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What to Consider Before Replacing Your Furnace

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If you’ve been suffering frequent furnace breakdowns or have been routinely having to make expensive repairs to your unit, it’s probably time you got the equipment replaced. But before you make the final decision, there are a few things you should consider.

Here is some information from an HVAC service in St. Louis, MO to help make your furnace replacement decision a more informed one.

Know if a repair won’t do the trick

Do you really need to replace your furnace altogether? This is a significant investment, so it’s important to be absolutely sure that a full-on replacement is in your best interest. In general, it’ll be a good idea to replace your furnace if it’s more than three quarters through its life expectancy and the repairs you’d need to make would cost more than a third of the cost of replacing it.

Most of the time, there will be a label on the furnace that indicates its manufacturer and installation dates. Furnaces last an average of 15 to 20 years, and maybe another five to 10 if the furnace is a high-quality brand and it has been regularly maintained.

Calculate the efficiency potential

Most standard furnaces today are about 80 percent efficient, meaning about 20 percent of the fuel energy goes up and out through the chimney. However, there are some furnaces that are up to 98.5 percent efficient. The number you’re looking for is the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating. Having a super-efficient furnace can add $1,000 to $2,000 to the cost of the furnace, but could also result in some significant savings. Let’s say a 15 percent increase in AFUE saves you approximately $300 per year (if you’re paying about $2,000 per year to heat your home). If the added cost you pay for the furnace is $1,500, the efficiency will have paid for the extra price within five years, meaning you’ll save a significant amount of money if your furnace lasts you a total of 15 to 20 years.

Determine what you can do to lower your heating needs

If you already have a super-efficient furnace or don’t want to make that investment, you could consider adding insulation to your home. Adding insulation to your attic floor or spraying foam along the top of all foundation walls can be a good way to give your home some extra insulation. This is one of the best ways to decrease your heating needs and your reliance on your furnace, which will in turn help to extend your furnace’s lifespan.

Check your ducts

The ducts could be causing some of the inefficiency you experience with your furnace’s operation. You might have air escaping into the attic, basement or crawlspace. Improving the ducts by sealing up gaps and re-insulating them can be a good step to take, as can cleaning the ducts or other components of the HVAC system if they have a significant amount of debris.

For more information, contact Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling to schedule HVAC service in St. Louis, MO.

Is Duct Cleaning Worth It?

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Duct cleaning has become a popular service in recent years, with many providers of HVAC service in St. Louis, MO and even specialized commercial cleaning services offering it to their customers. But is the service worth investing in?

First, it’s important to know exactly what you’re getting when you get your ducts cleaned. Professional duct cleaning involves the use of specialized vacuums, blowers and brushes to clean out every part of your ducts, including intakes, supply and return ducts all throughout your home. The process involves a thorough cleaning of the registers, grilles, fans, air handler, housings, motors and coils in your HVAC system.

There are not any studies that indicate regular duct cleaning improves the air quality or reduces the dust in your home. However, there is plenty of evidence to indicate that a buildup of dust in your HVAC system makes the unit less efficient.

When to invest in duct cleaning

Duct cleaning is not always (or even usually) necessary, and the EPA even says the ducts only need to be cleaned if they or the HVAC unit are contaminated. However, there are some circumstances in which it definitely makes sense to have it done. Here are a few examples of these scenarios:

These are just a few scenarios in which it makes sense to seek out duct cleaning services from an HVAC service in St. Louis, MO. To learn more about the various repair, maintenance and cleaning services we offer, we encourage you to contact Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling today and we’ll be happy to answer your questions.

The Benefits of Air Duct Cleaning

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The air ducts in your home carry air from your heating and cooling system to every single room, keeping you comfortable all year long, no matter the season. This air circulates through the ducts several times each day—the very same air that runs through those spaces gets pushed into your living area for you to breathe. Therefore, it only makes sense for you to want those ducts (and the air) to be as clean as possible.

Air duct cleaning services help you remove dust and other contaminants located inside your ductwork. Professionals use powerful vacuums to suck out that debris, keeping it from being pushed back into your living spaces.

Here are just a few of the benefits of air duct cleaning from an HVAC service in St. Louis, MO:

These are just a few of the benefits associated with getting air duct cleanings from an HVAC service in St. Louis, MO. For more information about how you can benefit from cleaner air in your home, contact Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling today and we’ll be happy to answer your questions.

The Most Common Problems Requiring Air Conditioner Repair in St. Louis, MO

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Now that we’re preparing to enter the hottest part of the year, the last thing you want to have happen is an air conditioner breakdown. Unfortunately, air conditioners tend to break down right at the worst possible times, when the heat and humidity are unbearable, largely because that’s the time of year that places the greatest strain on them.

You can avoid many of the more expensive and involved forms of air conditioner repair simply by keeping up with preventative maintenance. However, there are some problems that will force you to call a professional to come and provide you with air conditioner repair in St. Louis, MO. Here are a few of those most common issues:

For more information about the most common air conditioner problems and when you need air conditioner repair in St. Louis, MO, contact Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling today.

The Benefits of Central Air Conditioning Installation in St. Louis, MO

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If your current plan for cooling your home involves a carefully coordinated system of portable air conditioning units and fans, you’re probably using a lot of energy to power a cooling solution that’s not very effective. With a central air conditioning system, you can effectively and efficiently control the climate in your home with the press of a button. You can even set up your thermostat to maximize the efficiency of your cooling and save energy at night or while you’re at work. Even though central air conditioning installation in St. Louis, MO does require an investment of time and money, it may be well worth it for the long-term comfort, efficiency and value of your home:

You can begin enjoying all of the benefits of central air conditioning installation in St. Louis, MO just in time for summer when you contact Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling. For nearly 20 years, our experienced team of expert technicians has delivered exceptional service to residents and businesses in and around St. Louis. We have built a reputation for delivering quality work and friendly service to each of the customers we’ve worked with. We would be happy to help you regardless of what your specific concerns may be—just contact us online or via phone for assistance!