How to Save on Air Conditioning Costs This Summer

March 14, 2018

It’s almost time to turn off the heat and start thinking about keeping your home cool this summer. As the cold weather starts to warm up a little, residents in some regions of the country are beginning to feel a decrease in monthly heating costs. However, experienced homeowners know that there is usually a trade-off between energy costs. When the heating costs go down, the cooling costs start to increase. If you are looking for a way to minimize your air-conditioning bill this spring and summer, these are some great ways to conserve both your finances and your energy efficiency. There is a fine line to balance in reducing your energy costs. You want to be comfortable and not turn things down so low that you end up being miserable. The good news is that you don’t have to sacrifice your comfort to save on your air-conditioning bill. If Your Air-Conditioning Unit Is from Before 1990, Consider Replacing It If you have an air-conditioning unit that is older, you might be reluctant to spend the initial money to replace it – but you will definitely make up for it quickly. New energy-efficient air-conditioning units are up to 50% more efficient...

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Pros and Cons of Portable Air-Conditioning Units

February 5, 2018

Pros and Cons of Portable Air-Conditioning Units If you are considering using a portable air-conditioning unit, there are both pros and cons. Summer might seem like a long way away, but it will be here before you know it. If your air conditioner was on its way out last year, don’t wait for the first hot spring day to run out and make a hasty decision about what to put in your home. If you are considering using a portable air-conditioning unit, there are both pros and cons. Whether it is right for you depends on if you find more “pros” than “cons” in the comparison. What are Your Options? There are times when central air simply is out of the question and you need to find an alternative. There are various versions of portable air conditioners, or mini split air conditioners, to use, and they can be an excellent option for places like condos or other dwellings that prohibit the use of window units. Portable air conditioners can be moved from room to room and are typically much smaller. A great choice to cool small spaces, you can choose from either the refrigerative type or the evaporative type, depending...

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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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Constant AC Running: Causes and Solutions

April 28, 2017

My air conditioner is running constantly– what’s the problem? Your air conditioner can be expensive to run, but it’s a necessity in the hot summer months. While it is a necessary expense, if your air conditioner is running constantly, something may be wrong. Our St. Louis HVAC technicians explain the reasons your air conditioner might be running constantly. Why your air conditioning is running constantly Here are some common reasons why your air conditioner may be running nonstop: Your air conditioning unit is too small If your unit is too small to sufficiently cool your home, it will need to run all the time to achieve the desired temperature. This means that the lifespan of your unit will be reduced as it is in use more than it really should be. Your air conditioning unit is too big If the unit is too large, the moisture will not be removed from the air. This results in short run times and uses a lot of electricity. Your ducts are the wrong size It’s important to have the right size ducts for the size of your unit. If the size is incorrect, your unit will likely not work as efficiently as it...

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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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Basic Rules of Air Conditioner Maintenance – St. Louis HVAC

June 13, 2016

Keep your air conditioner working to keep you cool through another hot and humid St. Louis summer. A home’s air conditioner works hard through the summer months of St. Louis. Your air conditioner plays a key part in keeping your home comfortable by regulating the temperature and humidity. Regular HVAC maintenance will keep your air conditioner working properly. If you fail to keep up with regular maintenance, the result will be decreased performance and increased costs. Summer HVAC Maintenance Now is the time to call for your regular HVAC summer maintenance. Most air conditioner problems can be addressed during a maintenance check. You may make any mechanical issues worse by trying to fix it yourself. Replace the Air Filters Regularly clean or replace the air filters. Normal airflow is blocked by dirty, dusty filters and the accumulated dust will affect the evaporator coils, causing serious issues. By replacing the air filters every two months, your HVAC system’s performance will improve. Dirty air filters can increase energy consumption by as much as 15 percent. Inspect the Evaporator Coils Coils fins are made out of aluminum and become bent over time. Bent coils will block the airflow and decrease the system’s efficiency. Fix or replace them...

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St. Louis HVAC – How to Maintain Ductless Mini-Split HVAC

February 4, 2016

Homeowners are using ductless mini-split air conditioners as a cost-effective alternative to central air conditioners. If you are one of them, you may want to learn some tips on how to maintain or troubleshoot your mini split air conditioner on your own. Regular maintenance and timely repairs help extend the lifespan of air conditioners. Installation of Mini-Split Air Conditioners Ductless mini-split air conditioners come with three components – an outdoor unit, an indoor unit, and a remote. The outdoor unit contains a compressor, while the indoor unit consists of an air handler. Unlike a central air conditioning system, a mini-split air conditioning system does not require extensive reconstruction for installation. The indoor and outdoor units are installed and connected with pipes and wires. A small hole is drilled in the wall to pass the pipes and wires through. Regular HVAC Cleaning and Maintenance If properly cleaned and maintained, a mini-split air conditioner can last for 12 to 15 years. Regular cleaning is perhaps the most important maintenance task. Remove and clean the filters regularly with soap and water. If a filter is damaged, replace it as soon as possible. Use your garden hose for cleaning the compressor. Make sure that you unplug the system before cleaning it....

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How to Maintain Mini Split Air Conditioners

October 28, 2015

Ductless mini-split air conditioning systems are popular for their portable design, high efficiency, and cooling capacity. If you are planning to install a ductless mini-split air conditioner in your home or office, it would be a good idea to learn some maintenance tips. Mini-split systems are efficient and effective in cooling rooms of almost every size. Let’s take a look at some common problems with ductless mini-split air conditioners and how to prevent these problems. Ductless Mini Split Air Conditioner There are three components in a ductless mini-split air conditioner – the compressor, the air handler, and a remote. The compressor unit is located outdoors, while the air handler is located inside a room. It is easy to install this type of air conditioner, as in most cases installation can be done without rebuilding or remodeling your existing building. The indoor unit is connected to the outdoor unit through pipes and wires passing through a hole in the wall or ceiling. Another benefit of using a ductless mini-split air conditioner is that you can install them almost anywhere in your home. Common Installation Problems Many ductless mini-split air conditioners come with an installation kit. Before you decide to self-install, check whether there is any...

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