Spring has begun, and it won’t be long before the summer heat has your air conditioning working overtime to keep you cool. You may be dreading those summer energy bills, but what if there was a way to lower your energy bills and keep you comfortable all year long? A smart thermostat can do that and more. Keep reading to learn five benefits of smart thermostats. Smart thermostats adjust automatically. Perhaps the greatest functionality of smart thermostats is their ability to adjust temperature and settings based on your routine and other factors. You’ll need to adjust the settings manually for the first week or so, but it will quickly learn what temperature you prefer your home to be at certain times of the day. Some models have motion sensors and can detect when you leave the house and when you return. These models can even adjust temperatures in certain rooms by detecting which rooms you spend time in and when. Smart thermostats will also account for outside temperature and the size of your home. But you can always program a heating and cooling schedule yourself and adjust the temperature at any time if you prefer. The result is a home that’s always optimized for comfort and energy use at any point in the day. Control your settings remotely. With a smart thermostat, you never have to worry about your settings while you’re away from home. Most smart thermostats can be controlled by an accompanying app on your smartphone, meaning you can check and change the temperature from anywhere. This can come in handy if your schedule unexpectedly changes or you forgot to adjust the settings before leaving on a trip. Perhaps you’ve come home from a trip to find that your house sitter turned the A/C or heat up dramatically, leaving you with an abnormally high energy bill. With a smart thermostat, you can always keep an eye on your settings and change them whenever you need to. Receive important notifications. Smart thermostats keep you informed by sending alerts and reminders directly to your smartphone or email inbox. Receive alerts when it’s time to change your air filters or batteries, so you’re never caught off guard by a maintenance issue. Many smart thermostats will also notify you of power outages and extreme temperatures inside your home. You can even track your home’s energy use and patterns, helping you find more ways to increase efficiency and comfort. Improve air quality. Maintenance reminders like air filter alerts help keep your HVAC system in perfect working condition, ensuring your air stays clean by reducing the risk of harmful pollutants. In addition to tracking temperature and energy use, smart thermostats can monitor indoor humidity and make necessary adjustments. Some models, like the VisionPRO® 8000 from Honeywell®, can even control a humidifier or dehumidifier to keep the air quality and moisture at just the right levels. Lower your energy bills. We’ve seen how the benefits of smart thermostats will increase energy efficiency, optimize comfort levels, and give you complete control over the temperature in your home. All these factors work together to help you save money on your energy bills, no matter the season. Smart thermostats won’t waste energy on heating or cooling your home while you’re away, they can automatically adjust based on which rooms are occupied, and you can always adjust the settings remotely if your schedule changes. Smart thermostats afford you more comfort and more savings. Take control of your home with a smart thermostat from WestAIR. The benefits of smart thermostats go far beyond what we’ve discussed here. If you’re ready to take your home’s energy efficiency and comfort to the next level, contact WestAIR . We offer a wide range of Honeywell® advanced T-Series and VisionPro® units to put you in control of your home’s temperature and energy costs. Contact us today to learn more.
