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.
The outdoor temperatures are dropping, which means you’ll want to crank up the heat in your home to stay nice and toasty throughout the winter. Before you touch that dial, though, be sure you’ve called for HVAC service in St. Louis, MO! This post will cover a few of the top reasons why it’s so important to schedule furnace maintenance each fall:
Safety: From carbon monoxide leaks to starting a fire, heaters can be dangerous units. You can ensure your furnace is as safe as possible by having it inspected by a professional. An HVAC technician will pore over every detail of your heater to ensure there are no cracked components that could create a carbon monoxide leak or any blocked vents that could lead to a fire.
Lower bills: The dirtier your unit is, the harder it has to work to put out heat for your home. And the harder your furnace has to work, the more energy it uses up, leading to higher bills each month. Though you can clean some components of your unit by yourself, you should hire a professional for a full cleaning and unit tune-up each fall. This service isn’t free, but it’ll save you a boatload of money throughout the winter.
Maintain energy efficiency: A clean and well-maintained unit uses 25 percent less electricity than one that isn’t. Not only is this saving you money, but it’s also helping out the environment.
Avoid breakdowns: Nothing’s worse than waking up and finding that your furnace stopped working in the middle of the night. Not only will you be without heat until a technician comes out, but you’ll also have to pay an arm and a leg to have your unit fixed. The best way to prevent this scenario is to call for HVAC service in St. Louis, MO today. One of our HVAC pros will tune up your unit to ensure it doesn’t kick the bucket in the dead of winter.
Prolong unit lifespan: You want your furnace to last for as long as possible, so be sure to call for routine maintenance each fall. Professional maintenance has proven to increase the average lifespan of heaters by 30 to 50 percent. A well-maintained furnace lasts for up to 20 years, while one that’s left untouched may only last for about 10.
Retain warranty: Each furnace comes with a warranty, but be sure to read the fine print! Many manufacturers put language in there stipulating that the unit must be professionally maintained—otherwise, the warranty is voided. Though it might not sound fair, it does make sense. Furnace manufacturers know the value of an annual maintenance check, and they don’t want to pay to replace a unit that was neglected by its owner.
Don’t wait one more day to call for HVAC service in St. Louis, MO! Reach out to Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling today to schedule furnace maintenance or have a new furnace installed. We provide a whole host of heating services to meet all of your needs this winter.
To keep your home nice and comfortable this fall and winter as temperatures begin to dip, it’s important to ensure that your HVAC system is working as effectively as possible. The most important thing for you to do to maintain the performance of your system is to invest in HVAC inspections and necessary HVAC service in St. Louis, MO. Read on to find out more about HVAC service and why fall is a great time for system inspections and maintenance.
Here are several reasons why fall is a good time to have your HVAC system inspected and serviced:
Get system ready for heating: After months without being used, it’s a good idea to have your heating system inspected and maintained to ensure that it’s performing optimally. During an inspection, your HVAC technician can identify any issues that require repair or maintenance before you can start using your heating system again.
Audit your summer energy use: In the fall, you have the opportunity to audit your energy use during the summer so that you can address any issues that might be contributing to energy waste. This information can help you make adjustments to your system settings so that you can operate your cooling system more efficiently next summer.
Clean and repair ductwork: The more you use your system, the more likely it is that your ductwork will accumulate some debris. In the fall, you can clear away all of the dust and debris that has built up in your ductwork in order to maintain proper airflow for effective heating. During a service appointment, your technician can also replace your filters to promote better airflow and boost system efficiency.
AC winterization: If you have an outdoor AC unit, you will need to take some winterizing steps to protect your system from the elements during the fall and winter. Your HVAC technician can provide this service during an inspection and maintenance appointment during the fall. By combining these services into a single appointment, you can save a lot of time and hassle.
Getting an inspection
If you’re ready to schedule a fall HVAC inspection and maintenance appointment, you should find a local HVAC contractor who you can rely on to provide you with the best service possible. Look for a service provider with a positive reputation in the community and with plenty of experience providing the kinds of services that you need for your home.
Reliable HVAC service in St. Louis, MO
For professional help with HVAC inspections and HVAC service in St. Louis, MO, reach out to Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling. For the past two decades, we have been proud to provide comprehensive HVAC services to our customers throughout the area. Whether you need a basic inspection and a system tune-up or you want to have a new system installed in your home, our experienced team is here to help you. Give us a call today to find out more about the services we offer and to schedule a maintenance appointment.
Your HVAC system keeps your home comfortable throughout the year, regardless of what the weather forecast might bring your way. While these systems are designed to operate effectively for years, you do have to invest some time and energy into regular HVAC service in St. Louis, MO if you want your system to maintain its performance and longevity.
Why fall HVAC service is so important
To keep an HVAC system performing as efficiently and effectively as possible, it’s important to have it maintained at least once a year. Fall is the perfect time to handle HVAC maintenance, since it optimizes the performance of your system before the heating season arrives.
Here are several different aspects of HVAC maintenance that should be on the top of your fall service checklist:
Air filter replacement: Your air filter is essential to the efficiency of your HVAC system, so it’s important to replace or clean it when you do other maintenance on your system. If you don’t change your air filter regularly, debris, dust and other particles will accumulate and restrict proper airflow through your ductwork. Changing this filter regularly allows you to maintain the efficiency of your system throughout the year.
Ductwork cleaning: Your ductwork is responsible for carrying air from your HVAC system throughout your home, and keeping your ducts in the best possible condition is essential if you want your system to perform efficiently. You should have your ducts cleaned and inspected to identify any cracks or weak connections in the ductwork. Any damage to your ducts should be repaired as soon as possible to minimize energy waste and improve overall HVAC performance.
Minimize clutter and debris: To promote proper airflow and minimize the risk of damage or issues with your system, you need to clear the area around your HVAC units and minimize debris and clutter. If you have an outdoor HVAC unit, like an AC unit, you should clear away any debris within a couple feet of the system. Remove any leaves and cut down grass that could inhibit airflow. Inside, remove clutter from around your heating and cooling systems, as well as your vents and ductwork.
Professional tune-up: There are a lot of things you can do on your own to keep your HVAC system operating effectively, but the best way for you to ensure that your system is performing optimally is to invest in professional HVAC service in St. Louis, MO. A professional technician will be able to inspect your system and recommend the maintenance services you need to keep it working great for years to come. They can also identify problems that require repair so you can proactively address issues before they get worse.
Schedule HVAC service in St Louis, MO
For professional help with HVAC service in St. Louis, MO, reach out to Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling. Our local business has been providing homeowners with comprehensive HVAC services for decades. We are committed to the quality of our services and the satisfaction of our customers. To find out more about what we have to offer, just give us a call today!
