• It extends the lifespan of your furnace.
• A furnace with clean filters reduces the energy it needs to operate.
• Clean air filters equal higher air quality in your home.

Still, many people let their air filters go too long between checking, changing and cleaning. In this video Jim from Quality Heating and Air Service in Shakopee, MN shows us how to check your filter and just what you may find if you don’t check it frequently!

Turn to the experts.

Louvers? You mean lovers right? Nope! When referring to your HVAC unit, we definitely mean louvers. Communicate your home comfort needs with your HVAC technician by using the proper terminology. Stay comfy, Minnesota!

Grille

• A facing across a duct opening, usually rectangular is shape, containing multiple parallel slots through which air may be delivered or withdrawn from a ventilated space.

Heat Load, Heat Loss, or Heat Gain

• Terms for the amount of heating (heat loss) or cooling (heat gain) needed to maintain desired temperatures and humidities in controlled air. Regardless of how well-insulated and sealed a building is, buildings gain heat from warm air or sunlight or lose heat to cold air and by radiation. Engineers use a heat load calculation to determine the HVAC needs of the space being cooled or heated.

Louvers

• Blades, sometimes adjustable, placed in ducts or duct entries to control the volume of air flow. The term may also refer to blades in a rectangular frame placed in doors or walls to permit the movement of air.

Makeup Air Unit (MAU)

• An air handler that conditions 100% outside air. MAUs are typically used in industrial or commercial settings, or in once- through (blower sections that only blow air one-way into the building), low flow (air handling systems that blow air at a low flow rate), or primary-secondary (air handling systems that have an air handler or rooftop unit connected to an add-on makeup unit or hood) commercial HVAC systems.

Packaged Terminal Air Conditioner (PTAC)

• An air conditioner and heater combined into a single, electrically-powered unit, typically installed through a wall and often found in hotels.

Roof-Top Unit (RTU)

• An air-handling unit, defined as either “recirculating” or “once-through” design, made specifically for outdoor installation. They most often include, internally, their own heating and cooling devices. RTUs are very common in some regions, particularly in single-story commercial buildings.

Thermal Zone

• A single or group of neighboring indoor spaces that the HVAC designer expects will have similar thermal loads. Building codes may require zoning to save energy in commercial buildings. Zones are defined in the building to reduce the number of HVAC subsystems, and thus initial cost. For example, for perimeter offices, rather than one zone for each office, all offices facing west can be combined into one zone. Small residences typically have only one conditioned thermal zone, plus unconditioned spaces such as unconditioned garages, attics, and crawlspaces, and unconditioned basements.

Variable Air Volume (VAV) System

• An HVAC system that has a stable supply-air temperature, and varies the air flow rate to meet the temperature requirements. Compared to CAV systems, these systems waste less energy through unnecessarily-high fan speeds. Most new commercial buildings have VAV systems.

If you’re interested in learning more about any of these products or technologies, contact your local Minnesota Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer. You can find the one closest to you at StayComfyMinnesota.com.

For more energy saving and home comfort tips, visit StayComfyMinnesota.com! Stay Comfy, Minnesota is your Minnesota resource for air conditioning repair, furnace repair and HVAC tips and advice.

Kent Hrbek Day

Happy Kent Hrbek Day! Kent Hrbek Day, also known as Kent Hrbek’s 53rd birthday, is today. All of us from Stay Comfy, Minnesota would like to wish our spokesman a happy birthday!

Hrbek first started working with Carrier in 1987, the same year the Minnesota Twins defeated the St. Louis Cardinals to win the World Series. The people at Carrier knew he would be a perfect fit for the brand, as he personified everything Carrier stood for – a love of Minnesota, through the coldest of winters and the hottest of summers. Even though Hrbek retired from baseball in 1995, he remains a recognizable symbol of Minnesota and Carrier.

With all Hrbek has done for Carrier, the brand has been happy to give back to an organization that he strongly believes in – the Minnesota Chapter of the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS, also referred to as “Lou Gehrig’s disease”) Association. Hrbek lost his father to ALS in 1982, and Carrier has been proud to join him in raising awareness for the disease.

It’s safe to say that the relationship between Hrbek and Carrier will last, no matter what the weather brings. Having Carrier in his own home, Hrbek knows the brand and what it means to be comfortable in your home all year-round.

Have a wonderful day Kent, you deserve it!

If you’re interested in learning more about any of these products or technologies, contact your local Minnesota Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer. You can find the one closest to you at StayComfyMinnesota.com.

