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.

Like 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.

Hopefully 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.

There is no easier way to save on your energy costs than to install a Programmable Setback thermostat to adjust your indoor temperature throughout the year. Honeywell claims that you can save up to 16% by simply allow the temperature in your home to “setback” during sleeping and working hours throughout the day.
The price of setback thermostats has decreased and utility companies are now giving rebates when they are added to a new furnace installation.

Have you ever really been comfortable in your home ?
The reality is that most systems installed in today’s homes are so poorly designed that there is no chance of achieving real comfort.
Have you ever seen how many degrees cooler your lower level is than the floor with the thermostat ? My experience has shown that 7 – 10 degrees colder is the norm.
You don’t have to accept this anymore. There are options which will make your entire home a comfortable place to enjoy. And best of all, you will pay much less to the gas and electric companies while finally enjoying every room in your home.
Make the time for a free in home estimate with a HVAC contractor and learn how you too can be comfortable this winter.

If you still have a Honeywell Round Thermostat controlling your furnace, I recommend you replace it now.
With over 55 million of these thermostats manufactured , I am certain many are still in use.
The downside to this mercury bulb thermostat is it’s inaccuracy, which leads to overshooting your desired setpoint and wasting precious energy. This inaccuracy also means discomfort in your home due to wide temperature swings.
Today’s electronic thermostats are accurate to as little as 1/2 of a degree which translates into a more comfortable home and lower heating bills.
Remember, these Honeywell Round Thermostats contain mercury and must be disposed of appropriately. All professional heating companies will be happy to take them and dispose of them as necessary.

Not quite air conditioning season yet but not really heating season either.

You turn on the furnace , you open the windows and in the afternoon you turn on the a/c. This time of year is the most difficult to maintain a comfortable temperature inside your home. The furnace is sized to keep you warm when the outside temperature is well below zero , so it makes sense that it is way too big when the temperature is in the 40’s and 50’s. And vice versa with your air conditioner. When it is 70 degrees you need a little cooling in your upper floor but the a/c is sized to keep those rooms cool when it is 92 degrees outside. In both cases, the equipment runs for a very short time to satisfy the thermostat and then your home quickly becomes uncomfortable.

Heat pumps, 2 stage air conditioners and modulating furnaces will more closely match the requirements to keep your home much more comfortable in these “in between” seasons and also zoning works its’ best this time too.