Ray N. Welter Heating and Cooling

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

What to Expect With a Furnace Installation

Rick Welter — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 12:00:50 +0000

Once you’ve made the decision to buy a gas furnace, it’s helpful to know what to expect with a furnace installation. Before we run down a “to-do” list for the technician, there’s one item that’s often forgotten by many a repairman – and that is to be on time. It sounds simple, but this is why we recommend getting referrals and checking on the overall installation experience. There’s nothing worse than taking time off from work only to be kept waiting. Now, onto the mechanics of the job…

Proper Sizing Prior to Furnace Installation

The key to any mechanical installation is sizing up the job correctly. A licensed HVAC service technician will have visited your home to evaluate equipment size and ease of installation. Not all homes are alike, and many require additional time for tricky workarounds.

Your contractor will take measurements of your home then perform calculations to verify the right size for your air conditioner, furnace or heat pump. Bigger isn’t always better when it comes to performance and comfort.

During the Install: Sealing Ducts & Optimizing Air Flow

You can buy the best gas furnace available, but if your ducts are damaged or not sealed properly, you’ll be heating the outdoors and wondering why your high-efficiency gas furnace costs more than its replacement. A qualified technician will measure for duct leakage and make the necessary repairs to minimize energy waste.

In order to operate at peak efficiency, a heating or cooling system needs to have the proper volume of air flow. Your contractor should also measure air flow and make the necessary adjustments.

Creature Comfort Factors

Most people want to know if they have to hang around all day or if they’ll be without heat. Well, there’s good news and bad news.

Most installations can be performed in one day. It’s also not necessary to remain at home all day. If your technician is bonded—which they should be—they’ve been vetted, so their reputation is solid. If you’ve done your due diligence and checked their references, it’s generally okay to run a few errands while your new furnace is being installed.

The not so good news is that, since the old system will be disconnected, you won’t be able to run your heat (which makes leaving the house sound like a good idea). And, depending on the complexity and type of the installation, expect to be without heat for a few to several hours.

If you are considering the installation of a new furnace, call Welter Heating and Air Conditioning at 612-825-6867.

Five Ways to Enjoy Minnesota Winters

Rick Welter — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 15:18:38 +0000

Minnesota is a winter wonderland that people who’ve grown up south of Atlanta may never fully appreciate. Keeping the home fires burning is easy with your Minneapolis furnace, but keeping your winter weather love affair alive for new movers may take more creativity. Here are a few fun things to keep your heart warm and your toes toasty during Minnesota winters.

Wiggle into your fleece lined jeans and your favorite fleece hoodie and make your mark in the snow. Any recent snow fall will do. Build a snowman. Walk snow covered streets under the moonlight. Go sledding, ice skating, tobogganing or snow-shoeing. Let’s not forget a trip to your favorite confectioner’s for a cup of hot chocolate. That should be enough to take you through February.
When the cold has worn thin, how about making plans for a vacation to a warm climate? It can still be chilly in Florida in February, so think Caribbean for Valentine’s Day, Key West for St. Patrick’s Day and Orlando during Easter break.
Indoors can be fun too, especially during school “snow days.” Who doesn’t have great memories of building tent forts inside and playing board games by flashlight? Build a crackling fire and pull out the classics like Monopoly, Risk and Sorry!
If you don’t have a fireplace, then be thankful that your gas furnace is working at peak efficiency to improve the “snuggle” factor during nap time. Naps aren’t just for kids anymore.
Think about your favorite comfort foods and prepare something from your thumb-worn cookbook for a month of Fridays. Let’s see…there’s mac ‘n cheese, firehouse chili, stuffed cabbage, meat loaf and mashed potatoes and Swedish meatballs and noodles. Mmm.

What’s on your list of comfort foods? How do you enjoy winter weather?

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

How to Make the Best Furnace Choice

Rick Welter — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 13:00:48 +0000

There’s really no shortcut to determining the best furnace to buy; you need to do your homework. Having supplied furnaces to Minneapolis homeowners for years, our research and experience can help. What you need to decide for yourself, though, is how important is energy conservation vs. cost? Choosing between natural gas and electric makes a difference to the environment and where your money goes.

