If you’re a homeowner in St. Louis, MO, an efficient air conditioning system is absolutely essential to your comfort during the hot summer months. You want your unit to work the moment temperatures start getting warm. If you find your AC system is blowing hot air instead of cold, you need to discover the cause of the issue and get it repaired as soon as possible. Here are some of the main causes and fixes when an AC unit is blowing hot air.
Check the thermostat
The thermostat is the first thing you should check when you’re investigating the causes of an AC unit blowing hot air in your St. Louis, MO home. It’s a good idea to replace the batteries to make sure the thermostat is functioning correctly. You should also make sure that the switch is set to “cool” instead of “heat” and see if cold air starts to blow from the vents.
Check the electrical panel
After you’ve made sure the thermostat is working correctly, checking the circuit breaker is the next step in discovering the causes of an AC unit blowing hot air. Your air conditioning unit requires plenty of power to run correctly, and circuit breakers shut off automatically as a safety precaution if the demand for power is too high. Look for a tripped breaker, then flip the breaker completely off and back on. If you see that a blown fuse is the culprit, replace it and see if the air conditioner starts blowing cool air.
Check the air filters
If the thermostat or circuit breaker isn’t causing the problem with your air conditioning system, you likely need the help of an expert HVAC technician to diagnose the issue. One of the first things they’ll check is the air filter. If the filter is dirty, cool air isn’t able to move freely, putting too much strain on the air conditioner and causing it to blow hot air. Your technician will replace the filter and see if the issue is resolved.
Check for refrigerant leaks
If refrigerant escapes your system via a leak, the system can’t complete cooling cycles and will blow warm air. Only a licensed HVAC technician who’s certified in refrigerant handling can fix this problem, and it can be key to ensuring your system blows cool air all throughout the summer months.
Check the evaporator coils
Your technician will also check for frozen evaporator coils. Poor airflow, refrigerant leaks or other issues can cause the evaporator coils to freeze. Your technician will make any necessary repairs that are needed to thaw the coils.
It often takes the expertise of a trained technician to discover the causes and necessary fixes when an AC unit is blowing hot air. Since summers can get hot in St. Louis, MO, it’s important to get the issue resolved before temperatures get too hot. Contact the team at Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling to get your air conditioning system blowing cool air once again in time for summer.
Doing some spring cleaning around the house? Many homeowners find that giving their home a complete physical inside and out is the best way to prepare for the summer months ahead. Air conditioning maintenance is just one task all St. Louis, MO homeowners should complete. Here are the top three reasons why performing AC maintenance before the summer can improve the efficiency of your unit and ensure your home stays comfortable throughout the warm-weather months.
You’ll have peace of mind the very first time you turn on your unit
One of the key reasons why you should complete AC maintenance before the summer is that the weather in St. Louis, MO can be unpredictable. You could experience very hot temperatures even before the official start of the summer season. Even if your air conditioning system worked perfectly at the end of the warm season last year, there are plenty of things that could affect the system in the winter. If you want your unit to start up at the very first sign of hot and humid temperatures, you should have an experienced technician take a look at the unit in the springtime and perform any necessary repairs.
You’ll avoid costly repairs
Air conditioning systems can last a very long time if they’re properly maintained, but replacing the system entirely can be a huge expense that you’ll want to avoid. When you schedule annual inspections in the spring, your technician can spot minor issues that could turn into something bigger down the road. Not only will you avoid the costs of replacing your air conditioner and all of its components, but you’ll also avoid the need for emergency repair service. As you can imagine, air conditioning technicians are busiest during the warm summer months. Instead of paying a premium for emergency services in the summer—and being without a working air conditioner in hot weather—be smart and schedule a spring inspection.
You’ll increase the efficiency of your system
Staying comfortable during the summer doesn’t always come cheap. Running an air conditioning system can be costly if your unit isn’t working at maximum efficiency. When you schedule AC maintenance before the summer, your technician will clean the unit and make sure all of its components are in good functioning condition. It will be much easier for you to keep your home cool even in the hottest of temperatures, and your unit won’t have to work as hard to keep your home comfortable. Maintaining your system is the best way to lower your monthly utility bills—it’s a small investment that saves you money.
When the weather gets hot in St. Louis, MO, a working air conditioning system is something you really can’t live without. By scheduling yearly AC maintenance before the summer, you reduce your chance of needing costly repairs or replacement, and you’ll be sure your system is ready to kick on as soon as you need it. Contact Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling today to schedule routine maintenance service and keep your air conditioning system in excellent condition.
Is energy efficiency and environmental friendliness a top priority for you as a homeowner? One of the best ways to reduce your energy consumption is to install an HVAC system designed to operate as efficiently as possible.
Therefore, if you’re in the market for a new HVAC system in St. Louis, MO, here’s a look at some examples of HVAC units that will help you achieve energy efficiency.
Geothermal heat pump
If energy efficiency is your goal, you can do no better than geothermal (ground source) heat pumps. These units have energy efficiency ratings (EER) of up to 45, when a rating of 12 or more is considered “efficient.” So, while the initial investment in the system might be expensive, you will save a boatload of money on energy costs over the long term, much more so than you would with any other system.
Geothermal systems operate by taking heat from underground, where temperatures remain around 50 degrees Fahrenheit. The equipment requires very little in terms of maintenance, and will provide you with reliable heating results for years to come.
Standard split system heat pump
Split system heat pumps that both heat and cool the home are becoming quite popular around the United States, gaining ground on forced air central systems that are essentially the standard in this country. These split systems allow you to save 30 to 40 percent on heating costs even over high-efficiency furnaces.
