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Five Ways to Enjoy Minnesota Winters
Minnesota is a winter wonderland that people who’ve grown up south of Atlanta may never fully appreciate. Keeping the home fires burning is easy with your Minneapolis furnace, but keeping your winter weather love affair alive for new movers may take more creativity. Here are a few fun things to keep your heart warm and your toes toasty during Minnesota winters.
- Wiggle into your fleece lined jeans and your favorite fleece hoodie and make your mark in the snow. Any recent snow fall will do. Build a snowman. Walk snow covered streets under the moonlight. Go sledding, ice skating, tobogganing or snow-shoeing. Let’s not forget a trip to your favorite confectioner’s for a cup of hot chocolate. That should be enough to take you through February.
- When the cold has worn thin, how about making plans for a vacation to a warm climate? It can still be chilly in Florida in February, so think Caribbean for Valentine’s Day, Key West for St. Patrick’s Day and Orlando during Easter break.
- Indoors can be fun too, especially during school “snow days.” Who doesn’t have great memories of building tent forts inside and playing board games by flashlight? Build a crackling fire and pull out the classics like Monopoly, Risk and Sorry!
- If you don’t have a fireplace, then be thankful that your gas furnace is working at peak efficiency to improve the “snuggle” factor during nap time. Naps aren’t just for kids anymore.
- Think about your favorite comfort foods and prepare something from your thumb-worn cookbook for a month of Fridays. Let’s see…there’s mac ‘n cheese, firehouse chili, stuffed cabbage, meat loaf and mashed potatoes and Swedish meatballs and noodles. Mmm.
What’s on your list of comfort foods? How do you enjoy winter weather?
If you need service on your heating or air conditioning system, call Welter Heating and Air Conditioning 612-825-6867 for service or installation.
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How to Make the Best Furnace Choice
There’s really no shortcut to determining the best furnace to buy; you need to do your homework. Having supplied furnaces to Minneapolis homeowners for years, our research and experience can help. What you need to decide for yourself, though, is how important is energy conservation vs. cost? Choosing between natural gas and electric makes a difference to the environment and where your money goes.
Benefits of Natural Gas
The advantage to choosing a natural gas furnace is, that due to the natural properties of gas, the energy works harder and more efficiently for you, which means less waste. It’s a clean fuel with lower emissions compared to other energy choices, and it’s produced domestically in the United States.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, direct use of natural gas reduces energy waste. More than 90 percent of the natural gas that is produced is delivered to your home and used directly by your natural gas appliances. Natural gas appliances in your home reduce carbon emissions by 50 percent.
According to the American Gas Association, 70 percent of the energy used to generate electricity is lost during the process of generating, transmitting and distributing the electricity to your home.
This means electric heating appliances, even supposedly highly efficient ones, actually waste large amounts of energy. By contrast, from the wellhead to your home, natural gas loses only about 10 percent of its useable energy.
Pros and Cons of Electrical Heating
Electric furnaces are considered safer because automatic breakers protect them from overloading. You can get an electric furnace started quickly, and they operate quietly. Since an electric furnace has no flame, you don’t have to relight a pilot light or deal with combustible fuels in the house.
Electric furnaces are often less expensive than other heating options, so your up-front costs are lower. They don’t require additional fuel pipes and expensive fuel storage tanks. Electric furnaces also don’t need venting, eliminating material costs and reducing installation time. We all know how fast service hours can add up!
Because electric furnaces have fewer moving parts, they’re easier to maintain than a natural gas furnace, so your maintenance costs may be lower, making electric an affordable choice. The downside is your electric bill. Heating with electricity is often more expensive than heating with natural gas or fuel oil.
Choices for Your Home
Now that you know the difference—pros and cons—between natural gas and electric furnaces, let us help you determine the best solution for your home and budget. Call Welter Heating and Air Conditioning and talk with one of our experienced sales representatives.
If you need service on your heating or air conditioning system, call Welter Heating and Air Conditioning 612-825-6867 for service or installation. During the winter months, our team is on call 24-hours a day for emergency service.
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Twin Cities’ Holiday Traditions
Even though it’s cold and your Minneapolis home furnace may be working overtime, there are still a lot of great things to do around the Twin Cities this holiday season. Here are just a few holiday traditions we selected to keep you reveling in warmth and good cheer through the end of 2011.
Holiday Happenings
Holidazzle – No Twin Cities holiday would be complete without a trip to the Annual Holidazzle Christmas Parade. Take advantage of the many merchants and heated skyways along Nicollet Mall. You can view the parade from the skyways, but the good viewing spots fill up fast, so arrive early. Check out their website for the parade schedule.