Winters are cold in the upper Midwest, and with energy prices on the rise, winter utility bills can be costly. Like many others, you may be wondering how to lower your heating bill. Fortunately, there are many energy-saving strategies to employ during the colder months. Let’s take a look at eight ways to save money on heating this winter! 1. Turn Down the Thermostat. It seems obvious, but keeping your thermostat at a lower setting is the best way to reduce your heating bill. You don’t need to let yourself freeze, but even turning down the heat a couple degrees can bring significant savings in the long run. Most people are also more comfortable with cooler temperatures while they sleep, so turning it down every night is an easy way to save energy and money. And don’t forget to turn it down while you’re away at work, so you’re not spending money to heat an empty home! A smart thermostat makes it easy to program a regular heating schedule. 2. Wear Warm Clothes. Another simple solution to the winter cold is to bundle up. If you’re used to wearing shorts and a T-shirt in your home all year long, you might want to consider putting on a few more layers. Warm bedding and extra blankets will also keep you warm at night. These are less expensive alternatives to cranking the thermostat on cold days. 3. Open (And Close) Your Blinds. Take advantage of every natural heat source, including sunlight! Opening your curtains and shades on a sunny day heats your home even when it’s freezing outside. Just make sure to close them again when the sun goes down, as windows can also let in cool air. 4. Turn On Your Ceiling Fans. Wait, don’t fans keep you cool? Fans are usually set to rotate counterclockwise, which brings cold air up from the floor to cool off a room. But if you switch the rotation to clockwise, it will push down all the warm air from the ceiling to distribute it more evenly throughout your home. 5. Seal off Air Leaks. Windows and doors are major culprits when it comes to allowing warm air out and cool air in. Inspect them carefully for gaps or peeling weather stripping. It’s relatively easy to repair these leaks with some simple caulking, but you can also hire a professional for added assurance. While you’re at it, make sure your attic is well-insulated. Gaps can decrease your home’s energy efficiency. 6. Take Care of Your Heating System. If your HVAC system isn’t functioning at optimal efficiency, it will have to work harder to heat your home, raising your energy bills. Check your furnace filters regularly—many types of filters should be cleaned or replaced every 30-60 days. You should also have your complete system checked annually by a qualified service technician to avoid costly repairs down the road. 7. Use a Humidifier. Winter brings cold, dry air, which can cause eye irritation, chapped lips, dry skin, and other unpleasant issues. A humidifier combats these health concerns while also making your home feel warmer since humid air carries more heat than dry air. Not using a humidifier can also dry out the wood in your home, shrinking the wood framing around doors and windows and creating gaps for air to flow through. 8. Install Radiant Floor Heating. An in-floor heating system can save you up to 40 percent on your heating bill by distributing heat more evenly throughout your home. Unlike forced-air heat, radiant heating reaches every nook and cranny and warms anything on the floor, including furniture. You can even zone off different areas to add increased comfort in rooms like bathrooms, kitchens, and basements. Contact WestAIR to Maximize Your Home’s Energy Efficiency. Our professional technicians are experts in servicing and installing furnaces and HVAC systems. We’ll make sure everything is functioning properly so you can have peace of mind. If you’re thinking about installing a new furnace or heating system, we’ll present your options and help you make the best decision for your home and budget. Remember to follow these eight tips to lower your heating bill and contact us today to start saving!
When it comes to weather, in Minnesota, we live in a state of extremes. That’s why we rely on our homes to provide an oasis of clean air and cozy temperatures all year long. And WestAIR Heating & Cooling has you covered. Read on to learn more about the HVAC services and solutions we offer as your local source for total indoor air comfort. Home Heating Solutions The snowy and bitterly cold winters make reliable, efficient heating systems vital to our comfort, health, and safety. WestAIR offers a full range of solutions, and our expert technicians will help you find the perfect fit for your home and provide professional installation. High-efficiency furnaces warm your entire home in the most cost-effective way, leading to lower energy bills. Additionally, qualifying systems allow you to claim a federal tax credit . Radiant floor heating provide heat from the ground up instead of via forced air through vents, which eliminates air loss in ductwork. This also means dust and allergens aren’t being blown into the home and decreasing air quality. Gas fireplaces allow you to add beauty as well as comfort. Our experienced technicians will help you choose the right model, style, and finishing touches to optimize performance and ultimately boost your home’s value. Unit/garage heaters let you use your garage for more than parking. By keeping the space warm, it can be used for year-round storage, social and