Which Electric Heating Systems are the Best?

March 19, 2020

As the temperature outside dips lower and lower, you deserve a warm home to live in and enjoy your daily life. The dilemma comes when deciding the best way to keep your home warm throughout the long and blustery St. Louis winter. Natural gas furnaces are a popular and economical choice. However, natural gas furnaces can have some drawbacks, including the risk of exposure to carbon monoxide. If you choose to heat your home with electricity instead of natural gas, it’s important to choose the electric heating system that will heat your home most efficiently. Here are a few insights into electric heating systems to help you choose the best one for your needs. Challenges of Heating With Electricity While heating your home with electricity eliminates the risk of an explosion or of exposing yourself to carbon monoxide, there are some challenges of heating with this fuel source. The main challenge is that traditional electric furnaces aren’t all that efficient at producing warm air when compared to natural gas furnaces. Since natural gas furnaces can reach a higher temperature than electric furnaces, natural gas units can heat more air more efficiently. In an electric furnace, the electric resistance coils have...

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Coronavirus Notice from Scott-Lee Heating Company

March 17, 2020

As we continue to monitor the unforeseen situation that is present with the coronavirus (COVID-19) and associated illnesses, Scott-Lee Heating has developed this policy to maintain a safe and healthy environment for all team members, visitors, customers and stakeholders. Scott-Lee Heating wishes to ensure all customers that we have continuity plans in place to deliver uninterrupted service and support to customers as we navigate the uncertainty of COVID-19. Scott-Lee Heating has implemented an extensive COVID-19 Policy accompanied by our COVID-19 Temporary Risk Management Procedures. We have implemented additional sanitization and cleaning protocols in our office, warehouses, fleet vehicles and work locations. We have equipped field staff with necessary equipment to ensure safe working procedures in homes and businesses of our customers. We have increased options for remote work where possible. The policy and procedures set in place are largely precautionary and will be constantly monitored and adjusted. Scott-Lee Heating Company Plan No employees showing symptoms of COVID-19 will be working while showing symptoms, and will not return until medically cleared. Prior to each home visit, your technician will call to confirm the appointment. At this time, the technician will describe the increased sanitary measures and confirm nobody at the location...

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How To Make My Home More Energy Efficient

February 20, 2020

Among the many expenses you pay as a homeowner, utility bills can be one of the most costly. Keeping your house cool in the summer and warm in the winter requires a large amount of energy, especially when you’re faced with the sometimes extreme weather in St. Louis. To help save money, it’s vital that you take steps to improve your home’s energy efficiency. By keeping conditioned air inside your home, your HVAC system won’t have to run as often, saving you a lot of money. Here are a few tips to help you make your home more energy-efficient. New Windows If you have older windows in your residence, they could be costing you dearly when it comes to your energy costs. In addition to being inefficient due to the older technology, they also tend to have gaps around the frame that cause air leaks. Even with these gaps sealed, older windows are quite inefficient at stopping the transfer of heat from inside to outside or outside to inside, depending on the season. New windows, however, use multiple panes of glass with gas between each pane to slow down the flow of energy, thus increasing the energy efficiency of your...

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How Does a Thermostat Work?

February 10, 2020

The thermostat is at the heart of every heating and cooling system. It’s the component that triggers the equipment to turn itself on and off automatically. There are several types of thermostats, and each has a specific way of sensing temperature changes in the home. Electronic Thermostats If you own a home built in the last several decades, you probably have an electronic thermostat. This type of control is also called a digital thermostat. These devices contain an electronic sensor that determines the temperature and responds by turning the system on or off. Most electronic controls are programmable and enabled for Wi-Fi. This means their operation can happen automatically based upon the settings provided by the homeowner. Electromechanical Thermostats There was a time when heating and cooling equipment was managed using an electromechanical thermostat. Many older homes may still have these devices connected to their heaters or air conditioners. Changes in room temperature are tracked using a bimetallic coil. As temperatures rise and fall, the coil expands or contracts, causing a mercury-filled glass vial connected to the coil to tip. The tipped vial triggers the unit on or off. Perhaps it sounds like something you’d find in a mad scientist’s...

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What Are the Different Types of Heating Systems?

