The days are getting longer, folks are breaking out their lawnmowers and everything feels a little brighter. Spring is officially here, and with it comes the opportunity to engage in a little spring cleaning. Along with the usual dusting, mopping and washing, you need to also think about spring maintenance for your entire HVAC system. As a ventilation, heating and AC service in St. Louis, MO, the team here at Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling knows that caring for your HVAC system all year round is crucial. Here are five tips for getting the most out of your HVAC system this spring:
Preventative maintenance: You change the oil in your car every 5,000 miles, you go to the doctor for a yearly physical even if you aren’t sick and you keep a little bit of money tucked away in case of an emergency. It’s called thinking ahead, but we refer to it as preventative maintenance. You ought to do the same for your HVAC system, which will involve changing out the filters, checking for leaks and partaking in a thorough cleaning of your AC, ducts and heater.
Smart thermostats: Of course you want to stay cool in the spring and summer, but you might be wasting money and not even know it. Programming your thermostat to drop to a still comfortable but slightly cooler temperature when you are sleeping or usually out of the house can save you up to 10 percent on your energy bill. If you do not have a programmable thermostat, consider buying one, as it will likely pay for itself and then some.
Give your AC a rest: Speaking of saving money and letting your AC take a break, you need to keep in mind that there are a lot of different ways to keep cool. Ceiling fans can help make air conditioners much more efficient and effective, while shady trees can help shield your house from the sun during the hottest times of day.
Sealing and insulation: Does it feel like, no matter what, your house is always drafty during the winter and insufferable stuffy and hot in the summer? This might be an issue with your sealing and insulation. Invest in fresh sealing along the cracks and openings of your house, and have an insulation professional come take a look at your property. These simple steps could make your house up to 25 percent more efficient.
Trust a professional: All of the above tips are great, but remember that you do not have to do it all on your own. Hiring a quality heating, ventilation and AC service in St. Louis, MO will ensure that everything on the spring maintenance checklist gets done, and that you are aware of any problems that could cause major damage in the future.
For more tips and help with spring and summer HVAC maintenance, get in touch with the team at Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling today. We look forward to hearing from you.
We have all experienced it at one point or another: you are sweating through what feels one of the hottest days of the year, when all of a sudden your air conditioning unit gives out. This causes many people to ask themselves, “Should I wait a few days for a service appointment, or should I request emergency AC repair?”
The answer is different for everyone, and often depends on budget and priorities. However, there are a few instances when calling for emergency repair is not an option—it is a necessity. With that in mind, here are three different situations when calling for emergency AC repair in St. Louis, MO is imperative.
Hosting guests
Whether you are throwing a big Fourth of July barbecue or having family stay over for the weekend, hosting guests comes with extra responsibilities for the homeowner. One of these involves ensuring that your guests are all comfortable and safe.
When the AC gives out during a hot day, you might be fine just carrying around a personal fan and accepting the situation. But your guests might have serious heat sensitivity, and could also be too shy to bring it up to you. With that in mind, remember to always get emergency AC repair when hosting guests at your home.
Major heat wave
When it gets to above 95 degrees or so, the risks that come with not having air conditioning far outweigh the cost of emergency AC repair in St. Louis, MO. During times of extreme heat, people can easily become dehydrated or suffer from heatstroke, which can cause serious illness or even death. Infants and pets are even more susceptible to these risks, but everyone has them.
Here at Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling, we know that, for some, emergency AC repair is a huge, unexpected cost. That is why we strive to offer convenient and flexible payment options. Give us a call for more information.
Ill or elderly
Anyone with a compromised immune system can be particularly at risk during a heat wave. If you or someone in your home is elderly, an infant or has an immune compromising illness like cancer, HIV, diabetes or Crohn’s Disease, then it is crucial that you get your AC fixed as soon as possible after it breaks down. If you are not able to fix the problem right away, at least relocate the at-risk person in your home to a cooler, more comfortable setting, or invest in some strong room fans.
