We should never take the air conditioning for granted. It helps to cool us down on those hot summer days, it provides better air quality for us, and it even helps us sleep better. There is more than just one cooling system. In fact, there are 8 different types, but the ductless mini-split air conditioner may be the best option if you’re thinking about an upgrade. Keep reading to learn the benefits of a mini-split AC and why it might be the best choice for your home, warehouse office, or garage.

Environmentally Smart

In today’s world, everyone is trying to be environmentally smart, from buying locally grown food to using more ecofriendly products in their households. When you invest in a ductless mini-split, you are being more energy efficient and reducing consumption. Some forced air systems can often be uneconomical because the ductwork can have tears, gaps, and other issues causing cooling loss.

No Ductwork Needed

Many older homes do not contain ductwork. This makes it nearly impossible to have central air in your household. Therefore, you may need mini-splits installed in your house. This may be seen as an advantage to some though. Ductwork can often become pricey and complex. When it comes to cooling and installing air into your older home, ductless mini-splits are the number one choice.

Budget Friendly

In today’s society, if you are trying to be frugal, we would definitely recommend having ductless mini-splits through-out your house. Mini-splits cost less than installing whole home ductwork. They also are energy efficient, and require less maintenance than your average window unit. You will typically find yourself paying between $4,000 and $6,000 to get a single head ductless mini-split installed. Multi head systems range from $6,000-$10,000 depending on the design and sizing. Looking for a company to install a ductless air conditioner in your house, garage, or warehouse office? Schedule a service with WestAIR Heating & Cooling today.

Health Conscious

The June flowers are still in bloom, so that means lots of itchy eyes, sneezing, and coughing. Ductless mini-splits lower your risk of breathing in contaminants in the air, help balance out humidity in the air, and there won’t be any ductwork toxins like pests, insect droppings, dust, and bacteria. Ductless mini-splits will transfer clean air directly in and out of your house.

Whether you’re working hard to fix your car in the garage or sending emails in your home office, you should be keeping cool, saving money, and breathing better air. Ductless mini-splits are effective, budget friendly, and high quality units. If you are looking to have one installed, contact our professionals at WestAIR heating & Cooling today.

This entry was posted in AC,Air Conditioning,Cooling and tagged Air conditioner, air conditioning, budget friendly, Cooling, Mini-split

4 Spring HVAC Reminders to Prepare for Cooling Season

Posted on April 29, 2021 by WestAIR Heating & Cooling

Spring officially began on March 20 and despite some chilly days and “surprise” snowfall, cooling season is on its way. You may be ready for the shift, but is your air conditioner? Use these spring HVAC reminders and tips to help prepare your system for the hot summer days ahead.

Cleaning Tips Around the Home

Whether you’ve already finished your spring cleaning or have yet to bust out the rubber gloves, don’t forget to incorporate your HVAC system into your routine:

Dust and disinfect floors and hard surfaces around the home. Keeping them clean helps prevent dirt, allergens, and other airborne particles from getting inside your ductwork.
Clear debris buildup from exhaust fans. After making sure the power is off, wash with soapy water and use a toothbrush to clean dirt and debris off the fan blades.
Clean windows, blinds, and curtains. That way you can let in fresh air and sunlight without a producing a cloud of built-up dust whenever you open them.
Dust the blades of your ceiling fans. Similarly, you don’t want dust to fly all over whenever you turn the fan on. And remember to run fans counterclockwise in the summer to blow air straight down and create a windchill effect.
Clean the grills of floor registers and air vents. Use a vacuum to remove collected dust and debris. For a deeper clean, remove the vent, scrub the individual grill spaces with a rag and butter knife, and then rinse with warm soapy water.

Have your Ductwork Professionally Cleaned

While regular dusting, mopping, vacuuming, and cleaning of the vents and registers helps minimize the amount of debris that gets into your ductwork, there’s no way to prevent it entirely. Duct cleaning helps prevent dust, pollen, and other harmful particles from accumulating and impacting the health of your HVAC system and indoor air quality.

Seal the Home

Don’t let the cool air your HVAC system produces go to waste. Check windows, doors, and exterior walls for cracks and seams that could let indoor air escape and hot, humid outdoor air sneak in. Seal them with caulk to help maintain efficient cooling.

…but Provide Proper Ventilation

Providing fresh air and adequate ventilation are vital to maintaining indoor air quality. Open windows on nice days for natural ventilation and air flow. Consider installing an air exchanger that simultaneously removes stale, recycled indoor air while supplying fresh, filtered air from outside.