Minnesota weather can be unpredictable in December and performances are sometimes canceled due to extreme cold, so watch the local television news for unexpected cancellations.
Holiday Lights – If you’re a lover of festive outdoor décor, then the Holiday Lights in the Park is a sure bet. Embrace the holiday spirit this season, and drive along a trail featuring more than 50 large-scale light displays and moving sculptures. The event, open daily through December, will benefit a handful of local charities, including Second Harvest Heartland, Union Gospel Mission, Saint Paul Parks Conservancy and UnderConstruction.
A Christmas Carol – Round out the holiday with Dickens’ classic, A Christmas Carol, performed at the Guthrie Theatre and running through December 30th. Last season (2010), the Guthrie featured a fresh interpretation on Scrooge’s ghost story with a new adaptation by British playwright Crispin Whittell, an impressive set and costumes, beautiful music and fantastical aerial effects. Don’t miss your chance to share this holiday favorite with your whole family.
Happy Holidays from Ours to Yours
Whether you’re embarking on creating your own holiday tradition or continuing one worn soft through the generations, one of the best things about the Twin Cities is its ability to welcome the old with the new.
If you need service on your heating or air conditioning system, call Welter Heating and Air Conditioning 612-825-6867 for service or installation. During the winter months, our team is on call 24-hours a day for emergency service.
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5 Furnace Facts to Help You Save Money
When deciding to buy a new home heating system, homeowners are faced with a number of questions. Below we’ve assembled a list of the most frequently asked furnace questions and provided the answers for you.
1. How do I pick the right fuel source?
A Minneapolis furnace is most likely going to be using natural gas or propane. These energy sources are more economical than electricity in northern climates where home heating is required a good portion of the year.
2. How do I choose the right furnace system?
The best way to be certain you buy a properly sized unit is to calculate your home’s heating requirements. A reputable furnace dealer will provide a load calculation for your home. You could do this yourself, but it’s time consuming and requires that you know the various insulation levels of each part of your home.
You also need to consider air filtration and flow, especially if you or a family member suffers from allergies. You’ll want to weigh budget parameters and energy efficiency. For example, will the monthly savings over time offset the cost of the new unit or energy-saving option you’re considering?
3. How long should my furnace last?
If you have a qualified technician perform regular preventative maintenance and service suggested for your unit, industry averages suggest that a gas furnace should last long as 20-25 years.
4. How often does my duct work need to be cleaned?
While there are EPA guidelines on frequency of cleaning, a qualified technician can help you determine a maintenance schedule based on your families’ health concerns, surrounding environment, pet dander and/or interior remodeling projects.
5. Should I change my indoor coil?
When replacing your heat pump, the answer is most likely yes. The efficiency ratings that are advertised for a home heating system are based on the performance as part of a matched system. If only the outdoor portion is changed, the efficiency and savings could be less than that of a matched system.
Energy Efficiency & Regular Maintenance Saves You More
With the purchase of any mechanical device, the actual efficiency of your gas furnace depends on how it’s operated and maintained. An oversized unit will waste energy by cycling on and off too often and only blowing heat up the flue. An undersized furnace may not provide enough heat for comfort during very cold weather.
Properly matching the size of the furnace to the heat load of your home ensures that your furnace is operating at peak efficiency (saving you money) and you won’t pay for a larger unit than you need (saving you money).
If you need service on your heating or air conditioning system, call Welter Heating and Air Conditioning 612-825-6867 for service or installation.
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Ole & Lena Joke Favorites
Ole and Lena (also Sven and Ole) are central characters in jokes by Scandinavian Americans, particularly in the Upper Midwest region of the U.S., including Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, South Dakota and North Dakota, where Scandinavian traditions are common.
We know you’re wondering, “What the heck do jokes have to do with my home furnace?” Minneapolis winters are no joke, which is exactly why we wanted to lighten the mood as we transition from the crisp cool days of autumn into the stark days of winter. Without further adieux, following are our top five Ole and Lena jokes courtesy of Uff da!.
Ole, Lena & Sven Walk Into a Bar…
Ole was telling Sven, “I just bought a new hearing aid. It cost me four thousand dollars, but it’s state-of-da-art. It’s perfect.”
“Really,” answered Sven, “what kind is it?”
Ole replied, “Twelve turdy.”
Ole & Lena Pack Their Bags
Ole gets home, runs into his house, slams the door and shouts, “Honey, I just von da lottery? Pack your bags!”
Lena says, “Great! Vhat should I pack for? Da ocean or da mountains?”
He says, “I don’t care! Just be out by da end of da week!”
