Ray N. Welter Heating and Cooling

Summer Home Improvement Projects

Rick Welter — Tue, 08 May 2012 12:00:13 +0000

Memorial Day weekend marks the beginning of summer for many (although it’s actually June 21^st on the calendar). We figure there’s no time like the present to begin planning a few summer home improvement projects. These “how-to” ideas are a great starting point to keeping you cool no matter what the temperature is outside. If you are staring down a humid Minnesota summer like we are, then we suggest making sure your Minneapolis air conditioner is in top shape.

Home Upgrades Inside and Out

While you may need to consider other factors before deciding whether you’re better off picking up a tool belt or the telephone, we think anyone can handle these small summer projects.

Upgrade to Ductless Air Conditioning - If you’ve compromised on comfort living with a traditional AC window unit, this may be the year to consider ductless air conditioning. Its many advantages, besides making ductwork unnecessary, are that it’s both compact and flexible for zoning different parts of the home depending on their usage; there are no open-window security concerns; and there’s no need to remove and reinstall a bulky unit every time the seasons change.

Seal Energy-sapping Drafts - If this is a chore you overlooked this past winter, it still makes sense to seal around windows and doors. Why waste energy by cooling the outdoors when caulking and weather stripping offer a cost-effective and easy solution? With caulk gun in hand, check other parts of your home that would benefit from a new seal, like the bathtub, toilets and sinks.

Attend to Your Water Heater. Providing a protective seal to prevent water infiltration is one way to save on water loss. Another simple solution to reduce your energy bill is to install a water tank insulating blanket. Stores sell kits that make this one- or two-hour project worth your time — you can reduce your heating costs by 10%! While you’re at it, research the benefits of a tankless water heater. Even if you’re riding a heat wave, you’ll feel better knowing that you’ll enjoy hot water on demand.

Plan Ahead for Shade. While this may take a few years to pay dividends, planting trees in strategic places that will offer natural shade near the house will save you money in energy costs down the road. In the meantime, plan other ways to provide shade now. Retractable awnings offer one solution. Pergolas, which are affordable and easy to assemble, offer another. Shading devices come in many shapes and colors, so think beyond the standard patio table umbrella. Embrace your own style to keep things cool!

If you need service on your heating or air conditioning system, call Welter Heating and Air Conditioning 612-825-6867 for service or installation.

Celebrate Welter Heating’s Double Jubilee!

Rick Welter — Tue, 01 May 2012 14:33:58 +0000

A jubilee is a specially celebrated occasion, technically a 50^th anniversary, so it’s with double pleasure that we share with your our 100^th year in business. M.A. Welter, founder of Welter Heating and Air Conditioning, started the company in 1912 manufacturing what were known as “gravity” furnaces and installing them into new homes.

Gravity furnaces were popular in the first half of the 20th century up until the early 1970s. The function of a gravity warm-air furnace is the same as a conventional modern forced-air furnace. The main difference is that air circulation relies on convection, e.g. warm air rises and the cool air falls, hence, the name, gravity. The other big difference is size, which is why gravity furnaces were also known as “octopus” furnaces, because of their sprawling design.

Consumers can see how furnaces have advanced from those that took up the space of entire basements to oil fired forced air with no fans for air conditioning to natural gas furnaces that are smaller than a household refrigerator. In fact, central air isn’t even considered a luxury any longer, which it certainly was when we started the company!

As part of our Anniversary celebration, we are sharing a Q&A with our family to tell you a little more about the Welter family and 100 years in the Minneapolis air conditioning and furnace business.

Q&A With Welter Family

After 100 years as a family-owned business, what can you say are the advantages of working with a family business?

Enjoying this type longevity has extended to our customers as well. For four generations, we’ve been installing units in the same home three or four times, for example. Many of our customers are like family; we keep up with them, their changing needs and offer technology solutions that their great-grandparents could only dream about.

What has been your favorite thing about working within the heating and air conditioning business?

It’s fun to design and install a well-functioning system then see the smile on our customer’s face. Keeping our customers happy is something we’re very proud of.

What is the most interesting problem you have solved?

Learning the newest technology is always a challenge. We determine if we can back up the manufacturer’s claims. In order to do that, we test most everything in our own homes first. We don’t necessarily follow the latest fad, and we don’t want to sell something that doesn’t have lasting value and that we can’t stand behind.