Test the System & Schedule Preventative Maintenance

Don’t wait for the first hot, humid day of the year to test your air conditioner. Turn the system on now to check for any issues, and schedule annual preventative maintenance with the local HVAC experts at WestAIR to ensure optimal performance, efficiency, and safety.

With Minnesota’s unpredictable weather, spring can feel like little more than a brief break between the last snowfall and the first hot, humid day of summer. Don’t let the window sneak by without giving your home’s air conditioner some much needed TLC! Use these spring HVAC reminders to help ensure your system is ready to keep your home cool and cozy all season long.

For all your heating and cooling needs, trust the knowledgeable, experienced HVAC professionals at WestAIR. Contact us to learn more about our services.

This entry was posted in AC,Air Conditioning,Cooling,Duct Cleaning,Energy Savings,Health Tips,HVAC Maintenance,Indoor Air Quality,Spring,Tips and tagged Air conditioner, Air conditioner maintenance, Air conditioner tune-up, air conditioning, Annual check-up, Annual service maintenance check, Cooling Season, Cooling Season Prep, Cooling system, Cooling Tips, Duct cleaning, Duct cleaning service, Professional duct cleaning, Spring, Spring Cleaning, Spring Heating and Cooling, Spring HVAC, Spring HVAC Reminders, WestAIR Heating & Cooling

Get a Handle on Home Humidity

Posted on August 25, 2020 by WestAIR Heating & Cooling

Around this time last year, we wrote about surprising ways to reduce humidity in your home. We hope some of those tips proved helpful. With the recent summer rain, heat, and excess moisture, we thought now would be an ideal time to revisit the issue to help you get a handle on home humidity.

Humidity levels

Humidity is the amount of moisture in the air around you. During the summer, humidity levels in your home should measure between 30-50 percent. Humidity levels that are too high or too low can lead to issues with your comfort, health, and home.

Too much humidity prevents the body from regulating its internal temperature, making you and your family feel sticky and uncomfortable. Excess moisture also promotes mold, fungus, and dust mites, which can wreak havoc on allergies and make you sick. Over time, dampness within the home can warp floorboards or furniture and cause wood to rot, resulting in costly repairs.

Conversely, too little humidity causes skin to feel itchy and can dry out the body’s mucous membranes, leading to sore throats, coughing, and nosebleeds. Dryness affects your home, too, when door frames or other features or furnishings made from wood begin to crack, shrink, or bend.

Poor humidity? Here’s how to tell

Establishing a comfortable home environment relies on finding an appropriate balance of air moisture. How do you know if your home humidity levels are out of whack? Look for indicators such as:

Condensation. Water beads are visible on the inside of the windows.
Constant sweating. You experience persistent perspiration, even after taking a cool shower.
Musty smells. You may not be able to see mold and mildew, but you can smell it.
Difficulty sleeping. Excess moisture makes the body work harder to cool itself, which can be a challenge when you’re trying to fall or stay asleep.
Water spots. Watch for stains on the walls, ceilings, or basement floor, especially after or during a rain shower.
Trouble breathing. High humidity can trigger allergies and asthma symptoms.

Regulating home humidity

Summer is sticking around for a bit longer, so make sure you’re enjoying the tail end of the season by staying cool and dry at home. Here are some reminders for keeping home humidity levels low.

Use exhaust and ventilation fans in the kitchen and bathroom. Leave those fans on for a short while after you’ve finished cooking or showering to ventilate humid air.
Take advantage of your air conditioner. Your A/C unit brings in cooler air while expelling warmer, humid air.
Take shorter, cooler showers. The less hot water you use, the less steam and humidity build up in the air.
Check your gutters. Keep them free from debris to avoid water buildup and indoor leaks. Also, be sure the downspout is positioned away from your home.
Consider investing in a dehumidifier. These portable appliances or whole home systems can help remove moisture from the air.

The experts at WestAIR Heating & Cooling are here to discuss your home humidity concerns and needs. Our technicians can explain how our high-efficiency air conditioners or air quality accessories can help you stay cool and achieve optimum indoor air quality throughout the summer. Contact us today to schedule service.

This entry was posted in Cooling,Humidity,Indoor Air Quality and tagged Air conditioner, Air quality, Air quality accessories, Humidity, humidity levels, Indoor humidity, regulating humidity

Extend the Life of your HVAC Equipment

Posted on February 22, 2018 by WestAIR Heating & Cooling

Having a working furnace and air conditioner is crucial during the winter and steamy summer days. Don’t run it and forget about it, as wear and tear is inevitable. You can save on costly replacements or repairs through proper maintenance. Extend the life of your HVAC equipment by following these steps.

