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Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning - AC Repair & Replacement St. Louis

Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning - AC Repair & Replacement St. Louis

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air conditioner maintenance

Air Conditioner Maintenance – Do’s and Don’ts

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Keeping these basic rules in mind when dealing with your AC unit will not only ensure that it will function effectively, but it will save you money and keep your home comfortable.

It may still be chilly in and around the St. Louis area, but warm weather will be here before we know it. This means you’ll be turning on your air conditioner soon. Air conditioning is a necessity in most homes, as it keeps indoor air at an optimal temperature, ensures airflow and controls the humidity levels in your house.

Modern air conditioning systems are designed to be user-friendly and even have a self-diagnose function to keep repairs to a minimum. But, regular maintenance is still needed by any system.

Here is a thorough list of the most common do’s and don’ts of maintaining your HVAC system.

DO: Clean Your Air Filters Regularly

One of the most important rules to keep your air conditioning working well is to regularly clean or replace the air filters. All the air that gets inside your house will go through the filters, so you need them to be clean and unclogged all the time. Every manufacturer recommends a certain frequency for their AC model, but if you live in a polluted area you might want to do that even more often.

DON’T: Cover Your Outdoor Unit Completely

One of the maintenance rules that are often misunderstood is covering your outdoor unit during the cold season. Don’t cover it completely and don’t leave it cover throughout the winter. It prevents proper airflow. Covering your unit should only be done during autumn when there’s a lot of plant debris. Make sure to only shield it from above with a breathable material.

DO: Check Ductwork for Leaks

Many homeowners neglect their ductwork system and blame any malfunction on the equipment, but thorough maintenance includes checking the ducts for leaks and other issues.

DON’T: Ignore High Electricity Bills

Your air conditioning unit should be energy-efficient, especially newer models. If you notice your electricity bills going up, don’t ignore the AC unit, as it might be the cause. A lot of malfunctions can lead to poor efficiency and overworking.

DO: Schedule Annual Professional Check-ups

Hiring a professional team to do at least an annual check-up of your AC unit can save you a lot of money in the long run. Many AC problems are not easy to notice in the beginning, but a check-up will bring them out and solve them before they get worse.

DON’T: Attempt DIY Methods to Maintain or Repair Your HVAC System

The Internet is full of handy DIY projects, and many good ideas can be applied at home, but maintaining your HVAC does require a professional’s experience. Don’t attempt DIY repairs or maintenance operations if you are not 100% sure that you know what you’re doing.

DO: Replace the Thermostat Batteries When Needed

This may seem like a trivial issue to mention, but it happens very often. Remember to replace the thermostat’s batteries often, as programming it properly is crucial in your AC’s performance.

DON’T: Leave Your Air Conditioner on 24/7

Don’t rely only on your AC unit for your comfort. It should be put on stand-by from time to time, for its health as well as your comfort. Find ways of regulating your temperature that don’t rely on the AC unit.

Keeping these basic rules in mind when dealing with your AC unit will not only ensure that it will function effectively, but it will save you money and keep your home comfortable for years to come.

HVAC Maintenance: 4 Spring Cleaning Musts for Your AC Unit

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If you haven’t had spring maintenance performed on you’re AC unit, it’s not too late.

Springtime is the ideal time to have your HVAC system checked. An unchecked AC unit can cost you money in energy waste and expensive repairs that could have been prevented. In addition, poor maintenance is the main cause of unhealthy indoor air quality. This can lead to respiratory problems, coughing, worsened allergy symptoms and a stuffy nose.

Getting an HVAC system with a built-in humidifier or air purifier is a great idea, but if you can’t upgrade your unit, the most important thing you can do is to keep it well-maintained by having regular maintenance checks performed.

