Water Heater Efficiency Tips from Northern Air Plumbing & Heating

Your water heater is the reason you get to have that hot shower every morning. We often overuse this appliance, not even realizing it until it’s too late. At Northern Air Plumbing and Heating of Aitkin MN, we’ve noticed that customers who adhere to the following tips often don’t need water heater repairs as much.

The average water heater last 12 years, but many stop working before that. However, the following tips will ensure that your water heater gets the life it deserves: 

• Frequently checking the pressure relief valve will help avoid costly repairs or a new water heater. It should be located on the unit’s top or side. Place a bucket at the bottom of the pipe. If water doesn’t come out or flow, contact a professional like Northern Air Plumbing & Heating. 
• Drain the tank to expel sediment that may have assembled at the bottom. Be very careful as the water may be hot. Consult your manufacturer’s manual for proper drainage procedure.
• You can save anywhere from 4-9% on heating costs by placing an insulating water jacket around your water heater.
• Another way to save current and future costs is to lower the appliance’s water temperature. This will also slow down mineral and sediment accumulation in the heater and pipes. 

Bid on Sinks & Carbon Monoxide Detectors from Northern Air Plumbing & Heating

Northern Air Plumbing & Heating has teamed up with KKIN Radio to offer the following items for auction at a big discount: 

-          A certificate for a 25” x 22” white molded marble sink. Normally retails for $130, but can be yours for $65.

-          A certificate for a 20” x 22” white molded marble sink. The bidding begins at $136 for this item that normally retails for $275.

-          Carbon monoxide detectors. Retail is $85, but can be yours for $45.

The auction takes place on air every Wednesday morning from 10:03 a.m. to noon. For a full list and more details on the auction, visit KKIN’s auction page. For all your plumbing and heating services in Aitkin MN, visit www.NorthernAirPlumbing.com today.

Northern Air Plumbing & Heating Now Takes Payments Online!

Don’t have the time to mail a check or send in cash? No problem! Northern Air Plumbing & Heating now accepts online payments!

You can pay your bill online with PayPal. To utilize this service, please visit our Make An Online Payment page.

Contact Northern Air Plumbing & Heating today at 218.927.6828 or receive a FREE ESTIMATE for any of your Aitkin air conditioning or Minnesota plumbing needs!

Why Choose Northern Air Plumbing & Heating?

When it comes to your needs for Aitkin plumbing, MN HVAC or Minnesota air conditioning, you have plenty of options.

So, why should you choose Northern Air Plumbing & Heating? We feel our plumbing and HVAC work speaks for itself, but here are a few other reasons why you should make Northern Air Plumbing & Heating your choice for Aitkin residential plumbing or MN commercial HVAC:

• Family owned and local, serving Aitkin MN heating needs for over 18 years
• Licensed, bonded and insured
• We uphold and defer to the Minnesota Plumbing and Building Codes
• ONE YEAR WARRANTY for all work
• We stand behind our workmanship
• We do what is right for your needs
• MN plumbing and Aitkin HVAC for all projects, small to big
• Quality plumbing products and plumbing service for a fair price
• Friendly service with a smile and handshake!

Don’t take our word for all this. Read what our customers have to say about us on our Testimonials page.

Contact Northern Air Plumbing & Heating today at 218.927.6828 or receive a FREE ESTIMATE for any of your Aitkin air conditioning or Minnesota plumbing needs!

Don't Overspend on Your Heating and Energy Cost!

No matter what time of year it is, when it comes to heating and air one of the most standard complaints is the cost. Sure, we want to be cool in the summer and warm in the winter, but we would rather not pay exorbitant prices to do so. As a result, we have products like programmable thermostats, extra insulation, radiant heating systems, solar panels and many other energy efficient items installed in our homes in hopes that we can keep energy costs low and comfort levels where we want them.
Unfortunately, despite our efforts it still seems that energy costs are not getting that much lower. This is often because while we are feverishly working at the things we can see or perhaps know to look for, there are a number of steps we have overlooked. So, to bring those common energy spenders to the forefront, be sure to avoid the following:

• Leaving the furnace or air conditioner salesperson talk us into a larger unit than is necessary. In reality, this actually makes the system inefficient and wastes energy.
• Having a gas or electric comfort system that is not as powerful as it should be; this is especially common in older homes. According to the Federal Trade Commission, an all-electric heating system should have an AFUE rating no lower than 78% and no lower than 75% for gas heaters.
• Not having the ducts checked for leakage when having a new heating and cooling system is installed. If there is air seeping out, then it's money you could be saving!
• Thinking that since heat rises, it is not necessary to use insulation in the attic, this includes not fully insulating the floors over a basement or crawlspace, or between walls and windows.
• Not using ceiling and portable fans to improve the comfort levels. These types of fans use very little electricity and help to keep the air circulating. In most regions of the country, you can actually set the thermostat to 85 degrees and still keep the home comfortable. Just by circulating the air in your home you can set the thermostat 5 degree higher than you normally would.
• Not checking the caulking around doors and windows on a regular basis. If there are any cracks, then you are losing cool/warm air.

