Can You Tell When It’s Time to Replace Your Air Conditioner or Furnace?

October 23, 2015

Proper installation and regular maintenance can help extend the lifespan of your air conditioner or furnace. However, normal wear and tear is unavoidable. In fact, the average lifespan of a furnace, if properly installed and maintained, could be around 20 years. On the other hand, with proper installation and maintenance, a heat pump can last for around 14 years, and an air conditioner for 16 years, according to a recent study conducted by American Home Comfort. It is also important to consider that manufacturing companies nowadays upgrade their HVAC models at frequent intervals. This means that if your HVAC equipment is more than 10-15 years old, it may be using outdated technology. So it would be a good idea to replace your old air conditioner or furnace when it’s nearing the end of its lifespan. Upgrade from an R-22 System to R-410A If you are currently using old R-22 HVAC equipment, consider upgrading to a new R-410A system. The old ozone-depleting refrigerant not only lacks efficiency, but it has lately been identified as harmful for the environment. Manufacturing companies are gradually switching to R-410A from R-22. The price of R-410A models have come down considerably over the past few years,...

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5 Central Air Conditioning Myths Busted

October 15, 2015

Many homeowners use central air systems, but many of them fail to use these systems efficiently and correctly. There are some common myths associated with central air conditioners, and in this post, we will bust these myths and help you understand the systems better. This will help you get the best performance from your central air conditioning system. Myth 1: Energy-efficient central air conditioners automatically bring down energy bills While it is true that energy-efficient units consume less energy, this is only when they are sized and installed properly and correctly for the home. The system will not automatically reduce the energy bill unless you have the correct unit and ductwork is designed and installed properly. Myth 2: Turning the thermostat farther down or up will heat or cool the home faster When the central air conditioner is on, it will simply remain on until the temperature that is set on the thermostat has been reached. Turning the thermostat much lower or higher will not make it work faster. Myth 3: Fuel based central heating systems are less efficient compared to electric ones It requires a lot of energy in the form of natural gas or coal to make electricity,...

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Install the Right Size Commercial HVAC System to Save Energy

August 12, 2015

The major part of the construction or renovation budget of a commercial building usually goes into installation and maintenance of HVAC system. Purchasing and installing a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system is no small investment. However, a high performance device of the right-size can trim your energy costs remarkably. Buying and Installing a Correct Size HVAC System There is a common misconception that the bigger the system, the more efficient it is. But most commercial heating and cooling devices run at less than half their capacity. This is because most commercial buildings have oversized systems, which is not needed. So, it is important to get the size system required for your building from your contractor. Ideally, a correct-size would be 10 to 15 % bigger than the actual size. This is recommended as a safety measure. There are many factors that are considered to determine the correct size. This will include building’s age, desired use, required ventilation, heat generated in the office space due to lighting system and machinery, and the number of occupants in the facility. If you have plans of extending your building in the future, you should go for a system that can be modified according to the...

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3 Factors That Affect Your Comfort

July 22, 2015

Your home’s HVAC system plays the crucial role of keeping you comfortable inside your home. If you are looking to invest in a new HVAC system, you should not just consider its ability to cool or heat, but also how it affects your overall comfort. There are three key factors to consider in an HVAC system that will help you stay comfortable. 1. Temperature Regulation You need your HVAC system to keep you cool when it is warm outside and warm when it’s cold outside. However, the important point here is to consider how cool or warm you want to keep it. Often, the first instinct of every homeowner is to purchase a system that is the cheapest, even though it may have the lowest efficiency. Such systems tend to have long swings of colder and hotter temperatures. This occurs when the system has achieved the desired temperature and shuts down. You might not notice it, but even when you set the thermostat at 72 degrees, the temperature can go up or down by even 10 degrees through the operating cycle depending on your HVAC system. Choose a system with a higher SEER rating so that the temperature does not vary...

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4 Signs Your Air Conditioner Is in Need of Repair

July 17, 2015

If you notice one or more of the following, waste no time in contacting your local St. Louis air conditioning experts at Scott-Lee Heating Company! Your Missouri home’s air conditioning system is there to provide your family with cool air during the hot days of summer. However, even with timely and frequent tune-ups, your air conditioner may suddenly develop issues. If you notice any of the following, waste no time in calling us before a small, fixable issue turns into a major repair! A Change in the Quality of the Airflow Your home’s central air conditioning system generates cooled air and that is then passed on to the rest of the house using fans and air ducts. When working properly, you will feel cool air blowing out from the vents when you place your hand in front of one. If the air feels warm or amount of air blowing out of the vent has decreased, you might have a problem with the coolant level or one of the blower fans. Unusual Noises or Smells Any sound that is suddenly heard coming from your air conditioning unit is a sign of concern. This could indicate worn out or broken parts. Burning smells...

