Energy Savings: Should You Turn Your AC Off When You’re Not at Home?

June 5, 2017

Turning up your AC when you’re gone is a better alternative to turning it off. When summer hits its peak, we are all going to rely on our air conditioners to keep us cool and comfortable. However, one question that is always on every homeowner’s mind is how they can save on energy bills. You may wonder if turning off the air conditioner when leaving your house could be of any help. It may make sense not to cool your home, or waste energy when you’re not there. However, the cost of cooling down your home once you do get back does not make that method cost-effective. In addition, keeping the air off when it’s hot and humid actually has adverse effects on your house itself. Turn Up Instead of Off However, there is a better way to save. Turn up your thermostat instead of turning the AC off. Ideally set the temperature up by approximately 7 degrees while you are away. You might like to know how this helps help. Turning up thermostat aids in the following ways: Protect your home from molds and bug infestations Keeps you comfortable Saves you money Protect Your Home from Molds and Bug...

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St. Louis Air Conditioning Tips to Keep Your Home Cool this Summer!

May 31, 2017

Here are some tips to keep your home cool but keep your costs low this summer! When the hot St. Louis summer heat hits, you’ll be relying on your air conditioning system more than ever. However, when your HVAC system isn’t functioning to full capacity, it can be really annoying. Our St. Louis HVAC experts offer top tips that will help you to keep your cool when the temperatures soar this summer: Test your system before you need it – It’s a really good idea to test your system before the weather gets too hot. If there’s something wrong, you can then get it sorted while the temperatures are cooler. Check the external unit – The airflow can easily become blocked from the outside by fallen autumn leaves or plants growing in it. Take a look and clear it if necessary. Get repairs done before the temperatures soar – A stitch in time saves nine they say. If you test your system and find there is an issue with it that you can’t fix yourself, don’t put off getting it fixed until later in the season. If you’re looking for a St Louis HVAC technician before the weather gets really...

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7 Things to Ensure Maximum Efficiency of Your Home HVAC System

May 12, 2017

Here are some things you can do to increase your HVAC efficiency and reduce your monthly energy costs. Just as you get through the economic hardships of running your HVAC system to heat your home through the winter, summer comes along to up your electricity air conditioning costs. If you are tired of enormous energy bills, there are ways to ensure that you are getting the maximum efficiency from your HVAC system and that it isn’t unwittingly costing you more than it should. These are 7 key things you can do to increase your HVAC efficiency and reduce your heating and cooling costs. Some you can on your own while others you would be better off contacting a St. Louis HVAC specialist to help. Ensure HVAC Efficiency Redesign your type of ductwork. Make sure that your ductwork is appropriate to the size of the place that it is heating and cooling. If you don’t have the right size, then you won’t ever get a consistent temperature throughout the house. Insulated round ducts are always better than long running flexible ones. Upgrade your refrigerant. Since federal law is phasing out R-2, choosing a better alternative like R-410A, is a great upgrade...

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The Key to Finding the Right St Louis HVAC Technicians

May 9, 2017

We will be there when you need us, charge you a fair and honest price, and stand behind our work 100%. When you need some work carried out on your heating, ventilation, or air conditioning system, you may wonder how to choose from the range of St Louis HVAC technicians around. Given the importance of your HVAC system, you certainly won’t want to take any chances of making a mistake with the company that you use. The following are some key factors to take into account. Certified and Qualified Workers Thankfully, there are types of certifications that let you know that you are dealing with qualified St Louis HVAC technicians who know what they are doing. Check out the company’s certification to make sure that they can be trusted to carry out work for you. Good Reviews These days, it is very easy to find out how well any company keeps its clients happy. By just carrying out a quick Google search you can very easily track down some customer reviews that tell you more about the company you are looking at. You can expect to see a wide selection of comments and ratings online, as we all have different...

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Attic Ventilation Can Affect HVAC Performance – St. Louis Air Conditioning

April 7, 2017

Before the hot St. Louis summer is here, make sure your attic has proper ventilation to reduce your energy costs An HVAC system has to face a host of battles to ensure efficient indoor air conditioning. One such problem that can adversely impact HVAC efficiency is ventilation in attic spaces. This problem is more pronounced in the warm months when an attic heats up due to the trapped heat from the sun. This heat can radiate through the ceiling and lead to uneven cooling. Our St. Louis HVAC technicians explain the issue in detail. Beating the Excess Attic Heat Most homeowners do not feel the need to direct ventilation ducts right up to the attic spaces unless the attic serves as a living space and is converted into an extra room. However, ensuring proper attic ventilation can ensure that unused attic spaces do not trap heat. Stagnant hot air can be replaced with fresh outdoor air by using attic fans. There are two types of attic fans: Rooftop fans: These fans are installed on the top of the attic roof. They work by performing two functions of repelling stagnant air and replacing it with fresh air at the same time....

