Save Money with a Programmable Thermostat

Posted on June 1, 2016 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.

This entry was posted in AC,Air Conditioning,Energy Savings,Indoor Air Quality,Tips,Uncategorized,Website and tagged Efficiency ratings, Energy efficient, Energy savings, Energy Star rated, Setback thermostat, Thermostat, Tips & advice, WestAIR Heating & Cooling

Red, White & Blue Parfaits

Posted on May 23, 2016 by WestAIR Heating & Cooling

Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer, and brings the first of many outdoor cookouts with family and friends. This holiday, in remembrance and celebration of those who died in active military service for our country, enjoy this easy patriotic parfait recipe. It’s light, fresh and the perfect kick-off to summer:

Red, White & Blue Parfaits
Makes: 6 servings

Ingredients:
1-8oz. carton of vanilla low-fat yogurt
1/4 tsp. almond extract or/ 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
4oz. frozen light whipped topping, thawed
3 cups fresh raspberries or strawberries
3 cups fresh blueberries

Directions:
1) In a large bowl, stir together yogurt and almond or vanilla extract. Fold in whipped topping.
2) To serve, in six 12-ounce glasses, dessert dishes or mason jars, alternate layers of yogurt mixture, red berries and blueberries.
3) Prepare parfaits as directed. Cover and chill in refrigerator for up to 1 hour prior to serving.

Recipe Source: http://www.bhg.com/recipe/desserts/red-white-and-blue-parfaits/

This entry was posted in Holidays,Recipes,Uncategorized and tagged

HVAC Humor

Posted on May 17, 2016 by WestAIR Heating & Cooling

The first hot days of summer are upon us. Are you worried your air conditioner might not be up to the job of keeping your home cool? Call WestAIR Heating and Cooling at 763.498.8071 to schedule a tune-up.

Scheduling a regular check-up for your air-conditioner can greatly reduce your energy costs, extend its lifetime and improve the system’s performance. Contact WestAIR before June 30, 2016 to save with one of our current specials of $95 for a tune-up of your air-conditioning system.

This entry was posted in AC,Air Conditioning,Cooling,Energy Savings,Spring,Tips,Uncategorized and tagged Air conditioner, air conditioning, Cooling, Energy savings, Service, WestAIR Heating & Cooling

Preparing Your Furnace for Spring

Posted on May 11, 2016 by WestAIR Heating & Cooling

As warmer weather moves into Minnesota this spring, homeowners are tempted to open the windows and turn off furnace units. Before you do, it’s important to prepare your furnace for “shut-down.”

Change Filters
Continue to change your air filter monthly for a seemless transition into the cooling season.

Clean Vents
Ensure registers are free of dust and debris by vacuuming out vents in each room of your home. Make an appointment to have a WestAIR professional perform a thorough duct-cleaning to ensure proper air flow through your home.

Check CO Detectors
Ensure CO detectors are functioning properly in the home. Change batteries as needed.

Adjust Humidity Levels
Have you been using your whole-home humidifier system this winter? Consider turning down the humidifier or turn it off entirely in the spring and summer months.

Assess Your Furnace Functionality
Now is a great time to think about the way your furnace performed this past winter. Get a jump-start on replacing your furnace now before the next cold season begins. Also, take a minute to think about your air conditioning unit and insure it’s ready to run this summer.

For all your heating & cooling needs, contact WestAIR Heating & Cooling at 763-498-8071.

This entry was posted in Duct Cleaning,Furnace,Tips and tagged Duct cleaning, Filters, Furnace, Humidfier, Tips & advice, WestAIR Heating & Cooling, Whole house humidifier

Breathe Easier with Indoor Air Quality Products

Posted on May 3, 2016 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 Air cleaner, Allergies, Duct cleaning, Dust, High efficiency electronic air cleaner, Indoor air quality, Mold, Pollen, Pollution, Tips & advice, WestAIR Heating & Cooling

Spring Cleaning & Your HVAC Unit

Posted on April 19, 2016 by WestAIR Heating & Cooling

Warmer weather is right around the corner — are you ready to turn on your home’s air conditioning unit that’s been sitting idle since last year?

Here are a few tips to help you transition from winter to spring:

Schedule Annual Maintenance
Prevent spring and summer breakdowns, and extend the life of your air conditioning unit, by scheduling an annual AC service check and clean with a professional technician at WestAIR Heating & Cooling. A quick tune-up can help take care of bigger issues before they arise.

Flip The Switch
Turn on your A/C unit and let it run to ensure there are no issues. Check for malfunctions, air temperature accuracy and proper operation. It’s a good idea to do this step before a scheduled service call, so you can discuss any questions or issues with one of our knowledgeable WestAIR professionals.

Change The Filter
The start of spring is the perfect time to change your air filter. Continue to change the filter monthly during the spring and summer months as these are the most common allergy seasons.

The team at WestAIR Heating & Cooling would be happy to come to your home and personally clean  and inspect your air conditioning system. Give us a call today at 763-498-8071.

This entry was posted in AC,Air Conditioning,Spring,Tips and tagged Air conditioner, air conditioning, Cooling, Service, Tips & advice, WestAIR Heating & Cooling

Four Simple Ways to Improve Air Quality

Posted on March 22, 2016 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.

This entry was posted in Indoor Air Quality,Tips,Uncategorized and tagged Air cleaner, Allergies, Dust, Filters, Indoor air quality, Mold, Service, Tips & advice, WestAIR Heating & Cooling

HVAC Humor

Posted on March 8, 2016 by WestAIR Heating & Cooling

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

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 Allergies, Duct cleaning, Dust, Indoor air, Indoor air quality, Tips & advice

Money Saving Tips for Heating Your Home

Posted on February 22, 2016 by WestAIR Heating & Cooling

Winter has arrived in Minnesota and with it, increasing costs to heat our homes. Here’s a few ways you can save money on your heating bill this winter:

Turn Down The Thermostat
You can save 5%-15% a year on your heating bill by simply turning down your thermostat to 68°F while you’re awake, or lower while you’re sleeping or away from the home. An easy way to do this is to purchase a programmable thermostat so you can set it and forget it.

Winterize Your Windows
Purchase plastic film to help seal leaky windows from cold air drafts.

Use The Fan
Toggle the fan on your thermostat to ‘on’ to force warm air into rooms throughout your house.

Keep Vents Open and Unblocked
Be sure vents are open and furniture isn’t blocking them so air can properly circulate the room.

Let The Sun Shine
Open drapes and shades over windows facing sun to naturally warm up your home.

Layer Up
Wear a sweatshirt, socks or cover up with a blanket before reaching for the thermostat dial.

Service Your Furnace
It’s important to have annual service performed on your furnace to ensure it’s running safely and efficiently. If your unit isn’t working properly, it can end up costing you more to heat your home.

The team at WestAIR Heating & Cooling would be happy to come to your home and personally assess your heating system. Give us a call today at 763-498-8071.

This entry was posted in Energy Savings,Furnace,Tips and tagged Energy efficient, Energy savings, Furnace, Heating, Service, Setback thermostat, Tips & advice, WestAIR Heating & Cooling

New Year; New Filter!

Posted on February 9, 2016 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 Air cleaner, Aprilaire, Buy filters, Dust, Filters, Furnace, Indoor air quality, Tips & advice, WestAIR Heating & Cooling