How Smart is a Smart Thermostat?

Did you know that upgrading to a smart thermostat can cut your energy bills by up to 26%? A thermostat is the brain behind your home’s heating and cooling system, whether that system consists of a heat pump, furnace, boiler, or central AC. By monitoring and controlling the temperature in each part of your home, a responsive thermostat is key to keeping your home comfortable. While thermostat technology has evolved more slowly than smartphones and computers, smart thermostats are changing the game by offering automation, energy savings, and convenience.

Traditional & Programmable Thermostats

Programmable thermostats require you to set the temperature and manually select heating or cooling cycles on the unit itself. Most allow you to schedule temperature adjustments based on seasons, days, and times. These thermostats are cost-effective, and most models let you set different temperatures for multiple times of the day and/or every day of the week. However, they lack the convenience and flexibility of automation, remote access, and voice control.

For years, one of the biggest challenges has been that many consumers find programmable thermostats too difficult to set up. As a result, 40% of programmable thermostat owners don’t use the scheduling feature. Since thermostats only save money when used correctly, this is a major drawback. Some user interface improvements from smart thermostats have trickled down to non-connected models, making them easier to use for consumers who don’t want an internet-connected device.

Smart Thermostats: Features & Benefits

Since smartphones now handle so many aspects of daily life, integrating HVAC control into them makes sense. Smart thermostats allow you to adjust the temperature remotely via a smartphone or computer. Some have multiple sensors to monitor temperatures in different parts of your home for more balanced heating or cooling. These thermostats tend to have simple controls and touchscreen displays that make programming easier.

More importantly, smart thermostats connect to WiFi, allowing you to change the temperature at home through an app—just as easily as checking your bank account balance. These devices can factor in your local weather forecast, learn your temperature preferences using sensors and algorithms, and recommend adjustments for optimal energy savings. Some can even alert you to sudden temperature drops or spikes that could cause damage while you’re away. Smart thermostats provide better HVAC control, reducing energy use and saving money.

Geofencing Technology

One of the most notable improvements in smart thermostats is geofencing. This feature tracks your phone’s location via GPS or RFID to determine whether you are home. The thermostat creates a virtual boundary around your home, adjusting temperatures based on your presence. This prevents energy waste when the house is empty and eliminates the need to manually adjust the thermostat, which often leads to higher energy usage. Unlike traditional scheduling, geofencing allows for more flexibility by adapting to your real-time location rather than a preset timetable.

Smart Sensors & Adaptive Heating/Cooling

Ecobee pioneered the use of wireless remote temperature sensors, which can be placed in various rooms to provide more accurate temperature control. Now, most smart thermostats offer these sensors. They detect room occupancy and adjust heating and cooling accordingly, even using features like "Follow Me" mode to prioritize active rooms. Additionally, new smart air vents can redirect airflow in forced-air systems, improving overall efficiency. Many smart thermostats integrate with voice assistants like Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit/Siri, and Google Assistant for hands-free control.

Choosing the Right Thermostat for Your Home

Smart thermostats are becoming more affordable, making energy savings accessible to more homeowners. Many energy providers offer rebates for installing a smart thermostat, further reducing the cost. However, not all smart thermostats are compatible with every home’s HVAC system. Some models may not work with multi-stage heat pump or zoned systems, and some homes may require updated thermostat wiring. Initial setup and programming often require assistance from a heating and cooling specialist.

If you're considering upgrading to a smart thermostat, contact a local HVAC professional to find the best option for your home. A well-chosen thermostat can maximize comfort, optimize energy use, and save you money in the long run.

Is Your HVAC System Ready for the Holidays?

As we move into the holiday season, many of us will be inviting guests into our homes. Is your HVAC system running efficiently and your air as clean as possible, so you don’t have to add that worry to your list? Here are some tips to prepare your system for Thanksgiving and the upcoming holiday season.

Dust Your Home and Air Vents:

Dusting your home and air vents can improve the air quality of your home and can put less strain on your heating system. Dust enters your system through the return air covers and will cause your system to work harder by clogging the filters and too much dust in your system causes the blower to circulate the dust to every room of your home.

Change Your Air Filter:

A dirty filter will make your HVAC system work harder to heat your home. With all the extra guests coming to your home, it’s a good idea to clean or change your air filter before they arrive. This will ensure that clean air will be traveling through your home and that your HVAC equipment is running as efficiently as possible.

