Does Air Conditioning Tune Up Really Improve Efficiency?

July 15, 2014

Just imagine if your air conditioner breaks down on a hot summer day! In the summer, your air conditioning system is the one thing that can keep you cool and comfortable inside your home. During warmer days, it is hard to spend even a few hours without an air conditioner. If you do not want to go through the hassle of unexpected repairs and replacements, you should have your air conditioner cleaned and tuned up periodically. When Your Air Conditioner Quits Working When your air conditioner breaks down suddenly, you may blame it on the age or quality of the air conditioner and might think of getting it replaced. However, this is not a very economically viable option, especially when there are better and cheaper ways of saving the air conditioner. HVAC experts believe that periodic cleaning and tune up can help save a lot of money and effort, and can considerably improve the efficiency of your air conditioning system. It is a good way to ensure that your family feels comfortable even on sultry summer days. Here are some important reasons why homeowners should first consider repair and maintenance of the air conditioner before they think of replacing it. Regular Maintenance Will Save You...

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Air Conditioners: Window Units Versus Central Air

June 25, 2014

Many older homes in St. Louis are still relying on window unit air conditioners to keep cool in the summer. For some homeowners it is a fear of the installation that holds them back from upgrading to central air conditioning. Before we put the high cost myth to bed, let’s look at why central air conditioning is the better choice. Window Unit Air Conditioners Aesthetically speaking, a window unit air conditioner is unsightly. Not to mention how you lose the function of that window for the entire season. Or maybe you took the time and cut a hole in your outside wall to install the unit. That still means there is an ugly protrusion affecting the curb appeal of your home. With a central air conditioning unit, the face of your house is unmarred by an ugly metal box protruding out from it. The installation through a window or a wall makes the individual air conditioner unit inefficient. No matter how much insulation you stuff around the edges, cool air is still escaping and hot air is still getting inside of your home. This is not the case with a central air conditioning unit. The permanency of the unit allows it to be completely insulated, protecting your...

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How To Reduce Your Air Conditioner’s Electricity Costs

May 29, 2014

Save money by learning how to reduce the electricity used by your window-mounted air conditioner. An air conditioner relies on electricity to perform its function. But unwanted spikes may be noticed in power consumption and costs as time goes by. If you are currently experiencing such a phenomenon, here are some useful tips on how to reduce electricity costs associated with the use of an air conditioner. Protect Your Unit You can cut down on your cooling electricity expenses by ensuring that your window-mounted air conditioning unit, especially the compressor, is shaded against harsh weather conditions. This can help reduce your power consumption by up to a tenth. You should ensure that debris is not allowed to block the airflow, as this can have a significant impact on your electricity bill. Periodically Check Your Air Conditioner’s Duct It is also helpful to ensure that the setup of your unit’s duct is as it should be. The ductwork could sometimes become leaky, especially in the cases of older properties, and fail to reach indoor areas where it is required. Duct tape should immediately be used to seal off all openings or gaps if noticed in the ductwork. This can be useful in...

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Buying a New Air Conditioner: How Important Is the Size?

May 22, 2014

You may think that the size of an air conditioner does not matter when choosing a new HVAC system for your home. There are different reasons why you need to have a correctly sized air conditioner in your home. This is why it is important for you to work with an experienced HVAC contractor when you are thinking about getting a new HVAC system for your home. Sizes of Air Conditioners When it comes to making a choice of an air conditioner, there are several sizes available in the market. You may be able to tell the size of an air conditioning unit by checking the British Thermal Unit (BTU) ratings. The lower the ratings, the lower will be the cooling power. This means that an air conditioner that comes with a low BTU rating is best suited for small spaces. Air conditioning units with higher BTU ratings will work well in providing effective cooling for larger spaces. It is important to note that home or office spaces are not the only factor for determining the correct size of an air conditioning unit to buy. HVAC experts believe that other factors that could also play a role in determining the right size of air conditioner for your home including...

