HVAC Contractor Blog | Residential Heating and Air Conditioning

“How Do I Prepare My Furnace for Winter?”

October 24th, 2022

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Winter may still seem like it’s a ways off, but with temperatures already dropping this fall, it’s clear that the best time to prepare for the chillier season is now.

If you have a furnace to keep you warm, then you already are one step ahead of the game. Furnaces are powerful, efficient, and most importantly, when well taken care of, safe.

When we talk about a “well taken care of” furnace, we’re talking about one that is regularly maintained and tuned up by a trained and experienced technician, like one of the members of our team. Sure, there are some basic maintenance tasks you can do on your own (which we’ll cover below), but if you want your furnace to be in the best possible shape, then you should call on our team for professional maintenance! This service is truly the best way to prepare your furnace for winter.

“How Do I Know If I Need to Repair or Replace My Boiler?”

October 17th, 2022

Are you one of many homeowners throughout Minneapolis who uses a boiler for your home heating needs? If so, you’re in great shape! Boilers are sturdy systems that keep homes efficiently and effectively warm. However, just like any other heating system, your boiler won’t last forever. But we don’t want you to replace your boiler before you really need to!

If you’re caring for your boiler properly by scheduling professional maintenance once a year, then your boiler should last at least a couple of decades. When you have a boiler problem though, do you know how to tell the difference between when it needs a repair, or replacement? Our professionals can help you make an educated decision about this, and in the meantime you can read on to get our initial thoughts on this subject.

How Does a Ductless System Work?

October 10th, 2022

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If you haven’t looked into using a ductless system before, and you’re considering replacing your air conditioner and/or heating system, then now can be the perfect time to consider the installation of a ductless system. Ductless systems are great options for multi-story homes, houses with a lot of rooms, or houses that are being added on to. We’ll get into that more below.

In the meantime, how does a ductless system actually work? This is a common question we receive. Also referred to as ductless mini-splits, these systems don’t use ductwork (as their name implies). But they are forced-air heating and cooling systems. So how is all of this possible?

“What Type of Furnace Is Right For Me?”

October 3rd, 2022

When it comes time to install a new furnace in your home, you might be overwhelmed by the options. Not only are there different manufacturers and brands to choose from, you’ll also want to choose whether you want a gas or electric furnace and whether you want a “single stage” furnace or a “2 stage” furnace.

What’s that? You’ve never heard of a “2 stage furnace”? That’s okay! That’s what we’re here for. We are reading to help you from start to finish with your furnace installation, and we can follow it up with reliable repairs and exceptional annual furnace maintenance to ensure that your heating system stays in great shape for the years to come. Read on to learn about these different furnace types.

How Often Does My Commercial HVAC System Need Maintenance?

September 26th, 2022

As you can probably guess, a commercial HVAC system needs more service than a residential system, given how large and complex a piece of equipment it is. What you may not know is that a commercial HVAC system needs maintenance just as often–once a year for a commercial cooling system and once a year for a commercial heater. Of course, this means that if your commercial space or business uses a heat pump system, you’ll need to invest in maintenance twice a year.

But what else should you know? Well, just how important it is that your system be maintained and otherwise serviced by folks who have expertise in commercial HVAC work, like the folks here at Residential Heating and Air. Maintenance helps your commercial system work as efficiently and effectively as possible for as long as possible, while professional services keep it operating well day in and day out. Read on to learn why it’s so important to hire an experienced contractor for any commercial HVAC work you need done.

What Is Asbestosis and Why Is It Dangerous?

September 19th, 2022

To understand what asbestosis is and why it’s dangerous, you first have to understand what asbestos is. You know those popcorn ceilings you see in a lot of older homes? Perhaps you have it in your home? Well, this is the product of asbestos—a mineral material used for insulation for many decades. In the mid-20th century, it was discovered that these small mineral fibers were actually harmful, being inhaled by residents and causing serious illness.

The effects are not immediate, either. Over the years, asbestos can build up in your lungs, creating a range of respiratory illnesses, with the most severe being mesothelioma, a harmful form of lung cancer. Because of this, asbestos hasn’t been used any longer for insulation, but many homes still have it in their living spaces, where it should be removed.

Why Is My Air Conditioner Freezing Up?

September 12th, 2022

Your air conditioner isn’t working properly. You’re not too sure what the source of this issue is, but you know that something has gone awry. You’re not as cool as you should be and it’s really starting to pose a problem as the weather outside is still quite warm.

Then you see it … ice on your air conditioner. What’s wrong? That’s what we are here to tell you! Is the ice on the coils? This is definitely a problem. Read on to learn more!

What Is Short-Cycling and Why Is It Bad News?

September 5th, 2022

Short-cycling can be as ominous of a phrase as it sounds. Unfortunately, it’s also a relatively common malfunction within HVAC systems. That is, if the system was not properly installed to begin with, or if you don’t have it professionally maintained on a regular basis.

To give you a short description of what short-cycling is, it’s when the compressor of your air conditioning system turns on and off in rapid succession–to quickly to actually finish a cooling cycle, and too fast for your air conditioner to effectively manage. Keep reading to learn more.

“Should I Join an HVAC Maintenance Plan?”

August 29th, 2022

If you’ve read our blog for even just a season, then you probably have seen us talk about maintenance, also called tune-ups, before. Regular, preventive maintenance is vital for your heating and cooling systems in the fall and the spring, respectively. These are the ideal times for HVAC maintenance because it’s right before you need your systems the most.

However, this is also where we should add a caveat—consistency matters more than timing when it comes to HVAC maintenance. Your central furnace and air conditioning systems should be professionally tuned up once a year each. Or, if you have a heat pump that you use year-round, it should receive professional maintenance twice a year! It’s simple to stay on top of this important service when you enroll in a maintenance plan such as ours. Read on to learn more.

Residential’s Guide to Server Room Cooling

August 22nd, 2022

Whether you are an office manager or the property manager of a commercial space, server room cooling may apply to you. When people think about commercial HVAC and refrigeration, they often think of the air conditioners up on the roof, or in a food service establishment, they might consider commercial refrigerators and coolers. Server room cooling is a very important part of our commercial services, though.

The server room/computer room of an office space needs protection. Heat-generating equipment can cause hazards, and can also affect the efficiency and safety of the rest of the space. Read on to learn more about our server room cooling services!