When you’re a homeowner (especially a novice homeowner), every sound in your home can be unsettling. After all, when you move into your house, you’ve not only invested a massive sum of money, but you’ve also pinned your hopes and your family’s future on those four walls. So, when unexpected noises rattle your home, you inevitably want to know what’s wrong.
No home noise is more unsettling than excessive clamor from your home’s furnace. Millions of Americans own furnace-based heating systems, and most of them get a little nervous when they start causing a racket. Not to worry, though—if your furnace is making some noise, here are some signs you could require further furnace repair in St. Louis, MO.
Squealing
When your furnace kicks on and a squealing noise soon follows, it often means that you’ve got a loose belt somewhere in the motor. If you address the problem quickly, it should be a relatively cheap fix. If squealing is left unattended, it could lead to more severe issues with your furnace.
Rumbling
If your furnace turns on as usual and completes a heating cycle without issue, but then lets out a home-rattling rumbling noise, then you could be in trouble. A loud rumble often indicates that your furnace is combusting fuel even after your pilot light has turned off. If your furnace is rumbling, call a company to schedule furnace repair in St. Louis, MO as soon as possible.
Loud humming
You’re likely familiar with the typical noises associated with your furnace. There’s an assertive click when it turns on and a light humming noise as it completes its operation cycle. When that typically muted hum turns into something loud and ominous, you could have an issue with your furnace’s fan or capacitor. A professional HVAC technician should be able to diagnose the source of the problem.
Popping noises
One pop when your furnace turns on is natural. If that popping noise continues during your furnace’s operation, it could mean that your furnace’s burners are dirty. Leaving the popping sound unattended could lead to the accumulation of gas on your burners, which could eventually cause dangerous problems.
Let the pros make a diagnosis
You shouldn’t have to sit and scratch your head wondering, “What is wrong with my furnace?” Schedule furnace repair in St. Louis, MO with Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling! We have more than 20 years of experience offering a comprehensive range of residential and commercial services to our valued customers.
We specialize in the installation, maintenance and repair of AC systems, furnaces, ductwork, air filters, humidifiers and more! We can even make sure your furnace or heating system is clean and ready to go before the cold weather sets in. Don’t be caught in the cold—Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling will send a highly-skilled technician to diagnose your problem and then fix it. Your heating and cooling problems will be a thing of the past when you work with us. Call today to schedule your appointment.
One of the most common air conditioning problems people experience in St. Louis, MO is having warm air blow through the vents when they should be getting fresh, cool air flowing through instead. There’s a large number of possible reasons why an air conditioner could be blowing warm air, but today we’ll focus on just a few of the most common.
Thermostat settings
Any time you’re having temperature issues with the air coming from your vents, your first step should be to check the settings on your thermostat. While it might sound ridiculous, there is a possibility that you have the air set to “heat” instead of “cool.” Other settings, such as “auto” or “on,” may simply result in the fan blowing regardless of whether the air conditioner itself is running and cooling the air. This would cause your AC to blow warm air through the vents during the periods of time when the outside unit isn’t operating.
So, simply put, check your settings on your thermostat and make sure you’ve actually set it up to get cool air coming into your home!
Problems with the outdoor unit
There are a couple main components for every air conditioning system, split between the indoors and the outdoors. The indoor unit will feature the fan that blows the air through your home, but it will only operate if the outdoor components are also working properly.
The outdoor unit features the compressor, which compresses the refrigerant that flows through the system. In most cases, if you’re having a problem with the air conditioner blowing warm air, it’s going to mean there’s either a problem with the compressor or that your system is low on refrigerant.
Problems with indoor systems
While most of the time equipment problems will primarily be found in the outdoor unit, there are some issues that can occur with interior components. It is possible that you have a broken or disconnected air return duct that is pulling in air from the outside or the attic without conditioning it. You might have a circuit breaker that was tripped or a fuse that was blown, which has resulted in power to the AC unit being shut off, so check your circuit breaker or fuse panel and make sure it’s actually getting the electricity it needs to maintain power.
Airflow restrictions
Another potential problem could be that there’s something restricting the amount of air that’s going to or from your air conditioner. Restricted airflow can result in the compressor freezing up. Causes of restricted airflow can include a clogged air filter that needs to be replaced, or dirty coils caused by a general lack of maintenance to your air conditioning system. You should make it a point to have your system inspected and maintained each year by an air conditioning technician so it operates as efficiently as possible and you can extend its usable life.
When you need more information about common air conditioning problems and how you can resolve them, an air conditioner maintenance service in St. Louis, MO can help. Contact Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling today!
Though we may be approaching the end of the summer, we still have some hot days ahead of us. If you’ve been experiencing some issues with your air conditioner, now may be a good time to get your unit replaced, as there is less demand toward the end of the season.
Not every issue with an air conditioner is a sign that it needs to be replaced. Sometimes you’re more than capable of repairing the problem and continuing to use the unit. However, eventually you will get to a point where you’ve invested too much in AC maintenance and repairs for the age of the equipment, and will need to make an AC upgrade in St. Louis, MO.
Here are just a few of the telltale signs you need to update your AC unit:
High energy bills: Have you noticed a sharp increase in how much you’re paying on your monthly energy bills? This could be a sign that your air conditioner is no longer operating as efficiently as it once did. An upgrade can help you find more energy-efficient equipment that will save you a significant amount of money each month on your utility payments.
Issues with airflow: If you’re having a problem getting a sufficient amount of cool air to flow through your vents, this is an obvious problem with your air conditioner. You should be able to get cold air coming through the vents within a couple minutes after you adjust your thermostat. If not, there could be a problem with your piping or ductwork restricting the airflow, or with some of the mechanical parts of your air conditioning unit.
