The Pros and Cons of Space Heaters

November 7, 2019

Indoor space heaters can be a polarizing topic. Some swear by them while others contend that the risk outweighs any benefits. At in St. Louis, we maintain that space heaters can play an effective role in heating your home if you are aware of the pros and cons. Pro: Potential Cost-Savings Space heaters are inexpensive relative to other heating equipment. These heaters also cost less to operate than running a central heating system at the same temperature. You can save by keeping the main thermostat 10 degrees or even more below what you would normally need, and you can stay warm by using the space heater in the room you are actually occupying, such as a family room. Con: Fire and Burn Risk The National Fire Protection Association warns that space heaters account for more than 40% of all home heating-related fires. Space heaters are also responsible for most fire-related deaths during winter, and they account for thousands of burn-related injuries each year. Pro: Easy to Use Modern space heaters are often elegant, user-friendly, and very easy to use. If you are in an emergency situation where you need to heat your living space, there is no option faster or...

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5 Ways to Save Energy this Fall

October 21, 2019

When the heating season comes, it’s wise to see where you could improve the energy efficiency of your unit as well as your home. The following are some basic steps, most of which are inexpensive, to get you started. 1. Professional Heating Maintenance Annual maintenance is always a plus for saving energy. In fact, some heating system warranties require it, or they become void. You can look to for annual tune-ups no matter where you live in St. Louis, MO. A tune-up can keep all the parts clean, the electrical connections tight, and the thermostat calibrated. 2. Air Filter Replacement Many tune-ups will cover the air filter replacement, but this is a job you can just as easily do yourself. Pleated air filters become inefficient after six months, while fiberglass filters last only 30 days. Replace these so that the heating system can blow out warm air without the hindrance of dirt and debris. 3. Insulation Upgrades You could add insulation to your attic, wall cavities, and (if applicable) basement or crawl space to keep warm air in and cold air out. If there’s already insulation, look at its R-value, which is the level of resistance it offers to heat...

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How to Prepare for Fall Allergens

October 1, 2019

Fall allergies can run amok on your respiratory system. These allergy symptoms can include a runny nose, itching, and fever. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to keep your home free of fall allergens. The Most Common Fall Allergens Fall allergens differ from the ones that cause your sinuses to act up in the spring. In the autumn months, ragweed is the major culprit. Ragweed pollen can travel hundreds of miles being carried by the wind and can, therefore, affect you even if you are not surrounded by vegetation. Other particles that can aggravate your allergies include dust mites and mold spores. Replace the HVAC Filter Your home’s airflow is sifted through the air filter, and therefore, a lot of these allergens that happen to make it into your house will be collected there. It is important to change your HVAC air filter regularly because a dirty filter will mean having allergens floating freely inside your living space. A clogged air filter also means that your HVAC system may not operate optimally, and this will cost you money down the road. Schedule Duct Cleaning Schedule an experienced HVAC professional to clean your ducts so that allergens and other...

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Water Drips from Your AC Vents

September 24, 2019

Dealing With Water Dripping From AC Vents 3 Causes of Water Accumulation There are several issues that could lead to water dripping out of your AC vents. If you notice this happening, it’s important to determine the cause of the problem and take action in a timely manner. Some issues can be resolved without professional assistance, and some will require an air conditioning professional to take a look. Some of the most common issues that will lead to leaking air conditioning vents include the following. 1. Condensate Drain Line Issues A condensate line in your AC system that is clogged can cause condensation around your vents. To determine if this is the problem, check the drip pan on the outside part of your air conditioner. If it is full, this is likely your issue. You can clean the drain line with a shop vac or call a professional. 2. Dirty Air Filters If the air filters in your AC system are dirty, they can impede air flow. When this happens, it can cause frost to build up on the filter. When the AC unit is turned off, this frost will melt and end up dripping out of your vents. This...

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Symptoms of a Broken AC Motor

September 12, 2019

Dealing With a Broken AC Motor understands the stresses that a faulty air conditioner can cause. One of the issues that some systems have is a broken air conditioner motor. This could cause inefficient cooling and cause a variety of problems down the road. There are several signs that could indicate a problem with a motor. Signs the Motor May Be Broken If your AC unit is starting to make a strange noise, it could quite possibly be the motor. You might hear humming or a rattling sound. If there are any unusual noises coming from your system, it’s time to have a professional take a look at it. A faulty air conditioner motor might not be able to turn off when it needs to. If you still hear the motor running even though you’ve turned the AC system off, you might have a problem. While it might be tempting to ignore the problem, it could cause major issues in the future. Another sign of a motor on the fritz is one that cycles on and off unexpectedly. If you’re noticing that the motor cuts in and out when the AC unit is on, it’s time to have it looked...

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Thermostat Reading the Wrong Temperature?

