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How to Choose your Air Conditioner Filter

June 6, 2012 By 1 Comment

As a homeowner, one of the most important things that you can do to maintain your central air conditioning unit is change the air filter. Changing your air conditioner filter is also something that is relatively simple for homeowners to do on their own.

Change your A/C Filter Often

Every home and air conditioner filter is different, so how often you are recommended to change the filter usually varies between every 3-6 months. The efficient filters collect more dust, so you will probably have to change them more often.

Use Efficient Filters

filters keep dust out of homeBuying inefficient filters will cost you less at first, but can cause problems with your air conditioner later. Many of the cheaper panel filters do not capture dust as well as the efficient filters, allowing the dust to be distributed back in your home, or even worse, within the air conditioner itself. Excessive dust on the fan, blower motor, or evaporator coil of the air conditioner can cause maintenance problems later, which can be avoided.

Avoid Allergies or other Health Issues

The efficient filters with high MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) or efficiency ratings help keep household allergens from your home’s air and could reduce the potential for allergic reactions or other health problems related to indoor air quality. HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Arresting) filters are also a good alternative if you require cleaner air then what a normal pleated air filter can provide.

Remember, your air conditioner filter’s main purpose is to collect the dust from negatively affecting your HVAC equipment, your home, and your family’s health.

Now that you understand why it is important to change your air conditioner’s filter often and the benefits of efficient air filters, is it time to change yours?

 

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Air Conditioner Tune-Up Checklist

May 23, 2012 By 1 Comment

With Memorial Day approaching next week, most Minnesotan’s are looking forward to the warm temperatures of summer and the activities that go with being outside.  Fun air conditioning venttimes in and on Minnesota lakes help keep a person cool when the weather is warm.  But, when you have to be indoors, a comfortable temperature and air conditioning is important whether you are working, playing, or sleeping.

Most air conditioning professionals have an Air Conditioning Tune-Up and Maintenance Checklist that involves inspecting, cleaning and watching for other potential issues that may cause a breakdown or inefficiency. Some home owners or facility managers may have enough HVAC knowledge to do some of the inspections themselves, but most rely on a trained HVAC professional for a thorough visual inspection of the exposed duct work, furnace and air handler, condensing unit, and thermostat.

 

 Air Conditioning Maintenance Checklist

With each air conditioning maintenance call, this checklist is completed by the Chappell Central service techs and given to the homeowner for their records.

Exposed Duct Work:

  • Check that ducts are intact and properly supported
  • Check that registers are open
  • Check that return air grills are unrestricted

Air Handler:

  • Check motor and blower bearings, lube as needed
  • Inspect and adjust belts and pulley alignment
  • Inspect blower for vibration and noise
  • Inspect condensate pipe for proper installation and function
  • Inspect, clean and/or replace air filter

Air Condensing Unit:

  • Inspect and tighten electrical connections
  • Check crankcase heater
  • Inspect condenser fan blades, motor, and bearings, lubricate as needed
  • Check condenser oil
  • Gauge unit for freon charge and operation

Thermostat:

  • Check for proper operation of the thermostat

For most people, completing the Air Conditioner Tune-up and Maintenance on their own is not an option. Consider contacting a home comfort expert before the high temperatures set in to tune-up your air conditioner and be ready for a long summer of cooling.

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HVAC Service Agreement has Benefits in All Seasons

April 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment

After an unseasonably warm Minnesota winter, our service department is ramping up for spring/summer HVAC Service Agreements. Since the maintenance agreements have proven to be a win-win for both Chappell Central and our customers, we are making an extra effort in 2012 to show our customers the  added  benefits of committing to the preventative maintenance agreement in all seasons.

How do I Benefit from an HVAC Service Agreement?

A Service Agreement (aka Maintenance Contract, or Preventative Maintenance Agreement)  is a proactive approach to HVAC service offered by Chappell Central Inc.  With equipment that is more sophisticated and the requirement of extended warranties having annual maintenance, the service maintenance plan provides peace of mind and outstanding reliability for your HVAC equipment.

spring tulips in west central MinnesotaService Agreement Benefits include:

  • Better and more reliable HVAC equipment operation
  • Fewer “emergency” calls which can be expensive
  • Added comfort and peace of mind
  • “Preferred Customer” status and other benefits

Why Invest in an HVAC Service Agreement in the Spring?

Now, with summer looming, it is a great time to invest in a Service Agreement, because it covers more than your heating – it covers your air conditioning system as well. For many families, a reliable central air conditioning unit is nearly as important as the furnace.  The main benefits that apply year long are maintaining consistent heating and cooling comfort, and reducing expensive emergency repairs that could have been avoided.

In a normal year we’re waiting for the weather to warm up enough to check out cooling systems, which generally occurs at the same time as the new installation season. Normally this creates a conflict between getting the new equipment installed and completing our maintenance agreements. Not this year – we should be in good shape with our maintenance agreements before the summer push.

Call Ron or Brenda today at 320-235-2151 or contact Chappell Central online to learn of the benefits of “preferred customer” status that comes with a maintenance agreement.

Filed Under: HVAC Equipment, Maintenance, Residential Tagged With: , ,

How to Choose Between Furnace Repair or Furnace Replacement

December 1, 2011 By 1 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.

Filed Under: Energy Saving Tips, Maintenance, Residential 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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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

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