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

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

furnace repair

Tips for Getting Your HVAC System Ready for Spring

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As a homeowner, preparing your HVAC system now will help save you time and money.

It’s not too early to begin talking about spring weather in St. Louis. As you know, our weather can be unpredictable, cold today and warm the next. As a homeowner, preparing your HVAC system now will help save you time and money.

Is your AC ready for spring?

All winter long, your heater has been working hard, but it will soon be time to give it a break. This means your air conditioner needs to be ready to get to work. Here are some tips for getting your HVAC system ready for spring!

Turn your AC on for a test run

One of the best ways to find out whether there’s an issue with your air conditioner or not is to turn it on. Wait for a warmer day and adjust your thermostat down a few degrees. Let it run one complete cycle and pay attention to see if you notice any of the following:

  • Strange sounds like banging or knocking
  • Does it stops during a cycle
  • Any unusual odors
  • Is the indoor air actually getting cooler
  • Listen to the unit outside, is it making strange sounds

Schedule a pre-spring HVAC Maintenance & Cleaning

Having your air conditioner inspected and cleaned before you need it is important. If you did a test run, keep your notes to tell your technician about anything strange. During the maintenance visit, the technician will:

  • Inspect your HVAC unit thoroughly and repair and replace any worn-out parts, lubricate moving components, and perform other service work that may be needed.
  • Clean in and around the AC unit.
  • Change the filters.
  • Check for any issues like loose seals, cracks, or leaks in or around your air conditioner.

Seal leaks and cracks and add extra insulation if necessary

Our winter has been harsh, and it may have caused damage to your home. Harsh winds and freezing temperatures can create cracks or loose seals around your windows and doors, as well as in your attics or basement.

Your pre-spring maintenance should include sealing up any cracks and leaks to ensure maximum indoor air retention before the hot months arrive. This will keep your AC from having to work too hard to keep your home cool.

Adding extra insulation is a cost-effective investment you can make. It will increase the efficiency of your AC as well as decrease your monthly utility costs.

Schedule an air duct test and cleaning

When you schedule your pre-spring maintenance visit, ask the technician about performing an air duct test to see if your ducts need to be cleaned. When your air ducts are cleaned, they will remove dirt, dust, debris, pollen, and other allergens that build up along the sides of your air duct system. Having dirt air ducts can impact your home. Some of these include:

  • Increase monthly energy use and costs
  • Decrease your AC’s efficiency
  • Create a fire hazard
  • Increase problems with allergies

Check your thermostat

Checking your thermostat is one of the easiest ways to keep your energy costs low and your system functioning correctly. It may be that the batteries need to be replaced. It may be time for a new thermostat. If you have a programmable thermostat, it may need some adjustments.

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

CALL (314) 471-7625

Reasons Why Your Furnace Isn’t Keeping Up With the Cold Weather

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The last thing you want is for your furnace to stop working when you need it the absolute most.

St. Louis can have some pretty cold winter weather; we’ve definitely seen that this year. When extreme cold sets in, it’s imperative that your furnace is in the best working order. The last thing you want is for your furnace to stop working when you need it the absolute most.

If you have noticed that your furnace isn’t performing as well as it should during this cold winter, you may need to consider a few things that could be hindering its performance. At Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating, we can replace, repair, and provide maintenance for your home’s heating system.

There are several reasons why your furnace isn’t working as well as it should. Here are a few reasons to consider:

  • Your HVAC system needs a professional inspection and cleaning – After sitting all summer long, your HVAC system may need some care and attention. Your furnace may need an inspection and thorough cleaning to keep it working properly. If your furnace didn’t get checked before the cold winter weather, some potentially overlooked issue could be the problem.
  • Once you’ve started your furnace, don’t turn it off – On mild weather days, it’s okay to turn it down but don’t shut it off completely. If you turn your system off and then turn it on when the weather gets cold, your furnace will have to work extra hard to warm up again. This means it will take longer for your house to get warm and make your system work harder.
  • Your furnace may be the wrong size for your home – If your furnace is too small for the size of your home, it will easily become overworked, and the motor could overheat. On the other hand, if your furnace is too big, the temperature in your home may be too warm regardless of the temperature you set your thermostat at. This can cause damage to your system’s ductwork.
  • The fan isn’t working correctly – If your system’s fan isn’t working properly, it can cause inadequate airflow and prevent your home from getting warm when temperatures drop. In this case, your furnace is producing sufficient heat, but if the fan is broken, clogged, or damaged, the warm air has no way of getting into your home.
  • Something may be wrong with your thermostat – If your furnace is constantly running and your home still isn’t getting warm, your thermostat may not be working right. The batteries may need to be replaced, or you may need a new thermostat, but this is typically an easy fix.