August 12, 2019

Have you ever walked into your home and immediately felt unusually cold or warm even though your thermostat says that the temperature is normal? If so, there is a good chance that your thermostat is broken or malfunctioning. Inaccurate thermostat readings may occur for a wide variety of reasons. A Broken Sensor Your thermostat reads the internal temperature in your property through a built-in sensor. If this sensor has been damaged or is otherwise broken, it is likely to result in inaccurate temperature readouts. To fix the issue, your sensor may need to be recalibrated or replaced. An Old Thermostat Like any other product, your thermostat will eventually begin to wear down. When this occurs, you will find that it is not as accurate as it once was. Though you can always opt to have it serviced, it usually makes more sense to simply have a new one fitted in its place. A Bad Location Your thermostat records and reads out the temperature from the location that it is situated in. As such, if it is located next to a drafty window, it is likely to show lower than expected temperatures. In contrast, if it is fitted in an area...

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How to Reduce Exposure to Indoor Air Pollutants

July 15, 2019

Your home may be a safe haven and a personal escape, but there are could still be indoor air pollutants lurking throughout your interior. The air in the building may not be as clean as you think it is. Fortunately, certain steps can be taken to reduce exposure to indoor air pollutants. Here are a few ways to reduce indoor air pollutants in the house. 1. Avoid Smoking One of the main steps residents need to take to maintain clean indoor air is to avoid smoking indoors, which will pose as health hazards, especially in rooms that have a lot of upholstery or carpet. When smoking outdoors, close all of the windows in the home to prevent secondhand smoke from transferring into the building. Cigarette smoke is tough to clean and to remove because it’s a strong odor that can linger for many years. 2. Avoid Using Household Cleaners Household cleaners may remove dirt and grime in the building, but they can also affect the air quality in the building due to the chemicals they contain. Household cleaners have been linked to respiratory issues in both children and adults, which makes it necessary to switch to green cleaners that are...

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How Does an AC System Work

July 5, 2019

A lot has changed in the 100 plus years since the invention of the first modern air conditioning system. However, today’s central air conditioners still work using many of the same basic principles. So how does a central air conditioner work? The Science of Heat Transfer The job of an air conditioner is to transform warm air in cool air, but it does not actually make cold air. Instead, it removes the heat and humidity from the warm air, transfers it outside, and then returns cooled air back into the house. This entire process is made possible through the science of heat transfer, refrigerant, and an air conditioner’s three main mechanical components: Compressor unit Condenser coil Evaporator coil Refrigerant is a special chemical that travels through the air conditioner’s tubing. As the refrigerant passes through to the compressor, it is put under pressure, which raises its temperature and converts it to gas. The gas continues to travel outdoors to the air conditioner’s condenser coil where the heat disperses across its aluminum fins. As the heat disperses from the refrigerant in its gaseous state, its temperature drops, and it returns to its previous liquid state. The refrigerant then travels along with...

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The Benefits of Getting a Product Warranty

June 24, 2019

Many newly purchased HVAC products come with a warranty. These warranties can provide a variety of advantages. Before you make your next big purchase, here are a few considerations regarding your warranty on the product. You Can Budget the Cost of Ownership There are different types of warranties, including extended and limited. A limited warranty only covers the product for a set amount of time or only in certain circumstances. In some cases, the warranty will only compensate you for a manufacturer’s defect, and the term can be as short as one year. If you want a longer protection time, you can always purchase an extended warranty. One of these can help you to budget the cost of the product over a longer period. Since extended warranties are usually fairly comprehensive, if a part breaks or the unit fails, you will not have the burden of large repair bills. Replacement Parts Most heating and cooling products are built to last for several years. If a part fails prematurely, the product warranty will normally cover it. However, parts that fail due to normal wear and tear are often not reimbursed. You will always want to check your specific warranty to verify...

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Breathing Easy During Allergy Season

June 1, 2019

Many people in the St. Louis area probably think of  as a choice for heating and cooling needs. However, we know that there is more to home comfort than temperature. The quality of the air in your home matters to your overall health and well-being. This is especially important during allergy season. Common Allergy Season Impurities If you have seasonal allergies, you know when the trees, flowers, and weeds are producing pollen. Your throat gets scratchy. Your nose gets runny. Your eyes get itchy. You may have headaches and trouble getting a good night’s sleep. It is even worse if you are prone to respiratory issues like asthma. The allergy season can be an uncomfortable time of coughing and wheezing. Pollen is one of the worst irritants of the season. However, as the seasons change from spring to summer, new irritants crop up. The humid summer weather encourages household molds to grow and produce spores in damp areas. This moist weather also creates favorable breeding conditions for dust mites. After these little critters consume the dead skin cells around your home, they leave behind irritants that can cause an allergic reaction. Home Air Quality Solutions The technicians at are experts...

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