What to Know: St. Louis HVAC Issues to Leave to the Experts

July 4, 2017

Some minor maintenance a homeowner can do themselves, but most HVAC issues should be left to an experienced technician. There are some parts of your HVAC system that you can fix yourself. For instance, changing an air filter yourself is pretty simple. However, some tasks could be potentially dangerous, so it’s important to know which tasks you can safely undertake yourself and which you need to leave to the professionals. Electrical Problems HVAC systems conduct high amounts of electricity. An unqualified person who tries to fix electrical issues, is putting themselves at risk of being electrocuted. And not only can this person personally dangerous, it can also damage your system if you meddle with it. If you have any concerns that your HVAC system has developed an electrical issue, it is very important to call an experienced St. Louis HVAC technician. Keeping the Unit Clean Outside One job you can do, that could save you time and money later, is to ensure that the outside unit is free from debris such as twigs and leaves. Sweeping your yard regularly is a great habit to get into. Cleaning the Coil Fins While cleaning the coil fins may seem like an easy...

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Troubleshooting Leaks in Your Air Conditioner : HVAC Repair St. Louis

June 29, 2017

If you have a leak in your AC unit, a Scott-Lee Comfort Specialist will be happy to help resolve the issue. It is very important for homeowners to have a little knowledge about their air conditioning unit. Having a clear idea of what is normal and what is not, is helpful when determining what the problem is and when it’s time to contact a trained and qualified St. Louis HVAC technician for repairs. The most common cause of worry for homeowners is water leaks from the air conditioner. Often, one can see a small pool of water collecting near a condensate drain pipe or outside the HVAC unit. These small amounts of water are normal. Water near a condensate drain pipe often collects due to humidity. At the same time, water pooling near the outside of the HVAC unit is also no concern for worry, as this could result from water recycling that takes place within the HVAC unit. However, a homeowner should have a cause for concern if these small amounts of water increase and the leaks are persistent. Such leaks can result in permanent damage of the HVAC system. Here are some of the common known causes of...

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Why Your Air Conditioner Is Blowing Warm Air & What to Do

June 25, 2017

Scott-Lee Heating will help improve the comfort level of your home environment this summer. In the hot summer months, the last thing one wants is for the air conditioner to blow warm air and make the inside of the home as unpleasant as the weather outside. Hot or warm air from the air conditioner can be a reason for concern and should be checked. There are many reasons that could cause the air conditioner to blow warm air, of which some can be easy to address. However, some others need professional help and troubleshooting at the hands of a trained, qualified and experienced St. Louis HVAC technician. Top Reasons Your AC Isn’t Cooling Properly (Quick Checks You Can Do) When your air conditioner is running but only pushing warm air, it’s frustrating and usually a sign of underlying issues. Before waiting or guessing, do a few quick inspections—some problems you can spot or temporarily mitigate yourself, while others need professional diagnosis to avoid further damage. Dirty or clogged air filter: Restricted airflow leads to coil freezing or inefficient heat exchange, causing warm output. Replacing or cleaning the filter is one of the fastest fixes. Incorrect thermostat settings or malfunction: If...

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How to Make Sure Your Home is Always at the Perfect Temperature!

June 23, 2017

It seems like a simple thing, but many struggle to keep their homes at an ideal temperature. Do you have trouble ensuring that your home is always at the right temperature for you? Not too hot in summer, but not too chilly in winter? It seems like such a simple thing, but many of us really do struggle to make our homes comfortable. Ideally, the temperature should be such that you simply don’t think about it, it’s just at the right level. However, this can be hard to achieve, and even harder to achieve without spending a fortune on heating and cooling! We’ve taken some tips from St Louis HVAC experts and put them together to give you the ultimate guide to keeping your home at your ideal temperature all year round! Setting your Thermostat During the Day in Summer Many of us have our thermostats set at 74 degrees. If you do, try changing it to 78 degrees instead. By doing this, you can save a massive 12% on your cooling! If you still feel too warm, then run a ceiling fan. These are great because they are inexpensive to run, but they make your home feel around 4...

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Understanding HVAC Warranties – Scott-Lee Heating

June 20, 2017

We have skilled technicians able to maintain, repair, or replace almost any brand of HVAC equipment. A new HVAC system is quite a big investment. While you can do all your research and consult with your St Louis HVAC technician to ensure the system you buy is great quality and gets good reviews from other users, like any other electric appliance or device, things can still go wrong. So it’s important to know that you are covered in case of such an eventuality. What is an HVAC Warranty? When you purchase your HVAC system, you should check that it comes with some sort of guarantee or warranty. You should also check how long it is for. An HVAC warranty will cover you if your system turns out to have a faulty part. It gives you peace of mind that if your system breaks down within a certain time frame, you won’t have to pay the bill to replace it as it will be replaced or repaired by the manufacturer. Apart from the warranty on the HVAC system itself, you may also be offered a warranty by your St Louis HVAC technician. This means that if there is a problem with...

