Tips and Advice
How to Deal with HVAC Emergencies
HVAC emergencies can strike when least expected, causing discomfort and potential safety hazards. Knowing how to respond quickly and efficiently is crucial. Here’s what you can do to handle these urgent situations effectively:
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Know the Signs: Recognize urgent HVAC issues like strange noises, smells, or a complete system shutdown.
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Safety First: If you suspect a gas leak or electrical issue, evacuate the area and call emergency services before contacting HVAC professionals.
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Emergency Contacts: Keep a list of contacts ready, including your trusted Twin Cities AC repair and Brooklyn Park furnace repair services. Quick access to professional help can prevent further damage and restore your system promptly.
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Regular Maintenance: To minimize emergencies, schedule regular maintenance checks. This not only keeps your system running smoothly but can also catch potential problems before they escalate.
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Educate Yourself: Understand your HVAC system’s basic operations. This knowledge can help you troubleshoot minor issues or understand the severity of a problem before professional help arrives.
Dealing with HVAC emergencies doesn’t have to be a nightmare. By preparing ahead and knowing who to call, you can ensure that your home remains safe and comfortable. For reliable emergency services, remember to reach out to Marsh Heating, your local Twin Cities AC repair and Brooklyn Park furnace repair experts.
How to Reduce HVAC Energy Consumption
Reducing energy consumption in your home’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems is not only good for the environment but also for your wallet. Here are practical steps you can take:
Regular Maintenance: Ensure your HVAC system, including both new furnaces and new AC units, receives regular maintenance. This includes cleaning and replacing filters, checking ducts for leaks, and ensuring that all components are functioning efficiently. We offer a maintenance program.
Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Models: Consider replacing older systems with energy-efficient models. New furnace and new AC units often come with improved technology that uses less energy to operate.
Install a Programmable Thermostat: A programmable thermostat can reduce energy consumption by adjusting the temperature according to your schedule. Lowering the temperature when you are away or asleep can lead to significant savings.
Seal and Insulate: Ensuring that your home is well-sealed and insulated can reduce the workload on your HVAC system. Check for drafts around doors and windows and add insulation where necessary.
Use Window Treatments: Smart use of blinds, curtains, and shades can help control the temperature in your home, reducing the need for constant HVAC adjustment.
Consider a Zoned System: Installing a zoned HVAC system allows you to heat or cool only the areas that are in use, which can significantly cut down on wasted energy.
By following these tips, you can enhance the efficiency of your HVAC system, lower your energy bills, and contribute to a more sustainable future.
3 Effective Summer Cooling Tips

You’re never going to run of reasons to love summer: the sun, tan, unlimited outdoor activities — the list goes on. And when you’re at home, you have an air conditioner to take care of your indoor climate. But everybody knows running an AC is quite expensive, and perhaps, you’re looking for ways to minimize your use of it and save some cash in the process.
Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning is your preferred HVAC company in Fridley MN. In this article, we will give you a few tips to consider to effectively cool your home without having to make your AC work too hard.
Check your home’s insulation.
Proper insulation keeps your home from letting out cooled air and your hard-earned money. Windows, doors, attics, and other parts of your home are often leaky because of poor insulation.
If your window sill has a crack or there’s a tiny opening under the door, conditioned air can easily sneak out of your home. This causes your air conditioner to work longer and harder to reach your desired temperature. Ultimately, this causes more wear and tear to your system, and makes your home warmer than it should be.
In addition, proper insulation is also crucial when it comes to keeping the hot outdoor air out of your home. Insulation is your most effective way to protect the home from the heat of summer and to keep the cool air from escaping through the leaky areas of your home.
Therefore, you should contact a local contractor and schedule a home energy audit, which will give you an idea of your home’s current insulation quality. Once determined, be sure to seal the leaks, install weather-stripping, and add more insulation to get the most out of your air conditioner while lowering your utility costs.
Guard the heat.
Keeping the heat from getting into your house in the first place means spending less on your AC use. So, shade windows and walls using external coverings, like blinds, canopies or large potted greenery. Plant deciduous trees that cast shade over your home in the summertime, but still let the sun shine through during winter. If your budget permits, invest in window tinting, which will help keep the warmth in the cold season, too.
Plan your daily tasks.
Keeping your home comfortable this summer doesn’t rest solely on your air conditioner. You can actually start planning your day wisely to maximize your options. A good idea is to open the windows during early morning hours and late at night but be prepared to close them and turn your air conditioner or fan on when the heat becomes too much.
