There are a lot of factors that go into making any purchase, especially when you’re buying something that’s supposed to last for a long time, like an air conditioning unit. In this blog we’ll delve into the top five things to consider before buying a new unit.
Unit size and capacity
Consider how big of a unit you actually need. A 3,000 square foot home won’t be sufficiently cooled by a unit that’s too small. Conversely, a two bedroom condo probably doesn’t need the biggest unit on the market. A unit that’s too big will cycle on and off more frequently, which wastes energy and will drive up your electric bill!
The first step in the air conditioning installation in St. Louis, MO process should be hiring an HVAC contractor to measure your square footage and determine what size unit you need.
Features
Air conditioners have come a long way from the old window units. Today’s units can come with a variety of features that you may or may not want or need. Of course, each feature you add is going to increase the price.
Some units are designed to limit noise, as low as only 21 dB loud. To put that in perspective, a standard library is about 30 dB. High end air filters on your unit are designed to sterilize the air coming into your home and potentially eliminate some common allergens such as pollen. Some of the most advanced units can even be Wi-Fi enabled to be controlled from your smart phone.
An important factor that you might consider paying more for is a unit that has a higher energy efficiency rating.
Energy efficiency
Every air conditioning model must be evaluated for energy efficiency. Each model is given a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) number. The lowest acceptable number is a 13. Some of the most advanced models have a SEER of up to 26. The higher the SEER number, the more expensive your unit is likely to be, but you’ll end up saving money down the line. It’s estimated that with every two-point increase in SEER rating, you can save up to $25 each month on your electric bill!
Cost
Cost is a huge factor in determining anything you’re buying. As we’ve said, more features mean a more expensive unit, but sometimes paying more for a very energy efficient unit will save you money down the line.
The two costs associated with air conditioning installation in St. Louis, MO are the price of the unit and the cost to have it installed. You can definitely save money by purchasing a cheaper unit, but again, you get what you pay for. A brand name unit is more likely to last you longer.
Brand
The old adage “you get what you pay for” remains true in the air conditioning unit world. There are many different brands out there, at Ashley Brothers, we only rely the top brands like Amana, Goodman, Ruud and Weil Mclain. You can be sure these brands will be energy efficient, come with all of the features you need, and last for a long time.
Consider all of these factors before you go out and buy a new unit to brace yourself for the heat in St. Louis this summer.
It seems like every summer, there comes a point where you’re trapped inside for days at a time, waiting for a heat wave to pass with nothing but your home’s air conditioning system to keep you comfortable. It’s during these scorching periods that you can ill afford a breakdown from your AC, but unfortunately, it’s during stretches of heavy use where you’re more likely than ever to experience failure.
Keeping your AC unit functioning in top shape during peak periods of use isn’t just about maintaining it to its fullest before the season starts—it’s also about ensuring your home is supporting its function in every possible capacity. Take a look at a few ways you can help minimize the potential for breakdowns and air conditioner repair in St. Louis, MO this summer and why these things go a long way towards supporting your unit’s overall efficiency:
- Take stock of your home’s windows and make sure there are no gaps between the frame and the wall and no misalignments in the tracks. These small problem areas can allow warm air to intrude into your home, forcing your AC unit to work harder than it needs to when it comes to controlling the interior temperature.
- If you have sun shades, blinds or curtains, consider using them on particularly sunny days. Ambient heat can stream into your home through UV rays, causing your interior temperature to rise, thus making your AC unit work double time to keep up. Closing the curtains, shades or blinds will mitigate UV light, thus mitigating climbing temperatures.
- Control the traffic in and out of your home as much as possible. Each time you open the door, you’re letting out far more cool air than you thin and letting in a substantial amount of warm air. Again, your AC unit is going to have to keep up.
- Keep foliage and growth away from your AC unit! All it takes is a small tree branch to hang into the fan and you’ve got yourself a costly air conditioner repair in St. Louis, MO and a unit that’s not going to function at a high level until the repair is made. Keeping foliage off of the unit will also extend its overall lifespan.
- Switch your fans! This is something many homeowners forget to do when the seasons change, however remembering means assisting your AC unit in keeping your home’s temperature cooler. The blades of your fan should rotate counterclockwise during the summer months, to force air downwards in a cooling fashion.
You’d be surprised at how all of the above things, when used in conjunction with one another, can alleviate a major burden on your AC unit and keep it functioning at a normal capacity during the summer months. In working with your unit, rather than against it, you can help stave off breakdowns and air conditioner repair in St. Louis, MO that might leave you in an unfortunate situation when triple digit temperatures are on the horizon.
Just when it seemed like winter would never end and we’d be stuck with cold temperatures and heavy precipitation for months and months to come, spring finally arrived! Unfortunately, while springtime weather may be a welcome sight for sore eyes, its late arrival means a narrower window before summer quickly follows… which means you have a limited time to make sure your home is getting the attention it needs after such a long season!
One of the things you should consider amongst the never-ending list of springtime chores for your home is to have your furnace cleaned. Often, people are more worried about prepping their AC units for the season ahead (and rightfully so) than they are about giving their furnace a proper shutdown. The result, come fall and winter, is a furnace that might roar back to life with some issues that have been left to fester for the better part of a year.
Investing in furnace cleaning in St. Louis, MO is a way to avoid a lot of trouble come fall. In having your furnace inspected and cleaned right before the summer season, you’ll be able to know confidently that it’s ready, willing and able to wake up in the fall when you need it most, and perform to a high level of function right away. Plus, this will eliminate the need for comprehensive startup services come fall—your unit will be in great shape, with only minor attention required.
So back to the question at hand: why invest in a furnace cleaning in St. Louis, MO now? Why not just do it in the fall, when your HVAC is performing startup services? Let us count the reasons:
- If dust, debris and dirt sit in your furnace environment all winter, they’re going to harden and oxidize into problems that can detract from your furnace.
- Not changing the filter can result in crusting debris that lingers even if you do manage to change the filter in the fall.
- If you don’t clean your furnace now, you might forget come winter! Spring is associated with cleaning, which means you’re more likely to get this task out of the way while it’s convenient.
- Spring means your furnace has just made it through yet another enduring season of heavy use and high function—now, more than ever, it needs to be cleaned! Think of it like working out at the gym: when you get home, you want a nice shower to feel clean again!
Taking care of your furnace now is going to be a smart decision that you’ll reflect on come the end of summer and the start of fall and colder temperatures. Knowing that you undertook furnace cleaning in St. Louis, MO earlier in the year is going to give you the peace of mind that you need when it finally comes time to turn on the heat in the fall. Why do tomorrow what you could do today—especially if it’ll save you time and frustration down the line?
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.
