With annual maintenance by professional HVAC companies in St. Louis, MO, air conditioners can last for up to 15 years. Once your AC is getting up there in age, it’s time to start thinking about getting a new one. Finding the right air conditioner for your home isn’t as easy as picking one off the shelf. This post will cover a few of the things you need to think about while you’re browsing:
Energy efficiency: The number one thing to consider when shopping for a new AC is its energy efficiency. Each AC unit has a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating that quickly tells you how energy efficient the AC will be, much like looking at the MPG for a car. SEER ratings range from 13 to 21, with the higher numbers meaning the unit is more energy efficient. Though it may cost more upfront, buying a unit with a high SEER rating will save you tons of money each season.
Size: Air conditioners aren’t one size fits all. What works for your neighbor’s home might not work for yours. A unit that’s too small won’t be able to cool your home, while a unit that’s too big will constantly cycle on and off, wasting a lot of money and adding unnecessary wear and tear. Luckily, your HVAC contractor can run a quick test to determine the proper size AC for your house.
Brand: When it comes to air conditioners, we typically recommend going with a name-brand system over a generic. On top of being more trustworthy and longer lasting, the top brands in the business often have better warranties for their units. Again, splurging for a household name will cost more, but it’s likely to be worth it in the long run.
Installation: Despite anything you might have read online, HVAC installation in St. Louis, MO is not a DIY job. Installing a new air conditioner by yourself might save you on installation costs, but you’ll run a far greater risk of messing something up, which will require expensive repairs. Leave the installation to the professionals and save yourself a ton of trouble down the road.
Is it time to buy a new AC?
Unless your current AC just stops running altogether, knowing when to buy a new one might be tricky. These are a few signs that you should call an HVAC company in St. Louis, MO to install a new one:
Rising energy costs: As air conditioners age, they tend to use up more energy to cool your home, and if the unit uses more energy, you’ll notice a higher electric bill each month. We recommend cutting your losses and buying a new unit if that’s the case.
Frequent repairs: Does your AC technician know your address by heart because he’s at your house so often? If so, that’s cause for concern! An AC that constantly malfunctions is on its last leg and should be replaced.
If you want an energy-efficient system paired with top-notch HVAC installation in St. Louis, MO, call our team at Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling. We’ve been providing outstanding HVAC service in the St. Louis area for over 20 years, so you know you’re in good hands with our technicians.
Air conditioning systems undoubtedly make our lives easier and more comfortable. There is a downside to staying inside with the AC on all day, though—it’s called “air conditioning sickness.” This post will cover the signs that your AC is making you sick and how AC companies in St. Louis, MO can help.
Symptoms of AC sickness
Not all sufferers of AC sickness have the same exact symptoms. However, here are a few of the most commonly reported ones:
Breathing problems: The most commonly reported symptom among people with AC sickness is trouble breathing. Air conditioner filters collect a ton of dust, pollen and other contaminants that irritate the lungs, especially for allergy sufferers. Air conditioners that aren’t properly cleaned can be breeding grounds for dangerous black mold that also cause respiratory problems.
Headaches and dizziness: Getting a headache after being in an air-conditioned space all day isn’t just random—it could actually be the AC causing it. A study in the International Journal of Epidemiology linked spending hours upon hours in a building with central AC with headaches and other neurological issues like fatigue and dizziness. If mold is present in the air ducts, these symptoms will only worsen.
Dry skin and nasal passages: Cold, dry air causes our skin to lose its natural moisture. Having dry skin in the winter is common since the temperature is constantly low. But if you notice that your skin is dry and damaged in the warmer months, AC companies in St. Louis, MO might tell you that you’re spending too much time inside with the AC running.
How to prevent sickness
If there’s any good news, it’s that AC sickness is avoidable. Follow these steps to keep yourself and your family safe at home:
Schedule regular maintenance: The easiest way to prevent AC sickness is to call your HVAC technician for annual AC maintenance in St. Louis, MO. During your routine service appointment, your technician will clean out your entire unit, eliminating any mold, mildew or other contaminants. He’ll also perform a thorough inspection to ensure every component of the system is working properly.
Replace filters: In between your annual service calls, it’s up to you to replace your air conditioner’s filters. Swapping out the filters every month helps ensure clean air and blocks dust and other contaminants from entering your AC system. If you’re still experiencing breathing problems even after changing the filters regularly, consider upgrading to a higher-quality filter.
Have the air ducts cleaned: We cited mold and mildew growth above as causes of respiratory problems and/or headaches. The scary part is that mold often grows in the air ducts, so we can’t see or remove it until it’s too late and it’s already spread. The best way to keep your air free and clear of any mold particles is to have your ducts cleaned every few years.
The beginning of summer is the perfect time to schedule AC maintenance in St. Louis, MO. In addition to preventing AC sickness, regular maintenance prolongs the lifespan of AC systems and helps reduce energy costs. Give our team at Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling a call today to schedule an appointment.
Working with your HVAC system is a good idea no matter the time of year, but the summertime is usually when people are the most grateful to have a system that’s running smoothly. Air conditioning is a modern convenience that can really improve our quality of life, and HVAC companies in St. Louis, MO are ready to do what needs to be done to make sure your system is in good working order. Believe it or not, the summertime can also be a great time to make sure your heating components will be up to the task when winter rolls around.
Check the airflow: Any HVAC system is going to be judged, first and foremost, by the amount and quality of the airflow it produces. HVAC companies in St. Louis, MO are unanimous in recommending that customers help keep the air moving smoothly by changing their air filters regularly—every one to two months, depending on system use, household size, pets and other factors.
