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

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

Archives for June 2018

The Differences Between a Residential and Commercial HVAC System

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If you are building a new structure, you might be wondering if you should install a residential HVAC system or a commercial system.

Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning

If you are considering whether or not you need a residential or a commercial HVAC system, you might be wondering what the differences are between a residential and commercial system. Besides the size of the space that you need to heat or cool, are there other things that are different about the two?

Whether you are building a home office, an office building or simply looking for the appropriate HVAC system for your home, it is important to know what the differences are between system grades. Keep reading to find out a few ways commercial and residential systems differ.

Location of the Unit

Commercial systems tend to be out of the way and are, typically, located on the roof of a building. Residential systems are usually located on the outside of the building somewhere close by. Part of the reason for this is that commercial units tend to be bigger and louder, so having them on the ground is not ideal for a business or space.

A commercial building usually has more space on the roof, which provides a good place to house the louder and more cumbersome unit. That is usually not an option on an angular residential roof.

Split Versus Packaged Systems

Residential HVAC systems are usually split both internally and externally. They have the blower, the condenser and the evaporator scattered instead of in one place. Commercial units are usually in one place with a complete package housed in a cabinet. The only thing that is located on the interior of a commercial unit is the ductwork that supplies the air to the interior of the building.

Complexity

Commercial HVAC systems tend to be on the more complex side when compared to residential systems. Residential units have only one pan drain that goes to the outside, and the windows are used for exhaust. Commercial HVAC systems have many different drainage systems, so they often require more maintenance and attention. Although working in the same way, residential systems can surprisingly work better on their own.

St. Louis HVAC Installation

If you are building a structure that might be big enough for a commercial unit, but is still residential, or vice versa, then you might be wondering if you should install a residential HVAC system or a commercial system. The right choice depends on how much you want to spend, the complexity of the system that you want to deal with and the logistics of where the system can be housed.

Working with professionals is crucial in ensuring the best HVAC system for the home is selected, whether you are searching for an HVAC installation service or an existing system needs to be upgraded. Call Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating LLC at (314) 471-7625 for more information. We can help you choose the best heating and cooling system and will provide proper maintenance for the system to ensure it works properly throughout the year.

Unpleasant Smell Coming from Your AC – How to Find the Source

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If you are hoping that the bad smell will just go away on its own, the chances of that are not good.

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When you turn your heat on in the winter, you probably noticed a smell that came through your air ducts. It isn’t always that unusual for it to do the same when you turn on your AC system. But if you have consistent and ongoing stinky air coming through your system, then that can signal a problem and one that needs to be addressed – not just for the health of your air-conditioning unit, but for your family as well.

If you are noticing that the air coming through the vents is a bit musty or generally “stinky,” many things can be causing the smell. Here are some possible reasons.

You Need to Have Your Ducts Cleaned

Over time, dust and debris can build up in your vents and cause mold growth. If it has been a while since you have had your ductwork cleaned, then it is important that you do so. It isn’t just a matter of smell.

The types of things that can get into your ductwork will not only irritate those with allergies, they can cause unhealthy conditions due to mold spores and other toxins that are continually circulated through your house.

The best part is that if you have your ductwork professionally cleaned, then you will increase the efficiency of your air conditioner and expand its longevity over the long term.

Check that an Animal Hasn’t Gotten Trapped

It is possible for rodents to make their way into your home through many cracks and crevices. One of those possible entries is through the ductwork. If an animal has gotten caught in your ductwork, then it will begin to decay and smell awful. It’s not just about animal pests, either – even insects can make nests and die in the vent system. If you can’t locate the source of the smell, then it is a good idea to have an HVAC professional to take a look.

There Might Be Clogs or Leaks in the System

If the ductwork has a crack or clog in it, then air isn’t going straight from the air conditioner to your home – it is actually leaking elsewhere. If you notice a musty smell, you might have a crack in the ductwork that is not only leaking cold air, but it might be pulling from other smelly parts of your basement where the ductwork runs. It is a really good idea to have an HVAC professional take a look to make sure that things are running where you want them to.

Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating

If you have an unpleasant smell coming into your home from your air-conditioning unit, don’t discount it. If you are hoping that it will just go away on its own, the chances of that are not good. To make sure that you eliminate the smell and get back to breathing fresh air, call an HVAC professional to get things back on track and to get your home smelling good again.

St. Louis HVAC

Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating LLC is one of the few heating and air conditioning companies in St. Louis that has a master technician and mechanical engineer as an owner. This fact, combined with our more than 30 years of experience gives us an advantage over our competition. We will service all types and repair all brands of heaters and furnaces. If you need a new system, trust us to help you determine which one will best fit your needs.

