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

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

indoor air quality

4 HVAC Tips for Better Indoor Air Quality

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Keep these tips in mind to greatly improve air quality in your St. Louis home.

Have you ever heard about “building syndrome?” It basically refers to the symptoms associated with poor indoor air quality in office buildings and is generally shown to be caused by faulty HVAC systems. An HVAC system can affect our health in numerous ways, but most of them appear when the unit is installed incorrectly or needs repairs.

If you have breathing problems that seem to coincide with the use of the air conditioning, or that start appearing when you get indoors, you might want to check the HVAC system. The most common symptoms are sneezing, coughing, stuffy nose, rashes, runny eyes, and joint pain. People with allergies, asthma or going through a cold or flu are the most affected by poor air quality.

So, what can you do to improve the quality of the indoor air and your health?

1. Replace the Air Filters Often

The manufacturer of the HVAC system will recommend a certain interval to change or clean the air filters. Never exceed that time. In fact, you may even decide to do it more often than recommended, especially if you have extra pollutants, like pets or a dusty environment. Neglecting the maintenance of the HVAC system is extremely dangerous for your health and everyone who needs to live and work in that air.

2. Maintain the Temperature at a Constant Level

Cooling the indoor air too much, compared to the air outside, or varying the temperature too much does not ensure a comfortable, healthy environment. A well-functioning HVAC system should keep a constant temperature and humidity in every room, and not force your body to constantly have to adapt to differences in temperature.

3.Control the Air Humidity

Sometimes, the symptoms you are having because of the indoor air are not caused by pollutants or temperature fluctuations, but by uncontrolled levels of air humidity. Air that is too dry will give you dry, itchy skin, and dry eyes. It will also worsen your cough or stuffy nose, give you allergy-like symptoms and affect your sleep and productivity. Mostly, the air gets too dry during the winter months, when heat is constantly being pumped into the building.

On the other hand, if the moisture levels are too high, you might get mold, which is very dangerous for your health and hard to get rid of.

Try to keep a constant level of air humidity, between 40% and 60%. Measure it at all times with a hygrometer to make sure you are keeping it within the desired parameters. Modern HVAC units can do that for you automatically, but you can also add auxiliary appliances to your HVAC system or get autonomous ones.

4. Purify the Air

All HVAC systems filter the air that gets sucked and goes through the system. However, the regular HVAC filters only keep big particles away, like some of the dust, hairs, etc. If you want to improve the air quality, you may consider getting an air purifier. It uses a HEPA filter that will stop small particles from circulating back in the indoor air. This way, you get rid of mites, viruses, micro-organisms, etc.

Keep these tips in mind to greatly improve air quality in your St. Louis home.

St. Louis Indoor Air Quality

At Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating LLC we have over 30 years of experience in the HVAC industry. Thomas Hoffmann, formerly of Hoffmann Brothers, has 30+ years engineering St. Louis HVAC systems. This experience gives us an advantage over our competition.


Call us today at (314) 471-7625. We will help you improve the air quality in your home. We will give you options that best meet your needs and budget.

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6 Low-Cost Ways to Increase Air Quality in Your Home

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Applying these six low-cost methods can increase the quality of your air.

Do you ever get the feeling that your air quality at home isn’t up to standard? While this suspicion is difficult to confirm, there is a good chance that you’re correct. The reason is that humans have an excellent sense of when conditions aren’t quite right. If you feel that way about your surroundings, then it may be time to make some changes that will benefit your air quality. We detail some of the best of them in the sections below.

woman cleaning around plants

Keep it Clean

One of the primary pollutants that compromises in-home air quality is dust. As you might imagine, the best way to avoid it is by cleaning it up. You can do so by purchasing a vacuum with a HEPA filter for the floors, then using cleaning products for the rest of your surfaces. One thing to watch out for is that many of these products contain potentially harmful chemicals, so be careful with which ones you choose.

Control Humidity

The interesting thing about humidity is that is isn’t all bad or all good. Instead, having too much or too little of it are both bad for your air quality. The result is that your best bet is reaching a healthy equilibrium. Fortunately, humidifiers and dehumidifiers are both reliable products, so you can purchase the one that your home needs.

Don’t Smoke Inside

One of the worst things you can do for air quality in your home is smoke. Doing so adds particulates and many other harmful compounds into the air, and they will cause your health to suffer. If you or a guest in your home decide to smoke, your best bet is doing so outside.

Use an Exhaust Fan or Crack the Windows

Cooking is another everyday activity that decreases the quality of your air. The reason is that many stoves and ovens use burning gas to heat your food. The result of doing so can release harmful chemicals into your home. Using an exhaust fan or opening a nearby window decreasing your exposure significantly.

Clean Your HVAC Filter

As we mentioned above, dust is a crucial factor in your home’s air quality. While cleaning will do a lot to neutralize it, there are other sources of dust in your home. The most important of them is your HVAC filter, which can clog up quickly. You can protect yourself by cleaning it regularly.

Get More Plants

Not only are plants beautiful pieces of home decor, but they are also little air cleaning machines. The result is a house that looks better and protects your health.

