A Guide to Ductless Mini Split Heat Pumps

November 20, 2023

A Guide to Ductless Mini Split Heat Pumps Most homes are built with a ducted heating and cooling system. This type of system pushes hot or cold air throughout your home via ducts in the walls or floor from a central heating or cooling unit. If you have an old home that you want to upgrade or if you plan to add another room to your home, then installing a ductless mini split is a far wiser option. Renovation to add a duct to a new addition or to add ducting to an older home is costly and impractical. But how do ductless systems work? How does this type of system heat and cool your home? And how are they installed? Heating With a Ductless Mini Split A ductless system is made up of an outdoor compressor unit and an indoor thermometer unit. The two components are connected by a refrigerant line, a drain line, a suction tube, and a power cord. A mini split works by transferring heat. When you want to heat a room, the pump draws heat from outdoor sources such as the ground or air into the outdoor unit. The heat is then absorbed into a...

View Article

Read More

Combatting Indoor Air Pollution in St. Louis

November 15, 2023

Combatting Indoor Air Pollution in St. Louis Most people are aware of contaminants that cause outdoor air pollution, but you might not be aware that air pollution can exist inside a home as well. Pollution inside your home can cause difficulty with breathing or even severe respiratory problems down the road. Indoor pollution is worse than outdoor pollution due to the fact that air doesn’t circulate as effectively indoors as it can outdoors. St. Louis is hard hit by both indoor and outdoor pollution, especially during certain times of the year. Let’s explore the causes of indoor air pollution, the seasons during which you should take particular care, and the things you can do to improve the air quality in your home. What Causes Indoor Air Pollution? The main cause of indoor air pollution is contaminated air outside the home coming in through open windows, doors, or poorly maintained HVAC systems. St. Louis is prone to ground-level ozone pollution, otherwise known as smog. Smog is a mixture of pollutants emitted from factories or other industrial sites, car exhaust fumes, construction debris, or particles from burning waste. St. Louis specifically has a high number of industrial plants that release harmful chemicals...

View Article

Read More

What Do BTUs Mean in Heat Pumps?

November 9, 2023

How To Determine What BTUs Mean With Heat Pumps Heat pumps are the most cost-effective heating and cooling systems on the market and a great option for new builds or for spaces that are being renovated. If you’re interested in a new heat pump system, you’ve probably noticed that these come with a BTU rating. What does this number mean? Why is it important? Does it matter which BTU rating you choose for your heat pump? You can find the answers to these questions and more below. What Does BTU Mean? BTU stands for British Thermal Unit, a universal method of measuring the amount of hot or cold air needed for heating or cooling a space. Heat pumps work by drawing heat in from the outside to heat your home and transferring heat out of a home to cool it. These heat transfers are measured in BTU, or in other words, by how many thermal transfers happen per hour. The main factor for determining your heat pump’s BTU rating is the size of your home, but other factors like insulation, ceiling height, and heated appliances can change your BTU rating. Why Is the BTU Rating Important When Choosing a Heat...

View Article

Read More

Addressing the Symptoms of Poor Indoor Air Quality in Your Home

October 29, 2023

How To Address Symptoms of Poor Indoor Air Quality At , we help St. Louis residents keep their homes comfortable during every season. While our primary focus is heating and cooling, we also provide solutions to address indoor air quality (IAQ) concerns. The quality of your air has a direct impact on the quality of life in your home. If you experience any common symptoms of compromised IAQ, our team would be happy to provide services to make things more comfortable. Symptoms Caused by Low Humidity The level of humidity in your home has a strong effect on your overall comfort. When the air is too dry, it draws moisture from any available source. You may notice that wooden instruments like guitars and pianos go out of tune more quickly as dry air warps the wood. Wooden furniture is also susceptible to damage under these conditions. Since water makes up most of your body, low humidity produces several physical symptoms. Dry Skin Dry, itchy skin can be a chronic problem, especially in winter. This condition can also make it difficult to get comfortable when trying to fall asleep. Itchy Eyes Your eyes contain a great deal of moisture, so low...

View Article

Read More

Weighing Your Options: Baseboard Heaters vs. Central Heat

October 24, 2023

Baseboard Heaters vs. Central Heating When considering building a brand-new house or updating your current climate system, considering what type of heating to install is a big decision. As a homeowner, you have several options for heating your house, each with many things to consider. Central heating units and baseboard heaters are two of homeowners’ top choices. Let’s explore the upside and downside of each so that you can make an informed decision on heating your home in St. Louis, MO. Baseboard Heaters Baseboard heaters have a heating element that heats up when turned on. This heating element releases warm air into your room. An HVAC technician will place these heaters on the wall just above the floor or on the baseboards, hence the name. Placing the units on perimeter walls is a common practice, as this works to combat the cold from outside. The most popular baseboard heater models run off electricity. These electric heaters are wired into your home’s electric grid during installation and are generally not portable. You can also find gas and hydronic (hot water) units, though they are far less common. Pros of Baseboard Heating Quiet Operation Electric baseboard heaters typically run with little to...

