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!
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.
