fbpx

Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning - Furnace & HVAC Repair St. Louis

Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning - Furnace & HVAC Repair St. Louis

Archives for January 2014

Upgrading an HVAC System in a Commercial Building

by Leave a Comment

Most building owners do not consider upgrading the HVAC system until the realization that the existing one is no longer efficient enough to handle the needs of the structure.

commercial-buildingsThe one in place will then be assessed to see what, if anything, is salvageable and what replacements will give the owner the most benefits. An analysis of the HVAC system already in place should help determine what the current needs are and where the focus should be. It may be that since the installation of the original unit, rooms have been added to the building or areas that were once intended for showroom space are now being used strictly for storage. A local HVAC company will be able to do a thorough assessment of the current needs and guide a building owner towards making the right heating and cooling system decisions.

The Need to Save on Energy Costs

It is usually an effort to save on energy costs that prompts a business owner to consider an HVAC upgrade. A comparison can be done with similar buildings in the area to see what type of system is showing the best results. It may be that a complete upgrade is unwarranted, and only one or two components need to be changed in order to reach full efficiency. For example, in a building that utilizes a centrifugal chiller, technology has improved on them dramatically over the last 20 years. By upgrading this one element a building owner will see a 30 to 40 percent difference in their energy consumption.

If the building owner does decide to go ahead with a complete system replacement then a look at the current codes will be necessary. A local HVAC technician will be aware of all that pertain to the building and will be available to make sure that new installation stays within compliance.

Making a Purchasing Decision

The HVAC technician should also be on hand to guide the owner when making purchasing decisions. They have the experience to know which type and brand of furnace and air conditioners is best suited for the demands of the structure.

The biggest advantage to upgrading a building’s current HVAC system is the ability to customize it to fit the current needs and demands. One way to do this is with the installation of multiple digital thermostats in one controlled area. By centralizing the controls for the HVAC system a business owner can eliminate employee tampering, a common problem that adversely affects the efficiency of the system. Plus, multiple thermostats allow for areas that are not in use frequently to be managed separately from the more common areas used in the building.

A Crucial Business Decision

This type of project is a major business decision that requires a large monetary investment. It should not be taken lightly, nor should it be handled by anyone other than an HVAC company that has a significant amount of experience with these types of projects. When you consider that most components of an HVAC system are built to last for decades you want to ensure that yours is installed to give you the most benefits for many years.

Call Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating LLC at (314) 471-7625.

Photo credit:  Garrett Wilcock

Simple Tips to Help Improve Your Indoor Air Quality During the Winter

by Leave a Comment

During the winter, cold dry air can wreak havoc on the health of your family.  Keep reading to learn how to stay healthy and comfortable this winter.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERADuring the winter, cold dry air can wreak havoc on the health of your family. Poor air quality will help spread viruses and asthma sufferers will notice a worsening of their symptoms. There are a few easy things that you as a homeowner can do to improve the quality of air in the house and offer relief for most of those symptoms.

Upgrading the Filter

First, consider upgrading the filter you use. While a one inch variety is fantastic at catching large particles before reaching the home, smaller particles will still pass through it. These small particles can irritate a person’s nose and airways. Ask your HVAC technician to switch you over to a more efficient three inch filter.

While the technician is at your house talking about filters, have him make sure that the furnace fan is in the on position, not auto. Having it run continuously will keep the air circulating throughout the home and through the filters. Keeping the fan in the on position does not affect your furnace’s efficiency.

Install a Whole House Humidifier

Have a whole house humidifier installed onto your furnace. Adding moisture to dry cold air will give you an immediate relief from indoor air pollution. Whole house humidifiers function much more efficiently than their mobile counterparts. They will not only increase the comfort level in your home, they help keep energy costs down by reducing your heat output needs. Air that has passed through a humidifier feels warmer allowing you to turn the thermostat down. An added bonus is when connected to your digital thermostat you can control the amount of humidity in the air and find a level that is perfect for the entire family.

Maintain the Furnace

Regular maintenance checks on your homes HVAC system will also improve the indoor air quality. A technician not only checks on the condition of the filters and moving parts, he will also check for cracks that may be allowing contaminated air into your home. Carbon monoxide is a by-product produced by your furnace. It there is a break in the system, this deadly and odorless gas can infiltrate the air in the house and cause dangerous illness or even death to you and your family.

Indoor air pollution has become a hot topic as more and more Americans seal off their homes in an effort to control energy usage. In doing so they are sacrificing the indoor air quality by not allowing any fresh outdoor air into the home. In many places the quality of air inside is worse than the outside. Since Americans spend up to 90% of their time indoors, it is important to implement ways of improving the air quality.

Sharing your concerns with a reputable HVAC company may be beneficial for you in that they can offer up different ways in which you can protect your families health. There are other appliances on the market, such as energy recovery ventilators, that may be better suited for your homes needs.  Call Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating LLC at (314) 471-7625 today for a free consultation.

Photo credit:  swanksalot

St. Louis Smart Thermostat & Wifi Thermostat :: Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating LLC

by 7 Comments

Digital Thermostats can save you money!

The advanced technology allows homeowners to save money by controlling the temperature inside the house, even when no one is home. If you have not yet installed one, call Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating LLC to show you how they make your home more energy efficient. If you are already enjoying the benefits of a digital thermostat than there are a few common issues that you should be aware of.

smart thermostat

When the Thermostat Loses Power

If the power suddenly shuts off, check the source. Even though all digital thermostats can be hardwired into the homes electrical system, yours may be running on a battery. A quick change of the battery will get it running again. If it is wired to your house than check the fuse box for any blown fuses. If that still does not solve the problem, the issue may be more complex and you should give Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating LLC a call!