Heating & Cooling Tips

1. Follow manufacturer instructions.

2. Have your systems checked every year by a qualified service technician. It’s best to schedule maintenance in the spring and fall. Technicians are busy in the hot and cold months, and you don’t want to wait until there’s something wrong.

3. Check your filters. Replace your filters every 30 to 60 days. If you have a permanent filter, clean it with mild detergent every 30 to 60 days. This is the most important step to increase the life of your equipment. Dirty filters make heating and cooling units work harder, which will shorten the life with use.

4. Keep your doors and windows closed. Your air conditioner and heater will work harder when there is more air to circulate. Make each space with ventilation smaller by closing your doors. This is the also the case for houses with boilers or window air conditioners. Rather than labor to regulate air temperature in the whole house, your a/c only needs to cool the individual room. With a boiler system, it’s efficient to close off rooms without a radiator.

5. Caulk and weather-strip air gaps on windows. This step is good for your wallet and your HVAC equipment. Old houses are especially drafty, so locate the air leaks by finding damaged glazing or old caulking. Another trick is to turn off all appliances and light an incense stick in each room. Turn on your exhaust vent if you have one. Then hold your incense stick close to windows, doors, and walls for a noticeable change in the smoke. If you have drafty doors, invest in some door draft blockers.

6. Use your thermostat. It’s a myth that you should keep your thermostat at a steady temperature. Most of the time, your furnace will be working harder to maintain the heat at a steady rate. Instead, program your thermostat for a comfortable temperature while you are home and ten degrees less while you are away. However, fidgeting with the thermostat will be less efficient, even if it seems harmless to put it up or down a degree or two. Keep it on a consistent schedule.

Energy Efficiency

Winter

1. Open window shades when windows are facing the sun. Let the sun warm your house naturally, putting less work on your furnace. The vitamin D is good for you this time of year!

2. Take advantage of using your oven. Slow cook your chicken and oven roast your veggies. The extra warmth will give your furnace a break. Your oven will be working two jobs at once without the added cost.

Summer

1. Close window shades facing the sun. Opposite of wintertime, you want to block the sun from adding extra heat to your house. Make sure to put your plants outside so they don’t suffer from the lack of sun!

2. Be smart with your other appliances. When you are doing laundry, hang up your clothes on a line to save energy or strain on your a/c. Why work an appliance that uses heat when it’s already hot outdoors? Washing clothing shouldn’t be an issue, though, if you stick to cold water. If it’s humid out, dry your clothes during the coolest part of the day: around dawn. Same goes for dishwashers.

3. Use your exhaust fans when cooking. Whether you plan on using the oven or stovetop for dinner, turn on the exhaust fan to let out the excess moisture and heat. Or maybe fix a cold sandwich or salad. In return, your air conditioner won’t have to work as hard! Same goes for your bathroom, but not everyone likes cold showers!

Annual Service Maintenance

Spring is around the corner, so it’s time to schedule your maintenance visit with WestAir Heating & Cooling.
Our technician’s maintenance list will take care of most things you cannot do yourself to ensure your equipment is running smoothly for summer and winter:

Annual Service Maintenance list:

• Clean furnace and check operation/filter
• Clean air conditioner and check operation
• Clean outdoor condenser and check refrigerant level
• Clean air exchanger filters and core
• Check radiant in-floor pressures and go over system
• Check humidifier filter and drain line
• Check unit heater operation
• Clean fireplace and check operation

This entry was posted in AC,Air Conditioning,Cooling,Furnace,Heating,Winter and tagged A/C, A/C, Air conditioner, Air filters, Air quality, Annual check-up, Caulk, Clogged filter, Cold air, Cooking, Cooling, Cost, Dirty, Dishwasher, Door draft stopper, Doors, Drafty windows, Dryer, Efficiency, Energy efficient, Exhaust fan, Fall, Filter, Filters, Furnace, Furnace filter, Heater, Heating, HVAC, Laundry, Maintenance, Quality, Save money, Shower, Spring, Summer, Sunshine, Sustainability, Thermostat, Windows, Winter

Top Tips: How to Lower Your Summer Cooling Costs

Posted on June 28, 2017 by WestAIR Heating & Cooling

Summer has arrived. And even though the temps are soaring, your energy costs don’t have to. We’ve put together our top tips to keep your cooling costs in check this summer.