Trust the best
When the need for emergency AC repair in St. Louis, MO arises, the team at Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling is here to help. With reasonable prices, flexible payment options, friendly service, quick work and lasting results, we are proud to be the most respected local HVAC service in the greater St. Louis area.
Whether you need emergency AC repair, HVAC maintenance, heater replacement or any other helpful HVAC service, we are the ones for the job. Give us a call today for more information.
There are many big purchases you can invest in for your home. One such purchase is a newer model, energy efficient HVAC system, and doing so is an excellent choice that can save you money in the long run. So when you look into HVAC companies in St. Louis, MO to install an energy efficient system in your home, you’re taking a step toward saving money month to month, year to year. Here’s how upgrading your heating and cooling units today can help conserve energy and to keep your wallet fat:
Newer systems break less: From changing the air filters to inspecting coils and fans, regular maintenance is still necessary for HVAC systems both new and old. However, today’s energy efficient systems are built to last and use less electricity, and sturdier units—new systems that are installed properly—will require fewer professional maintenance calls. They are designed to not overwork while still providing you with a comfortable indoor temperature, and many don’t rattle, which is good because rattling can cause screws, joints and components to eventually come loose.
Save money on monthly energy bills: Saving money on monthly energy bills is a top reason homeowners decide to upgrade to greener residential appliances. With seasonal changes always occurring, you want your home’s HVAC system to be up to par and not fail you on cold winter nights or hot summer days. But financial savings is not the only benefit that new and innovative units bring. Start using energy efficient heating and cooling units and you’ll be pleased to know you’re not contributing to unnecessary energy use. Resealing ducts upon new installation can also improve efficiency, thus saving you even more money.
Cash in on local energy saving rebates: Did you know that you can get even more cash back from your energy efficient appliances? Ask HVAC companies in St. Louis, MO to direct you to local power companies offering energy saving rebates when you use energy efficient cooling and heating systems in your home or business. Conserve power and gas, and electric companies will be glad to reward you in the form of specific types of rebates. A few bucks here and few bucks there can add up quickly!
You’ll be investing in your home: Just because you don’t see a dramatic change in your bill overnight doesn’t mean your new energy efficient cooling system is a bust. Consider everything savings-wise, starting with your yearly energy bill to how this type of HVAC system helps to add value to your home. Looking at the big picture, such a unit is a long-term home investment that pays off throughout its lifetime.
If you’ve been thumbing through a list of local energy efficient HVAC companies in St. Louis, MO to install a new heating or cooling system, look no further than Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling. We are a leader in the industry, a company dedicated to conserving energy and saving you money on monthly energy bills. Contact us for information about installing energy efficient heater and air conditioning units in your home today.
While your home’s HVAC system does filter out particles in the air through HVAC air filters, it is not constant. What about the times when the system is off? Unless you have a separate unit that is always filtering indoor air, there are other ways to improve indoor air quality after receiving HVAC service in St. Louis, MO.
If you take steps to help the air inside of your home to stay clean and healthy, then your HVAC system will not be overworked, air filters won’t need replacing too often and you’ll breathe better. Here are some tips to consider.
Get potted houseplants
Purifying indoor air is easier than you may think; it’s something all of us should be doing. Put plants in bedrooms as well as other rooms in your home to eliminate volatile compounds—and don’t forget that indoor plants make lovely home accents. Here are some easy to care for and air purifying houseplants that don’t require much of a green thumb: aloe, snake plant, weeping fig, azalea, peace lily and English ivy.
Don’t use harsh cleaners
Yes, it’s good habit to maintain a clean, germ-free living space for a healthy home, which also includes purifying the indoor air. So it is important that you avoid cleaning your home with cleaners that are filled with chemicals or toxic ingredients. Harsh cleaners are not healthy for you, your family or pets, and you definitely should not breathe in any of them. Odors and fumes can attack your sinuses, eyes and respiratory system, not to mention the fact that toxic fumes will linger in the air for days and settle on your stuff. Switch to non-toxic, organic or natural household cleaners and notice your breathing improve.