Programming a Digital Thermostat

If it suddenly stops working the way you had it programmed, check the program settings. It is possible that someone else in your family inadvertently changed the programming while attempting to only change the temperature. Many newer models allow you to have different programs for weekdays and weekends. These are very beneficial in helping you keep your home energy efficient.

Some of the older digital thermostats were not user friendly. Being introduced to a generation of people used to turning a dial caused much confusion and frustration. New technology has been introduced that make setting up the programs much more user friendly. Call Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating LLC to discuss upgrading your thermostat to a newer model.

If you ever experience any difficulty with your digital thermostat, Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating LLC will be happy to come out to your home and assist you with the troubleshooting. The thermostat is a key component in keeping your home comfortable and energy efficient.

Call Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating LLC at (314) 471-7625.

 

Is an HVAC Service Contract Right for Your Home?

by Leave a Comment

Every homeowner should maintain a contract with a reliable HVAC company.  You then have a guarantee for services to the homes system and components for a set fee.

suburban homeWhile some may try and say it is a waste of money, they have most likely never woken up in the middle of a cold January night to no heat.  A service contract is an agreement between the HVAC company and a homeowner. For a set fee there is a guarantee for services to the homes system and components. This includes maintenance checks and tune-ups.

Never Forget a Maintenance Check

The headache of having to remember to schedule maintenance checks will most likely be handled by the office staff of the HVAC company. They will keep careful record of all calls out to your house, repairs made, and parts replaced. A certified technician need only to look at your records to see how long it has been since a certain critical part of the appliance has been replaced.

Identifying Potential Problems

With the annual maintenance checks offered with your service contract, the technician will be able to spot and quickly change out dirty filters and remedy any other problems that may be affecting the efficiency of your heating and cooling units. The money saved by keeping the system efficient will quickly offset the cost of the contract. Plus, with a certified technician looking over the system every few months, potential problems will be identified and repaired before they cause more costly damage or require a replacement.

Receiving Special Discounts

In the event that a part needs to be replaced, a contract holder will receive a special discount not available to every customer.
As a service contract holder, you will be given priority over other customers. If you call because your central air conditioning unit has suddenly started to make an odd noise, your call will be put in front of all other scheduled appointments.

One of the biggest benefits to holding an HVAC contract is avoiding having to replace your central air conditioning unit or furnace. Frequent checks will greatly extend the life of your system.

Maintaining Newer Equipment

If you have invested in newer, more efficient ways to control the climate inside your home, such as a geothermal heat pump, you will want the peace of mind that a technician who is skilled at handling this new technology is only a phone call away. While the idea of a manufacturer warranty may deter you from considering a HVAC service agreement, bear in mind that not properly maintaining these units will often void these. If for some reason the new unit is defective or breaks down unexpectedly, you will have positive proof that you responsibly saw to its maintenance with professional help and the warranty should be honored.

Your homes HVAC system plays a critical role in keeping your family comfortable. There are many different parts and components to it that you may not even be aware of. Knowing that a skilled and certified technician is only a phone call away in case of an emergency should be incentive enough to invest in a service contract.

Call Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating LLC at (314) 471-7625.

Photo credit:  gurdunark

HVAC Maintenance & Air Conditioner Maintenance St. Louis :: Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating LLC

by 23 Comments

An unchecked heating and cooling system can cost you money in energy waste and expensive repairs that could have been prevented.

These are some of the most important steps that our HVAC technician takes to keep your air conditioner & furnace running optimally.

Replace Air Filters

Air filters are the most obvious items on the check list. Dirty or damaged filters constrict the flow of air entering your home. By having them checked and replaced as needed you are ensuring that your family is kept comfortable as well as safe from some air pollutants. It is a good idea to keep a note near to the filter and date whenever they need to be replaced. Filters that do not last for a certain amount of time may be an indicator of a bigger problem with your system.

air conditioner maintenance st louis

Replace Belts and Clean Coils

The belts inside the unit will succumb to wear and tear over time. It is much more convenient to have our HVAC technician replace them when he notices that they are beginning to break down during a maintenance check, then to wake up one January morning to a cold house due to its breakage. This is a simple and inexpensive replacement that could save you from a much larger problem down the road.  Cleaning any accumulated buildup on the coils will also be done during the maintenance check. In order for your heating and cooling systems to work with optimal efficiency, these coils need to be devoid of any clutter or debris.

Calibrate the System

The HVAC technician will calibrate your system. They will want to check that the output matches the temperature settings. If a discrepancy is noted, they will perform further checks to identify and remedy the cause of the problem. This will include an assessment of the electrical wiring. All of the connections should be tight and the technician should read the voltage to make sure that the output is sufficient for the unit. All the thermostats inside your house will also be checked at this point to see if they are reading the room temperature accurately. This is a good time to ask any questions you may have about using the settings to cut down on energy use.

Inspect the Duct Work

A quick assessment of your duct work will also be performed. In most homes, the majority of duct work is hidden from view. Expect your HVAC expert to ask you some questions about the comfort levels in your house. He will specifically be curious about any hot or cold spots or rooms that consistently do not match the temperature of the rest of the house.

When it comes to your homes heating and cooling system, you want to rely on experts to keep it working properly. Contact Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating LLC at (314) 471-7625 to keep your system trouble free year round.