The HVAC Maintenance Checklist

  • Blades on the Condenser Ventilator Need to Be Cleaned – The condenser is the unit that stays outside of your house. It contains coolant, which lowers the temperature of the indoor air while it travels through it before heading back in. Your condenser has a large ventilator that redirects the air and it’s one of the main things that need cleaning during routine maintenance work.
  • Replace Dirty Filters on the Indoor Unit – Air filters are the most obvious items on the check list. Dirty or damaged filters constrict the flow of air entering your home. By having them checked and replaced as needed you are ensuring that your family is kept comfortable as well as safe from some air pollutants. It is a good idea to keep a note near to the filter and date whenever they need to be replaced. Filters that do not last for a certain amount of time may be an indicator of a bigger problem with your system.
  • Inspection of the Duct Work – A quick assessment of your duct work will also be performed. In most homes, the majority of duct work is hidden from view. Expect your HVAC expert to ask you some questions about the comfort levels in your house. He will specifically be curious about any hot or cold spots or rooms that consistently do not match the temperature of the rest of the house.
  • Calibration of the System – The HVAC technician will calibrate your system. They will want to check that the output matches the temperature settings. If a discrepancy is noted, they will perform further checks to identify and remedy the cause of the problem. This will include an assessment of the electrical wiring. All of the connections should be tight and the technician should read the voltage to make sure that the output is sufficient for the unit. All the thermostats inside your house will also be checked at this point to see if they are reading the room temperature accurately. This is a good time to ask any questions you may have about using the settings to cut down on energy use.

Call Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning and Heating Today

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.

Give us a call!

If you haven’t had spring maintenance performed on you’re AC unit, it’s not too late.

Give Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning and Heating a call today at
(314) 471-7625

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7 Early Signs That Your Air Conditioning Needs Service

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One of the toughest parts about being a homeowner is knowing when a problem is severe enough to call in a professional.

Fortunately, a bit of education on the basics of HVAC systems can give you a good idea of which issues need attention. Here are seven early signs that your air conditioning needs service. If you notice any of them in your home, it is time to give us a call.

st. louis man checking air vent

Noises

Have you ever heard your system make a strange noise? Some of the most common of them include squeaking, grinding, and grating. While these issues might not seem like an urgent matter, especially if your AC is still running smoothly, they could be indicative of more significant problems. For this reason, we advise getting your system checked by a professional.

Hot Air

The function of an air conditioning unit is to take in air, cool it, then disperse it around your home. Unfortunately, these systems often fail. The best indicator to watch out for is a lack of adequate cooling. If hot air is coming out of your vents, it is definitely time to explore a repair or replacement.

Spotty Cooling

A less obvious indicator of a dysfunctional air conditioning system is spotty cooling. This issue will present itself in the form of “hot spots.” You should be able to detect these areas, as almost every one of us has a reliable sense of temperature.

Poor Air Flow

If your air isn’t following correctly, you could have up to three problems. They include malfunctioning machinery, a leak in your ductwork, or an issue with your vents. Two easy fixes are vacuuming those vents and changing filters. If those do not work, you may have a broader problem that will require professional help.

Leaking

One of the most apparent indicators of air condition dysfunction is a leaking unit. These machines are built to keep all of their moisture inside, so this development is definitely a problem. If you’re fortunate, you might have a blocked drain tube. If not, your system could be leaking refrigerant.

Odors

A strange or foul odor is an indication that something may be growing in your system. Whether that is bacteria in the AC unit or mold in the duct work, you should resolve this issue immediately.

Rising Electric Bill

One thing that homeowners often notice is that their electric bill starts to rise for seemingly no reason. The cause of this issue is often air conditioning issues, which make the system work harder for the same result.

Give us a call!

If you’re already experiencing one of these issues, then your next move should be hiring an HVAC specialist. If not, you now know what warning signs you can watch out for. The upside of having this knowledge is that you can catch problems before they become more severe. Not only will doing so keep your home cool, but it could save you from a massive repair bill later on.

Give Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning and Heating a call today at
(314) 471-7625

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High Energy Costs: Is My Air Conditioner to Blame?

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Whether it is a malfunction or a lack of maintenance, your AC unit needs regular check-ups, especially when it’s running all day.

There’s nothing like a cool room to make summer more bearable. It’s clear that during summer, air conditioning is one of the most used appliances. However, sometimes it feels like a luxury when you look at the electricity bill.

If you are suddenly paying unreasonable amounts on the monthly electricity bill, one of the most common culprits might be the air conditioning system. Although you should expect it to add a little more to the bill, it shouldn’t cost you an arm and a leg.

