The transition from heating to cooling is the perfect time to catch up on preventative maintenance. Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling can help you out with this by performing maintenance tasks, from furnace cleaning in St. Louis, MO to major repairs. Call us to schedule a maintenance appointment today and we will accomplish the following for you:
- Fix last year’s problems: If you suffered weird noises, odd smells and frequent trips in your power breakers, let’s address those first. Many times, the solution is simple, like replacing air filters. Other times, there are serious problems like cracked combustion chambers and failed burners. If you address these now, you will have more success heating your home next winter. Also, if problems are linked to your heat pump, that can affect air conditioning, too. Fix these things now so you do not risk a sweltering home on the hottest day of the year.
- Inspection: We can inspect for any issue from worn out belts and pulleys to cracks and blemishes in your furnace. Many of these, if caught early, prevent future failures and sudden spikes in your utility bills. It is also less expensive to fix them now before you have a catastrophic problem. Other times, we find serious damage that could poison your home with carbon monoxide or lead to a full-on system failure that requires replacement. Finding problems early may still result in expensive solutions, but at least you will avoid surprises.
- Test thermostats: A thermostat that fails to communicate with your furnace or air conditioning unit will not keep your home heated or cooled. If you find the set temperature is not easily sustained, or rooms are heated or cooled unevenly, the problem may lie with your thermostats. During maintenance, we can test them and see if they are working for you. If not, we may recommend you replace them with better programmable models.
- Charge refrigerant: This time of year, your maintenance appointment will prepare your air conditioning for a long hot summer. If it is time to charge the refrigerant, we can do this now so you know you will stay cool later. We will also take the opportunity to check for leaks and see if any piping requires replacement. Changing air filters also helps refrigerant last longer.
- Discuss upgrades: HVAC systems have a maximum useful life, and yours may have reached it. If you suffer constant inefficiency, high utility bills and frequent repair calls, it is likely better to replace your system. Now is a good time because the moderate temperatures of spring make it possible to go a day without HVAC while we install the new system. Consider this an opportunity to enjoy a new Energy Star system or add new features like dehumidifiers and thermostats that you can access from your smart phone.
If you require furnace cleaning in St. Louis, MO and other types of HVAC maintenance, call Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling for an appointment. We are also available for consultation on energy efficient systems and emergency service calls.
Energy efficiency is not just about modern trends or buzz terms. It is the future of appliances, including AC installation in St. Louis, MO. Investing in energy efficiency offers benefits to the planet and your financial situation. Here is why you should upgrade to an energy efficient heating and cooling system as soon as possible:
- Reduce energy expenses: Your HVAC system occupies up to 40 percent of the energy usage in your home or commercial property. If your system runs entirely on electric power, that is a large monthly expense that appears in your mailbox each month. Since the 1970s, modern air conditioners have reduced their energy usage by 30 to 50 percent, depending on model. When you consider how technology keeps evolving, it is easy to see how having the latest developments in heating and cooling technology will ease your expenses.
- Smaller size: The days of oversized furnaces and AC units are long over. You can buy smaller, more efficient units that still manage to keep your premises heated or cooled thoroughly. This makes building design easier, and if you upgrade your home system, you could find yourself with extra basement or closet space.
- More options for supplemental equipment: Since the overall energy load is lower, upgrading to an energy efficient system makes room for better options. You can add dehumidification devices to reduce the chances of mold growth. Adding radiant heat helps areas in a building or home that tend to develop drafts. These options are also possible because the equipment is smaller, which makes room for additional appliances.
- Less maintenance: Efficient appliances tend to wear themselves out slower and require less supervision to work well. That is because they demand less, so even a summer day in the triple digits is no match for their cooling power. Sometimes, you will pay more for a high efficiency system, but you will save money repairing and maintaining it in the long run.
- Better technology: HVAC appliances evolve each year not only to fit energy efficiency expectations, but also because they simply improve with innovation. When you invest in efficient appliances, you gain a better working system. The same technology that reduces energy demand also produces improved heating and cooling. You can also add features like remote thermostats so you can lower or raise temperatures while you are away, and add programmable thermostats so you can save even more money.
- Improved air quality: A new energy saving HVAC system runs cleaner and improves airflow. The result is better indoor air quality that produces a healthier working environment or home. Customers often report they notice fewer asthma and allergy episodes once they make the transition to new energy-efficient appliances. If you keep up with changing filters, you will enjoy this advantage years after installing your new system.
If you seek energy efficiency in your AC installation in St. Louis, MO, Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling is ready to help you. Call today to arrange for an estimate.