Contact Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning and Heating

Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning and Heating wants to ensure that your home is comfortable and warm throughout this winter. Call us with any questions you may have or to schedule an appointment. Our goal is quite simple, to exceed your expectations through our responsiveness, integrity, and expertise.

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

CALL (314) 471-7625

Common Furnace Problems that You May Face this Winter

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By knowing what some of these common issues are, you can take proactive steps to prevent them.

Every homeowner knows that they will experience an issue with their heater eventually. Even if you have your system inspected and maintained annually, your furnace is a piece of equipment that may need to be repaired at some point.

Many people call furnace repair experts during cold winter months because of a problem with their heating system. By knowing what some of these common issues are, you can take proactive steps to prevent them.

Common Furnace Problems

Your furnace may need repairs or replacing for many different reasons. From a broken thermostat to replacing the filters, keeping your heater running doesn’t need to be a mystery. Here are some of the problems you may face this winter:

  • Pilot control or electric ignition issues – A faulty pilot or ignition can make it difficult to heat your home. Drafts, clogs, or thermocouple problems in the appliance may result in an unlit pilot light.
  • Malfunctioning thermostat – A faulty thermostat can lead to issues with the fan and comfort levels.
  • Furnace not heating at all – If you turn on your heater and the air is blowing, but it’s not warm, there may be issues with the power, gas, pilot lights, or thermostat.
  • Frequent cycling – If your system is cycling between the on and off modes, it may indicate a clogged filter, bad airflow, or a faulty thermostat.
  • The furnace doesn’t heat enough – If the filter is clogged or if it’s the wrong size, your furnace may not produce enough heat.
  • The blower continuously runs – A problem with the bower may indicate an issue with the limit switch, which may need to be replaced.
  • The furnace is too noisy – Squeaking, rumbling, and rattling noises are not normal. These sounds may mean there’s a mechanical problem, airflow reductions, or a clogged burner.

Advice for Furnace Repairs

If you are experiencing one of these issues, you can try a few things before calling in the HVAC professionals. First, check your air filters. They may simply need to be changed. While it’s suggested that you change them every 3 months, many factors can make it necessary to change them more often. If you have one or more pets, or if you’ve had a lot of traffic through your house, you may need to change them every other month.

Another thing you can do is check your thermostat. Something as simple as needing new batteries can do the trick. If you’re still having issues, the problem is likely more serious, and you need to call in professionals.

St. Louis HVAC Repairs

If you have tried troubleshooting your furnace but it doesn’t solve your problem, contact an experienced HVAC contractor. Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating LLC is one of the few heating and air conditioning companies in St. Louis that has a master technician and mechanical engineer as an owner. This fact, combined with our more than 30 years of experience gives us an advantage over our competition. We will service all types and repair all brands of furnaces. If you need a new system, trust us to help you determine which one will best fit your needs.

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

CALL (314) 471-7625

How to Choose Between HVAC Repair and Replacement

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If you notice that your HVAC system is performing poorly or is entirely dysfunctional, you will need to decide if it’s time to repair or replace it.

Choosing between repair and replacement is a predicament we find ourselves in often. The most common case is with cars, but the same goes for your HVAC system. If you notice that your unit is performing poorly or is entirely dysfunctional, you will need to make this choice quickly. Here are some factors to consider when making your decision.

Age

Just like with a car, you generally shouldn’t keep getting repairs on a system if it is too old. The reason is that an old machine will likely need a repair soon after the current one. Going through that cycle a few times will cost you much more than replacement. The number you should look at in these situations is 15. If your system is newer than that amount of years, you will likely want a repair. If it is older, updating your technology is a smart idea.

