Will a New Ductless Mini-Split Air Conditioner Be Energy Efficient?

If you’re in the market for a new air conditioning system, then it’s likely that you’ve come across the ductless mini split system. This type of system offers both heating and cooling for residential homes. One of the most common marketed advantages of utilizing this type of AC system is that it’s more energy efficient than others. Are They Really More Energy Efficient? When it comes down to assessing numbers, ductless mini-split systems have been shown to be up to 30% more energy efficient than traditional centralized air conditioning systems. This means that if you opt for installing a new mini split system over a centralized one, you can save up to 30% a year on your summertime cooling bills. But how is it more efficient? Why Are Ductless Mini-Splits So Energy Efficient? The reason that ductless mini-split systems are more efficient than other types of air conditioning systems is due to their design and installation. When you have ductless mini-split systems installed in your home, there is no ducting utilized. In traditional centralized air conditioning systems, homeowners can lose a lot of their cold air through gaps and leaks that develop in their ducting. With a ductless system, you...

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Using Air Purifiers for Allergy Relief

If you always keep a box of tissues close at hand, there’s a good chance that you’re an allergy sufferer. Perhaps you find yourself sniffling all day long. If indoor allergens could be part of the problem, then an air purifier might help. Causes of Indoor Allergies The air in your home looks clean, but it may be harboring irritating contaminants. They can include: Cockroach droppings Dead skin flakes Dust mite droppings Mold spores Pet dander Pollen Together, we simply refer to these particles as “dust.” While dust can settle on surfaces, it can also float through the air you breathe. Breathing in dust particles can trigger allergy symptoms. Benefits of Air Purifiers Since dusty air can cause allergy problems, purifying the air may be part of the solution. Air purifiers have filters to trap tiny particles, keeping them from traveling through your interior air. You’ll be able to take cleaner breaths that don’t make your allergy symptoms flare up. Some air purifiers also use UV light to destroy living contaminants, such as mold spores. By damaging the mold’s DNA, the air purifier keeps these particles from reproducing. That way, they will no longer fill your home with their allergy-inducing...

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4 Tips for Improving Home Indoor Air Quality

Poor indoor air quality can lead to various health issues, such as respiratory problems, heart disease, and lung cancer. It can be affected by a variety of factors. Unfortunately, identifying the cause of poor indoor air quality is often difficult. To improve your home’s air quality, follow these four tips: 1. Change Your AC Filter AC units are one of the main culprits when it comes to poor indoor air quality. They can remove up to most airborne particles, such as dust, pollen, and smoke. However, they do not remove other substances that can cause health problems. These include VOCs (volatile organic compounds) emitted by paint and varnish. That is why you should change your AC filters regularly and consider an air purification system. 2. Ventilate Your Home Another way to improve your home’s indoor air quality is to ventilate it regularly. Ventilation systems can help you circulate the air in your home, which increases the flow of fresh air. The increased air circulation helps remove airborne particles, such as dust and pollen. You should also leave windows open whenever possible, especially during the day. 3. Use HEPA Filters Plain dust masks often do not block harmful particles, such as...

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4 Possible Reasons Your Furnace Isn’t Working

1. Air Filter Needs to Be Replaced If your furnace is running, but there is little to no hot air blowing out of your vents, you should first make sure your air filter isn’t clogged, as this will limit the amount of air coming into the furnace and, thus, how much heat it produces. A clogged air filter can also cause your furnace to overheat and shut down. Should this happen, your furnace won’t turn on again until it has had time to cool sufficiently. In some cases, your heating system will also need to be reset after overheating before it will work again. 2. Flame Sensor Is Dirty If your furnace lights and then almost immediately shuts down, it usually means that the flame sensor is too dirty to work properly. The flame sensor can also fail due to age. In either case, the flame sensor won’t detect that the burners are lit, which leads to the gas valve closing and the furnace shutting down within a few seconds. 3. Fuel or Electricity Supply Issues If your furnace won’t come on at all, you should make sure that the circuit breaker isn’t tripped. Your furnace obviously also won’t work...

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5 Ways Furnace Maintenance Can Save you Money

While you probably don’t think about your furnace very often, it’s a critical component of keeping your home comfortable. You should schedule maintenance for it every fall. There are five ways you can save money by doing this. 1. Increased Energy Efficiency Professional maintenance keeps your furnace operating at its peak efficiency. When a furnace isn’t maintained, it will gradually have to work harder and harder to heat your home. By keeping your furnace well maintained, you’ll enjoy lower monthly energy bills. 2. Longer Furnace Life Span A furnace that receives annual maintenance will probably last years longer than one that hasn’t been well maintained. Replacing a furnace is expensive, so you want it to last as long as possible. You’ll save a lot of money by keeping it from needing to be replaced prematurely. in Aitkin, MN performs furnace maintenance. We recommend that you schedule this service every fall. 3. Prevents Furnace Repairs By having your furnace maintained professionally, you’ll save money on repair bills. The technician has the opportunity to detect small problems during a tune-up. For example, a part may be loose and just needs to be tightened, or the air filter is clogged and needs to...

