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10 Ways to Conserve and Be Nice to Mother Earth

April 18, 2012 By Leave a Comment

In celebration of Earth Day, we have put together a list of ten common sense ways to be kind to Mother Earth by conserving energy.  These tips will not only help the environment, but also save you money!

  1. When you are not using electronics, turn them off.
  2. Use a programmable HVAC thermostat to set your home to be heated or cooled with your schedule of when you are home.
  3. When you can, use the natural heat from the sun, instead of artificial heat.  Open or close your curtains as needed to use or block the sun as needed.
  4. Buy Energy Star appliances that are energy efficient.  Click here to learn how to read that Energy Guide Label.Get outside on Earth Day
  5. Change filters as suggested for furnaces, air conditioners, humidifiers, etc. so that the equipment runs efficiently.
  6. Open your windows to enjoy the nice breeze, or use a ceiling fan.  Sometimes this can be more enjoyable than turning on the A/C.
  7. Make sure your equipment is running efficiently. Get your heating and cooling equipment tuned-up and cleaned for preventative maintenance.
  8. Inspect your air ducts and get them cleaned if necessary.
  9. Insulate your windows and doors with weather stripping or caulking to prevent heating or cooling loss.
  10. Go outside, take off your shoes, and take a deep breath! Enjoy the beautiful Minnesota weather!

What else would you add to this list of ways to conserve energy and be kind to Mother Earth? How are you celebrating Earth Day?

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How to Read the Energy Guide Label on your Furnace

March 1, 2012 By Leave a Comment

When you are shopping for a furnace, heat pump, air conditioner or other appliance, always look for the bright yellow and black Energy Guide label. These labels help explain how energy efficient the furnace or air conditioner is, and how it compares to others. Being aware of energy efficiency will help you make a wise HVAC buying decision. A more energy efficient furnace will cost more upfront versus but will likely save you money in the long run.

Understanding the Energy Guide Label

Energy Guide label for furnace

On the upper left hand side, you will see a description of what the item is (i.e. Furnace- Natural Gas).

Often on the upper right hand side, you will see the manufacturer and model number (i.e. Carrier Corporation).

Inside the box, you will see a comparison of the energy efficiency range of the equipment you are looking at and similar models. The type of measurements will vary depending on what type of equipment you are looking at.

For instance, the Energy Guide label pictured here has the least efficient model is 78 AFUE, the most efficient is 96.6 AFUE, and this model ranks at 95 AFUE for direct vent up flow, with slightly lower UFAE’s for down flow and horizontal vent flow. The AFUE rating is the percentage of fuel that is turned into usable heat. So for instance, a 95 AFUE furnace just loses 5% of its energy as exhaust. Older furnaces can have an AFUE as low as the 68-72.

Measures of Efficiency for Heating & Cooling

  • UFAE- Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency is a measure of energy efficiency for furnaces and boilers that are fueled by natural gas.
  • SEER – Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio is the seasonal measure of energy efficiency for air conditioners and heat pumps when cooling.
  • HSPF – Heating Seasonal Performance Factor is the seasonal measure of energy efficiency for heat pumps when heating.

The higher the UFAE, SEER, or HSPF rating, the more efficient the heating or cooling system.

If you have questions about choosing the right heating or cooling equipment for your home or have a commercial HVAC project, please contact Chappell Central at 320-235-2151.

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Christmas Safety & Energy Efficiency

December 8, 2011 By 1 Comment

With Christmas around the corner, and the Minnesota heating season in full swing, we would like to share some Holiday safety tips for your home. We also have a few ideas to keep your monthly electricity and heating bills down by keeping your Christmas decorations energy efficient.

Fireplaces

Lighting up your fireplace can be a great way to save energy on your heating bill during the holidays.  Just keep in mind some common-sense safety tips.

  • Before lighting the fire, make sure that the area is clear from Christmas decorations, presents, curtains, greens, or anything that could ignite.
  • Make sure the flue is open and keep a screen in front of the fire while it is burning.
  • Keep all wrapping paper and evergreens out of the fireplace.

Christmas TreesChristmas fire safety

According to the National Fire Protection Asc., Christmas tree fires are not common, however when they occur they are likely to be serious. A heat source too close to the Christmas tree starts one of every five (20%) of these fires.

