Furnace Tune-ups
WHAT STEPS SHOULD I TAKE TO MAINTAIN MY FURNACE THIS WINTER?
Most furnace maintenance should happen in the fall so that your furnace will be ready for winter. Getting a HVAC professional to inspect your furnace every fall will keep it running and avoid problems that you may have during the winter. They will check every part of your furnace including the air ducts. You will also want to clean your vents and vacuum, getting rid of dust that might clog up your furnace. Be sure to change your filter every fall and check periodically, especially if you have pets, to make sure no issues occur. For more tips about furnace maintenance, check out our blog or our services.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I GET A FURNACE TUNE UP?
We recommend that you schedule a tune up for your HVAC systems twice a year, once before summer and once before winter, to guarantee the best results from your air conditioner and furnace. Check out our Comfort Care Package for deals on these tune ups and to learn more about our processes.
WHAT IS A HIGH EFFICIENCY FURNACE?
A high efficiency furnace is determined by how much fuel it can convert into heat, measured by Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE). For example, if a furnace has a 90% efficiency, 90% of the fuel used is turned into heat. The other 10% is lost getting the fuel to turn into heat. High efficiency furnaces lower energy bills because it produces more heat for the energy it uses. Furnaces rated from 90% to 98% efficiency are considered high efficiency furnaces.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS FOR A HIGH EFFICIENCY FURNACE?
There are many benefits to a high efficiency furnace including lowered energy costs, a longer furnace lifespan, and integrating new technologies. Oftentimes, high efficiency furnaces are quieter and better for the environment. If you would like to learn more about high efficiency furnaces, contact us or check out our furnaces.
HOW LONG DOES A FURNACE LAST?
With good maintenance and regular tune-ups, a furnace usually will last fifteen to twenty years on average. However, if your furnace has not been regularly checked, there is a chance that it will not last as long. In many cases, your furnace will have warning signs before it stops working. If you are experiencing things like noises, constant repairs, or if it doesn’t heat your house as well as it used to, then it might be time to get a new furnace. Check with your HVAC professional or contact us for furnace options or repairs.
HOW DO I DETERMINE WHAT SIZE FURNACE TO USE IN MY HOME?
The size of furnaces are measured in British Thermal Units, or BTU. One BTU is the amount of energy required to heat a pound of water in an hour, and the heat made from the steam is then sent into your home to heat it. Measurements are based off of many factors that are specific to your home. For an accurate measurement, contact Twin City Heating and Air for a home check and recommendations.
WHAT SIGNS SHOULD I LOOK FOR WHAT IT’S TIME FOR A FURNACE REPAIR?
There are easy ways to tell if your furnace needs a tune-up. If you haven’t had a furnace tune-up in a year or two, it might be time to get it checked out so that no issues arise when you need your furnace the most. You might also want to get it checked if the pilot light is yellow instead of blue. A yellow pilot light means that there is not enough gas to make the light hot enough to heat the boiler. Another sign is if there are any strange noises such as bumps or scrapes coming from your furnace. There could be a major mechanical problem that should be fixed as soon as possible. Other problems such as low heat no matter how much you crank it up, it won’t stay on, or if your heating bills rise a lot in a short amount of time, you will want to get your furnace checked out by a HVAC professional. Check out our 21-point inspection or call us to make an appointment to get your furnace tuned-up for any of these problems.
Furnace Filters
WHAT IS A FURNACE FILTER AND WHAT DOES IT DO?
A furnace filter is a material placed between your furnace and the air vents in your home. The furnace filter is designed to catch dust particles and other harmful particles. They help keep the air in your home cleaner and prevent any particles from going into your furnace. It is essential for the safety of your furnace and your home to have a furnace filter.
HOW MUCH DO FURNACE FILTERS COST?
Depending on the type of furnace filter you purchase, it can cost anywhere from $15 to $100 per filter. Cheaper filters can get the job done as long as you regulate when you check them. We recommend checking standard filters every month but suggest you check your filter manufacturers recommendations as well.
HOW MANY KINDS OF FURNACE FILTERS ARE THERE?
There are five different kinds of furnace filters defined by the material used to make the filter. Fiberglass is the most common because it is the cheapest one you can buy, but it only catches larger particles, leaving smaller ones in the air. Reusable or washable filters allow you to keep one filter for a couple of years. They have to be sprayed with a sticky substance to catch smaller particles. Pleated polyester filters are able to catch smaller particles at a lower price, but have to be changed more often than the fiberglass filters. Deep pleated, or high-efficiency, filters are similar to pleated polyester, but are layered. They are very thick and can only be used in homes with the filter space big enough to accommodate them. Electronic, or electrostatic, filters are reusable filters that have to be plugged in or charged. The charged particles attract many dust particles, so they have to be cleaned monthly.
