Time for a Heating System Check-Up

Cool autumn nights have set in and colder nights are in our future.
If you haven’t already, it’s time to make an appointment to have your heating system serviced.
Without a yearly cleaning and inspection, a system can wear itself out quicker, pump deadly carbon monoxide into your home or simply stop working.
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, tasteless, colorless toxic gas. Carbon monoxide is deadly; lower levels of exposure can be mistaken for the flu.
Sources of carbon monoxide can include un-vented space heating equipment, leaking chimneys, back drafting from furnaces, gas water heaters, fireplaces, improperly sized or blocked flues and worn, poorly maintained furnaces and boilers.   Using a GOOD filter and keeping it clean is another very important component of an efficient heating system. Your filter keeps dust from entering your furnace and circulating throughout your home. Dirty filters restrict airflow and reduce efficiency. One inch filters should be replaced monthly and a rule of thumb for four or five inch filters is twice a year. Electrostatic and electronic filters need to be maintained and washed.
Whatever type of heating system you have, don’t wait for it to break down to call for service. A clean, well-adjusted heating system will save you money and prolong furnace life.
You wouldn’t wait more than a year to service your car; your heating system is just as important!
Give us a call at 847-7459 to have one of our trained professionals inspect, clean and tune-up your system!

“For Your Family’s Comfort,” give us a call at 218-847-7459.

In My Opinion

What lovely weather we had in September!
Now we need to focus on the reality that fall is here and winter will soon be upon us.
With cooler weather, it is human nature to spend more time indoors, so it is important to do everything you can to improve your indoor air quality.

Colder weather brings an entire new set of comfort issues…air that’s too dry, air that’s too moist, cold spots in your house, bacteria and allergy problems…
Indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air.

If you’re looking to upgrade your heating system, take advantage of manufacturer and utility rebates, as well as the Federal Income Tax Credits. A combination of these opportunities can add up to quite a savings!

And don’t forget that Modern Heating and Plumbing does offer Kwik Comfort Financing to help make your purchase easier.

There is an article in this month's newsletter about temperature alarms that can be installed in your home to help you avoid freeze up if you are away.

In addition to the Freeze Alarm and the Winter Watchman, there is another option from Honeywell called The Telephone Access Module (TAM). A TAM not only will notify you in case of a low temperature or even a water leak situation, you can also remotely turn up your thermostat so your home is warm when you arrive. A great comfort device!

We’ve had an intern this fall. Brady Riewer, from Frazee, is majoring in HVAC at the Wadena Community and Technical College. A portion of        More...

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Watch us on TV--or right now on the Internet!

Click this link www.lakesTV3.com to watch “For Your Family’s Comfort” online at any time!
Or on TV 3, channel three local cable TV. 
We give you information on heating, cooling, indoor air quality and plumbing products, which will make you and your family more comfortable in your home!

Tune in to “For Your Family’s Comfort” (brought to you by Ruud Heating and AirConditioning and Modern Heating and Plumbing) showing AM and PM at 6:00, 10:00 and 2:00.

Ask the Experts

Q: This winter my heating bills have been extremely high. What are my options?

A: There are several options everyone has to lower utility costs. Take a look at your furnace and air conditioner. If either one is older than 15 years old, you may want to consider a new furnace, with either an electric plenum heater or a heat pump. Off peak electric rates are very competitive with almost any other fuel. In addition to the low electric rate, a heat pump offers a coefficient of performance, (COP), of two to three times that of resistance electric heat.
Along with the increase in efficiency of your new furnace using gas, fuel oil, or electricity, many new furnaces have extremely efficient blower motors which can decrease the amount of power usage for your blower motor. Or, if your furnace is fairly new, we can replace the inefficient blower motor with the new low wattage motor. These new blower motors draw as low as 80 watts of electricity in comparison to over 700 watts on some older motors!
Also check your water heaters. New water heaters have a much better insulation value which holds the heat in your water rather than letting it escape into the room air. Tankless gas water heaters are also available if you have a gas water heater. These water heaters only heat water when there is a demand and heat the water for $160.00 less than conventional tank type heaters!
Call Modern Heating and Plumbing for more ideas on how to control your total utility costs.

For Your Family’s Comfort,
Rick Michaelson

The Importance of Humidity

Increase comfort throughout your home by maintaining proper levels of humidity.
Air in your home that is too dry can be uncomfortable to breathe and can damage wood products like flooring, pianos and cabinetry. While on the reverse, air that has too much moisture can cause your home to feel sticky or damp, create condensation on windows and cause air to smell musty.
Honeywell Whole-House Humidification and Dehumidification Systems work to automatically maintain the proper levels of humidity in your home for increased comfort and energy savings!
“For Your Family’s Comfort” Modern Heating and Plumbing is offering $25 off the installed cost of a Honeywell or Aprilaire humidifier.
Offer good through January 31, 2010.

It's Everywhere...it doesn't need to be in your home

Experts all agree that radon is everywhere. Radon is a colorless, odorless, toxic gas that comes from the natural decay of Uranium and is found in most soils. Radon, in low concentrations, is harmless. In higher concentrations, Radon is known to cause health problems and is second, only to smoking, in causing lung cancer. In today’s well-insulated homes, Radon can accumulate to harmful levels. Radon enters your home through cracks or holes in your basement’s foundation and floor. Your first step to determining Radon levels in your home, is to test your home. Test kits are available, in short term and long term testing, from many hardware stores. It is an uncomplicated test and when completed, just follow the instructions on where to send the samples in to be tested. Your results will follow in a few days.

If it is determined there is a high level of Radon in your home, you need to consider Radon mitigation with a Fantech fan. Call Modern Heating and Plumbing with concerns or questions about Radon or to have us install a Fantech Radon mitigation fan, for your family’s protection.

“For Your Family’s Comfort,” call Modern Heating and Plumbing at 847-7459.

How Can Off-Peak Heating with ETS Save You Money?

  Watch this video to learn about benefits of off-peak heating...
                                Click here

Enjoy a Safe Bath

Bathing is more than just getting clean. Bathing offers the warmth and relaxation of water therapy.
It relaxes the mind, soothes muscles and offers relief to aching joints.
As we age, however, the bathtub becomes a place of danger and can be the cause of many accidents. While people are happiest if they can remain in their own homes as they age, bathing difficulties often become the reason they must leave.
“Safety Bath” walk-in bathtubs and conversion options provide the answer to this growing dilemma.
“Safety Bath” offers safe bathing for a wide range of ages and abilities. Since 1992 “Safety Bath” has been manufacturing walk-in bathtubs. With a reputation for excellence in quality, they offer a lifetime warranty on the door seal and a three or five year warranty on other tub components.
Stop in to Modern Heating and Plumbing, and we will help you choose the best bathtub for your individual needs.

Thanks so much for sending the plumbers so promptly! The boys did a great job!”  
 --M.K., Detroit Lakes