Benefits of Natural Gas

The advantage to choosing a natural gas furnace is, that due to the natural properties of gas, the energy works harder and more efficiently for you, which means less waste. It’s a clean fuel with lower emissions compared to other energy choices, and it’s produced domestically in the United States.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, direct use of natural gas reduces energy waste. More than 90 percent of the natural gas that is produced is delivered to your home and used directly by your natural gas appliances. Natural gas appliances in your home reduce carbon emissions by 50 percent.

According to the American Gas Association, 70 percent of the energy used to generate electricity is lost during the process of generating, transmitting and distributing the electricity to your home.

This means electric heating appliances, even supposedly highly efficient ones, actually waste large amounts of energy. By contrast, from the wellhead to your home, natural gas loses only about 10 percent of its useable energy.

Pros and Cons of Electrical Heating

Electric furnaces are considered safer because automatic breakers protect them from overloading. You can get an electric furnace started quickly, and they operate quietly. Since an electric furnace has no flame, you don’t have to relight a pilot light or deal with combustible fuels in the house.

Electric furnaces are often less expensive than other heating options, so your up-front costs are lower. They don’t require additional fuel pipes and expensive fuel storage tanks. Electric furnaces also don’t need venting, eliminating material costs and reducing installation time. We all know how fast service hours can add up!

Because electric furnaces have fewer moving parts, they’re easier to maintain than a natural gas furnace, so your maintenance costs may be lower, making electric an affordable choice. The downside is your electric bill. Heating with electricity is often more expensive than heating with natural gas or fuel oil.

Choices for Your Home

Now that you know the difference—pros and cons—between natural gas and electric furnaces, let us help you determine the best solution for your home and budget. Call Welter Heating and Air Conditioning and talk with one of our experienced sales representatives.

If you need service on your heating or air conditioning system, call Welter Heating and Air Conditioning 612-825-6867 for service or installation. During the winter months, our team is on call 24-hours a day for emergency service.

Twin Cities’ Holiday Traditions

Rick Welter — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 12:00:42 +0000

Even though it’s cold and your Minneapolis home furnace may be working overtime, there are still a lot of great things to do around the Twin Cities this holiday season. Here are just a few holiday traditions we selected to keep you reveling in warmth and good cheer through the end of 2011.

Holiday Happenings

Holidazzle – No Twin Cities holiday would be complete without a trip to the Annual Holidazzle Christmas Parade. Take advantage of the many merchants and heated skyways along Nicollet Mall. You can view the parade from the skyways, but the good viewing spots fill up fast, so arrive early. Check out their website for the parade schedule.

Minnesota weather can be unpredictable in December and performances are sometimes canceled due to extreme cold, so watch the local television news for unexpected cancellations.

Holiday Lights – If you’re a lover of festive outdoor décor, then the Holiday Lights in the Park is a sure bet. Embrace the holiday spirit this season, and drive along a trail featuring more than 50 large-scale light displays and moving sculptures. The event, open daily through December, will benefit a handful of local charities, including Second Harvest Heartland, Union Gospel Mission, Saint Paul Parks Conservancy and UnderConstruction.

A Christmas Carol – Round out the holiday with Dickens’ classic, A Christmas Carol, performed at the Guthrie Theatre and running through December 30^th. Last season (2010), the Guthrie featured a fresh interpretation on Scrooge’s ghost story with a new adaptation by British playwright Crispin Whittell, an impressive set and costumes, beautiful music and fantastical aerial effects. Don’t miss your chance to share this holiday favorite with your whole family.

Happy Holidays from Ours to Yours

Whether you’re embarking on creating your own holiday tradition or continuing one worn soft through the generations, one of the best things about the Twin Cities is its ability to welcome the old with the new.

5 Furnace Facts to Help You Save Money

RickWelter — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 20:21:19 +0000

When deciding to buy a new home heating system, homeowners are faced with a number of questions. Below we’ve assembled a list of the most frequently asked furnace questions and provided the answers for you.

1. How do I pick the right fuel source?

A Minneapolis furnace is most likely going to be using natural gas or propane. These energy sources are more economical than electricity in northern climates where home heating is required a good portion of the year.

