How Indoor Air Quality Impacts Your Family’s Health

Posted on by WestAIR Heating & Cooling

Indoor AirHumans inhale 11,000 to 15,000 liters of air per day. Most families spend more time in their home than anywhere else. Without proper ventilation, your indoor air could hold gases, chemicals, or other pollutants that can cause headaches, eye and skin irritation, allergies, asthma attacks, fatigue, and even cancer or long-term health complications. What’s even scarier? Ninety-eight percent of all airborne particles are below one micron (1/25,000 inch) in size and invisible to the naked eye.

Imagine a toxic soup of pollutants constantly re-circulated throughout your home, through your respiratory system, and into your bloodstream.

The most obvious pollutants are secondhand smoke, radon, and carbon monoxide, but harmful airborne particles could come from any of the following:

  • Gas, oil, kerosene, or wood stoves and fireplaces.
  • Building materials like insulation, carpet, cabinetry, and pressed wood products.
  • Personal care products and household chemicals like cleaning solutions, glues, and pastes.
  • Pesticides, pollen, pet dander, hair, or other fibers.
  • Dust mites, molds, and bacteria.

Children are more susceptible to all these things because their bodies are still developing. They breathe more air and eat more food in relation to their body weight than adults do. Properly maintained indoor air quality is especially important for people with asthma, allergies, chemical sensitivities, respiratory diseases, suppressed immune systems, or contact lenses. Here are some basic tips to make sure your home has clean, fresh air free of pollutants:

  • Invest in a whole house humidifier or a smaller unit. The Mayo Clinic recommends you keep your home between 30 and 50 percent humidity.
  • Make sure all vents are clear of obstructions and working properly.
  • Have your ducts cleaned and change your furnace filter regularly (check it once a month).
  • Buy a houseplant like a peace lily, dracaena, or garden mum to act as an air purifier.
  • Use an exhaust fan when cooking, running the dishwasher, or bathing.
  • Make sure gas stoves are well ventilated.
  • Avoid smoking.
  • Use craft supplies in well-vented areas.
  • Minimize clutter.
  • Remove carpeting if possible.
  • Don’t wear outdoor shoes around the house.
  • Keep the trash covered.
  • Test your home for radon and use carbon monoxide detectors.
  • Fix water leaks.
  • Dust surfaces.
  • Vacuum frequently, and open windows when you do.
  • Wash bedding weekly.
  • Keep a lid on scented candles when not in use.

WestAIR Heating & Cooling wants to help you live a healthier life with safe indoor air quality. We offer air exchangers, air cleaners, whole house humidifiers, replacement filters, and more to equip your HVAC system against contaminants. We also provide duct cleaning service so you can rest assured your air has clean, unobstructed passage throughout your home. Contact us to learn more.

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Extend the Life of your HVAC Equipment

Posted on by WestAIR Heating & Cooling

Extend the Life of your Heating & Cooling Equipment

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

Contact us for more information on heating, cooling, or our service maintenance!

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Why You Should Change Your Furnace Filter Often

Posted on by WestAIR Heating & Cooling

Why You Should Change Your Furnace Filter

Changing your furnace filter seems to be an easily forgotten task. HVAC companies try their hardest to remind you to do these things, but do you know why you should change it more often than you think?

Maintenance

Getting an oil change for your car is as important as changing the furnace filter for your house. It simply extends the life of your equipment. A dirty filter means that less air is circulating, which then means that your furnace is working harder to keep your house warm. Over time, having a furnace go into overdrive for too long can overheat the system or break down the entire unit. This is not something you do want to deal with in subzero temperatures.

A little dirt can do a lot of damage. If your furnace filter is dirty, not only will it make your HVAC unit work harder, but it will also make your heating bills go up over time. All the extra effort that this heater is putting out digs a deeper hole into your wallet. While a new furnace filter might cost money, ignoring it will cost more in your gas bill, except you’re doing more damage than good by trying to be frugal.

Air Filter Quality

Skip the fancy furnace filters. A furnace filter is designed to protect your furnace, not improve indoor air quality. Some people swear by these special filters, but you’ll most likely have to run your furnace fan year-round to get the benefit of a high-efficiency filter. Extra work and extra care (replacing them often) will cost you more in the end.

There is a happy balance that you could achieve between cost and efficiency. For homeowners, we recommend purchasing a MERV 7 or 8 pleated filter, which traps 80 to 95 percent of air particles. If you are looking to get rid of pollutants and breathe cleaner air, consider getting an air cleaner instead.

When to call your HVAC technician

– Unit fails to turn back on
– Noisy or slow fan
– Bent fins
– Coils are extra dusty

Remember to change your furnace filter every month when fan is in use for heating and cooling seasons.
Got more furnace questions? Call us at (763) 498-8071.