Ole Hears a Knock on the Door
Ole is sitting at home alone when he hears a knock on the front door. There are two sheriff’s deputies there.
He asks if there is a problem. One of the deputies asks if he is married and, if so, can he see a picture of his wife.
Ole says, “Sure,” and shows him a picture of his wife, Lena.
The sheriff says, “I’m sorry sir, but it looks like your wife’s been hit by a truck.”
Ole says, “I know, but she has a great personality and is an excellent cook.”
Ole & Lena Visit a Lawyer
Ole and Lena went to a lawyer to see about getting a divorce.
“How old are you folks?” asked the lawyer.
“Vell, I’m 96 and Lena is 92,” said Ole.
“How come you are getting a divorce now?” asked the lawyer.
“Ve wanted to vait till all da kids vere dead,” said Ole.
Ole & Sven are Standing at the Gates of Heaven
Two guys, Ole and Sven, are standing at the gate of heaven. Trying to be friendly, Ole asks Sven, “So, how did you get here?”
Sven replies, “Hypothermia. How about you?”
“Well,” Ole said, “I vas sure my wife, Lena, vas cheating on me, so one day I came home early to catch here in da act. I searched da whole house, but dare vas no one dare. I felt so bad about da whole ting dat I had a massive heart attack.”
“Oh great,” said Sven. “If you would’ve checked out da freezer, ve vould both be alive!”
Doesn’t laughter warm the heart?
If you need service on your heating or air conditioning system, call Welter Heating and Air Conditioning 612-825-6867 for service or installation.
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Last Hurrah of Summer!
The official end of summer is behind us, and we have a few short weeks for a last summer-like “Hurrah!” with daytime temperatures hovering in the 70s. Before you turn on your hardy Minneapolis furnace, here are a few things you can do to celebrate our wonderful third season, fall!
Festivals & Fairs
The summer crowds have departed, and Minnesotans saved some of the best festivals for fall.
There are dozens of festivals, art fairs and craft shows from now until early November. Visit the Minnesota Festival Network to find events in your area.
Fall Cleanup & Garden Prep
It’s not too early to prepare for a beautiful garden next spring and summer. Fall leaf cleanup may seem like a chore to some, but we love the earthy smell of freshly fallen leaves and the exertion that comes with raking and bagging them. If you’re a gardener, then laying the leaves on your garden beds for insulation is an added bonus.
You can sprinkle some grass seed over dead patches in your lawn, pull up perennial weeds, and snip any dandelion or other seed heads that remain to prevent germination in your lawn and flower beds next year. Mow the last of the dead and dying flowers and trim the hedges to ready them for their winter hibernation.
Magnificent Minneapolis Fall Colors
No list would be complete without mentioning the leaf color changes throughout the state. Nature knows when to get ready for the upcoming winter season. Longer nights and lower evening temperatures prompt small changes in the outdoor world, even if it’s not obvious.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) manages a great website, which is updated regularly with pictures and color peak ranges across the state.
Temperatures in parts of northern Minnesota are dipping into the 20s and 30s. A few more nights like that and the colors will really start peaking!
We hate to say “good-bye” to one of the prettiest times of the year. But, we also love the vigor and splendor of the natural world before the blast of winter forces us to kick on the furnace for good.
If you need service on your heating or air conditioning system, call Welter Heating and Air Conditioning 612-825-6867 for service or installation.
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What to Look for When Choosing an A/C Contractor
Although we are celebrating the first days of fall, it is never a bad idea to prepare for air conditioning season next year by installing a new home central air conditoiner now. The installation of a new air conditioner is important for the comfort of your home and family so choosing the right A/C contractor is an important decision. Often, the best resource for finding a qualified Minneapolis central air conditioner contractor is to ask friends and relatives for a referral, but it’s always important to do your own research.
Here are a few tips to get you started in finding the perfect A/C contractor:
5 Tips to Help You Make a Wise Decision
1. Check Out Online Reviews – Before you call any contractors, you should do your research. Sites like Google, Yelp and the Accredited Business Directory are great sources to find reviews on local contractors. An air conditioning company that has a lot of positive reviews is likely to have a great customer service. It can also help you start screening out contractors who do not offer the best customer experience.
2. Have a Type and Brand of Air Conditioner in Mind – Before calling around to local contractors, it is a great idea to research the types and brands of air conditioners available. Are you looking for an energy-efficient model? Do you want a top brand known for reliability? If there is a particular brand or features you are looking for, then make sure you look for a contractor who offers those options.
3. Check Out the Company’s Reputation – Log some time on the company’s website and find out how long they have been in business, what types of services they offer and where their physical location is. A stable business that has been around for a long time is most likely doing something right for its customers and would be a good choice for your home.