WHICH FILTER SHOULD I USE FOR MY FURNACE?
A lot of factors can go into what kind of filter you buy. People with children and pets will want a filter that will catch some of the smaller particles, while people that live alone may not need a filter that catches more particles. For expert advice, contact your HVAC technician and schedule a tune-up. Your technician can tell you the right filter that will fit your needs. The more you check your filter, or tune-up your furnace, the safer your family will be.
For more information on furnace or air filters, feel free to contact us.
Furnace Humidfiers
WHAT ARE FURNACE HUMIDIFIERS?
When the weather turns cold, the air in your home is dry, which could lead to dry skin. A furnace humidifier puts moisture back into the air to make you and your family healthier. The humidifier is attached directly to your furnace and air conditioning systems which pump moisture into your central heating and air conditioning system.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A FURNACE HUMIDIFIER?
There are many benefits to adding a furnace humidifier to your home. Dry air in winter months can dry out your skin, which could lead to other health problems. As the dry air effects your home, it could decrease the lifespan of your wood floors and cabinets, but a furnace humidifier can stop that damaging cycle. Homeowners with furnace humidifiers usually have better skin and lung health, and fewer allergy and asthma symptoms. Furnace humidifiers can also eradicate airborne illnesses in your home faster, and make your home feel warmer, decreasing the use of your furnace and saving you money.
WHAT TYPES OF FURNACE HUMIDIFIERS ARE THERE?
There are three main types of humidifiers. One is the bypass or drum humidifier. It is installed directly on your furnace and uses your home’s normal water supply. Another type of humidifier is the flow through unit, which goes into the ductwork, collecting water from condensation. It senses when the air is dry and turns on using the water it has collected and your home’s water supply. A steam furnace humidifier takes in water into its own bowl. It also uses a sensor to turn on to heat the water in its bowl. This furnace humidifier is the most effective and the most expensive. Ask your HVAC professional for advice on which furnace humidifier will fit best for your home.
HOW DO I INSTALL A FURNACE HUMIDIFIER?
Installing furnace humidifiers requires expertise and precision. If you would like to install a furnace humidifier, please call your HVAC professional to avoid issues with installation. Contact us today!
Air Conditioners
HOW DO AIR CONDITIONERS WORK?
An air conditioner has two parts that work together to take out the warm air in your home and bring in cooler air. One part is inside your home, while the other part is outside. In the inside unit, there is a space for an evaporator which uses the air from outside and a refrigerant, such as Freon, to evaporate the heat and turn the air in it to cool air. The outside unit releases the hot air from inside your home back outside.
HOW CAN I PREPARE MY AIR CONDITIONER FOR SPRING AND SUMMER?
To make sure that your air conditioner will work properly over the warmer months, you’ll want to do some cleaning and checking before turning it on. On the outdoor unit, clean off all of the debris that has gathered there over the winter and check the coolant lines for any cracks or missing coverings. Once that is done, check the filter on the inside unit. Filters are important for the safety of your home, so now is probably a good time to replace it. Check the drain line and vents in your home for dust and blockage. To ensure a perfectly working air conditioner this summer, call us for a tune-up. Our HVAC technicians will have the best advice and make sure you stay safe and cool this summer.
WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON AIR CONDITIONING PROBLEMS?
Some problems can be easily fixed by just checking common problem areas. Make sure to check your filter, condensation drain, refrigerant levels, and thermostat. If the air is not coming out or coming out warm. These can be for many reasons including a clogged filter, things are trapped in the air ducts, or low refrigerant levels. Problems like leaking refrigerant can mean that there is a crack where the refrigerant is and should be checked out by a HVAC professional. If one of the units, the inside or outside, shuts down often, it could be a lack of power or faulty coils. To ensure your air conditioner is working properly before any problems arise, call to get a tune-up for your air conditioner. Check out our 20-point air conditioner tune-ups for more information.
HOW DO I KNOW WHEN MY AIR CONDITIONER NEEDS MORE REFRIGERANT?
Common signs that your air conditioner needs more refrigerant, such as Freon, are warm air blowing through your home, higher energy bills, ice or frost on your refrigerant line, and hissing and bubbling noises coming from your air conditioner. The hissing and bubbling or if your air conditioner is also leaking, it could mean that there is a crack in the refrigerant chamber and should be fixed before adding more refrigerant. These signs could result from other issues so be sure to call our HVAC professionals if the problem isn’t fixed.
WHAT SIZE AIR CONDITIONER DO I NEED?