recreational activities, hobbies, and more. Home Cooling Solutions While our air is extremely cold and dry, the summers are full of heat and humidity. But don’t worry—we provide the same level of experience and expertise when it comes to home cooling solutions. High-efficiency air conditioning (A/C) systems deliver cost-effective cooling while also helping maintain proper humidity levels. And just like the furnaces mentioned above, many will qualify you for a federal tax credit . Ductless mini-split A/C systems require no ductwork, making them ideal for homes/spaces where adding ducts is impractical or too expensive. They can also provide heating as well as cooling. HVAC Efficiency and Indoor Air Quality Solutions Indoor air quality (IAQ) affects comfort as well as overall health. Rely on WestAIR to help ensure the air inside your home is both clean and cozy. Air exchangers help remove stale, unhealthy indoor air while simultaneously providing fresh, pre-filtered outdoor air. Air cleaners do just what the name implies: They clean the air by trapping harmful airborne particles before they can pollute the home and be breathed in by you and your loved ones. Whole house humidifiers maintain relative humidity levels, helping avoid dry-air issues such as dry skin, cracking/warping of furniture and wood, and inefficient heating. Programmable/setback thermostats allow you to pre-set temperature and humidity settings for multiple days. This allows you to maintain cost-effective comfort without constantly having to adjust the thermostat. Automatic zoning systems separate your home into zones that can be individually controlled. That way, you don’t have to waste energy and money heating/cooling areas that are rarely used. Ultraviolet (UV) light air purification systems work in conjunction with your current HVAC to eliminate viruses, bacteria, mold, and other harmful airborne pathogens for improved IAQ. HVAC Maintenance Services As your local source for all things HVAC, WestAIR also provides a full range of professional maintenance services: Annual/Routine Maintenance Duct Cleaning Inspection and Repair/Replacement Replacement Air Filters Your home should be a private escape from the extremes of Minnesota weather. We’re here to help make the best decision for you and your home, as well as ensure your systems run at peak performance and efficiency. Contact WestAIR today to learn more about our HVAC services and solutions for total indoor air comfort.
During the holiday season, it is hard to take your mind off of shopping, cleaning, cooking, buying gifts, and preparing the house for visiting relatives and friends. Another thing that should be added to that list is the safety of your house during this season. Décor, trees, candles, and unattended stoves are the top hazards during the holidays. Read along in our December blog as we discuss holiday home safety tips. Worry-Free Tree If caught on fire, real or fake Christmas trees will wreak havoc on your house during the holiday season. When purchasing a fake tree, make sure it is labeled nonflammable or fire-retardant. If real trees aren’t properly watered, they can catch fire and have your whole house up in flames in a matter of seconds. Below are some ways you can avoid Christmas tree fires . Low heat producing lights – This will help to keep the tree from drying up NEVER overload your electrical circuits near the tree Always turn Christmas lights off inside and outside the house when going to bed or leaving the house Water your tree Keep your tree away from any heating source Décor Galore Hanging, draping, and setting up decorations is one of the many delights that come with the holiday season. When you start setting up for Christmas, make sure you are using nonflammable or fire-retardant decorations. Also, make sure not to set décor on your fireplace mantel or near it where it can catch fire. If you have small children, be sure to use unbreakable decorations. When it is time to start decorating the tree, use ornaments that are nonflammable. A Christmas tree is one of the deadliest fire starters during the holidays. If you really want glass, sharp, or ceramic ornaments, try hanging them towards the top of the tree so little hands or paws can’t reach them. Candles are another source of deadly fires during the winter season. Keep them away from furniture, wrapped gifts, curtains, and anything that could possibly catch ablaze. Safe and Sound Along with traveling, working, and not being home on the holidays come criminals ready to pounce any chance they can get. Be extra careful this winter; lock your doors, windows, and garages before you leave the house. To help prevent theft, you can also: Leave a few lights on inside Try to unload packages in your garage with the door closed Watch what you are posting on social media Add lights: motion sensor lights are your friend With the holidays closing in on us, we are here to make sure you are taking the correct steps to protect your home. Nonflammable trees, fire-retardant décor, and home safety and security are only some of the ways to keep your house safe and sound during this season. WestAIR Heating & Cooling can install gas fireplaces, so there is less of a possibility that your tree or decorations go up in flames. You can contact us to learn more about different types of fireplaces and to discuss more home safety holiday tips. WestAIR Heating & Cooling also wants to wish you happy holidays. Stay safe and have fun.
