No matter what your holiday traditions may be, there’s a good chance that you will be spending time with family, friends and loved ones this season. If you are hosting a holiday party or get-together, there are a lot of things that you will have to consider. Between getting the word out to guests, planning appetizers to serve and cleaning up your home, you might already feel busy with holiday planning. Another thing that you will have to think about is how to keep your home as comfortable as possible for all of your guests. This means that heating your home should be on your list of things to think about for your holiday party.
In order to make sure that your guests stay warm, there are several things that you can do to maximize the effectiveness of your heating system:
Opt to use your fireplace: If you have a fireplace, a holiday party is the perfect time to use it. Not only does it offer heat, it also creates a warm and cozy ambience that your guests will enjoy.
Maximize your heating resources: If you have space heaters or other heating sources, consider using them to heat your holiday party. Using a humidifier can also help, since the extra moisture in the air will retain more heat.
Reduce draftiness: Seal doorways and use curtains on your windows as a way to minimize drafts and prevent cold outside air from getting into your home.
Offer blankets to your guests: Since everyone has a different preference when it comes to indoor temperature, it’s a good idea to set out a few blankets in your living space to offer guests who tend to be colder.
Cook ahead: Cooking after all of your guests have arrived can add a lot of extra heat that makes your home uncomfortable. Consider preparing a few dishes ahead of time so that you don’t alter the temperature in your home too drastically.
Adjust your thermostat accordingly: The more people you have in your home, the warmer it will get. If you are hosting a large gathering, set your thermostat a bit lower than it usually is to account for the extra body heat.
Have your HVAC system serviced: Before your party, make sure to have your HVAC system serviced by a professional. Any maintenance or heating repair in St. Louis, MO should be done before your party starts to ensure that you are able to heat your home effectively and efficiently.
Before you have guests over this winter, make sure that your heating system is ready to go with help from the team at Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling. We are the local experts when it comes to HVAC repair, service and installation for homes and businesses. No matter what kind of questions you have, our knowledgeable team is here to supply you with all of the answers that you are looking for. Give us a call today to find out more about how we can help you stay warm this winter with heating repair in St. Louis, MO.
There are many misconceptions about residential heating systems and the level of energy efficiency they can provide within your home. That is why your local provider of heating repair in St. Louis, MO is here to dispel four of the most common myths about your heating system:
Cranking your thermostat will heat your home quicker: It seems logical that turning your thermostat up to the highest temperature would heat your home faster. In actuality, though, doing this doesn’t cause your home to get warmer quicker—it simply keeps your house warmer for longer stretches. While you can enjoy more sustained periods of heating by cranking your thermostat, if your goal is to warm up sooner, you will be disappointed.
Ceiling fans should only be run in the summer: While ceiling fans provide nice breezy relief in the summertime, running them from time to time can actually be beneficial in the winter as well. By turning your fan on counterclockwise, you can push all of the warm heated air that has risen towards the ceiling back down into the house, which can make your house feel warmer without requiring that you turn up the temperature.
It is cheaper to use space heaters than a gas heating system: In an effort to save a few dollars on their energy bills, some homeowners will periodically turn off the gas heat in their home and use space heaters in the rooms that they spend the most time in. In theory, this does seem like a reasonable way to cut back on your heating system’s energy usage and save some money in the process. In reality, though, utilizing this method could potentially end up costing you between three to five times as much as a conventional heating system, because the cost of electricity is just as expensive if not more expensive than using a gas furnace.
Air filters only need to be changed once a year: How often the air filter in your home’s HVAC system needs to be changed will depend on a lot of factors that are specific to your home. As a general rule, though, in order to aid in the energy efficiency of your entire heating system, check on your air filter once every month or so to make sure it is clean and free of dirt and debris. This will help keep the air in your home clean, and will help prevent a decline in the efficiency of your furnace.
If you are looking for heating repair in St. Louis, MO that can help you make sure that your system is running as efficiently as possible this winter, give us a call at Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling. We have been handling heating system repairs and new installations in the area for nearly 20 years and have the knowledge and expertise necessary to make sure you and your family stay warm all winter. Give us a call today to schedule an appointment—we look forward to serving you!