Similarly, you can also perform household chores like dishwashing or pressing clothes during the cooler parts of the day. To keep your house cool when you have to cook during the day, you can opt to use the grill outside or the microwave to minimize the heat circulating in your home.
Use ceiling fans wisely.
You might feel like ceiling fans just push the hot air around your home rather than cool it down, and you’re right. Fans that aren’t rotating counter-clockwise may be doing exactly that. With that in mind, you need to be a little wiser in operating your ceiling fans. Set them to rotate counter-clockwise in summer to push air down, which helps create a cooling effect and clockwise in winter to pull cool air up.
In the warm months, set the fan speed high and low in the cooler months. Ceiling fans can also be used alongside other cooling systems, so making sure they rotate in the correct direction can cause a significant change in the temperature throughout your home.
Questions? Ask Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning
Like many homeowners, we know you want your home to be as energy-efficient as possible. While these three tips will definitely help, they are not substitutes for professional HVAC maintenance. So, talk to one of our St. Louis Park heating and air conditioning experts and find out how you can keep your air conditioner in tip-top shape and save as much energy as you can. For over forty years, we have been the go-to contractor for homeowners looking to have comfortable, energy-saving homes.
Why You Should Consider Regular Heat Pump Maintenance

Compared to a furnace, a heat pump requires less maintenance. Since the process does not involve the combustion of fuel, it is also much safer. There are steps that you can perform on your own. But as a responsible owner, you should consider having a professional look after your heat pump. And in this article, we will tell you why.
Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning is your reliable HVAC company in Richfield MN. We are experts at maintaining home comfort systems, including heat pumps. We have teams of seasoned and NATE-certified professionals who will ensure your heat pump gets the care it deserves.
Here are a few reasons why you should look into having professional maintenance done on your heat pump at least once per year.
Improved Indoor Air Quality
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air can be up to 2-5 times more polluted than outdoor air. In some cases, it can be up to 100 times more dangerous, i.e., during home renovation work. This issue is particularly harmful to those who have allergies or preexisting respiratory conditions.
Not only does your HVAC system give you indoor comfort, but it also plays a significant part in maintaining the quality of your indoor air. As forced air moves throughout your ductwork, it carries with it any loose contaminants that are confined due to clogged filters and dirty system parts. These particulates can pollute your indoor air, causing allergic reactions and respiratory tract infections.
The regular replacement of filters, and cleaning of ducts, and coils will ensure your furnace effectively collects dirt, dust, and debris. When your system is regularly maintained, you can easily avoid health risks by allowing clean, safe air to flow throughout your home.
Early Detection and Correction of Issues
Professional maintenance on your heat pump will ensure every part of the system stays in great shape, guaranteeing efficient heating and cooling for your home. A team of qualified HVAC professionals understands your heat pump from the inside out. They will give it a thorough cleaning, and inspect every part. In case there are minor issues, they will be able to detect them and make the necessary adjustments to avoid them from getting any worse.
Costly heat pump repair is something you would like to avoid, and professional maintenance can help you do so. During a heat pump maintenance visit, the technician will inspect, calibrate and clean every part of your system. This reason alone can save you hundreds if not thousands of dollars in repair costs.
Personal Safety
Sure, there are simple tasks that you can do on your own, such as cleaning the filter, but there are other things that require special knowledge and tools. For example, if the condensate line is not dripping while the system is on, this could mean that there is an internal obstruction that needs to be removed immediately. It can also mean other things. A qualified professional can look into the problem and take away the clog easily and restore the unit’s proper operation. Trying to DIY this step may be inconvenient and even dangerous for an untrained individual, so it’s safer to have a knowledgeable person do it for you.
Warranty Coverage
This is one of the most important benefits of having an annual system check-up. You should be aware that most, if not all, equipment manufacturers require proof of annual maintenance when a repair claim is submitted under warranty. Certain components that make your heat pump work are substantially expensive, such as the compressor and condenser. Investing in an annual maintenance program will keep such parts covered under warranty. This coverage will save you a considerable amount of money should a costly component ever needs to be repaired or replaced. Therefore, continued warranty coverage should be a key point you should consider as you decide to get professional maintenance for your heat pump.
Need Help? Ask Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning
Your heat pump is a valuable piece of equipment that deserves professional care. Thankfully, you can trust a Bloomington heating and air conditioning company like us which has been recognized for its excellent workmanship and unparalleled customer service. Should you need help taking care of your heat pump, all you have to do is give us a call and we’ll be there in no time.
