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

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

HVAC Maintenance

Have You had Your Air Ducts Cleaned? Here’s How to Do it Properly

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While there is no way of replacing a professional duct cleaning service, you can still do a few things that will help your AC system deliver fresh, clean air to your home.

There’s a reason so many specialists insist on properly maintaining your air conditioning unit. An appliance that is well taken care of will have a long lifespan and will be more energy-efficient. Not to mention, it will ensure that the air you are breathing is clean.

We know it’s an intimidating task. It can be tough to reach and clean this large system of ducts and air vents. Understandably, you want to leave that to a professional team that uses specialized equipment to reach those tight places.

But, there are some areas that you can clean by yourself. It is not a bad idea to keep them clear, as long as you do it properly.

Why You Should Get Your Ducts Cleaned

Vacuum and wipe the ducts to eliminate all the dust and debris that has been deposited on their walls over time. All these particles – dust, mites, animal fur – can linger in your home and affect your health. If you suffer from asthma or allergies, for example, these irritants will worsen your symptoms. Cleaning your ducts will keep the air in your home safe to breathe and your family healthy.

Another important reason you should get the ducts cleaned is to protect your air conditioner unit by maintaining the airflow at a normal level and not choking the motors and ventilators with too much debris. Consequently, your electricity will be used efficiently, and you won’t be paying extra for the effort made by a dirty unit.

How to Clean Your Ducts at Home

While there is no way of replacing a company’s full duct cleaning service, you can still do a few things that will help your AC system deliver fresh, clean air to your home all the time. Make sure to remove your wall registers and wash them with hot, soapy water during your weekly cleaning. While they are drying, clean as much as you can from the ducts inside with a vacuum cleaner and a brush attachment. You can also use a stiff bristle brush to dislodge dust from the duct walls.

Next, replace the furnace filter with a new one. You will notice a difference in the amount of dust that will get into your home right away.

What Will a Professional Duct Cleaning Service Do?

As much as you try, you won’t reach all the areas in the duct system. Unfortunately, your tools and equipment are not built for this job. A professional team will use an industrial vacuum cleaner and a long hose that reaches deep into the duct system. They will also check for malfunctions and perform other maintenance operations while they are working on your ducts.

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

CALL (314) 471-7625

AC Maintenance You Should Do Before Winter

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Regular AC servicing extends your unit’s lifespan, keeps it operating properly, and gives you peace of mind.

If you want to keep your air conditioner in great shape in St. Louis, there are a few steps we recommend that you take before the winter arrives. Follow this guide, and see how you can prepare your AC unit for the cold weather.

1. Change Your Air Filter

In most homes with central heating and air conditioning, the same filter will be used for both your furnace and your AC unit. Most homes need their filters changed every 90 days.

Swapping out your old air filter for a new filter is a good idea in the autumn – you’re going to be using your furnace heavily during the winter, so this helps keep the air in your home clean and healthy.

2. Clean Off Your Outdoor AC Unit & Cut Back Plant Growth

We recommend picking a dry fall day and going outside to clean off your AC unit. Remove all grass clippings, twigs, leaves, sticks, and any other debris from the unit. You can also hose it down to remove dirt, dust, bugs, and grime.

This also may be a good time to prune back plant growth. If you have shrubs or trees with branches growing near the unit, you should clear them away to ensure the unit remains unobstructed.

3. Cover Your Unit Up With A Breathable Cover

Air conditioners can handle the snow and ice without damage, but covering up your unit with a breathable cover does help protect it from pine needles, twigs, leaves, and other debris that will tend to accumulate over the fall and winter.

However, make sure that the cover is breathable! If the AC cover traps moisture inside your unit and does not allow it to get out, this can actually damage your unit, causing corrosion and rust. So don’t use a tarp or another plastic covering that’s not breathable – invest in a purpose-built AC cover that will block debris while still allowing moisture to evaporate out of the unit.

4. AC Maintenance Call Before Winter Sets In

Regular AC servicing extends your unit’s lifespan, keeps it operating properly, and gives you peace of mind. Whether you’ve been having issues with your AC, or it’s just an older unit (10+ years), and you want to make sure it’s still in good shape, it’s a good idea to get it serviced every year by a professional from Thomas Hoffman Air Conditioning & Heating.

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

CALL (314) 471-7625

COVID and Your HVAC System: Here’s Everything You Need to Know

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Here’s a quick general rundown of HVAC systems and how they fit into this pandemic.

HVAC systems are virtually everywhere, from small homes to big shopping malls, providing everyone with comfortable environments. However, with the COVID-19 pandemic, the spotlight is now placed on these systems, with this question attached:

Do they help, or do they make it worse?

