What Color Should My Furnace Flame Be?

March 16, 2024

What Color Should My Furnace Flame Be? If you have a commercial property in the St. Louis area, you need a way to keep it warm. This is not just a matter of keeping things comfortable: Low temperatures can damage your property. Cool weather can cause condensation, and the moisture that accumulates can cause mold and water damage over time. When it gets even colder, you could have water freeze in your pipes, which may cause them to burst. Some businesses also need to protect delicate tools or temperature-sensitive materials from cold weather to keep them from damage. Those factors mean that you need to invest in a furnace to protect your property and keep your business operating normally when it gets cold. You also need to make sure the new furnace is the right size for your property. A furnace that is too small will not be able to keep your business warm, but one that is too big will be inefficient. There are five big factors that you should keep in mind when deciding which size you need. 1. Start With Basic Rules of Thumb The size of your property will provide a good starting point for estimating...

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Why You Should Upgrade Your AC Before Summer

March 2, 2024

The Benefits of Upgrading Your AC Before Summertime When the time comes to replace your AC, the experts recommend a proactive approach. While you can certainly install an AC in summer, it usually isn’t the best time. Installing it in spring or even fall will save you money and inconvenience. With that in mind, let’s explore the many reasons HVAC experts advise not waiting until the warmer months. Peace of Mind Having your new HVAC system in place before summer arrives gives you peace of mind. You can now invite family and friends over and know they’ll be comfortable. You won’t have to worry about something going wrong while they’re here. You’ll also have a new warranty to protect you. A new warranty ensures your AC is free of defects for many years to come. More Time to Research Time to make a decision is an oft-overlooked advantage of a proactive approach. Many homeowners who replace their ACs in summer experience a time crunch. Either you need to replace a failed AC now or your scheduling options are pressuring you. This means that you have to decide on a big investment in a very short period. When you decide in...

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Why Is My Heat Pump Blowing Cold Air?

February 15, 2024

Why Is My Heat Pump Blowing Cold Air? With the cooler temperatures experienced during the winter, your heat pump should be able to provide reliable warmth all through the season. However, circumstances may lead to your heating pump blowing cold air while it’s in heat mode. This can be unpleasant and make your home uncomfortable during the winter. There are various factors why your heat pump isn’t working; the problems can need simple or complex fixes that require a professional to handle. Below are some various reasons why your heat pump is blowing cold air. Your Heat Pump Is in Defrost Mode A heat pump can generate warm and cold air during different stages of compression and condensation. During the winter, a drop in the outside temperature could lead to freezing of your pump’s outdoor unit. The defrost mode enables the system to thaw the ice from the outdoor unit. This mechanism allows the system to direct the hot air toward the outdoor unit to melt any accumulated ice that would damage the system if manually removed. Since the defrost mode works like the cooling mode, the system will likely blow cold air inside your home. Once all the ice...

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6 Most Common Commercial HVAC Repairs

February 12, 2024

6 Most Common Commercial HVAC Repairs Running a commercial property or business is a lot of work, so the last problem you want to deal with is your heating and cooling system. When it’s operating well, the HVAC system is an excellent feat of engineering. But when an HVAC system is inoperable, it can be a source of frustration for you and the occupants. Workers cannot operate optimally when subjected to too cold or hot weather conditions. No one plans for HVAC breakdowns, but when the system fails, is ready to repair with dependable, speedy service. Our courteous and trained electricians can troubleshoot the problems and restore comfort in your commercial property. Let’s dive and explore common commercial HVAC repairs. 1. Malfunctioning Thermostat Repair A thermostat is like the engine oil of the HVAC system. It communicates about your commercial heating and cooling needs, with its components telling HVAC what to do. Several factors, such as faulty furnace switch, wrong programming, or installation, can cause thermostat malfunction. A wrongly installed thermostat can sense the inaccuracy of the commercial setup needs. For example, a thermostat placed directly below or above a register will shut prematurely as it will sense the room...

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6 Reasons To Schedule a Home Performance Audit

February 6, 2024

6 Reasons Why You Should Schedule a Home Performance Audit A home performance audit, commonly known as an energy audit, is a professional and comprehensive assessment of your home’s energy efficiency. The energy auditor will use advanced tools and technology to perform a series of tests and evaluate how well your home performs according to current energy efficiency standards. The audit will reveal inefficiencies and problem areas, including poor ventilation, damaged HVAC ductwork, and ineffective insulation. Our certified energy efficiency specialists at will work with you to create an action plan addressing these issues. The many benefits of accurately identifying problems and implementing effective corrective measures are more than enough reasons to schedule a home performance audit. 1. Lower Your Utility Bills The cost-saving potential is the leading reason most homeowners schedule home performance audits. The energy auditor looks at all the possible ways your household is wasting energy and, in the process, losing money because you have to pay higher utility bills. Implementing the recommended strategies for minimizing and even eliminating energy waste in your home will slash your electricity expenditure. Depending on the number and extent of the energy inefficiencies identified and addressed, you can significantly reduce your...