January 20, 2020

If you want to install the best heating system for your home, you must know what the different types of heating systems are. A heating company also needs to evaluate your home to know what size and type of heating system is compatible. Here is an overview of the four main types of heating systems you can install: 1. Furnaces This is the most common type of heating system. It sends heated air through ducts and into your home through vents. Furnaces can be fueled by electricity, oil or gas. Modern furnaces of all fuel sources are safe to use and good in efficiency. Gas furnaces heat your home faster than electric furnaces. However, an electric furnace works well for southern states. Those who live in the North should consider a gas furnace instead of an electric. has high-quality, affordable furnaces available for installation in St. Louis, MO, and the surrounding areas. We also sell geothermal systems and heat pumps. 2. Boilers As its name suggests, a boiler uses a water heating technology to warm your home. Boilers circulate hot water through pipes. Some types of boilers run water through tubing in the floor. Radiators are installed throughout your home...

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Is It Bad to Run My Heating System 24/7?

January 10, 2020

When it comes to warming your home during the cold months in the St. Louis area, you certainly have the option of turning your heating system on for the season and letting it go the distance. However, many homeowners are leery of doing this. They figure that their heating systems should run until they reach the specified temperature and then take a break. There are many benefits to running your system nonstop. If you want to make sure your furnace is ready for such an undertaking, bring in a team of qualified HVAC technicians, like those on staff at in St. Louis, for an inspection and tune-up. Before you run your system 24/7, here are some things you should know. It’s Perfectly Fine for Your System to Run Continuously Many homeowners worry about excessive wear and tear on their heating systems if they run nonstop. Your heating system is resilient, and it’s designed to run all day, every day. You don’t have to worry about certain components breaking down or losing years of life off your system. Many homeowners across the country opt to keep their systems running throughout the cold season. Expenses Associated With Doing So Depend on Your...

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HVAC Tips for the Holidays

December 20, 2019

This winter holiday season is expected to be packed by a ton of indoor activities. Chances are that you will have to accommodate a couple of your friends and visitors in your home. The last thing you would want to expect is having a house with filthy air as a result of poor air conditioning. At , we have been through many holidays and have the experience to advise you about how to prepare your HVAC system for the holidays. Change Your Filters In case you changed your air filters a few weeks ago, then it is fine. However, if your air conditioning filters have not been changed for over a month, then this is your opportunity to change them and to boost your indoor air quality. Luckily, changing the filters is not an overly complicated task, as it can be done within a couple of minutes. Go for a Programmable Thermostat Programmable thermostats have become a major trend in HVAC systems today. They enable you to adjust indoor temperatures automatically, depending on the kind of activities within the house. For example, when your friends come over, and you hurdle together in one room, temperatures are highly likely to rise....

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What Thermostat Temperature is Best for the Winter?

December 5, 2019

Finding the right home temperature in the winter season can be a real challenge. You want to find a thermostat setting that keeps your family comfortable without costing a fortune in heating bills. In the greater St. Louis area, works with countless commercial and residential heating systems. With all that experience, we think we have some insight into the best home temperature for the winter. The Recommended Setting According to the Department of Energy, most homeowners should keep their thermostats at 68 degrees during the winter months. At this temperature, the majority of people are comfortable, or they can get comfortable by putting on a sweater. It is also a temperature that will not overtax your heating system, avoiding extra heating costs and unexpected repairs. Exceptions to the Rule As a cost-saving measure, it is important to recognize that your house does not need to be 68 degrees when no one is home. If the house is empty during the day, you can let the temperature drift down as much as 10 degrees. Modern, efficient heating systems will use less fuel returning the house to a comfortable temperature than maintaining that temperature for eight hours when the home is empty....

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Why Is My Furnace Blowing Cold Air?

November 17, 2019

If your furnace seems to run well but it blows cold air, there’s a cause for concern. Though furnaces blow cold air for several reasons, there are a few steps you can take before calling in St. Louis. Here are some of the most common reasons for a furnace to put out cold air. An Inaccurate Thermostat Setting Your home may not stay at the desired temperature, or the air coming from the vents may seem somewhat cool even when the fan is on. In these cases, the solution may be a simple one, especially if the thermostat’s setting is causing the problem. Check the thermostat, making sure it’s set to “Auto” instead of “On.” If that doesn’t work, call for help. A Dirty Air Filter If the furnace overheats, it may blow cold air. Modern furnaces include safety devices known as limit switches, which turn off the burners when an unsafe temperature is reached. However, the unit’s fan will continue to run, cooling it down and preventing damage. Most instances of overheating are due to poor airflow, which is usually caused by a clogged air filter. If a replacement filter doesn’t get the warm air flowing again, consider seeking...

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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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