Selecting the Most Suitable Furnace For Your House

November 6, 2014

There are many options available on the market for new furnaces, making it difficult sometimes to choose the correct one for your home. Some homeowners may have to consider replacing their existing HVAC system, especially if it needs frequent and expensive repairs. However, with the myriad options available in the market, homeowners may not find it easy to choose the most suitable furnace for their homes. St. Louis HVAC professionals have given tips and advice that homeowners can use to make an educated decision about this major investment. Deciding on the Most Suitable Furnace Size of the home and unit – A small furnace may not heat up the home adequately during the cold winter season. But, a furnace that is sized too large for the home may also not be efficient and can affect the life of the system. Consult an experienced St. Louis HVAC company to seek advice on the appropriate size that meets your needs. Energy-efficiency rating – The latest models of furnaces and heating systems come with an annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) ratio. The AFUE ratio of furnaces produced in the 70s was around 65. However, the law has set the lowest ratio for modern furnaces at 78. A number...

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Safeguarding Your HVAC System Against Storm Damage

October 31, 2014

Storms are among the most common causes of HVAC systems damage. Storms can bring along rain, hail, and strong winds and all of these can damage both the HVAC system and the house. Being aware of the effects of a storm and the different methods of protecting the HVAC system can ease the anxiety of a homeowner and help avoid unnecessary repair bills. Homeowners should keep in mind that they should not touch a storm-damaged HVAC system. Contact an HVAC professional who can evaluate the damage and make the necessary repairs on the unit. Set Up and Use a Sump Pump HVAC systems located in the basement are at a higher risk of getting damaged because of flooding caused by heavy rains. It is advisable that homeowners set up a sump pump in the basement to prevent a flood from damaging the HVAC system. A sump pump is activated automatically once it detects water inside the basement. It will pump out the water before it builds up inside the basement. It is also necessary to check the sump pump and its power supply regularly to ensure that it functions properly when necessary. Utilize a Protective Cover on an Outdoor HVAC...

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How to Halloween Proof Your Home

October 22, 2014

Here are some tips to help protect the little ghosts and goblins who will be knocking on your door this Halloween. Halloween is fraught with hazards both real and imaginary. With dozens of young witches and warlocks knocking on your door that night, you want to make sure that your home is safe. Here are some useful tips for the scariest night of the year to help protect the trick-or-treater’s, your home, and maybe even your pet. Keep the lights on: Even if you are out of candy, the kids are still going to knock. You are better off keeping the light on and posting a sign on your door, than turning it off and risk a little one tripping on your front walkway. Clear the front of your house: Put away the garden gnomes, hoses, and kid’s toys. These only serve as one more thing for an excited kid to fall over when rushing up to your door. Make the entire pathway from the sidewalk to your doorbell as clear as possible. Take care of Jack: You spent a lot of time and energy carving out the perfect jack-o-lantern. Keep it up and out of the way of the...

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Winterizing Your Central Air Conditioning Unit

October 16, 2014

Protect your central air conditioning unit by preparing it for winter. Harsh Missouri winter is almost upon us and it is time to start thinking about switching from using your central air conditioner to your home’s heating system. If you want to make sure that your central air conditioning unit is going to be ready in the spring, make sure that you put it to hibernate for the winter the right way. Preparing the Outside Unit During the winter you are going to want to provide protection for the outside portion of your HVAC unit from the cold, snow, and ice. This will prevent rust formation and breakage from the weight of snow and ice. Call your St. Louis HVAC technician in-between seasons to shut down your home’s cooling system and check that the heating system is ready for the cold. The first thing they will do is switch the air conditioning off at its main breaker. This will prevent it from being turned on inadvertently if there is a particularly warm winter day. Covering the Outside Unit Next, they will hose the unit down and remove any leaves or twigs. Once the outside unit is cleaned, it will be left to completely...

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Prepare Your Home For Cold Weather

October 2, 2014

Use this checklist to ready your home for this year’s winter season. Our St. Louis HVAC experts recommend that homeowners schedule maintenance of the HVAC system before the winter season starts. The following checklist can be used in getting the system ready for the upcoming cold winter season. Inspect the Outdoor Unit Remove any debris surrounding the outdoor coil, including grass, leaves, shrub cuttings, garbage cans and lids, recycling containers, lint traps and outdoor dryers. Remove debris from the air vents and prevent snow from covering it. Clean the coil using a garden hose. Check the service valve caps along with the refrigerant line insulation. Set up a covering on the air conditioning system, if necessary. Inspect Indoor Equipment The indoor air filter should be changed at the start of every season. There are some videos online showing a demonstration on how this can be done. If you are not sure, call your local St. Louis HVAC company. If applicable, the indoor humidity filter should also be changed. The thermostat should be set for heating or reprogrammed for the new season. Programmable thermostats allow homeowners to save a good amount of money. Inspect the connections of the indoor coil drain. Inspect and...