What is the most noticeable change you’ve seen in the Twin Cities over the past 100 years?

It’s unbelievable to see how much the area has grown. We started servicing only south Minneapolis, and now we service the entire seven county metro area and beyond.

Was there a particularly bad winter that you remember? What about summer?

Both worst scenarios happened within the last 50 years and involved flooding. In 1965 and 1987, flood waters made it nearly impossible to get around town to many of the jobs we had scheduled. Of course, there may be other stories to top those events, but you’d have to ask M.A. Welter!

Stay Tuned…

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So Fresh and So Clean! Four Spring Cleaning Tips

Rick Welter — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 12:00:52 +0000

For those of us who live in a northern climate, spring cannot come soon enough. To celebrate this wonderful season of hope and promise, we thought we’d collect a few of the best spring cleaning tips. Throw open your windows and roll up your sleeves. We think this is the best season of the year to smell the roses.

Household Cleaning Basics

Although our focus is on spring, we realize that many of these household tips can be performed throughout the year. It’s just that “spring” means “renewal,” and we like to perform these tasks in the early months of the year.

1. Clean out the refrigerator. If you don’t recognize some of the food items in your refrigerator, then too much time has passed since you last cleared things out. But, don’t despair; there are a handful of maintenance tasks you still want to do that will make up for your lack of attention.

Of course, wiping down the interior shelves and bins is a given. Go one step further, and vacuum the coils at the bottom of your ‘fridge. Pull out the appliance, and sweep and mop all the accumulated dust. And, don’t forget the top of the refrigerator.

2. Deep clean carpets and rugs. Depending on whether you own pets or not, this job can be performed more often than once a year. You can hire professionals for a modest amount, or rent a commercial carpet cleaner for even greater savings. Your house will feel fresh and smell new.

3. Replace batteries. This is a surprising tip in that most people rarely check the juice left in batteries that run small appliances. A smoke detector automatically announces when it’s low on power with a sharp ear blast, but if you have a battery-operated flashlight or weather radio, you won’t know that your batteries are low until you need them. Make a checklist of all the items in your home that are run on batteries, and make sure you have all the right sizes as backup.

4. Install a Minneapolis air cleaner. An electronic air cleaner keeps the air in your home clean and minimizes allergens for those who may suffer from seasonal allergies. If you have pets or are concerned about mold spores, having an air cleaner installed on your home heating and cooling system will keep your home smelling springtime fresh year round!

If you would like to improve the air quality of your home with an electronic air cleaner, or need a spring time air conditioning tune up call Welter Heating and Air Conditioning 612-825-6867.

March 28th Weather Update: Cooler to Start, Warmer This Weekend

Rick Welter — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 14:09:02 +0000

Though it has been chilly and cloudy the last few days, the weather is expected to warm up later this week in Minneapolis and the surrounding Twin Cities. Higher temps and even some rain are expected to return, bringing with them the feeling of spring. The light winter we’ve had might truly be taking its exit early, but remember that Minnesota springs are unpredictable. Though the temperature may hit highs of 80+ degrees this weekend in the Twin Cities, we’ve been hit with winter storms as late as May. There may be a cold snap yet in the future! That being said, ice-outs have been declared on nearly every Minnesota lakes, so maybe we’re in the clear. With the weather seemingly on the path for a warm-up, now may be the time to ensure you’re not experiencing any problems with your Minneapolis central air conditioner as the spring permeates the Twin Cities.

7 Day Minneapolis Weather Forecast

Wednesday – Partly cloudy with a low of 37.

Thursday – Partly cloudy, with a high of 57.

Friday – Clouds in the morning, sunny in the afternoon. High 63.

Saturday – Mostly sunny with a high of 71.

Sunday – Scattered thunderstorms with a high of 81.

Monday – Mostly sunny with a high of 71.

Tuesday – Cloudy in the morning, sunny in the afternoon. High 65.

Source: weather.com

Basics of Furnace Cleaning

Rick Welter — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 11:00:07 +0000

Spring cleaning is right around the corner and it’s never too early to think about furnace cleaning. In fact, keeping your furnace in top shape is probably the most cost-effective way to save on your energy bill, whether it’s winter or summer. We thought we’d give you the low down on some basics, so you can know when to “do-it-yourself” or go with a pro.

