Air Conditioner

When you decide what kind of air conditioning system to use in your home, you must think ahead for years to come, weighing in the benefits and disadvantages it has for your lifestyle.

At first glance, choosing a certain system is mostly about the budget and the size of the space you want to cover. However, air conditioning units these days are quite complex, meaning you have more variables to take into account.

Split units are becoming more popular in people’s homes, dethroning the duct system that was the norm back in the day. Let’s see what makes so many households choose to go ductless.

It Is Less Expensive

Installing split units in your home can easily be cheaper than having a duct system fitted into your walls. The latter is a big project that affects the whole house and may require demolition work to put everything together. It also means a lot of ducts, materials, and piping which will cost quite a lot. If you make a calculation, you will be surprised to see that having split units in each room can be cheaper than having a unitary system.

Installation Is Significantly Quicker and Non-Invasive

Besides being expensive, the hassle of installing a duct system in a home that doesn’t have it is quite large. You would have to take time from work or other projects to supervise the team that will work in your home, breaking the walls, making noise and mess. Your life is significantly more affected by installing a duct system than by getting split units, which typically can be fitted in less than a day.

Better Zoned Temperature Control

Having ductless air conditioning units means that you decide how to control the climate in each separate room. Not all duct HVAC systems have the zoning function, and being forced to cool down the whole house is not cost-efficient or comfortable. Split units allow you to only use the HVAC system where and when needed.

Less Maintenance Is Needed

A ductless air conditioning unit is easier to maintain than a huge system that goes through your entire home, hidden in the walls. Maintaining a ductless unit means replacing or cleaning the filters from time to time and having a professional perform maintenance. This also lessens the probability of malfunctions.

It Can Be Healthier Than Duct Systems

Getting fresh air in your home is easier with a ductless system, and you will avoid running the air through so many tight, inaccessible places that are hard to keep clean and safe. This will lessen the chance of triggering allergies or having health hazards like mold and dangerous bacteria in your indoor air.

Even when you take care of your air conditioner properly, you might still have some problems that are caused by dirt, old equipment or other factors beyond your control.

Your air conditioning unit needs regular maintenance – that’s a given. However, even when you take care of it properly, you might still have some problems that are caused by dirt, old equipment or other factors beyond your control. Usually, a diagnosis is needed when the machine starts performing poorly, but that can be hard to notice right away. More often, strange noises are the ones that give away an underlying problem.

A certain amount of noise is to be expected, though, especially with older AC units. However, if you think the noise is too loud or just strange, you might be onto something.

Here are the five most common strange noises your air conditioning unit may make.

Buzzing

Buzzing seems like quite a natural noise coming from an air conditioning unit since it has the fan working. But a loud buzzing sound should not be present, and you will surely notice if the frequency of the buzzing changes all of a sudden. Faulty electrical wiring causes loud buzzing in most cases.

Screeching

Screeching and high pitched sounds associated with the use of the air conditioner are most probably caused by the belt that is moving your fan. If it loses lubrication or is dried out and damaged, it will not move smoothly, causing screeching sounds. It must be replaced or simply lubricated.

Banging

Banging is one of the more concerning noises that can come out of an AC unit. Banging means that there is a foreign object or a loose part of the AC unit that is being thrown against the unit’s walls. It should definitely be checked by a professional before it causes more damage.

Rattling

Rattling is less serious than banging, but it usually leads to the latter if it is ignored. Any rattle you hear from the AC unit is often caused by a loose part that is misaligned. It will likely affect your machine’s performance and it can lead to more expensive repairs.

A “Wacking” Sound

Whacking sounds are most likely coming from debris being stuck in the fan or the motor of your unit. You should definitely clean the unit as soon as possible. Otherwise, the debris will travel further or wear out the motor until it collapses.

If your air conditioning unit makes one of these strange noises, it’s trying to tell you something. Most of the problems that cause these noises become worse if left unhandled. Give us a call today at (314) 471-7625 or contact us online. With proper maintenance at the right time, your machine should be able to last for many years before you will need to replace it with a newer model.

A few things can increase a home’s value: a nice neighborhood, a well-maintained garden, pool, hardwood floors, and even your air conditioner.

Yes, you heard that correctly. Your home’s airconditioner can help you sell your home at a higher price.

If you are planning in investing in an air conditioning unit, then you should make sure to choose one that not only provides a comfortable climate in your home but also helps you get a return on your investment. Even if you don’t plan on selling your house, you never know what the future is holding. It’s always best to think ahead.

So, what makes an AC unit a good investment in the real estate value of your home?

Pick New Models That Have the Latest Technology Perks

If you were looking for the best unit for your budget, maybe an old model would’ve been ok. However, increasing your home’s value through your purchase means that it needs to offer a great user experience and performance for the years to come. It doesn’t mean that you need to buy the latest, most expensive model in the line, but choose something contemporary with the times.

Nowadays, smart technology has entered the mainstream market and is quite affordable. The HVAC industry is having fun with IoT controlled appliances and soon they will be the norm for every household. Choose an AC unit that can be controlled remotely and let the user create and select personalized climate options.

Select the Right Size for Your Home

Before you settle on the model you want to purchase, make sure it is the right size for your home.

A unit that is too big will not provide a comfortable environment, because it cools the air too quickly. That can increase the moisture levels and lead to “building sickness” and other uncomfortable symptoms. On the other hand, a unit that is too small for will simply not sufficient to keep the air at a comfortable level.

Check with your provider to see exactly what size you need for your house and experiment with the unit to find the correct settings.