Strange sounds: While it’s completely normal for an air conditioner to make a constant humming sound during operation, there are some sounds that should be cause for concern, such as clanging, banging, scraping or grinding. So, if you notice any of these sounds popping up in your air conditioning system that did not exist before, it’s important that you have a professional come and inspect the system and determine if it’s an issue that can be repaired.
Strange odors: There should never be a smell associated with your air conditioning system—it should be clean and odor free. However, there are some cases where problems within an air conditioning system can manifest themselves in a smoky or burning smell. In some cases, mold or mildew issues can cause a musty odor that emanates from the vents during AC usage.
Moisture buildup: Speaking of mold or mildew, they are likely to form if you’re having any issues with moisture in the system. While there’s always going to be moisture in AC units, there shouldn’t be any leakages or excessive moisture.
Fluid leak: If you see a refrigerant leak coming from the system, this could be a sign of significant problems with your air conditioner and could become dangerous to people or pets.
For more information about some of the most common problems that could indicate it’s time for AC maintenance in St. Louis, MO, or to schedule an air conditioning repair appointment, reach out to Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling today.
Your HVAC system is something you never want to neglect. There’s no worse feeling than when the weather turns cold and you need the heat to click on and it fails to do so, or when the same happens with your air conditioner during the summertime. Regular air conditioning maintenance in St. Louis, MO is a great way to make sure any problems are nipped in the bud and you can keep your system in good working order.
HVAC maintenance is easy to schedule, but there may be some question of when it’s actually necessary to do so. At Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling, we’ve found there are certain times of year that are just better than others for customers to schedule HVAC service. Read on for the answers to some common questions that will help you make the appropriate decision for your system.
What does maintenance entail?
When you schedule a maintenance appointment, a technician will give your HVAC system a comprehensive checkup. This involves going over an entire checklist of verifications and items we look for in every system. For something like heating maintenance in St. Louis, MO, this means inspecting every part of the system, testing it to make sure all heating functions work properly and cleaning all parts so they operate with ease. All of these functions are not only checked but also repaired by your technician if needed, keeping small problems at bay so they don’t turn into bigger ones that will cost more money to fix later on.
When’s the best time to schedule maintenance?
The rule of thumb for heating and air conditioning maintenance in St. Louis, MO is that you really want to schedule it before you need it. People rush to their phones in cold weather when their heat fails to click on, and it can be hard to get an appointment—beat the crowds by scheduling your maintenance appointment early in the season. Similarly, for your air conditioning maintenance, you’ll want to get an appointment in the spring before the weather really starts to heat up.
How often should you schedule your maintenance?
Your HVAC systems are finely-tuned machines that should be checked by a professional on a regular basis. For most systems, this means annual maintenance checks for both your heating and cooling components. Ultimately, you don’t want to put off heating service and air conditioning maintenance in St. Louis, MO, because it’s easy for small issues to fester and develop into problems that are more costly and time-consuming to repair. It’s always better to be proactive than reactive.
At Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling, we take HVAC maintenance very seriously, and our two-decade track record speaks for itself. Customers all over the St. Louis area trust us to keep their systems operating smoothly and ensure their families stay comfortable and happy, regardless of what the weather outside has in store. Get in touch with us today to schedule a maintenance appointment for your HVAC system—we look forward to assisting you soon!
As summer gets into high gear, we hope you’re all enjoying yourselves and getting to spend lots of time outdoors. Summertime means backyard cookouts, swimming and fun sports for all, but you also want to make sure your indoor activities are enjoyable, and being comfortable is a big part of that. Having a reliable HVAC system is a wonderful asset, and one of the best parts of modern air conditioning is that it’s actually more affordable than many people think, thanks to the incredible efficiency of today’s systems.
If you’ve been considering an investment in energy-efficient AC in St. Louis, MO, the team at Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling has the knowledge and the ability to install an air conditioning system that will keep you cool, at a lower cost, for years to come. Here are some of the benefits you’ll enjoy:
Less humidity: Air conditioning was actually invented as a way to remove humidity from the air, with the cooling effect just being a pleasant side benefit. Humidity control remains one of the greatest benefits of energy-saving cooling in St. Louis, MO. If you have a properly-sized air conditioning unit for your home, you’re going to be pleased with your humidity levels, as lower humidity will make everyone more comfortable and allows for better sleeping conditions at night.
Easier on your wallet: The most obvious benefit of energy-efficient AC in St. Louis, MO is that it consumes far less power than older systems. This means it doesn’t require as much juice to start up and achieve the same results as older, less efficient systems. It will therefore provide many of the same benefits at a much lower cost, which is music to every homeowner’s ears.
Time to go green: Energy-efficient AC in St. Louis, MO is also more friendly on the environment. The summer months can increase energy consumption across the board thanks to cooling usage, but you can lessen your footprint with a more efficient modern system. Your family’s carbon footprint will be smaller, and you’ll be able to feel a bit better about your impact.
Fewer repairs: If you have an older HVAC system, you’re probably familiar with the challenges presented by frequent repair needs. While those can easily be handled by our team, replacing your system with an energy-efficient one might actually be more cost-effective over the long term. A newer model AC will provide better cooling capabilities while also offering peace of mind regarding its reliability.
Less noise: The sound produced by older HVAC units can really create a problem for your family. Energy-saving cooling in St. Louis, MO, on the other hand, can cut down on excessive noise and keep your family cool with less ambient sound.
Working with air conditioning is something our team at Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling has been doing for over two decades, and we’ve seen technology advance at a rapid pace during that time. With the efficiency of HVAC units getting better all the time, there’s no reason not to invest in a new unit if your existing one has been causing you trouble. Get in touch with us to learn more!