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Air Conditioning Repair St. Louis – Why is My AC Leaking?

March 31, 2017

The hot St. Louis summers put a lot of wear and tear on a home’s air conditioning unit. During the summer months in St. Louis, the use of the air conditioner increases. Most AC owners start using their systems overtime, which results in more wear and tear of the AC. Without proper maintenance and regular checks, the air conditioner loses its efficiency and tends to develop more faults. It is important to always contact a trained and qualified St. Louis HVAC technician for maintenance, however, there are some important things that all AC owners must also be aware of. A leaking AC is a frequent and common complaint that many homeowners have. However, not all AC leaks indicate a problem. It is therefore essential to understand how an air conditioner functions, what are the indicators of an AC problem, and what is considered normal and what is not. Why is the AC Leaking? It is important to understand that even when the system is working fine, you may see some water drainage from the tubes and pipes connected to the system. To understand how the AC may leak, you should understand the basic functioning of the AC. Apart from cooling...

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How to Reduce St. Louis Commercial HVAC Costs and Wasted Energy

February 26, 2017

According to the US Department of Energy, more than 30 percent of the energy and cost used in powering Commercial HVAC systems gets wasted. Sustainability, energy efficiency, and cost-effectiveness are some of the features that commercial consumers look for while purchasing heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. However, many are unaware that HVAC systems are in fact one of the most energy-intensive systems used in commercial setups. St. Louis HVAC experts believe that reducing this huge energy waste is imperative for higher sustainability, better energy efficiency, and cost reduction. There are 6 simple, yet effective, ways commercial business owners can achieve these. 1. Regular HVAC filter replacement Dirty filters block airflow in the system. This can lead to an overworked HVAC system and poor air quality inside the building. Dirty filters also lead to a number of maintenance issues and increase operating costs. Ideally, air filters in a commercial should be checked or replaced every 1 to 3 months. These regular maintenance checks can reduce energy waste by 5 to 10 percent. 2. Using programmable thermostats St. Louis HVAC experts have found that in commercial HVAC setups, the temperature setting remains constant for long periods of time. Often, the...

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Does Your St. Louis HVAC System Need to be Repaired or Replaced?

October 24, 2016

At Scott-Lee Heating, we will help you determine if your HVAC system needs repairs or just needs to be replaced. Inefficient HVAC systems can cost your home or business a lot of money, and lead to health and comfort issues. So, it’s important to understand whether your system needs repairs or if it needs to be replaced. At Scott-Lee Heating, we come across some homeowners and business owners who put off HVAC repairs or replacement to save on costs for as long as they can, but by doing so they end up doing more harm than good. By keeping a track of the maintenance needs of an HVAC system, it can reduce the monthly energy costs, keep repair costs low, and improve the home or work environment. Here are 9 steps that can help you determine whether your HVAC system needs repair or replacement. When deciding on whether your HVAC system needs repair or replacement, you should seek help from a competent St. Louis HVAC expert. Find out the essential information about the current system including age and repair history. This will help the HVAC contractor make a better decision about repairs. If the system is older, replacement would be...

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St. Louis HVAC Reminders to Prepare Your Home for Summer Vacation

June 15, 2016

The following HVAC tips will keep your home safe while you are away on vacation this summer. The bags are packed, the dogs are at the kennel, and your neighbor will come by to water the plants. You are ready to hit your summer destination, but have you prepared your home’s HVAC? In order to ensure that your vacation is not ruined by an unplanned mishap when you get back home, prepare your house in advance for your absence. Turn Off the Main Water Supply You do not want that leaking pipe you have been meaning to fix to finally burst when you are out of town. Water seeping into your carpet and floorboards can cause significant water damage. Connect Your Sump Pump to a Battery If you have a basement that is prone to flooding, then you likely have a sump pump already in place. Having a battery back-up on your sump pump will ensure that it stays working, just like it would if you were home. Do Not Turn Off the Central Air Conditioning System Use a digital programmable thermostat to control the temperature inside of your home as if you were there. Save money on your energy bill by programming it to run at 78 degrees. Cut the Electric...

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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...

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