The Average Lifespan of a Furnace and How to Extend It

January 10, 2023

The Average Lifespan of a Furnace and How to Extend It. Knowing the average lifespan of a furnace will help you prepare for essential heating system upgrades in your St. Louis, MO, home. Although many HVAC professionals assert that furnaces last between 15 and 20 years, actual lifespans can vary quite a bit. How furnaces produce heat, how they’re installed, and how well their supporting ductwork is maintained are all important factors to consider. Read on to find out more. Fuel Combustion and Its Impact on Furnaces and Furnace Lifespans Most furnaces combust fuel to produce heat. These include oil-fired furnaces, natural gas-fired furnaces, and propane-fired furnaces. All others provide indoor heating solely through the use of electricity. Although fuel combustion doesn’t necessarily shorten the lifespans of furnaces, it can lead to greater wear and tear. This is especially true if these units aren’t correctly maintained. Furnaces that use combustion to produce heat also have more components than electric units, connected venting systems, and other factors that increase the likelihood of problems. Fortunately, no matter what type of furnace you own, you can always extend its lifetime through timely repairs and by scheduling annual maintenance service. How Long Do Gas-Fired...

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4 Common Indicators Your AC Is Due for Repairs

May 20, 2022

4 Indicators Your AC is Due for Repairs Many people rarely think of their AC units until the weather becomes unbearable and the demand for air conditioning becomes indispensable. Some homeowners will often praise the vital role of a cooling system but won’t take the necessary steps to keep them in ideal working conditions. You must understand that air conditioners run on fault-prone components that need regular care and repairs. Even if you’ve got the most luxurious, top-tier air conditioner, you still need to watch for faults and failure signs. To save you the hassle of dissembling your AC unit every few months to check for defects, the following are the top four telltale signs of an AC system that’s due for repairs. 1. Erratic Cooling An effective air conditioning unit spreads its cooling power evenly throughout the zoned area. These units are accurately sized to the cooling demands of the target area. Therefore, it’s normal to question the performance of your air conditioner if it fails to distribute cool air throughout your home. In some instances, wrong thermostat settings may affect how air is distributed throughout the house. However, the leading cause of uneven cooling is a faulty AC...

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Do Humidifiers Work in the Winter?

January 20, 2021

Do Humidifiers Work in the Winter? Have you noticed that your family’s complaints about their physical comfort increase in the winter? If the air inside your home gets too dry, the body gets dried out, too. The skin, eyes, nose, and mouth can become itchy and very uncomfortable. Your heater may be keeping you warm indoors, but you may still be terribly uncomfortable. Balancing the moisture inside your house can enhance the quality of life you live. A humidifier or humidifying system can increase the moisture in your indoor air. Even when you live in a humid climate, a humidifier may be required during the winter. This is because modern heating systems dry out the air in a dramatic way, regardless of the humidity outdoors. Installing a modern humidifier is an important solution to consider when improving the quality of the indoor air you breathe. Moisture Levels Support Good Health The level of humidity in the air identifies the amount of moisture or water vapor present. When there’s too much humidity, you can feel sluggish and uncomfortable. Too little humidity can cause the body to get dried out and itchy, and dehydration can be enhanced. The right level of humidity...

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What Does it Mean to be EPA Certified?

October 10, 2018

EPA Certification The environmental protection agency, also known as the EPA, is the most influential government agency overseeing energy services. When it comes to the HVAC industry, the EPA is a very important entity. In certain states around the United States, the licensing board for HVAC technicians to be EPA certified. In states that do not actually require official certification, it is still seen as a definite advantage to have EPA certification. 4 Types of EPA Certifications There are four different types of EPA certifications, all focused on different aspects of heating and air conditioning hardware. Depending on the type of work that a technician wants to do, he will have to apply for a different type of certification. Type 1 EPA certification is created for technicians who want to deal with smaller, residential appliances. These appliances may include but are not limited to, refrigerators and kitchens, vending machines and window AC units. Type 2 EPA certification is meant for professionals who are looking to service the equipment in refrigerators. This refrigerant equipment includes process refrigerators, heat pumps, supermarket refrigerators or residential air-conditioning units. Type 3 EPA certification is meant to certified technicians who are trying to handle low-pressure refrigerant...

