Since the invention of air conditioning systems back in the 70s, HVAC technology has continued to evolve with some of the largest advancements happening in the 21st century. For Minnesota families, having up-to-date heating and cooling systems can make your home far more comfortable during those unpredictable winter and summer months. That includes more energy efficient systems, smart products, home automation systems and more.

So how is HVAC technology evolving? Here are a few of the latest advancements, and how they can improve your home.

Zone Systems

If you have a thermostat downstairs, it may not manage to keep the upper levels at comfortable temperatures. Additionally, if you have rooms that are not typically in use, it would be nice to control whether or not they’re being heated during winter if they don’t need to be.

One of the most common inefficiencies with heating and cooling systems is a lack of temperature consistency throughout the home. HVAC zone systems allow you to precisely control the temperature in every room of your home, keeping any room comfortable regardless of the outside temperature, and ultimately resulting in better cost efficiency in your energy system.

Smart Products

The whole world is using smart technology for more and more products daily: phones, cars, computers, appliances — and heating and cooling systems are no exception. Families are incorporating smart systems into their energy systems to be able to have remote control and maximize efficiency in the home.

One of the largest benefits of a smart home system is the ability for your thermostat to work with your HVAC system to detect the temperatures in different areas of your home and adjust temperatures accordingly. This will prevent one having to constantly change temperature settings, and for certain home automation systems you can control temperature right from your smartphone.

Energy Efficient HVAC Systems

As technology advances, the most common trend is to maximize energy efficiency. The most up-to-date HVAC systems can include sensors that monitor temperature and even whether or not people are physically in a room, keeping the temperature controlled as necessary.

These automatic sensors that allow for zone control temperatures will not only keep the home more comfortable but keep your energy costs low as well.

As government requirements rise for SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) ratings, there has been an increase in technological changes in HVAC systems to make heating and cooling systems more effective. Similar to any other industry, it can be hard to manage all the changes that occur within the technological world that affect an industry that’s over 40 years old. At Sedgwick, we have the expertise and technology to keep your home up to date on the latest in HVAC technology to ensure your home is comfortable all year round.

Contact us to find out how you can receive the latest technological advances for your HVAC system today!

There are a few indicators that your furnace may be acting up and many of the issues don’t require a professional, just a little elbow grease! Check out these DIY furnace repairs that you can do to keep your home warm and cozy.

Uneven Heating

If your furnace provides very little heat when it’s running, there are a few steps you can take to fix the issue:

• Verify that nothing is blocking the airflow.
• Make sure the thermostat is set to “heat.” Try raising the temperature five degrees and wait a few minutes to see if it improves.
• Put in a new filter if it’s time for a replacement.

An out of date filter is one of the most common issues that many furnaces face. Keep yours regularly changed in order to avoid any buildup of dirt, dust, and other contaminants.

No Heat

If you notice that the heat doesn’t come on even when you adjust the temperature on the thermostat, there are a number of things that could be happening. You could be facing a thermostat malfunction or a tripped circuit breaker, or maybe your pilot light has gone out. Here are a few tips to solve the problem:

• Check that the circuit breaker is on and that the fuse has not blown.
  • If the circuit is blown or tripped, reset the breaker by turning it all the way off and back on.
  • If necessary, replace the fuse.
• Make sure the power to the furnace is on.
• With a gas furnace, light the pilot light if it went out and verify that the gas valve is on. Be sure to check the furnace’s ignition as well.

If there still isn’t any heat, the thermostat may be faulty, in which case you’ll want to call in an expert to assess the situation.

Furnace is Turning Off and On

This is more than likely due to an issue with the thermostat. There is a small lever on your thermostat (not the heat adjustment lever) — this is your heat anticipator. If your furnace is going off and on too often, set your anticipator closer to the “longer” setting.

You may not see the heat improve for a couple of hours. Wait for a bit, then readjust if necessary.

Funny Noises

Heating ducts can expand or contract as they heat up and cool down, so there are plenty of noises that should not be a major concern. However, there are a few that deserve closer attention, and can be easily remedied.

• Rattling: If your furnace cabinet is making a rattling noise whenever it runs, this is likely due to loose cover panels. Be sure they’re all screwed on nice and tight.
• Squealing: These sounds occur when the belt that connects the motor to the fan slips. This is something that can be fixed by either tightening the motor mount or replacing the worn out belt. You can tighten the belt by removing the access panel, loosening the bolts that keep the blower motor at the correct tension, and either adjusting the distance or realigning the belt. Be sure to check your instruction manual before making any adjustments.

If you find that your furnace is not responding to your repairs or that a part needs replacing, your safest choice is to call a repair technician. A trained expert will not only be able to assess the problem and fix it properly but will also be able to audit your HVAC system and make recommendations for how to keep your heating and cooling systems running long term.

For further information on DIY furnace repairs or to schedule an appointment with a repair technician, contact the experts at Sedgwick today!

