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Natural Gas vs. Propane Furnace: What Minnesota Homeowners Should Know
Natural Gas vs. Propane Furnace: What Minnesota Homeowners Should Know Most Minnesota homes in the Twin Cities metro use natural gas for heating. But if you live in a rural area without gas service, propane is your primary fuel option. Understanding the differences helps you make smarter buying decisions. The Key Differences Fuel Delivery and Cost Natural gas arrives via pipeline from your utility. Propane is delivered by truck to a tank on your property. Natural gas in Minnesota averages $1.00-$1.30 per therm (100,000 BTU). Propane averages $2.00-$3.50 per gallon... Read more...
Minnesota Furnace Permit Requirements: What Homeowners Need to Know
Minnesota Furnace Permit Requirements: What Homeowners Need to Know Replacing a furnace in Minnesota typically requires a mechanical permit. Permit requirements vary by city and county, and skipping the permit can create problems when selling your home, filing insurance claims, or dealing with warranty issues. This guide covers what Minnesota homeowners need to know about furnace permits, inspections, and compliance. Do You Need a Permit? In most Minnesota cities and counties, yes — replacing a furnace requires a mechanical permit. The Minnesota State Building Code applies statewide, and most municipalities... Read more...
Furnace and AC Combo: How to Buy a Matched System in 2026
Furnace and AC Combo: How to Buy a Matched System in 2026 If you need both a furnace and air conditioner — whether replacing aging equipment or outfitting a new home — buying them as a matched system saves money and delivers better performance than purchasing separately. This guide explains why matching matters, what to look for, and how to get the best deal on a furnace-AC combo for your Minnesota home. Why Matching Matters Your furnace and air conditioner are not independent systems. They share the same blower motor,... Read more...
Goodman GMVM97 Review: Is the Modulating Furnace Worth It?
Goodman GMVM97 Review: Is the Modulating Furnace Worth It? The Goodman GMVM97 is the top of Goodman's residential furnace lineup — a modulating gas furnace with up to 97% AFUE and a variable-speed ECM blower. It represents the pinnacle of gas furnace technology available at a non-premium price. But is the upgrade from a two-stage furnace worth the additional cost? This review digs into the real-world performance, features, and value proposition for Minnesota homeowners. What Makes the GMVM97 Different Unlike single-stage furnaces (100% on or off) or two-stage furnaces (low... Read more...
ECM vs. PSC Blower Motor: Which Is Better for Your Furnace?
ECM vs. PSC Blower Motor: Which Is Better for Your Furnace? The blower motor is the workhorse of your furnace — it pushes heated air through your ductwork and into every room of your home. There are two types of blower motors in residential furnaces: PSC (Permanent Split Capacitor) and ECM (Electronically Commutated Motor). The difference between them affects your comfort, energy bills, and noise levels. Here is what Minnesota homeowners need to know. How PSC Motors Work PSC motors are the traditional technology used in furnaces for decades. They... Read more...
How to Winterize Your Home in Minnesota: The Complete HVAC Checklist
How to Winterize Your Home in Minnesota: The Complete HVAC Checklist Minnesota winters are no joke. Temperatures routinely hit negative 10 to negative 30 degrees, wind chills can make it feel like negative 50, and your heating system runs nearly nonstop for five to six months. Proper winterization protects your home, reduces energy bills, and prevents the kind of emergency breakdowns that always seem to happen on the coldest night of the year. Here is the complete HVAC-focused winterization checklist for Minnesota homeowners. Furnace Preparation Schedule a Professional Tune-Up September... Read more...
Goodman vs. Coleman Furnace: An Honest 2026 Comparison
Goodman vs. Coleman Furnace: An Honest 2026 Comparison Coleman and Goodman are both value-oriented furnace brands that deliver solid performance without premium pricing. Coleman is manufactured by Johnson Controls (formerly York International), while Goodman is backed by Daikin. Both have been heating American homes for decades. Here is how they compare for Minnesota homeowners in 2026. Company Background Coleman HVAC is part of the Johnson Controls family, which also produces York, Luxaire, and Champion branded equipment. Coleman furnaces are manufactured in Wichita, Kansas. The Coleman brand has deep roots in... Read more...
Furnace Rollout Switch Tripped: What It Means and How to Fix It
Furnace Rollout Switch Tripped: What It Means and How to Fix It A tripped rollout switch is one of the most serious furnace safety events. Unlike a dirty filter or a frozen exhaust vent, a rollout switch trips when flames are escaping the burner compartment — a condition that poses fire and carbon monoxide risks. If your furnace has shut down with a rollout switch trip, take it seriously. Here is what you need to know. What Is a Flame Rollout Switch? The flame rollout switch is a temperature-sensitive safety... Read more...
Goodman vs. Payne Furnace: An Honest 2026 Comparison
Goodman vs. Payne Furnace: An Honest 2026 Comparison Goodman and Payne occupy similar territory in the furnace market — both are value-oriented brands backed by massive parent companies. Goodman is owned by Daikin (world's largest HVAC manufacturer), while Payne is owned by Carrier Global Corporation. For Minnesota homeowners who want reliable heating without premium pricing, these two brands deserve a close look. Who Makes What Goodman furnaces are manufactured in Houston, Texas alongside Amana and Daikin-branded units. All three brands share the same factory, engineering team, and quality control processes.... Read more...
Furnace Pressure Switch Problems: Diagnosis and Fix Guide
Furnace Pressure Switch Problems: Diagnosis and Fix Guide The pressure switch is a small, inexpensive safety device that causes a disproportionate number of furnace headaches. When it fails or cannot close properly, your furnace will not fire — period. Understanding how it works and what causes problems helps you troubleshoot effectively and avoid paying for unnecessary repairs. What the Pressure Switch Does The pressure switch is a normally-open switch that closes when it detects negative pressure (vacuum) created by the inducer motor. Its job is simple but critical: verify that... Read more...
Zoned HVAC Systems: Are They Worth It for Minnesota Homes?
Zoned HVAC Systems: Are They Worth It for Minnesota Homes? If your upstairs is always too hot in summer and too cold in winter while the basement stays comfortable, you have a temperature distribution problem. Zoned HVAC systems attempt to solve this by dividing your home into independent temperature zones, each controlled by its own thermostat. But are they worth the investment? This guide breaks down how zoning works, what it costs, and whether it makes sense for Minnesota homes. How HVAC Zoning Works A zoned system uses motorized dampers... Read more...
Annual Furnace Maintenance Checklist: The Complete DIY Guide
Annual Furnace Maintenance Checklist: The Complete DIY Guide Your furnace is the most important appliance in your Minnesota home. It runs thousands of hours per year keeping your family warm through six months of cold weather. Like any mechanical system, it needs regular maintenance to run efficiently and reliably. This DIY checklist covers everything you can do yourself to keep your furnace in top shape — plus what to leave to the professionals. When to Do Furnace Maintenance The best time for annual furnace maintenance is early fall — September... Read more...