HVAC problems and mechanical complications are always inconvenient and frustrating to deal with, but there are some issues that are more urgent than others. Some HVAC problems can be addressed with a scheduled service appointment for maintenance or repairs a few days or weeks down the road, but other issues should be handled immediately with emergency HVAC repair in St. Louis, MO. If you’re not sure whether you need emergency repairs or not, keep reading for some tips to help you make the right decision based on your needs.
Signs you need emergency service
An HVAC system is designed to deliver consistent, reliable performance for many years, but all systems will eventually develop some performance issues that require maintenance and repairs to address. Some simple services, like filter changes or minor part replacement, can be scheduled in the future, while other services must be handled immediately to ensure the continued safety and performance of an HVAC system. Here are several signs to look for to determine whether you need emergency HVAC repair in St. Louis, MO:
Strange odors: Strange smells can be a good indication that something is wrong with your system. While some odors can be addressed with regular HVAC service appointments, there are some smells that should never be ignored. For example, if you smell gas coming from your furnace, it’s important to get help from a professional right away. Waiting too long to respond to a gas leak can be very dangerous, so make sure to take care of this problem as soon as possible.
Electrical problems: If you’ve noticed electrical problems with your HVAC system, it’s a good idea to call a professional as soon as possible to check things out. Some common electrical problems include frequent circuit breaker trips, buzzing and humming and flickering lights when a system is running. All these problems indicate that there’s something wrong with the system’s power connections that must be fixed to keep it running safely, effectively and efficiently.
No system function: If your system isn’t working at all, you need to contact a technician for emergency repairs. While it might not be a huge concern during the spring or fall, when the weather is relatively mild, this can be a much bigger deal during extremely hot or cold weather. Without heating or cooling functionality, it’s nearly impossible to keep an indoor space comfortable and safe while temperatures are very hot or cold. Contact a professional technician to get to the bottom of a malfunctioning system to minimize the amount of time spent without use of your HVAC.
HVAC repair in St. Louis, MO
Whether you want to schedule a routine maintenance appointment with our team or you need emergency HVAC repair in St. Louis, MO, reach out to Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling for assistance. We’ve been providing comprehensive HVAC maintenance, repair and installation services for home and business owners throughout the area for over 20 years and we continue to develop a reputation for the quality of our services and customer satisfaction. Give us a call to schedule an appointment today and find out more about everything we have to offer.
As a homeowner, it’s always a good idea to have a working relationship with an HVAC service provider. First and foremost, this will help you to stay on top of your regular preventative maintenance. You should schedule appointments at least once a year for technicians to come and check out all of your heating and cooling equipment and make sure it’s in good working order. This will allow you to find any potential vulnerabilities or issues early on, before they develop into larger, more expensive problems requiring HVAC repair in St. Louis, MO.
The other reason why it’s a good idea to have a working relationship with your HVAC service provider is so you have someone to call in the event of an emergency. If your HVAC system goes down, you’re going to want it repaired quickly, especially at certain times of year and in certain conditions. There are some circumstances that could quickly turn dangerous if you are left without heating or cooling capability.
At Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling, our team is on hand to provide emergency repairs around the clock, seven days a week, whenever you need them, so you can take solace in knowing someone will be available when an emergency arises.
Of course, it’s important to know exactly what is and is not an emergency. Here are some issues to keep in mind that will help you determine whether you’re experiencing an emergency, or if it’s something you can wait until normal business hours to call about:
Weather: If you have mild temperatures in your area and aren’t really relying on your HVAC anyway, then you don’t need to worry as much about getting the system repaired immediately. However, if you’re experiencing extreme temperatures (either heat or cold), or if it’s extremely humid, you may need to make an emergency call. This is especially important in extremely cold seasons—not only is your health and safety in danger, but so is the condition of your home, as pipes can freeze and burst when the interior temperature dips to a certain point. If you’re experiencing extreme weather, do not hesitate to call in to an emergency HVAC service line.
Time: If the breakdown occurs and your HVAC company is just about to open up within the next hour or two, then you should be okay to wait until the business is officially open. If, however, your problem takes place in the early evening or night, or over the weekend, and you’ll need to wait a long time before the business opens up again, then you’re probably going to need to call in for emergency repairs.
Issue: Certain issues are going to be more alarming than others. For example, if you see smoke, then you should call for emergency assistance as soon as possible. If the issue is something like unusual noises, you’ll likely be able to wait until the business’s normal hours.
For more information about emergency HVAC repair in St. Louis, MO, contact Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling today.
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!
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!
The fall chill is in the air, Halloween is just around the corner and the countdown to the holiday break is just starting to begin. Winter will be here before we know it—is your home ready?
If you use a ground-source heat pump in your home, then you have a few simple steps you will need to follow to make sure your home is ready for the long, cold winter. We know these steps can be a pain, but they are certainly better than having a failed heat source in the dead of winter!
From a longtime provider of HVAC repair in St. Louis, MO, here is an overview for preparing your ground-source heat pump for winter.
Open your vents
You might have closed your air vents over summer, so that your house would not become drafty with the AC running. That is fine, but now that winter is coming, it is time to open those vents up again!
If you fail to open your vents before running your ground-source heat pump, you could experience uneven heating. This means your heat source will need to work twice as hard to keep your house comfortable, and could easily become overworked.
Fortunately, this is a very easy fix: simply remember to open your vents at the end of each summer. Keep it on an annual checklist to keep yourself from forgetting this easy but important task.
Check filters and breakers
Over the summer, your heat pump has been taking in warm air, and filtering it through the heat system so that it is free of allergens, dust and dirt. That means the air filter is going to be pretty dirty by the time fall starts—and you certainly do not want all that gunk getting into your winter air supply.
A clogged filter can also cause serious problems for your heat source. Fortunately, checking a filter is quick and easy.
You will also want to check your circuit breakers before you run your ground-source heat pump for the first time of the season. Make sure they are turned on. If you try to run the heat source and the circuits trip, you probably will want to call one of the most reliable HVAC companies in St. Louis, MO for service.
Schedule maintenance
If you are not the most handy of people, then the steps outlined above might intimidate you. And even if you are fairly well versed in home maintenance, there simply is no proper substitute for quality HVAC companies in St. Louis, MO taking a look at your whole system and making sure everything is running correctly.
Winter is coming soon, and the last thing you want is to need HVAC repair in St. Louis, MO in the middle of the coldest months. This is one area where you do not want to procrastinate; schedule your HVAC maintenance appointment today!
If you do not already have a go-to HVAC service in the area, we would love to pay you a visit and take a look at your heating system. Call Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling today for more information on rates and availability.