Here’s a quick general rundown of HVAC systems and how they fit into this pandemic.

st louis man changing hvac filter

How HVAC Systems Work

HVAC stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. They provide a better quality of air indoors by removing smoke, odors, health, dust, airborne bacteria, carbon dioxide, moisture, and other gases. They also help control the indoor temperature.

Not only that, but the system also takes air from inside and expels it out, which can help with any gasses or substances indoors, as they are filtered through the system. However, a lot of systems also recirculate indoor air, which can spread certain substances from one area to another. This has caused a lot of concerns now, during this global pandemic.

HVAC and COVID-19

At the moment, there is no strong evidence to suggest that HVAC systems increase the risk of a potential COVID-19 infection. Even considering the recirculated air, the process itself removes a lot of particles from the air as it passes through the filters before it’s returned back into your home.

There is one available study, albeit not reviewed yet, from Oregon researchers who collected samples from different areas of a hospital’s HVAC system and found genetic material from the virus that causes COVID-19. A potential conclusion is that the virus could be spread through HVAC systems. 

However, the researchers did not assess if that genetic material would be able to actually cause an infection (meaning they did not determine if the virus was potent or not), and there are no confirmed cases associated with the samples found in those systems.

What About Your HVAC System?

For home systems, there’s even less evidence you should be concerned. To date, there are no confirmed cases of people contracting the virus because of their HVAC system, and the US Environmental Protection Agency actually recommends running your HVAC system as a way of protecting yourself against the virus, together with other measures promoted by the CDC, such as social distancing and wearing a mask. 

The EPA recommends:

  • Running the fan system for longer, or even continuously
  • Checking to see if the filter is placed correctly, or changing the filter if needed
  • Opening the outside air intake if the system has one

Get Your System Checked Now

Your HVAC system can help protect you during this pandemic, which is even more reason to have it checked and make sure it is working properly and efficiently. Call Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating for checks, repairs, or even installing a brand new HVAC system.

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

CALL (314) 471-7625

Is Your HVAC System Ready for Summer?

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There are some important HVAC maintenance tasks to perform before summer comes.

As the temperature is rising, you can already paint the picture of the summer that’s about to come, with its scorching heat. Your HVAC unit will surely be working hard to keep your home, a cool and comfortable haven. Is yours ready for the task ahead?

There are some important maintenance tasks to check before summer comes. Here is what you need to do to ensure it will work properly all season long.

sweaty St. Louis man in front of fan

Protect Your Air Conditioner While You’re Doing Lawn Maintenance

If you are planning on refreshing your lawn and garden when spring comes, you must remember to properly protect your air conditioner during the process.

Trim the bushes and trees around the condenser unit and check the drainpipe, making sure it is clear and above the ground. Once lawn maintenance is done, you can move on to the HVAC unit. 

Consider Planting Shrubs Near the Condenser If It’s Hit by the Sun Directly

If your condenser unit is exposed to direct sunlight for more than two hours a day, especially during the afternoon, then you might want to consider planting shrubs or little trees next to it to provide some shade. But be careful not to have anything obstructing the unit’s vents or pipes. 

Remove Covers and Make Sure All Pipes Are Clear

It’s time to remove the lids, carpets or blankets you’ve been using to protect your outdoor unit from the harsh winter. Check the unit for debris and clear the motor blades with a vacuum cleaner. Clean your outdoor unit is best done by a professional.

Change the Filters

Spring cleaning is the best moment to replace the air filters or clean the reusable ones. Even if you already changed them in the last three months, it’s best to have fresh new filters when the cooling season starts. Also, winter tends to come with more dust and debris accumulations, so changing the filters is essential.

Test the Thermostat

Testing your thermostat is a good idea if you want to ensure it works properly once the unit’s function changes. If your thermostat controls different areas through zoning, make sure the air ducts of unused areas during winter are cleared out and clean. 

Call a Professional for an Annual Maintenance

Even if you prepared your unit thoroughly for the spring, it is best if you call a professional to take a look at the whole system. There are some operations that you cannot perform yourself, and that could affect your system’s performance.

You want your system to be working at its best when summer heat comes. Proper maintenance can actually save you money by keeping the unit working as efficiently as possible. 

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

CALL (314) 471-7625

Air Conditioner Maintenance – Do’s and Don’ts

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Keeping these basic rules in mind when dealing with your AC unit will not only ensure that it will function effectively, but it will save you money and keep your home comfortable.

