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

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

Energy Efficient

4 Heating Mistakes That Could Be Costing You Money

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Even when you are trying to save energy, you may be making some mistakes that are costing you big time. 

Winter is upon us and while curling up under a blanket with a cup of hot cocoa and a good book sounds pretty much like the coziest thing you could do, you may start dreading the winter months soon if the utility bills break your bank. 

According to Energy Star, heating accounts for almost 30% of a typical utility bill. Saving energy is essential for your finances. The problem is that even when you are trying to save energy, you may be making some mistakes that are costing you big time. 

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Closing Doors and Vents

One of the biggest and costly misconceptions about saving energy is that you can conserve heat by closing the vents and doors to the rooms that don’t need to be heated. Unfortunately, that’s not the way heaters work.

A heater pulls air from the inside of your house, heats it, and then returns it. If there is not enough airflow, the heater will have to work harder to pull the air.

Moreover, the heater will push the air into the closed vents, leading to pressure building up in the ducts. Over time, this added pressure can shorten the heater’s lifespan. 

You’re Not Setting the Thermostat Correctly

It may make sense to crank up the thermostat if your home is freezing and you want to heat it quickly. However, there is a problem with this.

The thermostat activates the heater and then shuts it off when it reached the set temperature. Cranking it up will only make the heater work harder and for longer, inflating your utility bill and causing wear and tear.

You Are Using Multiple Sources of Heat at Once

If the heater is not warming the house as fast or as much as you would like, you may decide to turn the fireplace on too. While it may seem like a good idea to use all your sources of heat at once to reach a comfortable temperature, it’s generally more cost-effective to alternate them. 

You’re Using the Heater at the Wrong Times

By using a smart thermostat and creating a schedule, you can save as much as 10% on your utility bills. Returning to a cold home is not desirable, but that doesn’t mean that you should blast the heater nonstop. Instead, set a lower temperature when no one is home or when you are sleeping. 

Are You Making Any of These Costly Mistakes? 

You may understand that if you want to save energy, you should seal the doors and windows to avoid allowing hot air to escape and inspect the air filters regularly. But there also are the little things that you may not be paying attention to that can cost you a lot of money. 

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

CALL (314) 471-7625

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

Here’s How Air Ducts Can Impact Your Air Conditioner’s Efficiency

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The maintenance of your air conditioning unit is paramount for the appliance to work efficiently, but many homeowners only focus on the indoor and outdoor units and tend to neglect their ductwork. Air ducts are a very important part of your HVAC system. Here is what to look for when checking for certain symptoms of a malfunctioning air conditioner. 

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Air Duct Insulation Is Crucial for Your AC’s Efficiency

The air that is processed by your air conditioner travels through the duct system before getting into your house again. No matter how efficient your AC is, if the ducts are not properly insulated, the air will get heated on the way. This will make your AC work harder and lead to higher energy bills or even faults in your AC units.

As most houses have the duct system in their attic, it’s important not only to insulate the attic and check for any leaks from the roof or windows but also to have proper insulation over your duct pipes. This job can be done by hiring a professional team to inspect the duct pipes and repair any damage to the insulation of the pipes.

Why the State of Your Air Duct System Directly Impacts the Quality of Your Indoor Air

Other problems that may arise from a poorly maintained duct system are contamination with toxic substances or with organic debris. The problems that can appear range from mold, bacteria, fungi, and dust to toxic substances or even fecal particles that can come from your duct system into your indoor air.

Checking for clogs, leaks or moisture in your duct system is very important for your health as well as the efficiency of your AC unit. Signs of contamination can be black mold found around the vents, strange smells when the air conditioner is turned on, etc. Again, you need to call a professional team for a check-up.

Maintaining Your Air Ducts

If your HVAC system can be maintained at home when it comes to the air filters, the condenser unit or clogged drain pipes, the duct system needs a bit more attention. Damage can be hard to identify and locate, and ducts are usually out of sight and out of reach, requiring the use of special equipment for evaluating, cleaning or repairing. 

HVAC professionals have industrial, specialized vacuum cleaners, unique tools and the expertise needed to properly maintain such a huge part of your heating/cooling system. Regular maintenance will not only prolong your AC unit’s lifespan, but it will actually save you money by preventing many potential repairs that could get expensive. 

Call for a professional evaluation at least once a year or any time you notice a decrease in your air con’s efficiency and other unusual symptoms.