As we watch the leaves fall off the trees and the snow come down, we can’t help but know that the seasons are changing, and fall is coming to an end. Homeowners must start thinking about how they are going to stay warm during this cold time of year. Along with winter comes the higher cost of heat and living. We here at WestAIR Heating & Cooling would like to give you a few tips for winter heating this season. Purchase a Smart Thermostat The year is 2022, smart devices are slowly taking over the world as we know it. Why not add another smart device that helps control the temperature of your home? A Wi-Fi enabled smart thermostat can be controlled from anywhere at any time using your smartphone. They track your movement and location. They know when you are away and when you are home. The ideal temperature for your house to run at is between 68 and 72 degrees. They help you to track your energy usage and can tell you when you are saving energy which can lead to lower utility bills in the long run. Don’t Heat an Empty or Sleeping House When you leave the house in the morning, you concentrate on getting ready, packing the car, and getting to your destination on time. One more thing you can add to that list is turning down the heat. You shouldn’t heat an empty house. You can save money on energy and your heating bills by simply lowering the heat by 7 degrees. We often have too much going through our heads to remember to turn the heat down, so if you are rushing out the door, your smart thermostat will know you’re gone and turn the heat down for you. You can also adjust the heat settings on your smart phone through an app. It’s proven that cooler temperatures will help your health . The cooler the room, the deeper your sleep, the greater your REM sleep is, and the faster you will fall asleep. Put Your ceiling Fan in Reverse Ceiling fans are nice for cooling down the house in the summer, but they also help to warm up your house in the winter. Once you flip the switch on your fan, the blades will start rotating clockwise. This will help bring the cold air towards the ceiling and push the warm air from top to bottom. This will help to keep your living space warm and cozy without putting a big dent in your pocket. Contact your WestAIR HVAC Specialist Purchasing a smart thermostat, putting your ceiling fan in reverse, and not heating an empty home are just a few tips and tricks you can use for winter heating this season. The professionals at West AIR want you to have reliable, efficient heating solutions that will last for many years down the road. If you think your HVAC system isn’t running correctly, or you need an annual maintenance inspection, contact WestAIR Heating & Cooling today.
WestAIR Heating & Cooling has been installing and servicing HVAC systems in Minnesota for more than 35 years, and we’ve seen what our harsh winters and frigid temperatures can do to heating and ventilation appliances. Without proper maintenance, you’re likely to experience costly breakdowns and high energy bills as your system struggles to keep up. So, with winter once again on its way, we’ve put together a list of helpful tips to prepare your HVAC system for the long, cold months ahead. Check out the following HVAC winterization tips to help you improve your home’s energy efficiency, avoid system emergencies, and save you money. DIY HVAC Winterization Check and Replace Air Filters: We recommend changing or cleaning your air filters once a month, but doing so before winter is especially important. Air filters can become clogged with dirt and particles over time, making your system work harder and raising your energy bills in the process. These clogs also reduce the indoor air quality in your home. WestAIR provides high-quality filters for a variety of humidifiers and air cleaners. Just make sure to turn your HVAC system off before changing filters. Clean Vents and Registers: Just like your air filters, vents and registers are prone to collecting dust and debris that can inhibit proper air circulation. Fortunately, they’re easy to clean with a vacuum cleaner or even a soft-bristled brush for more careful dust removal. Once again, turn your HVAC system off before cleaning vents. Optimize Your Thermostat: A properly programmed thermostat can go a long way toward lowering energy costs and maintaining a comfortable temperature all winter. Make sure the batteries are charged and the unit is functioning normally. We also recommend installing a smart thermostat , which allows you to program different temperatures for day and night as well as for different rooms in your home. Schedule Professional Maintenance Service Although you can take steps to winterize your HVAC system on your own, a professional inspection