Winter is here, and so is the potential for heating system failure. But remain vigilant and don’t ignore HVAC issues, and you will get through the colder months in comfort, as well as save money on energy bills and HVAC repairs. Let’s get some advice from a professional HVAC service in St Louis, MO about how to keep your heating bills low this winter.
Get a programmable thermostat
Most older homes that have not been updated are typically fitted with super basic manual thermostats. They are likely digital, but some may still be older dial thermostats. When we say basic, we mean thermostats that might feature up and down buttons, an on/off switch and the option to heat or cool, and that’s it.
Saving money on your heating bills starts when you make a change, and in this case, you should consider buying a programmable thermostat. Instead of it gliding on autopilot all day, you’ll be able to set the temperature to do its thing at scheduled times. This is especially handy for when you and your family are not home and while you sleep.
Seal air leaks
If there are cracks and breaks in weather stripping, then the warm indoor air can escape. Do check the seals around window frames and doors for gaps, but the quickest way to find a seal leak is to perform a smoke test. Light an incense cone and move it around windows, doors and crawlspace openings, and don’t just do this in suspected air leak areas. You might be surprised how often leaks can be found where no one thought to look earlier. Move slowly, as the smoke will appear to waver in the presence of blowing air.
Also, look for signs of busted seals—including materials that are cracked, ripped, torn, punctured, loose in the track or missing entirely. Note problem areas, and then head on down to your local hardware store for replacement weather stripping.
Change the air filters
One of the most common forgotten HVAC maintenance tasks is changing the air filter. How does changing the filter help you save on heating bills? For one, a dirty filter will cause the heating unit to struggle and be overworked every time the system kicks on, because the system airflow has nowhere to go. This is when it might feel as though the inside air is a bit stuffy or humid, which in turn means the indoor air quality will be quite unhealthy. Airflow is trapped on the other side of the dirty filter, hence the air in your living space will either remain stagnant or end up recycling through the system.
Get a professional inspection
While there’s a lot of regular HVAC maintenance you can do as a homeowner, plan on scheduling annual inspections and maintenance with a professional HVAC service in St Louis, MO. During the inspection, the pros can perform a tune-up—including tightening components, lubricating parts, checking wires and connectors and doing a thermostat check—as well as look for any needed repairs.
Contact Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling for superior HVAC service in St Louis, MO this winter, and all year round!
With winter approaching, now is the time to get your home winterized and ready for the season. An HVAC service in St Louis, MO can help you get your home ready for winter by ensuring your heating system is ready for operation and your cooling system is prepared for its long hibernation. Here are some ways an HVAC service can help get your home ready for winter:
- Change filters: Dirty filters are one of the most common problems when a furnace doesn’t work properly. It can make your heating system run inefficiently, and can even cause it to stop working at all. Changing your filters now can get you ready for the winter and will save you from a repair necessitated by clogging.
- Drain AC lines: This is a must, as you don’t want to suffer damage to your AC system during winter. Because any water left in your AC lines can freeze, you need to make sure they are properly drained to prevent this. This is as simple as letting them release any stored water, and an HVAC service in St Louis, MO can help you perform this task. This is also a good time to turn the water off at your outdoor spigots to ensure they don’t freeze.
- Plug drafts: Are there areas of your home that are letting in cold air? If there are, this can increase your energy bill each month, as your heat is literally going out your windows. Inspect your home for areas where air from the outside is coming in, and plug these holes as best you can. You can use a draft stopper to eliminate the cold air from coming in, or have repairs performed to remove the draft completely. An HVAC service in St Louis, MO can help you identify common draft areas and give you ideas for preventing cold air from getting in.
- Seal ducts: When your air ducts leak, this can prevent proper heating in your home. Looking for cracks and holes in your duct work can save you money on your energy bill by sealing these areas to prevent air from escaping through them. An HVAC service in St Louis, MO can inspect your ducts for signs of leaks and repair any damaged areas to ensure you have good airflow in your heating system all through the winter.
- Check your heating system: One of the most important things an HVAC service in St Louis, MO can do for you is give your heating system a checkup. They will be able to perform a maintenance check on your furnace and make sure that it will operate correctly through the winter. They will clean all components and check your thermostat to ensure that it is holding temperature and functioning correctly.
Winterizing your home now will have you prepared for the cold weather season. An HVAC service in St Louis, MO can help you get your home ready and ensure your heating system works properly come winter. For HVAC service at your home or business, contact Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling. We are seasoned HVAC contractors with technicians who are skilled in all areas of heating and cooling. Let us identify any issues preventing effective winterization and perform any necessary repairs to your heating system before the cold weather starts!
When you have problems with your humidifier or dehumidifier, it can be frustrating. You expect them to operate properly, and when they don’t, it can leave you feeling disappointed and uncomfortable. Luckily, an HVAC service in St Louis, MO may be able to help. They have experience repairing and servicing humidifiers and dehumidifiers, and will be able to help you get yours back to working order. Here are some of the most common failures that occur with these appliances that you can have an HVAC service help you with.
Common humidifier problems
When your humidifier doesn’t operate at all, it’s possible that a very simple fix is required. Oftentimes the power cord on your humidifier has gone bad and needs replacement. This can be determined by seeing whether the power cord works in another outlet. If it doesn’t, your power cord may be the culprit, and an HVAC service in St Louis, MO can replace it for you. This will get your humidifier up and working again with little effort or expense. This can also happen with a dehumidifier.
If your humidifier is leaking, meanwhile, this is a sign that your connections are not properly secured. You should check all connections from your water supply to make sure they are tight and sealed correctly. If you have plastic connections or hoses, these can crack over time, and an HVAC service in St Louis, MO can help you replace them. Also, look for any areas where you might have a clog or a kinked hose, as this can also affect the flow of water to your humidifier.
Common dehumidifier problems
In a dehumidifier, when operation stops, it may mean you need to empty the collection tank. Since a dehumidifier pulls moisture out of the air, it needs an area to collect this water, and the tank is where it does so. When the tank gets full, your dehumidifier doesn’t have any more room to store water, so it stops operating. Just empty the tank and your dehumidifier should start running again. If it doesn’t, this may be a sign of a bigger problem, which an HVAC service in St Louis, MO can help you identify and solve.
Another common failure in a dehumidifier is when it has iced up. This can occur in a room that is too cold. If you notice your dehumidifier has iced up, stop running it, as this can burn up the compressor. Allow it to thaw before resuming operation. If it continues to ice up, the room you are using it in may be too cold for operation, and the heat needs to be adjusted to avoid the problem from happening again. The presence of ice can also indicate that the filter is clogged or the fan is not working correctly. Contact your HVAC service in St Louis, MO to have them look to determine the exact nature of any problem with your dehumidifier.
If you are having a problem with your humidifier or dehumidifier, don’t get discouraged—an HVAC service in St Louis, MO is there to help and can examine your equipment to see what the problem is. For repairs to your humidifier or dehumidifier, contact Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling. We are experienced in all areas of HVAC repair, installation and maintenance and can get any component of your system up and running in no time.
