Category Archives: Home Solutions

Fall Furnace Maintenance Checklist

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Much like a car, your furnace requires annual maintenance and a tune-up to ensure all the moving parts are in tiptop shape. Regular maintenance also ensures the furnace runs efficiently, saving energy and money. Warming up to the idea? Read on to learn more about fall furnace maintenance.

1. Change the Furnace Filter

You won’t get proper airflow with a dirty filter, which can degrade indoor air quality. In addition, a system with a clean filter runs more efficiently and distributes heat better. Check your owner’s manual if you need directions or advice on what type of filter to use.

2. Vacuum Vents

Remove floor registers to vacuum our dirt and debris. Not only will this boost efficiency, but the air released will be cleaner.

3. Schedule a Furnace Tune-up

Warners' Stellian HVAC technician fixing furnace

The best time to schedule a furnace tune-up is in the fall before the cold weather hits and the unit is needed. When scheduling a professional tune-up, expect your HVAC technician to do the following, as recommended by Energy Star.

  • Clean and lubricate all moving parts
  • Check thermostat settings
  • Tighten electrical connections
  • Inspect condensate drain
  • Check system controls, fuel connections, gas pressure, burner combustion and heat exchanger

Having a professional inspect your system annually ensures system efficiency, plus avoids breakdowns when you’re most reliant on the heating. In addition, your HVAC professional will check that the system runs safely – protecting your household from the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning caused by broken or inadequate venting. Don’t get left in the cold; schedule your furnace inspection today.

Should You Turn Off Your Air Conditioner While on Vacation?

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With the end of summer approaching and Labor Day right around the corner, vacation plans are in full swing. And often a hotly debated topic before hitting the road for your end-of-summer hoorah is whether you should turn off the air conditioner. And if you leave it on, what AC temperature should you set while on vacation? Our plumbing and HVAC services manager Joe Nguyen says if your primary goal is saving energy and money, then yes, turn off the AC (unless you’re leaving pets behind). But according to Nguyen, there’s more to it than that.

Vacation Length

If you’re making a quick weekend getaway, turning the AC off won’t realize big energy or cost savings. After all, the system will have to work harder to reach the desired temperature once you return. For longer vacations, consider the following.

Temperature and Humidity

When the temperature is mild, turning off your air conditioner isn’t a problem. However, high temperatures and humidity levels can quickly heat a home, causing other cooling appliances (refrigerator, freezer, etc.) to work overtime. And a malfunctioning refrigerator will cost more than leaving your air running.

Vacation Temperature Recommendation

Nguyen says the widely held recommendation is to just turn the air conditioner temperature up rather than powering it down. He recommends setting the thermostat between 78 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, using a programmable thermostat with WiFi capability, set the thermostat to cool the house to a comfortable temperature prior to your arrival home.

Nest thermostat on wall

Photo via Nest

Home Vacation Prep Tips

Now that the air conditioner dilemma is sorted out, protect your home appliances with these tips:

  • Close the curtains and blinds. This will keep your home cooler, giving your appliances a break!
  • Turn off the water to your home and home appliances. No one wants to come home to a leak or flood!
  • Put your refrigerator in vacation mode if you have that option.
  • Crack open the dishwasher and washing machine doors to air them out.
  • Turn your water heater down to around 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Last but not least, enjoy your vacation!

Do you turn off your AC before leaving on vacation? Why or why not?

Save Energy While Running AC

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You need an air conditioning unit to save your own energy, but how do you save consumable energy?

Heat burns us out. We have to stay cool to maintain physical and mental health, but it’s hard to be comfortable when you’re stressing about energy usage.

Warners’ Stellian is an expert in heating and cooling, and we know some tricks to prevent energy bills from racking up. Now, we’re going to share them with you.

airplane cropped

Before the season starts

First of all, have your unit inspected and ensure it gets its maintenance each year. If it needs cleaning out, it will work 10 times harder to produce normal results. This is especially important if you live around trees.

You should also check your ducts to be sure the areas they cool are well insulated.

While your AC unit is running

Sunlight gives direct heat when it beats in through the windows. Keep the drapes closed so the AC can do its job. This also encourages you to go outside more! Andy Lindus, COO of Lindus Construction also cautions not to skimp on the quality of your windows.  “Triple pane windows that are specifically designed for the extreme Minnesota temperature swings can help prevent your HVAC system from failing prematurely due to overexertion.”

Misplacement of furniture can block the pathways for which cool air travels through. Rearrange your furniture so that it’s not in the way of any vents.

Remember that electric lights create heat. Try to keep them off unless they are needed. Another suggestion would be to switch to LED lights. 

Don’t underestimate fans. Fans will support your unit and help regulate air so it fills the room better. Fans do produce a cooling effect as well, so they can make an impact when your unit is running low or turned off.

Learn to use the “sleep mode” properly. Some of us get hot in our sleep, but your unit should be turned down at some point to prevent overuse. It’s best to adjust to a cycle where the unit runs low when there’s no natural sunlight. If you currently don’t have this feature, you can contact your energy company to install a saver switch that will cycle your unit.

Need help with your A/C? Fill out this short form to set up an appointment today.

Featured image: Electrolux

Are Vacuums Good Gifts?

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worstvalentinesgiftvacuums

No, it’s not just the thought that counts. Vacuum consistently rank among the least desired gifts on surveys of women on a romantic holiday like Valentine’s Day.

Home Appliance Blog groupies are well aware of my obsessive love of our vacuums, but I care even more deeply about the safety and well-being of our customers. And buying a Valentine’s gift related to an unpopular household chore is probably not the best decision.

Don’t get me wrong. Our vacuums, including top brands like Miele and Dyson, are the best out there. They are highly requested gifts…364 days out of the year. It’s just not that romantic.

So this year, Warners’ Stellian Appliance decided we could no longer with clear conscience take the money from (let’s face it) men about to meet their Maker and are banning the sales of vacuum cleaners intended as Valentine’s Day gifts.

The campaign, “No Vacuums for Valentine’s Day,” aims to spread awareness about the dangers of this terrible gift to save hapless gift-givers from themselves, before it’s too late.

And if a customers stubbornly insists on purchasing a vacuum as a romantic Valentine’s gift, he or she will be asked to sign a waiver promising to act as the primary user of the new vacuum.

Now THAT’s romantic 🙂

Hard Water Wastes Your Energy and Detergent

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If you’re not ecstatic about the performance of your dishwasher and/or washer, don’t immediately blame your machine. There could be something in the water.

Using a water softener can cut detergent use in washers and dishwashers by more than half and lower washing machine temperatures from hot to cold, as shown by two independent studies released in the last two years.

Less detergent and cold water achieved the same stain removal in washing machines using softened water as double the detergent and hot water in hard water. And dishwashers using softened water needed less than half the detergent if used in areas having very hard water (Minnesota is among areas with the hardest water), while achieving the same results.

stainremoval

Plus, the study showed that untreated hard water can cause significant efficiency losses and added costs in water heating – up to 48% in some cases. In addition, hard water was found to rapidly lead to clogged shower heads, in some cases possibly as soon as a year and a half.

After just one week of constant testing with hard water, more than three-fourths of shower head nozzles became clogged, according to laboratory results. Shower heads using softened water, meanwhile, performed nearly as well as on the day they were installed.

If it sounds like you have hard water, our local guys, Water Doctors, can diagnose your water and if necessary, customize a water treatment system for your home.