With annual maintenance by professional HVAC companies in St. Louis, MO, air conditioners can last for up to 15 years. Once your AC is getting up there in age, it’s time to start thinking about getting a new one. Finding the right air conditioner for your home isn’t as easy as picking one off the shelf. This post will cover a few of the things you need to think about while you’re browsing:
Energy efficiency: The number one thing to consider when shopping for a new AC is its energy efficiency. Each AC unit has a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating that quickly tells you how energy efficient the AC will be, much like looking at the MPG for a car. SEER ratings range from 13 to 21, with the higher numbers meaning the unit is more energy efficient. Though it may cost more upfront, buying a unit with a high SEER rating will save you tons of money each season.
Size: Air conditioners aren’t one size fits all. What works for your neighbor’s home might not work for yours. A unit that’s too small won’t be able to cool your home, while a unit that’s too big will constantly cycle on and off, wasting a lot of money and adding unnecessary wear and tear. Luckily, your HVAC contractor can run a quick test to determine the proper size AC for your house.
Brand: When it comes to air conditioners, we typically recommend going with a name-brand system over a generic. On top of being more trustworthy and longer lasting, the top brands in the business often have better warranties for their units. Again, splurging for a household name will cost more, but it’s likely to be worth it in the long run.
Installation: Despite anything you might have read online, HVAC installation in St. Louis, MO is not a DIY job. Installing a new air conditioner by yourself might save you on installation costs, but you’ll run a far greater risk of messing something up, which will require expensive repairs. Leave the installation to the professionals and save yourself a ton of trouble down the road.
Is it time to buy a new AC?
Unless your current AC just stops running altogether, knowing when to buy a new one might be tricky. These are a few signs that you should call an HVAC company in St. Louis, MO to install a new one:
Rising energy costs: As air conditioners age, they tend to use up more energy to cool your home, and if the unit uses more energy, you’ll notice a higher electric bill each month. We recommend cutting your losses and buying a new unit if that’s the case.
Frequent repairs: Does your AC technician know your address by heart because he’s at your house so often? If so, that’s cause for concern! An AC that constantly malfunctions is on its last leg and should be replaced.
If you want an energy-efficient system paired with top-notch HVAC installation in St. Louis, MO, call our team at Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling. We’ve been providing outstanding HVAC service in the St. Louis area for over 20 years, so you know you’re in good hands with our technicians.
A new air conditioning system is a big investment, which means you’ll want to make absolutely sure that you are selecting the right one for your home. Your search for the best system will be impacted by several different factors, and it is important to know these beforehand to ensure you are able to find the right match. Follow along with this guide for help with understanding some of the most important criteria to consider before your next air conditioning installation in St. Louis, MO.
The size and age of your home
When searching for the right air conditioning system, it is vital that you find one that is properly matched with your home’s needs. If a system is too small for your home, it will run constantly in an effort to keep up with the demand for the desired temperatures. When a system is too large, energy will be wasted needlessly, as the air conditioning will cycle on and off with higher frequency. Even with a newer energy-efficient model, the effectiveness of your system could be negated. If your home is on the larger side but you have made numerous energy-efficient improvements over the years, such as upgrading the insulation or installing new windows, you might be able to use a smaller system, as less energy will be required to cool your house.
Calculating the right size
In order to make sure you are on the right track with your air conditioner search, you can get a general idea of what size you might need by calculating how many British thermal units per hour (BTU/h) are needed for your home, with 12,000 BTU/h equal to 1 ton of cooling.
Assuming that you would need a bare minimum of 20 BTU/h per square foot to effectively cool your home, you can multiply this number by the total square footage of your entire home to get a general idea of the capacity your system will need. The precise number of actual BTU/h that your future air conditioner needs will also be affected by other elements, such as the climate, the habits and preferences of your family and the overall energy efficiency of your home, and your HVAC contractor will be able to help determine the correct match before installation.
Your energy costs are directly related to your air conditioner’s ability to cool your home efficiently, making it all the more important to find the right match before choosing the system you want for your air conditioning installation in St. Louis, MO. Ultimately, a poorly matched system could add unnecessary expenses, while also hindering your family’s comfort. Here at Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling, we understand what is at stake with each air conditioning installation, and with more than 20 years of experience, you can trust us to help you find the system that is right for you. Give us a call to schedule your consultation today so our knowledgeable team can get to work on your new air conditioning installation in St. Louis, MO right away.
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:
Air quality improvement: Window units and fans might offer some circulation and cooling benefits, but they do little to address the quality of your air. A central air conditioning system has filtration systems that are designed to remove bacteria, particles and allergens from your air before it’s circulated through your home. Improved air quality can benefit the health of you and your family. The airborne particles that tend to be circulated with portable AC units can cause allergy flare-ups, respiratory irritation and the contraction of illness.
Quiet operation: Central air conditioning units circulate cool air throughout your home, but the noisy condenser unit is located outside. Because of this, you don’t have to deal with the loud noises associated with the air conditioning process. Using portable air conditioning units elevates the noise level in your home, which can become annoying over time.
