Enertech Recognition For Outstanding Performance in 2014 (GREENVILLE, ILL. – MAY 26, 2015) – Homeowners looking to “go green” and save money on energy costs won’t have to look very far to find one of the nation’s top geothermal installers. Locally-owned Scott-Lee Heating Company has established itself as a leader in the geothermal industry, having earned the Gold Club Award during the 19th Annual Enertech Global Dealer Meeting. The meeting took place on April 9 in Greenville, Ill. Enertech President and CEO Steve Smith presented the St. Louis, Mo., dealer with the prestigious award for demonstrating excellence in sales, installation, and customer service. “We have some of the best dealers in the industry,” said Smith. “They’re committed to providing the ultimate comfort experience for the homeowner, and hold themselves to a higher standard than most. You won’t find anyone better equipped to provide a quality geothermal system, period.” Geothermal taps into Earth’s heat to provide clean and sustainable energy for heating and cooling. Many property owners are turning to geothermal to reduce their carbon footprint while enjoying substantial savings in their heating and cooling costs. Scott-Lee Heating Company offers the complete line of GeoComfort geothermal equipment for residential and commercial...
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One of the most common problems facing homeowners during the summer, in addition to the heat, is humidity. During the summer, humidity can become so high that residents may start to feel uncomfortable and even sick. High humidity, in the range of 60 percent and above, can have many ill-effects including: Air that feels stale and heavy. An increase in relative temperature, as humid air feels much hotter than dry air, even if the temperature is kept constant. Skin that feels oily and sticky and hair that will not stay put. Serious Complications of High Humidity There can be more serious complications arising out of high humidity levels, such as the growth of harmful mold. A damp and warm environment can act as a breeding ground for dust mites and mold, which can cause health problems such as allergies, asthma, and irritation of the throat, eyes, and nose. High humidity can cause problems for susceptible groups such as children and the elderly, especially those with pre-existing health conditions. How to Lower the Humidity in Your Home To keep problems such as mold and mildew growth at bay, keep the humidity level within the range of 45 to 55 percent. This can be achieved in several ways. First,...
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A number of factors will determine the type of air conditioning system that will be recommended for your home or business. These factors include the size and overall temperature of the area requiring air conditioning. All correlated criteria are taken into account before recommending the most appropriate system that can be used inside a particular area or space. Window Air Conditioning Units The most common type of air conditioning unit for single rooms is the window-type air conditioner in which a box contains all the parts of this air conditioning unit (the condenser, evaporator, expansion valve, cooling coil, and compressor). This type of air conditioning unit is installed through an opening on the wall or on the window sill of a room. Split-Type Air Conditioning Unit The split-type air conditioning unit is made up of two components, the indoor component and the outdoor component. The indoor component is made up of the cooling fan and coil or evaporator. The outdoor unit is positioned outside the room and is made up of the condenser, expansion valve, and compressor. It is not necessary to provide an opening on the wall for these types of air conditioning units. Modern split units are creatively-designed...
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Mold is often hard to deal with, as it can easily resurface after being dormant for several years. Mold and HVAC Systems Contrary to what some people might think, HVAC systems are not exactly responsible for mold. It is especially hard for this growth to thrive on these systems due to the nature of their surfaces, which are usually metallic. But their use can enhance the growth of mold when these systems are not properly maintained. To avoid issues, it is important for you to ensure your system is properly designed and installed to guard against dampness in your home. It should also use effective filtration techniques for clean air, with maintenance work carried out on it periodically. Prevention of Mold Growth If you are building a new home, it is important to ensure appropriate architectural, design, and building techniques are used for your home to guard against excess moisture. You may be exposed to a mold problem as a result of defective flashing, doors, windows, balconies, and vapor barriers. You should also have the exterior parts of your building inspected at least once annually. Breaches in building envelope, roof flashing and caulking should be repaired. It is important to...
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After wind and solar energy, geothermal energy is gaining the attention of homeowners interested in green energy. The most common application for geothermal energy is in heating residential homes and commercial establishments. Listed below are five key points about geothermal heating that everyone should be aware of: 1. Geothermal Heating Is Gaining Recognition Geothermal heating technology is not just more available, but it is being used widely across the nation. A popular online resource that connects contractors and homeowners published a report stating that the requests for geothermal systems have increased by over two times in the past year. According to estimates provided by the United States Government’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Consumer Guides, there are almost 50,000 geothermal systems installed in the U.S. every year. 2. Geothermal Heating Saves Money While the upfront cost of installing a geothermal system might appear steep, it’s a smart long-term investment due to significantly reduced operational expenses. According to the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy consumer guide, homeowners typically recoup the initial investment within a relatively short period, usually around 5 to 10 years, through substantial energy savings. As societal consciousness about environmental impact grows, the allure of eco-friendly HVAC systems becomes more pronounced. Homes equipped with...