5 Effective Ways to Deal With Airborne Allergens

In a perfect world, there should be no airborne allergens in your home. Everybody should be able to breathe clean, fresh air without worrying about allergy triggers. But this is not a perfect world. This season is known for the release of pollen, causing countless people to suffer from hay fever and spring allergies. Sadly, there is no permanent cure for allergies. However, there are practical ways you can employ to minimize your risk of allergic reactions.
Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning is your total HVAC company in St. Louis Park MN. We are experts at establishing clean indoor air in residences and workplaces.
Overview
According to research, 8 out of 10 people in the United States are exposed to dust and 6 out of 10 people are exposed to cat or dog dander. Also, cockroaches cause allergic reactions in those who live in downtown areas or southern parts of the country. These studies are sufficient reasons for you to take your indoor air quality to a state where you can effectively fight off airborne allergens. With that in mind, here are some steps you can take.
Clean your house regularly.
Most homeowners dust off their homes at least once weekly. However, many fail to wipe their HVAC vents and registers. These vents transport forced air from your HVAC system, collecting dust. This is then circulated throughout your home via your furnace or heat pump. You should first gather the dust in every room, using damp or treated rags when dusting your home to keep it from picking up mites and other dust particles that can trigger allergic reactions. Keeping your home clean is an effective way to fight allergies.
Be on top of dust mites.
Keeping your home clean is a step toward controlling indoor allergens. So, keep surfaces clean and tidy. In your bedroom, try to have bare floors and walls. If possible, avoid wall-to-wall carpets, and if you really want to have carpeting, use low-pile carpets or washable throw rugs. If you can, avoid heavy drapes and overstuffed fabric furniture as well. To effectively protect yourself against dust mites, wash your bedding, uncovered pillows, and stuffed toys in water at a minimum of 130 degrees Fahrenheit. Dry them in a hot dryer.
Consider duct cleaning.
You may not realize it, but your air ducts are another source of allergens in your home. Your home’s ventilation system and duct network usually run through the attic, basements, and crawlspaces—areas that are rarely cleaned. If your ducts are old, leaking, or have cracks, they can suck in air from these areas. Your HVAC system then pumps the air directly into your living spaces, further casting allergens that are normally found in the dirtiest parts of your home.
Duct cleaning and maintenance should be entrusted to a qualified HVAC professional. If you think there are issues within your ductwork, call a trained technician who will inspect and seal them off. Maintaining your ducts is a great way to ensure your HVAC system does not circulate airborne.
Upgrade your air filter.
Your HVAC system is equipped with an air filter to keep pollen, pet dander, and other airborne pollutants at bay. Your regular filter should be kept clean to ensure its potency. However, you can improve your home’s indoor air quality by upgrading to a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. These types of filters are known to capture up to 99.97 percent of airborne contaminants, including allergens. You might want to contact your preferred HVAC contractor to determine the right high-grade filter for your existing unit.
Use a whole-home humidifier.
Maintaining a healthy indoor air quality not only involves house cleaning or vacuuming; it also requires making sure your home is properly humidified. The cool mist released by a humidifier helps invigorate the body and clear up the congestion in the nasal cavity. That’s why you should consider running one if you have someone suffering from sinusitis.
Protect Your Family with Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning
Airborne allergies can be prevented. By following these steps, you can increase your level of protection and have peace of mind. For best results, give us a call and we’ll give you more information on how to give your family the best protection against airborne allergy triggers. We are your trusty Fridley heating and air conditioning company.
Tips on Using Your Heat Pump the Right Way

If you want your home to have the most efficient HVAC system and meet your heating and cooling needs, you should take a look at heat pumps. But owning one comes with the responsibility of taking care of it. Considering that comfort systems can cost a considerable amount of money, you should do everything you can to ensure your heat pump lasts for as long as it can. With proper usage, you will enjoy the best performance, the most energy savings, and the most lifespan out of your heat pump.
Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning is your trusted HVAC company in Maple Grove MN. We have been helping homeowners like you establish comfortable and energy-efficient homes for over four decades now.
Here are heat pump usage tips you might want to consider.
Set the temperature properly.
In terms of reading the temperature of a room, a heat pump works differently compared to your old heating system. Set your heat pump to a comfortable temperature and make little but accurate adjustments over a few days until you’ve reached your desired setting.
Making big jumps upward or downward can activate the backup heater, making your setup less energy-efficient. Keep in mind that heat pumps circulate air that feels cool out of the vent, but is warm enough to heat the house properly.