Air conditioners are measured in tons. One ton is the amount of energy required to cool 12,000 BTU, British Thermal Unit or the amount of heat in the air, in one hour. The higher the ton, the more cooling power it will provide. On average in Minnesota, one ton can cover about 550 square feet. With the average house size being 2,600 square feet, the average household will need a four ton air conditioner. However, there are a lot of factors that are specific to a home, so for a more accurate measurement, contact our HVAC professionals for a visit and recommendation.
WHY IS R22 REFRIGERANT BANNED?
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been phasing out the use of R22 refrigerant, or Freon, in an act that is phasing out products that are proven to deplete the ozone layer. By 2020, the production of R22 will be stopped in the US, which could cause problems for air conditioners made before 2010. Newer air conditioners use R410a refrigerant, an environmentally friendly option that might not be compatible for older air conditioners. With this change, the cost of adding Freon to older air conditioners will be expensive. Repairs and the new expense to Freon will build up quickly. In these cases, replacing your air conditioner to a newer model will be more cost efficient and lower your energy bills in the long run. Call Twin City Heating and Air for more questions, or schedule an appointment to replace your air conditioner this spring.
WHAT ARE DUCTLESS MINI-SPLITS?
Ductless mini-splits are units that provide both heat and air conditioning, and they are installed into specified areas of your home without using the ductwork. They are an economical alternative to adding heat and air conditioning to rooms or areas that are not connected directly to your furnace or air conditioner. Add them to your new additions, workshops, three or four season porches, or other new areas to save money and provide heat or air with ease. Call Twin City Heating and Air to learn more about how mini-splits can work for your home.
Air Purifiers
HOW DO AIR PURIFIERS WORK?
Air purifiers consist of a fan and filters that circulate the air in your home while removing many harmful particles. The constant movement of air will keep it cleaner and healthier, but it is not a permanent solution for cleaning. Your air purifier and a regular cleaning schedule will keep the air in your home fresh and healthier for your family. Check out our specials or contact us for more information.
WHAT CAN AIR PURIFIERS REMOVE?
Air purifiers remove most harmful particles in the air, including dust, allergens, mold spores, and bacteria. Some air purifiers, like the iWave Whole-Home Purifier, can remove up to 99% of harmful particles from the air in your home. Check out our Facebook page or specials page for any special offers, or learn more by contacting us about home air purifiers.
CAN AIR PURIFIERS HELP WITH ALLERGIES?
The filters in air purifiers assist your air conditioner in removing dust and other allergens from the air. Their filters are more effective in removing allergens than most other filtration systems. While it may remove most allergens, it will not remove everything so be sure to check with your doctor about your allergies before reducing medication. Learn more about what we can do for you by checking out our special on air purifiers or contact us for an appointment.
CAN AIR PURIFIERS HELP WITH ASTHMA?
Air purifiers can help people with asthma by significantly reducing the number of triggers in the home. However, it is not a solution to resolving asthma. While it is effective in relieving most symptoms, it is not a sure way of prevention. Be sure to call with any questions, as we strive to make your life better by bringing cleaner air to you.
Air Ducts
We partner with Clean Air Restoration for all air duct cleaning to get the best results.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I GET MY AIR DUCTS CLEANED?
The air ducts in your home spread cool air from your air conditioner and warm air from your furnace. With all of these tasks, it could get clogged with dust and hair fairly quickly. However, the amount of dust and particles in your air ducts depends on how many people and animals live in your home. With pets or allergies, your air ducts may have to be cleaned more often. Other factors include smokers in your home, potential water leaks or contamination, recent renovations or remodels to your home, and other respiratory issues the people living in your home have. While the air ducts should be checked twice a year with the regular tune ups, they are most often cleaned every three to five years, according to the National Air Duct Cleaners Association. Talk with your HVAC professional for their recommendation for your home.
WHY SHOULD MY AIR DUCTS BE CLEANED?
While there is no conclusive evidence that cleaning air ducts prevents illness or other health problems, it does help the overall air quality of your home and prevents problems with your air conditioner and furnace. Dirty air ducts can lead to mold growth and allow pests to make nests in the dust and hair inside. Cleaning your air ducts can also help you save money because of the smoother air flow in your home.
HOW ARE AIR DUCTS CLEANED?
Air ducts are cleaned using certified machines to clean both the air ducts and HVAC systems. After turning off your HVAC systems, our professionals clean dust off of the components of both your air conditioner and furnace. Then they will clean the air ducts themselves. The first step is to break up the dust and other particles that is caught inside the air ducts using brushes, air whips, or other tools. Then using specialized vacuums, dust and particles are sucked out of the air ducts to clean it. Depending on your home’s air duct system, the professional might have to use other tools to fully clean out the dust. Contact your HVAC professional for their exact process and learn how they can improve your home’s air quality.