For more energy saving and home comfort tips, visit StayComfyMinnesota.com! Stay Comfy, Minnesota is your Minnesota resource for air conditioning repair, furnace repair and HVAC tips and advice.

Danny brings your HVAC tech tip of the week: what to do if your home air conditioning isn’t working well

Minnesota summer brings inconsistent temperatures ranging from cool and breezy to hot and humid. Danny has three tips for when you’re confronted with warm temperatures and an air conditioner that isn’t cooling your home properly.

1. Set your AC to the cooling mode. Select the cooling mode and not the fan mode of operation. Most air conditioners will have a cooling mode and a fan mode that  circulates air in the home. Actual cooling only takes place in cooling mode. Confirm your thermostat is set below the room temperature. The thermostat may be set for a higher temperature than the temperature in your home, which will prevents the cooling process from beginning. The temperature in the display is the current room temperature. Press the temperature up or down buttons to change the unit temperature setting.
2. Clear your outdoor unit of debris. Debris around your condenser may block the airflow and reduce the unit’s cooling ability. If there are problems with air flow then the compressor and condenser will be unable to remove the heat from your home.
3. Clean the air filter. An air filter is used to remove dust and pollen from the circulated air. If this filter becomes blocked, the thermostat may not sense the air temperature properly resulting in the inconsistent cooling you are experiencing.

Keep your home comfy by following these cooling tips. If you are still experiencing cooling problems, contact your local Minnesota Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer.

If you’re interested in learning more about any of these products or technologies, contact your local Minnesota Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer. You can find the one closest to you at StayComfyMinnesota.com.

For more energy saving and home comfort tips, visit StayComfyMinnesota.com! Stay Comfy, Minnesota is your Minnesota resource for air conditioning repair, furnace repair and HVAC tips and advice.

Turn to the experts.

Communication is key when dealing with home comfort. You should be able to have open communications with your technician, just like your doctor. The technician diagnoses your HVAC problems and you both need a complete understanding of the proceedings. A good technician will give you a written bid (or proposal) outlining the equipment to be installed, the work to be done, and the price, including labor costs.

It is important to outline expectations before beginning the HVAC installation process. This way you will receive work that meets your standards. Relay your needs and wants to the technician and fully understand expectations by learning basic HVAC terminology:

Air Handler, or Air Handling Unit (AH) or (AHU)

• Central unit consisting of a blower, heating and cooling elements, filter racks or chamber, dampers, humidifier, and other central equipment in direct contact with the airflow. This does not include the ductwork through the building. (Inside unit)

British Thermal Unit (BTU)

• Any of several units of energy (heat) in the HVAC industry, each slightly more than 1 kJ. One BTU is the energy required to raise one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit, but the many different types of BTU are based on different interpretations of this “definition.” In the United States the power of HVAC systems (the rate of cooling and dehumidifying or heating) is sometimes expressed in BTU/hour instead of watts.

Chiller

• A device that removes heat from a liquid via a vapor-compression or absorption refrigeration cycle. This cooled liquid flows through pipes in a building and passes through coils in air handlers, fan-coil units, or other systems, cooling and usually dehumidifying the air in the building. Chillers are of two types; air-cooled or water-cooled. Air-cooled chillers are usually outside and consist of condenser coils cooled by fan-driven air. Water-cooled chillers are usually inside a building, and heat from these chillers is carried by recirculating water to outdoor cooling towers.

Coil

• Equipment that performs heat transfer when mounted inside an Air Handling unit or ductwork. It is heated or cooled by electrical means or by circulating liquid or steam within it. Air flowing across it is heated or cooled.

Condenser

• A component in the basic refrigeration cycle that ejects or removes heat from the system. The condenser is the hot side of an air conditioner or heat pump. Condensers are heat exchangers, and can transfer heat to air or to an intermediate fluid (such as water or an aqueous solution of ethylene glycol) to carry heat to a distant sink, such as ground (earth sink), a body of water, or air (as with cooling towers). (Outside unit)

Constant Air Volume (CAV)

• A system designed to provide a constant air volume per unit time. This term is applied to HVAC systems that have variable supply-air temperature but constant air flow rates. Most residential forced-air systems are small CAV systems with on/off control.

Controller

• A device that controls the operation of part or all of a system. It may simply turn a device on and off, or it may more subtly modulate burners, compressors, pumps, valves, fans, dampers, and the like. Most controllers are automatic but have user input such as temperature set points, e.g. a thermostat. Controls may be analog, or digital, or pneumatic, or a combination of these.

