Get your AC ready for the St. Louis summer with these 7 expert pre-season tips. Improve efficiency, lower energy bills, and prevent breakdowns.
As any St. Louis resident knows, summer in the Midwest isn’t just hot—it’s humid, relentless, and unpredictable. Your air conditioner becomes more than a luxury; it’s essential to your daily comfort and indoor air quality.
But before those 90+ degree days roll in, the question is: Is your AC system ready?
I will highly recommend this business for your air and heater repair. Prompt, knowledgeable and courteous service.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Judy, for your kind words and recommendation! We're glad to hear you were pleased with our prompt and courteous service.
Thomas Hoffman was very responsive to our after hours inquiry, even walked us through some trouble shooting over the phone. We provided pictures of the unit and they were able to quickly buy, schedule and install the part to keep our family warm!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Ali! We're glad to hear that Thomas was responsive and helpful in getting everything sorted out for you and your family. Your feedback means a lot to us!
Nick came by, identified the problem quickly and had it fixed. Great service!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Ted! We're glad to hear that Nick provided you with quick and effective service. Your feedback is greatly appreciated!
Great service. Responsive. Well trained technicians. Honest friendly and thorough. I highly recommend Tom Hoffmann and his team.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We appreciate your recommendation and are delighted to hear about your positive experience with our team.
Ryan Taylor with Thomas Hoffman did an outstanding job in servicing our unit & explaining everything to me, especially how our humidifier worked, since we were new home owners & had not had one before. Thank you!
Response from the owner:Thank you! We're glad to hear that Ryan and Thomas provided you with excellent service and helped you understand your new humidifier. We appreciate your feedback!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Hank, for your wonderful feedback; we're glad you enjoyed the fast, friendly, and professional service, and we'll be sure to keep up the great work!
As always, the Hoffmann technician Zach was polite, professional, and efficient. Pricing is reasonable and even more importantly, they are dependable. I will continue to use Thomas Hoffman A/C and Heating.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Mark, for your kind words about our technician and for your continued trust in Thomas Hoffman A/C and Heating; we truly appreciate your support!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Brandon! We appreciate your kind words and are glad to hear about your positive experience with Hoffmann’s professionalism and thoroughness.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Pat, for your kind words about Giovanni; we appreciate your feedback and are glad to hear that he made a positive impression.
Our service technician arrived right on time and was professional, friendly, efficient and courteous. We couldn’t ask for more.
Response from the owner:Thank you for sharing your positive experience with our service technician! We appreciate your kind words and are glad to hear that you were satisfied with the service provided.
I'm a new customer and had my first appointment for furnace check.My tech was Zack and what a professional. He explained how he checked system and answered all my questions. This was a very good experience
Response from the owner:Thank you, Patricia, for your kind words! We're glad to hear that Zack provided you with a professional and informative experience during your furnace check. Your satisfaction means a lot to us!
Thomas Hoffman is a wonderful company to work with. Techs are knowledgeable, personable & efficient.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Christine, for your kind words about our team; we appreciate your feedback and are glad to hear you had a positive experience!
I called on December 25th at midnight and started leaving a message and Thomas Hoffman the owner called me back almost immediately. He said he would come out the next morning between 8:00 and 10:00 am snd he was promptly on time. He fixed my problem and while he was there I decided to get an estimate for a new furnace and air conditioning unit. The price was very reasonable and the installers one of them being his son were both very professional very courteous, polite, arrived on time and finished the same day. I enjoy knowing that I now have the support of Thomas Hoffman heating and air conditioning along with the peace of mind that comes with owning a Trane. Nothing stops a Trane.
Albert Koesterer
Response from the owner:Albert thanks so much for your kind reviews and your business. We truly appreciate it!!!
The Thomas Hoffmann team did a great job taking care of our semi annual HVAC maintenance. They not only worked with us to schedule the visit, but also did an excellent job sending us reminders on when they would be out.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the great review, Bob! We appreciate your support and are happy to hear you had a great experience!
Nick was excellent. Super profession, quick, and up front with the pricing (which was fair). Hopefully we don't need to call anyone to fix our AC again, but if we do - I'm calling Nick!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Layton, for your amazing review! We really appreciate your support and hope to be your first call for any future repairs!
Same day service. Technician arrived as scheduled. Replaced capacitor quickly. Friendly technician. Repair cost $429 seemed high for inexpensive part and 20 minutes labor.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Tom, for your feedback! We're glad to hear the technician was prompt and friendly, though we understand your concerns about the repair cost. We appreciate your insights and hope to serve you again in the future.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much, Al, for your excellent review; we truly appreciate your support and are glad to hear you had a great experience!
Thomas Hoffmann is the most professional and courteous of all the HVAC companies in St. Louis. It has kept my HVAC systems in good working order through the hottest and coldest days for many years.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Jonathan, for your kind words about our professionalism and courtesy; we truly appreciate your support!