Turn Your Thermostat Down a Few Degrees:

Thanksgiving meals usually require a lot of baking and use of the oven and stove, so your home will heat up quickly. To save on your heating bills during Thanksgiving, turn the thermostat down before you begin cooking or if you are traveling and won’t be home for Thanksgiving.

Consider an Air Filtration or Air Purification System for Better Indoor Air Quality:

Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the holiday season, but this time of year is also flu season. Consider getting a whole home UV air purification system to improve the air quality of your home and better protect you and your family from airborne illnesses and allergens. Our REMI HALO kills bacteria, viruses, molds, odors and allergens in the air and on all surfaces throughout your home.

Have your system and stoves and fireplaces maintained, if you haven’t already:

Regular HVAC system maintenance is crucial for maintaining optimal performance, energy efficiency, indoor air quality, safety, and cost savings. Maintenance performed by a licensed technician helps prevent potential issues and the dreaded emergency call, extends the lifespan of your equipment, and ensures your system is operating at peak efficiency without overworking, which translates to lower utility bills and a more comfortable living environment.

We hope these tips help prepare you and your HVAC system for Thanksgiving and the upcoming holidays. If you need any air quality, heat pump, furnace, minisplit, stove or fireplace service, call your trusted Lake Creek Comfort team at 208-661-3957 or visit our website at www.lakecreekhvac.com and fill out our contact form. We will be watching. We wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving, a Merry Christmas and a Wonderful New Year!

Biomass Fireplace and Stove Safety

Regency F3500 Medium Wood Stove

Fire has always fascinated mankind and from the very first fire it has become a distinctive way of life. Building a fire with your own hands brings a feeling of accomplishment, but even more, it brings a sense of freedom, strength and independence. Even the coldest North Idaho winter day is no match for an energy-efficient, expertly installed wood stove. Wood stoves create ambiance and keep our homes warm independent of the energy grid by allowing us to burn locally sourced wood. But would you be surprised to hear that Idaho residents are some of the top polluters in the nation when it comes to fine particle emissions from wood-burning stoves and fireplaces? Especially in Northern Idaho, where we have a cold climate and lots of national forest land with easy access to firewood. Wood heat is one of the most economical forms of heat for some people, it brings a sense of comfort and romance into our homes. There are many things we can do to help make the use of wood burning stoves safer, more environmentally healthy, and even save money.

Start with the right stove.

Particles from wood burning are especially dangerous because they can get deep into our organs, harming not just our lungs, but also our blood vessels, hearts and brains. Wood smoke can cause coughing and asthma attacks, and may also lead to serious health issues including heart attacks, strokes and premature death. The Environmental Protection Agency has stepped in by requiring manufacturers to produce stoves that are much more efficient in the way they burn. New stoves now have to meet much more rigorous EPA standards, no more than 4.5 grams of smoke per hour compared to older stoves that release 15 to 30 grams of smoke per hour. These new rules state that any home that is sold must have a current EPA Certified stove. It’s important to make sure when you buy a home with a stove installed, that the stove meets new EPA standards and was permitted when installed because most Homeowner’s Insurance will no longer insure a home with a stove that does not meet these requirements. You can contact your local DEQ office or Hearth Specialist to help you make sure your stove does meet these requirements. If you find yourself having to replace a stove, make sure to also ask about the Federal Rebates that are available for the purchase and installation of a new EPA Certified Wood Stove. These tax credits allow eligible consumers to claim a 30% tax reduction based on the complete cost, both the stove and the installation on qualifying wood and pellet stoves, including inserts.

These new stoves are 50% more efficient. This means you save money by using less wood, increase safety because there is less risk of creosote buildup and house fires, reduce air pollution by 70%, and reduce health problems from smoke and particulates.  New stoves burn the wood, then secondary burn tubes burn the smoke, and a catalytic converter burns the smoke again. The new stoves have longer burn times and provide more heat from the same amount of wood. When we burn good, dry wood and have proper air supply, we will not see any smoke coming from chimney, only heat waves.

Choose the right size stove! So many people want the biggest. Biggest isn’t always best. If a stove is bigger than the house needs, you end up dampering it down because it’s too hot and this just creates more air pollution and creosote in the chimney.

