Archive for Heating
Looking For A New Air Conditioner Or Furnace? Make Sure Size Is Correct.
Posted by: | CommentsI received a call yesterday from a homeowner who had a new air conditioner installed by another HVAC contractor in his Coon Rapids, MN home. He was concerned that it was not keeping his main level cool and his basement was freezing. I asked him if a heat calculation was done one his home to make sure the air conditioner was sized correctly. He said something that I hear far too often from homeowners who have other hvac contractors perform new installs. His response was “I don’t know.”
The homeowner had a rambler with older windows and a big patio door in a room that faced south. He said he was unable to get the temperature on the main level to a comfortable level. He had a 2000 sq ft home with a 2 ton a/c. While this may have been the right size for a a 2 story house with new windows it is not satisfying his application. That is why a heat calculation on all new installations is critical.
A heat calculation that is prepared by the person performing an estimate is a best practice procedure. Some cities including St. Paul and Minneapolis require it before approving a permit for install of furnaces and air conditioners. A heat calculation is used to see how much heating or cooling your house needs based on many calculations including, size of home, windows, levels, duct runs, insulation factor.
In this instance, the house had a long run of duct work due to being a rambler. The air is not reaching the ends of the house. Another example of this would be a 4 level split. The a/c may need to be larger due to the longer duct run and the need to increase the blower to push the air. The faster the air moves the less cooling is coming out of the vent. This results in the need of a larger a/c unit and coil to make sure the air gets to the cool level that is required.
Bottom line is that a heat calculation is needed to take into account exceptions to the perfect install. Ask the salesmen who are visiting your home if they are preparing a heat calculation. If they say no ask them how they will arrive at the right size equipment for your home.
Comfort consultants from Minneapolis Saint Paul Plumbing Heating Air will always do a heat calculation on your home before they will decide what is best for your application.
Call or contact us online if you would like to have one of our consultants provide you with a free in home estimate.
Register to WIN a HIGH EFFICIENCY FURNACE SYSTEM & WATER HEATER
Posted by: | CommentsMinneapolis Saint Paul Plumbing Heating Air is offering a Free Furnace Check and the chance to win a High Efficient Furnace System and Water Heater.
Most homeowners in the winter months want to keep warm and toasty with an average temperature of 68-72 degrees set on their thermostat. However in order to keep your furnace system running tip top, homeowners should real-ize that it is vitally important to have your furnace inspected and cleaned yearly by a professional. Did you know 1 in 6 furnaces and boilers that are 15 years old or older could have a crack in the heat exchanger? A crack in your systems Heat Exchanger could be leaking dangerous Carbon Monoxide gas. The reason this occurs is the combustion gasses that burn in a Furnace or Boiler to heat the air or water is a corrosive gas mixture that over time eats away at the metal heat exchanger. So please don’t run the risk of a crack in your system. Have it inspected and cleaned yearly.
Preventive Maintenance Is A Bargain.
There is angst aplenty on Wall Street these days. However, on your own street at least, one investment always pays off. A little money spent on preventive HVAC maintenance turns into a lot of money saved. An ounce of prevention pays hefty dividends.
That is due to preventive maintenance extends the life of your HVAC equipment and preempts potential break downs by detecting then fixing emerging issues before they become expensive repairs. Regular tune ups also ensure your system runs at peak efficiency.
For analogy, consider your car. Spending $30 to change the oil saves you from spending $3000 to replace a seized engine. Regular tune ups ensure optimal function. Neglected HVAC equipment eventually requires extensive repairs, and ultimately must be replaced prematurely.
Minneapolis Saint Paul Plumbing Heating Air has been a family owned and operated company for almost 100 years. We are confident we can not only satisfy you home comfort needs, but even better give you the peace of mind knowing your heating system or plumbing needs were service by the best in the industry. For more information contact us at 612-228-9200 or online.
2011 Brings Good and Bad News For Funace and Boiler Replacements.
Posted by: | Comments2010 concluded the $1500 tax rebate for upgrading your furnace, boiler or air conditioner to a high efficient unit. The federal tax credit ends on December 31, 2010 and you had to have your hvac equipment installed by that date. That is the bad news.
The good news is that there is a 2011 Federal Tax Credit available. While it is not as good as the one that finished in 2010, it is still money in your pocket if you were not ready to replace your furnace, air conditioner or boiler until now.
Some of the details are listed below:
- The maximum amount an eligible homeowner may receive in tax credits for residential property will be reduced from $1500 to $500.
- All furnaces and boilers, whether natural gas, propane or oil, must have an AFUE of 95 or above to be eligible for the credit.
- The credit is not 30% of the total cost of the hvac equipment including install.
- $150 Tax Credit for natural gas, propane, oil furnace or boiler with minumum 95% AFUE
- $300 Tax Credit for split system air conditioner with minimum 16 SEER / 13 EER
- $300 Tax Credit for split system heat pump or min split system 15 SEER / 12.5 EER / 8.5 HSPF
As you can see, the Federal Tax Credit is not as attractive in 2011 as it was in 2010 and 2009. However, if you are looking to replace your lower efficient furnace, boiler or air conditioner, it may help cover the extra up front cost of the replacement while you save money on your monthly energy bills.
Contact Minneapolis Saint Paul Plumbing Heating Air if you would like to learn more about the 2011 Federal Tax Credit or high efficient furnace, boiler and air conditioner. You can reach us by phone or schedule an appointment online.
Chimney Liner? Why Do I Need One For My Furnace Install in MN?
Posted by: | CommentsHave you ever been told that you need a chimney liner installed when you are having a furnace or boiler installed in your St. Paul or Minneapolis home? Have you then asked yourself, “What is that and why?”.
A chimney liner is exactly what is sounds like. It is an aluminum or flexible material pipe that gets inserted down your brick chimney. A majority of older homes that are primarily located in Minneapolis or Saint Paul proper have their water heater, boiler, or furnace exhaust venting to a brick chimney. This is not the same chimney that you have for your fireplace or that Santa Claus climbs down.
Code requirements are that any chimney that does not have a metal liner needs to have one installed anytime that the venting to chimney is altered in any manner. This usually happens when you have a new water heater, furnace, or boiler replaced. The reason for the code requirement was that fumes could enter the home through the holes created in the mortar as the mortar cracked and fell out between the bricks.
At Minneapolis Saint Paul Plumbing Heating Air, we have seen a lot of improper installations and outright deception regarding chimney liner installs. This is due to contractors not being licensed, being lazy or trying to save money on the install. Some of the installs that we have seen are:
- Furnace venting installed to chimney and not hooked up to liner.
- Furnace venting installed to chimney and no liner.
- Liner top installed but not all the way down.
- Improper size liner installed.
- No liner installed and not caught because no permit pulled.
As I have mentioned in previous blogs, your furnace or boiler performance is only as good as the install. Having the proper size and installation of your chimney liner is critical to the long term life of your equipment. Make sure you ask about your chimney and the need to do a liner when you are looking at having your heating system replaced. Think twice about going with any HVAC contractor that does not know what you are talking about or says it is not important.
You can count on Minneapolis Saint Paul Plumbing Heating Air to inform you of all the aspects of your furnace or boiler install and what is needed for your home. You can call us or schedule online.