This winter, you want to make sure that your home stays comfortable and warm for you, your family and any guests you may be hosting. Even though it’s important to ensure that your heating system is running efficiently and effectively, it’s even more important to make sure that your system is running safely. Unfortunately, many homeowners suffer injury or loss of property as a result of fires from systems that are not operated safely.
For this reason, it is imperative that you take care of your system and follow several safety tips that will prevent overheating and reduce the risk of fire. If you are at all concerned about the safety of your system or you think that it might be a fire hazard, you should call a professional technician to inspect it and provide you with tips to stay safe during the heating season:
Check your smoke alarms: Your smoke alarms are incredibly important devices in your home that can help ensure that you and your family are made aware of a fire in time to evacuate safely. Test your smoke alarms and consider replacing them if they are old or don’t seem to be working reliably.
Keep areas around heating sources clear: Laundry, papers and other clutter can catch fire if they are too close to your heating units. Make sure that the area around all major heat sources is cleared so that there are three unobstructed feet around stoves, fireplaces and heaters.
Be careful when using space heaters: Space heaters can be effective heating sources, but they can also be dangerous if they are not used correctly. You should place your space heater on a level surface away from any potentially flammable materials like clothing, papers or curtains. Make sure that your space heater is away from children and pets to prevent burns or injury.
Use fireplaces cautiously: You should have your fireplace serviced on an annual basis to ensure that the chimney is clean and ready to be used. You should also make sure that you have a screen in front of your fireplace to prevent a crackling log from throwing sparks and starting a fire.
Maintain and service heating sources and systems: The best way to ensure that your heating system continues to operate safely, effectively and efficiently is to have it serviced regularly. You should also make sure to invest in professional furnace cleaning in St. Louis, MO in order to minimize the risk of house fires and to promote energy efficiency.
When you need expert help with your heating system, reach out to the experts at Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling. We understand how important it is to keep your system running effectively, efficiently and safely, which is why we are proud to deliver all of the HVAC services that you need, including furnace cleaning in St. Louis, MO. To find out more about heating safety or to get your system professionally serviced, just contact us today to schedule an appointment.
No matter what your holiday traditions may be, there’s a good chance that you will be spending time with family, friends and loved ones this season. If you are hosting a holiday party or get-together, there are a lot of things that you will have to consider. Between getting the word out to guests, planning appetizers to serve and cleaning up your home, you might already feel busy with holiday planning. Another thing that you will have to think about is how to keep your home as comfortable as possible for all of your guests. This means that heating your home should be on your list of things to think about for your holiday party.
In order to make sure that your guests stay warm, there are several things that you can do to maximize the effectiveness of your heating system:
Opt to use your fireplace: If you have a fireplace, a holiday party is the perfect time to use it. Not only does it offer heat, it also creates a warm and cozy ambience that your guests will enjoy.
Maximize your heating resources: If you have space heaters or other heating sources, consider using them to heat your holiday party. Using a humidifier can also help, since the extra moisture in the air will retain more heat.
Reduce draftiness: Seal doorways and use curtains on your windows as a way to minimize drafts and prevent cold outside air from getting into your home.
Offer blankets to your guests: Since everyone has a different preference when it comes to indoor temperature, it’s a good idea to set out a few blankets in your living space to offer guests who tend to be colder.
Cook ahead: Cooking after all of your guests have arrived can add a lot of extra heat that makes your home uncomfortable. Consider preparing a few dishes ahead of time so that you don’t alter the temperature in your home too drastically.
Adjust your thermostat accordingly: The more people you have in your home, the warmer it will get. If you are hosting a large gathering, set your thermostat a bit lower than it usually is to account for the extra body heat.
Have your HVAC system serviced: Before your party, make sure to have your HVAC system serviced by a professional. Any maintenance or heating repair in St. Louis, MO should be done before your party starts to ensure that you are able to heat your home effectively and efficiently.
Before you have guests over this winter, make sure that your heating system is ready to go with help from the team at Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling. We are the local experts when it comes to HVAC repair, service and installation for homes and businesses. No matter what kind of questions you have, our knowledgeable team is here to supply you with all of the answers that you are looking for. Give us a call today to find out more about how we can help you stay warm this winter with heating repair in St. Louis, MO.
With the temperatures dropping lower and lower, and the official first day of winter not too far off, making sure that their heating system is ready for another cold season is on the top of most homeowners’ lists. With very little time left to waste, now is the time to seek out routine HVAC service in St. Louis, MO for your heating system. Here are just a few of the many benefits that routine maintenance can provide for your HVAC:
Improved safety: While the average heating system is very safe when running normally, there are still many things that could go wrong and put your family in danger. One of the most common hazards that your heating system presents is the release of carbon monoxide gas when the system is not being vented properly. Carbon monoxide is particularly dangerous because the gas is odorless, and in many cases homeowners don’t even know that they are breathing it into their system. With routine tune-ups, you can make sure that your heating system has the ventilation it needs to prevent carbon monoxide buildup in your home.
Fewer repairs: Making sure that your heating system is maintained regularly each year could potentially reduce the need for repairs by up to 85 percent during your system’s lifespan. When you add up all of the money you can save, the price of routine maintenance quickly becomes well worth it.
