The Difference Between Commercial and Residential HVAC Systems

November 2, 2016

There are various types of HVAC systems and they are classified as commercial and residential. Commercial HVAC systems are used in retail stores, hotels, office buildings, and other large buildings. Residential HVAC systems are used in homes and small businesses. Both types of systems perform the same function but there are some key differences between them. Size Commercial HVAC systems are much larger than their residential counterparts due to the fact that they serve larger areas. They are also more complex in terms of thermostats and dampers. For these reasons, commercial systems require much more power to function. Complexity Commercial HVAC systems are more complex as they have to take into account the types of rooms and to be adaptable accordingly. The temperature may vary depending on the number of rooms, the number of people occupying the building, and what it is used for. It is possible that some rooms such as server rooms may have to be maintained at specific temperatures. Location Commercial HVAC systems are normally placed on the roof of a building, while residential systems are typically placed inside the home. The roof is considered the ideal location for commercial HVAC systems because a large system produces noise that causes disruption....

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Does Your St. Louis HVAC System Need to be Repaired or Replaced?

October 24, 2016

At Scott-Lee Heating, we will help you determine if your HVAC system needs repairs or just needs to be replaced. Inefficient HVAC systems can cost your home or business a lot of money, and lead to health and comfort issues. So, it’s important to understand whether your system needs repairs or if it needs to be replaced. At Scott-Lee Heating, we come across some homeowners and business owners who put off HVAC repairs or replacement to save on costs for as long as they can, but by doing so they end up doing more harm than good. By keeping a track of the maintenance needs of an HVAC system, it can reduce the monthly energy costs, keep repair costs low, and improve the home or work environment. Here are 9 steps that can help you determine whether your HVAC system needs repair or replacement. When deciding on whether your HVAC system needs repair or replacement, you should seek help from a competent St. Louis HVAC expert. Find out the essential information about the current system including age and repair history. This will help the HVAC contractor make a better decision about repairs. If the system is older, replacement would be...

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Custom HVAC Installation for Your New St. Louis Home

October 21, 2016

With custom HVAC installation, you get a more efficient system that consumes less energy. If you are building your dream home or a new commercial facility, you are likely thinking of the best ways to optimizing your indoor environment. Your comfort level inside your home or office depends on a variety of factors including precise temperature control and the right humidity levels. For better comfort and health, you should consider an HVAC installation that is customized to your needs. In this post, St. Louis HVAC experts will discuss the benefits of a custom HVAC installation. High-Tech Equipment With custom HVAC installation, you can take advantage of the latest technological advancements that include heating and cooling systems that adjust their operation automatically to match heating and cooling demands. Programmable thermostats give you the convenience of pre-scheduling different temperatures for different days of the week and different times of the day. High efficiency solutions such as ductless systems can individualize comfort in each room. Right Size System for Your Home or Facility It is important that your HVAC system is neither too large not too small for your home or commercial facility. Oversized systems can waste energy with frequent on-off cycles, and...

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Winter Heating Tips for Your Home – St. Louis HVAC

September 19, 2016

Create a warm and cozy house this winter with these simple tips. A well maintained and regularly serviced HVAC system will provide maximum service, longevity, energy efficiency, and a cost savings on your utility bills.  In addition, there are a few items you can do that can help you keep your house warm and keep energy consumption to a minimum. Creating Warmth In extreme cold temperatures when the heating system is running on overdrive, a little help can keep your house warmer for longer. (Learn more – Tips on Staying Warm Without Breaking Your Budget) Layering – Blinds, shades, and drapes can give depth to your living space. Layering window treatments help to block out cold air. For example, install honeycomb shades with insulation pockets to keep your house warmer. Sunshine – Letting the sunlight in during the day will help warm up your home. It is one of the best natural ways to keep warm and is a healthy habit. Color palette – Having a color theme or color pattern can influence the feel of your living space. Decorating your house with warm shades of yellows, oranges, reds, and browns can give a warmer feel to a room. Landscaping – Indoor plants can do a lot to help in keeping your...

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Dealing with Chilly Feet in a Cold Bedroom

September 12, 2016

St. Louis homeowners are beginning to anticipate cold winter weather and the last place they want to feel the cold is in the bedroom. Cold bedrooms are a common occurrence in a home where the thermostat is centrally located, while bedrooms are set off away from the main living areas. You do not have to just throw on an extra pair of socks and live with this problem. Talk to our HVAC experts to find a solution to warming up your bedroom. The Cause of Cold Bedrooms Simply turning up the heat is not going to work. Not only will you feel that in your wallet the following month, but the rest of the house will become overheated. Closing the vents in other rooms can put excessive strain on the furnace. Moving the thermostat up and down and opening and closing vents will cause the furnace to run overtime. When installing a heating and cooling system, a professional HVAC company will be called in to do what is known as a load calculation. They measure the size of the house to determine the heating and cooling load and then choose a system that will be able to handle the load. They will design the flow of air to maximize the system’s efficiency and ensure that heated and cooled...

