Basic Rules of Air Conditioner Maintenance – St. Louis HVAC

June 13, 2016

Keep your air conditioner working to keep you cool through another hot and humid St. Louis summer. A home’s air conditioner works hard through the summer months of St. Louis. Your air conditioner plays a key part in keeping your home comfortable by regulating the temperature and humidity. Regular HVAC maintenance will keep your air conditioner working properly. If you fail to keep up with regular maintenance, the result will be decreased performance and increased costs. Summer HVAC Maintenance Now is the time to call for your regular HVAC summer maintenance. Most air conditioner problems can be addressed during a maintenance check. You may make any mechanical issues worse by trying to fix it yourself. Replace the Air Filters Regularly clean or replace the air filters. Normal airflow is blocked by dirty, dusty filters and the accumulated dust will affect the evaporator coils, causing serious issues. By replacing the air filters every two months, your HVAC system’s performance will improve. Dirty air filters can increase energy consumption by as much as 15 percent. Inspect the Evaporator Coils Coils fins are made out of aluminum and become bent over time. Bent coils will block the airflow and decrease the system’s efficiency. Fix or replace them...

View Article

Read More

Is a Geothermal Heating System Right For Your Home?

May 20, 2016

Geothermal heaters are an environmentally friendly and efficient option available to homeowners. There are a number of choices to consider when choosing the best HVAC system for your home. HVAC systems are installed based on the requirements of your home – either stand-alone or in combination with gas furnace heaters or electric heaters. Geothermal heating systems are an environmentally friendly and efficient option available to homeowners. What are Geothermal Heaters? Geothermal heaters use naturally available heat inside the earth to heat up a living space. Using electricity to run, geothermal heaters have three or four parts, comprising of a heat-generating loop, an indoor unit, and the ductwork. A four-piece heater has an additional air handler. Types of Geothermal Heater There are two types of geothermal heaters, which vary on the type of heat exchanging ground loops. Water source geothermal heaters – This type of heater makes use of water pumps and refrigerant-to-water heat exchangers and tubing that is buried into the ground to extract the earth’s heat. Geoexchange heaters – These heaters use copper-based refrigerant tubing by directly attaching them to the ground, for more efficient heat transfer. Both these types of geothermal heaters are dependable and use electricity. However, the direct geo-exchange heaters prove to be more efficient in the long run...

View Article

Read More

Who Controls the Thermostat in Your Home? – St. Louis HVAC

May 13, 2016

It is not unusual for a family to argue over the thermostat settings. Not everyone within a household prefers the same room temperature. Families often have disagreements over the heat settings; one person wants to crank up the heat and others want to bring it down a bit. If you are looking for a solution to this problem, our St. Louis HVAC expert has some simple tips for you and your family. Conflict over temperatures generally occur on gender lines as women tend to have slower metabolic rates compared to men, so they feel the cold more. A recent study has also shown that air-conditioned offices are designed for male employees, while women are left to shiver in the middle of summer. Here are some tips for those who find themselves in the middle of the battle over room temperatures. Space Heaters Modern space heaters are relatively efficient and considered safe as long as you follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Space heaters offer an easy solution to allow a family member to increase the temperature of his or her room while others can keep the thermostat at the temperature they desire. Improve Your HVAC System’s Efficiency If your arguments over the furnace revolve around money, consider making some efficiency upgrades to save...

View Article

Read More

Your HVAC System Could be a Source of Legionnaire’s Disease

May 6, 2016

A poorly maintained HVAC system may circulate pollutants and microbes into the air, causing severe illness. HVAC systems play a crucial role in keeping your home comfortable. Proper maintenance of an HVAC system is essential to get the best performance and to safeguard the health and well-being of your family. A poorly maintained system may circulate pollutants into the air that can cause allergies and can become a breeding ground for disease-causing microbes. You may be surprised to know that some of these microbes can cause serious illnesses such as Legionnaire’s disease. Legionnaire’s Disease Legionnaire’s disease is a lung disease that is caused by a bacterium known as legionella pneumophila. Legionnaire’s disease has become more common in recent years. The most common symptoms of this lung disease include: muscle pain weakness chills fever mild headaches mental stress A person may also experience some symptoms of pneumonia such as chest pain and shortness of breath. Many of these symptoms mimic other pulmonary illnesses; a doctor is needed to make a correct diagnosis using a urine test. The symptoms may not present themselves immediately. It may take up to two weeks for symptoms to completely develop. Legionnaire’s Disease and HVAC Systems Legionnaire’s disease can be spread by HVAC systems. The bacterium responsible for this illness exists in natural water...

View Article

Read More

Recognized by Enertech for Promoting GeoComfort Geothermal Systems

May 6, 2016

Local St. Louis business, Scott-Lee Heating Company, Inc., is recognized by Enertech as one of the nation’s premier geothermal installers! (GREENVILLE, IL – April 20, 2016) – Local residents don’t have to look far to find a highly qualified geothermal installer to help them reduce their carbon footprint and save money on monthly utilities. Enertech Global, manufacturer of GeoComfort geothermal heating and cooling systems, hosted its annual Dealer Meeting April 13-18, celebrating its 20th anniversary, and recognizing its top dealers from 2015. Local St. Louis business, Scott-Lee Heating Company, Inc., is one of the nation’s premier geothermal installers, having earned the Double Diamond award during the 20th Annual Enertech Global Dealer Meeting held in Cancun, Mexico. They offer the complete line of GeoComfort geothermal equipment and accessories for residential and commercial heating, cooling and hot water comfort systems and have significant experience installing and servicing these systems. Enertech President and CEO Steve Smith presented Scott-Lee Heating Company, Inc. with the distinguished award for demonstrating excellence in sales, installation and customer service. “We believe we have the best dealers in the industry,” said Smith. “They can be counted on to provide the ultimate comfort experience for the homeowner, and to hold...