can identify and address further issues before they become major problems. You may notice some of these issues yourself and be unsure of how to deal with them; others, you may not notice at all. Rest assured that our technicians will make sure every component of your HVAC system is ready for winter. Here’s a checklist of items our team can take care of for you: Clean Furnace and Check Operation/Filter: We will remove soot, dust, and debris from your furnace and ensure proper functioning throughout the appliance. Clean Air Conditioner and Check Operation: We will remove dirt and dust from the indoor air handler, improving efficiency and airflow. Clean Outdoor Condenser and Check Refrigerant Charge: We will remove dirt, leaves, and other debris from the condenser coils and check refrigerant levels. Clean Air Exchange Filters and Core: We will remove dust and other contaminants and clean the core to prevent mold and bacteria growth. Check Radiant In-Floor Heating System : We will check the pressure of your in-floor heating system and make sure it is operating at maximum efficiency. Check Humidifier Filter and Drain Line: We can replace your filter if needed to prevent dry air and ensure comfortable humidity levels during the cold months ahead. Check Unit Heater Operation: We will ensure all components of your heater are functioning properly, including ignition, burner operation, and heat output. Clean Fireplace and Check Operation: We can remove soot and debris from your fireplace and make sure it’s safe to use, so you can stay warm by the fire all winter. Call WestAIR Today for More HVAC Winterization Tips Winter can wreak havoc on the unprepared HVAC system. But hopefully these HVAC winterization tips will come in handy, helping you prepare for the cold while saving money. To avoid emergency breakdowns and high energy costs, call our professional technicians for a full inspection and service.
On average, Americans spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors . That means maintaining good indoor air quality , or IAQ, is absolutely critical for staying in good health. Poor IAQ can cause and exacerbate a variety of health issues, including headaches, fatigue, trouble concentrating, and irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. Fortunately, modern technology has introduced several new ways to improve indoor air quality. With the addition of a couple of easy strategies that anyone can do, you’ll be breathing clean air in your home all year round. Install an Air Exchanger Modern homes are well-sealed and insulated to preserve temperature and energy efficiency, but this does have a downside. A tightly sealed home keeps fresh outdoor air out, while trapping stale indoor air inside. An air exchanger remedies this by delivering clean, filtered outdoor air to your home while exhausting indoor air, contaminants, and excess humidity. At WestAIR , we proudly install the Lifebreath® Ventilation System, which provides a continuous flow of air to prevent stagnation, reduce humidity, and expel gaseous pollutants. Install an Air Cleaner Indoor air tends to be much more polluted than outdoor air, often containing copious amounts of dust, pollen, spores, and other particles. An air cleaner traps dust and other irritating particles, allowing the newly cleaned air to circulate throughout your home. We provide and install AprilAire ® non-electronic and electronic air cleaners, both of which trap particles effectively and efficiently. In fact, AprilAire air cleaners trap 98 percent of visible airborne dust and other large particles while permanently capturing at least 97 percent of airborne pollen-sized particles. Install a Whole House Humidifier While not as much of an issue during the summer, our long cold seasons in Minnesota drastically reduce the moisture in the air in our homes. This dry air causes many adverse health effects, including nose, throat, and skin discomfort. Dry air can even damage wood framing and harm expensive electronics. A humidifier forces dry air through its water panel evaporator, adding moisture to your air and keeping your home at proper humidity levels. At WestAIR, we provide and install AprilAire and Honeywell® humidifiers, both of which have proven to be effective solutions to dry air. Install a UV Light Air Purifier This type of purifier produces UV rays that break through an organism’s cell wall to sufficiently damage or destroy its DNA, rendering it unable to reproduce. This is particularly effective at removing airborne pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, mold, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). We are proud to be an authorized installer of BreatheCLEAN™ UV air purification systems , which install