2. How do I choose the right furnace system?

The best way to be certain you buy a properly sized unit is to calculate your home’s heating requirements. A reputable furnace dealer will provide a load calculation for your home. You could do this yourself, but it’s time consuming and requires that you know the various insulation levels of each part of your home.

You also need to consider air filtration and flow, especially if you or a family member suffers from allergies. You’ll want to weigh budget parameters and energy efficiency. For example, will the monthly savings over time offset the cost of the new unit or energy-saving option you’re considering?

3. How long should my furnace last?

If you have a qualified technician perform regular preventative maintenance and service suggested for your unit, industry averages suggest that a gas furnace should last long as 20-25 years.

4. How often does my duct work need to be cleaned?

While there are EPA guidelines on frequency of cleaning, a qualified technician can help you determine a maintenance schedule based on your families’ health concerns, surrounding environment, pet dander and/or interior remodeling projects.

5. Should I change my indoor coil?

When replacing your heat pump, the answer is most likely yes. The efficiency ratings that are advertised for a home heating system are based on the performance as part of a matched system. If only the outdoor portion is changed, the efficiency and savings could be less than that of a matched system.

Energy Efficiency & Regular Maintenance Saves You More

With the purchase of any mechanical device, the actual efficiency of your gas furnace depends on how it’s operated and maintained. An oversized unit will waste energy by cycling on and off too often and only blowing heat up the flue. An undersized furnace may not provide enough heat for comfort during very cold weather.

Properly matching the size of the furnace to the heat load of your home ensures that your furnace is operating at peak efficiency (saving you money) and you won’t pay for a larger unit than you need (saving you money).

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

Ole & Lena Joke Favorites

Rick Welter — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 12:00:45 +0000

Ole and Lena (also Sven and Ole) are central characters in jokes by Scandinavian Americans, particularly in the Upper Midwest region of the U.S., including Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, South Dakota and North Dakota, where Scandinavian traditions are common.

We know you’re wondering, “What the heck do jokes have to do with my home furnace?” Minneapolis winters are no joke, which is exactly why we wanted to lighten the mood as we transition from the crisp cool days of autumn into the stark days of winter. Without further adieux, following are our top five Ole and Lena jokes courtesy of Uff da!.

Ole, Lena & Sven Walk Into a Bar…

Ole was telling Sven, “I just bought a new hearing aid. It cost me four thousand dollars, but it’s state-of-da-art. It’s perfect.”

“Really,” answered Sven, “what kind is it?”

Ole replied, “Twelve turdy.”

Ole & Lena Pack Their Bags

Ole gets home, runs into his house, slams the door and shouts, “Honey, I just von da lottery? Pack your bags!”

Lena says, “Great! Vhat should I pack for? Da ocean or da mountains?”

He says, “I don’t care! Just be out by da end of da week!”

Ole Hears a Knock on the Door

Ole is sitting at home alone when he hears a knock on the front door. There are two sheriff’s deputies there.

He asks if there is a problem. One of the deputies asks if he is married and, if so, can he see a picture of his wife.

Ole says, “Sure,” and shows him a picture of his wife, Lena.

The sheriff says, “I’m sorry sir, but it looks like your wife’s been hit by a truck.”

Ole says, “I know, but she has a great personality and is an excellent cook.”

Ole & Lena Visit a Lawyer

Ole and Lena went to a lawyer to see about getting a divorce.

“How old are you folks?” asked the lawyer.

“Vell, I’m 96 and Lena is 92,” said Ole.

“How come you are getting a divorce now?” asked the lawyer.

“Ve wanted to vait till all da kids vere dead,” said Ole.

Ole & Sven are Standing at the Gates of Heaven

Two guys, Ole and Sven, are standing at the gate of heaven. Trying to be friendly, Ole asks Sven, “So, how did you get here?”

Sven replies, “Hypothermia. How about you?”

“Well,” Ole said, “I vas sure my wife, Lena, vas cheating on me, so one day I came home early to catch here in da act. I searched da whole house, but dare vas no one dare. I felt so bad about da whole ting dat I had a massive heart attack.”

“Oh great,” said Sven. “If you would’ve checked out da freezer, ve vould both be alive!”

Doesn’t laughter warm the heart?

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