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

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

Archives for November 2019

How to Fix Hot and Cold Spots in Your Home

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Checking for possible causes of hot and cold spots in your house may not be entirely possible without the right equipment and expertise.

st. louis man adjusting thermostat

Ideally, your HVAC system should be calibrated to provide a nice, constant temperature and airflow in every room in your home. Sure, when you live with other people, they might have different preferences for their room, which is why many systems come with programmable thermostats for separate areas of the house.

However, when your house has hot or cold spots that you can’t control, this becomes a problem that may require some investigation. Here are some possible causes of hot and cold spots in your house.

Airflow Issues

When one of your rooms is hotter than it should be while the others may get too much cold air from the air conditioning system, the problem is likely with the air ventilation network. The hot room is simply not receiving enough cold air, which in turn goes to other areas of the house. The result is an uncomfortable mix of hot and cold.

Here is what to investigate first:

Are Your Air Ducts Properly Sized?

If the air ducts are too narrow, then the airflow is restricted to certain areas and you’ll get hot spots. You might need to adjust the duct size in certain rooms, so that more or less air comes in, depending on the type of size discrepancy.

Is the Ductwork Damaged?

A leak could be the cause of your hot and cold spots. A damaged air duct can easily disturb the balance in your climate system. An HVAC professional is able to evaluate your ductwork and see if there is any problem with it.

Poor Insulation

If a faulty duct system didn’t cause the problems with the airflow, then poor insulation may be the reason behind the temperature fluctuations. Again, a professional would be able to test this with special equipment. Poorly insulated areas can be too hot or too cold at certain times of the year, or all the time.

Air Leaks

Even if your home’s insulation is ok, it might be compromised by air leaks that let the temperatures go up and down. Gaps and cracks in the house can let in cold or hot air from the outside, sabotaging your HVAC system. If airflow and insulation turn out to be ok, but you still have hot and cold spots, that would be the next step to investigate.

Checking for possible causes of hot and cold spots in your house may not be entirely possible without the right equipment and expertise. Speak with an experienced HVAC technician to look into the problem and avoid frustration and too much trial-and-error testing. They will be able to suggest the best options to solve your issue.

Give us a call 24/7 at (314) 471-7625!

Should I Replace My Air Conditioner and Furnace at the Same Time?

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Replacing your air conditioning unit and your furnace at the same time might be expensive, but it can save money in the long run.

If you are planning to replace your air conditioner, you may want to seriously consider replacing the furnace too, and plan accordingly, as there are plenty of practical reasons to do it.

Replacing Your Furnace at the Same Time as the Air Conditioning Unit

The main indicator you should use when deciding if you’ll replace the furnace or not is its age. The average lifespan of furnaces is often two times longer than the life of an air conditioning unit, so you might be tempted to postpone replacing the furnace if it’s not too old.

However, if you do replace your air conditioner, the best decision is to go with a furnace that contributes to the efficiency of the whole HVAC system.

What Exactly Does Each Component Do?

The furnace is what provides heat to your home. It communicates directly with the AC unit, which distributes the heated air through your home and cools it down during the hot season. It can work on gas, electricity or other types of fuel, but the distribution system is generally the same for all models, relying on the fan for airflow.

The air conditioner can be split or a packaged system. A split air conditioner has an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. The outdoor unit contains the compressor and the condenser coil, while the indoor unit ensures the airflow and it also distributes warm air from the furnace. In a packaged air conditioning system, there is no outdoor unit and all components are in the same place.

When to Replace Your Furnace and When to Keep It

In most cases, it’s a good idea to replace the furnace at the same time as the air conditioner.

The most common reasons are:

  • The new air conditioning unit has increased efficiency, with SEER over 16. If your furnace is old (15 years old or more), it won’t contribute to the efficiency of the HVAC system, making the AC unit an impractical expense.
  • The furnace is approaching the end of its lifespan and will need replacement soon.
  • In terms of maintenance and repair, installing a new furnace is easier than keeping it.

When It’s Not Necessary to Replace the Furnace

If your furnace is less than 10 years old, it can often last until the next time you will need to replace the air conditioning unit. Usually, that happens in 10-15 years, and a furnace may last for 25 to 30 years.

In conclusion, replacing your furnace at the same time as the air conditioning system is often a better option, because you will get the most out of a matched pair. Speak to our HVAC experts today and see if that is the best option for you. Give us a call 24/7 at (314) 471-7625!