Regardless of the cause, power surges can prove extremely harmful to the electronic appliances and your HVAC system. In the past couple of decades, the number of high-tech electronic appliances for an average home has increased considerably. Previously, surge protection was considered necessary only if you owned a large screen television. However, today, large electronic appliances such as dishwashers, home phones, and of course the HVAC systems have a great amount of electricity going into them. Our St. Louis HVAC technicians explain that power surges could be a result of a variety of factors such as power grid problems or lightning strikes. Regardless of the cause, power surges can prove extremely harmful to electronic appliances and your HVAC system. Even a single power surge can cause irreversible damage to the HVAC system and its sensitive components. The problem with HVAC System and power surges In times past, HVAC systems used to be mechanical in their functioning and had very few electronic components. However, over the years, with the new higher efficiency models, things have changed. The problem with power surges is that there is no way you can tell what and how much damage it will cause to your HVAC...
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There are a number of programmable thermostats to choose from. At Scott-Lee Heating, we will help you choose the right one for your home. HVAC owners often spend a lot of money monthly ensuring that their HVAC system effectively cools or heats each and every corner of the house. What most people don’t realize is that they end up generating huge utility bills on heating or cooling empty or unused rooms as well. This problem can be easily solved by using programmable thermostats that make it possible to schedule heating and cooling in the house to ensure optimum usage and efficiency. Programmable thermostats, especially the higher-end models, offer more options that can be customized and at the same time, ensure energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Here are some tips on choosing a programmable thermostat for your home. Features of a Programmable Thermostat Programmable thermostats, especially the smart ones have features that offer convenience, cost-effectiveness and energy efficiency. A few important features include: Motion detection – a motion detector in the thermostat regulates temperatures or turns on/off the thermostat by detecting presence of people inside home. Humidity Sensor – Humidity sensors are effective in areas with extreme humidity (high or low) conditions....
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This effect occurs when the outdoor temperature is significantly lower than the indoor temperature. Your furnace fills your home with warm air, however, more needs to be done to ensure that this warm air stays inside the home. This can generally be achieved by ensuring that the home is well-insulated. However, when it comes to multi-story homes, there are other challenges to be met, and an important among them is stack effect. In this post, our St. Louis HVAC experts will discuss this phenomenon in detail. What is Stack Effect? Stack effect is a major challenge faced by skyscrapers, however, it can also be a factor in houses with two or more floors. It is a condition in which the building acts as a huge chimney and funnels warm air upwards until it eventually escapes the structure completely. This effect occurs when the outdoor temperature is significantly lower than the indoor temperature. Cold air, being denser than warm air, pushes the warm air higher, and creates an airflow that pulls in more cold air. This airflow is stronger in taller structures. This is why revolving doors were designed shortly after the first skyscrapers were developed. The force of suction used...
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According to the US Department of Energy, more than 30 percent of the energy and cost used in powering Commercial HVAC systems gets wasted. Sustainability, energy efficiency, and cost-effectiveness are some of the features that commercial consumers look for while purchasing heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. However, many are unaware that HVAC systems are in fact one of the most energy-intensive systems used in commercial setups. St. Louis HVAC experts believe that reducing this huge energy waste is imperative for higher sustainability, better energy efficiency, and cost reduction. There are 6 simple, yet effective, ways commercial business owners can achieve these. 1. Regular HVAC filter replacement Dirty filters block airflow in the system. This can lead to an overworked HVAC system and poor air quality inside the building. Dirty filters also lead to a number of maintenance issues and increase operating costs. Ideally, air filters in a commercial should be checked or replaced every 1 to 3 months. These regular maintenance checks can reduce energy waste by 5 to 10 percent. 2. Using programmable thermostats St. Louis HVAC experts have found that in commercial HVAC setups, the temperature setting remains constant for long periods of time. Often, the...
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Assessing Your Furnace Performance This Winter These 4 signs may indicate that your aging furnace is in need of service or replacement Your furnace or other heating equipment is integral to keeping your family warm during the colder months. As winter draws to a close, it is an excellent time to assess your furnace and consider how you can improve cost-effectiveness going forward. Taking necessary precautions throughout the heating season, such as cursory inspections, changing air filters and tracking your utility bill, will provide you the information you need to evaluate your furnace and make those kinds of decisions. And while maintenance can certainly make a difference as to the performance of your furnace, it won’t do much if you have an aging furnace. Here are some telltale signs that your furnace may be on its last leg. Furnace Age The general industry rule is that furnaces will last 15 to 20 years. The 10-year mark is the point at which you should be acutely aware of the furnace age and view all other information within that context. Deciding how to proceed with a repair, for instance, is much different in year six than it is in year 12. Furnaces...