Some people may have told you these new EPA Certified stoves are terrible to get a fire started in. New stoves are harder to start, it is harder to heat the flue and get a good draft because of the efficient burn. Houses are tighter than they used to be which just causes more difficulties, we often need to crack a window or door near stove to get it going without smoking the house up. There are products to help with drafting issues, such as the Atmosfire Draw Collar. Ask your local hearth specialist about installing one of these if you have difficulties.

Use the right wood.

Firewood is an essential component to a cozy, warm fire. But not all firewood is created equal. Some woods burn hotter and longer and produce less smoke. In general, the best firewood is a harder wood because it is denser, has low resin content, and burns longer, hotter and slower. Some softwoods, such as Douglas Fir, are popular in our area because they burn fast with a high heat output. Other softwoods, such as pine and cedar, are not recommended because they have a very low density and high resin content which causes a lot of creosote in the chimney. Never use treated wood or trash wood in your wood burning stove.

No matter what kind of wood you choose, the most important thing is to ensure it is seasoned and dry. Wet wood will result in incomplete combustion, more smoke, and dangerous creosote buildup in the chimney. Dry wood is easier to start a fire, burns hotter, uses less wood for the same amount of heat, reduces creosote buildup, decreases the chance of chimney fires, produces less smoke and air pollution, and is better for our health. Seasoned firewood is wood that has been air-dried for an extended period of time- at least 6-12 months. It should be stored in a covered area. You can purchase a moisture meter to be certain your wood is ready to burn efficiently. They are simple to use - split a piece of wood, test in newly split side by inserting the probes into wood grain. You want no more than 15-20% moisture in your wood.

Maintenance tips.

·        Carbon monoxide is a concern with any appliance where combustion is present, this includes wood burning stoves and fireplaces so installing carbon monoxide detectors is highly recommended and required by most state codes.

·        Proper venting and clearances to combustibles is very important and should be done by a licensed hearth specialist to ensure safety.

·        Do not use starters such as gas, kerosene, charcoal starter, or a propane torch to start your fire. The best things to start your fire with are crumpled newspaper and dry kindling. Make sure you allow plenty of air to get your fire burning and heat the flue before adding more wood – this drafts the smoke out and not in your house.

·        Do not let your stove smolder. When you reduce air supply to the fire, it increases pollution and does little for heating.

·        Keep ash cleaned out and away from appliance. Place in a metal container away from your house or other combustibles until cool.

·        Keep your chimney clean. A clean chimney allows for better draft and less risk of fire.

·        An Atmosfire thermal fan can help to move the heat out into the room when there is a power outage and your blower doesn’t work.

The ambiance and heat provided by burning wood will always be a popular choice for heating our homes. To maintain our health and prevent house fires, we need to ensure that the stoves we use are up to the newest EPA standards, installed safely and properly by a licensed hearth installer, burned and maintained properly and ensure we are using properly dry, seasoned wood. As long as we follow these guidelines, we can build a nice fire, grab a good book and cup of coffee and sit back and relax.

Sizing Up Comfort - The Importance of Manual J Load Calculations and Duct Designs in HVAC Systems

The pursuit of a comfortable home is an age-old endeavor that can be very complex, but when reached, is very rewarding. Today, the journey to a comfortable home involves some rather precise science, including Manual J Load Calculations and meticulous duct designs. These HVAC concepts may sound intimidating, but their importance cannot be overstated when it comes to ensuring properly sized HVAC equipment for your homes. This article will demystify these critical elements and reveal why they're paramount to creating a comfortable home for home buyers, homeowners, and contractors.

Decoding Manual J Load Calculations

In the world of Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC), Manual J is the bible for residential load calculation. Developed by the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA), it represents a methodology for estimating the amount of heating and cooling a home needs to maintain desired temperatures, factoring in variables such as local climate, sun exposure, room by room home size, layout and construction of the home, insulation R-values, windows, number of occupants and appliances, and more.

Load calculations are critical for determining the proper size of HVAC equipment. The capacity of the equipment is very important as well. We must properly measure the amount of heating and cooling the equipment can deliver. But why is the size so important? Too small of a system will struggle to maintain a comfortable temperature during peak weather conditions, leading to longer run times, excessive wear and tear, and higher energy bills. A system that is too large will cycle on and off more frequently, resulting in uneven temperatures, more frequent repairs, and reduced lifespan of your equipment.

