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

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

Archives for October 2014

5 Considerations Before Purchasing a New Furnace

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Before you purchase a new HVAC system, give careful thought to these five items.

Cooling and HeatingWhether you just got the bad news that your home’s furnace is beyond repair, or it is just time for an upgrade, investing in a new home heating system is a massive and expensive undertaking. Make sure that you have a reliable St. Louis HVAC company to help you, and before making any decisions, take the following under consideration.

The Size of Your Home

Knowing the dimensions of your home is critical in choosing your new furnace. This includes the length and width of each room as well as the height of the ceiling. Do not take it for granted that you can install a new furnace that is the same size as your old one. Additions and changes to your home will make a difference in the type of furnace you need. Also, as your HVAC techician will tell you, going bigger is not better in this case. A furnace that is too big for your home will cause you to waste energy in order to keep it running.

The Size of the Furnace Space

Your new furnace should be able to fit perfectly in the space that the old one occupied. Have your local St. Louis HVAC company work with you to make sure that not only is it sized right, but that the fittings are in the right places to make installation as easy as possible.

Efficiency Rating

STAR ratings are invaluable in helping you choose appliances that offer you the best energy efficiency. This is vital with a home heating system, which is typically responsible for almost half of your monthly utility costs. Purchasing a new home heating system is a huge expense; make it a worthwhile one by choosing a furnace that is going to help you save money each month.

Price

A new furnace is one of the biggest single expenditures a home owner can make. Ask your local HVAC company for suggestions on where to shop and any special discounts that they may have access to. If you are making a considerable difference in the overall efficiency of your home, the purchase may also count towards a tax credit for your income tax return.

Installation

Winter is almost here already, and you don’t want to be stuck for even one day with no heat once it does. Talk with the HVAC company about the installation process, its cost, and length of time. Try and work it out to have it done when no one is home in order for there to be little inconvenience to your family.

This is a good time to talk with the HVAC technician about zoning systems, digital thermostats, and whole house dehumidifiers. These are all options that can be added to your heating system that will not only create a more comfortable environment but also can make the home heating system more efficient. You are about to commit to a major improvement to your home. Call Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating LLC at (314) 471-7625. We can help you make the best decision for your home and have your new heating system up and running for you before the first frost.

HVAC Tips to Reduce Your Utility Costs

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Home owners are concerned with making their homes energy efficient while saving money at the same time.

energy efficiency hvac

The focus of home improvement projects used to be focused solely on beautifying the home. In today’s energy aware world, home owners are more concerned with making their houses more energy efficient. There are a number of home improvement projects that your St. Louis HVAC company can help you with that may have a drastic effect on your utility bill.

Upgrading the HVAC System

Start your energy efficient home improvement projects with your HVAC system. The HVAC system accounts for up to 50% of your homes’ total energy consumption. You can upgrade the HVAC system to a newer, more efficient furnace and central air conditioning unit. You may also reduce your utility bill by up to 25% by adding a digital thermostat and zoning system to your existing HVAC system.

Digital Thermostats and Zoning Systems

A digital thermostat saves you money by allowing you to control when the HVAC system operates and at what temperature. Even when no one is home, the digital thermostat can be programmed to turn on at a preset time and have the house comfortable before the first family member returns. HVAC zoning works by directing cooled or heated air to the rooms where you want it. This involves the installation of motorized dampers inside of the existing duct work of your HVAC system. These are controlled by your digital thermostat which can be programmed to direct the conditioned air into the living areas of your home during the day and into the bedrooms at night. You can also restrict the flow of air to areas of your home that are unused like spare bedrooms and basements. You spend less money on energy consumption since your HVAC system is expending less.

Additional HVAC Tips

  • Change the filters regularly. Dirty air filters in your HVAC system make it work harder, costing you more money to have it running.
  • Seal the duct work running through your home. The EPA estimates that a house loses up to 20% of its conditioned air through the duct work. Ask your HVAC representative how to prevent this by having the duct work professionally sealed.
  • Seal all drafts in your house. These are found around windows, doors, pipes, and outlets. With a few tubes of silicone you can reduce the amount of outside air entering your home and the amount of your conditioned air that is escaping. To test for drafts, light a candle and hold it up to those known trouble spots.
  • Pile on the insulation inside the walls, in your attic, crawl space, and in your basement. Heavy layers of insulation will help your HVAC system run more efficiently.
  • Have your HVAC system checked and maintained regularly by an expert HVAC company. By cleaning the unit and replacing worn or broken parts, you not only save on energy, you prolong the life of your HVAC system.
For all your St. Louis HVAC maintenance and repairs, call Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating LLC at (314) 471-7625.

7 Things You Should Do Now to Prepare Your Home for Winter

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Follow these simple steps to prepare your home for the cold months ahead.

St. Louis heating company

Last year’s winter season took its toll on Missouri homeowners who had not properly prepared for the onset of cold weather and large amounts of snow. Do not be caught unprepared this year; follow these simple steps to make sure that your home and the HVAC system are ready for the cold months ahead.

