The Benefits of a Whole House Dehumidifier

Posted on by WestAIR Heating & Cooling

Whole House Dehumidifier

We’ve all heard the saying: “It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity!” And summer in Minnesota proves it with hot, sticky, oppressive days. When the air inside your home feels like the air outside, it may be time to consider a whole house dehumidifier from WestAIR Heating & Cooling.

SIGNS OF EXCESS HUMIDITY

When there’s too much humidity in your home, not only can you feel it, you can see it and smell it as well. You may need a whole house dehumidifier if:

  • Condensation appears on the inside of windows, on mirrors, or on cold drinks.
  • Your home has become an insect breeding ground.
  • Mold and mildew are present.
  • Wood furniture, wood floors, and trimwork warp or rot.
  • Skin feels sticky in the summer (or clammy in the winter).
  • Rooms smell musty.
  • You experience excessive sweating at normal indoor temperatures.

Excess humidity also provides an environment where dust mites thrive. These and other contaminants, like mold and mildew, can aggravate health problems, including asthma and allergies.

A whole house dehumidifier, working in connection with your heating and cooling system, removes the right amount of humidity from your home to alleviate these issues. At the same time, it prevents the air from becoming too dry, which can also be problematic. WestAIR installs the industry’s top whole house dehumidifiers from Aprilaire.

SPORTABLE DEHUMIDIFIER RECALL

Homeowners have used portable dehumidifiers for decades, most often in basements or cellars, which tend to be more humid. While a portable dehumidifier may seem to temporarily improve a sticky situation, a portable unit is unable to remove humidity throughout the home. In addition, portable humidifiers can pose a safety risk.

At the end of 2016, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled 5.6 million portable dehumidifiers. The recall included more than 60 brands of dehumidifiers sold at various retail outlets, including Menards, Lowe’s, and Home Depot, due to a potential fire hazard. The units were built over a ten-year period, from 2003 to 2013. Three years prior, 12 brands of dehumidifiers were recalled.

2013 Recall
2016 Recall

If you own a portable dehumidifier, we encourage you to check to see if your unit is included in these nationwide recalls.

Contact the indoor air quality experts at WestAIR Heating & Cooling to discuss the benefits of whole house dehumidifiers for your home and your family.

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Four Benefits of a Humidifier During Cooler Months

Posted on by WestAIR Heating & Cooling

Winter is here, and so is crisp Minnesota air. As the temperatures drop, so does humidity levels which can cause poor indoor air quality in our homes and negative effects on the body’s immune system. If you’re concerned about your health and comfort this season, consider using a humidifier during the cooler months.

  1. Dry air dries out your sinuses, nose and throat making it harder for your body to fight off unwanted germs. A humidifier increases humidity levels in your home, helping you breathe easier. Small portable humidifers work well for one room, or consider installing a whole house humidifier which works in conjunction with your HVAC system. Whole house humidifers also benefit allergy and asthma sufferers by keeping the throat, lungs and sinuses well lubricated.
  2. Whole home humidifiers also regulate indoor air quality to ensure the proper balance of humidity in your home.
  3. If you or someone you know suffers from eczema or other skin conditions, you know first-hand how dry air affects them. Moisturizing the skin helps, in addition to maintaining the proper humidity levels in your home.
  4. Have you ever woken up in the morning with a dry, sore throat? Your throat, chest, nose and mouth become progressively drier during the winter months. Maintaining the proper humidity levels in your home can help manage the air, giving you a better night’s sleep.

To learn more about indoor air quality, whole home humidifiers, or to schedule an appointment with one of our knowledgeable WestAIR service techicians, call us today at 763-498-8071

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Dry Winter Months

Posted on by WestAIR Heating & Cooling

During the Upper Midwest winter months the air inside of our homes tends to get etremely dry. There are simple signs such as dry skin, dry nose, and dandruff. A humidifier is the best solution to combat dry winter air in your home.

Portable humidifiers are like a piece of furniture taking up extra space in various rooms. They also involve the inconvience of always having to be refilled with more and more water. Even with this type of humidifier, you may still experience dry skin and dry air at times. Coming home to a dry house is just as unpleasant as coming home to a cold house after a long day at work or a weekend away.

