In all likelihood, most homeowners have probably heard the term “red-tagged furnace,” but many probably don’t know exactly what this means. It’s not the end of the world, but it can definitely require an immediate response. If the furnace in your Twin Cities metro area home is in danger of being red-tagged, you probably have questions.
If you need a furnace replacement in the near future, you’ll want to learn about the factors involved with furnace sizing and your home’s heating load. Smaller furnaces cost less to purchase and don’t use as much fuel. Considering the length and intensity of Minnesota winters, anything you can do to reduce your heating expenses is an effort well spent.
Whole-house ventilation systems are vital to ensure you home feels fresh and clean throughout the year. Without proper ventilation, airborne particles and pollutants may build up in your home and degrade your indoor air quality. A whole-house ventilation system circulates air with fans and ducts, and provides such benefits as:
It’s the truth: All HVAC filters are not created equal. In fact, the best air filter for your home probably isn’t the one with the highest MERV rating and definitely isn’t one of those blue fiberglass filters that sell for under a couple dollars. The best overall choice in terms of air cleaning and cost effectiveness is the pleated air filter.
A heat exchanger is an essential part of your furnace, and unfortunately, a cracked heat exchanger not only can spell doom for your furnace; it can also lead to potentially lethal carbon monoxide leaks in your home. This is why it’s so important to recognize the three most common causes of cracks in the furnace’s heat exchanger and what you should do when they occur.
As HVAC technology continues to advance, the conventional forced-air furnace is gradually being replaced by improved high-efficiency models. Among the more efficient types of heating systems are condensing furnaces. While condensing furnaces are in many ways similar to standard fuel-burning heating systems, they have important differences that make them highly energy efficient and cost effective.
The air in the typical home contains particles such as dust, mold spores, pollen, pet dander, bacteria and/or viruses, as well as gaseous particles resulting from combustion appliances and cooking. While your furnace air filter helps remove these particles from your air, portable air cleaners can effectively remove a larger number of particulates than your furnace filter alone. If you suffer from allergies, asthma, COPD or other respiratory ailments, utilizing these portable devices in your Twin Cities home will improve your indoor air quality and help bring relief from painful and annoying symptoms.
Have you been holding off on upgrading your heating or cooling system waiting for the right deal? Now is the time to act. Not only will replacing your furnace, air conditioning system and/or water heater help you save energy and save on your utility bills, but new tax credits will help lower your tax bill, too.
Do you have an attached garage? If so, you need to be aware of the potential for carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Installing a CO monitor near the common door between the garage and your home will alert you to elevated CO levels and could save your family’s life. Attached garages can be a breeding ground for toxic fumes and gases that can migrate indoors if your house isn’t adequately protected. The best way to prevent CO and other unwanted fumes from entering your home is to take proper safety precautions.
Scientists have solved the mystery of why fall and winter are the cold and flu seasons, mainly blaming this on dry indoor air. Besides getting you and your family vaccinated, ensuring adequate home humidification will go a long way toward slowing the spread of these viruses.