Furnace Cleaning Tips & Hints

Some basic furnace maintenance tasks are easy to perform yourself, while other may require a professional inspection. If there are parts of the furnace cleaning process that require a licensed service technician, we’ll say so.

The easiest cleaning job is simply to replace your furnace filter once a month during heating season. Next, take a look at your furnace. There should not be any black soot build up around the furnace which indicates poor combustion. If you see signs of yellow/orange flickering flames rather than a steady blue flame, contact a professional to fix this combustion problem.

Combustion creates carbon monoxide which can be deadly. That’s why we recommend homeowners purchase and install a carbon monoxide detector near the furnace in your home.

Finally, clean the furnace blower. Turn the thermostat down, and let the furnace cool before doing this. Vacuum any dust that has accumulated. Clean the blades with a damp rag and any areas the vacuum couldn’t reach.

Furnace Cleaning Checklist

Of all the furnace cleaning tips we recommend, our #1 tip is the most basic: get a professional inspection and tune up every few years, and take the guess work out of furnace cleaning.

If you do call a professional you can expect them to work through a checklist which will include:

Clean and Check Furnace Filters and Replace
Clean Blower and Check Blower Noise
Check for Duct Noise
Clean Draft Inducer Motor and Check for Noises
Clean and Secure Furnace Hose
Clean and Check Furnace Cabinet Top and Blower Compartment
Clean and Check Outside Air to Air Intake Hood

This checklist is going to ensure any unusual noises or potential problems will be identified and resolved before next winter. Get ahead on that to do list and give your family peace of mind that your furnace is working in top condition.

If you need service on your heating or air conditioning system, call Welter Heating and Air Conditioning 612-825-6867 for service or installation.

February 28th Weather Update: Winter Temperatures Return

Rick Welter — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 03:51:39 +0000

Finally, a snow storm is expected for the Twin Cities Metro area starting Tuesday afternoon and extending to Wednesday afternoon. Low temperatures are returning and it won’t feel much like March. The snow and cold might make some Minnesotans happy, but it looks like the sun will try to start breaking through at the beginning of next week. Until then, ensure you are prepared for the winter snow storm by keeping those snow shovels handy and limit travel if at all possible. Finally, remember preventative care is the best way to ensure your Minneapolis furnace is working correctly during those snow days.

7 Day Minneapolis Weather Forecast

Tuesday – Snow/wintery mix. High 32.

Wednesday – Rain and snow expected. High 34.

Thursday – Mostly to partly cloudy, with a high of 34.

Friday – Snow showers likely. High of 32.

Saturday – Snow flurries and a high of 28.

Sunday – Partly cloudy to mostly sunny. High of 33.

Monday – Mostly sunny with a high of 37.

Source: weather.com

February 16th Weather Update: Nice Weekend Then Chance of Snow

blogadmin — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 12:00:24 +0000

February is the shortest month of the year, but at times it can feel like it lasts forever. Gray days, bouts of snow and chilly temperatures, have us longing for Spring. Although this winter has been far milder than last year, we are still ready to see those first signs of 60 degree temps and green on the trees. Although this seven day forecast is still firmly set in winter. In the next 7 days you can look forward to relatively mild temperatures, but chance of rain or snow showers early next week. Warm temperatures should prevent much accumulation, but messy roads are possible. Despite another week of winter here in Minneapolis, this is still a great time to look forward to spring. For a lot of people, spring means one thing: allergens. Did you know that a whole home air cleaner can remove allergens from the air and improve air quality substantially? Call Welter Heating and Air Conditioning for more information.

7 Day Minneapolis Weather Forecast

Thursday – Sunny with a high of 39.

Friday – Partly cloudy with another high of 39.

Saturday – Colder, but sunny. High of 34.

Sunday – Mild and partly cloudy. High of 40.

Monday – Chance of rain or snow showers. High of 36.

Tuesday – Another chance of show showers. High of 38.

Wednesday – Cooler and partly cloudy. High of 34.

Source: weather.com

Minnesotans Don’t Worry About Extreme Cold Warning

Rick Welter — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:00:34 +0000

The National Weather Services in Minnesota announced this winter they will be replacing the familiar “wind chill warning” with an “extreme cold warning”. So what does this mean to us? The change is mostly in name only, but does include a small differentiation. In the past a warning was only issued if wind chill dipped below negative 35. The new warning will be issued if temperatures or wind chills reach dangerously low.

