How HVAC System Maintenance and Humidity Affects Indoor Air Quality

August 24, 2015

Poor indoor air quality can have an adverse affect on the health, comfort, and efficiency of the employees in a St. Louis home or place of work. High humidity and poor maintenance of HVAC systems are the biggest culprits when it comes to poor indoor air quality. Due to the various ill effects of humidity and poor indoor air quality, more and more employees, employers and facility owners are becoming concerned. How Humidity Affects Air Quality In humid conditions the viruses and bacteria that causes the respiratory infections can rapidly multiply and spread. High Humid conditions can increase the levels of noxious chemicals in the air; including formaldehyde (emissions from indoor building materials) and ozone (emission from copiers) Molds and other pathogens thrive in high humid conditions. How Humidity Affects the Work Environment Poor air quality can often be attributed to humid conditions and can affect the employees of an organization with a wide range of illnesses and symptoms. Humidity can also have adverse effects on a building and its contents. Cold climate, electrical appliances that generate heat, or poor design, installation and maintenance of air conditioning systems give rise to low humidity conditions. Listed below are a few of...

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Install the Right Size Commercial HVAC System to Save Energy

August 12, 2015

The major part of the construction or renovation budget of a commercial building usually goes into installation and maintenance of HVAC system. Purchasing and installing a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system is no small investment. However, a high performance device of the right-size can trim your energy costs remarkably. Buying and Installing a Correct Size HVAC System There is a common misconception that the bigger the system, the more efficient it is. But most commercial heating and cooling devices run at less than half their capacity. This is because most commercial buildings have oversized systems, which is not needed. So, it is important to get the size system required for your building from your contractor. Ideally, a correct-size would be 10 to 15 % bigger than the actual size. This is recommended as a safety measure. There are many factors that are considered to determine the correct size. This will include building’s age, desired use, required ventilation, heat generated in the office space due to lighting system and machinery, and the number of occupants in the facility. If you have plans of extending your building in the future, you should go for a system that can be modified according to the...

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4 Types of Filtration and Cleaning Systems for Your St. Louis Home

August 7, 2015

Taking the steps to improve on indoor air quality will go a long way towards protecting the health of your family. Indoor air quality is a hot topic in the HVAC industry right now. As homeowners scrambled over the last couple of years to air tighten their homes to save energy, they often created breeding grounds for all types of irritants. Fortunately, the industry has recognized this, and is now constantly working on ways to improve the quality of air in the home. Poor indoor air quality can cause a host of problems, as the same polluted air is continually being circulated throughout your house. Not only can it irritate the lungs, and become dangerous for people with respiratory ailments like asthma, but it can cause mold and fungus growth. There are dozens of particles floating unseen in the air around you, but the most common irritants include: Dust Pollen Pet dander Dust mites Cigarette smoke Mold spores In order to help eliminate these from your St. Louis home’s breathing air, you now have a number of options to choose from. HVAC Filters Any forced air HVAC system relies on filters to remove large particles from the air. This was...

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St. Louis Residential Replacement – Before and After

August 4, 2015

At Scott-Lee Heating Company we have proudly been serving St. Louis residences for over 35 years! Our team takes pride in the work we do throughout the greater St. Louis area. It is our commitment to providing the very best heating and air conditioning services in St. Louis that has made us the go-to, full-service HVAC company for thousands of customers in Missouri. The following are before and after shots of a residential replacement we recently completed. Scott-Lee Heating Company Call us today to see why thousands of St. Louis families trust Scott-Lee Heating for all of their St. Louis heating and cooling needs! Call today!

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Top Factors Influencing a Homeowner’s Decisions Regarding HVAC Equipment

July 27, 2015

Most St. Louis homeowners desire an HVAC system that is reliable, efficient, and saves them money. The top benefits that homeowners expect from their HVAC system includes long-term reliability, low monthly operating costs, competitive purchase price, and of course the ability to heat and cool their home to the desired temperature.  In a survey of homeowners to understand the factors they considered before buying an HVAC system, some interesting facts were revealed. Key Features Consumers Look For in an HVAC System Long-term reliability Low operating costs Ability to provide and maintain the desired temperature inside the home Reasons For Not Wanting to Purchase a New System Even if the HVAC system is old or has problems, some homeowners will have the system repaired instead of purchasing a new one. There could be many reasons behind this including the large cost of replacing an older system. However, long-term repair and replacement costs can quickly spiral out of control. Consider other factors such as: Energy savings Financing options Government rebates Buyer Recommendations for Buying a New HVAC System Research carefully Speak with a local HVAC company Contract a qualified company to install the new system Consider energy efficiency Profile of a Satisfied Consumer Some homeowners prefer purchasing a premium HVAC system because they desire features...

