Your New Home Additions Need Heat Too

November 27th, 2023
construction-worker-building-an-addition-to-a-home

Sometimes, a home just isn’t large enough for a family’s needs. Maybe you’re having more children. Maybe your parents or in-laws are moving in. Or maybe you’ve just had an amazing idea for a game room or other specialized space. It’s very common to build an addition or convert space like a garage, attic, or basement so it can be lived in. 

The tricky bit is that this new space doesn’t just need to be planned, built, insulated, and finished. It also needs to be heated, especially in our climate. What are the options for expanding your heating system to provide enough warmth for the new addition to your home? We’re so glad you asked.

Continue Reading

No Heat? Stay Warm With These Emergency Tips

November 13th, 2023
person-indoors-in-coat-hood-and-mittens-with-cup-of-hot-tea

While we pride ourselves on getting to our customers promptly when their heat has failed, the fact of the matter is that a house can get very cold quite quickly in the dead of a Minnesota winter. If your furnace has broken down and you’re waiting for heating repair, here are some tips for keeping warm until your technician arrives. 

Continue Reading

How Long Can a Maintained Boiler Last?

October 16th, 2023
a-modern-home-heating-boiler

The home heating boiler is a classic for a reason, and still popular enough for millions of Americans to use this type of heating system. The heat they provide is very even, avoiding the hot and cold spots that plague some forced-air systems, and they’re quite efficient. But the biggest selling point of a boiler is just how long they last.

While a boiler can last a long time, the biggest factor in whether they actually keep running is maintenance. So how long can they last if well-maintained?

Continue Reading

Do I Need to Run My Air Purifier All Day?

October 2nd, 2023
graphic-of-air-laden-with-contaminants-entering-a-purifier-and-clean-air-coming-out

Air purifiers come in a wide array of designs, manufacturers, and models. Some use ultraviolet light to kill pathogens. Some use an electrostatic charge to trap contaminants. They come in small portable versions as well as those designed to integrate with HVAC systems and purify the air for a whole home.

One of the most common questions about air purifiers is how much of the time they should be used. Do you need to run your air purifier all the time?

Continue Reading

Why Boilers Last Longer than Conventional Heaters

September 18th, 2023
a-modern-boiler-in-a-sunny-room

Gas furnaces for forced hot air systems are the most popular way to heat homes in the US. But boilers remain very popular as well, for a wide variety of reasons. For one thing, houses in colder climates, like ours, are less likely to have ductwork. This is because it was first intended for use in central air conditioning systems, and homes in hotter parts of the country were more likely to be built with air conditioning in mind. Another major reason for the continued popularity of boilers is their longevity. Boilers last longer than furnaces. They might be able to keep heating your home for thirty years! Let’s take a close look at why that is.

Continue Reading

Preparing for Fall: Our Furnace Checklist

September 4th, 2023
autumn-leaves-with-text-reading-happy-fall

You might not want to think about a cold Minnesota winter just yet, but you definitely don’t want it to sneak up on you while you’re unprepared! Your heating system is the first thing to keep in mind, since it’s the last thing you could live without come January. How can you make sure your furnace is prepared for fall? Follow this handy checklist, and you’ll be all ready when the cold weather hits. 

Continue Reading

Clear Benefits of a Duct Cleaning Appointment

August 21st, 2023
HVAC-technician-performing-duct-cleaning

It’s been around fifty years since the majority of new homes started to be constructed with ductwork for central air conditioning. Some homes that age still have that original ductwork! Even when ductwork isn’t half a century old, it can be a little mysterious. You can’t see inside of it, and even the outsides of the ducts are usually tucked in out-of-the-way places you don’t look at very often. How can you tell what’s going on in your ductwork? With a little help from a duct cleaning service, you can get a clear view and a fresh start. 

Continue Reading

When Humidity Goes Too Far

August 7th, 2023
the-word-humidity-written-in-moisture-on-a-window

In many areas of life, the key is balance: neither too little nor too much, a happy medium. And when it comes to moisture in the air, that happy medium is between 30 and 50% humidity. But the weather outdoors might be causing your indoor air’s humidity to be quite far from that ideal percentage. What happens when the humidity in your home is at an extreme? And what can you do to bring it back to an ideal level? Here are our recommendations. 

Continue Reading

What Does the SEER2 Rating Mean?

July 24th, 2023
person-calculating-money-saved-by-making-their-home-more-efficient

If you’ve seen the terms SEER and SEER2, or heard about air conditioner efficiency requirements changing, you might have some questions. How are these ratings calculated? What’s the difference between SEER and SEER2? Why were the standards changed? What makes an air conditioner more efficient? We’ve got some answers for you. 

Continue Reading

Stay Cool This Summer with 5 Tips

July 10th, 2023
person-relaxing-in-a-cool-and-comfortable-home

Electricity is expensive, and new air conditioners are, too. For the next few months, you’re going to need to keep your home cool. How can you keep your bills down, your air conditioner in good condition, and your home as cool and comfortable as possible? Follow these 5 recommendations.

Continue Reading