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Looking For The Right Air Conditioning Company For most of us, a house represents the largest financial investment we’ll ever make. That means finding a company to handle your AC needs is of utmost importance, as well. The company you pick will be your partner in choosing and maintaining your home’s HVAC unit, which has consequences you might not have thought about. Since cooling and heating can account for almost half of a typical homeowner’s energy costs, making the right decision can have an impact on your financial well-being, in addition to the comfort of you and your family. For years, people in have trusted for their HVAC needs. We’ve assembled a list of things to consider when you’re looking for a company to trust with your air conditioning needs. It pays to seek out a firm that gets consistently good reviews. Do your homework and see what the Better Business Bureau has to say, and check for consumer reviews on Yelp and other sites that post real-life feedback on local companies. An HVAC company should hire technicians who are certified by North American Technician Excellence. A NATE certification signifies a firm believes in hiring employees who are knowledgeable and...
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Should I continue repairing my AC unit? For most of us, a house represents the largest financial investment we’ll ever make. That means finding a company to handle your AC needs is of utmost importance, as well. The company you pick will be your partner in choosing and maintaining your home’s HVAC unit, which has consequences you might not have thought about. Since cooling and heating can account for almost half of a typical homeowner’s energy costs, making the right decision can have an impact on your financial well-being, in addition to the comfort of you and your family. For years, people in have trusted for their HVAC needs. We’ve assembled a list of things to consider when you’re looking for a company to trust with your air conditioning needs. How to Decide Whether to Continue Repairing Your AC When your air conditioner breaks down, the choice between repairing it again or replacing it entirely can be confusing. The right decision balances cost, system age, efficiency, recent investments, and reliability. Use the guidelines below to evaluate whether continuing repairs makes sense or if it’s time to upgrade to a new, more efficient system. The 50% rule: If a single repair...
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Avoid These Common Pitfalls To Achieve Optimal HVAC Energy-Efficiency Energy efficiency is a topic that has assumed great importance over the past couple of decades. Homeowners are also trying their best to make all sorts of adjustments to make their homes more energy-efficient. However, it often happens that many of their well-meaning efforts at achieving energy efficiency have the opposite effect. Our St. Louis HVAC experts advise homeowners to be wary of these pitfalls, so they can be successful at making their home greener. Here are a few common pitfalls to avoid. Improperly sized HVAC systems Investing in a modern, energy-efficient HVAC system is probably the best way to reduce utility bills and make your home greener. However, this can be achieved only if your HVAC system is of a suitable size. If the system is too large for your home, it will cool and heat the home too quickly and will need to cycle on and off frequently. This will put additional strain on the system and your wallet. If the system is too small, it will run continuously in a struggle to cool or heat the house. So, it is important to consult a St. Louis HVAC technician...
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Whole House Humidifiers add moisture to the air inside your home and can often help with sinus problems, usually aggravated by dry air. A whole-house humidifier can relieve many problems associated with winter weather such as dry and itchy skin. In this post, St. Louis HVAC expert will discuss the various options available when it comes to choosing a humidifier for your home. If you and your family are facing problems such as sore throats, chapped lips, and seasonal colds and allergies because of dry air, then you should consider installing a humidifier in your home. Central humidifiers, also known as whole house humidifiers hook up directly to your HVAC systems, along with the plumbing. Here are some types of central humidifiers available in the market: Steam humidification system: It uses less water compared to other types and is an eco-friendly system. The unit adds an equal amount of moisture to the air for each gallon of water used. These systems are approved for use in homes up to 3,000 square feet. Fan-powered whole-house humidifiers: These systems are also approved for use in homes up to 3000 square feet. This humidification system can provide high moisture output. If your home is...
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HVAC owners are almost always encouraged to call on a trained and experienced HVAC technician for fixing any issues with the furnace. But we believe that a little knowledge never hurts anyone, and it’s important to know what you can do yourself and when you need to call a repair technician. This guide is aimed at getting HVAC owners equipped with enough knowledge that they can perform some basic troubleshooting before calling their St. Louis HVAC technician. Simple DIY Furnace Repair Guide: Thermostat – Start troubleshooting at the thermostat. The thermostat setting should be on heat and the temperature should be above room temperature. It is also advised to troubleshoot with the temperature set at the highest. Turn the thermostat off and back on again. Check that the furnace fan is running. Power – If the fan of the furnace does not run, check the breaker, the fuse, and make sure the furnace switch is in the on position. If the breaker has tripped, you should check for a loose wiring connection. You should also look for any burn spots on the control board. The control board can be replaced if there are burn spots and the breaker can be...
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