5 Common AC Issues

July 25, 2018

Let’s face it, air conditioning has become essential to our lives. Let us inspect your AC unit and make sure it’s going to be reliable through the summer season. We can make repairs with genuine parts and dependable expertise that will have your AC ready for the season or back up and running when things go bad. Here are five of the most common issues we see with AC units: Bad Installation: sometimes saving money is a great idea and works out for the very best. Sometimes, relying on a handyman with uncertain skills ends up costing a homeowner more in the long run. Low Refrigerant: air conditioner units rely on refrigerants like Freon to actually produce the coolness that translates into comfort. Eventually, it gets used up. What we often encounter in an uncooperative AC unit is a simple slow leak. It’s a common problem and easily fixed. Broken Fan: the cold has to be directed somewhere, and that great big fan outside is important. It can get gummed up or simply break down. Frozen Coil: condensation builds up and freezes as moisture passes over the coil. That, in turn, can be caused by other issues, including some listed...

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Is Your AC Losing its Cool?

November 6, 2017

We know air conditioning is one of the most important concepts to your comfort and peace of mind. If your AC is not cooling properly, the reason could be as simple as dirty coils. Clean coils are extremely important for the proper functioning of an air conditioning system. Even if 1/100th of an inch of dust collects on the AC’s condenser coil, it loses 5% of its efficiency. Our St. Louis HVAC technicians explain how dirty coils could be causing your AC to under-perform. The Importance of Air Conditioning Coils There are two AC coils which are very important for the proper operation of the system. The evaporator coil is responsible for absorbing the heat and humidity from the space. The condenser coil releases the heat absorbed from the inner space, outside the building. The condenser coil is located in the outside unit and is exposed to the adverse weather, soot, dirt and other trash outside. Dust can easily accumulate on it. This can reduce its capacity to work properly. The Way in Which an Air Conditioner Works In order to understand how dirty coils reduce the cooling ability of the AC, it is advisable to know how an air...

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Things to Do When an Air Conditioner Freezes

September 28, 2017

Having regular maintenance performed on your HVAC system will save you money in the long run. Whenever you notice any signs of frost or ice in your air conditioner, or find that the unit is not performing properly, take immediate action. It is important to nip it in the bud otherwise it may damage the walls, floors and ceilings. If the issue is ignored for too long it may lead to compressor failure. You may have to pay for expensive repairs or buy a new one. Here are some helpful tips on dealing with this type of an issue. Common Reasons Why Air Conditioners Freeze Diminished Airflow – This can happen due to a clogged filter or a broken fan. If the fan runs sluggishly or does not turn on, the unit may freeze because when the fan does not work properly sufficient air does not flow over the coils and they become excessively cold. Obstructed Drain Line – There may be some obstruction in the drain line. Refrigerant Leak – The chemical which runs in the AC coil and changes the pressure and temperature to remove heat is known as the refrigerant. If there is a leak, the pressure...

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4 Ways to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Ability to Cool Things Down

September 21, 2017

Having regular maintenance on your AC is essential for keeping costs low as well as extending the life of your HVAC system. Summertime can be extremely taxing on your air conditioner and your wallet. The best way to make sure that you are minimizing the damage to both is to make sure that you are doing everything possible to make your air conditioning run as efficiently and as smoothly as possible. There are things that you can do to enhance the way that your air conditioner runs that cost very little, but can have a profitable return. Replace Your Thermostat If you have a traditional thermostat, then you aren’t using your HVAC system as efficiently as you should. New smart thermostats are the best way to manage the temperature and conditions inside your home. They have better sensors than traditional thermostats to communicate with your units; they even consult local weather forecasts. It is estimated that upgrading to a smart thermostat can save you as much as ten percent off of your overall energy bill a year. Make Sure Your filters are Clean When your HVAC filters get dirty or clogged, they decrease the flow of air and increase the...

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Answers to Common Questions about an AC System’s Performance

August 28, 2017

Whether you need to repair or replace your air conditioning system, you can count on Scott-Lee Heating Company to be there. Having your AC run effectively is vital for your home, especially during the hot summer months. If you notice that your system is making some strange sounds or there are signs of slow performance, you should get it checked. It could be that the system is getting old and is worn out. Other issues may be easily fixed but still require the service of an experience St. Louis HVAC technician. The following are some common issues that your AC system may be having. What To Do If: The AC is under-performing – There are a number of different reasons for this and the majority of them will require professional attention of some sort. But there are a few things you can check before you give us a call. Make sure that the thermostat settings are right and check that vents are not blocked. Make sure that the outside unit is free of debris. Water is leaking from the unit – To correct this problem you can check the drain system of the AC. See if there is a clog...

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How to Prevent Air Conditioner Failure?

August 3, 2017

The last thing you want is for your air conditioner to fail on a hot summer day in St. Louis. The last thing any homeowner would want on a hot summer day in St. Louis is an air conditioner that does not work. It is important that all HVAC owners understand the reasons for air conditioning unit failure and know the measures that can help prevent it altogether. While a number of issues can crop up and lead to HVAC unit failures, they are all preventable and very easy to put into practice. The most common reasons are irregular or lack of service and maintenance of the HVAC unit, incorrect installation and improper care of the AC unit and its components. To ensure that such issues to not lead to an HVAC unit failure, HVAC owners should put the following into regular practice. Ensure Proper Installation Poor installation of an HVAC unit can cause it to overwork and this lead to failure. Poor installation could include poorly planned installations, for example, placement of HVAC unit, vents and ducts in a way where optimized cooling does not take place and renders the ability of the HVAC to condition the air, ineffective....

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Should I Replace the Furnace and the AC at the Same Time?

July 9, 2017

If one of your systems breaks, it may be time to replace both your air conditioner and furnace. What do you do if either your AC or furnace is broken? You replace the broken one and leave the other one because it’s fine. Right? However, it might make sense to replace both systems at the same time. Here are a few things to consider if you find yourself in this situation. The first step is to ask the advice of your St Louis HVAC technician. Upon inspection, an experienced technician may discern that your system is not actually broken. If they can fix the system then this may give you some extra time to consider your options, or to save up for a replacement that you will eventually need. Replacing Your HVAC System If the technician does suggest that you need a replacement, then it is time to check out the rest of your system, and check to see how it is working. Does it work as well as it should? What are your energy bills like? Do they seem to be too high? You should also think about the age of your system. On average, an AC unit will...

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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 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 water...

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What is Making My Air Conditioner Blow Warm Air? St. Louis AC Repair

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. The following are some of commonly known reasons for warm air blowing out of an air conditioner. Thermostat Setting Most modern HVAC’s have digital programmable thermostat settings and at times, these can get confusing for new HVAC owners to understand. HVAC owners should use and check the instruction manual while using the air conditioner. One should make sure to check if the fan setting is set to ‘ON’. This setting allows the fan to run even when the AC is off, blowing normal air into the vents. When the AC is not on,...

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