fbpx

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

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

St. Louis HVAC

How to Save Money on HVAC Installation and Repair

by 3 Comments

With over 30 years of HVAC engineering and installation experience, we can help you save money on HVAC installation and maintenance.

HVAC Energy Savings

Homeowners and start-up business owners alike, may be interested in saving money on HVAC installation and repair. Efficiently installing a heating, ventilation, and cooling system can be costly and can be an obstacle for small business owners to expanding and growing their business when it comes to occupying a new space. Some entrepreneurs circumvent this problem by sharing a work space, and renting desks or office space in a shared building. But there are other ways to save on HVAC as well.

  1. Energy Rebates – Missouri offers different options for energy rebates, depending on what you are looking for and what type of system you need. There are rebates for residential HVAC, renewable energy solutions like solar power, as well as loans for commercial HVAC systems. Another good way to search for rebates is to look for rebates specific to your city, as these are the most likely to suit  your needs.
  2. Manufacturer Deals – The next option you should look into is rebates or deals that are offered by specific manufacturers. Rebates on especially high-priced systems are usually offered, but in some cases, a moderately priced system may be a better deal. So investigate manufacturers in your area and look into their offers.
  3. Tax Credit – Some HVAC systems, repair, or maintenance may qualify for energy tax credits. If you are looking to have work done on your residence or are beginning a new construction project you can save money by choosing a system that qualifies. Depending on the project you are working on, you may qualify for different credit. For example, if you are looking into solar energy for a new construction project, you could get a tax credit for up to 30% of the total cost of your system. Or if you are working on insulation or HVAC on your home you could receive a tax credit of up to $300 or 10% of the system up to $500, depending on the work.
  4. Off Season Discounts – Yet another option is to wait until it is not peak season to have work done on your system or a new installation project done. Summer and winter are the busy seasons for HVAC companies for obvious reasons, so waiting until either spring or fall might be another good option for getting a discount. If you ask for an off season discount from HVAC companies during these times of year you could be pleasantly surprised.

Contact Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating LLC

With over 30 years of HVAC engineering and installation experience, we can help you save money on HVAC installation and maintenance.

Contact us today at (314) 471-7625 for a free estimate or fill out our online contact form.

Improving the Bottom Line with HVAC Maintenance

by 1 Comment

The price of doing business is something every business owner has to manage. There are strategies to help control operating costs.

commercial hvac st louis

All businesses, large and small, are affected by operating costs. There are strategies to help control operating costs. Considering how the operating costs of a businesses’ commercial HVAC system affects the bottom line is a good place to start.

Install Digital Thermostats

Install digital thermostats out of reach of employees or put them inside a lock box. Employees love to adjust the temperature to their personal needs without any regard to the customer or your bottom line. Hundreds of dollars can be saved by using a digital thermostat to keep a consistent temperature inside the building. Taking away the ability to fiddle with it ensures that your system gives you the most return.

Adjust Business Hours

If possible adjust your business hours. This will not work in the retail industry, but many companies, especially those in particularly hot climates, will start their business day in the very early hours, allowing them to be closed in the late afternoon when temperatures reach their peak. There is no law that says a production company has to be open from nine until five. By starting the workday at six o’clock and ending at two o’clock, you can have the business closed during the hottest time of day in the summer.

Regular Maintenance Program

Make regularly scheduled maintenance checks a priority for your commercial HVAC system. By operating a clean system with new belts and filters a business can save almost forty percent on their utility bill. Ask an HVAC technician about adding adjustable speed drives to your fans. This keeps the fans moving only the air that you need.

When to Consider an Upgrade

Although a large initial investment, consider replacing any component that is over ten years old or in constant need of repair. Newer models are much more energy efficient and the money you save in repair costs and utilities will make up for the investment in just a few months. Newer commercial HVAC systems are built with better technology that is meant to give a business owner the highest possible efficiency.

An HVAC company that specializes in commercial buildings will be happy to come out to your business and help you ascertain where your biggest losses are coming from and how best to improve on them. You will be amazed at how much of a difference just a few minor adjustments can make to your profit margin.

All businesses, large and small, are affected by operating costs. Owners should try and look at every possibility that could help save them money in the long run. Having a brand new commercial HVAC system installed will end up saving a business thousands of dollars over the course of time.

Call Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating LLC at (314) 471-7625 today or fill out our online contact form to request a free estimate.

St. Louis HVAC, HVAC Repair St. Louis :: Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating LLC

by 8 Comments

Before installing a new HVAC system in your home, consider the following three items to help you choose the most suitable system.

hvac research

An important decision each homeowner has to make is choosing the best HVAC system for their home. It is important to discuss the topic with a St. Louis HVAC professional before any plans are finalized. Take into account other options including radiant heat, an integrated humidifier, air filtration, and climate control. If you choose to install a new HVAC system, it is crucial to find the most suitable HVAC system that meets the needs of your home.

The Correct Size

Selecting the correct size of the HVAC system for a home is critical. The right-sized system can offer a lot of benefits to the occupants of the house. When the heating capacity is too much, the unit will frequently switch on and off, which may wear down the unit. It is advisable to work with an HVAC contractor in order to determine the most appropriately-sized HVAC system for the home.

Consider the Climate

A centralized HVAC system is essential in a number of areas in the United States. The presence of a centralized system may determine the resale value of homes in some locations. The only areas that may be exempted from this condition are areas where temperatures do not go beyond 85 degrees Fahrenheit. However, when it comes to people with allergies, air conditioning units with an integrated air filtration system are important features to consider, irrespective of the outside temperature.

Importance of Quality

It is important to take into account that low cost may not be the best thing to consider when selecting the best system to ensure comfort inside the house. The efficiency ratings and size of the system should be prioritized. Discuss warranties and durability with Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating LLC.

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.

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

by 2 Comments

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?

by 1 Comment

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.

The Benefits of Improved Home Ventilation

by Leave a Comment

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

St. Louis heating

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.