Cooler weather is setting in, and as any true Minnesotan knows, sub zero temperatures will be here before we know it. Extreme weather can hit at any time, as anyone who remembers the famous Halloween blizzard of ‘91 can attest to. This means you’re ready to schedule a professional HVAC tune-up to ensure you won’t get caught with a failing heating system in temperatures that leave plenty to be desired.

Minnesota Winters up the Ante for Heating Systems

Regular HVAC maintenance is recommended in any state; even warmer climates need to maintain a proper working heating system for colder temperatures. However, the winter climate is significantly more difficult in Minnesota than in other areas of the country, meaning your heating system needs to be up to date, and the benefits of regular HVAC maintenance in the winter are significantly greater. A failing heating system during our winters can result in an emergency situation, higher repair costs or even a full replacement of your HVAC system.

Investing in the Future of Your HVAC System

Maintaining regular maintenance of your HVAC system is investing in the long term life of your heating and cooling systems. Regular inspections keep an eye out for necessary repairs, keep your coils clean, and keep air filters clean and changed when necessary so your home and family are comfortable all year long.

Energy Savings

Keeping your heating systems properly tuned up will save you plenty in energy bills, as well as being more energy efficient for the environment. When your heater is working consistently throughout the winter to keep your home heated, you’re already spending more on keeping your home comfortable than in other seasons. If your HVAC system is not in proper working condition, it’ll be working twice as hard to create the same amount of heat, causing your energy bills to skyrocket. Regular maintenance will keep your energy bills at a sane level and everyone at home happier.

If you are ready for a proper HVAC tune-up, trust the heating and cooling experts at Sedgwick. Whether or not we installed your HVAC system, we offer the highest quality maintenance plans to keep your equipment in proper working order, including proper service diagnosis, emergency services 24/7, repairs, parts discounts and much more. If you’re ready to schedule your maintenance appointment, contact the experts at Sedgwick today!

With the unpredictable weather fall brings, it’s likely your furnace is already in use. But before the bitter cold sets in, is your furnace working at peak performance? If not, it may be time for some repairs — or maybe even a new furnace.

It can be difficult to recognize whether a furnace is in need of some minor repairs or if it’s time to replace it entirely. Here are 6 factors to consider about whether you should repair or replace your furnace.

Furnace Age

The age of your system is the first factor to consider. The average lifespan of a furnace is 15-20 years; after that the system will start to fail more often. If your furnace is 10 years old or less, repairs should be effective. If it has reached 12 years or more, it’s time to consider replacement. If your furnace is more than 10 years old but having consistent issues, consult an expert.

Frequency of Repairs

The frequency of furnace issues that you cannot solve without an expert can indicate your furnace is no longer able to bounce back. Attempting to keep an unreliable furnace functioning means potentially having no heat on cold days, and it could also end up costing you more in the end. Here are two rules of thumb to keep in mind:

• If your repair costs are less than ⅓ of the cost of a new heating system, repair is your best choice
• If your furnace has undergone repairs that haven’t keep it functioning for years, it’s time for a replacement

Change in Energy Bills

If your energy bills are increasing without an increase in usage, your furnace efficiency is definitely going down. Your furnace may be working twice as hard to create the same amount of heat. This is the first sign that it’s time to call in the experts and find out whether your furnace has seen better days.

Find out from your HVAC expert whether simply updating the thermostat or your ductwork will solve the problem, or if it’s time to retire your furnace for a new one.

Uneven Heating

If heat isn’t being distributed evenly, it tends to pertain to a duct issue in your home. If your home doesn’t heat up evenly, your home won’t be comfortable and your furnace will have to work twice as hard. This is a good time to call a repairman and determine whether the issue is your duct system or if a furnace replacement is necessary.

Strange Noises

Older furnaces are usually working harder, causing them to make rattling, popping, or banging noises. This can also result in a lack of ability for your furnace to properly moisturize the air, resulting in dry or stale air quality in your home. These are good indications that your heating system needs replacing.

Burner Flame

A natural gas burning will produce a blue flame with a light shade of yellow at the top. If the flame is yellow, it’s an indication that the fuel combustion is incomplete and your furnace could be producing carbon monoxide. In this instance, call an expert right away. A minor repair could be in order; however, it could be an indication that your furnace has worn out.
If you are looking to prevent several costly repairs, a proper inspection of your heating system will help determine what repairs, if any, are needed to keep your furnace working its best this winter. The last thing you want is to find out your furnace needs substantial repairs or replacement when we’ve already hit sub zero temperatures. Contact the experts at Sedgwick today and keep your home warm and cozy this season!

Venturing to your second floor shouldn’t feel like walking into an oven. Unfortunately for many homeowners, heat in the upper levels of the home is a daily annoyance. Even with a central HVAC system, there may be operational issues that keep the upper floors toasty. When your home cooling system feels unevenly distributed, it’s time to do some troubleshooting to pinpoint the source of the problem.

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Air conditioning is the type of convenience that’s easy to forget exists — that is, until it breaks. If you’ve ever found yourself in a situation that involved the sudden loss of home cooling, you know that although your air conditioning won’t kick in, a feeling of desperation certainly will.

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