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Preparing for Winter – HVAC Tips for Furnace Maintenance

September 5, 2016

As St. Louis homeowners prepare for the next season, cleaning, gardening, and repairs will fill the weekends. A home maintenance task that should never take a backseat is furnace maintenance. Regularly scheduled maintenance ensures that your furnace is up and running when you need it this winter. Seasonal maintenance usually involves a general inspection and cleaning of the system to ensure that there is no dust or debris accumulation and that there are no needed repairs. Change the Filters The importance of regular filter maintenance cannot be overemphasized. Whether you have a gas furnace or an electric furnace, replace the filters. Make sure the filters that you buy are the right size for your furnace. In addition, check the air ducts. If they have not been cleaned in the last 5 years, this is the time to do it. Check the Furnace Blower Belt Inspect the fan belt on the blower for any fraying or cracks. Check if the belt has become too loose. If the belt has become loose, consider replacing it. Clean Dust from Furnace Area Dust and debris tends to accumulate around the furnace and if it is left there for a long time it can cause damage. Vacuum the area under the furnace and clean the crevices. Inspect the Safety...

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Solution to Humidity in Your Home: Energy Recovery Ventilators

August 31, 2016

An energy recovery ventilator can increase the comfort level of your home and improve air quality. As the temperatures in St. Louis continue to rise, even into September, so does the humidity. That can affect the inside of your home as well. This may be the perfect time to talk with your trusted HVAC company about installing an ERV, Energy Recovery Ventilator, system with your existing heating and cooling units. How an ERV Works As our homes are increasingly becoming tighter due to an effort to make our homes more energy-efficient, new problems start to arise. Indoor air quality can be compromised as the same stale air is constantly being recycled through the house. Higher humidity levels may become an issue as you have basically created an airtight environment with levels that fluctuate drastically and far from the 40% ideal range. Adding an ERV, or energy recovery ventilation, system to your homes HVAC system can take care of both of these issues. They are able to exchange the stale air with fresh, conditioning it first to match the indoor temperature of the house. In the summer the system is pre-cooling and dehumidify outside air as it is being brought into...

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How to Choose between a Humidifier and a Dehumidifier

August 23, 2016

How To Choose Between a Humidifier and Dehumidifier If you do, a humidifier or a dehumidifier is what your home may need. Your house should have a relative humidity level of 30-60 percent, depending on what time of the year it is. In winter, use of heating systems can reduce the humidity by over 30-40 percent. On the other hand, in summer, the humidity may be as high as 60 percent. If the relative humidity is below 30, you may want to invest in a humidifier to keep your family comfortable, however, if it touches 60 or more, you may need a dehumidifier. So, you may need both a humidifier and a dehumidifier and use them according to seasons. How Does Humidity Affect Our Health? Extremes of relative humidity in the atmosphere affect human health adversely. If the air inside your home is dry, the residents may have dry skin and may suffer from other types of dermatitis. These may be the first signs that you need to invest in a humidifier. Other health problems caused by dry air include dry sinuses, congestion, nosebleed, persistent cough, and sore throat. If the air is too moist, it can aggravate allergy and...

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HVAC Letter of Appreciation from Cottleville, Missouri Resident

July 1, 2016

We recently received the following letter of appreciation regarding HVAC work we performed in St. Charles, Missouri. June 14, 2016 – We recently has our air conditioning/electric heating system replaced by Scott-Lee. Our experience was so satisfying that it deserves this letter of appreciation. Scott-Lee installed our original system in our new-built home in 1996 and has been providing excellent inspection and repair services since then. During our annual spring inspection this year, Chris noticed oil on the interior unit tubing and a low coolant pressure indicative of a system leak. He advised us of repair/replacement options for our system with the ‘old’ coolant even checking that critical components were no longer available due to the change in the coolant. The entire system needed replacing. We were contacted by Shaun Tarrillion, your sales representative. He visited our home a few days later in Cottleville, MO – very conveniently during the early evening. His inspection and presentations were very professional and made with little pressure. He measured the size of the house, current ductwork and confirmed our heating/cooling needs. He discussed our replacement options with informative brochures and system specifications indicated possible options. He followed up the next day with a...

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St. Louis HVAC Reminders to Prepare Your Home for Summer Vacation

June 15, 2016

The following HVAC tips will keep your home safe while you are away on vacation this summer. The bags are packed, the dogs are at the kennel, and your neighbor will come by to water the plants. You are ready to hit your summer destination, but have you prepared your home’s HVAC? In order to ensure that your vacation is not ruined by an unplanned mishap when you get back home, prepare your house in advance for your absence. Turn Off the Main Water Supply You do not want that leaking pipe you have been meaning to fix to finally burst when you are out of town. Water seeping into your carpet and floorboards can cause significant water damage. Connect Your Sump Pump to a Battery If you have a basement that is prone to flooding, then you likely have a sump pump already in place. Having a battery back-up on your sump pump will ensure that it stays working, just like it would if you were home. Do Not Turn Off the Central Air Conditioning System Use a digital programmable thermostat to control the temperature inside of your home as if you were there. Save money on your energy bill by programming it to run at 78 degrees. Cut the Electric...

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