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Does Your Home Need a Whole House Dehumidifier?

October 1, 2014

When you have a family member who suffers from asthma or allergies, you may need to consider ways to improve the air quality inside your home. A house that is suffering from an excessive amount of humidity is not a comfortable environment. Excess humidity can also be dangerous to your health as it breeds mold spores and bacteria that may irritate your lungs. A whole house dehumidifier can reduce the humidity in the air, improve the inside air quality, and reduce the risk of health problems such as asthma and allergies. How Do I Know If My Home Has Too Much Humidity? Many St. Louis residents are living in homes with high humidity and do not even realize it. If you see condensation on the pipes in your kitchen or bathroom, or if you find spots of mold growing, then these may be an indication there is too much moisture in the air in your home. Chances are the mold you do see is just a small portion of what is possibly growing in areas that are hidden from view. Your windows are also another place to check if you are not sure if your home is excessively humid. If you notice condensation on a regular basis...

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Does Your House Need a New HVAC System?

September 18, 2014

Stay warm this winter and save money on energy costs by upgrading your home’s HVAC system. Winters in Missouri can be cold, icy, and frigid. The HVAC system in your home is responsible for keeping your home cozy and warm, however, the HVAC system may be needlessly raising your home’s energy bill by approximately 30% according to energy.gov. If you are in need of a new HVAC system, make sure you install the correct-sized system with the most energy efficiency. You will save money on energy costs as well as ensuring your family is warm through the winter. The Right Sized HVAC System For Your House Talk to a St. Louis HVAC company about choosing the right HVAC system for your home. They will inspect the size of your house to make sure that the one you choose is not too big or too small. An HVAC system that is too large will use excessive energy, causing you to have high utility bills. The HVAC technician will help you find the perfect-sized system that is the most energy-efficient. You will then see savings in your utility bills that may offset the cost of the HVAC system. When to Install a New HVAC System You are also going to want to...

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How to Protect Your Air Conditioner’s Performance

September 11, 2014

Keep your air conditioner performing for another summer season with the following tips. Your air conditioning system keeps you cool in hot weather conditions. It is hard to imagine how one can survive even for a few hours without an air conditioner in hot and humid weather. Air conditioners are designed to keep your home cool even on the hottest of summer days. However, there is a limit on the amount of load the air conditioner can handle. The task of an air conditioner becomes extremely difficult when there is an increase in heat gain. What Is Heat Gain? Heat gain refers to the increase in temperature of an area. There are various factors in the environment and inside homes that can cause heat gain. Sun, heat-producing appliances, poor insulation in a home’s floors, ceilings, attic, and walls can cause heat gain. Heat gain causes the air conditioner to work harder to achieve the thermostat settings, and in turn, results in an increase in utility bills. Worse still, it may affect the performance of the air conditioner, resulting in breakdowns and the need for air conditioner repairs. St. Louis HVAC experts share some ways in which you can reduce the heat gain in your home and lower the strain on your air...

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Three Key Things to Consider When Replacing Your HVAC System

September 2, 2014

Before you replace your HVAC system, consider these three key factors to help you choose the best system for your home. Your HVAC system is one of the biggest investments you will make for your home. It is most likely the most costly and sophisticated system in your home. However, HVAC systems also have a limited lifespan after which you may have to consider replacing them. Whether the system should be repaired or replaced is a big decision to make. If you decide to replace your HVAC system, consider several things, including when to replace, what to replace, and the right size and efficiency of the system. When to Replace Your HVAC System It is important to know when it is the right time to replace the HVAC system. Look for signs that tell you that replacement is now the best option. If the HVAC system is consuming too much energy, suffering frequent breakdowns, and has served you for 10-15 years, you may need to replace it. Depending on the condition of your system, you may need to replace some components or the entire system. At Scott-Lee Heating Company we find that many of our clients only need certain components of their system replaced. For...

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Busting Geothermal HVAC Myths

August 22, 2014

Ten myths about geothermal heating are eliminated. You may be interested in how installing a geothermal HVAC system would benefit your home. Learn more about geothermal heating and get the facts. Myth #1 Geothermal systems are not renewable technology since they consume electricity. Fact: Geothermal HVAC units require only one electricity unit to produce five units of hot or cold air in a building. Myth #2 Wind power and photovoltaic are better renewable technologies than geothermal systems. Fact: The amount of kilowatt-hour consumption removed by geothermal HVAC systems from electric grids for every dollar used is four times bigger than the amount provided by wind power and photovoltaic systems. Although these technologies have a significant role, geothermal HVAC systems provide a cost-effective method of reducing environmental impact while enhancing comfort inside buildings. Myth #3 Geothermal systems require a huge space for polyethylene piping earth loops. Fact: The earth loop may be positioned vertically under the ground depending on the land features. This reduces the space required above the ground. The use of an aquifer reduces the space further. Water used on the heat exchanger is returned back to its source, which reduces the impact on the environment. Myth #4 Geothermal systems...

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