Which Costs More?

This factor is an easy one to understand. Sometimes, an HVAC system is so flawed that getting a repair is actually more expensive than a full replacement. In these situations, you should generally opt for a new system. The one challenging aspect of making this decision is getting accurate information. You can do so by hiring a good, trustworthy HVAC company that will recommend the best option, rather than the one that makes them the most money.

Advanced Cost Analysis

When a repair costs more than a replacement, your decision is usually easy. Unfortunately, you will rarely run into this situation. Instead, the better option will be less clear, and it will require a more advanced cost analysis. The following are 3 factors to consider.

Outright Cost – This expense is what we covered in the former section. All you need to do is compare the two service estimates.

Likelihood of Another Repair – This factor takes age and reliability into account. What might happen with an older system is that you pay for a costly repair, then are forced to do so again in just a couple of years. Alternatively, a new system will likely not need major maintenance for many years.

Electricity Bills – The general trend is that newer systems have higher efficiency, which brings down your monthly bill. Additionally, you can pay more for brands that specialize in lowering electricity costs. Doing so might save you a lot of money in the long run.

Effectiveness

One thing you might notice in your home is that the temperature takes a long time to change. The most likely reason for this effect is a poorly performing HVAC system. If this is the case, you should consider updating your technology for the simple fact that it will lead to a more comfortable life.

Now that you understand the factors that go into the repair vs replacement decision, you can solve your HVAC issues with confidence. First, think about the simple factors like age and outright cost. Then, if necessary, consider more complicated factors like advanced cost analysis and effectiveness. This decision is best made with the help of an experienced St. Louis HVAC company.

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

Putting Off Heating Repairs Can Turn Into Costly Problems

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The sooner you have your heating system serviced, the better it is for your home and family.

Heater Repair St. Louis

Winters in St. Louis can be challenging and often test both the integrity and performance of your home’s heating system. That is why homeowners should have a routine HVAC maintenance service.

Every heating system will at some point fall victim to operational issues, which is why it’s important to schedule repair services as soon as you notice any type of problems. If you put off heating repairs, the problem may turn into a serious and costly repair. The sooner you have your heating system serviced, the better it is for your home and family.

Preventing Additional Damage and Costly Repairs

When you become aware that your heating system is compromised, you should never force it to continue working. One reason you may procrastinate in getting it inspected may be because it’s still putting out heat. Therefore you assume it’s not really having problems yet. For instance, you may notice that your system is making a loud or unusual noise, but heat is still coming out. So you may wait until the problem becomes worse before calling a technician. But ignoring a problem or putting it off will not make it go away. It generally just makes it worse.

As soon as you notice a problem, call a heating repair technician right away. Delaying maintenance will only compromise your system more, resulting in costly repairs.

Symptoms that Something is Wrong

If your heater stops blowing out warm air, that is an obvious problem and results in you immediately calling a service repair technician. But there are other symptoms that may not result in the loss of warm air right away. Here are some things to look for that need just as immediate attention:

  • Ignition Failure – The ignition of the furnace is a very important component. If it stops working, your furnace will no longer blow out hot air. However, it may start having problems first before completely failing. For instance, you may notice your heating system making an unusually loud noise or it may be rapidly cycling.
  • Mechanical Problems – A furnace has many mechanical parts. These parts are combined to operate as one unit. If one part stops functioning normally, the whole system can be compromised. Strange or loud noises may indicate that a part, like a belt, needs to be replaced.
  • Poor Air Circulation – Loose belts and bearings, and fan motors may be causing this problem. Even small issues with these components can lead to bad air circulation. If your system is taking a very long time to achieve the desired temperature, there is a problem with airflow that needs to be addressed.

When it comes to your homes heating and cooling system, you want to rely on experts to keep it working properly.

St. Louis Heating Repair Services

At Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating LLC, we have more than 30 years of experience installing, repairing and maintaining a full range of residential heaters. A key to preventing your heating system from breaking down when you need it the most, is to have your system routinely inspected and serviced. This will also help your furnace operate at it’s optimum level of efficiency.

If you notice any issues with your heating system this winter, call us today at (314) 471-7625 or fill out our online contact form.