Experts in the HVAC industry agree that furnace maintenance and furnace repair in St Louis, MO is cheaper than having to replace major components. Now that winter is over, it’s time to stop using the heater and time to kick on the air conditioner! Before you do anything, let’s take a look at why end-of-season maintenance is so important, followed by some pro tips for proper furnace cleaning in St Louis, MO.
The importance of end of season maintenance
Depending on the area where you live, you might have started using your heating system in October, or maybe even closer to December. Regardless of when you first turned it on, chances are you used it on a regular basis over a few months’ time. A busy furnace accumulates wear and tear, gunk and debris, and components can jiggle loose, which is why you need to add the furnace to your spring cleaning list. But should you perform furnace maintenance yourself? While homeowners can do some visual inspections and cleanings on their own, the HVAC industry recommends scheduling professional checkups each season. This ensures problems are not overlooked so your furnace can get back to work next winter.
Spring maintenance tips
Investing a little time to address AC and furnace maintenance needs can pay off big-time. Here are some tips to help you close down your furnace for spring:
Change the filter: An air filter clogged with dust, pet dander, pollen, bacteria and other airborne debris is an inefficient filter, while a fresh filter allows better airflow and brings cleaner air to your inside spaces. For this reason, changing the air filter is one of the best things you can do for your furnace after winter has passed. You don’t have to think about all the dust and grime trapped in the filter because you can see it when you remove it!
Dust components: Whether your winter was dry or wet, the season usually creates a lot of dust. This dust can settle onto your HVAC system, and can even get sucked inside through vents, ductwork and dirty filters. Clearing dust away from your furnace keeps particles from getting inside the unit and prevents common fire hazards.
Clean the outdoor unit: If you have an outdoor AC unit as a part of your HVAC system, check it for salt, gunk, mud and mineral deposits. Clear away any debris blockage to avoid problems with your system later on. Also, be sure to remove leaves, cut grass, dirt and other debris from around it throughout the warmer months.
Install a new thermostat: Spring is a great time to consider upgrading your HVAC system’s thermostat. Choose a programmable or wi-fi thermostat to improve indoor comfort and energy efficiency.
Schedule maintenance service: Early spring is a good time to schedule a professional HVAC checkup and tune-up. An expert will service your furnace to ensure it’s ready to go next winter and inspect your air conditioner in anticipation of warmer days ahead.
If you need to schedule seasonal maintenance or need an HVAC repair in St Louis, MO, contact Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling today!
Car exhaust, smog, pollen and other air pollutants make outdoor air quality a big topic of discussion. What we don’t talk about a lot, though, is the quality of the air inside your home. Does it matter as much as the air quality outside? The answer, simply put, is yes! Keep reading to learn more about indoor air quality and the benefits of furnace cleaning in St. Louis, MO.
The benefits of good indoor air quality
First things first, why do people put such a premium on good indoor air quality? Here are a few of the top reasons, other than just wanting a happy and healthy home:
Reduced allergens: Pollen, dust, pet dander and other allergens in the air make life miserable for everyone who is susceptible to their effects. You can mitigate these allergy problems by keeping your indoor air as clean as can be.
Fewer breathing problems: Itchy eyes and runny noses make life uncomfortable, but anyone with asthma or other breathing problems can be in serious jeopardy. Ensure your loved ones are safe and won’t have trouble breathing by keeping allergens out of the air.
Lower energy bills: Dirty air nearly guarantees that you’re going to pay more each month for your heating and cooling bills. If your air filters are clogged from debris and contaminants in the air, your HVAC system will have to work harder to produce air, meaning it’ll use up more energy.
How can I boost my air quality?
We have good news for you if your indoor air quality is poor right now: it’s pretty easy to fix. Follow the tips below, and we suspect you’ll be breathing much easier very soon:
Clean your furnace: Think about it—a clean furnace pumps out clean air. Scheduling annual furnace cleaning in St Louis, MO is one of the best ways to keep your air pristine as can be. Fall is the best time to have your furnace cleaned, but it’s never too late to give us a call for cleaning or general maintenance.
Change your filters: Having your furnace cleaned once a year will undoubtedly help produce clean air, but in addition to scheduling cleaning, you’ll also need to swap out your air filter each month. Air filters trap pollutants from entering your home and, as you can imagine, they get pretty dirty as you run your furnace. As filters get dirty, they become less effective and eventually useless.
Open the windows: This one is easy—just open up your windows from time to time! Keeping your windows open for a little bit will let nice fresh air in while getting rid of stale, dirty air. Just be sure to put screens on all of your windows. Opening screen-less windows will just let more pollutants (like dust and pollen) inside, not to mention insects.
