When hiring an HVAC contractor, you’ll want to know a few things before moving forward. While requesting references, checking certifications and gathering quotes are obvious questions for your contractor, there are a few less obvious things you’ll want to know, such as the bond requirements that Minnesota HVAC contractors must follow.
One of the biggest factors to consider when replacing a furnace is efficiency. While a highly efficient unit will cost you more upfront, it will also save you money on your energy bills for years to come.
You’re probably familiar with the slight burning smell that fills the air the first time you turn on your furnace each season, but do you know what causes it? While this odor is normal, other funny furnace smells can be the first sign your furnace needs maintenance or even repairs. Here’s a list of furnace smells, their causes and what to do about them.
Is your current HVAC system running out of steam? If you’re tired of dealing with a malfunctioning heating and cooling system, start shopping for the perfect replacement system sooner rather than later. To help you get the most from your investment, you have two primary considerations to make: the equipment size and the efficiency rating.
In the United States, gas furnace efficiency standards haven’t increased in nearly 30 years, despite multiple efforts to do so. Gas furnaces are currently required to have an annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) level of 78 percent. AFUE measures units of heat output per 100 units of input, or put more simply, the amount of fuel that gets converted into heat for your home. The 78 percent AFUE level is the same level that was instituted on gas furnaces with the passage of National Appliance Conservation Act of 1987, which set national HVAC system efficiency standards.
As an alternative to traditional furnace that operates at just one high speed, a variable-speed furnace – or technically, a furnace equipped with a variable-speed blower motor – can adapt to changing heating needs in your home, adjusting its speed accordingly.
Rapid advances in thermostat technology are making these devices more and more user-friendly, feature driven and accessible. The latest WiFi thermostats allow access via mobile apps, the Internet, and WiFi networks and hotspots.
Most Minnesota homeowners are probably aware that a high-quality HVAC filter will help keep their indoor air clean, but they may not be aware that it can also save them money. When dust, dirt and other particles build up on a home’s air filter, they force the heating and cooling system to work harder, which can lead to breakdowns and malfunctioning down the line. Higher-quality filters basically make your equipment’s work a lot easier, which translates into better home comfort, lower energy bills and longer service life.
If you’re thinking of installing a new furnace, there are a number of furnace add-on options that will benefit your home. Added features can improve the safety of your new furnace, along with improving its efficiency and performance.
When you are replacing a furnace in colder regions of the country, such as the Twin Cities area, it makes sense to consider the extra cost of upgrading to a two-stage furnace. Unlike the older single-stage furnaces that operate on the full heat setting all the time, a two-stage furnace offers a low-heat setting and a high-heat setting. When that’s combined with a variable speed blower to distribute the air, the system can provide several benefits.