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Year-Round Benefits of an Energy Recovery Ventilation System

January 25, 2024

Year-Round Benefits of an Energy Recovery Ventilation System With allergens and breathing issues on the rise, indoor air quality is more important than ever. Instead of constantly battling the heat or cold, your home can maintain the proper humidity levels with the installation of one product known as an energy recovery ventilation system. Often referred to as an ERV system by professionals, these impressive machines work all year round to improve the air quality and moisture in your home. Before hiring a company to install the system, learn how these systems actually work for your home and the benefits they can provide through every season. Dry Weather Winter Benefits in St. Louis, MO A long winter can bring a lot of dry weather outdoors, and that dry air can easily transition into your home. An ERV system will typically get installed in an attic crawl space. If your home does not have an attic space, then an area like a deep closet or basement will provide an ideal installation spot for the ERV system. While the system works two ways, in the winter, the main goal is to deliver a little moisture into the house and eliminate the need for...

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How to Choose Between Central AC and Mini-Split AC

January 18, 2024

How to Choose Between Central AC and Mini-Split AC Systems If you’re considering installing an air conditioning system in your St. Louis, MO, home, your choice will likely come down to one of two types of systems. One is a central air conditioning system, and the other is a mini-split AC system. Each comes with specific advantages as well as specific drawbacks. That often makes choosing between them quite difficult. To help, here is everything you need to know about central AC and mini-split AC systems and how to choose the right option for your home. The Advantages of Central AC Here in St. Louis, just like in the rest of the US, central AC systems are the most common type of air conditioning equipment in homes. At last count, approximately two-thirds of American homes had a central AC or central heat pump installed. That isn’t an accident. It began in the post-World War II period, as builders began preinstalling ductwork in new homes to support central HVAC equipment. Central AC’s popularity in the US happened because it offered an efficient way to cool an entire home that was compatible with a central heating system like a gas-fired furnace. In...

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Is It an Emergency? Understanding HVAC Urgency

January 1, 2024

Is It an Emergency? Understanding HVAC Urgency Having problems with your HVAC system is a major cause of stress for most people. Adding to that stress is trying to determine whether the issue you’re having constitutes an emergency or not. After all, no one wants to pay the after-hours or priority pricing for emergency calls. In the world of HVAC, certain situations will always constitute an emergency because of the safety risks the issues pose. However, there are other situations that may pose an emergency for some households but not for others. Use this guide to unravel the complexity of HVAC emergencies and when it’s worth paying for emergency service. Specific Smells When your HVAC system is running well, it shouldn’t produce an odor or smell. There are three types of smells that indicate specific problems and should cause immediate concern and a call for repairs. These include odors like rotten eggs, strong chemicals, and burning. Here’s why each is concerning. Rotten Eggs Most people recognize the notorious rotten eggs smell that’s added to natural gas to alert people to a leak. Anyone with gas running to their house should pay particular attention if they encounter this smell. Do not...

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12 Reasons to Use a Geothermal Heat Pump in Your Home

December 22, 2023

12 Reasons to Use a Geothermal Heat Pump in Your Home A geothermal heat pump taps into the Earth’s constant underground temperatures to provide efficient heating and cooling for homes. It uses a series of pipes buried underground to transfer heat to or from the ground. Geothermal systems work well in various homes, particularly those with the right climate, soil and ground conditions, like those in St. Louis. They are ideal for both new and existing homes, offering energy efficiency and cost savings while minimizing environmental impact, making them suitable for a range of residential settings. If you’re wondering whether your home could benefit from geothermal heating, check out these top 12 benefits. 1. Energy Efficiency Geothermal heat pumps enhance a home’s energy efficiency by utilizing the stable temperatures beneath the Earth’s surface. This minimizes the energy required for heating and cooling, resulting in lower utility bills. The consistent underground temperatures allow the system to operate efficiently year-round, reducing overall energy consumption and environmental impact. 2. Cost Savings Homeowners transitioning to geothermal heat pumps experience multifaceted cost savings. Lower utility bills stem from the system’s energy efficiency, reducing both heating and cooling expenses. Geothermal systems typically have fewer maintenance needs...

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How to Find the Best Indoor Air Quality Technology for Your Home

December 13, 2023

How to Find the Best Indoor Air Quality Technology for Your Home The air quality in your St. Louis, MO home could be far worse than the air quality outdoors. In fact, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), it’s likely two to five times worse. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be. Whether you live near a busy freeway or have multiple indoor pets, advanced indoor air quality (IAQ) technologies can help. However, the key to optimizing IAQ improvements is finding the right one for your household. HVAC Air Filters: What They Can and Cannot Do All heaters and air conditioners have pre-installed HVAC air filters. Equipment manufacturers install these components to keep the interiors of furnaces, ACs, and heat pumps protected and promote long equipment lifespans. These standard, pre-installed filters collect larger airborne particulates like dust motes, hair, textile and carpet fibers, and pet fur. However, due to their larger mesh, many allergens and contaminants pass right through them. Thus, while they do provide limited air quality benefits, these benefits are hardly enough to meet the IAQ needs of most households. The Importance of Keeping Your HVAC Equipment Clean According to HVAC equipment manufacturers,...

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