Working with your HVAC system is a good idea no matter the time of year, but the summertime is usually when people are the most grateful to have a system that’s running smoothly. Air conditioning is a modern convenience that can really improve our quality of life, and HVAC companies in St. Louis, MO are ready to do what needs to be done to make sure your system is in good working order. Believe it or not, the summertime can also be a great time to make sure your heating components will be up to the task when winter rolls around.
Check the airflow: Any HVAC system is going to be judged, first and foremost, by the amount and quality of the airflow it produces. HVAC companies in St. Louis, MO are unanimous in recommending that customers help keep the air moving smoothly by changing their air filters regularly—every one to two months, depending on system use, household size, pets and other factors.
Watch the landscaping: Exterior components of HVAC units are often situated in areas near landscaping, which can create a problem or two for homeowners. For starters, items like grass clippings and mulch can work their way into condenser units. Try to mitigate these concerns by giving outdoor HVAC equipment a wide berth when cutting the grass and by trimming flowers and shrubs near these units. This will help stop leaves and sticks from winding up inside and gumming up the works.
Reprogram the thermostat: When summer months change your family’s schedule, it’s time to take another look at the thermostat. Later sunsets can mean later bedtimes, for example, which means that you can tweak the settings on your thermostat accordingly to increase comfort and save money for your entire family. Summer activities and vacations can also keep you out of the house for extended periods, meaning there’s no reason to run the HVAC at normal levels.
Consider a dehumidifier: Even though air conditioning works by removing moisture from the air, you can supplement this with a dehumidifier. HVAC companies in St. Louis, MO agree that a dehumidifier can go a long way towards increasing the comfort of your family during the muggy summer months.
Get a tune-up: One final option you should consider is having your system tuned up by a qualified HVAC service technician from Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling. Our team can bring a fresh set of eyes to any concern while also working to make sure your HVAC runs smoothly for the next year (and beyond).
There are a lot of DIY measures you can perform to prolong the life of your HVAC system and ensure it’s working at peak efficiency, but we recommend you also give Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling a call so we can provide a professional perspective. Let us put our two decades of experience to work for you—call us today to schedule service!
The title might not make sense at first glance—why do you need to worry about your heating system during the hot months of summer? The reality is that this is actually the perfect time to look into the condition of your heater.
Your HVAC system is an important part of your home’s overall structure and ecosystem, so paying close attention to the whole system year-round is necessary. If you only think about it when you need it, you’re going to be paying higher prices during periods of high demand. Trust us—plenty of people are desperate to get a service technician when they click on the furnace in November and nothing happens. You’re much better off planning ahead, and HVAC companies in St. Louis, MO are ready to help you address maintenance and repair issues with your heater, even during the summertime.
Give yourself a break down the road
As we discussed above, the best reason to service your heating system during the warmer months is that plenty of people don’t do this. When you really need the heat, you’ll be kicking yourself as you get busy signals at HVAC companies in St. Louis, MO when everyone seems to be needing this heating service all at once. It’s much better to plan ahead because you can rest assured that a technician will arrive with plenty of time to fully assess, inspect and repair your system.
Keeping these logistical concerns in mind might seem a bit odd to customers, but something else that might sweeten the pot is that many companies provide coupons or other deals during these less-busy months to incentivize early action.
Nip problems in the bud
If you’re calling in the pros from Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling to take a look at your heating system in the summertime, then you’re making a smart move that could pay off financially as well. Over the course of our 20-plus years in business, we’ve found that these summer inspections can be some of the most beneficial in catching early problems with heating systems. All HVAC companies in St. Louis, MO know that you’re far better off working to fix a small problem now than dealing with a larger problem later, so take the initiative and work with a professional team that can help you identify and address issues before they start causing real trouble.
Safety first
The buildup of dust and the development of gas leaks can be issues for heating systems, and these can cause safety concerns for our customers. It’s smart to schedule regular inspections and maintenance so you can rest easy knowing professional HVAC technicians have cleaned and assessed your unit and ensured that everything is in safe working order.
