Six Tips to Reduce Your Heating Bill

Posted on November 29, 2017 by WestAIR Heating & Cooling

Winter has arrived in full force, but that doesn’t mean you have to blast money from your wallet as you turn up the heat. WestAIR Heating and Cooling offers six easy ways to reduce your heating bill this winter and for years to come.

1. Control your Thermostat

Using a thermostat is an easy way to control your home temperature and maximize your savings. While you are away, set it 10 degrees cooler than your regular setting. So, if you feel comfortable at 69 degrees, you would program it to be 59 degrees while you’re at work or on vacation. Some newer thermostats have capabilities to be controlled by a phone app or website!

2. Insulate Windows and Walls

You can lose half of your heat if your home is not well insulated! Is your attic or basement insulated? If not, fill all the gaps with fiberglass insulation. If your windows are drafty, fill in the leaky spaces with caulk.

3. Look at those Ducts

Heat can leak right through your air ducts too. You can patch them with aluminum foil tape (not duct tape) and mastic sealant. First, clean the surface near any leak you find in your air ducts. The aluminum foil tape works best on flat surfaces. Mastic is for curved surfaces that would be difficult to tape. Use both for leaks bigger than a quarter-inch for extra protection!

4. Keep Up on Filters

Did you know that you should change your furnace filter each month? Not only will it let warm air flow freely, but it will reduce the need for costly repairs. Inexpensive fiber filters work fine, but standard pleated filters are better for airborne dust.

5. Take Care of your Furnace

Many people forget this step, but tune-ups are necessary for furnaces just like an oil change is for your car. Nobody wants to wake up shivering in the middle of the night because the furnace isn’t working properly. Although we do offer same-day and emergency service in case this happens, avoid breakdowns with a scheduled maintenance check. Take advantage of our current promotion and save $10 on any repair or service call.

6. Invest!

Sometimes you must kick your old furnace to the curb. If your repair costs more than 50 percent of the cost of a new furnace, or your monthly heating bills have significantly increased, you should most likely consider a replacement. Upfront costs may seem daunting, but today’s furnaces are more energy efficient and will save money in the long run. If you think it’s time to replace that old furnace of yours, we stand by Rheem heaters for quality. Rheem is a leading provider of top-quality, innovative heating products that offer the latest technology, lasting performance, great warranties, and excellent service and support. As a proud Rheem Pro Partner, our highly trained, licensed technicians can recommend a Rheem furnace or other heating product to best meet your needs.

Contact us to learn more about a furnace tune-up or questions!

This entry was posted in Energy Savings,Furnace,Heating,Tips and tagged Advice, Cold, Cold weather, Ducts, Efficiency, Filters, Furnace, Heat, Heater, Heating, HVAC, Insulation, Minnesota, Reduce costs, Repair, Rheem, Save money, Thermostat, Tips, Weather, WestAIR, Winter, Winterize

Go Leaf Peeping: 3 Scenic Drives to Take This Fall

Posted on September 23, 2016 by WestAIR Heating & Cooling

Cruise down any ol’ street during the autumn months, and you’ll likely find yourself oogling out the window at the gorgeous reds, yellows, oranges, greens and browns of tree-line boulevards. There’s no lack of colorful scenic drives in Minnesota this time of year, that’s for sure.

Make a day of it; grab your loved ones and pile into the car to take in some particularly spectacular sites around our great state this time of year. You won’t want to miss these:

WINONA
Located alongside the Mississippi River, Winona offers some breathtaking views.  Check out the Garvin Heights lookout while you’re there for sweeping views of the city below, or a warm cup of soup and a sandwich at the Acoustic Cafe.

STILLWATER
Admire the leaves along the St. Croix River, then grab a beer at Maple Island Brewing or peruse the many gift and antique shops in the bustling downtown area.

DULUTH
Great fall colors and great lake views; what’s not to love? Several state parks along the North Shores of Lake Superior offer hiking trails and scenic overlooks. A mid-week trip might be best to avoid the crowds.

Be sure to check the Minnesota DNR’s Fall Color Finder to find the peak time to go leaf peeping.

This entry was posted in Community Events and tagged Minnesota, Outdoor fun, WestAIR Heating & Cooling

September Family Fun Events in the Twin Cities

Posted on September 13, 2016 by WestAIR Heating & Cooling

Kids are back in school and there’s a crisp chill in the air which can only mean one thing; fall is almost here! The change in seasons brings a fresh crop of family-friendly activities. Don’t miss these upcoming Twin Cities events.

Excelsior Apple Day
Saturday, September 17
9:00am – 10:00pm

Visit the lakeside town of Excelsior for the 37th Annual Apple Day. Run in the morning 5K, browse the vendor fair, or keep the kids entertained at the Happy Apple Kids Corner — there’s fun, food and activities for the whole family. Click here for more information.

Minnesota Renaissance Festival
Weekends, August 20-October 2

Spend the entire day exploring Minnesota’s Renaissance Festival! Enjoy live entertainment, browse artisan booths, food, beverages and more.

Lone Oak Days Fall Festival
Sunday, September 25
11:00am – 4:00pm

Experience farm life as it was in the 1940’s during Lone Oak Days. Go for a hay ride, learn how to make a rope, take your chances in a pie eating contest, see how butter is churned, and so much more.

Before long, we Minnesotans will be bundled up in hats, boots and coats so get outdoors and enjoy one of the loveliest times of year in our great state.

This entry was posted in Community Events and tagged Minnesota, Outdoor fun

Indoor Air Quality in the Twin Cities Area, MN

Posted on June 6, 2014 by WestAIR Heating & Cooling

Many people think that the air inside their home or workplace is cleaner than the air outside. However, in the majority of situations this is not the case. The air indoors at times is not as fresh as outdoor air and may be polluted with things such as dust mites, pet dander, mold, aerosols and bacteria. These such things may cause allergies, dry or runny nose, itchy eyes and throat or headaches.

It is important that we take the necessairy steps to be concerned with the quaility of the air that we breathe just as we are with the food that we put into our bodies. The best solution for indoor air quiality is proper ventilation which can be satisfied with an air exchanger from WestAIR. For more details and information please visit our website to read more on air exchangers.

Proudly delivering the “Quality Service you expect” for 25+ years. Contact WestAIR Heating and Cooling today for a free estimate (763)498-8071. Location: 11184 River Road NE Hanover, MN 55341

This entry was posted in Indoor Air Quality,Tips and tagged Air exchanger, Allergies, Dust, Indoor air, Indoor air quality, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Mold, Outdoor air, Pollution