This is Minnesota, where we really only care if our Minneapolis furnace is in good working order, but we still want to know the story behind this new winter warning.

Extreme Cold? Wind Chill? Who Cares?

This story, which originally ran in the Pioneer Press, was met by commenters with a mixture of sarcasm and disbelief. The consensus was that either this was a scare tactic dreamed up by the Weather Service’s marketing department or a sign of political correctness.

Fortunately, National Public Radio (NPR) interviewed Greg Gust (No joke!), the warning coordination meteorologist at the National Weather Service for Eastern North Dakota and Northwestern Minnesota, who shed some light on this name change.

What’s in a Name?

Gust readily admitted that the proposed name change is an experiment and that the “wind chill warning” is still in their arsenal of tactics to keep people safe. He did explain the distinction between the two terms and how confusion can arise when the wind dies down.

Prior to the name change, if the wind dropped off, they stopped the warning. But, what if it’s still really cold out? With the wind warning cancelled, the actual temperature now poses the real danger. Stopping a wind chill warning may give people a false sense of security.

Of course, Minnesotans know how cold really cold feels like. As one commenter said, “I wish they would stop with “extreme” and “feels like” Just give me the temp. … We know what it means when it’s 20 below with a 20 mph wind.”

When the Weather Service issues the “extreme cold warning,” people should be responding just like they did with the “wind chill warning,” e.g. they should make sure that they’re properly dressed for it and school districts would cancel outside recess.

It’s unclear whether the extreme cold warning is replacing the wind chill warning completely. “Do you think extreme cold is sexy enough to get into the vernacular?” Gust asked the NPR host. “We think it has meaning here, and we’re … testing that to see if it has enough meaning to warrant the change.”

Are you prepared for an “extreme cold warning”? Call Welter Heating and Air Conditioning 612-825-6867 for service on your Minneapolis furnace.

February 2nd Weather Update: Mild Week Leading Up to Super Bowl Sunday

Rick Welter — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:55:44 +0000

After several bouts of snow and ice last week, we are in the middle of a mild, quiet week for the first week of February. March like temps are forecast to linger throughout the week, culminating with a mild and partially sunny Super Bowl Sunday. It is great to see some sunshine in the forecast after a very gray January here in Minneapolis. It’s doubtful we have seen the end of cold weather for this winter, and temperatures are forecast to return to more normal levels by the beginning of next week. The break in frigid temperatures is the perfect time to consider furnace cleaning or maintenance. Preventative care is the best way to ensure your Minneapolis furnace is working optimally during the final full month of winter. So, everyone, spend this week enjoying the sunshine and football.

7 Day Minneapolis Weather Forecast

Thursday – Foggy in the morning, but mild. High 40.

Friday – Mostly cloudy. High 39.

Saturday – Nice start to the weekend. Partly cloudy and high of 39.

Sunday – Another mild day. Partly cloudy and high of 39.

Monday – Partly cloudy and high of 41.

Tuesday – Return to February like temperatures. High of 29.

Wednesday – Still cooler. High of 34.

Source: weather.com

January 19th Weather Update: First Subzero Night and the Coldest Week of the Year so Far

Rick Welter — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 11:00:31 +0000

Author’s Note: The weekly weather update is a new series from Welter Heating & Air Conditioning. We hope these weekly updates will keep you prepared for the best and worst Twin Cities’ weather has to offer. Check back often for weather updates, as well as our regular heating and air conditioning tips.

The first two weeks of January 2012 have felt more like March than the coldest month of the year, but it looks like we are heading for a change in the upcoming week. After a relatively mild start to the week, bitterly cold temperatures move into the Metro area Wednesday evening. Wednesday night marks the first subzero reading of the winter. Despite the artic feel to the middle of the week, temperatures are forecasted to be back on the rise by the weekend. Temperatures in the mid-30s and a chance of snow are on deck for this weekend. So crank up your Minneapolis furnace and stay warm throughout those chilly January nights.

7 Day Minneapolis Weather Forecast

Thursday – Sunny and bitterly cold. High of 2.

Friday – Warming up slightly, chance of a snow shower. High of 16 degrees.

Saturday – Mostly cloudy with a high of 32.

Sunday – Another chance of snow. High of 33.

Monday – Colder and partly cloudy. High of 28.

Tuesday – Mostly cloudy. High of 28.

Wednesday-Chance of snow. High of 33.

Source: weather.com