More comfortable climate: When the temperature outside rises, it can be challenging to maintain a cool climate indoors without a central air conditioning system. Sitting around in an overheated room is not an enjoyable way to spend the summer months, and it can make you feel like you can’t get comfortable in your own home. Central air conditioning installation in St. Louis, MO allows you to ensure that you will be able to precisely control your home’s climate and keep cool regardless of what the forecast throws your way.
More effective energy use: Heating and cooling make up the biggest share of the average household’s monthly energy consumption, and these costs can increase sharply when summer rolls around. Even though you might think that a central AC system will use more energy than fans or window units, you will be getting much more bang for your energy buck. While portable AC units may only offer relief in a single room, a central AC system can effectively circulate cool air through your entire home during the day.
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!
With summer rapidly approaching, now is the best time to make sure your air conditioning unit is working properly so you don’t get stuck having to deal with the heat. If you’re guilty of slacking when it comes to your annual preventative maintenance, then you’ll want to check things out several months before you truly need to use the unit. After you’ve let your AC unit run for a bit, there are several signs to check for. If you notice your unit is doing any of these things, then it’s likely time to get an expert to your home for a new air conditioning installation in St. Louis, MO.
It’s Creating Excessive Moisture
While any AC unit will produce a decent amount of moisture, excessive fluids often mean there is a refrigerant leak in the system. Caused by natural wear and tear, leaks can be easily repaired if they aren’t too bad. However, if you have had a maintenance appointment recently, the leak may have gone past the point of no return. You’ll need to call an HVAC expert to access the situation.
It’s Not Making the Room Cooler
People tend to not notice an issue with their AC unit until it truly fails to make their home cooler, which in many cases can mean it’s too late for basic repairs. There are many possible causes of a non-functioning system. It can be something as simple as replacing the system’s filter to something as drastic as needing new ductwork or major leak repairs.
There’s an Increase in Energy Costs
When an AC unit isn’t properly maintained, it will often have to work harder in order to maintain its temperature settings. This can be caused by poor home insulation or a malfunctioning unit. If you notice an increase in your energy bills, it’s best to have a professional come take a look at your unit sooner rather than later. This could ultimately end up saving you hundreds of dollars a year.
It’s Creating Loud Noises
When an AC unit starts making loud noises that it wasn’t making before, this often means there’s a serious issue with the components of the system. If this isn’t addressed immediately, your AC unit will likely be destroyed and need to be replaced before the season is out. This noise is often due to a loose or detached part being ground by the system itself, which will eventually damage other parts of the unit.
It’s Giving Off a Burning Smell
If your AC unit is giving off any smell other than that of natural, clean air then there’s likely an issue. When a burning or smoky smell is being produced, then there’s likely an issue with the components of the system, and it should be looked at by a professional right away. This can often be experienced along with a system that’s making strange or loud noises.
If you find that your AC unit is experiencing any of these signs of excessive wear, then you should contact an HVAC professional immediately to discuss air conditioning installation in St. Louis, MO. Our experts at Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling can help you determine the necessary steps to get your system working properly and will have it up and running in no time. Give us a call today to schedule a visit!
Since it’s almost winter, thinking about buying and installing a new air conditioner may be the furthest thing from your mind. However, now may actually be the time to go out and buy a new unit! Since people are more focused on heating right now, many air conditioners are on sale. Once you purchase your new unit, you’ll have to figure out how to install it. After all, there’s no point in having a new AC if it’s not hooked up. But unless you’re an HVAC pro, installing a new AC can be a bit tricky. Inspect the following components if something seems to be wrong with your new air conditioner:
Ensure you bought the right unit: The first step in proper AC installation in St. Louis, MO is making sure that you buy the right-sized unit for your home. It might sound like a good idea to buy the largest unit on the market, but a big unit is just going to waste money if your house is too small. Speak to a professional before buying an air conditioner. An HVAC pro will recommend a unit based on the square footage the unit has to cool.
Check the ductwork: The ducts leading from your outdoor unit to your home need to be secure and intact. If not, that cool, refreshing air won’t get inside! Check the ducts for any holes or loose connections. If something’s amiss, call an HVAC repairman to fix the problem right away.
Check your filters: Your AC’s air filters have to be free and clear of any debris if your unit is going to function as it should. If your unit isn’t functioning the way it’s supposed to, double check to make sure the filters are intact and clean!
Check your cooling bills: Finally, one way to tell if your air conditioner has been installed correctly is to monitor your monthly electric bill. If your cooling costs are higher with your new unit than with your old, it may be installed incorrectly. Air conditioners that are improperly installed may be less energy efficient, which will raise your bill without cooling your home as well as they ought to.
The only way to truly ensure your air conditioner has been installed correctly is to hire the professionals at Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling to do the job. We have years of experience with AC installation in St. Louis, MO, so you can trust that we’ll install your unit correctly on the first attempt. From making sure you buy the right unit to hooking everything up properly, you can count on us to cool your home!
If you’ve made the mistake of installing an air conditioner by yourself and now have an issue with the unit, don’t worry! One of our HVAC technicians can come out to your home to properly install your unit quickly and easily. What’s even better is that we offer some of the lowest rates for installation in town. Get in touch today to schedule an appointment!