Retain energy efficiency: While upgrading to a newer heating system with improved energy efficiency is great, it is not something that many homeowners can afford to do on a whim. Until you can update your heating system, routine maintenance can help play a large role in helping your existing system retain efficiency. Without regular maintenance, your system could be using up to 25 percent more energy than normal. On the other hand, making sure to have maintenance done on an annual basis can help your system retain peak energy efficiency for the majority of its service life.
Extended lifespan: A well-tuned heating system is one that can benefit from an extended lifespan. Something as simple as making sure that all of the mechanical parts of your heating system are properly lubricated before the winter can help prevent premature wear of your motor or blower shafts, which can help you get the most out of your system. Routine maintenance will give homeowners peace of mind that their heater will not only make it through this season, but for many winters to come.
If you want to schedule annual HVAC service in St. Louis, MO in time for winter, give us a call at Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling today. Since 1999 we have been the leading heating repair company in the area, doing whatever it takes to make sure that all of our customers are ready when the weather gets rough outside. If you don’t want to be left out in the cold, make sure you contact us and schedule your appointment right away.
There are many misconceptions about residential heating systems and the level of energy efficiency they can provide within your home. That is why your local provider of heating repair in St. Louis, MO is here to dispel four of the most common myths about your heating system:
Cranking your thermostat will heat your home quicker: It seems logical that turning your thermostat up to the highest temperature would heat your home faster. In actuality, though, doing this doesn’t cause your home to get warmer quicker—it simply keeps your house warmer for longer stretches. While you can enjoy more sustained periods of heating by cranking your thermostat, if your goal is to warm up sooner, you will be disappointed.
Ceiling fans should only be run in the summer: While ceiling fans provide nice breezy relief in the summertime, running them from time to time can actually be beneficial in the winter as well. By turning your fan on counterclockwise, you can push all of the warm heated air that has risen towards the ceiling back down into the house, which can make your house feel warmer without requiring that you turn up the temperature.
It is cheaper to use space heaters than a gas heating system: In an effort to save a few dollars on their energy bills, some homeowners will periodically turn off the gas heat in their home and use space heaters in the rooms that they spend the most time in. In theory, this does seem like a reasonable way to cut back on your heating system’s energy usage and save some money in the process. In reality, though, utilizing this method could potentially end up costing you between three to five times as much as a conventional heating system, because the cost of electricity is just as expensive if not more expensive than using a gas furnace.
Air filters only need to be changed once a year: How often the air filter in your home’s HVAC system needs to be changed will depend on a lot of factors that are specific to your home. As a general rule, though, in order to aid in the energy efficiency of your entire heating system, check on your air filter once every month or so to make sure it is clean and free of dirt and debris. This will help keep the air in your home clean, and will help prevent a decline in the efficiency of your furnace.
If you are looking for heating repair in St. Louis, MO that can help you make sure that your system is running as efficiently as possible this winter, give us a call at Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling. We have been handling heating system repairs and new installations in the area for nearly 20 years and have the knowledge and expertise necessary to make sure you and your family stay warm all winter. Give us a call today to schedule an appointment—we look forward to serving you!
Since it’s almost winter, thinking about buying and installing a new air conditioner may be the furthest thing from your mind. However, now may actually be the time to go out and buy a new unit! Since people are more focused on heating right now, many air conditioners are on sale. Once you purchase your new unit, you’ll have to figure out how to install it. After all, there’s no point in having a new AC if it’s not hooked up. But unless you’re an HVAC pro, installing a new AC can be a bit tricky. Inspect the following components if something seems to be wrong with your new air conditioner:
Ensure you bought the right unit: The first step in proper AC installation in St. Louis, MO is making sure that you buy the right-sized unit for your home. It might sound like a good idea to buy the largest unit on the market, but a big unit is just going to waste money if your house is too small. Speak to a professional before buying an air conditioner. An HVAC pro will recommend a unit based on the square footage the unit has to cool.
Check the ductwork: The ducts leading from your outdoor unit to your home need to be secure and intact. If not, that cool, refreshing air won’t get inside! Check the ducts for any holes or loose connections. If something’s amiss, call an HVAC repairman to fix the problem right away.
Check your filters: Your AC’s air filters have to be free and clear of any debris if your unit is going to function as it should. If your unit isn’t functioning the way it’s supposed to, double check to make sure the filters are intact and clean!
Check your cooling bills: Finally, one way to tell if your air conditioner has been installed correctly is to monitor your monthly electric bill. If your cooling costs are higher with your new unit than with your old, it may be installed incorrectly. Air conditioners that are improperly installed may be less energy efficient, which will raise your bill without cooling your home as well as they ought to.
The only way to truly ensure your air conditioner has been installed correctly is to hire the professionals at Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling to do the job. We have years of experience with AC installation in St. Louis, MO, so you can trust that we’ll install your unit correctly on the first attempt. From making sure you buy the right unit to hooking everything up properly, you can count on us to cool your home!
If you’ve made the mistake of installing an air conditioner by yourself and now have an issue with the unit, don’t worry! One of our HVAC technicians can come out to your home to properly install your unit quickly and easily. What’s even better is that we offer some of the lowest rates for installation in town. Get in touch today to schedule an appointment!