Performing maintenance on a heater in summertime can seem counterintuitive, but in reality these “off months” are the best time to bring in the pros. Working with heaters in the summertime gives HVAC companies in St. Louis, MO the time and space they need to perform comprehensive inspections and repairs that can save you time, money and heartache down the road. Get in touch with Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling today to schedule your appointment.
Basic furnace maintenance has a variety of benefits, including reducing your heating costs and preventing breakdowns. While you should leave some stuff to HVAC companies in St. Louis, MO, there are a few things that every homeowner can do to maintain their heating system. Continue reading to learn a few of the most important maintenance items:
Change the filter: The easiest part of furnace maintenance is also one of the most important! It’s crucial that you change or clean your furnace filter every month. Your filter blocks contaminants from entering the unit and prevents allergens and other junk from circulating in the air. Neglecting to swap out your filter makes your unit work harder to heat your home, thus raising your monthly energy bills. Take a few seconds to change your filter and save yourself big bucks throughout the winter.
Clean the unit: A clean and tidy furnace will run efficiently and is less likely to break down in the middle of the cold season. Though you should call a professional to do a deep clean, you can dust off the sides of the unit and clean the fan with a wet cloth. You’ll also want to make sure the area around your furnace is nice and tidy! Giving your furnace plenty of room to breathe drastically reduces the chance of a fire.
Check the pilot light: If you have a gas furnace, take a quick look at the pilot light. The flame should burn a steady blue color with a yellow tip. If the flame is yellow or orange, or if it’s flickering, call a professional right away. HVAC companies in St. Louis, MO can come out and check your pilot light to see what’s the matter.
Check for rust: As your furnace ages, its sides or top may start to rust. This isn’t good! Any rust or corrosion may be a sign of a carbon monoxide leak, and this issue needs to be addressed immediately. A professional might be able to repair a leaky unit, but it may need to be replaced with a newer model. Only an HVAC technician will know for sure.
Install carbon monoxide monitors: This one doesn’t pertain to your furnace, per se, but putting carbon monoxide detectors in your home is still a crucial part of winter preparedness. As mentioned above, malfunctioning gas furnaces may emit carbon monoxide. Since its a colorless and odorless gas—and a deadly one—the only way to detect carbon monoxide is by placing monitors throughout your home.
Call for a tune-up: All of the steps above will undoubtedly benefit your furnace, but to ensure your furnace works to the best of its ability for years to come, call a professional to inspect it and give it a tune-up. A routine maintenance call may take less than an hour to complete, but keeping up with them over time can add years to your unit’s lifespan.
Don’t choose just anyone to tune up your furnace this fall. Be sure to hire our team at Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling to tackle the job. We’re available around the clock and offer some of the most competitive rates in the area, which is what makes us one of the top HVAC companies in St. Louis, MO. Contact us today to learn more about any of our services.
Your air conditioning system is a powerful machine, and many of us owe our comfort during the summer to this system. In order for it to continue working properly and do its job of keeping you cool, it has to be properly maintained, which means performing regular routine preventative maintenance. HVAC companies in St. Louis, MO will be able to perform routine maintenance, including cleaning. One aspect that needs to be cleaned is the coils, but how often should they be cleaned, and why? Read on to learn more about this crucial step.
Professional cleaning of AC coils
Ideally, your AC coils should be cleaned seasonally, before the heat of the summer and again at the end of the summertime before cooler weather comes in. However, this is not a job we recommend you handle yourself. HVAC companies in St. Louis, MO will have the tools and expertise necessary to clean the coils adequately without damaging any components. The coil fins in an air conditioning system are delicate and very sensitive, making them easy to damage if you use the wrong type of cleaning product or handle them too forcefully or incorrectly.