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Reasons Why Your Furnace Won’t Turn Off

An overactive furnace can quickly impact your comfort and utility bills. Constantly producing heat can also put harmful stress on the system, lowering its efficiency and potentially its life span. Here are a few of the most common reasons behind overactive furnaces. Faulty Thermostat Your thermostat should signal your furnace when to kick on and turn off. If the device is suffering from faulty wiring or incorrect settings, your indoor comfort can be impacted. Thermostats older than 10 years are more likely to malfunction and skyrocket your regular energy usage. Clogged Air Filter Your HVAC filters work to regulate the amount of air in your furnace. When they become clogged, the system can struggle to get enough air, which will make your furnace work harder. Be sure to regularly switch out your filters and use high-quality options that fit your unique household. Leaky Ductwork The heat in your home must travel through the ductwork before reaching your living areas. If your ducts are leaking air into the walls and uninsulated areas, your furnace will stay on to make up for that lost heat. You may feel perpetually cold and uncomfortable even though your heating system runs for much longer than...

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Geothermal Heating and Cooling: Is It Worth the Investment?

Homeowners are always looking for ways to save money and be more energy efficient. One way to do both is to invest in a geothermal HVAC unit. Geothermal HVAC units have many benefits, including being environmentally friendly and cheaper than traditional HVAC units. Let’s take a closer look at geothermal HVAC units and see if they are right for you and your home. 1. Longer Lifespan and Less Maintenance Geothermal HVAC units have a longer lifespan than other heating and cooling systems because they do not use moving parts, which means there are fewer opportunities for wear and tear. Additionally, geothermal units are designed to withstand extreme temperatures, making them less likely to be damaged by extreme weather conditions. Since these units don’t use fossil fuels, there is no corrosion from combustion gases, increasing their shelf life. Geothermal systems also require little maintenance, making them a wise investment for any homeowner. While the initial cost of a geothermal unit may be higher than other types of HVAC units, the long lifespan and low maintenance costs make geothermal systems an increasingly popular option for homeowners. 2. Lower Operating Costs Geothermal HVAC units use the earth’s natural heat to provide comfortable indoor...

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Can Your Home’s PEX Pipes Freeze?

Cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) pipes have become widely popular due to their flexibility. This material is great for retrofitting and is an inexpensive alternative to metal pipe options. PEX pipes are also touted for being freeze-resistant because of their ability to expand. While these pipes may need to reach a lower temperature to freeze, they can still burst and flood your home. PEX Pipes PEX pipes can freeze once the temperature reaches about 20 degrees Fahrenheit. They can expand a finite amount, lowering the overall pressure on the pipe itself. However, the colder it becomes, the more likely your PEX pipes will freeze and burst. This risk is increased if the pipes are located in unprotected parts of your home, like the attic or crawlspace. You can protect your PEX pipes by wrapping them in flexible, high-quality insulation. Shut off water to outside spigots and drain any excess that could freeze during the winter. Letting your faucets drip can also keep water moving in your pipes, making it harder to freeze. If your PEX pipes freeze, call your local plumbing company for immediate assistance. Turn off your water at the main supply valve to prevent bursting. Catching the issue as soon...

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How to Winterize Your Plumbing for the Minnesota Winter

As the temperatures begin to drop and winter starts to settle in, it’s important to take a few steps to ensure that your plumbing can weather the cold. Known as winterization, these steps can save you a lot of stress down the road. Here’s an overview of the winterization process for your Minnesota plumbing system. Insulate Your Pipes This is perhaps the most important step in ensuring that your plumbing can withstand the cold winter temperatures. Any exposed piping, whether it is in your crawlspace or basement, should be properly insulated with foam pipe insulation. This will act as a barrier between your pipes and the cold air, and it will help keep them from freezing. Disconnect Outdoor Hoses Any hoses that are still connected to outdoor faucets should be disconnected and stored away for the winter. Be sure to drain any remaining water from the hoses before storing them, as this will help prevent them from freezing and cracking. Cover Outdoor Faucets Outdoor faucets should be covered with insulating covers to prevent them from freezing. These covers are relatively inexpensive and can be found at most hardware stores. Bleed Your Radiator Valves If you have a boiler and rely...

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How Frequently Should Your AC Unit Be Serviced?

Your air conditioning unit requires regular servicing to ensure optimal performance and energy efficiency throughout the year. Failure to service your AC unit can lead to several problems, including reduced efficiency, higher energy bills, and even complete system failure. So, How Often Should You Service Your AC Unit? Our experts at recommend that you service your AC at least once a year. This will help to ensure that your unit is operating at peak efficiency and catch any potential problems before they cause major issues. If you live in an area with a particularly hot climate, or if your AC unit gets heavy use, you may need to service it more often. In these cases, we recommend servicing your AC unit every six months. What Does AC Servicing Include? A typical AC service will thoroughly inspect your unit and clean all the major components. This will help to remove any dirt or debris that could be causing problems and preventing your unit from operating at its best. Your AC technician will also check all the electrical connections and test the refrigerant levels. If any of these are low, they can be easily topped up to ensure that your unit runs...

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