Monitor Your Thermostat

Keep an eye on your thermostat settings. If your family is curled up under blankets on the couch, it’s a good sign that your thermostat is set too low. Aim for between 72 and 78 degrees in summer. Even bumping up the number 2 to 4 degrees will have an impact on your bill.

Install a Programmable Thermostat

For the ultimate in home comfort and energy efficiency, install a programmable thermostat. Today’s technology allows you to access and control your home’s temperature remotely, and some thermostats will even “learn” and adjust to your family’s schedule. If you’ve already got a programmable thermostat, make sure you’re using it correctly.

Change Your Air Filter

Change out your air filter on a regular basis to ensure maximum air flow, improve overall efficiency, and prevent coil ice-ups.

Close Your Blinds

Blocking out sunlight by closing your blinds can not only reduce your cooling costs, it also can keep out harmful UV rays.

Cook Outside

Things can really heat up in the kitchen during the summer. Fire up the grill instead.

Bonus Tip: Flip the Switch

Unplug unused electronics or appliances. Use surge protector power strips or switched outlets that can be easily turned on and off. Don’t leave lights on in unoccupied rooms. While this may not directly keep your cooling costs down, you’ll still save on your electric bill.

Call WestAIR for an Annual Service Maintenance Check

It’s not too late to have your system checked by our professional technicians. We’ll make sure your system is running at the highest level of efficiency, determine if any repairs are needed, and make recommendations for replacement if necessary. We carry top quality air conditioning brands for the highest in energy efficiency.

Contact the cooling experts at WestAIR today. Call us at 763-498-8071.

This entry was posted in Air Conditioning,Cooling,Energy Savings,Tips and tagged A/C maintenance check, Air conditioner, air conditioning, Air filter, Annual service maintenance check, Cooling, Energy savings, Maintenance check, Programmable thermostat, Service, System check, Thermostat, Tips & advice

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

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

It’s getting hot, Hot HOT!

Posted on June 9, 2015 by WestAIR Heating & Cooling

Hey Twin Cities! The first HOT day of the year is in the forecast! Time to get your home air conditioner fired up and running. Worried that maybe it had a hard winter and might be slow to get going? Call WestAIR to schedule your tune up.

Yearly maintenance on your home’s air conditioner can greatly reduce your energy costs, extend it’s lifetime AND improve system performance. The best way to get the most out of your AC is have a qualified air conditioning specialist come out to your home to perform an inspection. They can give you recommendations such as:

Keep outside unit clear of leaves, sticks and other debris
Clean or change your air conditioning filters according to the manufacturer’s specifications
Check hoses and fan belt for leaks or cracks
Use a programmable thermostat to control the temperature of your home while you are away

And if that isn’t enough, right now, WestAIR is running a coupon special on AC Tune Ups

Contact WestAIR for a Free Estimate to evaluate your home HVAC system.

This entry was posted in AC,Cooling,Energy Savings and tagged A/C tune-up coupon, Air conditioner, Cooling, Energy efficient, Energy savings, Service, Specials, Tips & advice

Spring AC Check and Clean

Posted on May 23, 2013 by WestAIR Heating & Cooling

A late Spring this year means Summer is right around the corner and coming fast! Before you know it the heat will be scorching and your Air Conditioner will be working overtime. Is your AC ready to withstand the constant summer heat? Scheduling an AC check and clean is the best thing you can do to save future break down costs and reduce your energy bill for the summer. If you would like to learn more about why a check and clean is important please visit the government energy website.

Utility companies around the metro area offer to reimburse residents for their check and clean service expenses. Some of which include: Connexus, Crow Wing Power, Elk River Utilities, Hutchinson, Lake Country, New Ulm and North Saint Paul. For other rebates and savings in your area visit the Minnesota Power website.

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 AC,Cooling,Uncategorized and tagged Air conditioner, Cooling, Energy efficient, Energy savings, Repair, Service, Tips & advice

Install High-Efficiency to Save $

Posted on March 15, 2013 by WestAIR Heating & Cooling

Whether it’s Winter or Summer, heating or cooling, furnaces or air conditioners. Now is your time to save money and cut down payments on energy bills. During this past cold winter you may have seen your bills skyrocket. Chances are you will continue to see the same trend this summer as temperatures continue to rise. Installing a high efficiency unit leads to perks such as saving hundreds of dollars on your energy bill each month along with a possible rebate from your energy provider.