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!
Whether you’re a business owner or managing a team, one of your jobs as a leader is to protect employees from workplace hazards—and one such hazard involves complications created by a failing commercial heating or cooling system. Should you need to wait for emergency HVAC repair in St. Louis, MO, here are a few ways to handle the situation:
Turn off the system, immediately: Are you experiencing loud banging sounds, strange odors or sizzling coming from behind the thermostat? For safety’s sake, turn off the entire HVAC system if these factors are present. With causes ranging from loose ductwork to bad wire connections, constant loud sounds that are not due to the system turning on or off are not normal. Indoor office and dirty filter smells can circulate when the blower kicks on, but questionable odors need to be taken seriously. Another concern is the presence of sizzling or crackling coming from or within the vicinity of the thermostat.
Notify your employees: In the best-case scenario, the unit just failed and has shut down without further problems. In the event that that’s not the case, let everyone in the office or building know there’s a possible problem with the HVAC system. After informing your staff, ask them to be on the lookout for anything suspicious that may be related to the broken HVAC, including smoke, electrical smells, wetness in the area around the cooling unit and visible sparks or sounds.
Strong odors? Leave the building: Strong odors connected to the heating or cooling system that are so overwhelming you’re left coughing or having trouble breathing are a signal that it’s time to get outside. Oftentimes, dangerous odors are invisible, meaning that they are not accompanied by smoke or a solid material. You may not know where it’s coming from, so get everyone out of the building until the right officials have deemed it safe to re-enter.
Evaluate what you can: If safe to do so, conduct your own mini investigation to make sure no sparks or fluids are present. Don’t touch anything, but do take notes to relay important information to the service providing emergency HVAC repair in St. Louis, MO. In the future, take measures to keep the commercial unit working smoothly by way of preventative maintenance, or look at replacing an old unit before it has the chance to break down.
Get temporary HVAC equipment: If you live in an area where the weather has a tendency to knock out the electricity or cause other issues with cooling and heating units, it might be a good idea to have temporary HVAC equipment at the ready. In the building’s basement or storage area, keep a generator, a portable heater or air conditioner and fans, or retain the contact information of a nearby heating and cooling equipment rental company.
Being vigilant and taking precautionary measures during an HVAC emergency are some of the most important steps you can take. When such emergencies arise, call a professional commercial HVAC company, like Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling, for HVAC repair in St. Louis, MO.
While it’s obvious winter has already arrived, something that may not be as apparent is an inefficiently working heating unit. Indications of potential heating problems range from a haziness or stuffiness in the indoor air to the sound of a train barreling down the tracks every time you turn the heater on. Are you wondering whether you might need to fix your heating unit? Here are five signs that heating repair in St. Louis, MO may be necessary:
High electric bills: Although utility rates for both gas and electricity tend to fluctuate, if you notice a sudden and significant increase in your monthly energy bills, there may be something wrong with your heating system. Compare your higher bills to your heater usage to see if you’ve been turning the heat up more than in winters past to reach a comfortable inside temperature—this could mean heat is escaping somewhere or a part needs to be replaced.
Breathing difficulties: Typically a gradual affliction, you might not know you are having trouble breathing the air in your own home. A heater works by circulating warm air throughout the home, which unfortunately also includes contaminants like dust, pollen, mold spores, pet fur and other nasty particles you don’t want to be taking into your lungs. Oftentimes, simply changing the air filter or furnace filter will go a long way toward clearing up the air, but if not, something more serious could be wrong within your heating system.
Loud noises from the heater: It should be unusual for your heater to make loud banging or scraping noises when it’s running. Strange or loud noises could mean necessary heating repair in St. Louis, MO, which should be taken care of as soon as possible to prevent further damage or additional wasted energy. Day or night, it’s a good idea to contact specialized emergency heater unit repair experts like Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling when your heater is noisy.
The whole house doesn’t warm: Have you noticed this winter that it’s always nice and toasty in the living room but chilly, drafty and not warm in the slightest in one of the bedrooms? House airflow issues arise when the ductwork malfunctions due to damage or age, which creates a break in the amount of warm air successfully reaching connected vents. This can cause your system to work overtime in an effort to heat your whole home.
Thermostat “up” button is getting a workout: A push here, and a push there—between higher electric bills and the house not warming up fast enough, think about just how often you’re hitting the thermostat button to reach a higher temperature. Are you turning up the heat beyond a reasonable temperature to remain comfortable during the cold winter months? If so, your heater is likely not working as efficiently as it should be, costing you more on energy bills. Get that furnace inspected and make sure all issues, no matter how small, are dealt with.
Don’t let your home temperature drop while your monthly utility bills go up. At Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling, we offer 24-hour emergency heating repair in St. Louis, MO. This winter, don’t hesitate to contact us anytime for needed heater fixes or inspections.
