You may want to consider the advantages of a ductless, mini-split system before making your decision. If you have a heating or air conditioning system that needs to be upgraded, or you just want one that is more energy-efficient, then you might be considering a ductless, or mini-split, HVAC system. A ductless HVAC system is much easier to install, runs at a fraction of the cost of traditional systems and allows you to maintain better control over the different zones of your home. Although they were rare just a short decade ago, ductless HVAC systems have become one of the hottest trends in the HVAC world. Ductless Installation With mindsets changing about the eco-friendly nature of ductless systems, there is anticipated market growth that might help to bring the cost of buying and installing ductless HVAC systems down significantly. With the allure of more energy efficiency, which translates into lower monthly operating costs, many homebuilders might use their installation as a selling point for new construction and renovation projects. Many construction forecasters are seeing that ductless systems may be the newest trend over the next few years and may expand to more residential spaces. With more technological advances and the...
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We know air conditioning is one of the most important concepts to your comfort and peace of mind. If your AC is not cooling properly, the reason could be as simple as dirty coils. Clean coils are extremely important for the proper functioning of an air conditioning system. Even if 1/100th of an inch of dust collects on the AC’s condenser coil, it loses 5% of its efficiency. Our St. Louis HVAC technicians explain how dirty coils could be causing your AC to under-perform. The Importance of Air Conditioning Coils There are two AC coils which are very important for the proper operation of the system. The evaporator coil is responsible for absorbing the heat and humidity from the space. The condenser coil releases the heat absorbed from the inner space, outside the building. The condenser coil is located in the outside unit and is exposed to the adverse weather, soot, dirt and other trash outside. Dust can easily accumulate on it. This can reduce its capacity to work properly. The Way in Which an Air Conditioner Works In order to understand how dirty coils reduce the cooling ability of the AC, it is advisable to know how an air...
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If you are considering a ductless system for your office or commercial space, talk to our St. Louis HVAC experts now. Sometimes, the ductwork in a building ruins the aesthetic appeal. A ductless option is available for people who want to have an aesthetic HVAC system and an elegant and smart looking space. In this article, we will discuss the top benefits of installing a ductless air conditioning system in your commercial building. Free From Dust A ductless AC is beneficial for all commercial activities which can be hindered due to dust. For instance, a layer of dust can deter the customers and bring down the sales of a furniture store, a home decor business, or an art gallery. In this system, there are no ducts where the dust can accumulate and spread all over the place. Multiple Cooling Zones A ductless AC is an ideal choice for spaces that have many rooms that require different levels of heating and cooling. For instance, in a restaurant, the heating and cooling requirements are different for the kitchen where the chefs work with hot stoves and grills, where the customers sit and dine and where the food is stored. The zoned system...
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Having regular maintenance on your HVAC system can prevent frost from accumulating on the evaporator coils. As the weather becomes colder the frosted evaporator coils start restricting the airflow and can reduce the HVAC efficiency. This is a common problem faced by the building owners and managers. Frost is the root cause of many HVAC issues. When the temperature in the evaporator coil becomes lower than the dew point and dew collects on the surface of the coil, it does not pose a problem. But when the temperature reduces further and goes beyond the freezing point turning dew into frost it reduces the airflow and can cause a major HVAC problem. Types of Frost The initial layer of ice which forms on the evaporator coil is thin and is not harmful. In fact, it is conducive to the functioning of the HVAC. It increases the evaporator tube’s surface area. The subsequent layers of ice are more snow-like or crystalline depending on the temperature of the evaporator, humidity, and airflow. They are known as hoar frost or radiant frost. They reduce the heat-absorbing capacity of the evaporator. Indications of Diminished Airflow Low Levels of Head Pressure – The heat load is reduced...
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Misconceptions related to an HVAC system can prevent building managers from keeping their systems in good shape. Commercial HVAC systems maintain the temperature of the building and keep the place comfortable throughout the year. Cooling and heating are equally important during the summer, winter, spring, and fall. But many people are under the false impression that they are essential only during the summer and winter seasons. So they tend to neglect them at other times. Besides this, there are some misconceptions related to the HVAC systems which prevent building managers from keeping their systems in good shape. Myth 1 – There is No Need to Fix a System Until it is Broken People think that that they need not take any action or fix the system until it breaks down. It is a mistake to believe that nothing can be wrong with the system until it is broken. In fact, a commercial HVAC system can continue to work with minor flaws or broken components for a long time. These defects may not be visible. If they are not rectified in time they can damage the whole system. It is imperative to arrange for regular inspections to get hold of these...