Cold Weather Checklist

  1. Have fully-stocked emergency kits inside all of your cars. This way, no matter where you are, when snow or freezing temperatures hit you will be ready. The emergency kits should be equipped with flashlights, batteries, blankets, and drinking water.
  2. Check your home for leaks. You are putting your home HVAC system under extra strain if cold air is able to pass into your house. Around the doors and windows is one of the most obvious areas, but pipes and outlets are also leak culprits. Keep your home cozy by sealing those leaks before winter begins. The dryer vent is also a potential hot spot for drafts. Check your clothes dryer vent and make sure that the flap is still shutting tight but also opens easily.
  3. Have your gutters checked and cleaned. Snow and ice are hard on the gutters, so make sure they are clear of any debris to allow water to flow down and away from your home.
  4. Change the rotation of your ceiling fans so that they are moving in a clockwise direction. This will help you to disperse heat evenly throughout the room during the winter.
  5. Your home HVAC system is of the utmost importance. Call your St. Louis HVAC company for winter maintenance. They will change the filters, check your ductwork, and make sure that all of the components are working properly.
  6. Inspect the hot water heater and tank. Like your home HVAC system, you will want this to be running optimally in the winter months.
  7. If you use a fireplace in the winter, make sure the chimney has been cleaned and the damper is working properly. The fireplace should be used sparingly as opening the flue will actually suck the heated air in your home outside.

Things to Purchase Now

You do not want to get stuck having to drive after a major snowstorm or waste time standing in long lines along with other St. Louis residents who did not prepare ahead of time. Now is a good time to stock up on some essentials:

  • Snow shovel and salt: You should have one snow shovel for every person in your home capable of using one. These are not just handy for clearing your driveway, but will also be useful if snowdrifts are pushing up against your house. The salt can be used to keep the driveway and walkways free of ice.
  • Extra blankets: The nice thing about winter is that you can better control the cost of keeping your home comfortable by using extra blankets. Use them in the bedrooms at nighttime, but also on the couch and favorite chairs when your family is watching T.V.
  • Drinking water and canned goods: Having food and water handy will buy you a day or two before you absolutely must go outside after a snowstorm.
  • Heating system filters: Your HVAC technician may have changed the air filters when you had your home HVAC system check-up, but it is always good to have an extra one handy in case the one you are using becomes clogged before spring.

St. Louis Heating and Cooling

By following these tips, you will be able to enjoy a comfortable home environment no matter what the weather is like outside. Remember, the most important step is to keep the HVAC system maintained. Call Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating LLC at (314) 471-7625 for all your HVAC maintenance and repairs.

Five Myths About Energy Efficiency At Home

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Are you looking for ways to increase energy efficiency in your home?

energy efficiency st lous hvac

To increase energy efficiency in your home and save money, it may be necessary to conduct a home energy audit. An audit will allow you to check the areas or items inside your home that may require modifications to make it more energy efficient. You may also consider purchasing energy efficient products to replace outdated ones. Solar panels, solar exterior lighting, solar water heaters, and wind turbines have begun to emerge in the housing market. However, it is necessary to be aware of some myths about energy efficiency in homes.

Myth # 1

Compact florescent lights are hazardous due to the presence of mercury. Although CFL bulbs contain some amount of mercury, they provide environmental benefits in comparison to incandescent bulbs. CFL bulbs use less energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions from power-generating companies. Trimming the demand for these facilities through the use of CFL bulbs decreases mercury levels in the atmosphere.

Myth # 2

Resetting the thermostat higher or lower increases the use of energy. Although the HVAC system runs until it reaches an appropriate temperature, it may not be using as much energy when the system is set at a lower or higher temperature when the homeowner is not in the house or is sleeping.

Myth # 3

Closing the vents in other rooms reduces energy use. Although this belief may appear to be true, it is actually a myth. Shutting the vents does not direct air into used spaces inside the house. It only obstructs air flow and reduces the efficiency of the HVAC system. In fact, the HVAC system may have to work harder if the vents are closed. An HVAC system is meant to ensure a balance in air flow. Any disruptions in the air flow may result in limitations in the air that goes into a room even if the vents are opened. Closing the vents will allow heat sources to get into the house and make it difficult to keep the house cool.

Myth # 4

Turning electronics off reduces electricity use. A number of energy efficient appliances feature a standby mode that allows them to be turned back on quickly whenever they are going to be used. To completely prevent energy from being used, homeowners should unplug their home appliances when they will be gone on a long vacation.

Myth # 5

Replace 90-day filters after three months. Whenever filters are dirty, it is necessary to replace them, even if they have been used for only twenty days. Filthy filters have a negative effect on HVAC systems, so it is necessary to change them whenever necessary. They are reasonably-priced and replacing them as needed may save you expensive repairs in the future.

St. Louis Heating and Air Conditioning

Continue to look for ways to save energy and maintain your HVAC system. Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating LLC offers full service residential HVAC maintenance in St. Louis with over 30 years of experience. Call us today at (314) 471-7625 for HVAC maintenance services.