A whole house humidifer is the number one solution to all of the discomforts and hassles of dry winter air. No more refilling the humidifier with water and no extra furnitiure in rooms throughout the house. Our whole house humidifiers involve a simple installation and will deliver healthier air to you and your family. If you would like to read more information about Aprilaire humidifiers please visit our website via the following link: WestAIR Whole House Humifidiers. Give us a call today for a free estimate on a whole house humidifier designed just for your home.

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Save Money with a Programmable Thermostat

Posted on by WestAIR Heating & Cooling

Upgrading your home’s thermostat to a programmable set-back unit is one of the simplest things you can do for your home, and the most practical. Today, home owners expect these units to do more than just regulate temperature — they demand units that enhance energy efficiency, indoor air quality, maintain consistency and more.

WestAIR offers set-back thermostats with four settings (wake, day, evening, sleep) that allows you to set and monitor your home’s climate to your liking:

Wake: Program your thermostat to reach your favorite comfortable temperature about 10 minutes prior to your alarm going off in the morning. It’ll be the perfect start to your day.

Day: Daytime is the perfect opportunity for energy savings. Set your thermostat 10-15 degrees up or down from your preferred comfort temperature, then program it to resume 10 minutes before you arrive home.

Evening: Set your thermostat to your preferred “at home” temperature in the evenings. Energy Star recommends setting your thermostat to 68 during the winter months and 78 during the summer.

Sleep: Overnights are a great opportunity to save energy as well. Program your thermostat a few degrees higher/lower than your preferred comfort temperature.

Learn more about programmable thermostats by contacting WestAIR Heating & Cooling today at 763.498.8071 or browse our website for more info.

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Breathe Easier with Indoor Air Quality Products

Posted on by WestAIR Heating & Cooling

Asthma is a lung disorder that makes breathing difficult for millions of Americans. There is no cure for the disease, but fortunately it can be managed in a variety of ways.

Many triggers inside your home can contribute to asthma flare-ups. An improperly maintained HVAC system carries pollutants like dust mites, pet dander, mold and pollen through ductwork, making it difficult for asthma and allergy sufferers to breathe.

Fortunately, there are several ways to improve indoor air quality. Scheduling a professional service cleaning through WestAIR Heating & Cooling helps remove built-up pollutants from inside air ducts, stopping them from blowing throughout the home.

Whole house Air Exchanger Ventilation Systems provide a healthier indoor environment by delivering a continuous flow of fresh, filtered outdoor air to the home. Recirculation provides constant flow of air to prevent stale air in your home for premium indoor air quality.

WestAIR also offers both electric and non-electric air cleaners that work to efficiently trap particles at the source, providing you a cleaner and healthier environment.

Give us a call at 763-498-8071 to learn more about the indoor air quality options available to you. We’ll have you breathing easier in no time!

This entry was posted in Duct Cleaning,Indoor Air Quality,Tips and tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

Four Simple Ways to Improve Air Quality

Posted on by WestAIR Heating & Cooling

The quality of air we breathe inside our homes is important for comfort, but it’s also critical for maintaining good health. Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) has been tied to symptoms like headaches, fatigue, trouble concentrating, and irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and lungs. Some diseases have even been linked to specific air contaminants or indoor environments, like asthma with dampness.

Here’s 4 simple ways to improve your home’s air quality:

Eliminate the Source of Allergens
Cleaning your home regularly reduces the amount of dust, pollen, mold and pet dander in the air. Frequent dusting and vacuuming removes particles trapped in carpets and on counter top surfaces.

Change Your Air Filter Regularly
Using a high efficiency air filter can remove harmful allergens and dust pollutants from the air in your home. Set a calendar reminder to change your air filter 30 to 60 days (for 1″ filter) or annually (for air cleaner filter).

Our WestAIR Heating & Cooling professionals can install an air cleaner in your home to trap floating particles and clean the existing air you breathe.

Get More Fresh Air
Not all home heating and air conditioning units allow fresh air to come in from the outdoors. Opening windows and doors when weather permits can help circular fresh, clean air indoors.