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While having good gym equipment is important, so is having good indoor air quality. Most of us have experienced walking into a swanky looking gym and being turned off by the nasty air. No one would ever like to go to a gym that smells bad. The problem of poor indoor air quality in a gym can be addressed with proper air conditioning and ventilation. In this post, St. Louis HVAC technicians will talk about how you can maintain good air quality in your gym and attract new customers and retain old ones. Poor Air Quality Can Affect Health of Clients People visit a gym to improve or maintain their health through regular exercise. While having good gym equipment is important, so is good indoor air quality. If your gym’s ventilation system has not been properly designed or is not functioning properly, it can make the environment hot and humid. This happens because the system does not remove enough moisture from the air. Here is what can happen if you fail to correct the ventilation problem in your gym: Hot and humid air will become breeding ground for the growth of mold and mildew Humid air can create musty smells...
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Call a St. Louis HVAC technician if you notice these signs of AC compressor failure. The compressor is the most vital part of an air conditioning system. When your AC compressor fails you may have to decide whether to repair or replace it. If the system is old it may not be advisable to repair the compressor as it may not be worth the cost. Here are some ways that will help you identify signs of compressor failure. The Compressor Does Not Turn On If you notice that your home is too hot, check the indoor unit of your AC. If you find that the fan is working properly, check the condensing unit, you may find that it is not running at all. In such a situation, you should turn down the thermostat so that the compressor comes on. If it does not turn on it likely means that the compressor has already failed. You should not try to fix the issue yourself. Seek the assistance of a St. Louis HVAC repairman to diagnose the problem. The System Blows Warm Air One sign of the approaching compressor failure is that the system blows warm air even though the condenser appears...
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We will answer your questions about the R22 phase-out and will help you decide which is the best decision for you and your family. Air conditioners that take R22 refrigerant, are being phased out and this type of refrigerant will not be available after January 1, 2020. If you are a business owner who relies on this type of system or a homeowner that uses it to keep your home cool, it is time to decide whether to refit or replace your air conditioner. R22 refrigerant is being replaced with the safer EPA-compliant R410A type. You have to either decide now to refit or replace your existing unit or be forced to do so after 2020 when R22 refrigerant is no longer available. R22 refrigerant, or Freon, has been used in air conditioning systems for a long time. However, due to its reclassification as a danger to the environment, the US Environmental Protection Agency has placed restrictions on its manufacture as well as a mandate to phase it out completely by 2020. Making a Decision While 2020 may seem like a few years away, the impact of the phase-out is already being felt. The price of refrigerant is soaring. So...
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Having regular maintenance performed on your HVAC system will save you money in the long run. Whenever you notice any signs of frost or ice in your air conditioner or find that the unit is not performing properly, take immediate action. It is important to nip it in the bud otherwise it may damage the walls, floors, and ceilings. If the issue is ignored for too long it may lead to compressor failure. You may have to pay for expensive repairs or buy a new one. Here are some helpful tips on dealing with this type of issue. Common Reasons Why Air Conditioners Freeze Diminished Airflow – This can happen due to a clogged filter or a broken fan. If the fan runs sluggishly or does not turn on, the unit may freeze because when the fan does not work properly sufficient air does not flow over the coils and they become excessively cold. Obstructed Drain Line – There may be some obstruction in the drain line. Refrigerant Leak – The chemical which runs in the AC coil and changes the pressure and temperature to remove heat is known as the refrigerant. If there is a leak, the pressure may...
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Regular maintenance of the cooling tower will help in increasing the efficiency of the cooling tower and reducing overall costs. Commercial HVAC owners are on a constant lookout for ways and means to reduce their energy consumption while trying to gain maximum cost-efficiency from their HVAC systems. The bigger fight however, is to try and keep the utility bills lower. One way to achieve this is by maintaining your cooling tower efficiently. What is a Cooling Tower? A cooling tower is a device that is used to remove excess heat that is generated when the HVAC functions to either heat or cool a building. Cooling towers remove the excess (or waste) heat by evaporating some amount of the water that circulates inside the system into the atmosphere. These are usually seen outside the building or adjacent to the building housing the HVAC system Two Types of Cooling Towers There are two types of cooling towers: Natural draft – A natural draft cooling tower cools by way of natural convection of the airflow. As the air inside the cooling tower becomes warm and moist, it rises to the top in the form of steam that evaporates, and the cooler air that...
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