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When temperatures begin to drop and it gets chilly outside, it’s important to know that you can rely on your furnace to keep your family warm and comfortable. The key is to understand the basics of preventative maintenance to reduce the risk of a broken.  That’s why every homeowner needs a furnace maintenance checklist to ensure that everything is functioning as intended. The good news is, this article can help. Here we take a look at the reasons why furnace maintenance tips can help keep your home toasty no matter what Mother Nature has in store. Keep reading to learn more. Reduces the Risk of Forgetting Something Let’s start by discussing the fact that having a preventative maintenance checklist for your furnace makes it easy to remember everything you need to inspect. After all, it’s easy to forget a few details when recalling them from memory. Keeping a checklist on hand makes the process very systematic. In fact, a good preventative checklist eliminates the need to remember anything. That’s because it’s all right there in writing. Plus, you can scribble down specific notes about your heating/cooling system. Thus making them less likely to slip your mind from year to year. Helps … Read more

Did you know that heat can have negative impacts on your mood? Many people get more aggressive or even angry when they are in hot weather!  HVAC systems are one of the best ways to keep your home comfortable in those hot or cold months. Are you considering getting an HVAC system for your house?  To learn more about residential HVAC installation and why it may be a good investment for you to make, keep reading below.  What Is the Residential HVAC Installation Process? A professional can come to install a heating and cooling system in your house, but you must plan ahead of time for this to happen. The process starts with you working with the professionals, such as those at Schwantes Heating and Air Conditioning, to determine the type and design of the HVAC system you need. Before you can have a residential HVAC system installed, you’ll need to consider certain factors. Some of the things that you’ll want to think about ahead of time include: Once these concerns have been explored, the HVAC expert will be able to help you set up a timeline for HVAC system installation. They can work with you to find a time that you’re most comfortable with.  Learn about your new … Read more

In the United States, it is common for the average person to spend over $3,000 per year on energy.  For many people, this represents a large investment and a substantial portion of their income. Finding ways to reduce costs by energy saving measures can make a big difference in your quality of life.  When we say Energy Savings, we are talking about ways in which your home will use less energy. This in turn produces smaller bills and also helps to provide a benefit for the environment as well. Here are some energy saving tips for you to try, some are simple and others require investment.  Improve Insulation  Many homes aren’t properly insulated, which allows for heat loss during the winter and hot air to invade your home during the summer. In turn, this requires your HVAC system to work much harder in order to maintain a temperature you find acceptable. You can choose to do this renovation yourself, or have a professional contractor assist you.  Modern Air Conditioner  Modern energy saving air conditioners are far more efficient than older models, reducing your energy usage by 20% to 50%. Specific energy saving models are even better at this, and combined with proper insulation … Read more

You know to 9-1-1 in a medical emergency, but who do you call for an HVAC emergency? And what is considered an HVAC emergency, anyway? If you’re having issues with your heating and cooling system, read this article. Below you’ll find which HVAC issues are an emergency. Screeching Noise Where is that whining, screeching noise coming from? If the answer is your HVAC system, you have a problem. The noise is probably coming from too much pressure in the compressor. When pressure builds up it can damage the compressor and in rare cases may explode. Contact an HVAC expert right away.  Electrical Issues Does your HVAC trip the circuit breakers in your home? Or have you noticed a burning smell coming from the unit? If so, call HVAC emergency services. When it comes to potential electrical issues, it’s not safe to try to address the problem yourself. An HVAC company can send out a representative to quickly and efficiently diagnose and fix the problem. Bad Heat Pump When a heat pump does not defrost properly, it won’t work. The coils and fan need to be clear for the HVAC system to heat the home properly. You can check your automatic defrost settings but … Read more

The HVAC services segment in the U.S. was worth around $11.45 billion in 2020. And that figure is expected to climb at a 6.4% compound annual growth rate to total some $16.56 billion by 2026. When you need help with your HVAC equipment, you’ll want to find a reputable provider of such services. It’s also a good idea to ensure that the service provider offers HVAC emergency services so that you get help at all times. Do you know how to go about finding HVAC emergency services near you? Here’s a look at how to find the right option for your HVAC equipment so that you get the help you need when you need it. Ask People Who’ve Sought Out HVAC Emergency Services One of your best options when looking for emergency HVAC services is to ask people for recommendations. Many homeowners in the Greater St. Paul area own HVAC units. You can ask some people you know if they’ve ever had to seek out emergency service. By so doing, you can find out which companies they’ve worked with. Even better, they can let you know not only which businesses to patronize, but also which companies to steer clear of. You’re bound to get … Read more

