24/7 Emergency Service (314) 471-7625

Top 10 HVAC Questions St. Louis Homeowners Ask

Published:

Get expert answers to the top HVAC questions St. Louis homeowners ask. From AC repair to efficiency tips—Thomas Hoffmann has you covered.

At Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating, we receive many great questions from St. Louis homeowners, especially during the peak of summer and winter when your HVAC system is working its hardest. Whether you’re dealing with an old AC unit, rising energy bills, or concerns about air quality, we’ve heard it all—and we’re here to help.

10-questions-home-owners-ask
Service was great on time very efficient explained what he was doing changed filter disposed of old filter ! Nice young man 👍
Response from the owner:Thank you, marianne, for your fantastic 5-star rating; we appreciate your support!
Wonderful work. Great communication and always a happy positive technician. Answered all of my questions with sincerity and patience.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the kind words, Bob. We truly appreciate your business!
As always, the Hoffmann technician Zach was polite, professional, and efficient. Pricing is reasonable and even more importantly, they are dependable. I will continue to use Thomas Hoffman A/C and Heating.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Mark, for your kind words about our technician and for your continued trust in Thomas Hoffman A/C and Heating; we truly appreciate your support!
Hoffman is great! Very professional and thorough.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Brandon! We appreciate your kind words and are glad to hear about your positive experience with Hoffmann’s professionalism and thoroughness.
Giovanni was great today! Thanks for everything.
Response from the owner:Thank you, James! We're glad you had a great experience, and we'll be sure to pass along your kind words to Giovanni.
The technician is always on time and very thorough.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Catherine, for your kind words about our technician's punctuality and thoroughness; we appreciate your feedback!
Giovanni was good…. This is reason we ask for him
Response from the owner:Thank you, Pat, for your kind words about Giovanni; we appreciate your feedback and are glad to hear that he made a positive impression.
Our service technician arrived right on time and was professional, friendly, efficient and courteous. We couldn’t ask for more.
Response from the owner:Thank you for sharing your positive experience with our service technician! We appreciate your kind words and are glad to hear that you were satisfied with the service provided.
Ryan was here on time. Thanks for getting here early, as I requested. Very friendly too. It was my annual checkup and all good!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the great review, Kay. We truly appreciate your business!
I'm a new customer and had my first appointment for furnace check.My tech was Zack and what a professional. He explained how he checked system and answered all my questions. This was a very good experience
Response from the owner:Thank you, Patricia, for your kind words! We're glad to hear that Zack provided you with a professional and informative experience during your furnace check. Your satisfaction means a lot to us!
Thomas Hoffman is a wonderful company to work with. Techs are knowledgeable, personable & efficient.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Christine, for your kind words about our team; we appreciate your feedback and are glad to hear you had a positive experience!
I called on December 25th at midnight and started leaving a message and Thomas Hoffman the owner called me back almost immediately. He said he would come out the next morning between 8:00 and 10:00 am snd he was promptly on time. He fixed my problem and while he was there I decided to get an estimate for a new furnace and air conditioning unit. The price was very reasonable and the installers one of them being his son were both very professional very courteous, polite, arrived on time and finished the same day. I enjoy knowing that I now have the support of Thomas Hoffman heating and air conditioning along with the peace of mind that comes with owning a Trane. Nothing stops a Trane.