To save energy, lower the temperature a few degrees overnight or when you’re away for several hours. Some heat pumps are equipped with programmable thermostats that are designed to automatically make adjustments without relying on additional heating systems.
Normally, the backup heating unit automatically starts when the temperature drops below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. To increase your system’s efficiency, set the thermostat to 68 to 70 degrees during the cold months and 78 to 80 during the hot months. Doing so will enable your thermostat to work without triggering the automatic start of the backup heating system.
You don’t have to set the temperature back at night.
If you have a two-stage thermostat, you don’t have to change the settings at night because turning the heat back up in the morning may activate the backup resistance heater, which can easily erase all energy savings you collected from turning it down throughout the night. In case you want to lower the temperature at night to make your sleep more comfortable, slowly increase the setting a few degrees at a time in the morning and check the thermostat indicator to make sure the backup heater is not activated.
Make sure your heat pump has proper airflow.
Any HVAC equipment needs enough space to have proper airflow. For the indoor part of your heat pump, be sure to clear the area surrounding it and keep all furniture away from the unit. Avoid blocking the vents and registers to ensure proper airflow. For the outdoor unit, keep it clear from plants, shrubs, leaves, and similar items.
Change your filters regularly.
Your heat pump’s filter plays an important role in its overall performance. It traps airborne contaminants, such as dirt, dust, and dander, which can hamper the system’s airflow if the filter is clogged. Also, a dirty filter can cause your system to overheat, force it to work harder and use more energy while failing to deliver a comfortable temperature. To avoid these problems, simply check your filter once every 30 days and clean it as needed. If you have a replaceable filter, you can buy one from your favorite home improvement store.
Restart the unit properly.
In case of a power outage of more than 30 minutes, you will need to manually restart the system. While the power is still out, you can use the heat pump’s emergency heat. When power comes back, wait for about an hour before programming the heat pump to its normal setting. The refrigerant may need to heat up first before turning the unit back to a normal setting.
Ask the Experts in Home Comfort
For more information on proper heat pump care, call Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning. We offer comprehensive heat pump maintenance, ensuring optimum performance and outstanding energy efficiency for your heat pump. We are your reliable Plymouth heating and air conditioning company.
What You Can Do to Avoid Furnace Repairs?
Furnace repairs don’t come cheap. In fact, you’re probably going to get charged just to have a heating expert visit your home. That goes without saying the inconvenience brought about by a malfunctioning unit, especially when you need it the most. But don’t fret, with a few steps you can actually avoid the inconvenience and costs associated with a faulty furnace.
Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning is your leading heating company in Roseville MN. We have teams of trained and seasoned technicians who are adept at maintaining furnaces in tip-top shape.
Here are some tips you should consider to make sure your furnace works as it should.
Choose the right furnace for your home.
The first thing you need to do is to make sure your furnace meets your home’s heating needs. Therefore, you should pay close attention to the unit you want to be installed in your home. Choose a reputable brand that is known to build heavy-duty, energy-efficient HVAC systems. These names may cost more compared to less-known ones, but quality eventually wins over price.
Pick the right installation team.
The quality of installation plays a major part in the overall performance and energy efficiency of your furnace. That’s why you should choose the right HVAC company, which may require some research. Selecting the right team to install your system is as important as choosing the furnace itself. A good team of technicians possesses in-depth knowledge of the product and installs the system according to the manufacturer’s specifications. As a result, you’ll enjoy optimum comfort and significant energy savings.
It is also important to work with a company duly licensed and certified to deal with heating systems. A legitimate HVAC company complies with legal requirements, whether it’s federal, state, or local. By determining the contractor’s authority, you can have peace of mind, knowing that they will be there in case of complaints and inquiries after the installation is completed. To do this, you can check a contractor’s history by verifying it with the Better Business Bureau’s website.
Moreover, work with an installation team that has the North American Technician Excellence (NATE) certification. This certification will guarantee the workmanship and customer service skills of the technician are on par with industry standards.
Pay attention to your furnace.
It’s possible for your heating system to not be in good condition but you haven’t noticed it. But the sooner you identify the problem, the better. If you ignore the issue, a furnace repair can easily cause you major financial concerns. So, be sure to get in touch with a professional if you notice unusual things, such as abnormal short-cycling (turning on and off of the system), odd noises coming from the unit, hot and cold spots, unexpected temperature fluctuations.
Be on top of the filter.
