Your HVAC system is something you never want to neglect. There’s no worse feeling than when the weather turns cold and you need the heat to click on and it fails to do so, or when the same happens with your air conditioner during the summertime. Regular air conditioning maintenance in St. Louis, MO is a great way to make sure any problems are nipped in the bud and you can keep your system in good working order.
HVAC maintenance is easy to schedule, but there may be some question of when it’s actually necessary to do so. At Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling, we’ve found there are certain times of year that are just better than others for customers to schedule HVAC service. Read on for the answers to some common questions that will help you make the appropriate decision for your system.
What does maintenance entail?
When you schedule a maintenance appointment, a technician will give your HVAC system a comprehensive checkup. This involves going over an entire checklist of verifications and items we look for in every system. For something like heating maintenance in St. Louis, MO, this means inspecting every part of the system, testing it to make sure all heating functions work properly and cleaning all parts so they operate with ease. All of these functions are not only checked but also repaired by your technician if needed, keeping small problems at bay so they don’t turn into bigger ones that will cost more money to fix later on.
When’s the best time to schedule maintenance?
The rule of thumb for heating and air conditioning maintenance in St. Louis, MO is that you really want to schedule it before you need it. People rush to their phones in cold weather when their heat fails to click on, and it can be hard to get an appointment—beat the crowds by scheduling your maintenance appointment early in the season. Similarly, for your air conditioning maintenance, you’ll want to get an appointment in the spring before the weather really starts to heat up.
How often should you schedule your maintenance?
Your HVAC systems are finely-tuned machines that should be checked by a professional on a regular basis. For most systems, this means annual maintenance checks for both your heating and cooling components. Ultimately, you don’t want to put off heating service and air conditioning maintenance in St. Louis, MO, because it’s easy for small issues to fester and develop into problems that are more costly and time-consuming to repair. It’s always better to be proactive than reactive.
At Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling, we take HVAC maintenance very seriously, and our two-decade track record speaks for itself. Customers all over the St. Louis area trust us to keep their systems operating smoothly and ensure their families stay comfortable and happy, regardless of what the weather outside has in store. Get in touch with us today to schedule a maintenance appointment for your HVAC system—we look forward to assisting you soon!
Now that spring is here and things are finally starting to warm up, it’s a good time to take care of your HVAC system and make sure it’s ready for the cooling season. After months without being used, your AC system likely needs some maintenance, cleaning and service to get it up and running again while maximizing its performance and efficiency. Keep reading for the professional tips you need to get your system ready for spring with maintenance and HVAC service in St. Louis, MO.
Effective HVAC maintenance doesn’t have to be very complicated. All it takes is a little bit of time, energy and efficiency to get your system working as effectively and efficiently as possible throughout the spring and summer months. Here are a few simple steps to follow to get your HVAC system ready for the coming seasons:
Check your system’s performance: Turn your system on and observe how it works to find out whether any repairs might be necessary before the spring and summer. Listen for unusual noises and check for any signs of performance issues that should be addressed before you start using your system more frequently as the weather heats up.
Clean up your unit: It’s normal for HVAC units to accumulate debris over time, so make sure to clean your unit to prepare it for the spring. Clear away debris, cut back grass and wash your outdoor unit to promote effective airflow. Cleaning your system also minimizes damage and prevents corrosion to extend the lifespan of your unit.
Inspect ducts and change filters: Cleaning ductwork and filters is a very effective way to boost the performance of your HVAC system. Inspect your ducts to check for an accumulation of debris and dust, and invest in duct cleaning services from a professional HVAC company if necessary. Change your filters regularly to promote airflow and minimize obstructions that contribute to energy waste and poor indoor air quality.
Get professional maintenance services: Schedule a service appointment with a professional HVAC technician to get your system tuned up and ready for spring and summer use. A professional technician will also identify any problems that require repair to maximize the performance of your system.
Invest in proactive repairs: If your system is damaged or there are any mechanical issues with your AC unit, invest in repairs as soon as possible. Delaying HVAC repairs can make problems worse and lead to more extensive damage and serious HVAC malfunctions down the road. Avoid the cost, hassle and downtime of extensive system repairs by investing in any necessary improvements as soon as possible.
Schedule HVAC service in St. Louis, MO
For high-quality HVAC service in St. Louis, MO to get your system ready for the spring and summer months, reach out to Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling. We offer comprehensive HVAC services, including maintenance, repairs and installation, for commercial and residential customers alike. Our experienced technicians can help you get your system prepared for safe, effective and efficient operation during the cooling season. Find out more about everything we have to offer by giving our team a call today.
We rely heavily on our home’s and office’s heating and cooling systems—and if everything is working well, it’s easy to get lulled into a false sense of security. Why spend the time and money scheduling an HVAC inspection and maintenance appointment when the unit seems to be working just fine?
The importance of HVAC service in St. Louis, MO is more than just checking boxes—your annual maintenance ensures that you can identify and repair problems before they cause major damage to your unit, among other benefits. Here’s why you need to schedule HVAC service today:
Spot problems before they start: The second you notice something odd happening with your unit, be sure to call the pros. Strange noises, a lack of ability to heat or cool or weird odors can indicate that something is wrong. Broken or damaged parts can cause further damage if they’re left unaddressed.
Lower your energy bills: Who doesn’t want to save money on their energy bills? If your HVAC system has been working overtime to heat and cool your home, your electricity or gas bill will go through the roof. Proper HVAC service in St. Louis, MO guarantees that you won’t dread opening the bill at the end of the month (at least no more so than usual).