It may still be chilly in and around the St. Louis area, but warm weather will be here before we know it. This means you’ll be turning on your air conditioner soon. Air conditioning is a necessity in most homes, as it keeps indoor air at an optimal temperature, ensures airflow and controls the humidity levels in your house.

Modern air conditioning systems are designed to be user-friendly and even have a self-diagnose function to keep repairs to a minimum. But, regular maintenance is still needed by any system.

Here is a thorough list of the most common do’s and don’ts of maintaining your HVAC system.

DO: Clean Your Air Filters Regularly

One of the most important rules to keep your air conditioning working well is to regularly clean or replace the air filters. All the air that gets inside your house will go through the filters, so you need them to be clean and unclogged all the time. Every manufacturer recommends a certain frequency for their AC model, but if you live in a polluted area you might want to do that even more often.

DON’T: Cover Your Outdoor Unit Completely

One of the maintenance rules that are often misunderstood is covering your outdoor unit during the cold season. Don’t cover it completely and don’t leave it cover throughout the winter. It prevents proper airflow. Covering your unit should only be done during autumn when there’s a lot of plant debris. Make sure to only shield it from above with a breathable material.

DO: Check Ductwork for Leaks

Many homeowners neglect their ductwork system and blame any malfunction on the equipment, but thorough maintenance includes checking the ducts for leaks and other issues.

DON’T: Ignore High Electricity Bills

Your air conditioning unit should be energy-efficient, especially newer models. If you notice your electricity bills going up, don’t ignore the AC unit, as it might be the cause. A lot of malfunctions can lead to poor efficiency and overworking.

DO: Schedule Annual Professional Check-ups

Hiring a professional team to do at least an annual check-up of your AC unit can save you a lot of money in the long run. Many AC problems are not easy to notice in the beginning, but a check-up will bring them out and solve them before they get worse.

DON’T: Attempt DIY Methods to Maintain or Repair Your HVAC System

The Internet is full of handy DIY projects, and many good ideas can be applied at home, but maintaining your HVAC does require a professional’s experience. Don’t attempt DIY repairs or maintenance operations if you are not 100% sure that you know what you’re doing.

DO: Replace the Thermostat Batteries When Needed

This may seem like a trivial issue to mention, but it happens very often. Remember to replace the thermostat’s batteries often, as programming it properly is crucial in your AC’s performance.

DON’T: Leave Your Air Conditioner on 24/7

Don’t rely only on your AC unit for your comfort. It should be put on stand-by from time to time, for its health as well as your comfort. Find ways of regulating your temperature that don’t rely on the AC unit.

Keeping these basic rules in mind when dealing with your AC unit will not only ensure that it will function effectively, but it will save you money and keep your home comfortable for years to come.

How Powerful Winds Affect Your HVAC System and What to Do About It

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As wind blows, it disperses dirt that has gathered inside the HVAC unit which in turn blows around the inside of your home.

Missouri is no stranger to powerful storms which can produce strong winds which in turn can lead to property damage. We know the affects wind can have on the roof and siding of a home, unfortunately, powerful winds can affect your HVAC system as well.

st-louis-hvac-repair

At first you may picture physical damage, such as your AC unit being blown away. But powerful winds can have other types of damaging effects. As we move into tornado season, which occurs between mid-March through late June, it is good to be aware of potential threats so that you can ensure it’s better protected.

Physical Damage

Physical damage is the obvious threat to your HVAC system. As high-speed winds blow on a unit, parts can become loose, damaged, or dirty. Flying debris caused by strong winds can also damage different parts of your HVAC system. If, after a storm, you notice your unit making strange noises or it stops working correctly, chances are it was damaged and needs repairing.

Affected Indoor Air Quality

As wind blows, it disperses dirt that has gathered inside the HVAC unit which in turn blows around the inside of your home. This can have negative affects on your health as the air circulates and is inhaled. This poor air quality can set off allergic reactions which can lead to asthma attacks or other respiratory issues.

To avoid these problems, it is a good idea to have proper maintenance and HVAC vent cleaning performed on your system.

Dust Can Accumulate

If you notice a musty odor coming our of your AC unit, it may be an indicator that the evaporation coils have a build-up of dust that may be causing blockages. This can create a fertile environment for mold to grow and flourish. Like the dust that enters your home, mold is bad for a person’s health. In order to fix the problem, the AC needs to be unblocked and then cleaned correctly.

St. Louis HVAC

Working with professionals is crucial in ensuring the best HVAC system for the home is selected, whether you are searching for an HVAC installation service or an existing system needs to be upgraded. Call Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating LLC at (314) 471-7625 for more information. We can help you choose the best heating and cooling system and will provide proper maintenance for the system to ensure it works properly throughout the year.