I notified two companies at the same time regarding a malfunctioning AC unit and Wow! Super fast response from Hoffmann on a weekend no less, to fix our AC unit. Hoffmann’s tech responded to my call immediately and fixed our AC before Galmiche has even responded. Used to be a Galmiche customer, but will use Thomas Hoffmann from here on out!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Darlene, for your fantastic feedback! We're glad to hear that our team was able to respond quickly and resolve your AC issue. We appreciate your trust in us moving forward!
Ryan did a great job with my AC reinstall. Very knowledgeable company with Tom Hoffmann providing the engineering expertise.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Steve! We're glad to hear that Ryan did a great job on your AC reinstall, and we appreciate the shoutout to Tom's expertise. Your satisfaction means a lot to us!
These guy's are amazing same day service very well priced for the knowledge they have ask before doing anything to confirm they're my new go to
Response from the owner:Thank you, Cory! We're glad you found our service amazing and appreciate your kind words about our pricing and knowledge. We're here for you anytime!
My ac compressor was replaced. They always do a good job and they are always available when you need them.I think the price was a little too high since they only had to change the compressor in my unit. The compressor was under the warranty. Other than that Im very satisfied with the job the technician did.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Carlos, for your feedback and for recognizing the hard work of our technician; we appreciate your satisfaction with the job done and will take your pricing comments into consideration.
I was very pleased with your service. Prompt response would was most appreciated. The technician was very knowledgeable and prepared for the work. Also he was very personable and professional.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Richard, for your kind words; we appreciate your recognition of our technician's knowledge and professionalism, and we're glad you had a positive experience with our service.
Thank goodness for them coming out so quickly. Got our whole job done and we are COOL again. Thanks so much!!!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Sandy! We're so glad to hear everything got done quickly and you’re feeling cool again. We appreciate your kind words!
Had an amazing experience with Thomas Hoffman. They were very professional and solved the problem quickly. I would highly recommend!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Alex, for your wonderful feedback! We're glad to hear that Thomas was able to assist you so effectively. Your recommendation means a lot to us!
Nick was a true expert in explaining our options for a new thermostat.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Robert, for your kind words about Nick's expertise; we're glad he could help you with your thermostat options!
1. Change or Clean Your Air Filter
It’s the simplest task with the biggest impact. A clogged or dirty air filter restricts airflow, forcing your system to work harder, leading to higher energy bills and more wear and tear.
🛠️ Pro Move: If you suffer from seasonal allergies, which are common in St. Louis, consider upgrading to a high-efficiency filter.
📅 Tip: In summer, replace disposable filters every 30–60 days, especially if you have pets or allergies.
2. Clear Debris from the Outdoor Condenser Unit
Over the winter and spring, your outdoor unit likely collected leaves, branches, dirt, or nests. This buildup can choke airflow and reduce cooling performance.
Trim back vegetation at least 2 feet around the unit.
Use a garden hose (gently!) to clean the fins.
Make sure the unit is level for proper function.
🚫 Warning: Never open the condenser casing unless trained—it contains high-voltage components.
3. Inspect and Clean Indoor Vents and Registers
Dust, pet hair, and furniture placement can all impact air circulation inside your home.
✅ Checklist:
Vacuum vents and registers
Ensure nothing is blocking airflow (like rugs or furniture)
Make sure return vents are unobstructed
4. Test Your Thermostat
Before peak season starts, test your thermostat to ensure it’s accurately reading and responding.
Set the system to “cool” and lower the temperature 3–5 degrees.
Listen for the AC to turn on and check that cool air flows within a few minutes.
You might need new batteries or a professional inspection if it’s unresponsive.
5. Check Your Ductwork for Leaks or Obstructions
Leaky or dirty ducts can cause up to 30% energy loss and reduce airflow to key rooms. If some rooms feel warmer than others, your ducts may be to blame.
📞 When to call us: If you notice rattling sounds, hot spots, or unusually dusty air, it’s time for a professional duct inspection and sealing.
6. Look for Early Warning Signs of Trouble
Ignoring small issues now can lead to big problems later, especially during a heatwave.
🔍 Common red flags:
Strange noises (banging, buzzing, screeching)
Unpleasant odors from vents
Warm air is blowing instead of cold
Higher-than-usual energy bills
📣 Reminder: Early signs = early fix. Schedule service before the summer rush.
7. Schedule a Professional AC Tune-Up
DIY is great, but a licensed HVAC technician can:
Check refrigerant levels
Clean the evaporator and condenser coils
Inspect electrical connections
Lubricate moving parts
Ensure optimal performance and safety
Benefits of a Pre-Season Tune-Up:
Extend your system’s lifespan
Improve efficiency and lower cooling costs
Prevent mid-season breakdowns
Protect your manufacturer’s warranty
Book Your AC Tune-Up Today
Don’t wait for the first heatwave to discover a problem. Let Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating help you get ahead of the season and stay cool without surprises.
👉 Call us today or book online to schedule your AC inspection and tune-up before the summer rush hits.
24/7 Service Call Now
At Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating, we pride ourselves on being a locally owned and operated HVAC company. With more than 30 years of experience and a master technician and mechanical engineer as our owner, we can replace, repair, and maintain your business or home’s HVAC system.