This entry was posted in AC,Air Conditioning,Cooling,Energy Savings,Furnace,Heating,Indoor Air Quality,Tips and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Six Tips to Reduce Your Heating Bill

Posted on by WestAIR Heating & Cooling

Lower Your Heating Bill

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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Preparing Your Furnace for Spring

Posted on 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 , , , , , ,

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.

This entry was posted in Indoor Air Quality,Tips,Uncategorized 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 , , , , , , , ,

Tips to Keep your Furnace Working Properly

Posted on by WestAIR Heating & Cooling

Remember that improper care of your furnace may be lessening its efficiency.

  • Regular/Monthly filter changes.  A dirty filter forces your furnace to work harder, which leads to a decrease in energy efficiency and can wear down the working components of the furnace.
  • Regular system Check and Cleans. Your furnace requires regular maintenance just like your car. An annual check and clean of your furnace will help it to run at its peak ability. Smaller problems may be detected early before they develop into big problems requiring unexpected service.
  • Clear the space around your furnace. Keep the area around your furnace free and clear of clutter. This reduces a fire hazard and helps the furnace to get all the air it needs for proper combustion.
  • Use a Set-back Programmable Thermostat. Lowering your temperature settings when there is no one home and/or sleeping at night will reduce the load on your furnace and help you save money.

Follow these tips to extend the life of your HVAC equipment and help prevent breakdowns.

As your furnace continues to battle the Cold Days of Winter, remember to call your local professional at WestAIR Heating & Cooling if your furnace is giving you any trouble. We’d be happy to come out to your home and personally assess your heating system. We want you to be comfortable in your home, all year long.  Contact us today at 763.498.8071

This entry was posted in Energy Savings,Furnace,Heating,Tips,Uncategorized and tagged , , , , , , , ,

It’s Time to Change Your Air Filter!

Posted on by WestAIR Heating & Cooling

Following up from last week’s post on benefits of a Whole House Air Purifier to help with alleviating stubborn allergies, we want to give a friendly reminder to change your furnace air filters! A simple and yet extremely effective way to help keep the air in your home clean and keep your system running smoothly. Here’s a few reasons why changing your HVAC or furnace filter is so important:

  • A dirty filter slows down the air flow and in turn makes your system run harder to keep your home cool (or warm in the winter months). This not only wastes energy, but it also drives up your energy bill.
  • Changing your filter can also increase the life of your HVAC system for similar reasons. If the system doesn’t have to work so hard to push air through, it can run for a lot longer. A clean filter can also prevent dust and buildup from clogging your system, which can lead to expensive repairs.
  • But most importantly, a clean filter helps to keep you and your family healthy. By changing your HVAC or furnace filter on a regular basis you help improve your home’s indoor air quality by eliminating dust, mold, pollen, spores, and other pesky contaminants that can worsen allergies and asthma or potentially cause sickness.

Many filters these days are washable or replaceable.  Not sure what your system takes? Call WestAIR Heating & Cooling to learn more about changing out your HVAC air filters. We always have air filters in stock and are happy to help you with any questions you may have. Call us today at 763.498.8071

This entry was posted in Energy Savings,Spring,Tips and tagged , , , , , , ,

Allergies and Air Cleaners

Posted on by WestAIR Heating & Cooling

With spring here early and being chased away by summer weather, allergy season has jumped out sooner than expected. You may not realize it, but indoor air may be significantly more polluted than outdoor air. In this case of pollution due to pollen, dust, pet dander and mold. If anyone in your family suffers from allergies in the spring or even anytime of the year, ask yourself these questions…

  • Do I turn my thermostat to the ON position when cleaning such as vacuuming and/or dusting? (If not then next time remember this crucial step. This way the air will be circulated and cleaned through your systems filter)
  • When was the last time I replaced my air filter?
    (Standard filters should be changed every month, Air Cleaner filters once or twice a year. Call us or order a new one on our website under the Buy Filters tab)
  • Are any of the vents closed or blocked in my home? (If yes then this may be the cause of allergies from build up. Leave them open at all times, closed vents can also lead to compressor failure)
  • Do I have a High Efficiency Air Cleaner installed in my home? (If not, possibly consider the benefits and options, call for pricing and installation)
  • When was the last time my system had a tune up? (Recommended annually after the first three years in service. Now is the time to schedule)

Keeping you and your family healthy beginning with the air you breathe everyday! Proudly delivering the “Quality Service you expect” for 25+ years. Contact WestAIR Heating and Cooling today for service and free estimates (763)498-8071. Location: 11184 River Road NE Hanover, MN 55341

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

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