Posted by Jody Raines on Fri, May 20, 2011 @ 04:09 PM
Heating and cooling systems and air purification systems work to 
help minimize pollen and dander in your home.
With April showers come May flowers, and with May flowers comes ragweed, spores, tree pollen, mold and sneezes, coughs, runny eyes and other allergy symptoms. If you are feeling a bit run down, it may be time to take a look at cleaning your hvac systems ductwork.
As ducts become dirty from the accumulation of cleaning products, smoke, cooking, pet dancer, and pollen, they can be a source of discomfort. There are several indications that it's time to have a professional come in and evaluate whether it's time to clean the ducts in your home or office:
1. You have allergy symptoms in your home.
If you wake up with a sore throat or itchy eyes, it may be a clue that it's time to clean the ducts.
2. You see dark spots (mold) where the ducts were damp. If your ducts have been exposed to drips or moisture, chances are that mold has begun to grow. Especially if you see dark spots on insulated ductwork, you should call a professional to investigate.
3. Suspected Insect or Vermin Infestation. If you see bug activity near the ducts, chances are they have made it their home. Vermin can also sometimes find a small opening and create a nest inside the ducts. Since this is the ventilation system for your home or office, you should have a professional inspect to determine whether the ducts can be cleaned or whether they should be replaced.
Duct cleaning could potentially reduce allergens that exacerbate medical issues. Having your ducts evaluated pre-summer is a great idea to keep your environment healthy and enable your air flow to efficiently and effectively flow through your home or office.
An inspection will discover any debris or obstruction that may block proper air flow, resulting in reduce efficiency. In some situations, where the ducts are blocked, cleaning the ducts or replacing the ducts can dramatically improve air flow and result in energy savings.
Maintaining your system will also prolong the life of your unit.
What concerns do you have about your duct work? Are there any topics regarding heating, ventilation and cooling systems that you would like us to address here? Please let us know by commenting below.
Columbia NW Heating Inc. specializes in efficiently upgrading or repairing air conditioning, heating, gas furnaces, heat pump, ductless heat pumps, tankless water heaters, geothermal heat pumps, electric furnaces, air filtration systems, oil furnaces, gas fireplaces and inserts, and all systems related to the comfort of your home or office in Portland and surrounding areas.
Posted by Brian Sofich on Wed, Feb 16, 2011 @ 04:36 PM
Unsealed ductwork could be costing you 20%-40% more on your
heating and cooling utility bills each month. Leaking ducts cause dust accumulation in your home, high utility bills and poor air quality. In many states, duct sealing is required for new homes and existing homes that are getting new equipment installed. The state of Oregon and Energy Trust offer tax credits and incentives for properly testing and sealing your duct system.
As an Energy Trust trade ally and Oregon Tax Credit Certified Columbia NW Heating can offer you complete duct testing and sealing service. Since no one wants to get into the attic or the crawl space where ductwork typically is, it's best to leave that work to trained and certified professionals.
The process starts with a blower door/ duct test to determine how much air is leaking out of your duct system. We then carefully seal each duct joint with a special duct mastic that's the consistency of yogurt, when it dry then its air tight. It's kind of like rubber cement. The final step is to re-test the home and make sure the duct sealing resolved the issue. Duct sealing is a one-time service that will last as long as the ductwork and provide enhanced savings and comfort year round.
We handle all of the tax credit and rebate paperwork for you, so sit back, take a deep breath of the cleaner air in your home and take a week off of dusting. Columbia NW Heating is your total comfort provider.
Columbia NW Heating Inc. specializes in efficiently upgrading or repairing air conditioning, heating, gas furnaces, heat pump, ductless heat pumps, tankless water heaters, geothermal heat pumps, electric furnaces, air filtration systems, oil furnaces, gas fireplaces and inserts, and all systems related to the comfort of your home or office in Portland and surrounding areas.