Tag Archives: airconditioning

Air Conditioner Buying Guide

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You find yourself in the market for a new air conditioner unit. Now what? Our specialists have put together a guide that will help you find the right AC unit for your house.

A New Degree of Comfort

Let’s start with things you might consider when buying an A/C unit.

Next, you will look at the efficiency. This refers to the energy usage of a given unit. For MN customers, we generally either install high efficiency which has a certain (SEER – seasonal energy efficiency rating) or a standard efficiency. A high efficiency unit will use less electricity and thus you will be able to save both energy and money on your utility bill.

Photo: Rheem

Rheem was awarded the Energy Star Award in 2022 for Partner of the Year.

First, you can look to see if it has proper sizing for dehumidification. Dehumidification is, part of the process that a central air conditioner does when it is running in a home. It is pulling or removing moisture from the air while also bringing down the temperature to what a person has their thermostat set to.

Rebates, rebates, rebates! Warners’ Stellian offers honest pricing, and you can always look online to see what current offers we have, to help you save on high quality products. This goes along with warranty as well. What coverage best fits your needs? Ask our specialists about our Ironclad Product Protection plans for your heating and cooling systems.

AC Features

Let’s talk about the different types of air conditioning units out there. Similarly, to our furnace buying guide, we touch on single stage, two stages, and modulating.

Single Stage means one mode. Meaning whatever temperature, you have your house set at, your unit will run at full blast until it reaches that temperature.

You have two cooling speeds for the two stage AC unit which means that there is a high and a medium capacity providing more precise temperatures and lower humidity while also reducing energy use

We commonly preach that you need to change your basic furnace filter every 30 days. However, we offer the Aprilaire air cleaner and filter system which has an exact fit filter system which keeps your equipment much cleaner and can last up to 1 year before changing. You will absolutely want to consider adding a Wi-Fi thermostat, they are inexpensive yet a huge upgrade in usability.

Example of an Aprilaire air filter.

Lastly, it is worth considering an air source heat pump condenser when replacing your HVAC equipment. Technology has improved in these systems to accommodate the northern US climate. Heat from the outside air is absorbed into a fluid and transferred inside to heat the home, as well the same system provides cooling by transferring warm indoor air to the outside. These units are energy saving and in northern climates still require a back up heating source when temperatures fall below 20 degrees.

Our knowledgeable specialists come and do a comprehensive home visit to ensure maximum comfort throughout your home. If you are looking for both a furnace and air conditioning unit, considering reading our furnace buying guide, or contact out heating and cooling department with any questions.

Request an AC quote here.

For more AC resources explore our blog.

Knowledgeable specialists helping repair or replace.

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