The Goldilocks principle applies here—your HVAC system should be "just right". Manual J Load Calculations help achieve this balance, ensuring your HVAC system is perfectly sized to your home's unique requirements.

The Blueprint of Comfort: Duct Design

Once the load calculations are done, the next step is designing the ductwork. Duct design is the architectural plan for how the conditioned air will be distributed throughout your home. This involves considering factors such as equipment size and blower speed, duct sizes, location, and materials to ensure optimal airflow and efficiency.

Poor duct design can lead to a myriad of problems. Inadequate or uneven cooling and heating, noisy operation, increased energy usage, and even premature system failure can all be the result of poorly planned ductwork. A well-designed duct system minimizes these risks, delivering optimal home comfort while also supporting the efficiency and longevity of your HVAC system.

HVAC Sizing: The Key to Home Comfort

 Understanding the importance of proper HVAC sizing and duct design leads to the understanding that home comfort is more than just installing an HVAC system. It's about designing and sizing a system that meets your specific needs. Proper HVAC sizing:

·         Ensures consistent, optimal comfort: A properly sized HVAC system delivers the right amount of conditioned air to every room, ensuring a comfortable, consistent temperature throughout your home.

·         Improves energy efficiency: When your HVAC system is correctly sized, it doesn't need to work as hard to maintain your desired temperature, leading to lower energy bills.

·         Reduces wear and tear: Oversized or undersized systems cycle on and off more frequently, causing more wear and tear. The right size reduces this stress, prolonging your system's lifespan.

·         Enhances air quality: An optimally sized HVAC system promotes better air circulation, which can improve your home's indoor air quality.

Whether you're a home buyer seeking the perfect home, a homeowner looking to enhance your comfort, or a contractor aiming to provide the best service, understanding the importance of Manual J Load Calculations and duct design is key. Your HVAC system is a big investment and you want to ensure it is the correct size. By ensuring your HVAC system is just the right size, you can create a home that's not just comfortable, but efficient and healthy too. Because in the grand scheme of home comfort, size truly does matter.

Call Lake Creek Comfort for more information on sizing your new HVAC equipment: 208-661-3957.

DIY Maintenance of your Outdoor AC or Heat Pump Unit is Important

Lennox Air Conditioner

As spring and summer weather approach, it is a great time to think about maintenance guidelines for your outdoor air conditioner or heat pump. These tips will help ensure you have better efficiency, longer life and easier service for your system.

There are a few things you can do to ensure a long, efficient life of your outdoor unit. Ensure good air flow around the outdoor unit. Don’t stack things on top of the unit. If the fan is on top of the unit, the airflow cannot be restricted. Do not put your rolled-up garden hose or landscaping products on the unit. We do see this all the time! The number one reminder is to keep the outdoor condenser coils clean. If they get dirty, you will want to reach out to your HVAC specialist for a coil cleaning. There are many things you can do to help keep the coil clean and in good shape.

A base of stones or a pad surrounding the unit will help keep the coils clean from dirt and grass.  Do not allow grass, weeds, or other plants to grow too close to the unit. This causes pollen, seeds, and debris to clog the coil. Shrubs can help provide a windbreak, sound barrier and shading, but ensure they are far enough away from the unit as not to interfere with the performance or servicing of the unit (three feet is a good amount to provide). It is important to consider the future when planting new shrubs, plan for growth – five, ten, even fifteen years down the road.

When mowing the lawn, direct the mower away from the unit. A coil blocked with grass clippings and debris drastically reduces efficiency. When using a weed whacker, be careful near the unit. Debris can damage the coil, flatten the aluminum fins, and even cut the thermostat wires; shorting the transformer. We see this quite often and it is an expensive repair.

Do not allow your dog, or neighborhood dogs, to urinate on the unit. Yep, this can cause major damage to the aluminum fins and copper coil. Dog urine is very acidic and it will destroy aluminum and copper very quickly. This corrosion eats away the fins and causes holes in the condenser which can lead to refrigerant leaks. If caught early enough, you might get lucky and a technician may be able to find and repair the leak, but most of the time, this is a costly coil replacement or even worse, a whole unit replacement. Even if you do not end up with enough damage to cause loss of refrigerant and a non-working system, the unit will have to work harder which is less efficient and results in higher energy costs and a shorter life of the equipment.