Here is what to investigate when you suspect your air conditioning is costing you more than it should.

st. louis couple reviewing energy bill

Is the Air Filter Dirty?

You might be surprised at how many people forget to replace or clean the air filter on the AC unit. Not only can this damage your health, it can put an unnecessary strain on your air conditioner. Because of dirt buildup on the air filter, the air does not flow properly, and the unit works harder than usual to do its job. Replace or clean the air filters at least once every two months and see if your next bill is back on track.

Do You See Any Leaks?

If you see wet stains around the unit or certain drippings that shouldn’t be there, give us a call right away. A faulty air conditioner is not only bad at cooling your house efficiently, but it can be bad for your health or even safety.

Leaks of the refrigerant solution will cause the air conditioner to put extra effort into cooling. Another type of leaks occurs in the duct system. A professional will be able to tell if that’s the case and seal the hole.

Is Your Air Conditioner Old?

If your air conditioner was purchased and installed a long time ago, then it may simply be outdated. A decade ago or more, air conditioning units were not as advanced as today, and that shows in their efficiency, and therefore in their energy consumption. Add to that all the years of hard work and you have your answer as to why the electricity bill is so high.

Has It Been a Long Time since a Professional Last Checked Your AC?

If cleaning the filters did not work and nothing else seems off, the best way to diagnose the problem is to call an HVAC professional and have it checked. You might be close to identifying a problem yourself, but a specialist will have the necessary tools and knowledge to pinpoint the issue and solve it. They may recommend a part replacement, repairs, a duct sealing, etc.

St. Louis Air Conditioning

Whether it is a malfunction or a lack of maintenance, your AC unit needs regular check-ups, especially when it’s supposed to run all day. Keeping it well maintained is cheaper than having it run improperly and pump up your electricity bill.

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

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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.

6 Tips for HVAC Summer Maintenance

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If you want to make sure that summer doesn’t break the bank, ensure that your air conditioning unit is in top working order!

checklist

As the summer starts to heat up, many are finding a little padding in their budget from turning off the heat. Although the spring weather lends a nice break, according to Alliance to Save Energy, the average homeowner spent as much as $2,200 in cooling costs last year alone.

If you want to make sure that summer doesn’t break the bank, ensure that your air conditioning unit and HVAC system are working in top shape. Now is the perfect time to pay attention to the little things like how well your air conditioning unit is working and how well you are taking care of it.

Follow these six steps to make sure that you’re ready to go this summer.

1. Change the Filter

Just because your furnace isn’t running anymore does not mean that you can ignore your furnace filters. Furnace filters might make you think of heating only, but they also filter the air that circulates your home during the hot weather when the air conditioning is on.

If you don’t change your filters, then you are recirculating allergens, dust and debris, which is likely wreaking havoc on your lungs. The build-up is making your air conditioning unit work harder, too.

2. Clean out the Drainage Hole

Your air conditioning unit has a condenser that will leak water. The drainage hole to deposit the water is usually located in the base of the air conditioner’s cabinet. If you don’t clean it out, then you are running the risk of building up minerals and debris that can lead to a back up in the system, ultimately decreasing the efficiency of your unit and leading to increased wear and tear.

3. Forget the Humidifier

Your air conditioner is guided by the humidity in your house. By pulling the water out of your air, it will make your home feel cooler more quickly. If you want to get the most out of your air conditioner, make sure to have your humidifier cleaned out and running in top shape in order to work as a team with your air conditioning unit.

4. Use a Smart Thermostat

If you want to cut down on energy costs this summer, install a smart thermostat. With one of these, you can control the temperature of your home when you are away. Nothing is more wasteful than keeping a home cool when it is unoccupied. A remote thermostat that you can control from your smartphone will ensure that you aren’t needlessly spending money keeping an empty house cool.

5. Call for a Tune Up

To make sure that your air conditioning unit doesn’t cost more than it should this summer, make sure to schedule a maintenance call. Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating will make sure that your air conditioning unit and everything else (including your duct work) is ready to go.

Those who are feeling the relief of no heating costs will soon feel the sting of turning on their AC. Make sure to cut costs this summer by ensuring that your air conditioner is good to go by following these tips!

CALL NOW 24/7: (314) 471-7625