Are you having trouble with your HVAC system? Whether your AC is pumping out warm air or your furnace won’t stay lit, having an HVAC system on the fritz in Eagan, MN is a problem. In the middle of summer, you need cool air flooding your home to keep you and your family comfortable. In the winter, your furnace keeps you warm and prevents pipes and other fundamental parts of your home from freezing up. Most importantly, you deserve to be comfortable in your own home. But how do you go about choosing residential HVAC services? How can you find the best company for the job? We are here to provide answers. Keep reading for everything you need to know to find the best HVAC services. Find Out What Types of Services They Offer First, look online for the top HVAC service providers in Eagan, MN. Then, visit their websites to find out what types of services they offer. For example, at Schwantes Heating and Air Conditioning, we handle: We also provide 24/7 emergency services because we know that disaster can strike at any time of any day. Find Online Customer Reviews One of the easiest ways to identify the best residential … Read more

Pollution of the environment is a serious problem, but did you know that the air inside your home could have up to five times more pollutants?  Poor air quality can make you feel fatigued, congested, or ill. For Americans, who spend the vast majority of the day indoors, the negative effects of poor air quality can be dramatic.  How can you make sure you and your family are breathing clean air when you’re relaxing at home? Start with an air quality test.  Learn more about indoor air quality tests and how to tell when you need one. What is an Indoor Air Quality Test? An indoor air quality test (IAQ) collects particle samples from your home’s air. These particles can include pollen, smoke, mold spores, pet dander, and more.  Indoor air quality testing determines the number of pollutants and allergens in your air. Some irritating particles come from outside sources, including smoke, pollen, soil, dust, and even radon. Your home can also become polluted from indoor allergens.  Do you often burn candles or use insecticides? The volatile compounds in these products don’t just disappear after use. Harmful chemicals, carbon monoxide, and carcinogens can linger in the air we breathe.  When to Perform a Test If you … Read more

Around 90% of homes in the U.S. have air conditioning. While most have central AC systems, others might have alternative cooling systems, such as window units. A properly working system costs less to operate and keeps your home cooler, but how can you keep your system working correctly? The best way is through an HVAC tune up. You might wonder what an HVAC tune up checklist consists of before you get one. Keep reading to find out. Change the AC Filter An HVAC tune up includes checking the air filter. All systems have air filters, and using the correct one is vital. Replacing the filter is also important for HVAC maintenance.  Therefore, the HVAC company will check your air filter and replace it if necessary. Having a clean air filter is one of many essential reasons to get an AC tune up.  Inspect the Outdoor Unit An AC system has two primary components, and one is outside your home. This part is the condenser, and it looks like a big box. You’ll hear this part running if you’re outside when your AC is on. The condenser contains coils and helps your system release the hot air it conditions. The HVAC company cleans these coils … Read more

Summer is upon us, is your AC unit ready? It’s not unusual to peak over 90°F in Minnesota through July, so you want to keep cool and comfortable. But if you don’t prepare now, you might find problems with your AC unit when you need it most. Read on for why you should do an air conditioner tune up today! 1. Get Your AC Going During winter, it’s likely you didn’t use your AC at all. It’s important that you warm it up and get it going after being off for so long.Being left inactive could have caused dust and dirt to build up inside the system. Or you might have developed an electrical or mechanical fault that you don’t know of. 2. Reduce the Chance of an AC Breakdown You don’t want your AC unit to break when you need it the most. Having regular maintenance before the summer heat picks up helps prevent this. A trained technician checks for any issues and puts solutions in place before you need them. Preventative maintenance costs less than fixing a breakdown in peak season too. 3. Boost Your Energy Efficiency If dust and debris build up in your AC system, it can reduce the … Read more

Winter is coming. Not only is this the motto of House Stark in Game of Thrones, but also what you should be thinking when fall arrives. That’s because as the colder weather arrives, you’re going to want your heating system in great condition. Preparing your furnace for use should be high on your fall maintenance checklist. Read on to learn the steps you need to take. Give It a Clean Before you start firing up your furnace, it’s the perfect opportunity to give it a thorough clean. Make sure the power and gas are shut off. Remove the side panels, and use a brush or a vacuum cleaner to remove all the dust and debris you can find. Wipe down the fan blades and any other areas that need it. A clean furnace is far less likely to cause you problems. Replace Filters During the colder months, you should be aiming to change your HVAC filters every couple of months or so. Replacing your filters before you first fire up the furnace for the winter is always recommended. Clogged filters can seriously impair the performance of your heating system, so make sure they’re replaced during the fall. Check Ducts Any holes or blockages … Read more