Living in St. Louis means you’re usually dealing with either hot summer heat or bracingly cold winters—and either way, your HVAC system is doing a lot of work. As any homeowner knows, the more you use that furnace or air conditioner, the higher your bill gets.
Do you really have to sacrifice comfort for lower bills? Not necessarily. If you’re interested in making the change to an energy-efficient furnace in St. Louis, MO, you may be able to stay comfortable at a much lower price. Here’s a closer look at the benefits of energy-efficient furnaces:
- Save money on your utilities: Obviously, the biggest benefit of energy-efficient appliances is that they’ll save you a significant amount on your energy bills each month, whether you use natural gas or electricity to heat your home. When they’re paired with a smart thermostat, you can cut down a big chunk of your energy costs. Not only is it cheaper for your furnace to run, but it will only run when people are at home, not when you’re out at work, school or otherwise.
- Fewer carbon emissions: Another great reason to buy an energy-efficient furnace is the reduced carbon footprint. As we all know, global warming is an increasingly important issue facing our world. The more you can do to help, the better—and the fact that it will also save you money on your bills doesn’t hurt, either. Look for an Energy Star rating to ensure your new unit runs as efficiently as possible.
- Better air quality: Today’s technology also includes better filtration and improved airflow. When you purchase an energy-efficient furnace or air conditioning unit, you’ll also get better air flow. Most new units use variable speed motors to encourage the most efficient air flow depending on the temperature and thermostat. This helps filter out impurities and pathogens that can exacerbate or cause illness.
- Extended warranties: If you’re thinking about purchasing an energy-efficient unit, look at the warranty. Chances are, these new, efficient units will offer significantly nicer warranties than what you’re used to. Not only does this protect you over the long term, but it may even save you money on routine repairs.
- Easier and quieter to use: Finally, newer furnaces and air conditioning units are easier and quieter to use on the whole. If you’re still dealing with the same heater your home came with, maybe it’s time to see what newer technology can provide. Some units use sound-absorbing materials to make them as pleasant and unobtrusive as possible.
Now that the cold temperatures are here, there’s no better time to replace your old furnace. Whether you want to save money, be kinder to the planet or reap all the rewards of a new energy-efficient unit, it’s a smart choice for your home.
For help buying and installing a new energy-efficient furnace in your home, call the team at Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling. We know all the benefits of energy-efficient furnaces in St. Louis, MO, and can help you find the right heater for your needs.
Staying indoors this winter means you need to make sure your heater is ready to serve you all winter long. The last thing you need during your cozy winter holidays is to find out that your furnace no longer operates properly. The best thing you can do for your winter warmth is to schedule preventative maintenance before the temperatures drop each year. Here are some ways to maintain your heater for winter in St. Louis, MO:
- Schedule your preventative maintenance: When it comes to ensuring safe and consistent operation all year long, preventative maintenance is the key. Have your local HVAC contractor come out and work on your heater. Not only will they evaluate all the mechanical components and make sure they’re working properly, but they’ll also look at the electronics and ductwork. This helps ensure that every system is working the way it should, and you aren’t susceptible to problems like outages or carbon monoxide poisoning. It also helps your system work as efficiently as possible, which means you’ll save money on your utility bills all season long. While you can do some of these tasks yourself, there’s no substitute for working with a professional.
- Change out your air filter: You change your air filter every month or so, right? If you’ve been slacking, there’s no better time to do it than now. The colder temperatures mean that your heater will have to work overtime to keep your home warm, especially if you haven’t changed your filter in a while. Some people think that gathering dust and debris helps (because they think it “catches” more allergens or pollutants), but the truth is that a dirty filter just drives up your utility bills.
- Invest in a smart thermostat: Technology has come a long way in recent years, and one of the best ways you can use it is to invest in a smart thermostat. Smart thermostats allow you to program the heat (and cooling) for specific times of day, so you get the benefits when you need them most. They also allow you to program your heater so it won’t come on during vacation unless you absolutely need it. Not only is this good for the planet, but it’s great for your utility bills. You’ll save a lot of money when you ensure your heater isn’t running when it doesn’t need to be.
- Wipe everything down: Finally, after you replace your heater’s filter, make sure you wipe any dust, dirt and debris from the unit. If your heater is in an inaccessible location, your HVAC contractor can help—but make sure no one skips this step, as it can help your heater run more efficiently all season long.
When you need more advice about or help with keeping your heater working during winter in St. Louis, MO, Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling can help. We offer complete air conditioning and furnace repair services in St. Louis, including 24/7 help if your heater gives out unexpectedly. Reach out today to learn more or schedule an appointment.
At Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling, we get calls all year long for HVAC emergency service in St. Louis, MO. Fortunately, a lot of these calls are similar, so we’re able to address the issue in no time at all.
Here are a few of the most common issues we deal with when it comes to heating systems and air conditioners.