Your furnace’s filter is the part that you can clean or replace without the help of an expert. You can save money on a service call just by simply knowing how to manage it. A clogged filter causes different kinds of issues, including inconsistent heating and system overheating. To ensure the system has proper airflow, change your filter at least once per month—you’ll be happy you did.
Schedule routine maintenance.
The most effective way to keep your furnace in great shape and prevent repairs is by scheduling maintenance for your system. A regular furnace tune-up is a service offered by many HVAC contractors. This process gives your furnace a comprehensive inspection and adjustment, making it less likely you’ll run into problems when your furnace is working the hardest.
Qualified technicians will check your heating system’s ignition, examine the filter, replace or adjust small components, clean off the burners, and more. These steps are critical to the proper functioning of the system as well as its operational safety. Now, we’re sure you won’t risk your family and home’s safety.
Ask the Heating Masters
To enjoy hassle-free New Brighton heating and air conditioning maintenance, be sure to work with a reputable company like Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning. Because of our dedication to excellence, we are duly recognized as a Lennox Premier Dealer, a distinction given to contractors that meet and exceed industry standards in workmanship and service.
Furnace Maintenance and Its Many Benefits
Taking care of your furnace is a responsibility that yields several benefits, and in this blog, we’d like to discuss with you some of those good things.
Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning is your reliable heating company in Anoka MN. We are dedicated to helping homeowners keep their furnaces in tip-top condition. Consider these advantages as you’re looking into the upkeep of your furnace.
Lower Energy Costs
A furnace can easily account for nearly half of your total energy bill during the heating season. That can easily go up, especially if we have a particularly long winter. This is why professional furnace maintenance is essential to help you save money on energy.
A properly maintained furnace is more energy-efficient. In fact, studies show that regular professional maintenance can save you as much as 30 percent on your monthly energy bill.
The reason behind this energy efficiency is a thorough cleaning of your heating system. A trained technician inspects, cleans, and regulates your entire HVAC system to ensure it runs in the most energy-efficient ways. It is quite normal for furnaces to collect dust, dirt, and debris, which add strain to the unit, making it harder to heat your home. But when neglected, the collected dirt can cause different issues.
If you have a gas-fired unit, the gas lines and burners can also lower the system’s overall efficiency, especially if they are not maintained. A professional can perform a comprehensive check and identify which parts need cleaning and lubrication. When your furnace is clean from the inside out, it is guaranteed to work in tip-top condition, lowering your energy use.
Fewer Repairs
Not only is a furnace breakdown frustrating, but it’s also expensive. In a perfect world, you want to deal with as few as possible and when you get maintenance frequently, you can turn that ideal scenario into a reality. Cleaning and parts checks prevent the vast majority of these issues you commonly face.
Are you aware that regular tune-ups can actually help you avoid about 85 percent of the repair needs your furnace might ever need in its lifespan? A qualified technician checks for small problems before they even have the chance to become bigger.
The HVAC professional will alert you to these small needs during your tune-up, giving you enough time to get repairs on your schedule. Once those alerts are addressed, you’ll have the peace of mind that your furnace is ready to go and keep your family warm and comfortable all season long.
Advanced Detection of Dangerous Leaks
If you have a gas-fired unit, it utilizes combustion as part of the system’s overall process. A simple problem in the furnace’s combustion system can lead to a gas leak. If the unit hasn’t been properly maintained, it runs the risk of carbon monoxide leaks. While you can detect a gas leak by its smell, it is harder to identify a carbon monoxide leak because this gas is both colorless and odorless. Exposure to high levels of carbon monoxide can cause severe headaches, nausea, confusion, and in some cases, even death.
By allowing a professional to perform routine maintenance, he can spot potential leaks and seal them off right away, eliminating the risk of inhaling these dangerous gases.
Safety
Heating systems are not innately dangerous. Otherwise, they won’t be allowed to be sold on the market, let alone be used at homes. This statement is particularly true of modern units, which are built with safety in mind, with several features to ensure the safest operation.
However, when a gas-fired system isn’t well maintained, you could run into problems—many of them. A poorly maintained gas furnace has the risk of developing cracks. The one place you don’t want these breaks is on the heat exchanger, which can cause a carbon monoxide leak in your home.
This problem is most likely to occur with an aging furnace rather than with a younger system. But maintaining it when it is still new lowers the risk of problems taking place later on.
Questions? Ask Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning
These are just four of the benefits of our Champlin heating and cooling/furnace maintenance offering. To know more, simply give us a call. We’d love to help you get your unit in great shape, ensuring both safety and reliability.