Installing a high quality air exchanger can also help to bring fresh, filtered outside air into your home.

Bring The Outdoors In
Houseplants like aloe vera, mums, bamboo palm, golden pothos, ficus, Chinese evergreen, peace lillies and even Gerber daisies help filter allergens and pollutants from the air. Consider keeping plants in areas of the home where toxins are the strongest such as the kitchen, bathroom and laundry room.

At WestAIR Heating & Cooling, we have the knowledge and experience to ensure you and your family are breathing healthy air into your home throughout every season. Give us a call at 763-498-8071 today to learn more.

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HVAC Humor

Posted on by WestAIR Heating & Cooling

Our friendly team at WestAIR Heating & Cooling loves a good laugh once in a while …

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but we also take duct cleaning seriously. Count on our experts at WestAIR to eliminate your dirty duct problem with our Rotobrush cleaning system. Our “Source Removal” cleaning method uses a powerful, specialized vacuum. While the vacuum draws air through your duct system, we insert devices into your ducts to dislodge any debris that might be stuck to the interior surfaces.

Call us today to learn more about our duct cleaning services. 763-498-8071

This entry was posted in Duct Cleaning,Indoor Air Quality and tagged , , , , ,

New Year; New Filter!

Posted on by WestAIR Heating & Cooling

The start of a new year is a great reminder to change your furnace air filter.

A filter removes dust and dander from the air we breathe in our homes, and eventually becomes laden with dirty particles. Build-up reduces the efficiency of your furnace, making the fan work harder and shortening the lifespan of your unit.

The frequency of changing your air filter depends on several factors including how many people live in your home, how many pets reside there, if it’s a smoking home, or if you live in a particularly dusty area. The more various factors are present, the more frequently you’ll need to replace your filter. WestAIR Heating & Cooling suggests a replacement schedule of 30 to 60 days (for 1″ filter) or annually (for air cleaner filter).

We have a variety of humidifier and air cleaner filters in stock and ready for shipment:

  • Aprilaire model 550 Humidifier
  • Aprilaire model 560/600 Humidifier
  • Honeywell model 220 Humidifier
  • Aprilaire model 2200
  • Aprilaire model 2410
  • Honeywell Air Cleaner
  • Trion Air Bear Air Cleaner
  • York Air Cleaner

Click here to complete our online order form. Once submitted, you will be contacted within 24 hours to confirm your order and pricing.

This entry was posted in Furnace,Indoor Air Quality,Tips,Uncategorized and tagged , , , , , , , ,

Suffering from Allergies? Try a whole house air purifier.

Posted on by WestAIR Heating & Cooling

Yay! Summer is right around the corner! Time for boating, camping, hiking, gardening, and…. allergies. If you suffer from allergies, you understand the misery it can bring on. Your home should be one place for you to find comfort and relief. But is it? Or are you still suffering from those pesky allergies even in the comfort of your living room?

Now is the time to try a whole house air purifier. AND WestAIR is running a special on installation!  A whole house air purifier can help to eliminate the dust, pollen, pet dander, mold spores, and even bacteria from every room in your home, creating a clean, peaceful, allergy free environment. Ahhh….

Unlike portable units that just purify one room of your home, a whole house air purifier from Aprilaire is installed as part of  your home’s heating and cooling system, which allows the purifier to work in every room, creating a clean, fresh and safe place for you and your family all year long.

These air purifiers can not only help with relieving allergies, they can also help with asthma and other respiratory symptoms.This quote from the American Lung Association pretty much sums it up:

“Poor indoor air quality can cause or contribute to the development of chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma and hypersensitivity pneumonitis. In addition, it can cause headaches, dry eyes, nasal congestion, nausea and fatigue. People who already have respiratory diseases are at greater risk.” -American Lung Association 

Call WestAIR today at 763-498-8071 for your free consultation. And don’t forget to check our website for a $25 off coupon for installation of a whole house air purifier from Aprilaire. 

 

 

 

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Indoor Air Quality in the Twin Cities Area, MN

Posted on 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

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