Applying these six low-cost methods can increase the quality of your air. Unfortunately, there are sometimes other problems that require professional help, and they almost always come from your HVAC system. If you suspect this is the case in your home, give Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning and Heating a call at (314) 471-7625.

How an HVAC Technician Can Help Your Allergies!

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One of the best things you can do to help your allergies is maintain good indoor air quality in your home.

hvac repair st louis

From fatigue, to asthma, to a weakened immune system and illness, those with allergies know how much being exposed to allergens can disrupt your life. In fact, if you wake up every morning feeling more tired than you went to bed, cough in the night, or have congestion, you could have allergies that you may not be aware of.

If you have allergies, reaching out to your St. Louis HVAC technician should be one of your first moves. Even for those in your home who don’t have allergies, poor indoor air quality could be having a huge impact on their health.

How an HVAC Technician can Help

Here are a few ways your St. Louis HVAC technician can help:

  1. Advanced Systems – Did you know that because of dust, mold, and pollen, pollution levels are usually higher indoors than outside? For those with asthma, allergies, or a weakened immune system, especially young children or the elderly, maintaining your indoor air quality is of the utmost importance to overall health.Your trained HVAC technician can help you design the best HVAC system for your health needs. Those in humid climates may want to have a dehumidifying system installed to prevent mold, while those with pets will want the best air and furnace filters on the market. Your HVAC technician can even install a state of the art air purification system in your air ducts.
  2. Regular Maintenance – Your HVAC system needs to be maintained on a regular basis, especially if you have allergies. At least once a year, you’re going to want to have your entire system maintained and your air quality checked. You also need to change your filters every 1-3 months, depending on how many people and pets live in your home. Dirty filters actually force your HVAC system to work harder, costing you extra money every month in your heating and electric bills. Regular maintenance, like vacuuming your vents and registers, will not only make a world of difference to your allergies, it will also ensure that your HVAC is working smoothly, saving you money and reducing your carbon footprint.
  3. Mold Checks – Certain kinds of mold are toxic to humans, even if you don’t suffer from allergies. Mold is a common, but sometimes deadly problem that you’ll want to stay on top of if you have allergies. After the rainy season, you should always have your HVAC ducts tested for mold. In rooms that collect humidity, like the bathroom, leave doors open and fans on to release the humidity that mold loves. Mold growth is usually indicative of a moisture problem, so a mold inspection can also help you pinpoint larger problems in your home, like water damage.

Allergies can have a huge negative impact on your physical and mental health, so if you are suffering, don’t ignore them. One of the best things you can do to help your allergies is maintain good indoor air quality and your HVAC technician might just be your best friend on this front.

Indoor Air Quality – St. Louis HVAC

At Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating LLC, we are a full service residential heating and air conditioning company in St. Louis. 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 your appointment.

St. Louis Whole House Air Cleaner :: Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating LLC

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Studies have shown that pollution levels inside your home may be five times higher than the air outside.

The main pollutants are dust, dirt, pollen, spores, and pet dander. This indoor air pollution is likely to cause irritation to the eyes and nose, dizziness, headaches, and more serious ailments like aggravation of allergies, respiratory illnesses, and asthma. It is, therefore, extremely important that indoor air pollution be controlled and eliminated to ensure the well-being of the household. Indoor air pollution can be controlled by controlling the source, improving ventilation, and installing an air cleaner.

indoor air

Controlling the Source

Effective cleaning of the house can remove most of the accumulated dust, dirt, and pet dander. However, there will always be some amount of dust and lint which will accumulate on the surfaces of flooring and furniture, and if you have a pet, it will be a continuous source of dropped hair and dander. It is essential to vacuum your house frequently so that the source of pollution is cleared. Check the HVAC system of your house frequently to ensure that it is functioning correctly. A well-maintained HVAC system keeps air pollutants at bay. If you have a forced air system in your house, clean the air vents and ducts frequently to remove any dust and pet hair.

Improved Ventilation

A well-ventilated house will have lesser pollutants than the one with poor ventilation. Whenever possible, open the doors and windows of your house so that indoor air pollution is reduced by natural air flow. You may even use a window or an attic fan to ventilate the house. Kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans also help in ventilating the house. Indoor air pollution generally increases during the winter when the doors and windows are kept closed. It becomes essential that you ventilate the house frequently so that indoor air quality is maintained.

Air Cleaners

Air cleaners clean the indoor air by a filtering process wherein almost 99 percent of pollutants are filtered by the media of the cleaner. There are various types and designs of air cleaners suitable for different applications. Whole-house air cleaners are installed on the furnace and clean the entire quantity of air that is to be delivered to various parts of the house. Portable cleaners are not as efficient when compared to the furnace-mounted ones. The filters in cleaners may be a pleated filter which removes 99 percent of large particles or it can be a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) cleaner, which removes 99.97 percent of particles up to a size of 0.3 microns. The type of air cleaner needed depends on the individual requirements and design of the house.

