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...

View Article

Read More

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...

View Article

Read More

Basic Information About Compressors

July 9, 2014

Understand your HVAC system better by learning about its various components, for example, the compressor. Compressors are mechanical devices offering a number of different functions. One example of a compressor is a pump. There are different functions and types of compressors. A Compressor and Its Uses HVAC compressors are refrigerant gas pumps where vaporous refrigerant is supplied by an evaporator at low pressure before its pressure is increased. Once the gas is compressed, its pressure and temperature will increase. The condenser will receive the vaporous refrigerant at a pressure where condensation will happen at a suitable temperature level. A compressor is made up of two components, the source of the power and the compressing component, such as a vane or piston. The compressing component of an air compressor packs atmospheric pressure together. The following is the process of how an air compressor functions:  Air goes into the vane or piston before pressure is increased and volume is decreased to compress the air. Once the maximum pressure limit set by the operator is reached, air intake is stopped through a switch on the compressor. The pressure levels go down when the compressed air is being utilized. Air is allowed to go...

View Article

Read More

Warm Mist Humidifier vs. Cool Mist Humidifier

July 3, 2014

What are the differences between warm mist and cool mist humidifiers? Learn about the differences between warm mist and cool mist humidifiers. Then seek the recommendation of an HVAC professional to determine which type of humidifier should be used in your home. Warm Mist Humidifiers The distilled steam coming from warm mist humidifiers comes from the boiled water inside the unit. The steam is similar to a mild warm water spray rather than vapor and is more intense near the humidifier. The unit is normally utilized for medications that require steam. It also features a small section to store medication. Warm mist humidifiers produce minimal noise and come in small mobile units. However, it will be necessary to frequently clean the unit since the warm water in the unit promotes the growth of bacteria. A number of warm mist humidifiers may be risky to handle due to the presence of the heating element and hot water. Cool Mist Humidifiers Although cool mist humidifiers are noisier than the warm mist units, some units used in bedrooms feature a silent mode. The two basic kinds of cool mist humidifiers are the evaporative unit and the ultrasonic unit. The units move water along a...

View Article

Read More

Choosing a Whole House Dehumidifier

June 27, 2014

Experts agree that the inside humidity of your home should hover somewhere around 35%. For some people, moisture inside the house is a problem creating a great deal of humidity. This could lead to the formation of spores and mold in the home which could create a significant health problem. If high moisture is affecting your indoor air quality, speak to your local St. Louis HVAC company about the possibility and benefits of a whole house dehumidifier. Installing a Whole House Dehumidifier While it is true that you could purchase several stand alone dehumidifiers and place them around the house, installing a whole house dehumidifier makes more sense. For one, it can be installed as part of your existing HVAC system, using the same duct work to pull moisture from the air. You can also control its function from a programmable digital thermostat and keep it running during the times you need it the most. Benefits of a Whole House Dehumidifier Overall, the whole house dehumidifier will be more cost effective than using several units. Portable dehumidifiers are known to be energy suckers, requiring a lot of electricity to keep them running. Plus, without the benefit of a thermostat, they run continuously,...

View Article

Read More

Your Guide To the Energy Star

June 26, 2014

When shopping for central air conditioning systems, you may notice the yellow tags citing Energy Star energy guides. These labels are there to help you ascertain the cost-effectiveness of the appliance in terms of its energy usage. What that tag is showing is the efficiency rate of the appliance and how it compares to other similar models, allowing you to make cost-effective choices. Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating The rating assigned to air conditioning units and other appliances is known as the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating or SEER. Originally, the government required an efficiency minimum of ten on all central air conditioners, but in 2006 that number was raised to thirteen to help combat rising energy costs. Central air conditioner manufacturers strive for a rating between fifteen and seventeen. In order to achieve this, the air conditioner must have special features like variable speed fan blowers and motors that lessen electrical usage. Larger coils are also a good feature to help make heat transfer more efficient. The higher the SEER rating on the central air conditioning system, the more energy-efficient it will be. Environmentally Conscious For those who are concerned about the environment and the greenhouse effect, these SEER numbers are very important. The more efficient...

View Article

Read More

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...

View Article

Read More

Scott-Lee Heating Company, Inc. Honored by Enertech Global for Promoting GeoComfort® Geothermal Systems

June 24, 2014

Honored By Enertech Global (CARLYLE, IL – April 24, 2014 by Enertech Global) Enertech Global, manufacturer of GeoComfort geothermal heating and cooling systems, hosted its annual Dealer Meeting April 23-24, in Carlyle, IL. Attendees experienced a great event with access to industry information, geothermal-focused breakout sessions, and celebrated its top dealers from 2013. Scott-Lee Heating Company, Inc. was one such dealer recognized by Enertech Global for their dedication and sales achievements last year. Scott-Lee Heating Company, Inc. is located in St. Louis, Missouri and received their sales award for being one of the top GeoComfort dealers in a nine state territory. They offer the complete line of GeoComfort geothermal equipment and accessories for residential and commercial heating, cooling and hot water comfort systems and have significant experience installing and servicing these systems. We are extremely proud of all our award winners who are going above and beyond, providing quality geothermal systems to their customers, said Steve Smith, President of Enertech Global. They’ve made the commitment to educate themselves, learn the equipment, and install each and every unit to create the ultimate comfort experience for the homeowner. GeoComfort geothermal units are designed to harness the earth’s natural energy for heating and...

View Article

Read More

The Best HVAC Systems For Your House

June 20, 2014

Modern residential HVAC systems utilize various methods of bringing heat into the house. Some HVAC systems may take in the air inside the house using refrigerant gas before bringing it outside. Other systems normally use natural gas or electricity to warm the interior of the house. It is essential to check on the energy-saving features when looking for a good residential HVAC system. Systems Using Natural Gas It is important to be aware that natural gas HVAC systems create heat by burning natural gas. Propane is used in areas where natural gas is unavailable. Reasonably-priced gas furnaces are practical for areas where the climate is too cold to use heating pumps in warming up the house. Even though natural gas does not burn as efficiently compared to other fuels, it is much cheaper compared to these fuels. Maintenance will be less using these systems compared to conventional oil furnaces. Transference Systems These systems are considered to be the most energy-efficient system since it circulates heat instead of producing it. Even as the heat pump is the best method of transference, air conditioning will automatically perform the same function. Heat pumps bring warm air outside in cooling the house. It also...

View Article

Read More

Zoning Your Home For Maximum HVAC Efficiency

June 9, 2014

After your mortgage payment, keeping your home at a comfortable temperature is your biggest monthly expense. The HVAC system in your home can account for up to 40% of your monthly utility bills. Sadly, most homeowners are wasting a lot of that money maintaining livable temperatures in spaces where no one is spending any time. HVAC zoning allows you to control the temperature in different areas of your home, in order for you not to waste precious conditioned air in unused rooms. You control the zones with your digital thermostat, setting the temperature for each assigned area. This type of addition to your HVAC system will require the expertise of a well-known HVAC company. Designing HVAC Zones for St. Louis, MO. Area Homes There are a number of reasons why certain areas of your home may need more attention than others besides whether space is being used. For example, heat rises, so if you live in a two-story home the bottom level will always feel a few degrees cooler than the upper. The position of windows in a room can also change its needs in comparison to others. A room with a big bay window facing the east will capture the morning sunrays...

View Article

Read More