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Does Rain Damage My Heating and Cooling System Over Time?

September 20, 2018

Does Rain Damage My Heating and Cooling System Your heating or cooling system spends all its time out in the elements and deals with temperature changes and other environmental hazards. You probably wonder how it affects your unit, and if you need to take steps to protect your investment. Your Unit Is Built To Withstand the Elements St. Louis has every kind of weather. Being in the Midwest, you may have warm weather one day and snow the next. Fortunately, outdoor HVAC systems are built to withstand any normal weather they may experience. From rain to snow to gusting winds, your unit should be fine. The electrical components are carefully sealed so they are protected from outside moisture, and regular airflow should dry out the unit even after a hard rain. Attempting to protect your unit by covering it will do more harm than good. Flooding There are some kinds of hazards that Mother Nature brings that can damage your unit. Rain itself won’t harm your unit, but flooding probably will. If you think your HVAC unit may be flooded, cut the electrical supply off immediately. This is a good idea for any electric appliance that may be facing a...

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What to Look for In An Air Conditioning Company

February 7, 2017

Looking For The Right Air Conditioning Company For most of us, a house represents the largest financial investment we’ll ever make. That means finding a company to handle your AC needs is of utmost importance, as well. The company you pick will be your partner in choosing and maintaining your home’s HVAC unit, which has consequences you might not have thought about. Since cooling and heating can account for almost half of a typical homeowner’s energy costs, making the right decision can have an impact on your financial well-being, in addition to the comfort of you and your family. For years, people in have trusted for their HVAC needs. We’ve assembled a list of things to consider when you’re looking for a company to trust with your air conditioning needs. It pays to seek out a firm that gets consistently good reviews. Do your homework and see what the Better Business Bureau has to say, and check for consumer reviews on Yelp and other sites that post real-life feedback on local companies. An HVAC company should hire technicians who are certified by North American Technician Excellence. A NATE certification signifies a firm believes in hiring employees who are knowledgeable and...

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Should I Continue Repairing My AC Unit?

February 7, 2017

Should I continue repairing my AC unit? For most of us, a house represents the largest financial investment we’ll ever make. That means finding a company to handle your AC needs is of utmost importance, as well. The company you pick will be your partner in choosing and maintaining your home’s HVAC unit, which has consequences you might not have thought about. Since cooling and heating can account for almost half of a typical homeowner’s energy costs, making the right decision can have an impact on your financial well-being, in addition to the comfort of you and your family. For years, people in have trusted for their HVAC needs. We’ve assembled a list of things to consider when you’re looking for a company to trust with your air conditioning needs. It pays to seek out a firm with that gets consistently good reviews. Do you homework and see what the Better Business Bureau has to say, and check for consumer reviews on Yelp and other sites that post real-life feedback on local companies. An HVAC company should hire technicians who are certified by North American Technician Excellence. A NATE certification signifies a firm believes in hiring employees who are knowledgeable...

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Is Your HVAC System Pest Proof?

September 2, 2016

Is Your HVAC System Pest Proof? By choosing to ignore the pests, you invite bigger problems. Proper pest control can protect most parts of your home or building from pests; however, one part that is often overlooked is the heating and air conditioning system. According to St. Louis HVAC experts, pest-proofing the HVAC components is important for keeping pests out of your home, protecting occupants from health hazards, and preventing damage to expensive equipment. Damage Caused by Pests Pests can enter an HVAC system in several ways – in the space between HVAC components and in an area where pests are common. If pests manage to enter your heating system or its components, a variety of problems can occur. Pests can cause damage to HVAC components which they use to move through a house or where they are nesting. This can result in expensive repairs or even system replacement. Pests can also cause damage to the home itself. Indoor Air Quality Issues When Pests Invade Your HVAC System Pest infestation in an HVAC system can cause numerous air quality problems. Dead rodents, droppings, and other debris left behind in the HVAC system or ductwork can cause a foul smell inside your home. If you use pesticides to treat the pest problem,...

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