If you decide to build a fence around the outdoor unit, please consider not only proper air flow to your unit, but a technician will need to have access to all sides of the unit. A technician should not ever be expected to jump over or disassemble and reassemble a fence so be sure there is a gate for easy access. Looking forward, ensure the gate and workspace is roomy enough to allow for the removal and replacement of the unit when the time comes.

Some Winter Tips:

With air conditioners, some people like to cover the outdoor unit in the fall and winter when the air conditioner is not in use. This is great for areas with lots of trees where falling branches can damage the unit. It also keeps heavy ice from bending or cracking the fan blades. Caution: This is ONLY for air conditioners, not heat pumps! Ensure the unit is off. Do not attempt to run the air conditioner with the outdoor unit covered.

Ensure the heat pump is elevated above anticipated snowfall for better efficiency and proper drainage. Always make sure to keep the area around all sides of the unit free of heavier snowfall. You must shovel at least 18 inches around the unit to allow for proper operation and reduce freezing. If the unit becomes covered in snow or ice during a storm, it must be removed for the unit to operate. Turn the thermostat to Emergency heat or the Off position while removing snow and ice. You can pour warm water over the until to melt ice if needed. Ensure the fan blades and coil are free of ice. Do not use sharp objects to pick or knock ice off the unit, this can cause severe damage and personal injury. Once the unit is clear of snow and ice, turn the thermostat back to normal heating mode. If the unit ices up again, call for service. Do not allow the outdoor unit to sit underneath a leaking gutter. In the winter months, water will drip on top of the unit and freeze solid. This will restrict air flow and cause the unit to freeze up, possibly stopping fan blades from working and even breaking them.

Dreading Allergy Season? A Clean Air Conditioner or Heat Pump Could Save You

All of North Idaho is ready for spring, a change from the cold, dreary winter weather. But the flipside of the wonderful spring weather is the rising pollen counts and smoke that trigger allergies. Environmental allergens like pollen, molds and smoke are not only a problem while we are enjoying the outdoors, but they make their way into our homes. They come in through windows and doors, are tracked in on shoes and clothing, come in on our pets – there’s no way to avoid it. Once the allergens get into the home, they spread by circulating through the HVAC system and being pushed into every room.

One way to help control allergies to ensure the air in your home is clean. This starts with a clean heating and cooling system. The first step is to have a preventative maintenance and tune up including a coil cleaning, done on your system and make sure you keep the filters clean and fresh.

Whole home air purifiers are the next thing to consider. These air purification systems are installed in your ductwork, usually after the evaporator coil or on the supply side of your air handler so it is treating the air after it is conditioned. Our favorite purifier is the REME HALO LED which uses electromagnetic energy technology and releases hydrogen peroxide molecules which not only removes bacteria, viruses, molds, dust, dander, pollens, and odors from the air, but also from surfaces in your home.  The REME HALO LED kills 99% of bacteria, viruses, and microbes, destroys volatile organic compounds two times faster than a typical UV air purifier, has a much longer lifespan, and does not produce ozone which is a known irritant of many air purifiers.

It is also recommended that you investigate a duct cleaning to remove the dust and allergens that have settled into the ductwork and continue to be distributed around your home. This is especially important if you have recently completed any construction projects, moved into a new home, or haven’t had the ducts cleaned in recent years.

We have the solution, call us. You might be surprised how affordable it is to clean the air in your home and breathe easier this season.

What About Ductless?

By Stefani Hoffman

Owner Lake Creek Comfort

Mini splits are like the multi tool of home comfort and in the last several years, they’ve come a long way in technology and efficiency for all seasons making them the best option in many cases. A mini split is an ultra-efficient heat pump which provides both heating and cooling to your home. Even in our area of North Idaho, the higher end models will heat efficiently to at least 23 degrees below zero, meaning we are no longer required to have a second heat source. The cost has also come down significantly and in the case of new construction projects they may be even less expensive than your traditional ducted system.

