Feeling stuffy when the heat’s on? At Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating, we can help. Contact us today via our contact form or by calling us at (314) 471-7625.
As the temperatures drop across the St. Louis area, most homeowners fire up the furnace to stay warm and cozy indoors. But for many, winter heat brings an unexpected side effect: a stuffy or dry nose. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Why does the heater make my nose stuffy?” — you’re not imagining things, and you’re definitely not alone.
Thomas Hoffman was very responsive to our after hours inquiry, even walked us through some trouble shooting over the phone. We provided pictures of the unit and they were able to quickly buy, schedule and install the part to keep our family warm!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Ali! We're glad to hear that Thomas was responsive and helpful in getting everything sorted out for you and your family. Your feedback means a lot to us!
Nick came by, identified the problem quickly and had it fixed. Great service!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Ted! We're glad to hear that Nick provided you with quick and effective service. Your feedback is greatly appreciated!
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.
Ryan Taylor with Thomas Hoffman did an outstanding job in servicing our unit & explaining everything to me, especially how our humidifier worked, since we were new home owners & had not had one before. Thank you!
Response from the owner:Thank you! We're glad to hear that Ryan and Thomas provided you with excellent service and helped you understand your new humidifier. We appreciate your feedback!
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!
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!
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.
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.
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!!!
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.
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!
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!
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!
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.
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!
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!
🔍 What’s Causing the Stuffy Nose?
The biggest culprit is dry air, a natural side effect of running your heating system — especially in the colder months, when outdoor humidity is already low.
Here’s how it works:
Your furnace or heat pump warms the air in your home.
Warm air holds less moisture than cool air.
This leads to low indoor humidity, which dries out your nasal passages.
Common symptoms:
Nasal congestion
Dry throat or itchy nose
Bloody noses in the morning
Waking up feeling “dried out” or dehydrated
🌡️ Humidity: The Hidden Comfort Factor
Ideally, your home’s indoor humidity should be between 35% and 50%. But during a St. Louis winter, we often see indoor levels drop below 25% when the heater runs nonstop.
Why does that matter?
Low humidity not only causes stuffy noses and dry sinuses — it can also:
Crack wood floors or furniture
Create static electricity
Irritate skin and eyes
Aggravate allergy or asthma symptoms
💡 5 Things Homeowners Can Do to Prevent Dry, Stuffy Air
1. Install a Whole-Home Humidifier
This is the most effective and convenient way to add moisture back into your indoor air. Whole-home humidifiers work directly with your HVAC system and maintain optimal humidity levels automatically.
2. Use a Hygrometer to Monitor Indoor Humidity
You can’t manage what you can’t measure. A simple digital hygrometer lets you see humidity levels at a glance, so you know if your home is too dry.
3. Change Your Furnace Filter Regularly
A dirty air filter can recirculate dust and allergens, which further irritates your nasal passages. Replace filters every 1–3 months, depending on your home’s needs.
4. Add Portable Humidifiers in Bedrooms
If a whole-home solution isn’t in the budget yet, use portable humidifiers in the rooms where you spend the most time — especially while sleeping.
5. Seal Air Leaks and Use Weatherstripping
Dry outdoor air sneaking into your home through cracks and leaks can further drop humidity levels. Sealing doors, windows, and ductwork can improve both comfort and energy efficiency.
🤧 Is It Allergies or Just Dry Air?
Sometimes, what feels like a “stuffy nose” might actually be a reaction to indoor allergens, especially in tightly sealed homes during winter.
Common indoor allergens include:
Dust mites
Pet dander
Mold spores
If your symptoms are persistent, it may be time to consider an indoor air quality evaluation. We offer air purifiers, UV lights, and advanced filtration systems to help clean the air your family breathes.
St. Louis Homes Need More Than Just Heat – They Need Healthy Air
At Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating, we believe your home should be a place of comfort, not congestion. Whether it’s tuning up your furnace, improving your indoor air quality, or installing a whole-home humidifier, we’re here to help you stay warm and breathe easy.
📞 Ready to Stop the Dry Air? Let’s Talk Comfort.
We offer personalized consultations to help you find the right solutions for your home, health, and HVAC system.
At Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating, we pride ourselves on being a locally owned and operated HVAC company. With more than 30 years of experience and a master technician and mechanical engineer as our owner, we can replace, repair, and maintain your business or home’s HVAC system.