You can customize these systems for greater efficiency by adding inverter compressors in variable capacity units. These systems are especially beneficial in areas that see milder winters, but they’ll go to work for you anywhere you live and give you reliable, high-quality and efficient results.
Ductless mini-split heat pump
There are also ductless mini-split system heat pump options that work on a smaller scale that you may find to be beneficial for your home. These mini-splits will usually have EERs of around 20, and will feature an outdoor unit connected to up to eight indoor units.
Each of the indoor units you install will be tasked with heating and cooling a specific room, and each of those units will have its own thermostat. This provides you with greater overall energy savings, because you only have to heat or cool the rooms you’re using at any given time. It also provides you with greater versatility in your heating and cooling—you might prefer some rooms to be warmer or colder than others, and having those individual thermostats and temperature settings allows for greater customization.
Because mini-splits do not use ductwork, you won’t have to worry about air leaking through the seams of the ductwork. Plus, because the system moves heat instead of creating it, you will have much lower costs than you’d see with a forced air furnace.
To learn more your options for HVAC units that will help achieve energy efficiency in your home, we encourage you to contact the HVAC specialists in St. Louis, MO at Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling today.
Spring has arrived, and that means the cooling season isn’t far away, especially in some of the warmer parts of the United States. Before the cooling season arrives, it’s a good idea for you to perform some basic maintenance and preparation on your HVAC unit to make sure your equipment is ready for the season.
Here are a few HVAC checks and maintenance tips for the upcoming spring and summer seasons in St. Louis, MO:
Take off lids and covers: Some people cover their exterior units in the winter months to give them some extra protection. If you did so, make sure you remove that cover before you start up the system for the first time this year. Keeping those covers on during operation could limit heat transfer and potentially damage the system. There are many people who forget to remove their covers each year, which can result in some expensive repairs.
Inspect the exterior unit: Take a look at the exterior air conditioning unit, and particularly its panels, which are designed to protect the electrical connections. If you’re missing a panel, or if one is misaligned or damaged, you’re going to want to make sure you get a technician out to fix the issue as soon as possible.
Remove debris: The outdoor condenser can easily trap trash that blows against it, and could also be susceptible to vegetation growth. Make sure to remove any debris or vegetation that grows into or around it. Once you start mulching for the season, avoid packing mulch around the unit’s base, because this could prevent good airflow from occurring.
Change filters: You must change the air filter in your indoor air handler several times a year, and the change of seasons is a good time to do this. This is especially important after the winter, when you’ve likely been running your system much more frequently and thus are more likely to have a significant amount of debris built up in the filter.
Check drainage: There should be a coil drainage hose or condensate line inside. The coil’s temperature will usually be lower than the ambient air around it, which means water will condense on it and drip into the condensate tray. That condensation must flow to a drain, or else the tray will fill up and potentially spill water on to your basement floor. It’s important to make sure your drainage system is functioning properly.
Clean vents and air returns: This is a task you should take on several times a year, and it makes sense to do it when switching from heating to cooling and vice versa. Supply and return air grills and vents should be opened up and cleared of dust or debris. You can use vacuums with hoses to get inside and remove debris that accumulated during the winter. This will help ensure the delivery of clean air throughout the coming season.
Interested in learning more about some of the maintenance tips you can employ to prepare your HVAC system for the upcoming spring and summer seasons in St. Louis, MO? Contact Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling today to schedule your seasonal air conditioning maintenance appointment.
Most HVAC systems can last for 15 to 20 years without failing, but you’ll probably need to buy a new AC or furnace at some point. We recommend purchasing the new unit in the offseason—in other words, buy your AC in the fall or winter and purchase a heater in the spring or summer. Continue reading to learn more about when to get a new HVAC unit in St. Louis, MO:
Better prices: When you wait until the offseason to buy a new HVAC unit, you can often save a bundle. This is because the systems are in lower demand, or HVAC manufacturers are trying to move last year’s models.
Faster service: You’ll need to bring in an HVAC technician to install your new heater or AC. Because we’re not always as busy in the spring or fall, we can make it out to your house for installation much faster.
Cheaper installation: In addition to arriving faster and saving money on the unit itself, an HVAC technician may not charge as much to install it during the offseason. Since they’re less busy, your technician may be willing to negotiate the installation price.
Less inconvenience: If your AC has ever broken down in the summer or your heater has quit working in the dead of winter, you know how uncomfortable your house can get. If you’re proactive about replacing your HVAC unit in the offseason, you can avoid that inconvenience and discomfort altogether!
Signs that it’s time for a new unit
In addition to knowing when to get a new HVAC unit in St. Louis, MO, it’s helpful to know a few of the signs that it’s time for a new heater or air conditioner. If you notice any of the following signs, call an HVAC technician right away to buy a new unit:
Poor performance: Your HVAC unit doesn’t often stop working out of nowhere. Instead, it’ll slowly get less effective at heating or cooling your home. It’s a good idea to call an HVAC pro as soon as you notice a dip in performance to get a full inspection.
Old age: You can expect your HVAC system to last anywhere from 15 to 20 years if you schedule yearly maintenance. But if your unit is getting up there in years, we recommend starting to shop for a new unit during the offseason to save money and avoid a sudden breakdown.
When purchasing a new home: Very rarely do home buyers get everything they want in a new house. If you’re looking at a new house and the HVAC system isn’t up to date, it’s a good idea to install a new one shortly after moving in. You may even get the seller to knock some money off the asking price.
Call us today to install your new AC!
There’s never been a better time than right now to get a new energy-efficient air conditioner. Contact Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling today to purchase your system or to learn more about when to get a new HVAC unit in St. Louis, MO.
