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

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

Archives for July 2020

3 Common Signs of Air Leaks in Your St. Louis Home

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Air leaks can compromise the efficiency of your HVAC system, leading to discomfort and higher electricity bills.

With summer here, you want your HVAC system to be in top shape so that it can keep your home cool and comfortable. In addition to replacing or cleaning the filters and doing a test run of the whole installation, you should also check if there are any air leaks that could compromise the efficiency of your HVAC system and affect the indoor air during the summer. 

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What Are the Signs of Air Leaks?

There are some signs that will warn you that you have air leaks in the air duct system. Observe how your air conditioning unit is behaving and how well it cools down the air. If the unit has been out of use during winter, turn it on for a day and see how it performs.

You Pay More than Usual for Electricity

Your HVAC system should consume as little energy as possible. It does that by keeping the temperature at a constant, ideal level. That way, the walls keep cool and it doesn’t have to make an extra effort to bring the air to the desired temperature. If your HVAC system is the cause of your high utility bills, then you can suspect an air leak, amongst other causes.

Cool and Hot Spots

If you have cool spots or hot spots around the house, it means that the air is not circulating well. It’s either a clog in the duct system or an air leak, causing the air to go in the attic or to stay mostly in one part of the house. Install thermometers in all your rooms and check if there are significant differences that cannot be explained by exterior walls, drapes, or other external factors. 

You Dust More Often Than Usual

Sure, any housekeeping involves a little bit of dusting, but when you notice that your home seems invaded by dust particles, they might come from your attic through a leaky duct system. 

What Can You Do to Locate the Leaks Precisely?

If you observe one or more of these signs above and you suspect an air leak, it’s time to investigate further. Get in touch with an experienced HVAC professional who can check your ductwork and make any needed repairs to ensure your system is running at peak performance.

24/7 SERVICE. FIVE STAR REVIEWS. 30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE.

CALL (314) 471-7625

Should You Use a HEPA Air Filter in Your Home?

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There are many benefits to using a HEPA air filter. Here is what you should understand before purchasing an air purifier for your St. Louis home.

At some point in your life, you’ve probably considered purchasing an air purifier. Whether you’re a smoker, live near a busy street, or simply want to optimize your surroundings, buying one of these machines is likely a smart idea. Here are some of the benefits and essential information you should understand before purchasing an air purifier.

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The Benefits

The first thing you need to know before deciding is what the benefits of these filters are. The following are the three most important of them.

  • Healthy Lungs – At the top of the list is healthy lungs. The truth is that no matter where you live in St. Louis, you could be at risk of particulates and other constituents getting into your body. The result can be reduced function and a multitude of other complications that you’d never expect.
  • Reduced Allergies – People with allergies often have trouble around dust, pollen, and other irritants. If you are one of them, a filter can help you reduce your allergic episodes. This development can be crucial for those with significant issues. 
  • Healthy Skin – Lastly, filters can help clean your air of dust mites, which have been proven to irritate the skin.

One additional thing to note is that filters are especially useful for those who live with others that smoke, as these households have significantly more harmful particulates than a typical living space. 

Learn more: 4 HVAC Tips for Better Indoor Air Quality

What Does “HEPA” Mean?

“HEPA” stands for high-efficiency particulate air. What that means in practice is that these filters give your air a deeper clean than many others. This effect is crucial because many filters claim to clean your air but actually do very little for the quality of your surroundings. 

Your Two Options For Purification

The following two methods are your best options for purifying your home. 

  • Standalone – You can buy these devices at your local home improvement store or through an online retailer. What is nice about them is that they are relatively cheap, though you might have to invest in a few of them if you want full house coverage.
  • HVAC – Your second option is installing a HEPA filter into your existing HVAC system. While this option might be more expensive, it likely will lead to superior air quality in your home. If you choose to go with this option, you probably should not try to do it alone. Instead, call up a local specialist and ask for a consultation. 

Should you get a HEPA filter for your home?

The answer to this question comes down to the condition of your surroundings and your willingness to invest in the machinery. If the air in your space is clean and you’d rather not spend extra money on it, then you may decide to pass. On the other hand, those with suboptimal air quality should heavily consider making a change. No matter which way you go, you now have the information you need to make an informed decision.

24/7 SERVICE. FIVE STAR REVIEWS. 30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE.

CALL (314) 471-7625