If you have a furnace, then you are aware of its importance in your home’s heating system—it’s the part of the system that generates the heat used to warm your house during cold weather. But for your furnace to operate properly, it must be inspected and cleaned periodically, especially the heat exchanger. A furnace’s heat exchanger is an internal device designated for moving heat from one component to another through coils specifically designed for heating the air. Basically, this part of the furnace is designed to heat up the indoor air, and thus keep you warm during the coldest months of the year.
Regular maintenance is the smartest way to keep yourself and your family warm and cozy all winter long, as well as prevent expensive fixes and even avoid furnace unit replacements. There are many ways you can benefit from furnace cleaning in St. Louis, MO—here are five of those benefits:
It won’t have to work as hard: It’s a fact that furnaces with a clean filter and clean components will run more efficiently, thus providing better heat and healthier air to breathe. On the other hand, a dirty furnace covered in a layer of dust and grime will be required to work harder and longer to get warm air to you. If your furnace has to work harder, then you’ll have to work harder, too, in order to be able to pay for costly heating bills this winter!
You’ll be able to run it safely: Taking the time for furnace cleaning in St. Louis, MO can save you from having to shell out costly replacement prices for an entirely new furnace unit, and possibly even its components that run throughout the home. But more importantly, neglecting to clean the heat exchanger can lead to cracking, which can allow poisonous carbon monoxide gas to seep into your home.
You’ll have better indoor air quality: Because the furnace goes to work every time you turn the heater on, a first step toward better indoor air quality is to clean reusable filters or replace disposable filters. Your furnace’s filter is made to catch air contaminants, which contribute not only to allergies, indoor stuffiness and breathing issues, but also to furnace inefficiency.
It will last a long time: From the furnace filter to the heat exchanger, motor and electronic controls, keep your furnace and its components going strong for years to come with proper maintenance. Clean and take care of your furnace, as dirty parts cause premature aging and lead to eventual damage.
Maintenance will be easier: Overall, cleaning your home furnace regularly will make life easier when the cold weather is here to stay. Turn off the furnace, make sure the filter is clean of all dirt and debris by vacuuming or washing and drying it (if reusable) and wipe down the unit of any buildup. For additional reassurance, consider calling in the pros from time to time for a heater tune-up.
Preventative home maintenance is of the utmost importance and should be at the top of every homeowner’s to-do list. By not skipping furnace cleaning in St. Louis, MO, you can rest assured your home will remain comfortable and warm through the chilly winter months. Call Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling today to schedule an appointment.
Happy holidays from Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling, your trusted HVAC service in St. Louis, MO! No matter which holidays you and your loved ones will be celebrating this year, we know that thoughtful and useful presents are always a welcome addition to the holiday fun. That is why we are happy to offer a wide range of gifts year round to our valued customers, friends and neighbors. Take a look at the five gifts listed below to see if you could benefit from hiring us to be your HVAC service in St. Louis, MO:
Lower utility bills: Whether you invest in frequent HVAC maintenance or hire us to install your new energy efficient heater or air conditioning unit, Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling is committed to helping our customers keep their energy bills as low as possible throughout the entire year. In addition to saving you a few bucks, you will also be helping the environment by making your home more sustainable.
Increased home value: Along those same lines, Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling is also able to help you add value to your home. Whether or not you plan to put your home on the market anytime soon, maintaining and increasing the value of your home is always a smart financial investment, and we offer many ways to do that, including maintaining existing appliances, selling new efficient appliances and keeping your vents clean and efficient.
Better health: How strong is your home’s air quality? If you are not sure, then you are risking the chance of letting allergens, mold and other foreign particles infect your air supply, which can cause allergies, asthma, and other serious health conditions for you and your family. By hiring Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling to keep your HVAC system clean and free of contaminants, you are giving them the gift of good health.
Cleaner home: In general, a clean home is a comfortable, safe and inviting home to be in. A faulty or poorly maintained HVAC system can compromise your house’s cleanliness in many different ways, including lower quality air supply, mold and mildew growth, leaking air conditioners and dusty heaters, just to name a few. By allowing us to keep your HVAC system in tip-top shape, you will be able to enjoy a cleaner house all year round.
Friendly service: Any competent HVAC service in St. Louis, MO can give you the services and gifts listed above. But only a local, family owned and operated company with a commitment to customer satisfaction can give you the friendly, helpful and personable customer service that folks have come to expect from Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling. We hope to give you the gift of friendly service sometime in the new year.
To learn more about what Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling can do for you this holiday season and all year round, please give us a call anytime. We look forward to hearing from you, and to making your home even better than it already is.
