Home Heating Safety

As we draw closer to the winter, it's important to remember that not only do you have to keep your home warm during the winter, you also have to keep yourself safe.

Furnace inspections are particularly vital. It's also a very, very good idea to get a carbon monoxide detector. Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless, but the gas is poisonous nonetheless. Place carbon monoxide detectors all around your home and know the symptoms of carbon monoxide poising -- nausea, shortness of breath and dizziness.

If you need your home heating unit inspected, don't hesitate to call Abel Onsite today at 952-446-9545.

Which Home HVAC System is Right For You?

Getting ready to buy or have a new HVAC system installed? Or are you in the market for one because your old system finally kicked the bucket? When looking for the perfect system, remember the following tips:

• HVAC systems are either central or local. Central systems circulate throughout the entire domicile; local systems provide heating and cooling to the immediate area.
• Many systems installed are the wrong ones. Your heating and cooling contractor will need to determine what size you need by the load capacity, as well as size of the home.
• Be practical. Find out which system works best in your area.

Not sure which to pick? Waconia heating and cooling contractors Abel Onsite will help you make the right choice. Find out what we can do by visiting www.AbelOnsite.com. 

What to Look for in a Heating & Cooling Company

When picking a heating and cooling contractor, you want to make sure that whoever works on your furnace is someone you can trust. Follow these tips to find a reputable contractor:

• Get recommendations from friends and family
• Check with professional organizations to find listings of contractors in your area
• Are you being discouraged from buying a high-efficiency system? If so, look for another contractor.
• A good contractor will use your existing equipment to determine the size of your new system
• A professional contractor will be reliable, prompt and courteous

Minnetonka heating and cooling company Abel Onsite prides itself on being professional. Learn why our clients trust us by visiting www.AbelOnsite.com. 

Heating & Cooling Checklist for Winter

How can you make sure this winter you won’t lose valuable heating and cooling energy dollars? It’s very easy to ensure your home is properly winterized, and that money won’t leak out the window when the furnace is running, so keep these simple tips in mind when getting your residence ready for the chilly months:

Check the outside

Take a gander at the home’s exterior and check for cracks in the crevice and exposed entry points around pipes, and seal them. Weather stripping should be placed around doors, and cracked window glass should be replaced. Take a look at your foundation, and make sure there is no debris or vegetation around it.

The system

Give your heating system a test run to see if it’s working properly. Make sure a professional HVAC company takes a look at it for seasonal maintenance. Other things you should have done include checking for carbon monoxide leaks, clearing away obstacles from heating vents and replacing filters.

The air conditioner

Your air conditioning unit is going to take a well deserved break, so make sure it does so with no neglect. Clear debris from the outdoor condensing unit and cover it so wet leaves and other items don’t get in the system.

Need help getting your system prepped for the winter? Let Waconia heating and cooling experts Abel Onsite give you a hand. Find out what we can do for you at www.AbelOnsite.com.  

Readying Your Furnace for Winter

As the air outside cools down, so will your home. It’s time to power down the air conditioner and turn on the heat. Winter will be here before you know it.

Before it gets too cold out, you’ll want to take the time to prepare your heating and cooling system for the cold months. You don’t want to find yourself in a situation where your furnace has stopped working because of a preventable issue as it will cost you more than just a repair bill; you’ll find delayed comfort from the cold.

• Take the time to have a professional perform a furnace inspection and be sure to:
• Have a professional HVAC company inspect the system and clean out the ducts
• Remove all flammable materials and objects from the furnace area
• Consider having a programmable thermostat installed
• Stock up on furnace filters and change them every month
• Have your hot-water radiator (if you have one) valves bled

Doing these simple tasks will save you money. But, if you need a Minnetonka heating and cooling company, then get in touch with Abel Onsite by visiting www.AbelOnsite.com. 

Air Conditioning Repair

Summer’s in full swing in Twin Cities and your air conditioner is probably running at full blast. If it doesn’t work some reason, then here are five things to check before calling for air conditioner repair service: 

1. The filter
   Make sure it’s clean. A dirty filter causes the cooling coil to ice up and block air flow.
2. Power
   Is the unit on? Make sure the switch, located on the system’s side, is flipped on.
3. The thermostat
   Check to see if it’s turned to cool and that the temperature set point is lower than the home’s temperature.
4. The coil
   This needs to be clean, free of cotton, wood and/or dust.
5. The saver switch
   Call your power company to see if they’re turning off the unit with the saver switch. A light on the switch will indicate this.

Followed these tips and the air conditioner is still not working? Then visit www.AbelOnsite.com today to get a free air conditioner repair estimate.

More Air Conditioning FAQ

How do I know that my air conditioner is sized correctly?

It’s suggested that nearly 53% of all air conditioning units are oversized by up to a ton. A larger unit will cost more in installation and operating costs. Make sure your HVAC contractor does a heat load calculation on your home to ensure the right unit is installed.

Does a programmable thermostat make a difference?

Yes. New thermostats will allow you to adjust the heating and cooling for the time of day and other variables.

What is a SEER rating?

Season Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) is a measurement of efficiency under a number of weather changes over a season. The higher the number, the more efficient the AC unit is.

Should I leave the unit on all the time or set it to auto?

It depends on your location and environment. Find out which one is keeping you cool and saving you money, and go from there.

What can be done to make the unit more efficient?

Preventative maintenance and service on a regular basis, as well as ensuring no direct sunlight heats up the room. Clean filters and limit the use of any appliances that generate heat.

Having problems with your Hopkins MN air conditioner? Contact Abel Onsite today by visiting www.AbelOnsite.com.