Whether you need an HVAC inspection, tune-up or furnace cleaning in St. Louis, MO, be sure to call Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling. We’re pleased to be your go-to team for all of your heating and cooling needs.
This winter, you want to make sure that your home stays comfortable and warm for you, your family and any guests you may be hosting. Even though it’s important to ensure that your heating system is running efficiently and effectively, it’s even more important to make sure that your system is running safely. Unfortunately, many homeowners suffer injury or loss of property as a result of fires from systems that are not operated safely.
For this reason, it is imperative that you take care of your system and follow several safety tips that will prevent overheating and reduce the risk of fire. If you are at all concerned about the safety of your system or you think that it might be a fire hazard, you should call a professional technician to inspect it and provide you with tips to stay safe during the heating season:
Check your smoke alarms: Your smoke alarms are incredibly important devices in your home that can help ensure that you and your family are made aware of a fire in time to evacuate safely. Test your smoke alarms and consider replacing them if they are old or don’t seem to be working reliably.
Keep areas around heating sources clear: Laundry, papers and other clutter can catch fire if they are too close to your heating units. Make sure that the area around all major heat sources is cleared so that there are three unobstructed feet around stoves, fireplaces and heaters.
Be careful when using space heaters: Space heaters can be effective heating sources, but they can also be dangerous if they are not used correctly. You should place your space heater on a level surface away from any potentially flammable materials like clothing, papers or curtains. Make sure that your space heater is away from children and pets to prevent burns or injury.
Use fireplaces cautiously: You should have your fireplace serviced on an annual basis to ensure that the chimney is clean and ready to be used. You should also make sure that you have a screen in front of your fireplace to prevent a crackling log from throwing sparks and starting a fire.
Maintain and service heating sources and systems: The best way to ensure that your heating system continues to operate safely, effectively and efficiently is to have it serviced regularly. You should also make sure to invest in professional furnace cleaning in St. Louis, MO in order to minimize the risk of house fires and to promote energy efficiency.
When you need expert help with your heating system, reach out to the experts at Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling. We understand how important it is to keep your system running effectively, efficiently and safely, which is why we are proud to deliver all of the HVAC services that you need, including furnace cleaning in St. Louis, MO. To find out more about heating safety or to get your system professionally serviced, just contact us today to schedule an appointment.
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.
Keeping your house clean is an essential part of being a homeowner. The cleaning work never really stops; you dust, sweep, vacuum, clean your bathrooms and tidy up whenever there’s an accident. But did you know that cleaning parts of your house you can’t see is just as important as cleaning your kitchen and bathroom? It’s true! Here are several reasons why experts recommend yearly furnace cleaning in St. Louis, MO:
Increase efficiency: Even the best furnaces become less efficient over time. Dust and other debris can coat the blower motor, switches, heat exchanger and the ignition system. When that happens, the furnace will slowly lose its ability to properly heat your home. If you call one of our technicians to service your unit, you’ll rest assured that we can clean out all of the debris to ensure maximum efficiency.
Avoid safety issues: Furnaces can be very dangerous fixtures. A faulty or dirty furnace poses the very real threat of starting a fire or spewing deadly carbon monoxide gas into your home. Old filters and clogged vents can lead to fires. What’s maybe even scarier is that a dirty heat exchanger is in danger of cracking, which can lead to carbon monoxide leaks! Carbon monoxide can lead to serious health issues rather quickly.
Extend the life of your furnace: A clean furnace is the key to a long-lasting unit. Dirt that gets into your furnace’s switches drastically ages critical components of your unit. Electrical switches and controls, the fan and blower motor and the heat exchanger are all necessary for a fully functioning unit. They also need to be kept clean at all times. Only a professional technician can properly clean all of these vital components.
Retain your warranty: Most furnaces come with some kind of warranty. However, some warranties become void if the manufacturer finds out you haven’t been taking proper care of your unit by having it serviced regularly. Yearly preventative maintenance that includes furnace cleaning in St. Louis, MO will help keep your warranty intact throughout your furnace’s lifespan.
In addition to hiring one of our professionals to clean your furnace, there are steps you can take to help keep the unit clean:
Change the filters: You’re responsible for changing your unit’s air filters between annual maintenance and cleaning visits. Furnace filters can be purchased at any home improvement store for a few dollars. Just be sure that you purchase the exact size specified by the manufacturer of your furnace.
Keep the area around your furnace tidy: Dusting and sweeping around your unit can do wonders to improve the functionality of your furnace. Just think: all of that dust in the unit has to come from somewhere—probably from the floor and ceiling. Make sure you take care of that debris before it has a chance to get inside your unit.
Since this is the time of year when you’ll be using your furnace the most, call Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling today to schedule a visit from one of our professionals for furnace cleaning in St. Louis, MO.