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Preventative maintenance of your HVAC system is necessary to ensure that your air conditioner will serve you well this summer. A preventative maintenance program will reduce the need for unanticipated repairs and minimize expenses. Increase your knowledge about the HVAC system as well as become familiar with how preventative maintenance is performed. This knowledge will allow you to find out which maintenance work you can perform yourself and which maintenance work will require a St. Louis HVAC repair professional. Become Familiar With the System All central air conditioning systems have two main parts, the condenser and evaporator. The air conditioning condenser unit is normally located at the side or rear portion of the home. The evaporator coil is positioned on top of the furnace along the duct junction. A forced-air distribution system is also connected to the air conditioning system. The house is heated using the same motor blower and ductwork used in keeping it cool. Maintain the Air Filters Maintaining the air filters of the air conditioning unit is the easiest preventative maintenance measure. It will extend the life of the HVAC system and allow you to avoid expensive repairs. The fan may become clogged up if the air filters are blocked with...
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Heating And Cooling With Geothermal Heating Your home is sitting right on top of a huge, relatively untapped source of heat. Just a few feet past the foundation is a renewable energy resource in the form of heat that is naturally abundant under the ground. This heat generated from the earth, or geothermal, can be harnessed and used as a natural way to keep your house warm in the winter and cool in the summer. What Is Geothermal Heating? Deep inside the earth, temperatures soar to over 9,000 degrees. This heat rises to the surface and is stored in between pockets of rock below the surface of the ground. Water is a great conductor of this heat as can be seen with naturally occurring hot springs and geysers and can also be used to help bring that heat up and straight into your living room. Since the heat is always being generated, this is a naturally renewable form of heat that can be harnessed and used as a home heating source. To accomplish this, an experienced HVAC company would install a geothermal heat pump for your home. Using long pipes that are buried below the frost line, a mixture of water and...
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The overall energy use has come down thanks to the use of more energy-efficient lighting and HVAC systems. In the last 25 years, the energy intensity of buildings has decreased by over 40 percent. During the five year period from 2007 to 2012, the energy demand in commercial buildings has come down by about 6.4 percent, according to a study published in Bloomberg New Energy Finance. According to HVAC experts, the decrease in energy consumption in commercial buildings can largely be attributed to the new, more energy-efficient construction, and use of new technology in old buildings including up gradation of HVAC systems. A surprising fact about today’s energy consumption scenario in commercial establishments is that even though the number of electronic devices being employed has gone up substantially, the overall energy use has come down thanks to the use of more energy-efficient lighting and HVAC systems. However, this does not mean that there is no scope of any further improvement. Building owners and facility managers can still take some measures to improve energy efficiency, and further, bring down utility bills. According to Energy Star, the largest operating expense in any commercial establishment is that of energy use. Apart from the economic impact of energy use, the environmental impact is also huge. Commercial...
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Is your air conditioner heating up your home instead of cooling it? There are numerous instances when homeowners find that their air conditioning unit is heating the house up instead of cooling it. Although this is an issue that needs urgent attention, it does not automatically indicate a major problem in the air conditioning unit. Check the Thermostat Settings Hot air blown by an air conditioning unit can be linked to problems with the thermostat. In some cases, the problem can be quite complicated such as the failure of communication between the air conditioner and thermostat, and it can be resolved only by an HVAC technician. However, if the thermostat is not set properly, it too can cause the air conditioner to blow warm air. It is necessary that the thermostat is on COOL mode and not on HEAT mode. The fan setting should also be in AUTO mode instead of ON. Although a homeowner may recall setting the thermostat properly, it is possible that another occupant of the house would have changed the setting. It is also possible that the settings would have reset to its default factory setting after power is cut off during a storm. The Outdoor Unit Should Be Connected Properly A disconnect switch is sometimes found...
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Pollutants can accumulate inside your home’s air ducts, reducing the indoor air quality of your home. Most residential and commercial structures are built with integrated heating, ventilation, and air conditioning or HVAC ducts. Fresh and stale air does not normally circulate together through these ducts. This will result in the accumulation of pollutants inside the air ducts and will lower the indoor air quality of the building. Those who suffer from respiratory ailments may experience aggravated symptoms from the pollutants. Maintaining Healthy Indoor Air Pollutants in the air ducts can be minimized or eliminated if the HVAC ducts are cleaned, resulting in a healthy environment inside the house. However, it is also possible that the air ducts will be damaged if they are cleaned too often. A regular cleaning schedule should be established. Although numerous recommendations are available for cleaning the ductwork, it is important to hire a St. Louis HVAC company to clean them properly. Aside from an improvement in air quality when the duct is clean, rodents will be also kept away. How to Clean Air Ducts A number of modifications have made in industry standards as well as duct cleaning methods over a number of years. The cleaning quality has improved with the developments...
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