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Signs Your Ductwork Needs to Be Cleaned

June 30, 2015

Your HVAC system plays a large role in the inside air quality of your St. Louis home. Changing the air filter frequently will help improve indoor air quality, but this is not always enough. When you start to feel that, despite changing your air filter, there is a significant amount of dust circulating through your house, it could mean that you need to have the entire system cleaned. This is not a DIY project; the ductwork in your home can be easily broken if not handled properly. In order to preserve the integrity of your duct system, contact a qualified St. Louis heating and air technician. How Often Should the Duct Work Be Cleaned? How often the ductwork should be cleaned is determined on a case by case basis. There are a number of variables to consider, from the number of pets in the home to if anyone smokes inside of the house. If you have recently discovered water damage in your house, the ducts should be cleaned as soon as the problem has been fixed. The best way to determine how often your ducts should be cleaned is by speaking with a knowledgeable expert at Scott-Lee Heating. Why Is Indoor Air Quality...

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Save Money on Air Conditioning Costs this Summer

June 29, 2015

Is your energy bill increasing this summer because of your air conditioner? If you are not careful, cooling your home this summer may cost you close to half of your household budget. However, there are ways to keep money in your wallet without having to break a big sweat. Shade Your Home with Plants Direct sunlight shining in through your windows is a large contributor to the heat inside of your home. You can cut down on this by planting shrubbery, trees, and plants around your home. This will help in blocking the sunlight from entering your house as well as improve the exterior look of your property. Resist the Urge to Open Your Windows The idea of opening the house to fresh air may seem like a good idea; however, it will increase your cooling costs. The cool air inside will be lost to the outside while the hot outside air will be sucked in. If you must have bursts of fresh air, wait for the evening when it starts to cool off outside and consider turning off the air conditioner while the windows are open. Cook Less Often A lot of heat is generated in your home every time you turn...

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The Best Ways to Optimize the Efficiency of a Commercial HVAC System

June 25, 2015

Would it surprise you know that an average of 30-40% of your electricity bill is being used up by your buildings heating, ventilating and cooling system? That could be startling to a business owner struggling to stay out of the red. Many business owners are wondering how they can reduce that cost without sacrificing a comfortable environment inside of their building. The good news is there are ways, and not only will they save you money, the performance of your HVAC system will be greatly improved! Investments that Result in Savings One of the biggest steps you can take towards cutting your costs will require some investment. Load reduction is when you tighten up a structure to allow the least amount of outside air in, and none of your conditioned or heated air out. Adding insulation is one example of load reduction. For buildings with large, unused space between the top floor and ceiling, it is often a good idea to load as much insulation there as possible. Heat rises, so during the winter, all your comfortable hot air will just make its way out of the roof, taking your profits with it. A major investment, but one that will...

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How to Deal With High Humidity

May 29, 2015

One of the most common problems facing homeowners during the summer, in addition to the heat, is humidity. During the summer, humidity can become so high that residents may start to feel uncomfortable and even sick. High humidity, in the range of 60 percent and above, can have many ill-effects including: Air that feels stale and heavy. An increase in relative temperature, as humid air feels much hotter than dry air, even if the temperature is kept constant. Skin that feels oily and sticky and hair that will not stay put. Serious Complications of High Humidity There can be more serious complications arising out of high humidity levels, such as the growth of harmful mold. A damp and warm environment can act as a breeding ground for dust mites and mold, which can cause health problems such as allergies, asthma, and irritation of the throat, eyes, and nose. High humidity can cause problems for susceptible groups such as children and the elderly, especially those with pre-existing health conditions. How to Lower the Humidity in Your Home To keep problems such as mold and mildew growth at bay, keep the humidity level within the range of 45 to 55 percent. This can be achieved in several ways. First,...

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Choosing the Right Air Conditioning System for Your Home or Business

May 27, 2015

A number of factors will determine the type of air conditioning system that will be recommended for your home or business. These factors include the size and overall temperature of the area requiring air conditioning. All correlated criteria are taken into account before recommending the most appropriate system that can be used inside a particular area or space. Window Air Conditioning Units The most common type of air conditioning unit for single rooms is the window-type air conditioner in which a box contains all the parts of this air conditioning unit (the condenser, evaporator, expansion valve, cooling coil, and compressor). This type of air conditioning unit is installed through an opening on the wall or on the window sill of a room. Split-Type Air Conditioning Unit The split-type air conditioning unit is made up of two components, the indoor component and the outdoor component. The indoor component is made up of the cooling fan and coil or evaporator. The outdoor unit is positioned outside the room and is made up of the condenser, expansion valve, and compressor. It is not necessary to provide an opening on the wall for these types of air conditioning units. Modern split units are creatively-designed...

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