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Stop Pests from Ruining Your Cool Air this Summer

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Prevention is the best method to keep your air-conditioning unit safe from rodents and pests.

Rodents and wild animals can be your air conditioner’s worst nightmare – and in turn, yours too. Outdoor animals can wreak havoc on your outdoor unit and end up costing you a lot of money if you don’t prevent them from being able to get in and do damage. If you want to make sure that your air-conditioning unit is running in top shape once the weather starts heating up, it is important to make sure that you keep your outdoor air-conditioning unit pest-free.

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These small and simple things you can do will ensure that you aren’t leaving your system vulnerable.

Don’t Leave Food Outside for Animals

Nothing will attract animals more than putting food outside for them. Even if you aren’t intentionally leaving them food, if you have trash cans or other waste materials close to your air-conditioning unit, that is like an open invitation for pests to make their way in.

Keep Your Outdoor Area Clear

If you allow grass to grow up around the unit or don’t check for branches or bushes getting into your outdoor air-conditioning unit, then you can have a real problem on your hands. Make sure to maintain the yard around your air-conditioning unit. If you let yard waste pile up, then you might be creating the perfect breeding grounds for both pests and animals to make a nest and snuggle up next to your unit – and cause damage.

Prevention Tips

Prevention is the best method to keep your air-conditioning unit safe from rodents and pests. Put out traps or repellents around your system to keep any pests from finding their way in. Try to use environmentally-friendly products since you are using them so close to your home.

Check for Any Ways that They Can Make Their Way In

One of the biggest ways that a rodent or pest can hurt your HVAC system is if they can make their way into the air ducts. Before the summer closes in, it is a good idea to call a professional HVAC technician so they can check for any vulnerabilities that you might have that will create an opening for pests to come in. Nothing can be more destructive to your ductwork system than if a pest makes it a home.

If you want to ensure to keep your outdoor unit safe from pests and rodents this summer and beyond, it is important not to forget about the outdoor unit. Although it’s typically run from the inside, you still need to maintain the area around the unit outside to keep everything running well.

St. Louis AC Repair

Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating LLC is a full service residential heating and air conditioning company in St. Louis. With over 30 years of experience, and with a master technician and mechanical engineer as our owner, we can replace, repair, and provide maintenance for your home’s HVAC system. Call us today to schedule a free estimate at (314) 471-7625.

10 Facts About Energy Costs

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On average, around 90% of U.S. homeowners pay higher energy prices every year.

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Your heating and cooling system seems pretty straightforward. If you want it cold, you turn the thermostat down. If you want it warm, you turn it up. But the truth is that what you do with your heating and air conditioning unit can affect how long it lasts, how much you pay in energy costs, and the carbon footprint you leave on this earth.

Here are ten facts you should know about your HVAC system:

  1. On average, around 90% of U.S. homeowners pay higher energy prices every year. This means that energy prices are continuously on the rise across the board.
  2. According the U.S. Department of Energy, the average homeowner pays somewhere around $2200 a year on utilities. About half of that cost is reported to be heating and cooling expenses. In colder areas, it is even more substantial.
  3. If you are a homeowner that uses propane gas to heat your home, then you probably spent around $3,000 on your heating last year, substantially more than other homeowners who have natural gas.
  4. If you are a homeowner that uses electric heat, you probably spent close to $1,000, and if you are using heating oil, then the cost was about $1,800.
  5. Statistics show that if you turn your thermostat up or down about ten degrees when you leave the house for work or while you are away for an extended period (more than sixteen consecutive hours), you can save as much as 14% on your heating and cooling bills.
  6. If you turn your water heater down by ten degrees, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can save as much as three to five percent on energy costs.
  7. If you make changes to your heating and cooling habits that save you $75 a month or more, you will be able to save over $900 annually. If you do that over the course of a lifetime, that is about $9000 a decade. Over twenty years, that equals over $18,000. So, yes those small changes can really add up!
  8. In the U.S., many regions had record low temperatures because of the polar vortex, which had the average American spending more on energy.
  9. If you choose to install a new boiler system, it will cost you upwards of $5,000.
  10. The typical furnace will last a homeowner about twenty years. The older your HVAC system is, the less efficiently it is working, which will shorten its lifespan.

Your HVAC system works tirelessly behind the scenes, so it is easy to ignore it. Now that you know how much paying attention to your HVAC’s efficiency can help to save you money, it might be time to throw a little tender loving care its way. You don’t have to do a whole lot to change your energy bills, and as any homeowner knows, every little bit counts.

At Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating LLC, we know that keeping your home cool and comfortable in the summer months is very important. Call to schedule a Free Estimate at (314) 471-7625.