How to Change a Thermostat Battery

Having a dead or dying thermostat battery can be a frustrating situation, causing your HVAC system to function intermittently or even become unresponsive. Worse still, modern “smart” thermostats often require battery replacement much more often than their analog ancestors. Luckily, the vast majority of thermostat batteries are simple to replace and an excellent job for the intrepid DIY fan. Determine the Model of Your Thermostat Thermostats come in all shapes and sizes, and there are more being created each day. Thus, it is impossible to know which style of battery each one uses. The quickest way to determine the requirements for your thermostat is to research the specific model. Typically, the front of your thermostat will list the manufacturer and the model of your unit. A quick search on your favorite search engine will help determine the specific battery type and procedure to replace the battery. Order the Battery It is very common for thermostat batteries to be a non-standard size. Whether they use doorbell batteries or watch batteries, a thermostat will likely require something a bit more exotic than the AA’s you have in the kitchen junk drawer. Therefore, it is best to plan ahead when you suspect your...

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Indoor Air Quality and Academic Performance

While education facilities exist to motivate, engage and promote learning, many schools and universities across the nation still suffer from poor indoor air quality. A large range of building conditions such as water damage, lack of humidity control and poor ventilation can increase the likelihood of bad IAQ. Indoor pollutants like allergens, mold, mildew and volatile organic compounds can put students at risk for a variety of ailments, which could have an adverse on academic performance. The following are just two ways poor indoor air quality can hurt long-term academic performance. 1. Absenteeism Polluted air can contribute to uncomfortable learning environments for both teachers and students. When indoor air quality is less-than-ideal, individuals can experience symptoms like congestion, coughing, watery eyes, severe allergies, dizziness, nausea and headaches. Over time, symptoms like these can cause unnecessary absenteeism. 2. Decreased Academic Performance Indoor air pollution may be a contributing factor to decreased academic performance, especially when levels fall below U.S. Environmental Protection Agency guidelines. When students are regularly exposed to indoor air toxins, their ability to concentrate and retain information may significantly diminish. What Facilities Can Do to Improve Indoor Air Quality Creating a healthy learning environment that encourages academic performance and...

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How Does a Water Heater Work

Most homes in the United States rely on a conventional storage water heater for their hot water. These are usually either electric or natural gas, depending upon which energy source is less expensive in a given area. Although they are vital pieces of equipment in a normal residence, the homeowner usually doesn’t quite grasp how the hot water is produced. Here are the basic principles of how your water heater works. Dip Tube, Burner and Chimney Coldwater is brought into the water heater through a dip tube. The dip tube enters the top of your water heater and extends down to the bottom where it is heated by either electricity or the combustion of gas. After gas burns, its remnants are moved up through a chimney and out of your house. The chimney also warms the water around it. Heat-Out Pipe and Thermostat A heat-out pipe is the means by which heated water gets into your home’s plumbing system. When you turn on a hot water faucet, cold water enters the water heater through the dip tube. This displaces the hot water already there and pushes it into the heat-out pipe. There is a thermostat on the side of your...

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Symptoms of a Dirty Coil

The evaporator coil is one part of an air conditioner that can cause problems when long-term maintenance is neglected. Its job is to absorb heat from your living space and transfer it elsewhere. When it becomes dirty, its ability to do this efficiently is compromised. There are three main signs that an evaporator coil needs cleaning. Air Conditioning Loses Cooling Capacity One thing that will be noticeable when the evaporator coil is dirty is that your AC won’t produce air that’s as cold as it should be. When the heat transfer is reduced, the efficiency of the cooling process is impacted. If it becomes clear that the AC isn’t cooling your air, have the evaporator coil inspected. Air Conditioning Runs Longer Another way you might notice a problem is when the AC begins to run for longer cycles to accomplish the same amount of cooling in your home. When the air it produces isn’t as cold, it must produce more air to bring the temperature in your home down to your target. If you notice this happen, the evaporator coil may be the culprit. Coil Develops Frost During Operation An extremely dirty evaporator coil can cause your AC to breakdown...

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Home Comfort Resolutions for 2020

Homeowners who want to increase their indoor comfort don’t need to spend a lot. In fact, there are some simple ways to achieve a more comfortable and reliable response from your heating and air conditioning system. Get started with these home suggestions. Request a Ventilation Inspection Dirty air ducts deliver polluted air. The best way to manage contaminants and pollutants in your system is to keep the ventilation system clean and free of leaks. A skilled technician can check for cracks and missing insulation throughout your home. They can also clean away any normal dirt buildup and spot problem areas that need further repair or replacement. Schedule Seasonal Maintenance A summer and a winter tune-up can put a stop to system failures. A maintenance checkup is different than a ventilation inspection. Maintenance tasks typically include calibrating the system, cleaning components, and testing for leaks in the equipment. Additionally, worn parts can be identified and necessary repairs can be brought to your attention. can send a certified technician to conduct maintenance services for you. We provide system tune-ups for property owners in Eureka and all of Humboldt county. Replace the Filter Monthly Replacing the filter is a simple step that can...