Open windows to let in fresh air
One way to improve indoor air quality is to open windows and exterior doors. By doing this you cycle stale air out of your house, thus allowing the fresh air from nature to come in. Of course, because you don’t want to invite air pollutants in, opening up windows depends on a number of factors, including the weather, pollen count, allergy sufferers in your household and whether anyone in the neighborhood is doing yard work. It’s not only good for fresh air, either—opening windows also lets your HVAC rest.
Buy a new efficient vacuum
Pet fur, dirt, dust, pollen—if you have children, pets or both, a good vacuum cleaner is likely to be a part of your home cleaning arsenal. But just how efficient and effective is your vacuum? Whether it’s been some time since you’ve purchased a new one or it’s no longer serving your floors well, consider researching the newest vacuums on today’s market. Look for energy efficient devices fitted with a built-in filter to trap indoor pollutants from reentering the room, and get one that will work best for your type of flooring—whether hardwood, laminate or carpet—so as much debris as possible gets sucked up.
After your appointment with Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling for residential HVAC service in St. Louis, MO, take measures to prevent unhealthy air inside your home. Whether it’s buying some houseplants or trading your toxic cleaners for natural solutions, anything you can do will help.
These days, a lot of folks are taking steps toward better decisions that affect the environment—lowering their carbon footprint by driving less, repurposing still usable items and conserving household energy, among others. Since we would all prefer to avoid needing heating repair in St. Louis, MO, why not make it a point to use your heater less so as not to overwork it? If you want to reduce the stress your heater encounters during the cold winter months, then now is the time to incorporate some alternative ways of staying warm:
Use a space heater and adjust airflow: Why heat up the whole house when no one else is home? If you’re home alone and you’re going to be in one room or area, consider turning down the heater and flipping on a space heater—they’re small but surprisingly effective, and cost little to use. Alternatively, you can also adjust the airflow by closing air vents in the rooms not benefiting from warm air blowing in, while keeping vents open wherever you’ll be.
Take advantage of sunlight: Winter days do not mean the sky will always be cloudy or that the sun is nonexistent. When the clouds clear and the sun peeks out, open up those window blinds and throw back the curtains to let the warm sunlight in. Additionally, weather permitting, warm up while treating yourself to a nice natural dose of vitamin D.
Stop drafts: From old or insufficient attic insulation to poorly weather-sealed windows and doors, cold winter air can seep through to the inside of your home, wrapping you in a chill. Since the outside air will simply flow in through cracks and broken seals, and the warm inside air can escape, turning up the indoor heat to combat drafts will just waste energy and cost you more on your monthly heating bills. Invest in insulation improvements and new seals to save money and stay comfy.
Relax covered up: Your home is not a fashion show. It’s a place of comfort where you can be you. So if the weather is cold, change into layers of warm clothing, wear socks or slippers and use a throw blanket when you’re lounging on the couch. Let your heating unit rest at night—turn it way down—by covering up with more than one thick blanket at bedtime, as well as using a feather or synthetic down comforter.
Throw a log on the fireplace: Sometimes the most obvious things are right in front of you. Take the fireplace, for example. Right now, is your fireplace blocked by storage boxes or decorations, or have you simply never tried using it? Get it inspected and cleaned and use it this winter. Making a warm fire in your home fireplace is a great way to spend quality time with family or to curl up with a book. Turn the heater off, or way down, for the duration of the fire and enjoy the natural warmth.
We know that HVAC system issues can arise no matter how much cleaning, care and maintenance it receives. At Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling, we are here to help should you need a reputable company for residential HVAC installation, maintenance, inspections or cooling and heating repair in St. Louis, MO. Call us today to learn more!