  • Before you buy a fresh tree, make sure the needles are green and the wood is not dry.
  • Place the tree in a location away from heating sources like furnace vents, fireplaces or radiators.  Heated rooms will dry out your tree faster, which can be a fire hazard.
  • Water your tree often to decrease its flammability.
  • Never use lighted candles in your Christmas tree. As always, keep lighted candles out of reach to young children.
  • If you buy an artificial tree, ensure that it is “Fire Resistant”.
  • Decorate your tree with only non–combustible or flame-resistant materials.

Christmas Lights

The colorful lights in and on our houses add to the fun feelings of Christmas. But the lights can short-out so take precautions.

  • Make sure the lights you use outside are certified for “outdoor use”.
  • If you have second-hand lights or older lights, inspect them closely for frayed wires, broken sockets, or loose connections.  If you see any damage, recycle them.
  • Don’t leave the Christmas lights on when you leave the house.  Make a habit of turning them off (or purchase a timer) when you leave or go to bed, just as you would any other lights in your home. Leaving your Christmas lights on for 6 hours or less of daily use is a good goal to keep your energy bill down as well.
  • The newer LED lights are a safer and more energy efficient choice because they use 90% less electricity then regular lights and do not run as hot.
  • Make sure the circuit you are plugging your lights in isn’t overloaded.

Always have an eye out for safety, not just during the holidays but year round.  Eliminate any potentially dangerous items around candles, fireplaces, or electrical connections.  As always, have an emergency plan for safety in case a fire breaks out in your home.

Energy Efficiency Bonus: To save some money with your heating bill, turn your thermostat down when you have extra guests.  Extra bodies in your house will create some extra warmth!

Have a warm and cozy Christmas Season,

from everyone at Chappell Central.

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How to Choose Between Furnace Repair or Furnace Replacement

December 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment

In Minnesota, heating our homes is about more than just comfort. Many families is West Central Minnesota also ask our HVAC professionals for advice on the safety and energy efficiency of heating and cooling systems. When you have to make the choice between furnace repair or furnace replacement, it is usually not an easy one. A furnace is a big investment in your family’s home, that should take some serious thought and research. Before making the decision to repair or replace your home’s heating system, check with an HVAC professional to make sure your furnace is safe, working properly, and assess how energy efficient it is. The next big factor is cost.

Old Furnaces Cost More to Run

  • Up to 40 cents on dollar for heat is wasted up and out of chimney
  • Can consume over 1200kWh a year, which can cost $100-$300 more annually
  • Older furnaces can also pose some health threats

New Furnaces are more Energy Efficient

  • Less than 4 cents on dollar is wasted
  • Energy efficient furnaces consume 25% the energy as standard furnace
  • Newer furnaces are safer and more energy efficient
  • The brand we sell and recommend most frequently are Carrier Furnaces.

When to Consider Furnace Replacement Over Furnace Repair

(The average life expectancy of a furnace is 16-20 years)

  • If your furnace is less than ten years old, but more than $500 to fix, furnace replacement will probably save you money in the long run
  • If you your furnace is over ten years old, and several hundred dollars to fix, furnace replacement will probably save you money in the long run

If you have not had your central heating system checked in the past year, or if you have questions on HVAC equipment or heating repair, please contact Chappell Central today.  We can help you determine if it is more cost-efficient to repair or replace your furnace so you are ready for the West Central Minnesota winter. It is much easier to do furnace and HVAC equipment comparison shopping before your equipment breaks down, instead of during an emergency on a cold January night. Chappell Central also has an annual Maintenance and Service plan that can keep your heating and cooling systems running smoothly and avoid surprises.

Chappell Central can help with all your residential heating and commercial HVAC needs, including air duct cleaning, air conditioning systems, heat pumps, geothermal heat, heat recovery units, and air duct repair.

Many of these stats came from the Minnesota Department of Commerce Energy Information Center on Home Heating.

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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?

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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?

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DIY Tip for Homeowners – Changing Furnace Filters

August 8, 2011 By Leave a Comment

A clean furnace filter not only reduces the amount of allergens and dust traveling through your house, it also keeps your furnace running more efficiently resulting in reduced heating bills, and a longer furnace life.

Changing your furnace filter is a quick and easy task, that any home owner can tackle.  The video below walks you through how to remove the furnace door panel, find the filter, and replace it with a new one.  Replace your furnace filters once a month for best results.

How to Change a Furnace Filter For Dummies

YouTube Preview Image
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