Damper

• A plate or gate placed in a duct to control air flow by introducing a constriction in the duct.

Evaporator

• A component in the basic refrigeration cycle that absorbs or adds heat to the system. Evaporators can be used to absorb heat from air (by reducing temperature and by removing water) or from a liquid. The evaporator is the cold side of an air conditioner or heat pump.

Fan-Coil Unit (FCU)

• A small terminal unit that is often composed of only a blower and a heating and/or cooling coil (heat exchanger), as is often used in hotels, condominiums, or apartments. One type of fan coil unit is a unit ventilator.

Fresh Air Intake (FAI)

• An opening through which outside air is drawn into the building. This may be to replace air in the building that has been exhausted by the ventilation system, or to provide fresh air for combustion of fuel.

Furnace

• A component of an HVAC system that adds heat to air or an intermediate fluid by burning fuel (natural gas, oil, propane, butane, or other flammable substances) in a heat exchanger.

Leave the repairing to the professionals, but these terms will give you an understanding of the proceedings and will help the technician provide you with optimum home comfort. Look for HVAC terms G-Z next week.

If you’re interested in learning more about any of these products or technologies, contact your local Minnesota Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer. You can find the one closest to you at StayComfyMinnesota.com.

For more energy saving and home comfort tips, visit StayComfyMinnesota.com! Stay Comfy, Minnesota is your Minnesota resource for air conditioning repair, furnace repair and HVAC tips and advice.

Danny brings your HVAC tech tip of the week: why AC size matters.

What size of system should I buy?
This is where an expert Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer comes into play. Ask a contractor to perform a detailed load calculation. This calculation determines the capacity of the equipment needed and the correct distribution of air to each room.

If the HVAC system is too small, it will not be able to meet comfort needs in extreme weather. A system that is too large will reduce efficiency benefits, increase costs, and provide poorer temperature and humidity control.

Use the square footage of the room and the chart below to determine the correct cooling capacity. Cooling capacity is measured in British thermal units (Btu) per hour.

Air conditioners remove both heat and humidity from the air. If the unit is too large, it will cool the room quickly, but only remove some of the humidity

If you’re interested in learning more about any of these products or technologies, contact your local Minnesota Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer. You can find the one closest to you at StayComfyMinnesota.com.

For more energy saving and home comfort tips, visit StayComfyMinnesota.com! Stay Comfy, Minnesota is your Minnesota resource for air conditioning repair, furnace repair and HVAC tips and advice.

Common mold allergy symptoms.

HVAC systems that are not well maintained can supply the conditions perfect for mold to grow. A common place to first spot mold growth is on your HVAC vents, showing that you need to take action immediately. Some types of mold have negative health effects and can simultaneously lower the value of your home as extensive mold growth is expensive to remove. 

Mold growth is due to excessive moisture or humidity. Sources of water combined with dust and dirt within your ductwork create a breeding ground for spores to grow. Take immediate action with these steps:

1. Have your ducts professionally cleaned. Contact your local Minnesota Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer. Everyone involved in this cleaning should wear at least an N-95 respirator.
   
2. Inspect your HVAC system for a drain line backup.
3. Look for plumbing leaks or poor drainage.
4. Give your complete system a tune-up.

Prevent mold growth in the future by paying attention to these details:

1. Keep the humidity level in your home between 40 and 60 percent. Use an air conditioner or a dehumidifier during humid months and in damp spaces, like basements.
2. Fix any and all leaks.
3. Direct your clothes dryer vent to outdoors.
4. Dry your home within 24-48 hours of flooding. Use wet vacuums to clean out any standing water and replace anything porous, such as filters or insulation, that has become wet.
5. Use exhaust fans that vent outside your home in the kitchen and bathroom.

Breathe easy knowing that you have properly protected your home against mold growth.

If you’re interested in learning more about any of these products or technologies, contact your local Minnesota Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer. You can find the one closest to you at StayComfyMinnesota.com.

For more energy saving and home comfort tips, visit StayComfyMinnesota.com! Stay Comfy, Minnesota is your Minnesota resource for air conditioning repair, furnace repair and HVAC tips and advice.

Don’t settle for anything but the best.

When your air conditioner stops working in the heat of summer, it’s tempting to hire the first HVAC contractor in the phone book. There are details to consider however. This person will be entering your home and providing comfort for your family. You want this person to be someone you can trust to perform high-quality service and with whom you feel comfortable asking questions. Look for these characteristics in an HVAC technician that will qualify them to be trusted in your home.