Winter is here, and so is the potential for heating system failure. But remain vigilant and don’t ignore HVAC issues, and you will get through the colder months in comfort, as well as save money on energy bills and HVAC repairs. Let’s get some advice from a professional HVAC service in St Louis, MO about how to keep your heating bills low this winter.
Get a programmable thermostat
Most older homes that have not been updated are typically fitted with super basic manual thermostats. They are likely digital, but some may still be older dial thermostats. When we say basic, we mean thermostats that might feature up and down buttons, an on/off switch and the option to heat or cool, and that’s it.
Saving money on your heating bills starts when you make a change, and in this case, you should consider buying a programmable thermostat. Instead of it gliding on autopilot all day, you’ll be able to set the temperature to do its thing at scheduled times. This is especially handy for when you and your family are not home and while you sleep.
Seal air leaks
If there are cracks and breaks in weather stripping, then the warm indoor air can escape. Do check the seals around window frames and doors for gaps, but the quickest way to find a seal leak is to perform a smoke test. Light an incense cone and move it around windows, doors and crawlspace openings, and don’t just do this in suspected air leak areas. You might be surprised how often leaks can be found where no one thought to look earlier. Move slowly, as the smoke will appear to waver in the presence of blowing air.
Also, look for signs of busted seals—including materials that are cracked, ripped, torn, punctured, loose in the track or missing entirely. Note problem areas, and then head on down to your local hardware store for replacement weather stripping.
Change the air filters
One of the most common forgotten HVAC maintenance tasks is changing the air filter. How does changing the filter help you save on heating bills? For one, a dirty filter will cause the heating unit to struggle and be overworked every time the system kicks on, because the system airflow has nowhere to go. This is when it might feel as though the inside air is a bit stuffy or humid, which in turn means the indoor air quality will be quite unhealthy. Airflow is trapped on the other side of the dirty filter, hence the air in your living space will either remain stagnant or end up recycling through the system.
Get a professional inspection
While there’s a lot of regular HVAC maintenance you can do as a homeowner, plan on scheduling annual inspections and maintenance with a professional HVAC service in St Louis, MO. During the inspection, the pros can perform a tune-up—including tightening components, lubricating parts, checking wires and connectors and doing a thermostat check—as well as look for any needed repairs.
Contact Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling for superior HVAC service in St Louis, MO this winter, and all year round!
As a homeowner, it’s sometimes hard to admit there’s a problem with the house. For one thing, you don’t want to spend the next two weekends making repairs, and for another, it’s going to cost money. While ignoring indicators will make matters worse, acting on the early signs of HVAC problems can help you avoid costly heating repair in St Louis, MO. Here are some of those signs to watch for:
- Strange sounds: There’s usually a little noise when the heater comes on. It could be your old furnace rattling for a few seconds, loosened vents whistling or the unit itself might even sound a little unusual. But the strange sounds we’re referring to are loud banging, excessive rattling, popping or screeching noises that are either continuous or frequently occurring. These noises could indicate a problem with some part of the heating system, like a damaged HVAC motor, compressor fan, furnace blower or other components.
- Unpleasant odors: First things first, if your indoor air smells terrible, change the air filter and give it a few more runs. Dirty home air filters are the most common reason for unpleasant odors, yet many homeowners and renters have no idea they need to be replaced every one to three months to maintain healthy indoor air quality. After changing the filter, the odor should dissipate as you run the heater more. If it doesn’t, you could have dirty air ducts or corroding connectors. Contact a professional service for heating repair in St Louis, MO as soon as possible.
- Damage to heater: Regardless of whether you have an indoor furnace or a dual cooling/heating unit, make sure you take the time to inspect it for damage. Damage can range from electrical or gas line breaks to problems with internal components like the motor or coils, or even cracks in the actual unit. Some parts can be repaired, but others may need a full replacement.
- Particles in the air: Once again, not changing the air filter can cause all sorts of issues. It gets dirty and clogged, and since it’s a main channel for airflow, this blockage will hinder proper heater function. Noticeable particles in the air can cause a hazy, dusty screen in front of your eyes, and it can even lead to dry air that’s difficult to breathe. Furthermore, clogs may be a precursor to heater issues, including inefficient heat production and energy waste from the system overworking. Clean those ducts and filters for clearer, fresher indoor air.
- Thermostat issues: Do you feel like you are in a constant battle with your thermostat? You keep turning it up to bring in more hot air, but the indoor temperature is not changing at all. Make sure the thermostat has fresh batteries before panicking. Unfortunately, if it’s not your thermostat, this could be a sign of a big problem with your heater. It might be a leaky duct or a broken down heat pump. Take measures to ensure there is nothing seriously wrong with your heating system—call in the pros.
If your home or business is in need of heating repair in St Louis, MO, look no further than the expert HVAC team at Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling. Give us a call today!