4. Look for Great Customer Service – Once you have selected certain contractors to come out and give you a bid, it’s a great opportunity to get a feel for their customer service levels. First and foremost, you want a contractor who is reliable and professional. Their people should be prompt and courteous.
The way you are treated during the bid process is reflective of a way the company will treat you during installation and after if you ever require service.
5. Make Sure You Get a Written Bid – A good company will give you a written bid (or proposal) outlining the equipment to be installed, the work to be done and the price, including labor costs. This will ensure they are accountable for the work they do and price they have quoted you.
A Caution About Price Shopping
Price was not first on our list for a reason. When you consider that your air conditioning unit is an investment that will last for years, you want to be sure that the Minneapolis contractor you choose knows how to install and maintain the equipment so that it operates safely, reliably and efficiently.
It’s always a good idea to get estimates from at least three contractors, but don’t let price be your only criterion. Better contractors may charge more because they offer better value in terms of technical skill and years of industry experience.
To learn more, call Welter Heating and Air Conditioning 612-825-6867 or contact us online.
Holy Cannoli it’s Cold!
We trust that your central air conditioner is holding up in Minneapolis during these final warm days and nights. To help cool your body temperature, we’d like you to revel in what Minnesota is known for… extreme cold.
It’s hard to imagine frigid temperatures during the September indian summer. But humidity will turn to frigidity in a few short months. So for fun, we’ve gathered historical winter weather events that will last season seem downright toasty!
5 Record-breaking Minnesota Weather Events
1. Tower, MN – This tiny town is worthy of note for two dissimilar reasons. The city was the first to erect a monument in honor of President William McKinley shortly after his assassination in 1901. Almost 100 years later, Tower set the record for the coldest temperature ever recorded in the U.S. east of the Great Plains. The mercury dove to -60 degrees F on February 2, 1996.
2. Lamberton, MN – This Minnesota town recorded the largest temperature change in a 24-hour period. Residents were enjoying a balmy 78 degrees when the temperature plummeted to 7 degrees on April 3, 1982. This extreme weather event was associated with the passage of a sharp cold front. Abrupt warming also occurs with Chinook winds, which are warming winds that can make snow one foot deep almost vanish in one day.
We’ll all be wishing for a Chinook wind some time in February for sure.
3. Finland, MN – Our friends in Finland gave their snow blowers a workout when 36 inches of snow fell in a 24-hour period on January 7, 1994. With the advent of AccuWeather forecasting, if this type of extreme weather event occurs again, at least we’ll have fair warning.
4. International Falls, MN – This town holds the distinction of being the coldest city in the continental United States, according to Forbes magazine. So it comes as no surprise that the earliest measurable snowfall was on September 4, 1964.
International Falls is certainly an area know for weather extremes beyond just snowfall. Bitter cold envelopes the area with temperatures hovering at zero degrees on approximately 64 nights each winter season. The all-time record high temperature is 103 degrees F making even the hardiest Minnesotans wishing for central air conditioning.
5. Mizpah, MN -We’ve known that spring and autumn are short transitional months in Minnesota. But Mizpah set a record for the longest transition, experiencing no spring season in 1964. On June 4, they can claim the last measurable snowfall. No doubt the heat of July and August was welcomed that year.
Get ready for those extreme winter temps and call Welter Heating and Air Conditioning 612-825-6867 for service or installation today.
Green Air Conditioner Buyer’s Guide
We’re seeing an increasing trend toward “sustainable” living and, since central air conditioning represents one of the highest home energy uses, we wondered if “green” central air conditioning in Minneapolis was possible. We scoured the Internet for resources to give you an unbiased Green Air Conditioner Buyer’s Guide.
6 Green Tips for Eco-Friendly Central Air Conditioning
According to the Rocky Mountain Institute, air conditioning accounts for nearly 50 percent of the energy use in theUnited Statesduring peak summer months, and air conditioning is responsible for nearly 100 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions every year. So how can you reduce, or eliminate, your reliance on costly central air conditioning?
Here are some suggestions to help make the purchase, installation and use of air conditioning in your home as green as possible.
1) Purchase a High-Efficiency Unit - Replacing an older model with a high-efficiency air conditioner can reduce home cooling costs and energy usage by 20 to 50 percent. For central air conditioners look for SEER ratings of 14 or higher. For window units, look for an EERE rating of 10.7 or better.