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Installing a New Central Air Conditioning Unit

May 13, 2014

A new central air conditioning unit is a major expense for a homeowner, but often a necessary one. Before jumping right in, talk with a qualified, local HVAC company to help you choose the right air conditioner for your home and to install it properly. There comes a time when you need to begin to weigh whether you want to continue paying costly repairs on an old central air conditioner or if you should have it replaced. Discuss your options with your trusted HVAC company to decide what is best for your home. If your air conditioner is an older model, the cost of a new one will pay for itself over time in the savings you will see on your electricity bill. Choosing the Correct Size For Your Home Once you decide that a new central air conditioner is right for your home, you need to have your HVAC tech do a heat gain calculation to ensure that it is the correct size for your home. Bigger is not better in this situation. You will want one that is designed to cool off the precise size of your home. When deciding on the model look only for those that have...

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Signs You Should Be Concerned About Your Air Conditioner

October 29, 2013

These are some signs that the air conditioner you rely on to keep your home cool and comfy during those hot summer months may either need repairing or replacing. When your air conditioner is working properly there is no need to give it a second thought. This is true about residential HVAC systems in general. They are one of the most crucial components of keeping our homes comfortable, but we rarely think about them until something goes wrong. But learning to change these habits and give a little more attention to an HVAC system will keep it functioning and avoid any emergency malfunctions that could lead to costly repairs. Preventative maintenance can make a world of difference. It can also significantly extend the life of your system. Something as easy as routinely changing filters can save you a big headache later on. Knowing the signs to look for that may be indicative of problems with your system is something else that you should be familiar with. While preventative maintenance is one of the best things you can do for your HVAC system, there still are problems that do need to be addressed by a professional. These are some signs that...

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Choosing the Right Air Conditioning System for Your Home

August 27, 2013

Which is the Right Air Conditioning System for Your Home? If you have not thought about your home’s air conditioning system until this summer, you probably have thought about little else since the summer began. Staying cool in whatever way possible has been a top priority for many people during this summer in St. Louis. Investing in or upgrading to the right air conditioning system to keep you cool during the hot summer months is important. You will rely on whatever system you choose to provide you comfort and improve your quality of life, so choosing the right cooling system is pretty important. You should know a little more about what to look for because being informed of all your options will help you to keep costs down. There are plenty of options and this can be a little overwhelming, so take a look at the basics. If you have the budget for it, you may want to think about some home modifications that will make your home more energy efficient and save you a lot of money once you get your cooling system up and running. In order to discover how to make your home more energy efficient, you...

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Basic Rules of Air Conditioner Maintenance

August 5, 2013

When it Comes to Keeping Your Home Comfortable, Your Air Conditioner is the Key. One of the most important parts of any HVAC system is the air conditioning unit. It will work in many cases throughout the whole year without any prolonged break. It is going to play a key part in keeping the air in your home on a comfortable level in regard to temperature or humidity. Regular maintenance is the key to keeping your air conditioner working properly. Failing to do so can result in degrading performance and escalating operational costs. First, it is important to contact an HVAC expert if your air conditioner is not working properly. Tinkering with it yourself may make the situation worse. If you are not familiar with the mechanics of the device, you may not even be able to identify the reason for the issue. The second rule is to keep the machine clean. All air conditioners come with filters. You must routinely clean or replace these parts of your device. Dirty, dusty filters will block the normal flow of air. The accumulating dust will affect the heat-absorbing capacity of the evaporator coil itself and on the long run that will result...

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Spring Time, Have You Had Your Air Conditioner Checked?

May 28, 2013

Why Having Your Air Conditioner Checked Will Bring You Benefits It’s been a long winter and spring is here. Have you had your air conditioner checked?  We have so much going now. The kids are off from school so you have a vacation planned or other things and sometimes we get so involved with what we are doing and going to do that we forget to have some important items checked such as the air conditioner. By maintaining your air conditioner you can prevent small issues from becoming bigger and costly issues down the road. There are many helpful benefits to be received by making sure you have your air conditioner checked.  One is that the quality of the air that flows through your home depends on making sure you are changing your filters and that they are of good quality. This way you have a better quality of life especially for those who have allergies or some other breathing issues. Do you have pets?  In order to keep enjoying your pets, you will want to make sure your airflow is clean by removing animal hair and allergens from your air conditioner. This way everyone can breathe much easier. Another benefit of your air conditioner is...

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