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How is your Autumn Air Flow?

October 27, 2011 By Leave a Comment

On warm fall days, it may be perfect to open your windows and let the crisp breeze come in. The sounds of leaves crackling and kids playing football outside make the upcoming winter months a bit more tolerable. The autumn season for Minnesotans seems more predictable then the other seasons. But it is still hard to know when to turn the heat on and how to keep your home comfortable. When you can, use the outdoor temperature to help regulate your home’s indoor temperature, and dress in layers so you can keep comfortable.

heating and cooling Minnesota Autumn

Prepare for the winter heating season.

Maximize the air flow:

  • Make sure all dampers are appropriately opened or closed.  If you don’t want to heat the spare bedroom when you don’t have guests, close the bedroom door and the dampers.
  • Make sure there are no piles of clothes or blankets blocking vents or dampers.
  • Clean dusty dampers or vents if they look dirty or plugged.
  • Position furniture or drapes so that they are not obstructing return registers or vents.
  • If you have ceiling fans in your home, make sure they are switched to go in the right direction for the season (ceiling fans should go in the clockwise direction for the heating season).

Minimize the air flow:

If you have older windows in your home, you probably have some unwanted air flow. If you think you could lose heat through air leaks around your windows, doors, or electrical outlets, there are weatherization products to help.  For instance, you can use caulking, insulation, or weather stripping.  You may also want to consider conserving energy by installing a plastic window insulation kit.

If you are unsure where your leaks are, you may want to consider blower door testing.  Chappell Central can help you identify areas of air leakage to reduce energy consumption, avoid moisture condensation problems, and ensure your home’s indoor air quality. Just contact us at 888-557-2151.

What are you doing to make the most of the autumn air flow, or prepare for the cool winter air?

Filed Under: Energy Saving Tips, Residential Tagged With: , , ,

Power Down for Energy Awareness Month

October 17, 2011 By Leave a Comment

October is Energy Awareness month, and let’s face it, energy is something that many of us take for granted from day-to-day.  We usually don’t think too much about the energy we are using until a storm or power outage temporarily reminds us how much we depend on it.


The History of Energy AwarenessEnergy Awareness Month
The U.S. started raising energy awareness in 1981 with American Energy Week.  In 1986 the US Department of Energy made it a month-long observance, and President Barack Obama proclaimed October 2009 National Energy Awareness Month to shine new light on energy awareness activities, stating, “During National Energy Awareness Month, we recognize the contributions of individuals, organizations, and companies that are committed to advancing energy innovation and efficiency, and we promote the importance of a clean energy economy to our Nation.”

So, what are YOU doing this month to promote energy efficiency? 

What habits are you forming now that will make a difference in the future?

One of the key things that you can do to help conserve energy is to use Energy Star products.  Energy Star helps save money and the environment through energy efficient products and practices. The collective efforts of all of us add up.  According to Energy Star, Americans saved enough energy in 2010 to avoid greenhouse emissions equivalent to 33 million cars – while saving $18 billion on utility bills.

Another simple thing you can do for your home or business is get a programmable thermostat installed.  So for instance, in a home setting, while you are gone to work, you can turn your heat down.  For a business or facility setting, you would want to set up the HVAC schedules to match when your facility is occupied during the day.

Finally, just remember to turn it off or unplug it when not in use!  This is a great thing that kids can help with too!  Whether it is the lights, TV, computer monitor, cell phone chargers, or whatever – If it is not in use, make it a habit to turn off the power.

Here are checklists that outline more ideas for conserving energy:
Facility Energy Checklist
Home Energy Checklist
Office Energy Checklist

What are you doing now that saves energy?  What are you going to start doing that will make a difference in the future?

Filed Under: Energy Saving Tips Tagged With: , , , ,

Preventative Maintenance Plan Offers Peace of Mind

October 13, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Just like your car or computer, your furnace or air conditioner may not run efficiently when it’s not properly maintained. Often, a breakdown can occur at times when you need it most. Anyone who has had their furnace breakdown in the middle of a Minnesota winter, or the air conditioning stop during the hottest day in July, knows how inconvenient it can be.

Minnesota winter

To help our customers combat Murphy’s Law of “if it can grow wrong, it will” and to extend the life of their heating and cooling equipment, we have developed a Preventative Maintenance Plan. It is designed to save you time, money, and headaches on your furnace and/or air conditioning maintenance.

Benefits of Chappell Central’s Maintenance Plan:

When you keep your furnace and air conditioner properly maintained with the Preventative Maintenance Plab, you will reduce expensive and unexpected costs down the road. Here are some of the benefits of being a Maintenance Plan Customer:

1. 10% discount on all work (during regular business hours)

2. No overtime rates charged – customer always receives “contract customer pricing” (which during overtime hours works out to about 53.4% discount)

3. No base fee charged – The base fee of $60 is typically charged on all calls during standard or overtime hours that is not pre-scheduled maintenance

4. Price lock on maintenance for 3 years

5. Free maintenance of accessory equipment in the home (includes humidifiers, air exchangers, garage heaters, parlor stoves, and electronic air cleaners)

6. Priority scheduling – customers on our maintenance plan receive top priority for all work (both maintenance or emergency repairs)

7. Records – you will be supplied with a copy of our completed maintenance checklist for your records & Chappell Central also keeps a copy in your file at our office.

The chill of winter is right around the corner. Now is the time to plan ahead for the heating season. For pricing of the Maintenance Plan, please call Chappell Central at 320-235-2151 or fill out this simple form.

Photo Credit: merfam

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Living (and bowling) United at Chappell Central

October 6, 2011 By Leave a Comment

There is more to the employees of Chappell Central than just knowledge of HVAC Systems and Metal Fabrication. They also know the value of helping their local community and even how to throw a bowling ball.

On Thursday, September 29th, 2011 the employees of Chappell Central and their families gathered at the Kandi Entertainment Center in Willmar, MN for some bowling and pizza.  In a bowling challenge between the Trott Avenue manufacturing employees and the Gorton Aveneue HVAC and office employees, the Trott Avenue staff proudly made more strikes and Chappell Central HVACspares. But even though the Trott  team  won in bowling, everyone there were champs, because the event has a much bigger goal in the end.

The bowling event was also part of a Kick-off for Chappell’s Annual United Way Campaign, where employees pledge how much they will give to the local West Central Minnesota United Way from each paycheck. This commitment of Chappell Central employees is something to be proud of, especially considering that they started giving to United Way over twenty years ago when the company had only about 30 employees, and now the company is 65 employees strong.

So far In 2011, the team at Chappell Central has donated $3,297.00 collectively. But the goal for 2012 is set even higher. Renee Nolting, Executive Director of the West Central Minnesota United Way expressed her gratitude, “Thanks to the donors at Chappell Central and other generous donors in West Central Minnesota, United Way is able to make a positive impact in the lives of over 47,000 people in our local communities.”

For more information on supporting your local United Way, please visit the Live United webpage or Facebook page.

To see more photos from the event, please visit the Chappell Central Facebook page.

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