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What To Do If My Furnace Keeps Turning Off

Having problems with your heating system can be exasperating, especially if it is leaving you in the cold. One common problem you may encounter is that your furnace keeps turning off. It blows out a little bit of heat but then it shuts off before you get warm. Here are three things you can look into if this occurs. 1. Check Your Thermostat You may think that since you have not touched it since the last heating season, it should be all right, but go ahead and take a look at it anyway. Does it seem to be working properly? Do the batteries need to be replaced? Another thing to consider with the thermostat is its location. Is it in a line of direct sunlight? Is it close to a heat vent or in a hot location? The location of your thermostat could be causing your furnace to shut off before all areas of your home have been heated. 2. Check Your Filter Your furnace needs air to operate. As the furnace produces heat, air brought through it picks up that heat and disperses it. If your furnace is not getting the proper amount of air, the heat exchanger inside...

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What to Do Before Turning on Your Furnace

While your furnace has been sitting unused, it has gathered dust inside. This decreases its efficiency and can cause fires. Before you turn on your furnace for the year, do these four things to correctly prep it for safe and efficient operation. 1. Schedule Professional Heating Maintenance One of the most important things to do before turning your furnace on for a new season of warming your home is scheduled professional maintenance. can handle your heating maintenance needs in the Eureka, California, area. We complete the tasks you aren’t able to, such as cleaning the furnace’s internal components and inspecting its parts for damage. 2. Remove Items That Are Near the Furnace If you haven’t been using your furnace, you may have put items too close to the furnace that could catch on fire. Check around your heater and remove all items to prevent obstructed airflow and fire hazards. 3. Test Your Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Detectors Carbon monoxide leaks are a potential hazard with running your heating system. With annual maintenance, it’s unlikely you’ll ever experience this problem. However, you want to stay on the safe side and test your carbon monoxide detector before turning on your furnace to...

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What to Know Before Purchasing a New Air Conditioner

When it comes to making sure your home is always comfortable, your AC system plays a huge role. If you’re thinking about upgrading to a new air conditioner from , here’s what you need to do first. When to Replace One of the first things you need to consider before getting a new home AC system is whether or not you actually need one. For starters, a home AC system will usually last between 10 and 16 years, but age is not the only sign it’s time to upgrade. If your AC has a problem that’s going to cost hundreds to fix, you may be better off upgrading to a newer, more efficient model. Choosing a Model While there are a lot of good AC systems out there, you can’t simply choose any of them and expect great results. Before you buy an AC system, it’s important to make sure that you’re finding the right solution for your home. You can shop for models by efficiency, cooling power, extra features and more. Finding the perfect AC for your needs simply means expending some effort. Shop Around Home AC systems aren’t cheap, so you shouldn’t just go throwing your money at...

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Which AC System is Best for You?

If you’ve decided to make your home or commercial space more comfortable, you’ll need to find the right AC system. Read on to learn about some of the most common options on the market today. Window AC Units Window AC systems are a great option if you need to cool a relatively small space. They are also fairly affordable and can usually be self-installed. However, before you rush out and buy a window unit, you should also be aware that they can be quite noisy and ineffective at cooling large, open areas. Portable AC Units Portable cooling systems work in much the same way as their window-based contemporaries. The main difference is that a portable unit stands on the floor instead of being fitted directly into the window. It expels warm air through an exhaust hose that is connected to the window. Portable AC units are best suited to cooling small areas and are very easy to install. However, they do tend to be a little more expensive and less efficient than comparable window units. Ductless AC Units A ductless cooling system can cool your home or business without the need to install ductwork. They are mostly used in older...

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3 Tips for Greater Energy Efficiency

The concept of energy efficiency is beneficial for many reasons. By taking a few steps to lower your carbon footprint, you could find yourself saving the environment and lowering your utility bills. Consider the following ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency. Schedule an Appointment The problem might be with your air conditioning unit itself. In other words, the system might have issues that are causing it not to function properly. These issues might be small, and you may just need some maintenance to get it functioning with greater efficiency. Remember the importance of regular maintenance for the unit. When certain parts aren’t functioning correctly, they can use up more energy. Use When Needed As the temperatures climb, leaving the air conditioner on practically all of the time seems inviting. However, you are certainly using up energy unnecessarily. If you need to leave the air conditioner on when you are out of the room or out of the house, make sure that you have it set to an energy-saving mode. Instead of operating at full blast, the unit can keep the space at only the needed temperature. Then, when you come back to the house or room and want to...

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