Indoor air quality has become an issue of great concern in recent years as we build homes more tightly for the sake of energy efficiency. This is especially true during the winter when homeowners seal doors and windows against the wind and cold. However, there are a couple measures homeowners can implement to ensure indoor contaminants are kept to a minimum in their homes, countering dwindling air quality.
The Twin Cities metro area can get pretty frigid during the winter season, so if your heating system leaves you cold at night, getting it running quickly is a priority. Doing a little troubleshooting can help you accomplish this if your problem turns out to be a simple one.
When upgrading HVAC equipment, it’s worth investigating a variable speed system before you make a decision on the best system for your home. The term “variable speed” actually refers to the air handler component of an HVAC system. Although systems with variable speed air handlers have a higher upfront cost, the technology offers significant advantages over single-speed systems that only run on high, and two-stage units that offer just one lower speed level.
Nobody wants to have an emergency situation in the middle of a winter storm, especially in Maple Grove, Minnesota. With the heavy snow fall and extreme dips in the temperature, residents need to have the foresight in being prepared for situations that may possibly arise. From food supplies to home insulation, properly preparing for harsh winter conditions will give you peace of mind that you’ll be ready for the unexpected.
When it’s time to replace your old furnace with a new one, one of your first choices will be whether to stick with an old-school single-stage furnace, or ramp up to a two-stage or three-stage model. You’ll also likely have to decide whether to select a variable-speed blower motor. Your decision will come down to whether you’d like a relatively cheap purchase and installation, but are willing to cope with high energy bills for the life of your furnace, or vice-versa. Here in our cold Upper Midwest climate, you should probably go with “vice-versa,” meaning a two-stage furnace or three-stage model, with a variable-speed blower motor.
The days leading to winter are undoubtedly one of the busiest periods for residents in and around Plymouth, MN. Known for its extreme winter weather, Minnesota’s cold spell will have residents scrambling to make sure that their homes are toasty. The real challenge, however, lies in keeping utility costs within budget throughout the season.
Keeping your furnace efficient will save money on energy costs and keep your family comfortable all winter long. In principle, furnaces and boilers all work the same way, heating air or water and distributing the heat to different parts of the home. An annual inspection of your heating system will help keep the operation of your furnace efficient and reliable.
Did you know that your thermostat has a separate fan setting? There are both pros and cons to setting your thermostat fan to “on.” The determining factor might be whether you are more interested in saving energy costs or in improving your indoor air quality.
The home’s heating and cooling system is one of the largest contributors to electricity and fuel consumption. This is particularly true when the weather grows colder. One way to reduce the cost of heating your Twin Cities area home is to enjoy the benefits of a condensing furnace. A condensing furnace is a high-efficiency model that through the use of two heat exchangers squeezes maximum heat energy out of the fuel that’s burned.
For obvious reasons, everyone needs to be aware of how to detect a gas leak in their home. Left undetected, escaping gas has the potential to cause a tragic situation. Here are several things to keep in mind.