Why is this heat pump called a mini split? Just like a traditional heat pump, the unit is a combination of an air conditioner and a heater. The system is split into outside and inside components. The outdoor unit is smaller than a traditional heat pump and can sit on a pad or be hung up on the building on brackets. Most of these units are much quieter than a traditional air conditioner or heat pump unit when operating.

There can be one to several indoor units which will receive the refrigerant from the outdoor unit and use a very quiet fan to distribute that cooled or heated air inside of your house. If you have a duct system in place, they have air handlers to be used as the inside unit which would distribute the air throughout the home’s ductwork much like your traditional system. If the home does not have a duct system in place, the choice would be a multi-head system indoors to bring the treated air into each living space. The indoor heads can be installed almost anywhere, although an exterior wall is easiest and generally much less expensive. Besides the well-known wall hanging units, there are recessed ceiling cassettes, and ceiling/floor units which are a thin unit that looks much like a wall heater. Some manufacturers even have wall units that have picture frames built in so it can blend in a little more as wall art. There are also ducted indoor units that offer concealed ducts, which can be used if there are several small spaces to condition where we can add small duct runs and still enjoy the efficiency of the mini split system.

A heat pump works by extracting heat or cold from the air using refrigerant. In cooling mode, the system works by the indoor evaporator coil absorbing the heat from the inside space, transporting through the refrigerant lines to the outdoor condenser where a compressor will “squeeze” the heat out of the refrigerant and into the outside air. In heating mode, by reversing the refrigerant circuit, the refrigerant now will evaporate in the outdoor unit and condense or pump the heat into the indoor space. It may be hard to imagine, but there is still some heat in the air, even in subzero temperatures! These modern low ambient, high efficient units are designed to use that heat.

A heat pump is more efficient than a system that is heating the air, whether it is electric heat elements or gas burners.  The newer inverter technology used in mini split compressors make them up to 60% more efficient than traditional rotary compressors. The main difference is that a rotary compressor is either on or off, while the inverter compressors run at variable speeds depending on how much heating or cooling is needed, which greatly improves efficiency especially because the turning on and off uses the most energy. Because of the versatility and the control you have for each separate living space or zone, your footprint is much smaller than using a traditional system as well. This zoned system helps prevent energy from being wasted in unoccupied spaces, or in spaces that are already at a comfortable temperature. Many of the brand name systems offer Wi-Fi capabilities, which gives you even more control over your home’s heating and cooling, even when you are not there. They often times have sensors, so the system knows if someone is in the room or not and adjusts the temperature for the areas that are being used.

When you meet with an HVAC contractor to design your system, they are going to look at a lot of things. Which parts of the house need to be conditioned? Is it just an addition or is it a whole house system? How many outdoor units and what size are needed to provide the correct number of BTUs for the size of the conditioned space? How many indoor units and what size do we need to ensure we are able to get the conditioned air to all of the living spaces the homeowner needs? Where will the outdoor units be located? They will prefer to be out of the way, but also need to have fairly easy access to the home’s electrical box. We must also consider wind, drifting snow and water dripping which can build up ice. Where will the indoor units be located? It is best to avoid having your indoor units too close to windows and doors, as this can cause issues with the thermostat since unlike your traditional thermostat location, each of the indoor units has its own thermostat which is one of the benefits that allows us to control each living space. It is best to keep the length of the line set between the outdoor units as short as possible.  

Common uses for mini splits are to supplement a traditional ducted system that may not be supplying enough heating or cooling to certain living areas. Mini splits are the go-to for addons and additional dwelling units whether they are above a garage, connected to the main home, or a separate dwelling. Mini splits are a great choice for newly constructed homes since we can save on labor and ductwork. They are also a good choice in the case of a remodel where walls have been moved, rooms have been added and the space has been changed enough that the original ducted system will no longer operate correctly. Duct designs are very dependent on the square footage of a home, the walls and different living spaces where people and appliances will provide loads, the insulation materials in the floors, walls and ceilings, the doors and windows, outdoor conditions such as temperature, direction of the sun, wind, and many other factors. When a remodel is done that changes any or all of these things, that system that was originally designed more than likely will not provide the comfort it was intended to and might even put enough strain on the equipment to end its life. Many of the traditional systems tend to lose up to 30% of the energy through the ductwork, especially if the ducts travel through attics or unconditioned crawls where they can get extremely cold or hot in different seasons. If ducted systems are no maintained, keeping the ducts clean and sealed, they become even more inefficient.