easily into your existing ductwork. The BreatheCLEAN features two 36-watt bulbs that destroy nearly all airborne disease-causing organisms. Take Advantage of Natural Ventilation One of the easiest ways to improve indoor air quality is to open up your home to outdoor air. Keep your windows and doors open when the weather is nice to allow air to cycle through. Try to do this for at least 10 minutes every day, even in the winter. During the summer, you can open your windows but keep the blinds partially closed to benefit from the fresh air without increasing heat gain from the sun. Reduce Pollutants at Their Sources The most direct way to combat indoor air pollution is by tackling them at their sources. This can be as simple as vacuuming and dusting regularly and refraining from smoking inside your home. If your home has insulation containing asbestos, seal off that area. The American Lung Association also recommends using safer cleaning alternatives when cleaning your home , such as soap and water, vinegar, and baking soda. Protect Your Home with WestAIR Stale indoor air poses many risks to your health. But with these six ways to improve indoor air quality, your home will be full of clean, fresh air. The professionals at WestAir Heating & Cooling have the experience and know-how to recommend and install the best air cleaning devices in your home so that you can have peace of mind. Call us at 763.498.8071 or visit our contact page to make an appointment.
WestAIR Heating & Cooling has been helping Minnesotans keep their homes cool, clean, and energy-efficient for over 35 years. With rising summer temperatures already impacting the Twin Cities, we want to provide some tips for staying comfortable while keeping your air conditioning bill low all season long. Keep reading to explore how to save money on air conditioning. Be Smart with Your Thermostat Your thermostat has the most direct effect on your energy costs this summer, and it’s also the most controllable factor in the cooling equation. Be strategic when adjusting its settings! Find the warmest temperature that you are comfortable with during the day and avoid setting it any lower than that. The Department of Energy recommends 78°F, but this depends on your personal preference. You may want to invest in a programmable or smart thermostat to make temperature management even easier. These devices allow you to set schedules for automatic adjustments throughout the day. For instance, you can program higher temperatures for when you’re sleeping or away at work for the day. A smart thermostat lets you fine-tune the temperature for specific rooms and even provides remote access from your smartphone. Optimize Your Air Conditioner Taking good care of your A/C unit is also key to keeping your home energy- and cost-efficient. Follow the manufacturer’s routine maintenance directions and make sure your entire system is checked twice a year by a qualified technician . A representative from WestAIR can identify problems early and keep your A/C unit running at peak performance. Remember to check your air filters regularly, too. Clogged filters restrict airflow, forcing your system to work harder and use more energy. To avoid this, clean permanent filters with mild detergent every 30 to 60 days, depending on the manufacturer’s recommendations. Replaceable 1″ filters should also be changed every 30 to 60 days, while air cleaner filters can be swapped out annually. Contact WestAIR if you require assistance checking or cleaning your filters. Keep the Heat Out The more you can prevent heat from entering your home, the less your A/C will have to work to keep it cool. You have several easy and practical ways to do this. First, close the shades and curtains on sunny windows during the day. You could also invest in blackout curtains in bedrooms, which block significant amounts of heat and light. But don’t be afraid to draw back those curtains and open a window or two when it cools off in the evening. Just remember to close them again when outdoor temperatures rise. You also want to make sure your home is sealed off and insulated, so that the cool air from your A/C won’t escape and hot air from outside won’t seep in. Check for gaps around windows and doors and repair them with weather stripping. Older windows may even have small cracks, meaning you might want to replace them entirely. Stay Cool with WestAIR Outdoor temperatures may be rising, but you don’t have to break the bank to stay comfortable. At WestAIR Heating & Cooling , we are dedicated to making sure you have access to clean air and comfortable temperatures all year long. Contact us to schedule a professional tune-up or discuss installing a new, high-efficiency air conditioner for your home.