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.
The air filters protecting the air quality in your Twin Cities area home might be causing more harm than good. If the filter isn’t up to par, you may be under the impression that your indoor air is clean when it’s actually filled with microscopic pollutants that are making you sick. Regularly replacing, upgrading and inspecting these air filters will help keep your home’s air clean and healthy.
The right-size furnace for your home assures you that it will heat your home efficiently and durably. Sizing concerns with HVAC equipment make a big difference because a system that’s too big won’t run nearly as efficiently. It will turn off and on frequently, also called short cycling. Short cycling wears out the parts faster, doesn’t heat your home thoroughly, and drives up your energy bills. In the summer, the HVAC system doesn’t remove as much humidity, leaving you uncomfortably warm.
Static electricity is something that few people manage to avoid during our long, cold Twin Cities winter. As heating systems warm the air, the humidity drops, and when it falls to 30 percent or lower, static shocks become more common. Although it’s annoying for everyone, it can be damaging to home electronics that have low-voltage components. The best remedy is to raise the humidity in your home by using these methods:
When your indoor air quality is not up to par, you can experience an increase in health complications. Your indoor air can harbor many nasty particles that lead to headaches, nausea, fatigue, respiratory problems, and an increase in symptoms associated with allergies and asthma. These airborne contaminants create an overall unpleasant living situation in your home. Thankfully, your Twin Cities heating and air conditioning pros can identify the cause of your poor indoor air quality.
For the past 20 years, homeowners have relied on the Energy Star logo to identify the most energy-efficient products. Today, the Energy Star’s Most Efficient label is helping the the original program evolve, showcasing the best of the best when it comes to high-efficiency heating and cooling systems, refrigerators, televisions and more. If you’re in the market for new HVAC equipment for your Twin Cities area home, this designation is something you’ll want to look for.
