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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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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