View Article

Read More

Is It Normal for Your Heating to Smell Like It’s Burning When You Turn It On?

October 18, 2023

Is It Normal for Your Furnace to Smell Like it’s Burning? Have you ever noticed a burning smell coming from your heating system when you first turn it on? If so, your first thought was probably what caused the burning smell and whether it is something you need to worry about. The truth is that this type of burning smell is quite common but can also be a sign of a potentially serious issue. Today, we’ll explore the reasons your home’s heating system smells like it’s burning so that you can know when it’s normal and when it indicates a problem. Dust and Debris Furnaces and electric heaters like baseboard heaters often produce a burning smell when you first turn them on after sitting unused for a long time. This typically happens when you first use your heating in the fall or winter. Dust, cobwebs, and other debris tend to collect inside a furnace or electric heater when it sits idle during the warmer months. It then burns off when the heating system is turned back on. You’re more likely to notice the smell when you don’t have your heating system serviced and cleaned. If you have a central heating...

View Article

Read More

The Costs of Installing a Wi-Fi Thermostat

September 22, 2023

The Costs of Installing a Wi-Fi Thermostat With energy rates on the rise around the country, many households are making the smart choice of upgrading to a Wi-Fi thermostat. These smart devices are programmable, energy-efficient, and much more convenient than previous models. They allow you to better track your energy consumption whether you’re at home, working, or across the world. Learn more about the potential costs of a smart thermostat installation today to help you decide if it’s a good fit for your family. Installation Costs Breakdown On average, a smart thermostat will typically cost between $200 and $500 depending on a variety of factors. If you opt for a more advanced option, you may find the price can reach as high as $1,000. When considering calling a professional, you should include both the material costs and the price of labor in your projected budget. The Wi-Fi thermostat model alone can add anywhere from around $100 to almost $800 to your price. If you don’t already have a smart thermostat, your technician will have to install a C-wire or common wire. This line is responsible for powering your thermostat’s LED screen and internal functions. It takes the place of a...

View Article

Read More

How Often Should You Replace Your Air Filters?

September 22, 2023

How Often Should You Replace Your Air Filters? Have you ever paused to think about the air you breathe inside your home? Many homeowners often take their home’s air for granted because they assume it is always clean and pure for breathing. In reality, indoor air may be up to five times more polluted than outside air. The air inside your home could have particulates that can significantly impact your health and well-being. That is where air filters come into play. They act like small, silent guardians working tirelessly to ensure that the air you breathe is void of allergens and harmful pollutants. Like any other filter, they have a limited lifespan and need regular replacement to ensure optimal function. They collect dust and other particles, which accumulate and impede their ability to trap more particulates. How often you should change these filters depends on their quality and usage. Experts recommend that the filters be replaced at least once every 90 days. Nevertheless, if you own pets or multiple people live in your home, it would be a good practice to swap them once every 60 days. The following are the real benefits of changing your air filters regularly. 1....

View Article

Read More

8 Steps For a Winterproof Heating System

September 22, 2023

8 Steps To Winterproof Your Heating System As the days grow shorter and the temperature starts to drop, it’s essential to ensure that your heating system is ready to keep you warm and comfortable throughout the winter months. Winterizing your heating system not only helps maintain its efficiency but also prevents potential breakdowns during the coldest time of the year. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the essential steps you can take to prepare your heating system for the winter season. 1. Schedule a Professional Inspection Before the winter chill sets in, it’s a smart move to schedule a professional inspection for your heating system. A certified HVAC technician can identify any existing issues and recommend necessary repairs. Regular maintenance can extend the lifespan of your system and prevent unexpected breakdowns when you need heat the most. During the inspection, the technician will likely check for leaks, clean or replace air filters, and ensure that all components are functioning optimally. 2. Clean and Replace Air Filters Air filters play a crucial role in maintaining indoor air quality and the efficiency of your heating system. Dirty and clogged filters can restrict airflow, causing your system to work harder and consume more...

View Article

Read More

The Importance of Commercial HVAC Maintenance

August 25, 2023

The Importance of Commercial HVAC Maintenance To ensure that the air inside your commercial establishment is maintained at a comfortable temperature, and is free from all kinds of pollutants, every business owner should carry out periodic maintenance of their commercial HVAC systems. Periodic HVAC maintenance involves an audit of the environmental and energy systems of the building. HVAC experts identify comfort issues and analyze the equipment and operating procedures to offer cost-effective and energy-efficient solutions. There are several benefits that a business owner can seek from periodic maintenance of their commercial HVAC systems. HVAC Systems Survey and Financial Analysis Commercial HVAC system maintenance involves an audit of mechanical equipment and control systems. By gauging the condition, age, and repair status of the equipment, you can easily identify the problem areas, and plan and prioritize repairs. It also helps in better financial planning by offering a history of expenditures and projecting future outflows. By taking into account these factors, business owners are better able to prepare a budget. Solutions Once the heating and cooling company has identified all problem areas, they will recommend solutions that improve the comfort level and increase the energy efficiency of the HVAC system. The efforts are made...

View Article

Read More