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Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning - AC Repair & Replacement St. Louis

Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning - AC Repair & Replacement St. Louis

Archives for March 2014

New Furnace St. Louis – Do I Need a New Furnace? :: Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heatinng LLC

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If your Furnace in need of replacement?

Here are some signs that you should never ignore:

Your furnace is over 10 years old: Furnaces that are more than 10 years old most likely should be replaced due to very low energy efficiency. St. Louis homeowners can save as much as 30% on utility bills with a more efficient HVAC system.

Frequent breakdowns: If your furnace has had to get repaired more than once a season, then it should probably be replaced.

Surging energy bills: As furnaces get older it loses efficiency, especially if it is not maintained properly. They consume more energy resulting in increasing energy bills. Rather than paying large power bills every month it is better to invest in a new furnace.

lower electric bill st louis

Noise: Has your furnace making strange noises lately? Has the blower has been running harder? Do you hear rattling, banging, or squealing sounds? It is time to have Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating LLC take a look at it.

Temperature differences: Are some rooms in your house warmer than others? This can be a sign that there is an issue with your system.

Inside air quality: Your furnace might be responsible for the poor air quality inside your house. Is your home dusty? Have you been getting allergies or static shocks? It all means you would need to get your furnace checked.

Health signs: Excessive carbon monoxide may cause several respiratory problems including headache, runny/stuffy nose, difficulty breathing, and other such symptoms. If you experience any of them, ask your HVAC Company to check if the furnace is the cause.

If you have been noticing any of the aforementioned signs in your heating system’s furnace, you should call Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating LLC at (314) 471-7625.

How to Keep the Load Off Your Air Conditioner :: Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating LLC

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If you are experiencing inefficient cooling, more noise, and higher power bills from your air conditioning system, it may be overworked.

air-conditioner-unitsYou may need to take some load off the air conditioner’s compressor. There are several simple things that you can do to give some respite to the compressor of your air conditioner.

Extending the Life of Your Air Conditioning System

By taking care of these things, you will not only relieve the compressor of stress and help it work better, but you will also be able to bring down the power bills and extend the life of your air conditioning system.

  • The foremost thing that you need to do is to maintain your equipment well. You will need to hire a St. Louis HVAC company to carry out preventive maintenance on your air conditioner. This will improve cooling, increase energy efficiency, and save the compressor from burn out.
  • You should also ensure that the external unit of the air conditioner is clean and that there is no debris stuck between the fans. In case it is dirty or clogged, the compressor will have to work harder to do its job of cooling your home.
  • Another important thing that you need to do to save the compressor from overworking is to clean and replace the air filters regularly. This will improve air circulation and keep the system working smoothly and efficiently.
  • During the day, keep the window curtains or blinds drawn so that no sunlight enters your room and creates unnecessary heat. Higher internal temperature would mean that the compressor will have to work harder.
  • If the ducts are leaking, you should call  your HVAC Company to seal the duct work. Leaky duct work leads to air loss, and the compressor has to bear extra stress.
  • Avoid using appliances such as dishwashers and ovens during the day as they create unnecessary heat.
  • Ensure proper insulation of all areas including doors and windows, so that cool air does not escape outside and warm air from outside does not enter the house.
  • A programmable thermostat can help take stress off the compressor during cooler times of the day and when no one is in the house.
  • Try giving some rest to your air conditioning and use ceiling fans when it is not too hot outside.

As we discussed earlier, the single most important thing that you can do to help your air conditioner is to conduct periodic maintenance. Contact Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating LLC at (314) 471-7625. We will ensure that the air conditioning system is working at its peak capacity without eating up on too much power. During maintenance, we will be able to detect if the compressor is getting overworked and will suggest ways to overcome the stress. Preventive maintenance combined with your own efforts can go a long way in helping you get the best out of your air conditioning system.

Photo credit: en.wikipedia.org

Benefits of a Humidifier in an HVAC System

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HVAC experts recommend whole-house humidifiers to best improve the internal air quality.

family-roomA humidifier is an appliance that adds moisture to the air in the form of water vapors. There are various types of humidifiers available in the market. From stand alone humidifiers for a single room to whole-house humidifiers you have enough choice to meet your needs.   A whole-house humidifier is attached to the home’s HVAC system. It connects directly with the water supply of the house and produces steam humidification. This steam travels through the duct work of the HVAC system and humidifies air in the entire house.

Assessing the Need for a Whole-House Humidifier

Most modern HVAC systems come equipped with a humidifier. If you do not have one in your HVAC system, you should call on a HVAC company to have it installed, because no matter how sophisticated your HVAC system is, it would never be able to provide you with perfect air quality unless it has a humidifier installed with it.  If you are feeling cold in spite of your heating system working at its full capacity, or if you suffer from an irritated nose quite often, then there are chances that the air inside your house is too dry, and you need a humidifier.

Dry air can cause many problems. It cannot only damage your health and comfort, but also play havoc with your furniture, flooring, wall paint, and other property. Here are some benefits that you can achieve by installing a humidifier in your HVAC system:

Health Benefits

Dry air causes discomfort and several respiratory problems. You may find it hard to breathe in dry winter air and the nose tends to remain dry and irritated. Patients of asthma become particularly troubled in dry air. Not only this, dry air also causes skin irritation, skin dryness, and chapped lips. Dry air also makes the membranes thinner causing nose bleeds. A humidifier can help improve the air quality and relieve all the discomfort and prevent health problems caused by dry air.

Energy Savings

Dry air makes you feel colder, but on the other hand,  moist air makes you feel warmer even at the same temperature. The humidifier increases the moisture in the air and so you feel less cold. So, if you feel cold even when the heating system is on, it means you need a humidifier in your HVAC system. This helps take some load off the heating system, and saves energy. This translates into lower power bills.

Other Benefits

Dry air not only poses health threats, but also causes the flooring and furniture to crack and become brittle. It may also cause the furniture finish and paint to peel. A humidifier can make the air moist and prolong the life of your property.   If you plan to get a humidifier installed in your HVAC system, or you need to carry out routine maintenance on your humidifier and HVAC system, you can get in touch with Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating LLC at (314) 471-7625.

Photo credit: Debbie Kirkland Realtor via Flickr