View Article

Read More

What Is the Life Expectancy of Your Building’s HVAC?

April 26, 2016

Keep your building’s HVAC system running smoothly with these commercial HVAC tips. As a facility manager, one of your responsibilies is to ensure the HVAC system keeps your facility at an optimum temperature. How can you get the most from your building’s HVAC system and how long can you expect the system to last? Average Life Expectancy of Commercial HVAC System The life of an HVAC system depends on many factors. In general, a commerical HVAC system has an average life expectancy of 15 to 20 years. A central air conditioning unit can last up to 15 years and a heating furnace has a life expectancy of about 20 years, assuming that they have been properly maintained. Several factors that an HVACs functioning depends on include: the model the manufacturer current age maintenance history the size of the facility Regular maintenance is one of the most important factors that can prolong the life of an HVAC system. A system that is regularly serviced will perform better, with fewer breakdowns and repairs. Prolong the HVACs Life 1. Regular maintenance –Lack of maintenance is the number one reason why any HVAC system will die out before its time. Every machine needs regular maintenance. If an HVAC system is not regularly serviced, it must work harder and will be less efficient. 2. Replacement time – Once an HVAC is...

View Article

Read More

Learn How Your HVAC System Works From a St. Louis HVAC Professional

April 15, 2016

Learn about basic HVAC equipment to better understand how your HVAC system works. Are you familiar with the different types of HVAC equipment that make air conditioning and heating possible? Here is some information on basic HVAC equipment and their functions to help you better understand how your HVAC system operates. Coils There are two types of coils – evaporator coils and condenser coils. The condenser coil facilitates heat exchange and condenses hot refrigerant gas. It then releases the refrigerant back into the evaporator coil, turning the air into cold air. The cooled air is then blown through the house’s ductwork. Ductwork Ductwork is normally made of aluminum and is placed within the ceiling. Ductwork is responsible for distributing air to different rooms in the house. Furnace The furnace is the HVAC system’s heat supplier and sends heat to all ducts in the home. There are two types of furnaces – single-stage and two-stage furnaces. A single-stage furnace features an on and off function and a two-stage furnace operates through the thermostat. A two-stage furnace is more efficient because it switches itself off when the desired temperature is reached. Thermostat The thermostat controls the furnace by sensing the temperature and alerting the furnace. A thermostat can be either manual or programmable. Programmable thermostats help save energy...

View Article

Read More

St. Louis HVAC Specialists Suggest 5 Solutions for Warmer Floors

April 14, 2016

It can sometimes be difficult to keep your hardwood or tile floors warm. Here are some HVAC solutions for keeping your toes warm! When people consider house heating solutions, they generally consider solutions that heat the air around them. The cold, chilly floors are often neglected. Thermal socks, thick carpets and fuzzy slippers offer only temporary solutions for your loved ones. Try as you might you cannot ensure that your young children and toddlers will keep those socks on. Though your home’s HVAC system can take care of air temperature issues, floors often get left out. For houses that have floors made of wood, stone, or ceramic tiling, the heating system makes very little or no difference. How Can you Keep Your Floors Warm? Keeping the floors warm at times requires simple measures. These are easy steps that can be taken to not only keep floors warm but also ensure the whole house temperature is taken care of. Keep the cold air out – Look at areas in the house where cold drafts enter and keep those shutters shut. Any cracks and holes between walls and baseboards that let air in can be filled up with any sealant. Check if...

View Article

Read More

Using Ceiling Fans to Reduce Energy Costs – St. Louis HVAC

March 30, 2016

Are you looking for ways to improve energy efficiency and save on heating and cooling costs? Maintain your home’s HVAC system and you will get the best performance from it. Are you looking for ways to improve energy efficiency and to save on heating and cooling costs? Our St. Louis HVAC expert from Scott-Lee Heating Company will share a simple and low cost way to save you money this year. Ceiling fans are a great way to improve energy savings in a home. A ceiling fan does not use more power than a 100 watt light bulb and can help you save money on utility bills throughout the year. Ceiling fans provide various benefits during both winter and summer. Winter Benefits of Ceiling Fans Running ceiling fans clockwise throughout winter months can reduce heating costs by over 10 percent. Irrespective of what season it is, warm air always rises upwards, towards the ceiling. A ceiling fan running clockwise pushes warm air against the ceiling and down the walls, thereby recirculating warm across the room without creating any cold drafts. Summer Benefits of Ceiling Fans Running a ceiling fan in a counter-clockwise direction in the summer months provides great energy savings. Ceiling fans do not bring down the room temperature, but...

View Article

Read More

Sources of Heat Loss that Waste Energy – St. Louis HVAC Tips

March 15, 2016

Leaving a window open on a cold, winter day can cause heat loss and waste a lot of energy. There are other sources of heat loss in every home that are often overlooked. Fireplaces, clothes dryers, and folding attic stairs are also sources of air leakage and heat loss, causing cold drafts and higher energy bills. Air leaks are the largest source of heating loss in any home. Air leaks can occur through small cracks around windows, doors, and pipes. These leaks can be stopped with weather-stripping or caulking to reduce heat loss. Our St. Louis HVAC experts provide tips on sealing and insulating these holes. Attic Stairs When a folding attic stair is installed, a large hole is created in the ceiling and the insulation is removed. The hole is then covered by a thin and uninsulated sheet of plywood. The attic space is ventilated to the outdoors, and in cold weather, the attic can be very cold. Only a thin plywood sheet separates the unconditioned attic area from your conditioned home. A low-cost solution to this problem is to install an attic stair cover, which provides an air seal and reduces air leads. Add insulation over the attic stair cover to restore the insulation that was removed at the time...

View Article

Read More