Additionally, coil cleaning can be dangerous for those who don’t know what they’re doing. To clean the coils properly, you’d have to handle dangerous chemicals and risk exposure to electric shock, which is likely if you’re not experienced in handling HVAC systems. Plus, if you handle the system wrong, you could end up needing more costly repairs.
Why coil cleaning is necessary
You may be wondering, if the job is so dangerous and risky, why is it necessary to complete it so often? Cleaning your AC coils increases the system’s efficiency and cooling power, as well as improves the air quality in your home. As the coils draw warm air from the outside in order to cool your home, they also pull in other debris, dust, pollen, bacteria and other grime from the outside air. These can build up in the system and even create a barrier, which will increase stress on the system, causing it to work harder than necessary and decreasing the efficiency of the system.
Plus, the air that flows through this buildup of grime will carry its contaminants into the air supply in your home that you regularly breathe in. It’s necessary to regularly clean out the coils so clean air can flow through easily. These delicate coils need to be handled properly and regularly in order for the system to continue to work correctly. This will ensure your HVAC system continues to function as it should, and that your energy bills are kept low and your air quality is kept high.
Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling provides customers with an unmatched level of service, from installation to repairs, maintenance and inspections. All good HVAC companies in St. Louis, MO will recommend regular preventative maintenance, such as cleaning your coils, in order to keep your HVAC system running properly for as long as possible. We’re here to make sure your HVAC problems are prevented before they develop into larger issues. Give us a call today for an estimate.
Residential and commercial HVAC companies in St Louis, MO are moving toward something better in 2019. This year, manufacturers for the HVAC industry will be introducing products that are said to be both smarter and more efficient. On the innovation front is the push for automation and connectivity in most new HVAC products for home and commercial buildings, all while keeping federal regulations at the forefront. What HVAC industry trends should you be looking for in 2019? Here are a few:
Commercial rooftop units: The biggest manufacturers of commercial rooftop HVAC units have a goal to meet the two-step U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) efficiency requirements that went into effect last year. Step one increased the minimum efficiency by about 10 percent; step two will require an increase of about 25 to 30 percent by 2023. Higher efficiencies are likely to bring more larger, three-phase, two-speed blower motors and more variable frequency drives to units that didn’t have them before.
Intuitive residential products: In 2019, preventative maintenance needs and wants in the residential HVAC market are predicted to grow—especially where damaging leaks and malfunctions are concerned. HVACs are now a huge part of smart homes, so much so that the industry is working hard to meet demands for more intuitive systems. There’s no question about it—intelligent HVAC technologies are on the rise.
Fan efficiency rating for residential furnaces: The HVAC industry is also striving to meet fan efficiency ratings for all residential furnaces. Come July, the fan efficiency rating for furnace motors will see major changes. This aims to save energy and reduce harmful carbon pollution, meaning homeowners with furnaces that meet the requirements can expect to eventually see a reduction in their electricity bills.
Individual business trends
Social media plays a huge role in business success. A strong online presence in 2019 is said to attract people looking for automation and efficiency opportunities as it relates to their HVAC equipment and HVAC service in St Louis, MO. Here’s why:
Customers can find useful information: Convenience is important to a lot of people. Luckily, the internet makes it easy for consumers to shop around for a variety of home services, and it’s only getting easier as technology advances. For HVAC companies, this means having their sales processes and pricing posted online for immediate reference. Customers can even order products and services right off a website without having to leave the house.
Creating trust and transparency: No one wants to spend their hard-earned money on low-quality products or bad service. As 2019 moves along, many HVAC companies are doing everything they can to offer customers the transparency they deserve. They want to build trust and remove as much risk as possible for buyers. When companies utilize technology, they can communicate better with their customers. For example, they are able to show a homeowner how much energy they are saving with their new furnace compared to their old, less-efficient unit.
When you need to schedule a time for HVAC repair in St Louis, MO, look no further than Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling. Reach out to us today to book an appointment or learn more about our services!