Keeping your home nice and toasty throughout the winter is crucial if you want to be comfortable and enjoy spending time inside your house. For some, that means keeping their thermostat set at 75 degrees or higher as soon as the temperature outside starts to drop. While that’s not necessarily good for your furnace (or your wallet), constantly changing the temperature isn’t good, either! Both scenarios can lead to the need for heating repair in St. Louis, MO. Keep reading to learn more about the effects of frequently adjusting your thermostat, and the best ways to go about managing the temperature in your home:
Adjusting the thermostat leads to breakdowns: Just like using the brakes too much while driving wears down your brake pads, constantly messing with the thermostat leads to unnecessary wear and tear on your furnace. Various components of your unit will break down faster than they should, which will lead to expensive repairs or even replacement! Instead of turning the temperature up and down every time you get a little hot or cold, find a temperature you’re comfortable with and leave it at that while you’re home.
Adjusting the thermostat wastes money: When you adjust your thermostat, your furnace has to suddenly work harder, sucking up more electricity. You’ll notice that it takes a lot more power to suddenly turn your unit on than it does to keep it at the same temperature for an extended period of time. Take a look at your next heating bill—you’ll be amazed at how much money you’ll save by not adjusting your thermostat every few hours!
Set the temperature when you’re away: Don’t get us wrong—you shouldn’t always have your thermostat at the same temperature. What’s the point in having the heat or air conditioning on when you’re not going to be home? That’s a huge waste of electricity! When you’re going to be away for eight hours or more, it’s good practice to set your thermostat five to eight degrees higher in the summer and 10 to 15 degrees lower in the winter. The U.S. Department of Energy says doing this can save you 5 to 15 percent on your monthly heating and cooling bills!
Buy a programmable thermostat: Buying a programmable thermostat can help you save money without the hassle of adjusting the temperature each morning and evening. You can program your thermostat to turn the heat or air conditioning down in the mornings when you leave for work, and back up when you get home. It saves you time and tons of money.
The last thing we want is for you to be uncomfortable in your home, but that doesn’t mean you need to adjust the thermostat every time it gets a bit too hot or too cold inside. Regardless of how often you change the temperature, your furnace may malfunction. If that’s the case, give Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling a call for heating repair in St. Louis, MO. We have years of experience with fixing all sorts of furnaces and can get your unit back up and running in no time if you’re experiencing trouble.
As a homeowner, it’s sometimes hard to admit there’s a problem with the house. For one thing, you don’t want to spend the next two weekends making repairs, and for another, it’s going to cost money. While ignoring indicators will make matters worse, acting on the early signs of HVAC problems can help you avoid costly heating repair in St Louis, MO. Here are some of those signs to watch for:
Strange sounds: There’s usually a little noise when the heater comes on. It could be your old furnace rattling for a few seconds, loosened vents whistling or the unit itself might even sound a little unusual. But the strange sounds we’re referring to are loud banging, excessive rattling, popping or screeching noises that are either continuous or frequently occurring. These noises could indicate a problem with some part of the heating system, like a damaged HVAC motor, compressor fan, furnace blower or other components.
Unpleasant odors: First things first, if your indoor air smells terrible, change the air filter and give it a few more runs. Dirty home air filters are the most common reason for unpleasant odors, yet many homeowners and renters have no idea they need to be replaced every one to three months to maintain healthy indoor air quality. After changing the filter, the odor should dissipate as you run the heater more. If it doesn’t, you could have dirty air ducts or corroding connectors. Contact a professional service for heating repair in St Louis, MO as soon as possible.
Damage to heater: Regardless of whether you have an indoor furnace or a dual cooling/heating unit, make sure you take the time to inspect it for damage. Damage can range from electrical or gas line breaks to problems with internal components like the motor or coils, or even cracks in the actual unit. Some parts can be repaired, but others may need a full replacement.
Particles in the air: Once again, not changing the air filter can cause all sorts of issues. It gets dirty and clogged, and since it’s a main channel for airflow, this blockage will hinder proper heater function. Noticeable particles in the air can cause a hazy, dusty screen in front of your eyes, and it can even lead to dry air that’s difficult to breathe. Furthermore, clogs may be a precursor to heater issues, including inefficient heat production and energy waste from the system overworking. Clean those ducts and filters for clearer, fresher indoor air.
Thermostat issues: Do you feel like you are in a constant battle with your thermostat? You keep turning it up to bring in more hot air, but the indoor temperature is not changing at all. Make sure the thermostat has fresh batteries before panicking. Unfortunately, if it’s not your thermostat, this could be a sign of a big problem with your heater. It might be a leaky duct or a broken down heat pump. Take measures to ensure there is nothing seriously wrong with your heating system—call in the pros.
If your home or business is in need of heating repair in St Louis, MO, look no further than the expert HVAC team at Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling. Give us a call today!
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!