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3 Factors That Affect Your Comfort

July 22, 2015

Your home’s HVAC system plays the crucial role of keeping you comfortable inside your home. If you are looking to invest in a new HVAC system, you should not just consider its ability to cool or heat, but also how it affects your overall comfort. There are three key factors to consider in an HVAC system that will help you stay comfortable. 1. Temperature Regulation You need your HVAC system to keep you cool when it is warm outside and warm when it’s cold outside. However, the important point here is to consider how cool or warm you want to keep it. Often, the first instinct of every homeowner is to purchase a system that is the cheapest, even though it may have the lowest efficiency. Such systems tend to have long swings of colder and hotter temperatures. This occurs when the system has achieved the desired temperature and shuts down. You might not notice it, but even when you set the thermostat at 72 degrees, the temperature can go up or down by even 10 degrees through the operating cycle depending on your HVAC system. Choose a system with a higher SEER rating so that the temperature does not vary...

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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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Signs Your Ductwork Needs to Be Cleaned

June 30, 2015

Your HVAC system plays a large role in the inside air quality of your St. Louis home. Changing the air filter frequently will help improve indoor air quality, but this is not always enough. When you start to feel that, despite changing your air filter, there is a significant amount of dust circulating through your house, it could mean that you need to have the entire system cleaned. This is not a DIY project; the ductwork in your home can be easily broken if not handled properly. In order to preserve the integrity of your duct system, contact a qualified St. Louis heating and air technician. How Often Should the Duct Work Be Cleaned? How often the ductwork should be cleaned is determined on a case by case basis. There are a number of variables to consider, from the number of pets in the home to if anyone smokes inside of the house. If you have recently discovered water damage in your house, the ducts should be cleaned as soon as the problem has been fixed. The best way to determine how often your ducts should be cleaned is by speaking with a knowledgeable expert at Scott-Lee Heating. Why Is Indoor Air Quality...

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Save Money on Air Conditioning Costs this Summer

June 29, 2015

Is your energy bill increasing this summer because of your air conditioner? If you are not careful, cooling your home this summer may cost you close to half of your household budget. However, there are ways to keep money in your wallet without having to break a big sweat. Shade Your Home with Plants Direct sunlight shining in through your windows is a large contributor to the heat inside of your home. You can cut down on this by planting shrubbery, trees, and plants around your home. This will help in blocking the sunlight from entering your house as well as improve the exterior look of your property. Resist the Urge to Open Your Windows The idea of opening the house to fresh air may seem like a good idea; however, it will increase your cooling costs. The cool air inside will be lost to the outside while the hot outside air will be sucked in. If you must have bursts of fresh air, wait for the evening when it starts to cool off outside and consider turning off the air conditioner while the windows are open. Cook Less Often A lot of heat is generated in your home every time you turn...

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The Best Ways to Optimize the Efficiency of a Commercial HVAC System

June 25, 2015

Would it surprise you know that an average of 30-40% of your electricity bill is being used up by your buildings heating, ventilating and cooling system? That could be startling to a business owner struggling to stay out of the red. Many business owners are wondering how they can reduce that cost without sacrificing a comfortable environment inside of their building. The good news is there are ways, and not only will they save you money, the performance of your HVAC system will be greatly improved! Investments that Result in Savings One of the biggest steps you can take towards cutting your costs will require some investment. Load reduction is when you tighten up a structure to allow the least amount of outside air in, and none of your conditioned or heated air out. Adding insulation is one example of load reduction. For buildings with large, unused space between the top floor and ceiling, it is often a good idea to load as much insulation there as possible. Heat rises, so during the winter, all your comfortable hot air will just make its way out of the roof, taking your profits with it. A major investment, but one that will...

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