Albert Koesterer
Response from the owner:Albert thanks so much for your kind reviews and your business. We truly appreciate it!!!
Fast, friendly, professional service.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Hank, for your wonderful feedback; we're glad you enjoyed the fast, friendly, and professional service, and we'll be sure to keep up the great work!
The Thomas Hoffmann team did a great job taking care of our semi annual HVAC maintenance. They not only worked with us to schedule the visit, but also did an excellent job sending us reminders on when they would be out.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the great review, Bob! We appreciate your support and are happy to hear you had a great experience!
Nick was excellent. Super profession, quick, and up front with the pricing (which was fair). Hopefully we don't need to call anyone to fix our AC again, but if we do - I'm calling Nick!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Layton, for your amazing review! We really appreciate your support and hope to be your first call for any future repairs!
Same day service. Technician arrived as scheduled. Replaced capacitor quickly. Friendly technician. Repair cost $429 seemed high for inexpensive part and 20 minutes labor.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Tom, for your feedback! We're glad to hear the technician was prompt and friendly, though we understand your concerns about the repair cost. We appreciate your insights and hope to serve you again in the future.
Excellent.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much, Al, for your excellent review; we truly appreciate your support and are glad to hear you had a great experience!
Thank u
Response from the owner:Thank you, Connie, we appreciate your feedback and are glad to hear from you!
Courteous friendly and efficient! What else could you want!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Bob! We're glad you found our service courteous, friendly, and efficient – that's exactly what we strive for!
Thomas Hoffmann is the most professional and courteous of all the HVAC companies in St. Louis. It has kept my HVAC systems in good working order through the hottest and coldest days for many years.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Jonathan, for your kind words about our professionalism and courtesy; we truly appreciate your support!
Quick response time and great to deal with!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Pat! We appreciate your kind words and are glad to hear you had a positive experience with our team.
I notified two companies at the same time regarding a malfunctioning AC unit and Wow! Super fast response from Hoffmann on a weekend no less, to fix our AC unit. Hoffmann’s tech responded to my call immediately and fixed our AC before Galmiche has even responded. Used to be a Galmiche customer, but will use Thomas Hoffmann from here on out!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Darlene, for your fantastic feedback! We're glad to hear that our team was able to respond quickly and resolve your AC issue. We appreciate your trust in us moving forward!
Ryan did a great job with my AC reinstall. Very knowledgeable company with Tom Hoffmann providing the engineering expertise.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Steve! We're glad to hear that Ryan did a great job on your AC reinstall, and we appreciate the shoutout to Tom's expertise. Your satisfaction means a lot to us!
These guy's are amazing same day service very well priced for the knowledge they have ask before doing anything to confirm they're my new go to
Response from the owner:Thank you, Cory! We're glad you found our service amazing and appreciate your kind words about our pricing and knowledge. We're here for you anytime!
Great service. Responsive. Well trained technicians. Honest friendly and thorough. I highly recommend Tom Hoffmann and his team.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We appreciate your recommendation and are delighted to hear about your positive experience with our team.
They came very fast to fix our AC and service was very good
Response from the owner:Thank you, Maria, for your kind words about our service; we're glad to hear you had a great experience!
My ac compressor was replaced. They always do a good job and they are always available when you need them.I think the price was a little too high since they only had to change the compressor in my unit. The compressor was under the warranty. Other than that Im very satisfied with the job the technician did.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Carlos, for your feedback and for recognizing the hard work of our technician; we appreciate your satisfaction with the job done and will take your pricing comments into consideration.
I was very pleased with your service. Prompt response would was most appreciated. The technician was very knowledgeable and prepared for the work. Also he was very personable and professional.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Richard, for your kind words; we appreciate your recognition of our technician's knowledge and professionalism, and we're glad you had a positive experience with our service.
Nick zeroed right in on the problem with a slight leak and quickly provided a solution.
Response from the owner:Thanks, George, for your kind words! We're glad Nick could quickly address the issue for you.
I have complete trust in Thomas Hoffman AC . I have had multiple
technicians who are always polite and knowledgeable.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your trust in our team, Henry! We appreciate your kind words about our technicians.
Speedy and knowledgeable service!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Zach, for your kind words; we appreciate your support!
Thank goodness for them coming out so quickly. Got our whole job done and we are COOL again. Thanks so much!!!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Sandy! We're so glad to hear everything got done quickly and you’re feeling cool again. We appreciate your kind words!
Had an amazing experience with Thomas Hoffman. They were very professional and solved the problem quickly. I would highly recommend!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Alex, for your wonderful feedback! We're glad to hear that Thomas was able to assist you so effectively. Your recommendation means a lot to us!
Nick was a true expert in explaining our options for a new thermostat.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Robert, for your kind words about Nick's expertise; we're glad he could help you with your thermostat options!
Zac did our service today. A very professional and courteous young man.
He did a thorough inspection and cleaning on our HVAC system.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Tom, for your kind words about Zac's professionalism and thoroughness during your HVAC service; we appreciate your feedback!
I've used these guys twice now and their response time is great, they are friendly, informative, and most importantly, effective. I'm calling these folks every time my furnace sounds weird.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the wonderful feedback, Greg! We're glad to hear that you've had such positive experiences with our team. Providing timely and effective service is our priority, and we're here whenever you need us. Looking forward to assisting you again!
Excellent place to work with and installation crew were A+. They were able to get my new AC and Furnace installed quickly. I have breathing issues and disabled so this was a GREAT experience. If you need AC or Furnace installed this is your place.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Tony, for your wonderful feedback! We're glad to hear that our installation crew made the process smooth and efficient for you. Your satisfaction means a lot to us, and we appreciate your recommendation!
Fast, super friendly, and reasonable prices keep us coming back.
Response from the owner:Thank you! We're so glad to hear that our speed, friendliness, and prices keep you coming back. We appreciate your support!
Zachary was very friendly, efficient and knowledgable. He was able to service both units in 1 hour. I would recommend Thomas Hoffmann A/C for any future needs for me.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Michael! We're glad to hear that Zachary provided you with friendly and efficient service. We appreciate your recommendation and look forward to assisting you with any future needs.
Great service and went the extra mile for us . We would most definitely use them again
Response from the owner:Thank you, Andre, for your kind words and for recognizing our efforts; we can't wait to serve you again!
Thomas Hoffman air-conditioning and heating is so wonderful and professional! Nick Hoffman was the technician that diagnosed my malfunctioning air conditioning system and determined how to fix it. He was so incredibly professional and even invited me to watch while he worked, and kindly explaining to me all the details about the problem and how he is fixing it. I am now a client for life with this company because of how professional, knowledgeable, and a delight to work with they are! I want to add that they prioritized helping me on the same day that I called and even was a holiday (and 90 degree heat out!), so that is another outstanding Effort from this amazing company! Thank you so much.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Carrie, for your wonderful feedback! We're delighted to hear about your positive experience with Nick and our team. Your satisfaction is our priority, and we're glad we could assist you on the same day. Welcome to our family of clients!
They were able to come out quickly to help when our AC went down in the heat! They were prompt, kind, knowleadgable, explained everything easily in ways I could understand, fixed the issue, and made the experience so easy! I felt comfortable with the technican in and around our home working. Nick took the time to answer some questions about an unrlated issue while there. They will always be who we call for our heating and cooling needs!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Erin, for your wonderful feedback! We're glad to hear that our team, especially Nick, was able to assist you promptly and make the experience comfortable and easy. Your trust in us for your heating and cooling needs means a lot!

