Air Conditioning Repair St. Louis – Why is My AC Leaking?

March 31, 2017

The hot St. Louis summers put a lot of wear and tear on a home’s air conditioning unit. During the summer months in St. Louis, the use of the air conditioner increases. Most AC owners start using their systems overtime, which results in more wear and tear of the AC. Without proper maintenance and regular checks, the air conditioner loses its efficiency and tends to develop more faults. It is important to always contact a trained and qualified St. Louis HVAC technician for maintenance, however, there are some important things that all AC owners must also be aware of. A leaking AC is a frequent and common complaint that many homeowners have. However, not all AC leaks indicate a problem. It is therefore essential to understand how an air conditioner functions, what are the indicators of an AC problem, and what is considered normal and what is not. Why is the AC Leaking? It is important to understand that even when the system is working fine, you may see some water drainage from the tubes and pipes connected to the system. To understand how the AC may leak, you should understand the basic functioning of the AC. Apart from cooling...

View Article

Read More

Learn How Your HVAC System Works From a St. Louis HVAC Professional

April 15, 2016

Learn about basic HVAC equipment to better understand how your HVAC system works. Are you familiar with the different types of HVAC equipment that make air conditioning and heating possible? Here is some information on basic HVAC equipment and their functions to help you better understand how your HVAC system operates. Coils There are two types of coils – evaporator coils and condenser coils. The condenser coil facilitates heat exchange and condenses hot refrigerant gas. It then releases the refrigerant back into the evaporator coil, turning the air into cold air. The cooled air is then blown through the house’s ductwork. Ductwork Ductwork is normally made of aluminum and is placed within the ceiling. Ductwork is responsible for distributing air to different rooms in the house. Furnace The furnace is the HVAC system’s heat supplier and sends heat to all ducts in the home. There are two types of furnaces – single-stage and two-stage furnaces. A single-stage furnace features an on and off function and a two-stage furnace operates through the thermostat. A two-stage furnace is more efficient because it switches itself off when the desired temperature is reached. Thermostat The thermostat controls the furnace by sensing the temperature and alerting the furnace. A thermostat can be either manual or programmable. Programmable thermostats help save energy...

View Article

Read More

Fixing Common HVAC Problems – St. Louis HVAC

November 27, 2015

A broken HVAC system can be a major source of frustration for a homeowner. Whether your air conditioner suddenly stops working in the middle of summer or your heating pump fails to perform as expected on the coldest day of winter, you need to fix the problem as soon as possible. Air Leaking If you are using an older HVAC system, chances are that a large percentage of the hot or cold air being produced inside the system is leaking through the cracks and crevices in the ducts. As a result, you may need to set the temperature much higher or lower to get the same heating or cooling effects. Replace the old, deteriorating ducts with new ducts made of sturdier materials. Some amount of wear and tear is usual with any duct system, but ducts made of highly durable materials help prevent air leaking problems for years. Air Dumping This is a common problem with HVAC systems installed in rooms with more space both in horizontal and vertical directions. Maybe your heating and cooling system is dumping the hot or cold air in a particular space rather than spreading the air uniformly throughout the room. As a result, you may notice a significant...

View Article

Read More

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...

View Article

Read More

How to Fix a Noisy Air Conditioner

March 30, 2015

An air conditioner makes your living space comfortable; however, if your air conditioner makes too much noise, it becomes a source of irritation. Has your air conditioner always been this loud or has it recently started making a lot of noise? If the noise has started recently, then the problem may be mechanical and you should get the unit inspected to locate the defect or the source of the noise. Using a Soundproofing Blanket Central air conditioners have an outdoor compressor and condenser unit which has moving parts that may become noisy with time. The most effective way to reduce noise for an outdoor unit is to install a soundproofing blanket on the compressor. Compressors generally have an internal cooling system and hence the problem of overheating due to soundproofing may not arise. However, first, check with the unit’s manufacturer regarding any warranty violations due to the use of a soundproofing blanket. Anti-Vibration Pads The noise of an outdoor unit can also be because of excessive vibrations. This can be resolved using anti-vibration pads. These are inexpensive rubber pads that can be installed under the feet of the compressor – they dampen the vibrations and decrease the noise levels. Another option is to install a ‘soft start’ controller...

View Article

Read More

How to Protect Your Air Conditioner’s Performance

September 11, 2014

Keep your air conditioner performing for another summer season with the following tips. Your air conditioning system keeps you cool in hot weather conditions. It is hard to imagine how one can survive even for a few hours without an air conditioner in hot and humid weather. Air conditioners are designed to keep your home cool even on the hottest of summer days. However, there is a limit on the amount of load the air conditioner can handle. The task of an air conditioner becomes extremely difficult when there is an increase in heat gain. What Is Heat Gain? Heat gain refers to the increase in temperature of an area. There are various factors in the environment and inside homes that can cause heat gain. Sun, heat-producing appliances, poor insulation in a home’s floors, ceilings, attic, and walls can cause heat gain. Heat gain causes the air conditioner to work harder to achieve the thermostat settings, and in turn, results in an increase in utility bills. Worse still, it may affect the performance of the air conditioner, resulting in breakdowns and the need for air conditioner repairs. St. Louis HVAC experts share some ways in which you can reduce the heat gain in your home and lower the strain on your air...

View Article

Read More

Common Problems You May Have With Your Air Conditioner

September 12, 2013

What Can Occur From an Air Conditioning Malfunction Summer may be winding down but we still have quite a few hot days ahead of us. When your air conditioning system is not working properly, it can become a big problem. You will undoubtedly want to solve the problem as quickly as possible. Some air conditioning problems are easier to solve than others. Common air conditioning problems include improper operation, insufficient maintenance, or faulty installation. Maintenance For air conditioners to work properly you will need to regularly have your air filters changed and the air conditioner coils checked to make sure they are not dirty. Allowing the coils and filters to become dirty will cause your air conditioner to not function properly and decrease its lifetime. The compressor fans will prematurely fail. Refrigerant Leaks If you are having problems with your refrigerant this could be caused by a number of issues. If the refrigerant is low this either means that the system is leaking or that when it was installed it was undercharged. Refrigerant levels should match the exact specifications of the manufacturer, so leaks should be dealt with immediately. You will need to contact a trained air conditioning repair technician...

View Article

Read More