Does the air in your home smell stale or feel dry? Have an HVAC professional from Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating LLC inspect your home and make recommendations. Call us today at (314) 471-7625.

Should I Buy a Humidifier or a Dehumidifier For My Home?

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Some homes are just too humid in the summer and too dry in the winter.

st louis humidifier

Humidity levels inside a home should range between 30 to 60 percent, depending on what season it is. In the summer, the humidity level can go as high as 60 percent; in the winter the heat pump can bring the level down to below 30 percent. To keep your family comfortable, you will need to invest in both a humidifier and dehumidifier to take care of the seasonal fluctuations in relative humidity. When the humidity drops below 30 percent, the humidifier can bring it up to a comfortable level, and when it hits the 50 percent mark, the dehumidifier will do the trick.

Relative Humidity – How It Affects Your Health

Too high or too low humidity can have an adverse affect on your health, and it may be necessary to use a mechanical device to bring it up or down to a normal level. If you feel your skin is too dry or you are experiencing other skin problems such as eczema, then it is a sign you need to increase the humidity. Dry air can cause other symptoms as well, including congestion, sore throat, nosebleeds, dry sinuses, and a persistent cough. To alleviate these symptoms, invest in a humidifier.

On the other hand, if the humidity is too high, it can aggravate allergy symptoms and asthma. In the summer when you are using your air conditioning system, you may not require a dehumidifier; but in the fall and spring when your HVAC system is not in use, you may need a dehumidifier.

Relative Humidity – How It Affects Your Home

Dry air can have an adverse affect on natural materials such as leather and wood. You will need a humidifier to bring the humidity to the 40 percent mark to prevent cracking of musical instruments, leather furniture, window panes, and other such things in your home.
High moisture can promote the growth of mold and mildew. The early signs of high humidity inside a home are wet stains, a musty smell, window condensation, and rotting wood. If you have noticed these problems in your home, then you need a dehumidifier.

Choosing a Dehumidifier and Humidifier

It is important to choose a humidifier that is the right size for your home. You can choose between a tower, console, or tabletop humidifier. Humidifiers are available in two types: hot mist humidifier and cool mist humidifiers. If you want to humidify the entire house, you can invest in a whole house humidifier that is integrated with your HVAC system. Look for features such as a digital display, adjustable humidity level, automatic shut-off, and timer.

When choosing a dehumidifier for your home, capacity should be your first criteria. You can choose between a portable and whole house dehumidifier. The various features that you can look for are adjustable humidistat, digital display, auto shut-off, built-in pump, multispeed fan, and automatic defrost.

To get the moisture levels inside your home under control, get in touch with Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating LLC at (314) 471-7625.

Indoor Air Quality Testing: Top Reasons You Should Get It Done

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Are you aware of the pollutants that you and your family are breathing inside of your home?

clean-fresh-indoor-airHave you ever thought about the air you breathe in? Is it safe and healthy, or does it contain allergens and contaminants? Although you might like to believe that the air inside your house is clean and fresh, it is far from true in most cases. The air inside the house tends to be contaminated by dust, fumes from cooking, smoke, and other particles. Even more troublesome is the fact that many of these contaminants are extremely harmful for your health, and can cause allergies and various diseases.

Why You May Need an Indoor Air Quality Test For Your Home

HVAC experts recommend an indoor air quality test to check for any harmful contaminants such as mold growth, asbestos, pet dander, pesticides, and others pollutants. An internal air quality test will identify any contaminants that might be present in the air, and the HVAC company can recommend corrective measures based on the findings of the test. If any of your family members suffer from allergies or frequent illnesses, then it is even more important for you to get an indoor air quality test done. You will be able to identify the culprits in the air and seal all sources of their entry into your home.

Common Air Pollutants

Pet dander and droppings: If you have pets, then it is highly likely that they would be adversely affecting the internal air quality. Maintaining cleanliness and ensuring proper ventilation can be helpful.

Combustion fumes: Your home will be susceptible to carbon monoxide poisoning if you use gas-fired stove tops, fireplaces, water heaters, or heat pumps. A carbon monoxide detector can prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

Mold growth: In houses with high humidity levels, mold growth is a common problem. Mold growth can lead to several health problems such as allergies and respiratory diseases. A dehumidifier can help get rid of excess moisture from the air. If moisture is coming from other sources such as leakage in the duct work, then it is best to consult an HVAC company.

Volatile organic compounds: Several household items such as upholstery, paint, and plastics emit volatile organic compounds. These compounds can pose health risks that range from mild to severe, such as brain damage.

Radon and asbestos: These compounds are extremely harmful and may cause serious health problems such as lung cancer and mesothelioma. Only professional internal air quality testing can detect the presence of these gases.

Pesticides: Pesticides are an obvious solution to the problem of rodents and pests. However, these toxic chemicals can add volatile organic compounds to the air, and make the internal air poisonous.

Improving the Air Quality Inside Your Home

A professional HVAC company can recommend ways to improve the air quality inside your home and make it fresh and healthy to breathe in. Call Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating LLC at (314) 471-7625 today.

Photo credit: Greg Habermann via Flickr