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

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

Heating and Cooling

Some Myths about Heating and Cooling Systems

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Believing in the more common myths can end up costing you in the long run.

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Heating and cooling might not seem like rocket science, but it is complex and can leave many consumers researching which option is best for their home or office. The first place that someone who is considering all the new technology usually goes is straight to the internet. Although it’s a good resource for information, there are times when articles can be more like advertising than a truly informative source.

There are a lot of myths floating around the internet about HVAC systems. Although sometimes these aren’t really harmful, believing in the more common myths can end up costing you in the long run. Here are the most common misconceptions that you need to know to keep things running smoothly, inexpensively and efficiently.

Myth one: varying the temperature when you are away won’t lower your energy costs

It does behoove you to turn down the air-conditioning when you are going to be gone for the day, or even when you are heading to bed. The small amount of energy consumption might not seem like a lot, but it can really add up over the course of a year. To reduce your energy bills, varying the temperature by using a programmable thermostat can end up with you seeing some significant savings.

Myth two: the cost of maintaining your HVAC regularly isn’t worth it

To ensure that your HVAC system works properly and that you can increase its energy efficiency, staying on a maintenance schedule is the best thing to do. Things like lubricating the system to decrease wear and tear and repairing belts ahead of time (instead of having to make an emergency call) will always end up costing you less and extending the life of your system.

Myth three: energy-efficient systems will always reduce your energy bill

Energy-efficient options are not always specifically designed to save you money; they are designed to be more eco-friendly. The key to reducing your energy costs is tied to getting the right size and type of system for your house so that it isn’t running overtime to try to keep up. A St. Louis HVAC professional can help fit the right HVAC system to your house to decrease your energy costs, instead of you just relying on appliances that are rated for high efficiency.

Myth four: if you turn the thermostat up to high, your house will heat more quickly

The number of degrees that you turn your thermostat up does not have any bearing on how quickly it can heat your home. If you want the house to heat up to 72, turning it to 90 won’t get it there any faster. You will just end up having to adjust the temperature back down once it is heated, so why create the extra step?

If you are looking for the best ways to cut costs or the best eco-friendly and efficient HVAC system for your Missouri home, have your house evaluated by a St. Louis HVAC professional, make sure to keep up with scheduled maintenance, and think about who you are getting advice from before you accept it as truth.

Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating LLC

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 at (314) 471-7625 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free estimate.

The Benefits of Improved Home Ventilation

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Poor ventilation inside your home can cause a number of problems, including health issues for your loved ones.

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When it comes to comfort, better air quality, and energy efficiency in a home, the importance of proper ventilation cannot be overestimated. Poor ventilation inside a home can cause a number of problems, such as high heating and cooling costs, mold and mildew growth, excess moisture, and a high concentration of pollutants and allergens. It is important for every homeowner to seek the services of a St. Louis HVAC company to inspect and improve your home’s insulation and ventilation to ensure the highest degree of comfort, better health, and low energy costs. In spite of having a good HVAC system, if the air inside your home still feels and smells stale, then it is important to have a HVAC contractor analyze the air quality and make sure your home is well ventilated. Here is a list of some ventilation projects that will improve the internal air quality of your home.

HVAC Cleaning and Maintenance

Proper cleaning, insulation, and ventilation of your air conditioning system, furnace, and duct work will improve the efficiency of the system and improve the air quality inside your home. The HVAC company that you hire for the inspection and maintenance job will examine the HVAC system, and identify areas that need repair or maintenance. The idea is to bring down energy costs and reduce the levels of contaminants and allergens such as dust and other harmful gases inside the home.

Attic Ventilation

Adequate attic ventilation in the form of soffit, ridge, and gable vents is important for many reasons. It prevents the build up of moisture in the attic, which in turn prevents the growth of mold and mildew. It also prevents ice dams on the roof. In the summer months, when hot air is trapped in the attic because of poor ventilation, it causes the HVAC system to work harder to achieve the desired temperature. By improving the ventilation, we can improve energy efficiency to a great extent.

Heat Recovery Ventilator

A heat recovery ventilator is a piece of equipment that is installed into the duct work of your existing HVAC system and replaces stale air with fresh air from outside. It is a great way to improve air quality and is especially beneficial for homes where residents suffer from allergies or breathing problems.

Kitchen and Bathroom Ventilation

The kitchen and bathroom are the two places where moisture and temperature levels tend to be high, which make them a haven for mold and mildew growth. Bathroom fans and kitchen vents clear out foul odors and unwanted moisture and makes your home healthier and a more pleasant place to live in.

These are just some of the ways in which you can improve the ventilation inside your home. Depending on the internal and external conditions of your home, the contractor might be able to suggest some more measures. Call Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating LLC at (314) 471-7625 to discuss your ventilation concerns now.

Is an Annual AC Tune Up Necessary?

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Some homeowners only pay attention to HVAC maintenance when there is a problem.

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Your HVAC system should be inspected and serviced at regular intervals. However, many homeowners still do not pay attention to HVAC system maintenance, and get it done only when there is some problem. Most people delay system maintenance due to negligence, forgetfulness, or cost issues.

What Happens When You Neglect HVAC Maintenance

It is important to realize that by skipping regular HVAC maintenance, you not only compromise the efficiency of the system and spend a lot more on energy bills, but you also put the health and safety of your family members at risk. Having a St. Louis HVAC company to conduct annual maintenance ensures that your system performs at its peak efficiency. This will save you dollars on your energy bills and ensure trouble free operation of the system in the long run.

If you have a natural gas furnace or oil furnace at your home, then your system burns fossil fuels. The burning of fossil fuels releases carbon monoxide, which can pose a serious threat to the health of your family. During annual maintenance, the HVAC company will conduct tests and ensure that there is no risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Remember, even small amounts of carbon monoxide leaks can be extremely dangerous, so regular inspection and service is important to keep this poisonous gas under check. Gas and oil furnaces also pose a fire threat. We will ensure that the system is operating efficiently and is free of dust, debris, dirt, and other inflammable things.

The Benefits of Annual HVAC Maintenance

The most important benefit of getting annual HVAC maintenance is that it maximizes efficiency. The fuels used in your furnaces can be quite expensive and the only thing you can do to keep the energy costs under control is to ensure that the fuels are burning efficiently. Regular maintenance has shown to improve the energy efficiency of the system, and lower fuel consumption directly translates into lower energy bills.

Having the HVAC system serviced annually is the best way to conduct preventive maintenance. The right time to get the system serviced is just before the heating season, ensuring that the system is in perfect working condition during winters. This also enables the HVAC company to identify potential problems and initiate repairs and replacement before it is too late.

Maintaining Your Peace of Mind

The importance of annual HVAC system maintenance cannot be emphasized enough, and the benefits it offers are tremendous. Apart from the energy and cost savings, the most important thing that you achieve is peace of mind. You can stay assured that your system will work at its peak efficiency this winter.

Call Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating LLC at (314) 471-7625 to schedule your HVAC maintenance.