If you are looking at updating or adding a heating and cooling system, take a good look at these versatile, efficient systems. Meet with your local HVAC contractor to see how a mini split system will line up against a more traditional system. In most cases, mini splits can provide a cost-effective and energy efficient way to maintain home comfort year round. There are many rebates offered by local utility companies and several tax incentives as well.

What is IAQ and Why Does It Matter?

by Stefani Hoffman

Owner Lake Creek Comfort

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average home contains at least five times as many pollutants as the air outside. Since most people spend more than 80 percent of their time indoors, we should all care about IAQ or Indoor Air Quality. Breathable air that is free of health threatening pollutants can lead to a lower risk of respiratory illnesses, fewer chronic conditions, and a higher quality of life. Many things affect the air quality in our homes and places of work – poorly maintained HVAC systems, gas appliances that may be leaking or not properly vented, smoking, pets, wood burning appliances, pollen, molds and mildews, and living near factories, highways, wildfires or dusty fields. Airborne bacteria and viruses, like COVID-19 can be a large problem, as we have experienced the last couple of years. Volatile organic chemicals are added to our air from many sources such as cooking, cleaners, paints, aerosols, newly installed flooring or other remodels, excess moisture, burning candles or using home fresheners. The good news is your local HVAC contractors have several solutions to the problem of poor IAQ.

In colder climates such as North Idaho, homes are being constructed tighter to conserve energy costs. The downside is less ventilation. Pollutants and allergens become trapped inside the home and affect the health and comfort of those living there. Ventilation is important and although we can open windows or doors to introduce some outside air, it is often difficult to depend on. Sometimes we may be facing poor outdoor air quality due to pollen, dust, or wildfire and once inside these pollutants can build up to extremely high concentrations. Opening windows may cause the HVAC system to work much harder to maintain the temperature or it may be uncomfortable for us. The most efficient way to ventilate is to have your heating or cooling system introduce outside air, where it is filtered before being recirculated with the indoor air.

The easiest thing a homeowner can do is maintain the home’s HVAC system regularly. Keeping the system running efficiently and in top performance will keep the air moving and filtering in your home. The filters are the first line of defense in your HVAC system and making sure they are changed regularly not only keeps your air cleaner, it also keeps your system running more efficiently and maintains good air flow. Filters begin to clog up immediately and must have frequent changes to stay at peak performance. A filter with a higher MERV rating will filter out smaller particles and keep the air cleaner. However, these higher rated filters also restrict a little more air flow, so it is important to have an HVAC professional ensure that your heating and cooling system is designed to handle a more restrictive filter and that you have proper air flow to keep your system running. Keeping the coils, fans and heat exchangers clean also will improve the efficiency of your system, resulting in a longer operating life, as well as energy and repair cost savings.

Duct cleanings are also an important part of maintaining your HVAC system and improving the quality of air in your home. It is normal for an HVAC system to pull dust, pet dander and other allergens into the system and this eventually builds up in your ducts and is transferred throughout the home. The ducts are a great place for these pollutants to thrive, it is often warm and sometimes moist since many of our ducts are in crawl spaces or basements where it can be damp. At times, we even discover that vermin such as rodents or insects have gained access to the ductwork in a home. New construction and remodeling can add additional drywall and construction debris to our vents and ducts. Most HVAC contractors can clean the entire duct system in your home and treat the ducts with a hypoallergenic sanitizer that inhibits the growth of harmful substances for a time. The National Air Duct Cleaners Association recommends homeowners have their ducts cleaned every three to five years.

Air cleaners or air purifiers are available to remove particles. UV germicidal lights and Air Scrubbers are available from most HVAC contractors as well. These systems are installed directly into the ducts, and they work to sterilize and to bind particles together into larger fragments that can be filtered out more easily by your system’s filter. These products also remove dust and dander particles, bacteria and viruses (including SARS and COVID-19), and even odors that most mechanical and/or portable HEPA air cleaners cannot remove.

Be sure to schedule regular maintenance of your HVAC system and talk to your HVAC contractor about the quality of the air in your home. Clean air leads to a healthier life and Indoor Air Quality should be important to all of us.