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HVAC Air Filters – How they Help with Allergies

June 14, 2017

Air filters help your HVAC system run more efficiently and filter out allergens too. As any St Louis HVAC technician will tell you, air filters have a variety of functions. They keep the dust away from the internal workings of your HVAC system and so help it to run efficiently and have a longer life. But they also filter out a wide range of allergens too. HVAC filtration has even been found to be more effective at combating allergens than portable HEPA units. This is important news for anyone who suffers from allergies! Different Levels of Filtration Available MERV 1-4 :: This is the cheapest type of filtration with the most basic of filtering. This will filter general household dust such as skin cells. It will also filter clothing lint, dust mites, and pollen. While it is basic filtration, anyone suffering from hay fever should notice a reduction in their symptoms when using this type of filtration system. Additionally, it can be a benefit to anyone with asthma due to the fact that it filters out dust mites. Around half of the people with asthma have an allergy to dust mites. MERV 5-8 :: The next level of filtration is...

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Energy Savings: Should You Turn Your AC Off When You’re Not at Home?

June 5, 2017

Turning up your AC when you’re gone is a better alternative to turning it off. When summer hits its peak, we are all going to rely on our air conditioners to keep us cool and comfortable. However, one question that is always on every homeowner’s mind is how they can save on energy bills. You may wonder if turning off the air conditioner when leaving your house could be of any help. It may make sense not to cool your home, or waste energy when you’re not there. However, the cost of cooling down your home once you do get back does not make that method cost-effective. In addition, keeping the air off when it’s hot and humid actually has adverse effects on your house itself. Turn Up Instead of Off However, there is a better way to save. Turn up your thermostat instead of turning the AC off. Ideally set the temperature up by approximately 7 degrees while you are away. You might like to know how this helps help. Turning up thermostat aids in the following ways: Protect your home from molds and bug infestations Keeps you comfortable Saves you money Protect Your Home from Molds and Bug...

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St. Louis Air Conditioning Tips to Keep Your Home Cool this Summer!

May 31, 2017

Here are some tips to keep your home cool but keep your costs low this summer! When the hot St. Louis summer heat hits, you’ll be relying on your air conditioning system more than ever. However, when your HVAC system isn’t functioning to full capacity, it can be really annoying. Our St. Louis HVAC experts offer top tips that will help you to keep your cool when the temperatures soar this summer: Test your system before you need it – It’s a really good idea to test your system before the weather gets too hot. If there’s something wrong, you can then get it sorted while the temperatures are cooler. Check the external unit – The airflow can easily become blocked from the outside by fallen autumn leaves or plants growing in it. Take a look and clear it if necessary. Get repairs done before the temperatures soar – A stitch in time saves nine they say. If you test your system and find there is an issue with it that you can’t fix yourself, don’t put off getting it fixed until later in the season. If you’re looking for a St Louis HVAC technician before the weather gets really...

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Is Your HVAC System Ready for Summer? – St. Louis Air Conditioning

May 18, 2017

Is your air conditioner is ready for the hot summer months ahead? The summer heat has already begun and most St. Louis homeowners are thankful their air conditioning system is helping them beat the heat! That is until something goes wrong and they are left sweating in the sweltering summers. If this happens to you, getting your system repaired is the obvious answer. However, many homeowners fail to consider that a repair call can be easily be avoided with regular maintenance checks. In fact, spring is the ideal time for scheduled maintenance for your air conditioning system. Here is a quick run-down on a few things HVAC technicians do when they perform maintenance: Conduct a test run – It is important to conduct a test run to check if your air conditioner is in working condition, or if it needs repairs. Your system will be checked for effective and uniform cooling. A test will help in checking for pain points and often saving one from the trouble of spending too much time without a cooling system. Check the filters – If the test run shows the need for a maintenance check, the first point of troubleshooting is often the filters....

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7 Things to Ensure Maximum Efficiency of Your Home HVAC System

May 12, 2017

Here are some things you can do to increase your HVAC efficiency and reduce your monthly energy costs. Just as you get through the economic hardships of running your HVAC system to heat your home through the winter, summer comes along to up your electricity air conditioning costs. If you are tired of enormous energy bills, there are ways to ensure that you are getting the maximum efficiency from your HVAC system and that it isn’t unwittingly costing you more than it should. These are 7 key things you can do to increase your HVAC efficiency and reduce your heating and cooling costs. Some you can on your own while others you would be better off contacting a St. Louis HVAC specialist to help. Ensure HVAC Efficiency Redesign your type of ductwork. Make sure that your ductwork is appropriate to the size of the place that it is heating and cooling. If you don’t have the right size, then you won’t ever get a consistent temperature throughout the house. Insulated round ducts are always better than long running flexible ones. Upgrade your refrigerant. Since federal law is phasing out R-2, choosing a better alternative like R-410A, is a great upgrade...

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