Select an Aircon Unit That Won’t Spike the Electricity Bill

Renewable energy and energy saving solutions are the future. Choosing an air conditioning unit that will be friendly to your wallet is a great addition to your home’s value. New models can adapt their performance to fit the energy saving hours and to stop working when they are not needed.

The smartest aircon units can predict heat waves and cool down your house the night before, when the energy cost is not so big, in anticipation of the extra effort needed the next day.

Ultimately, it depends on how much you are willing to invest in your house. However, an AC unit is an important purchase and it’s something you use almost every day, so it is worth searching for the best possible solution on the long-term! Give us a call today at (314) 471-7625!

A properly sized air conditioner keeps a constant temperature. Besides this obvious function, it also maintains the air humidity under control.

There are a lot of factors that you need to consider when browsing the market for the ideal air conditioning unit for your home. We’re talking about efficiency, extra features, size, energy saving capacity, and so on.

Whether you suspect your air conditioner is too big for your home or you want to buy a new unit and you don’t know what to choose, here are several reasons why you should go with a properly sized appliance and not an oversized one. Spoiler alert: a bigger system isn’t necessarily better.

You Will Keep Turning It on and off

A unit that is designed for a bigger space than the one you have will cool down your home too fast, forcing you to turn it off soon. However, the walls won’t have enough time to cool down, so you will have to turn it on and off again, trying to reach the ideal temperature.

Not only that will wear out your unit, shortening its life, but you won’t be that comfortable either. We thrive in an environment with a nice, cozy and constant temperature and an oversized unit can’t provide that.

The AC Unit Won’t Control Humidity Properly

A properly sized air conditioner keeps a constant temperature. Besides this obvious function, it also maintains the air humidity under control.

A unit that is too big will not have time to dry the air, leaving you with too much humidity. That will make you feel uncomfortable, as humid air feels hotter than drier air. Being sweaty with the air conditioning on doesn’t seem right, does it?

It Is NOT Cost Efficient

Many people choose a bigger unit on purpose, thinking that it will lower their electricity bills by running less than a small unit. But keep in mind that a bigger unit consumes more electricity than a normal unit, and turning it on and off constantly does not help either.

It Takes up More Space

One of the most obvious downsides of getting a bigger air conditioning unit is its size: it simply occupies more space. Having a giant condenser unit next to your house can be really unpleasant. Not only that it’s anesthetic but it can get quite noisy too. Moreover, you would have to put more effort into keeping debris out of it and cleaning the vents and filters.

It Costs More

Since many homeowners care about the financial aspect of such a big purchase, we will mention that a bigger unit is more expensive than a properly sized one. Since we already debunked the myth of the energy saving big unit, it simply isn’t worth getting one, since it doesn’t cover the investment in time.

These five reasons should help you understand why you should stick with a properly sized air conditioner when purchasing a new one or even get you to replace the one you already have if it is indeed too big.

For all your heating and air conditioning needs give Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning and Heating today! Call (314) 471-7625

Geothermal systems use the properties of the soil to provide both cooling and heating for your home while being friendly with the environment and helping you save money in the long term.

If you are interested in the newest technology to update your old HVAC system, you might browse for similar systems, but with features like air purifiers, preset settings, programmable thermostats, etc. While the newest models of traditional air conditioning units are indeed very interesting, here’s why you may want to consider alternative systems for your home.

One of the most energy-efficient systems at the moment is a geothermal cooling and heating system. This system uses the properties of the soil to provide both cooling and heating for your home while being friendly with the environment and helping you save money on the long term.

How Does a Geothermal Cooling System Work?

A geothermal heat pump works by transferring heat underground, through a system of pipes that are buried deep enough underground, where the temperature remains constant year-round. Soil has amazing insulating properties, so your heating and cooling system will rely on its natural efficiency to provide cool air and water.

Here are seven reasons why you should consider installing a geothermal HVAC system for your home.

It Is Very Cost-Efficient

This is the number one reason why many consider geothermal cooling systems better than traditional HVAC systems. They are very energy-efficient. So much so that you can recover the initial investment in 5-7 years from purchase. On average, they will reduce the energy costs by 30-70%, which is a huge accomplishment, considering the next point.

You Are Using Clean Energy

This is the reason why geothermal HVAC systems will be more and more popular in the near future: they are self-sustained and don’t use fuel. Plus, they are not affected by fluctuations, like other green energy systems are. Unlike wind or solar power, geothermal energy is constant.

It is Able to Both Heat and Cool Your Home

Because you want your HVAC system to be unitary, having both heating and cooling provided by a geothermal system is another great reason to consider this technology for your home.

It Requires Very Little Maintenance

The pipe system that does the heat transfer is buried deep underground and it has a very long life span. Compared to a traditional HVAC system, a geothermal one requires very little maintenance.

It Has a 25-50 Year Life Span

These systems are long-lasting and sturdy, which makes your return of investment substantial.

It Does Not Make Noise

Geothermal HVAC systems are silent and will allow you to enjoy birds chirping and pleasant sounds, instead of feeling stressed every day from noise pollution.

It Is Safe for Your Family, and for the Environment

A geothermal HVAC system eliminates the risks of other systems, like intoxication with combustion gases, house fires, allergies, respiratory problems, etc. It is also safer for the environment.

The seven reasons above make an investment in a geothermal HVAC system worth considering. Even though they may cost more than traditional systems initially, it is often a better choice in the long term. To see if a geothermal system is right for your St. Louis home, give Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning and Heating a call today at (314) 471-7625.