Spring HVAC Checklist

Posted on by WestAIR Heating & Cooling

spring hvac checklist

Some of the most pressing concerns for Minnesota homeowners are humidity levels, poor air quality, and increased utility bills. In the spring, those HVAC issues are a hot topic as the warm weather approaches. Follow our spring HVAC checklist to inspect and prepare your equipment for summer.

  1. Turn off power to your outdoor unit from the electrical disconnect and clear away plants, weeds, fallen leaves, and branches. Use a garden hose to gently rinse off the condenser coils. If the unit doesn’t get enough air or the coils are covered in dirt, it could overheat.
  2. Change your filter, and plan to do so monthly when your furnace and air conditioning are in use. Filters keep dust and dirt from entering your system, extend equipment life, reduce energy costs, and improve indoor air quality.   
  3. Clean return air vents and floor registers in your home with a vacuum. If dust gets in the system, it could compromise energy efficiency and air quality. For a deeper clean, remove the vent, wrap a butter knife in a rag to scrub the individual grill spaces, and rinse with warm water and soap.
  4. Check the batteries in your carbon monoxide detector(s) and replace if needed so you know it is working properly to keep your family safe.
  5. Caulk windows and doors to minimize air leakage so the cool air your system produces isn’t wasted. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the best time to apply caulk is in low humidity when the temperature is about 45 degrees, making spring the ideal time for this simple maintenance.
  6. Dust and mop so dirt, allergens, and other airborne particles don’t end up in your ductwork. Schedule duct cleaning if you haven’t done so in a while or you suspect your ductwork is dirty.
  7. Clean windows, blinds, and curtains so you can let the sunlight into your home and enjoy a clear view of the outdoors without producing a cloud of dust each time you open them.  
  8. Dust ceiling fan blades and reverse their direction to rotate counterclockwise so they’ll blow air straight down and produce a wind-chill effect. Most fan models have a small switch on the motor housing.
  9. Power up your air conditioning to see if everything is working properly. You should visually inspect the unit for any leaking chemical fluids and check your home for burning, gas, or musty odors.
  10. Schedule service with your HVAC contractor for a thorough inspection. They’ll clean, lubricate, and troubleshoot your equipment so it will run smoothly and efficiently.

Midwest summers can be particularly hot and sticky, and homeowners can spend up to 250 dollars a month running their air conditioner. WestAIR Heating & Cooling is here to help you save money in every season with a variety of specials on our services. We also provide indoor air quality solutions so you can minimize spring allergies and live comfortably. If you are having trouble with your HVAC system, contact us for repair and replacement services.

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

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.

This entry was posted in Indoor Air Quality,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. 

 

 

 

This entry was posted in Indoor Air Quality,Spring 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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