A few things to do, to lower energy cost are:

• If you have an older refrigerator, consider replacing it with an energy efficient model. Studies show that older models (pre 1983) actually cost 2-3 times more to use than newer models. Also, if you have a refrigerator in the garage, consider either getting rid of it or moving it indoors as its location alone requires it to work harder to keep cool.
• If you have windows on the west and south side of your home, plant deciduous shade trees and plants as they will help keep out heat during the warm months and help retain heat during the cooler ones.
• Replace traditional light bulbs with CFLs.

Learn more about saving on heating and energy or request a free estimate from Northern Air Plumbing & Heating of Aitkin, MN. Article independently authored by Janet Slagell. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Northern Air Plumbing & Heating. Click for search engine optimization and search engine marketing or visit WebDrafter.com's Blog.

The Pros & Cons of Having a Tankless Water Heater

If you are interested in alternate heating sources, chances are, you have considered a tankless water heater. After all, like many of the alternative heating solutions, tankless water heaters are touted as a great option. But are they really right for you? If you are still trying to determine what type of alternative energy system is best for your home then consider these pros and cons of a tankless water heater.
Advantages of the Tankless Water Heater:

• You have unlimited hot water. Since the water is heated while passing through the system you don't have to worry about the tank getting emptied. However, flow rate is determined by how much hot water can be produced without letting up.
• Tankless hot water heaters require less space. They can be mounted on a wall or internally in a building's structure.
• There is less risk of water damage. Because water is stored in a tank then you don't have to worry about leaks or ruptures. However, it is imperative that the lines to the tank are properly and correctly secured and mounted so be sure to have a tankless water heater professionally installed.
• You have consistency of the water's pressure and temperature. You will need to talk the installer to ensure that the unit is set according to your needs and preferences, though. Regarding the temperature, like a traditional water heater, the tankless system is inversely proportional to the rate of the water flow- the faster the flow the less time the water spends being heated.
• Tankless water systems are not dependent on the water pressure that is going to the shower, faucet or other location. Unlike an underground system which often has lines that require the water to go against gravity to get to a location, a tankless system is not affected by gravitational challenges so the system does not have to work as hard to "transport" the water thus saving you money.

Disadvantages of a Tankless Water Heater:

• Hot Water! When you turn on the faucet in a home that has a tankless water heater, be prepared for scalding hot water. You will need to turn the hot water incrementally-especially for bathing or dishwashing.
• The cost of installation is high-especially if it is done after the home is built- and it can take as much as 10 years for the installation cost to be offset by the usage costs. In addition, it can be necessary to change over the valves, voltages, BTU and other aspects of an existing water heating system.
• It can be difficult to get cooler temperature water as there is sometimes a gap between the cold water and hot water system.
• A tankless water system is not always compatible with recirculation systems as the tankless water heaters are inactive when not in use and to be implemented to work with convection based systems will use more energy and defeat the purpose of having a tankless system.

Contact Northern Air Plumbing & Heating to receive a free plumbing & heating estimate.

Article independently authored by Janet Slagell. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Northern Air Plumbing & Heating. Click for search engine optimization and search engine marketing or visit WebDrafter.com's Blog.

How Clean is Your Air?

Ah....Taking a deep breath of fresh, clean-smelling air is great. And, the cleaner the air is, the better for all. And while most of us recognize that oftentimes the outside air contains pollutants from factories and plants, we may overlook the air in our homes. But whether you live in a home that was just built or a home that has been around for decades, you will find that having an air purifier system installed will greatly improve how you feel.
There are 4 basic types of air purifiers, each with their own perks and quirks. They range in cost and ease of installation, so don't just go out and buy the first one you see. In addition, it should be noted that there is no exact requirements to grade these systems by. However, some basic considerations are cost, maintenance requirements, power requirements, level and source of pollution, room size, and unit efficiency. Here are brief descriptions of each type of air purifiers, though it is not uncommon for an air cleaner unit to work through combining some of the techniques.
Electronic ionizers: These air cleaners use an electronic process to reverse the charge of the particles in the air. They contain collection plates which work much like magnets that attract the particles in the air, as well as from items in the room like clothing, walls, floors and furniture. In order for the electronic air purifiers to best work, you will need to dust and vacuum the room often. Also, keep in mind that this type of air cleaner does produce a small amount of ozone. One of the best examples of this type of air purifier is the Friedrich C-90B because it also uses a strong fan and a HEPA filter.
HEPA air purifiers: This type of air filter uses pleated High Efficiency Particle Arresting filters that trap the particles. This is accomplished by using a fan to pull the air through the filter. These fans are often noisy, but some models are quieter than others. On the more positive side, HEPA filters are touted as being the most effective and they do not produce any ozone.
UV purifiers: This type of air purifier works by using ultra violet light to neutralize biological contaminants. Many experts agree that UV light is effective in destroying microbes such as bacteria, dust mites and mold spores if given enough exposure time. However, units of this type should be combined with a filter and fan to be most effective.
Ozone generators: There are some units that merely produce ozone and in actuality remove none of the allergens from the air. Large amounts of ozone will neutralize strong odors such as smoke odor, but according to the EPA this is dangerous for human health. This product gets around the EPA by not claiming to be a medical device; in addition, these types of air purifiers have been banned in the state of California by the Air Resources Board.
For more information on heating and air, please visit www.northernairplumbing.com or call 218.927.6828.
Article independently authored by Eric Parish. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Northern Air Plumbing. Click for search engine optimization and search engine marketing or visit WebDrafter.com's Blog.