NATE certified.
Ask your HVAC contractor if they have North American Technician Excellence (NATE) certified technicians. This ensures technicians have the latest training on current equipment.

Boot covers. An HVAC technician focused on customer service will wear boot covers without being asked. This shows their dedication to their craft and respect for your home.

Timeliness. On time is late, and early is on time. A quality contractor will have a positive reputation for timeliness. Efficient use of time is just as important. Ask about time management skills and history of completing a project by the quoted estimated time.

Vehicle cleanliness. How an HVAC technician treats his own property is a reflection of his attention to detail and commitment to a job well done. A clean ride shows company pride and an effort to continually impress.

Eye contact. It is crucial to hire an HVAC technician that you feel comfortable communicating with. This will help them to quickly and correctly solve your problems. If an HVAC technician is willing to look you in the eye, it is a sign they are confident in their skills and a positive indication of how the customer will be treated.

Use these characteristics as a guideline to ensure a satisfactory job well done.

If you’re interested in learning more about any of these products or technologies, contact your local Minnesota Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer. You can find the one closest to you at StayComfyMinnesota.com.

For more energy saving and home comfort tips, visit StayComfyMinnesota.com! Stay Comfy, Minnesota is your Minnesota resource for air conditioning repair, furnace repair and HVAC tips and advice.

You know what an air conditioner is. You know what a furnace is. But, what is a heat pump? Do you need one for summer? Danny from Stay Comfy, Minnesota explains heat pump basics.

Despite the assumptions the name brings, a heat pump can actually provide heating and cooling. In the summer months, it acts like an air conditioner. It takes the heat out of the house. In the winter months, it takes heat from outside and moves it inside. Even a 32 degree day produces enough heat to warm a home via a heat pump. So if a heat pump works like an air conditioner and furnace, why should you invest in one?

• Energy efficient. A central heat pump provides comfortable living temperatures year-round by using what is already accessible. In Minnesota where temperatures are more extreme, supplemental heating may be required. A heat pump is ideal for moderate climates. A heat pump can reduce heating electricity used for heating by 30 to 40 percent. High-efficiency heat pumps even dehumidify better than standard central AC units. Overall, less energy is used with a heat pump.
• Air quality. As your heat pump system draws air out of your house through return air ducts, the air is pulled through an air filter. There airborne particles like dust and lint are removed. The filtered air is then routed to air supply ductwork that carries it back to rooms.
• Quiet operation. The indoor noise level from heat pump operation is much lower than free-standing AC units since the compressor bearing unit of the typical central heat pump system is located outside.

Still not sure if a heat pump is right for you? Contact an HVAC professional with your questions.

If you’re interested in learning more about any of these products or technologies, contact your local Minnesota Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer. You can find the one closest to you at StayComfyMinnesota.com.

For more energy saving and home comfort tips, visit StayComfyMinnesota.com! Stay Comfy, Minnesota is your Minnesota resource for air conditioning repair, furnace repair and HVAC tips and advice.

Danny brings your HVAC tech tip of the week: how to maximize the efficiency of your air conditioner.

The sunshine has made its appearance this spring. We are all grateful for green grass and warmer temperatures. Expensive utility bills remain an unwelcome guest however as air conditioners are brought out of hibernation and into full use. Danny from Stay Comfy, Minnesota brings you three easy tips keep your home comfortable on a low budget.

1. Close the shades. Don’t make your AC do all the work. Reflect the heat back out away from your house by closing all the drapes, curtains, and shades. Preventing sunlight from entering your home will keep your home cool. Alternatively open windows when outdoor temperatures allow it and take advantage of fresh air blowing in.
2. Consistent temperature. This will keep your air conditioner from working harder than it needs to. Instead of setting it to fluctuating temperatures, set the temperature to as high as comfortable.
3. Clean your air filter. Keeping your filter clean means less unnecessary work for your AC unit. This means your cooling dollars will go towards what you care about, keeping cool. Schedule a time every month to clean your air filter. If you have central air conditioning, ductwork and vents should be cleaned every couple of years. You want cool air to move fast and free through your home.

Minnesota summers bring humidity and heat, but you can still stay comfy and save money by following these tips!

If you’re interested in learning more about any of these products or technologies, contact your local Minnesota Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer. You can find the one closest to you at StayComfyMinnesota.com.

For more energy saving and home comfort tips, visit StayComfyMinnesota.com! Stay Comfy, Minnesota is your Minnesota resource for air conditioning repair, furnace repair and HVAC tips and advice.