Watch the landscaping: Exterior components of HVAC units are often situated in areas near landscaping, which can create a problem or two for homeowners. For starters, items like grass clippings and mulch can work their way into condenser units. Try to mitigate these concerns by giving outdoor HVAC equipment a wide berth when cutting the grass and by trimming flowers and shrubs near these units. This will help stop leaves and sticks from winding up inside and gumming up the works.
Reprogram the thermostat: When summer months change your family’s schedule, it’s time to take another look at the thermostat. Later sunsets can mean later bedtimes, for example, which means that you can tweak the settings on your thermostat accordingly to increase comfort and save money for your entire family. Summer activities and vacations can also keep you out of the house for extended periods, meaning there’s no reason to run the HVAC at normal levels.
Consider a dehumidifier: Even though air conditioning works by removing moisture from the air, you can supplement this with a dehumidifier. HVAC companies in St. Louis, MO agree that a dehumidifier can go a long way towards increasing the comfort of your family during the muggy summer months.
Get a tune-up: One final option you should consider is having your system tuned up by a qualified HVAC service technician from Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling. Our team can bring a fresh set of eyes to any concern while also working to make sure your HVAC runs smoothly for the next year (and beyond).
There are a lot of DIY measures you can perform to prolong the life of your HVAC system and ensure it’s working at peak efficiency, but we recommend you also give Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling a call so we can provide a professional perspective. Let us put our two decades of experience to work for you—call us today to schedule service!
The title might not make sense at first glance—why do you need to worry about your heating system during the hot months of summer? The reality is that this is actually the perfect time to look into the condition of your heater.
Your HVAC system is an important part of your home’s overall structure and ecosystem, so paying close attention to the whole system year-round is necessary. If you only think about it when you need it, you’re going to be paying higher prices during periods of high demand. Trust us—plenty of people are desperate to get a service technician when they click on the furnace in November and nothing happens. You’re much better off planning ahead, and HVAC companies in St. Louis, MO are ready to help you address maintenance and repair issues with your heater, even during the summertime.
Give yourself a break down the road
As we discussed above, the best reason to service your heating system during the warmer months is that plenty of people don’t do this. When you really need the heat, you’ll be kicking yourself as you get busy signals at HVAC companies in St. Louis, MO when everyone seems to be needing this heating service all at once. It’s much better to plan ahead because you can rest assured that a technician will arrive with plenty of time to fully assess, inspect and repair your system.
Keeping these logistical concerns in mind might seem a bit odd to customers, but something else that might sweeten the pot is that many companies provide coupons or other deals during these less-busy months to incentivize early action.
Nip problems in the bud
If you’re calling in the pros from Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling to take a look at your heating system in the summertime, then you’re making a smart move that could pay off financially as well. Over the course of our 20-plus years in business, we’ve found that these summer inspections can be some of the most beneficial in catching early problems with heating systems. All HVAC companies in St. Louis, MO know that you’re far better off working to fix a small problem now than dealing with a larger problem later, so take the initiative and work with a professional team that can help you identify and address issues before they start causing real trouble.
Safety first
The buildup of dust and the development of gas leaks can be issues for heating systems, and these can cause safety concerns for our customers. It’s smart to schedule regular inspections and maintenance so you can rest easy knowing professional HVAC technicians have cleaned and assessed your unit and ensured that everything is in safe working order.
Performing maintenance on a heater in summertime can seem counterintuitive, but in reality these “off months” are the best time to bring in the pros. Working with heaters in the summertime gives HVAC companies in St. Louis, MO the time and space they need to perform comprehensive inspections and repairs that can save you time, money and heartache down the road. Get in touch with Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling today to schedule your appointment.
As you consider various options to improve the health of your home environment, you may be wondering if a UV air purifier would be a good investment. It could be! If you are considering adding one of these units to your AC services in St. Louis, MO, you could reap the following benefits.
Healthier home life
Air purifiers can trap viruses and bacteria that travel through the air in your home. However, many of these particles are microscopic. This means they may be too small to be trapped by a standard air purifier. Fortunately, a UV air purifier can kill the germs by exposing them to the ultraviolet light.
This results in fewer germs in your home, which, in turn, can reduce the number of illnesses that occur among your family members. In addition to preventing sickness, this reduction in germs can also help reduce asthma and allergy symptoms, to provide further relief to you and your loved ones. It can also help your family avoid eye irritation, rashes and sore throats.
Improved aroma
During St. Louis winters, it can be hard to get fresh air into the home. Stuck inside for the colder months, air can become stale, and your home may become filled with unpleasant odors. UV air purifiers can help reduce the bad smells in your surroundings. The unit keeps the air fresher and more pleasing to your nose.
Reduced utility bills
A UV air purifier uses less energy than other types of air filters and cleaners. It only operates when your AC is operating, so it is not a constant drain on your utilities. The UV air purifier can also prevent particles from clogging your system, which helps it run more efficiently.
Increased cleanliness
UV air purifiers can help your AC services in St. Louis, MO keep your system clean by preventing buildup in your ductwork. It also helps reduce the amount of dust on your home surfaces. Additionally, it can reduce the amount of damage to ceilings and walls that occur when biological particles infest these areas.
Is a UV air purifier right for you?
If these benefits sound appealing, consider contacting your local experts in AC services in St. Louis, MO. Consult with these professionals to determine if a UV air purifier makes sense for your home. Their extensive knowledge of HVAC systems will provide valuable input for your decision. Because different models of air purifiers are also available, these professionals can help you choose the best one for your system.
Reap the benefits
To speak with an expert regarding UV air purifiers, contact the team at Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling. We understand that replacing or upgrading equipment can be daunting, and we’re pleased to work with industry-leading brands you can trust. Our professionals specialize in the installation of new equipment, heating and cooling repair and furnace cleaning. Serving the area since 1999, we are your go-to source for air purification solutions. Contact us today with any questions or to get started on your next project.
