to eradicate many of the contaminants that take up residence inside your air conditioning vents , allowing you to breathe cleaner and healthier air at home. You may be wondering, however, just how effective these UV lamps really are. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about germicidal UV lamps—and the answers.

How do UV lamps work? UV lamps emit ultraviolet light, which damages the DNA inside organic pollutants such as bacteria, viruses, and mold spores. When they are aimed at a certain area, UV lamps can kill as much as 99.9% of the organic contaminants in that area.

Do UV lamps work on all pollutants? UV lamps will not eliminate dust, pollen, and other non-organic pollutants. To keep your air conditioning vents clean, you should still be sure to invest in routine cleaning and maintenance from an HVAC professional.

Will I notice my UV lamps at work? The answer is most likely no. UV lamps are silent, and they emit no odor. You probably won’t even notice your lamps at work. Be careful, however, never to look directly at a UV lamp—ultraviolet light is extremely dangerous to your eyesight.

Do UV lamps require any maintenance? You can have your UV lamps checked during your routine HVAC inspections to ensure that they’re working properly. HVAC professionals generally recommend that you replace the bulbs on an annual basis.

Who can benefit from using UV lamps? Clean air is important for everybody, but it may be most important for young children, the elderly, and people who have compromised immune systems. Minimizing exposure to bacteria, viruses, and other hazardous contaminants can make a significant difference in the lives of people who are more vulnerable to illness.

If you’re on the hunt for an energy-efficient alternative to a traditional water heater, a tankless water heater may be perfect for you. Tankless water heaters are more space-efficient than other water heaters, they require less energy to operate, and they guarantee you hot water whenever you need it. If you’ve decided to install a tankless water heater in your Seattle home, you’ll need to talk to an HVAC professional. You’ll also need to decide what brand of tankless water heater you want. To help you narrow down your options, this video provides a handy look at 10 of the best tankless water heaters on the market today.

Maintaining good indoor air quality is essential for your health, and keeping your air ducts clean is key to ensuring that the air inside your house stays clean. Your HVAC system’s ducts are traps for numerous pollutants, including dust, pollen, mold spores, and even bacteria and viruses. If you’re concerned about your indoor air quality, you might consider scheduling professional duct cleaning at your Seattle home. An HVAC expert can thoroughly clean out your air ducts, ensuring that the air circulating through your home will be clean and safe for you to breathe. This is especially important if you or anybody else in your household suffers from allergies. In addition to improving your home air quality, having your ducts cleaned can help to make your HVAC system run more efficiently, which in turn can help to reduce your energy expenses. To keep your air ducts as clean as possible, you may want to have them professionally cleaned every few years.

Are you interested in increasing the quality of your home’s indoor air? If so, then consider services for air duct cleaning near Seattle. If you have central air, then your air conditioner and heater use ductwork to transport conditioned air throughout your home. Over time, buildup can occur within the ducts, or damage to their structure can allow for dirt and moisture to enter the system and lead to mold growth.

If your ducts have mold, dirt, and other debris in them, the particles and spores might be getting pushed into the rooms of your home every time that the system runs. This can lead to reduced indoor air quality caused by air pollutants and allergens.

Having an air conditioner and heater service come to clean out the ducts has the potential to increase your home’s indoor air quality. When the air in your home is cleaner, this can help keep your family healthier and reduce any symptoms that they are experiencing which are related to dust, allergen, or mold exposure. Additionally, cleaner ducts can mean better HVAC efficiency and a longer lifespan for the system.

You have to heat your water somehow, but some methods are much more efficient than others. Standard water heaters can be the right choice in certain situations, but you should also consider the advantages of a tankless water heater in Seattle . This type of heating appliance is convenient, energy-efficient, and inexpensive to operate. If you are in the market for a new water heater, feel free to read on and take a look at tankless water heaters.

If you live in a small space, care about energy-efficiency, and would like to save money on your bills, a tankless water heater may be the way to go. Since this type of water heater does not depend on a large reserve of water, it is much easier to fit one into living spaces of all sizes. The lack of tank also means there is no standby heat loss, which increases the overall efficiency of your water heater and your home. A tankless water heater will heat up your water on the spot, so there is little-to-no waste. This will reduce the cost of your energy bills, allowing you to save money and enjoy a more convenient and efficient household.

Are you considering your different options for air conditioning near Seattle? Mini-split systems offer heating and cooling solutions for areas that lack central air conditioners or heating systems.

Design

Mini-split air conditioners are ductless units that are used to cool a room or area of a building. These units are similar to central systems in that they have both an indoor and outdoor component. Mini-splits consist of an outdoor condenser/compressor and an indoor air-handling unit.

Uses

While there are numerous potential applications for these air conditioners, most often they are installed as retrofit add-ons for buildings that lack a ducted heating system. Examples can include homes that are heated using radiant panels, space heaters, or hot water heat. Mini-split air conditioners are also an excellent cooling solution for small apartments and room additions where it may not be feasible to install ductwork.

Advantages

Due to their small size and the flexibility of their installation, mini-split air conditioners can be used to cool a single area or room. Additionally, many models can have up to 4 indoor handling units connected to a single outdoor condenser/compressor. Because each indoor unit has an individual thermostat, you can save money by cooling only the areas that you wish. Mini-splits also tend to be easier to install than other cooling systems. Most styles require only a 3-inch-wide hole through the wall to connect the indoor and outdoor components, and your indoor air-handling units can be as far as 50 feet from the outdoor apparatus. This allows home and business owners to install the outside section in an inconspicuous place, if necessary.

Disadvantages

The primary drawback that you will face if you opt for a mini-split air conditioner is the cost. These systems will require more investment per ton of cooling capacity when compared to central units, assuming there is already ductwork present, and can cost significantly more than a window cooling unit. Additionally, mini-splits can be more conspicuous than central air vents, but they are generally less obtrusive than window air conditioners.