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

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

Leaky Ducts

7 Early Signs That Your Air Conditioning Needs Service

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One of the toughest parts about being a homeowner is knowing when a problem is severe enough to call in a professional.

Fortunately, a bit of education on the basics of HVAC systems can give you a good idea of which issues need attention. Here are seven early signs that your air conditioning needs service. If you notice any of them in your home, it is time to give us a call.

st. louis man checking air vent

Noises

Have you ever heard your system make a strange noise? Some of the most common of them include squeaking, grinding, and grating. While these issues might not seem like an urgent matter, especially if your AC is still running smoothly, they could be indicative of more significant problems. For this reason, we advise getting your system checked by a professional.

Hot Air

The function of an air conditioning unit is to take in air, cool it, then disperse it around your home. Unfortunately, these systems often fail. The best indicator to watch out for is a lack of adequate cooling. If hot air is coming out of your vents, it is definitely time to explore a repair or replacement.

Spotty Cooling

A less obvious indicator of a dysfunctional air conditioning system is spotty cooling. This issue will present itself in the form of “hot spots.” You should be able to detect these areas, as almost every one of us has a reliable sense of temperature.

Poor Air Flow

If your air isn’t following correctly, you could have up to three problems. They include malfunctioning machinery, a leak in your ductwork, or an issue with your vents. Two easy fixes are vacuuming those vents and changing filters. If those do not work, you may have a broader problem that will require professional help.

Leaking

One of the most apparent indicators of air condition dysfunction is a leaking unit. These machines are built to keep all of their moisture inside, so this development is definitely a problem. If you’re fortunate, you might have a blocked drain tube. If not, your system could be leaking refrigerant.

Odors

A strange or foul odor is an indication that something may be growing in your system. Whether that is bacteria in the AC unit or mold in the duct work, you should resolve this issue immediately.

Rising Electric Bill

One thing that homeowners often notice is that their electric bill starts to rise for seemingly no reason. The cause of this issue is often air conditioning issues, which make the system work harder for the same result.

Give us a call!

If you’re already experiencing one of these issues, then your next move should be hiring an HVAC specialist. If not, you now know what warning signs you can watch out for. The upside of having this knowledge is that you can catch problems before they become more severe. Not only will doing so keep your home cool, but it could save you from a massive repair bill later on.

Give Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning and Heating a call today at
(314) 471-7625

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Unpleasant Smell Coming from Your AC – How to Find the Source

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If you are hoping that the bad smell will just go away on its own, the chances of that are not good.

Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning

When you turn your heat on in the winter, you probably noticed a smell that came through your air ducts. It isn’t always that unusual for it to do the same when you turn on your AC system. But if you have consistent and ongoing stinky air coming through your system, then that can signal a problem and one that needs to be addressed – not just for the health of your air-conditioning unit, but for your family as well.

If you are noticing that the air coming through the vents is a bit musty or generally “stinky,” many things can be causing the smell. Here are some possible reasons.

You Need to Have Your Ducts Cleaned

Over time, dust and debris can build up in your vents and cause mold growth. If it has been a while since you have had your ductwork cleaned, then it is important that you do so. It isn’t just a matter of smell.

The types of things that can get into your ductwork will not only irritate those with allergies, they can cause unhealthy conditions due to mold spores and other toxins that are continually circulated through your house.

The best part is that if you have your ductwork professionally cleaned, then you will increase the efficiency of your air conditioner and expand its longevity over the long term.

Check that an Animal Hasn’t Gotten Trapped

It is possible for rodents to make their way into your home through many cracks and crevices. One of those possible entries is through the ductwork. If an animal has gotten caught in your ductwork, then it will begin to decay and smell awful. It’s not just about animal pests, either – even insects can make nests and die in the vent system. If you can’t locate the source of the smell, then it is a good idea to have an HVAC professional to take a look.

There Might Be Clogs or Leaks in the System

If the ductwork has a crack or clog in it, then air isn’t going straight from the air conditioner to your home – it is actually leaking elsewhere. If you notice a musty smell, you might have a crack in the ductwork that is not only leaking cold air, but it might be pulling from other smelly parts of your basement where the ductwork runs. It is a really good idea to have an HVAC professional take a look to make sure that things are running where you want them to.

Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating

If you have an unpleasant smell coming into your home from your air-conditioning unit, don’t discount it. If you are hoping that it will just go away on its own, the chances of that are not good. To make sure that you eliminate the smell and get back to breathing fresh air, call an HVAC professional to get things back on track and to get your home smelling good again.

St. Louis HVAC

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 heaters and furnaces. If you need a new system, trust us to help you determine which one will best fit your needs.

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Five Ways Leaky Ductwork Can Create Problems In Your Home

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You might have installed a good HVAC system in your house, but you still might be experiencing heating and cooling problems.

HVAC-ductworkWhat could be the reason behind this? Is the HVAC system faulty? Does it require expensive repairs? Before jumping to conclusions, give some thought to the ductwork in your house. If the ductwork is old and worn out, and there are some visible signs of damage such as hanging duct tape or water seepage from some parts, then it is possible that the ductwork is responsible for all your woes. Leaky ductwork can create problems in your home. It not only plays havoc with your HVAC system’s performance, but it can also flare up your energy bills. Here are some of the problems caused by leaky ductwork.

Higher Energy Bills

The most obvious problem created by leaky ductwork is higher energy bills. The cooled or heated air tends to escape from the leaks causing inadequate cooling and heating. The HVAC system has to work harder to achieve the desired temperature. The longer working time translates into higher energy bills.

Poor Internal Air Quality

Another major problem created by leaky ductwork is poor air quality inside the house. Due to leakages, the ducts suck in a lot of dust and other pollutants. These pollutants are circulated in the home with the heated or cooled air. The home remains generally dusty, and residents may suffer some allergies and other respiratory disorders.

Increased Need For Repairs

If the ductwork is leaky, the HVAC system has to work harder and longer to match the thermostat setting. Over-burdened HVAC systems will suffer frequent breakdowns and may require expensive repairs. This may happen even if your HVAC system is relatively new, but the ductwork is old or leaky.

Improper Heating and Cooling

Leaky ductwork may not allow all the rooms of the house to get heated or cooled evenly and adequately. Some rooms may be more hot or cold than others.

Frequent Air Filter Clogging

Dust and pollutants get sucked into the ducts and they clog the air filters. Home owners have to replace the air filters frequently, or else it will affect the energy efficiency and performance of the HVAC system.

It is advisable that you periodically inspect the ductwork, and in case you come across any leakage, you should immediately bring it to the notice of your heating and cooling company. Do not try to repair the leakages on your own, because not only will it be dangerous, but it will not be effective. Call Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating LLC at (314) 471-7625 to repair the leaky ductwork.

Photo credit: Patrick Finnegan via Flickr