1. How often should I have my HVAC system serviced?

Answer: We recommend a twice-yearly maintenance schedule—once in the spring for your air conditioner, and once in the fall for your furnace. In the St. Louis climate, this keeps your system efficient, extends its lifespan, and helps you avoid surprise breakdowns during peak seasons.

2. Why is my AC blowing warm air?

Answer: This is one of the most common service calls we get in summer. Possible causes include:

  • Low refrigerant levels (often due to a leak)
  • A dirty air filter restricts airflow
  • A malfunctioning compressor
  • Thermostat set incorrectly

If your system is running but not cooling, it’s best to call for professional diagnostics, especially in humid St. Louis summers when AC is crucial.

3. Is it normal for my HVAC system to make noise?

Answer: Some sound is typical (like the fan running), but clanking, banging, squealing, or buzzing are signs of trouble. Noisy HVAC systems often point to:

  • Loose parts
  • Motor issues
  • A failing blower or capacitor

Don’t ignore it—early attention can prevent major repairs.

4. How can I lower my energy bills without sacrificing comfort?

Answer: Smart ways to boost HVAC efficiency in St. Louis homes include:

  • Installing a programmable or smart thermostat
  • Changing air filters monthly during high-use seasons
  • Sealing ductwork and adding attic insulation
  • Scheduling seasonal maintenance

If your system is over 10–15 years old, upgrading to a high SEER unit can significantly reduce cooling costs.

5. Should I repair or replace my old HVAC system?

Answer: If your system is:

  • Over 12–15 years old
  • Breaking down frequently
  • Running inefficiently (high energy bills)
  • Using outdated R-22 refrigerant

…it may be more cost-effective to replace rather than repair. We offer free consultations to help you compare options and get the best value.

6. Why is there water leaking around my AC unit?

Answer: Common causes of AC leaks include:

  • Clogged condensate drain lines
  • Frozen evaporator coils
  • Cracked drain pans

Water around your unit can damage flooring or drywall.

7. What’s that smell coming from my vents?

Answer: Strange HVAC smells are a red flag. Here’s what they might mean:

  • Musty/mildew: Mold in ducts or drain lines
  • Burning: Overheated motor or electrical issue
  • Rotten egg: Potential gas leak (turn off system and call immediately)

Indoor air quality is critical, especially if someone in your home has allergies or asthma.

8. How do I know if my ducts have mold?

Answer: If you’re noticing a musty smell, allergy symptoms, or visible black spots near vents, mold could be the culprit. Homes in humid climates, like ours, are especially prone to moisture buildup in the ductwork.

Our team offers professional duct inspections and sanitization services, and we recommend the use of air purifiers or dehumidifiers to help prevent mold from returning.

9. What size HVAC system do I need?

Answer: HVAC sizing isn’t one-size-fits-all. Factors like:

  • Square footage
  • Insulation levels
  • Window orientation
  • Ceiling height

…all affect sizing needs. An oversized or undersized system will run inefficiently and cost more in the long term. We perform Manual J load calculations to ensure you get the right fit for your home.

10. Why should I choose a local St. Louis HVAC company, such as Thomas Hoffmann?

Answer: Unlike national chains operating under different names, we’re a locally owned and operated business that’s been serving St. Louis homeowners for decades. Our technicians live here, work here, and genuinely care about the community, so you receive honest advice, fast response times, and personalized service every time.

Leave a Comment