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

CALL (314) 471-7625

HVAC Efficiency: 3 Reasons You May Want to Consider Replacing Your Old Windows

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A home that doesn’t heat or cool properly can be incredibly frustrating. Even worse, it is difficult to figure out what the problem is without the help of a local St. Louis HVAC specialist. What you might find after that professional investigates your home is that your windows are letting out too much air and bringing in too much heat. This scenario may motivate you to replace your old windows. We tell you the benefits of doing so in the following passages.

Lower Electricity Bills

One of the most significant issues that you run into when you have old windows is air escaping through them. What happens as a result is that your HVAC system needs to run longer to get the same heating or cooling result. This increased usage will lead to higher electricity bills.

Extend the Life of Your HVAC System

Higher electricity bills are a drawback that anyone can recognize. One that is less obvious is the toll that old windows take on your HVAC system. As we explained above, your machinery will have to work harder and longer to attain the same results. Doing so for many years could wear the system out earlier than expected.

Better Aesthetics

No matter who you are, you probably like your home to be somewhat clean and put together. This desire comes from the inherent appeal of a beautiful space. Old windows can get in the way of that by being dirty, broken, or unsightly in some other way.

Add Value to Your Home

No matter how much you love your home, you might sell it one day. When you do, you’d be shocked at what factors raise or lower the price of it. One of the ones that flies under the radar is the quality of your windows. Having modern looks and functionality will go a long way in raising the value of your home.

Peace and Quiet

Another benefit of functional windows is noise cancellation. Just like with air, ones that are old and dysfunctional let in all of the sounds surrounding your home. Updating your windows can help make your space much more peaceful.

Home Security

New windows often come with more versatility and better locks. The result is heightened home security. You can also pair your new windows with a security system for even better results.

High-Efficiency Replacements

One option you have when getting new windows is choosing high-efficiency models. Their primary function is increasing your home’s insulation through effective sealing and chemical coatings, which you will benefit from in both warm and cold weather.

You have three basic options when it comes to your old windows. You can leave them be, get them repaired, or replace them entirely. Each option has its benefits and costs, so it is usually best to get an expert’s opinion. If you end up choosing a replacement, you should lower your energy bills, extend the life of your HVAC system, have better home security, and attain all of the other benefits mentioned above.

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

CALL (314) 471-7625

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.

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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.

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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 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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5 Reasons to Switch to Energy Efficient HVAC Technology

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Save money and utilize a variety of other advantages by choosing energy efficient HVAC!

If you’re in need of a need HVAC system, you’ve probably considered going with a green option. The trade-off in doing so is that the upfront cost is a bit more expensive than conventional counterparts. However, you can actually save money with a green system and also utilize a variety of other advantages. Here’s how.

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Lower Bills

Perhaps the top benefit of switching is the fact that your energy bill will be lower. The reason is that green technology uses less electricity to do the same job as your old system. This increase in efficiency leads to you saving a bit of money.

Possible Tax Breaks

One thing the government does to subsidize green technology is offer tax breaks for its adoption. While it is not a guarantee, you might end up with a lower tax bill when choosing an environmentally friendly system.

Bans on Old Equipment

Unlike most of the other points on our list, this one might require you to make a change. The reason is that the government sometimes bans old equipment, the most common reason being the refrigerant that they use. If you have a system that is in danger of being made illegal, it is time to update.

Cleaner Air

Excess energy use might pollute your surroundings. You might think that your contribution is only a drop in the bucket, but so is everyone else’s. Rather than expecting someone else to keep your air pure, you can do your part with greener machinery.

Making the Switch is Not as Hard as You Think

What many do not realize is that going green often doesn’t take too much time, energy, or cost. Instead, there are a variety of green enhancements you can add to your existing system. The following are a few you can look into.

  • Smart Thermostat – This piece of machinery will let you adjust your thermostat from your smartphone. Having the ability to control it from anywhere and at any time allows you to avoid costly mistakes.
  • Zoned System – This type of system allows you to heat and cool specific areas, rather than the entire house at once. The result is you saving energy on a portion of your home that you aren’t occupying at that moment.
  • Economizer – Wouldn’t it be great if you could pull cold night air from outside and use it to cool your home? That is precisely what an economizer does for your home, and it helps your system expend less energy in the process.

As you can see, there are quite a few reasons why you might want to go green with your HVAC system. Even better, you can do so in a variety of ways. Not only are there low-cost enhancements you can add to your current system, but you can also explore larger switches like solar power, geothermal heat, ice-powered AC, and more. No matter what, the best way to go green is by talking to your local HVAC provider about what services they can carry out for you. Give Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning and Heating a call 24/7 at (314) 471-7625!