Air Conditioner

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.

Call (314) 471-7625 :: Make sure your air conditioner is ready to keep you cool during the hot summer days ahead!

It is always best to prepare your air conditioner in advance. This way, you can not only keep your family comfortable, you can keep your energy bills down and make sure your home is safe for your family. Here are a few tips on how to prepare your AC for the hot summer days ahead.

1. Change the Filter

The AC filter protects the AC from particles like dust and pollen that can damage the components inside it. If the filter is clogged with these particles, the air won’t circulate, and ice may form around it. Because of that, the AC may need to consume more power than usual.

You should definitely change the filter now. In fact, you may even consider changing more regularlly during the summertime, particularly if you use it a lot.

2. Clean the Drain

We’re talking here about the pipe near the outdoor unit of the AC which removes the excess water to make sure the equipment is working properly. But where there’s water, there’s also moisture, which can form mold that clogs the pipes. And when that happens, the water can flow inside the house and cause more damage.

Consider removing the end of the drain to clean it and use a vacuum to clear any elements inside. Replace the end of the drain when you’re done.

3. Test It

After you’re done cleaning what needs to be cleaned, let your AC dry for a bit, then turn it on to test it. Any strange noises or red flags will generally mean there’s something wrong with your equipment, and it’s unlikely cleaning will solve it. Consider calling a professional in if something seems out of place.

4. Schedule an Annual Checkup

Like a lot of other equipment in your home, ACs aren’t made to last forever. However, if you want to make sure you make the most out of it, you should consider having a professional look at it once a year to see if there anything out of the ordinary.

Sometimes, even something as small as changing one piece of the AC can prolong its lifespan, and it can be a lot cheaper than having to buy a new one.

Is Your AC Ready?

Don’t put off checking on your AC for too long. As a device that has a great say in the quality of the air you and your family breathes, it’s important to stay on top of things and ensure everything is working as it should.

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