I have blogged on a number of occasions the benefit of purchasing a high efficiency furnace with an ECM (Electronically Commutated Motor) and finally an Electric Utility sees the benefit of this motor and is giving a $100 rebate for installing this blower motor in both an existing furnace and a new furnace equipped with an ECM motor.
I am so thrilled to see Dakota Electric offer this rebate and help offset the higher initial cost of this motor.
My hope is that the other Electric Utilities will follow suit and join Dakota Electric in offering a rebate to homeowners who choose to purchase an ECM blower motor in their new furnace.
Dakota Electric gets it, I hope the others will follow.
Dakota Electric gets it
July 19th, 2010Hail Damaged Air Conditioner
July 9th, 2010Like every summer, 2010 has brought hail storms which have damaged the coil fins on a number of Twin Cities air conditioning units. This damage can , in some cases, be “Combed” out to put the fins back in their original factory spacing but in more severe cases an insurance claim must be filed and the entire unit replaced.
The folded over fins (from the hail damage) do not allow proper airflow to move through the condensing unit for the necessary heat transfer required to cool your home. Without proper heat transfer , your air conditioner will not produce the necessary BTU’s to cool your home.
Take a quick look at your air conditioner to see if there is hail damage and if so, call a Contractor to get a quote on the necessary repairs.
Water on the floor
July 2nd, 2010I had another call today about water on the floor around the furnace. This is an inevitable problem with all air conditioners if you do not do preventive maintenance on your A/C system.
As you all know, an air conditioner rings gallons of water out of the air as it cools your home. This water is drained from the evaporator (“A” coil) by gravity through a hose connected to the front of the coil, above the furnace.
The “A” coil has a drain pan on it’s bottom which catches the water to be drained away. The “A” coil also catches dirt in the air stream which mixes with the water and will eventually build up enough to clog the drain fitting and hose, causing the water to overflow the pan and run onto the floor around the furnace. Be sure to check the drain system for debris and replace the hose periodically. We recommend an annual maintenance plan which will leave this messy job to our service technicians.
Installation Video
June 30th, 2010We are very excited to share a video we have created to outline the process we use to install a new furnace and air conditioner. We realize most people have never purchased a replacement HVAC system and have a number of questions which will be answered by viewing this short video. You can find the video on our website under the” Start Here” tab as “Informational Video”. We hope you find this video helpful and informative. Please let me know your thoughts and any questions you may still have after viewing the video.
Thermostat Fan Setting
June 22nd, 2010Hopefully you all are aware of the “other” setting on your thermostat which controls the operation of the furnace fan. The switch marked auto / on tells the furnace to run the fan only when the thermostat calls for heating or cooling when it is in the “Auto” mode. When the switch is in the “On” mode the fan runs all the time.
I personally like the “On” mode all the time you have your windows closed. This will minimize the temperature difference from the upper floor of your home to your lower floor and reduce the time your furnace and air conditioner run. Another great benefit of running your fan all the time is that you are constantly filtering the air in your home. This will also reduce the need some of you have for an additional dehumidifier in your basement.
When it comes time to replace your furnace , be sure to purchase a model with a high efficiency DC blower motor which uses up to 80% less electricity.
BBB Accredited
June 22nd, 2010I am thrilled to see the number of Homeowners who are checking with the BBB prior to contracting with us for a new Furnace and Air Conditioner. We are very proud of our A+ rating and being an Accredited Member of the BBB.
Air Conditioner Start Up
May 19th, 2010Now that the thermostat is finally reading 75 degrees +, most of you will be starting your air conditioners for the first time. Before you flip the circuit breaker to bring on the system, be sure your furnace filter is clean and the bypass damper in your humidifier is closed or in the “summer” position.
Your furnace fan runs at a much higher speed (CFM) when your air conditioner is on versus when your furnace is heating, so a clean filter is even more important in the summer.
Duct Cleaning
April 30th, 2010I am asked “How often should I have my ducts cleaned” and “How much should this service cost ” ? Our customers know we do not provide this service and feel they can get a unbiased response. Well, I am pleased to lend my 2 cents. #1. I feel that all ductwork gets dirty and is filled with construction debris during the home’s construction. I also feel if there has been remodeling done, a thorough duct cleaning is in order. As far as how soon thereafter, it depends on the home, the number of occupants and number of pets. Also, the filtration system on the furnace plays a huge role. A 1″ filter allows about 90% of the dirt to pass through it and into your ductwork, while a Hepa-filtration system captures about 99% of all airborne particles. Having said all of that, I would be shocked to see a home which would require a second duct cleaning prior to 5 years later.
As far as cost, you should expect to pay at least $200 and expect the process to take a minimum of 3 – 4 hours.
We have had great luck referring a Company called Ductz to help all our customers and know they do an incredible job for a very fair price.
Warranty
April 30th, 2010One of the most important things you buy when you buy a new Furnace or Air Conditioner is the warranty. There are 2 warranties, one from the Manufacturer for all the parts cost and the other from the installing Contractor for the labor to install the defective parts during the warranty period. Most Manufacturers have increased their parts warranty from 1 to 5 years, with some covering their top-of-the-line equipment for 10 years. The labor portion of the warranty you are buying will range from 1 year all the way up to 10 years. Be sure you know what you are buying and that the proposal plainly states the parts and labor portions of the product warranty.
Furnaces like Cars
April 30th, 2010Every Furnace Manufacturer like every Car Maker has a number of options in their line. These options have a wide range in price due to their features. Just as you would never buy a car without knowing it’s Model and features, be sure you know the Model of the furnace being proposed and don’t settle for a “Deluxe” or “Premium” model. After you have the complete model number of the furnace be sure to visit the Manufacturers’ website and do your research.