Furnace emergencies
With colder temperatures on their way, now is the time to start thinking about ways your furnace could malfunction in the winter months. Common furnace emergencies include:
- Broken blower motor: When a furnace suddenly stops working, it’s often due to a malfunctioning blower motor. If the blower motor is on its way out, you’ll notice that rooms aren’t being heated evenly. We can replace or repair a motor fairly easily, but you might want to consider getting a new furnace if yours is getting old.
- Cracked heat exchanger: A broken heat exchanger can fill your home with carbon monoxide gas, which is why it’s vital that you call 24-hour HVAC emergency services in St. Louis, MO, as soon as you notice an issue with it. Common signs that there’s a problem with the heat exchanger include strange smells and soot inside the unit.
- Mechanical wear and tear: Your furnace is full of delicate components that must work in harmony to heat your home. If you notice that the furnace isn’t performing as well as it used to, there’s a good chance that one or more of these parts is failing. Call for emergency HVAC service right away to have these parts repaired or replaced!
Air conditioner emergencies
A mid-summer AC breakdown could mean living in extreme discomfort until the problem is fixed. Here are a few of the top reasons we get calls in the warmer months:
- Refrigerant leaks: If your home is taking a long time to cool down or if the vents are blowing out hot air in the summer, you may have a refrigerant leak on your hands. Refrigerant leaks are a common reason we get calls for 24-hour HVAC emergency services in St. Louis, MO. Once we pinpoint the source of the leak, we’re able to repair it and recharge your AC with new refrigerant.
- Indoor water leaks: Water leaking from your AC unit is likely caused by a clogged condensate line, which is supposed to lead water away from your home. If you notice any leaks, shut your AC off and call an emergency HVAC service right away.
- Frozen coils: Running your AC on the coldest setting can make your home feel cool and comfortable. However, it can also cause the outdoor coils to freeze up. Continuing to run the AC when the evaporator coils are frozen can lead to a complete breakdown and a costly repair.
Your trusted source for 24-hour emergency service
Whether your furnace has problems in the winter or your AC breaks down in the summer, call Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling any time of day or night. Our low prices and around-the-clock HVAC emergency service in St. Louis, MO, make us the number-one team in town for all of your heating and cooling needs.
Heater breakdowns in the winter and air conditioning malfunctions in the summer aren’t just inconveniences; they can be dangerous in some situations. The good news is that most of the common HVAC breakdowns we see are preventable!
If you’ve ever wondered, “How can I avoid HVAC breakdowns in St. Louis, MO?” here are some tips.
Schedule a seasonal tune-up
The best way to prevent a breakdown is to call an HVAC professional to service your system. Scheduling professional furnace maintenance each fall and AC tune-ups each spring are proven to reduce breakdowns.
During this service, your technician will inspect and clean your unit. If anything appears to be wrong, they’ll replace the failing component before you experience a sudden mid-season breakdown.
Change the filter
When homeowners call and ask us, “Why does my heater keep breaking down in St. Louis, MO?” it’s usually due to neglect. We don’t expect you to tune-up your system yourself. However, homeowners should at least replace their air filters once a month.
When air filters get clogged with dirt and debris, the whole unit can start to break down. Swapping out your filter regularly reduces the chance of unit failure and helps improve energy efficiency.
Open the vents
Closing vents when you’re not in a room might seem like a good way to save money during the winter. Unfortunately, closing those vents is generally a bad idea.
When vents are closed, the air intended to heat that room builds up in the ducts. That excess air puts undue pressure on both the ducts and vital components of your furnace. Ensure all of your vents are open and aren’t blocked by any furniture for optimal airflow.
Dust and vacuum
Another answer to that common question, “Why does my heater keep breaking down in St. Louis, MO?” is that your home isn’t very clean. When excess dust collects around air vents, it makes the vent ineffective—the vent might as well be closed!
To ensure that’s not a problem, make a habit of dusting and vacuuming to eliminate all of that dirt and debris and prevent excessive buildup.
Call when you suspect problems
HVAC systems rarely stop working out of the blue. They’ll often present a few signs that they’re going out before they finally kick the bucket. Loud noises, strange smells and higher energy bills are a few of the leading indications that something’s wrong. Pay attention to how your furnace is acting and call a professional as soon as you think something’s not right.
Replace old and inefficient units
It’s a fact that HVAC units are more prone to breakdowns as they age. If your system seems to fail each season, it’s probably time to cut your losses and replace it.
Although installing a new heater or air conditioner can be expensive, it usually pays for itself in just a few years! Newer units are more energy efficient, so you can slash your monthly heating and cooling costs and enjoy fewer breakdown bills.
Call us for HVAC service and repair
From replacing old units to performing seasonal maintenance, Ashley Brothers Heating and Cooling is the go-to company for all of your heating services. If you have more questions like “How can I avoid HVAC breakdowns in St. Louis, MO?” call us today to learn more or to schedule your yearly tune-up.