2) Purchase a Properly Sized Unit - Air conditioners that are too large or small for the area they are meant to cool will run inefficiently, waste energy, and wear out more quickly than AC that’s been properly sized for your home by an HVAC contractor. In addition, air conditioners don’t dehumidify well if they are constantly turning on and off. You want an air conditioner sized to run as consistently as possible.
3) Consider Ductless Air Conditioners - Ductless air conditioners, also referred to as split systems, allow you to individually regulate the temperature in rooms that you are occupying. Doing so is more efficient than central air conditioning, helping to reduce your home’s overall energy costs. These units can also incorporate heat pumps into the design in order to provide heat for your home.
4) Seal and Insulate Ductwork - Ductwork, poorly sealed, can drastically reduce the cooling efficiency of your air conditioning system, as can ductwork that runs through un-insulated spaces like attics, garages and crawl spaces.
5) Install Programmable Thermostats - Multiple zone, programmable thermostats help reduce energy consumption since you won’t have to remember to turn the AC up or down. In addition, every degree higher you set your AC will reduce your home cooling costs by 3 to 5 percent.
6) Avoid Unwanted Sources of Heat - Electric freezers, clothes dryers, dishwashers and ovens all pump heat into your home. Move them to the garage or basement (freezer and dryer), or use them during cooler periods of the day (dishwasher and oven) to avoid heating up your home unnecessarily. Also, shade east and west facing windows to reduce unwanted passive solar heat gain.
Long-Term Value of Sustainable AC
While you may be looking at a higher initial investment if you choose an energy-efficient air conditioner, it’s easy to see how going green is guaranteed to pay for itself over time.
But, the real value of choosing an eco-friendly air conditioning system extends far beyond the energy savings you’ll enjoy. Going green means a healthier home environment for you and your family, a reduction in fossil fuel consumption and the creation of greenhouse gases, and the peace of mind in knowing that you’re doing your part in creating a better, more sustainable future for your children and grandchildren.
If you need service on your heating or air conditioning system, call Welter Heating and Air Conditioning 612-825-6867 for service or installation.
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Survival Tips for Allergy Sufferers
It doesn’t seem fair. You’ve been cooped up all winter and now that it’s spring you want to open the windows and play outside. But with spring, comes another season— allergy season. Electronic air cleaners may have seemed a luxury in the past, but with seasonal allergies affecting almost 36 million Americans, it may just be time to think about clean air year round.
Adding insult to injury, researchers have found that since 1995, the allergy season has increased by 16 days in Minneapolis— even more further north— as the number of frost-free days each year also rose.
Seasonal allergies mainly cause itchy eyes, a dripping nose, and uncontrollable sneezing and coughing among sufferers. Besides the ever-present red eyes and Kleenex, doctors claim that there is some correlation between allergies and depression.
Here are some tips to counter your symptoms, whether they are itchy eyes or feeling blue.
1) Check the pollen counts. If you want to enjoy a round of golf or a morning run, check the pollen counts for your neighborhood’s allergy forecast. Pollen counts are usually at their highest between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m.
According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI),the best times to exercise outdoors are early evening, when pollen counts are down; on a damp, cloudy day; and, ideally, just after a seasonal shower, when the rain has temporarily washed the pollen and pollutants out of the air.
2) Get enough sleep. A common side -effect of allergies is low energy, which often correlates to low-grade depression. Because allergies affect the immune system, it’s natural to feel physically low; your immune system is fighting allergens and pollens, which saps your energy level. So it’s especially important to have uninterrupted sleep, which means eliminating stimulants such as coffee and colas, and depressants, like alcohol, which can cause changes in your sleep pattern. When allergy season passes, partaking in your favorite refreshments shouldn’t be a problem.
3) Drink a lot of water. Allergy symptoms are often confused with a cold or the flu because the immune response releases protein molecules used in communication between cells. This signals the brain, which initiates feelings of sickness. Because your immune system is sluggish, drinking plenty of fluids—whether you exercise vigorously or not—is essential to keeping pollens and pollutants from clogging up your lymphatic system.
4) Electronic Air Filter. Unfortunately, not all outdoor allergens remain outdoors. Allergens can travel through opens windows or doors and are carried in and on the clothes and bodies of people and pets. An electronic air cleaner removes up to 99.98% of allergens from filtered air, trapping the tiniest particles, including dust, soot, and mold spores in your home. Removing these common allergens will increase the quality of air in your home and improve allergy symptoms while indoors.
These are a few simple steps you can take to minimize the effects of allergy season. It only takes a little forethought and diligence in your diet and sleep habits to counter some of this season’s highest pollen counts.
If seasonal allergies and air quality are a concern for you and your family call Welter Heating and Air Conditioning 612-825-6867 for more information on how we can help purify your air.
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