Safety matters: From short circuits to carbon monoxide leaks, damaged HVAC units can be deadly to you and your family. Cracks, broken parts and other issues aren’t just inconvenient and expensive—carbon monoxide poisoning and fire hazards can have fatal results, so it’s important to stay on top of maintenance and catch problems before they get worse.
Keep your unit running longer: You probably know it’s important to take your car in for a tune-up so it’ll keep going for years—the same goes for all machinery, including your HVAC system. Plus, you don’t want to get caught on the hottest or coldest days of the year with no way to regulate your home’s or business’s temperature. Annual maintenance keeps your HVAC system running smoothly for a longer period of time, and cuts down on the chance that you’ll see a system failure later on down the road.
You can do some maintenance tasks, such as pruning shrubbery away from the outside unit and changing your air filter regularly, but there’s no substitute for a professional examination. Your HVAC technician will look for any issues and address them on the spot.
HVAC service in St. Louis, MO
Ready to schedule your annual HVAC maintenance? There’s no better time than now—call Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling to schedule an appointment. We are dedicated to ensuring your system is ready to take on the allergens of spring and handle heating or cooling tasks all year long. Whether you need to install or repair your unit or just make sure everything’s good in working condition, we’ll make sure your home stays temperate and free of pollutants. Call us to get started—we look forward to assisting you soon!
You might be under the impression that because you’re indoors, the air quality is better than you would get outdoors. Unfortunately, sometimes the air we breathe in our own homes is even more polluted than a busy city street, because many of us forget the importance of regular HVAC service in St. Louis, MO. Pollen, pet hair and dander, mold, dust and other pollutants can make it difficult to breathe easily. In fact, that’s why your HVAC system has an air filter—but in order for it to be effective, you need to change it regularly.
Air filters not only filter the air you breathe, making it possible to live without congestion, but they also function in blocking particles and pollutants that could damage the inside of your HVAC unit. Changing your air filter is a relatively simple process—it should take less than 10 minutes to complete—and will drastically improve the function of your HVAC system.
Types of air filters
There are a variety of different air filters you can purchase for your unit. Here are some of the most popular options:
Fiberglass: These are the least expensive filters you can purchase. They’re disposable, and often do a decent job of protecting your HVAC, but will stop working effectively as debris builds up. If you’re prone to allergies, try a different type.
Pleated: The more pleats, the better the filtering—these cotton or polyester filters do a nice job of filtering dust and allergens.
Reusable and washable: Washable filters are greener than other options, and save you money in the long run. It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s directions for washing the filters and letting them dry completely, or you could find yourself blowing mold throughout the house.
HEPA: HEPA stands for “high efficiency particulate air filters,” and these filters are great for those with seasonal or chronic allergies and respiratory problems. They can filter out 99.97 percent of contaminants, making them the U.S. Department of Energy’s top choice of air filter.
Electrostatic: These come in washable and disposable versions, and use an electrostatic charge to trap dust and other particulate matter.
UV: Finally, these filters use UV light to kill bacteria and viruses that enter your home. They’re not as effective in screening dust and other particulates, but if you’re constantly sick, this could be a good choice for your home.
If you’re not sure which types of air filter might be right for your home and your specific HVAC unit, don’t hesitate to call the experts at Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling. We can help you select and install the perfect type for your needs.
HVAC service in St. Louis, MO
Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling is dedicated to making sure the air inside your home is fresh and clean, free of dust, allergens and other pollutants. We provide a full array of HVAC services in St. Louis, MO, from installation to repair and maintenance. We pride ourselves on offering fast, affordable services 24/7. Call us today to schedule your HVAC maintenance and more.
When you’re discussing the purchase and installation of a new heating and cooling system with your HVAC service in St. Louis, MO, you will need to take into account some minimum energy efficiency standards, which will limit the types of air conditioners and furnaces you’re allowed to purchase in your area. These energy efficiency standards vary from region to region, and even if a company carries products that have lower energy efficiency ratings, they won’t be able to sell them in your particular region if it doesn’t meet the standards set for your area. For example, people who live in the south will generally be required to use more energy-efficient air conditioners than people in the north, because they’re going to use them much more often.
This isn’t necessarily something that should be considered a negative—if it’s a question of whether or not the higher energy efficiency standards will hamper the operation of the equipment, you don’t need to worry. Energy-efficient HVAC systems are capable of working just as well as standard ones, with less energy. They might not produce the same results quite as quickly, but you will save a significant amount of energy and money on your utility bills to ultimately get at least the same quality of heating and cooling.
The major drawback is that these energy-efficient systems cost much more up front to purchase and install, so you need to be prepared to make an immediate investment into your home’s HVAC system.
New standards
The most recent federal changes to energy efficiency standards were implemented in July 2019, when the U.S. Department of Energy made official some new standards for furnaces. Under the new rules, there is a Fan Energy Rating (FER) that establishes a minimum airflow efficiency for all residential furnace fans. Furnaces are no longer allowed to even be manufactured if they fail to meet those baseline marks.
According to the Department of Energy, this new rule will save approximately 3.99 quads of energy, cut down on the amount of carbon pollution in the country by up to 34 million metric tons (equal to the amount of energy used by about 4.7 million homes) and cut down national home electric bills by about $9 billion through 2030.
This has required a lot of furnace manufacturers to make quite a few upgrades to their equipment and processes to ensure they need these new energy efficiency standards.
What does this mean for the average homeowner? Ultimately it means just about any new furnace you purchase is going to be a significant upgrade in terms of energy efficiency, but there are still tiers of energy efficiency you should consider, and you’ll need to meet any minimum requirements that exist for your area. You should not be scared off by a higher price tag for a more energy-efficient furnace, as it will save you money in the long run (to some extent).
For more information about energy efficiency and HVAC service in St. Louis, MO, reach out to the team at Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling today.
