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...

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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...

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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...

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St. Louis HVAC – How to Maintain Ductless Mini-Split HVAC

February 4, 2016

Homeowners are using ductless mini-split air conditioners as a cost-effective alternative to central air conditioners. If you are one of them, you may want to learn some tips on how to maintain or troubleshoot your mini split air conditioner on your own. Regular maintenance and timely repairs help extend the lifespan of air conditioners. Installation of Mini-Split Air Conditioners Ductless mini-split air conditioners come with three components – an outdoor unit, an indoor unit, and a remote. The outdoor unit contains a compressor, while the indoor unit consists of an air handler. Unlike a central air conditioning system, a mini-split air conditioning system does not require extensive reconstruction for installation. The indoor and outdoor units are installed and connected with pipes and wires. A small hole is drilled in the wall to pass the pipes and wires through. Regular HVAC Cleaning and Maintenance If properly cleaned and maintained, a mini-split air conditioner can last for 12 to 15 years. Regular cleaning is perhaps the most important maintenance task. Remove and clean the filters regularly with soap and water. If a filter is damaged, replace it as soon as possible. Use your garden hose for cleaning the compressor. Make sure that you unplug the system before cleaning it....

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Can You Tell When It’s Time to Replace Your Air Conditioner or Furnace?

October 23, 2015

Proper installation and regular maintenance can help extend the lifespan of your air conditioner or furnace. However, normal wear and tear is unavoidable. In fact, the average lifespan of a furnace, if properly installed and maintained, could be around 20 years. On the other hand, with proper installation and maintenance, a heat pump can last for around 14 years, and an air conditioner for 16 years, according to a recent study conducted by American Home Comfort. It is also important to consider that manufacturing companies nowadays upgrade their HVAC models at frequent intervals. This means that if your HVAC equipment is more than 10-15 years old, it may be using outdated technology. So it would be a good idea to replace your old air conditioner or furnace when it’s nearing the end of its lifespan. Upgrade from an R-22 System to R-410A If you are currently using old R-22 HVAC equipment, consider upgrading to a new R-410A system. The old ozone-depleting refrigerant not only lacks efficiency, but it has lately been identified as harmful for the environment. Manufacturing companies are gradually switching to R-410A from R-22. The price of R-410A models have come down considerably over the past few years,...

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5 Central Air Conditioning Myths Busted

October 15, 2015

Many homeowners use central air systems, but many of them fail to use these systems efficiently and correctly. There are some common myths associated with central air conditioners, and in this post, we will bust these myths and help you understand the systems better. This will help you get the best performance from your central air conditioning system. Myth 1: Energy-efficient central air conditioners automatically bring down energy bills While it is true that energy-efficient units consume less energy, this is only when they are sized and installed properly and correctly for the home. The system will not automatically reduce the energy bill unless you have the correct unit and ductwork is designed and installed properly. Myth 2: Turning the thermostat farther down or up will heat or cool the home faster When the central air conditioner is on, it will simply remain on until the temperature that is set on the thermostat has been reached. Turning the thermostat much lower or higher will not make it work faster. Myth 3: Fuel based central heating systems are less efficient compared to electric ones It requires a lot of energy in the form of natural gas or coal to make electricity,...

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4 Signs Your Air Conditioner Is in Need of Repair

July 17, 2015

If you notice one or more of the following, waste no time in contacting your local St. Louis air conditioning experts at Scott-Lee Heating Company! Your Missouri home’s air conditioning system is there to provide your family with cool air during the hot days of summer. However, even with timely and frequent tune-ups, your air conditioner may suddenly develop issues. If you notice any of the following, waste no time in calling us before a small, fixable issue turns into a major repair! A Change in the Quality of the Airflow Your home’s central air conditioning system generates cooled air and that is then passed on to the rest of the house using fans and air ducts. When working properly, you will feel cool air blowing out from the vents when you place your hand in front of one. If the air feels warm or amount of air blowing out of the vent has decreased, you might have a problem with the coolant level or one of the blower fans. Unusual Noises or Smells Any sound that is suddenly heard coming from your air conditioning unit is a sign of concern. This could indicate worn out or broken parts. Burning smells...

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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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Benefits of Regular HVAC Maintenance

August 4, 2014

Make sure you and your family stay comfortable by scheduling regular maintenance of your HVAC system. You may feel that your HVAC system is in proper working condition and that it does not need any maintenance, however, HVAC maintenance is not only advisable, but crucial to prepare the system for the next season. There are various benefits that regular HVAC maintenance offers. Financial Benefits of HVAC Maintenance HVAC maintenance can offer numerous financial benefits to homeowners. HVAC maintenance usually involves adjusting loose parts, cleaning dirty areas and components, and lubricating moving parts. This ensures that the system works at its peak efficiency without costing you too much in energy bills. HVAC maintenance also helps early detection of defects, giving you an opportunity to make sure preventive repairs are completed in a timely manner. Dirty coils can increase your cooling costs by over 30 percent. Proper cleaning ensures that the air can travel efficiently, and that desired temperatures can be achieved without putting extra burden on the compressor. Leaky ducts can also increase your cooling costs by over 20 percent. Sealing all leakages can prevent energy loss and make your system more efficient. Low refrigerant levels can add another 20 percent to your cooling costs. Refilling...

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When the Air Conditioner Breaks Down

July 23, 2014

There are several steps you can take to keep your air conditioner in good shape. If your air conditioner breaks down suddenly, you should immediately call up your HVAC company. Before you do this, find the model and serial number on both the outdoor and indoor units of your air conditioner. These details are generally found on a sticker at the back of the unit. Provide these details to the HVAC technicians when you make an appointment for an air conditioner repair. It is better to get a quote from the HVAC company for your air conditioner repairs. Check if your system still has a warranty. This can help you save thousands of dollars on repair costs. You can also look for rebates, coupons, and tax rebates to save some money. How To Keep the Heat at Bay When the Air Conditioner Is Broken Close your windows during the day – During the day you can avoid the heat by keeping the windows closed. You can use blinds, shades, and drapes to keep the hot sunlight from entering your home. Use fans wisely – Despite being highly useful during the summer, ceiling fans do not actually help in cooling your room. Ceiling fans create a breeze by moving...

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