Attic Ventilation Can Affect HVAC Performance – St. Louis Air Conditioning

April 7, 2017

Before the hot St. Louis summer is here, make sure your attic has proper ventilation to reduce your energy costs An HVAC system has to face a host of battles to ensure efficient indoor air conditioning. One such problem that can adversely impact HVAC efficiency is ventilation in attic spaces. This problem is more pronounced in the warm months when an attic heats up due to the trapped heat from the sun. This heat can radiate through the ceiling and lead to uneven cooling. Our St. Louis HVAC technicians explain the issue in detail. Beating the Excess Attic Heat Most homeowners do not feel the need to direct ventilation ducts right up to the attic spaces unless the attic serves as a living space and is converted into an extra room. However, ensuring proper attic ventilation can ensure that unused attic spaces do not trap heat. Stagnant hot air can be replaced with fresh outdoor air by using attic fans. There are two types of attic fans: Rooftop fans: These fans are installed on the top of the attic roof. They work by performing two functions of repelling stagnant air and replacing it with fresh air at the same time....

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How Programmable Thermostats are Energy Efficient and Cost Effective

March 21, 2017

There are a number of programmable thermostats to choose from. At Scott-Lee Heating, we will help you choose the right one for your home. HVAC owners often spend a lot of money monthly ensuring that their HVAC system effectively cools or heats each and every corner of the house. What most people don’t realize is that they end up generating huge utility bills on heating or cooling empty or unused rooms as well. This problem can be easily solved by using programmable thermostats that make it possible to schedule heating and cooling in the house to ensure optimum usage and efficiency. Programmable thermostats, especially the higher-end models, offer more options that can be customized and at the same time, ensure energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Here are some tips on choosing a programmable thermostat for your home. Features of a Programmable Thermostat Programmable thermostats, especially the smart ones have features that offer convenience, cost-effectiveness and energy efficiency. A few important features include: Motion detection – a motion detector in the thermostat regulates temperatures or turns on/off the thermostat by detecting presence of people inside home. Humidity Sensor – Humidity sensors are effective in areas with extreme humidity (high or low) conditions....

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Common Pitfalls to Avoid When Trying to Achieve Energy Efficiency

January 31, 2017

Avoid These Common Pitfalls To Achieve Optimal HVAC Energy-Efficiency Energy efficiency is a topic that has assumed great importance over the past couple of decades. Homeowners are also trying their best to make all sorts of adjustments to make their homes more energy-efficient. However, it often happens that many of their well-meaning efforts at achieving energy efficiency have the opposite effect. Our St. Louis HVAC experts advise homeowners to be wary of these pitfalls, so they can be successful at making their home greener. Here are a few common pitfalls to avoid. Improperly sized HVAC systems Investing in a modern, energy-efficient HVAC system is probably the best way to reduce utility bills and make your home greener. However, this can be achieved only if your HVAC system is of a suitable size. If the system is too large for your home, it will cool and heat the home too quickly and will need to cycle on and off frequently. This will put additional strain on the system and your wallet. If the system is too small, it will run continuously in a struggle to cool or heat the house. So, it is important to consult a St. Louis HVAC technician...

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How Insulating Your Home Can Save You Money

September 8, 2015

Home insulation helps maintain a comfortable indoor temperature and make your home energy efficient. Over time, your HVAC system may lose efficiency. One way to maintain your system’s efficiency is by ensuring that your walls, windows, and other parts of your home are properly insulated. Why Insulate Your Home? Just installing an HVAC system may not be enough. The ultimate goal is to have a system that runs efficiently for years, without you having to spend a large sum of money on frequent repairs. A sure way to take the pressure off your HVAC system is by insulating your home. Insulation helps to create a healthier home environment and maintain a comfortable temperature inside your home, by preventing cool air from escaping outside. Simply put, home insulation makes your heating and cooling system’s job easier, resulting in lower energy bills and a system that lasts longer. Where to Insulate The first step towards insulating your home is to decide where to insulate. Ideally, you need to insulate the areas of your home connected to the outside environment. This can be any vents or pathways through the doors, windows, ceilings, walls, roofs, floors, attic, and ducts. Types of Home Insulation Different...

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Warmth In Your Home For Less

February 4, 2013

The Different Ways to Reduce Your Energy Bill American families are using more energy and spending more money to pay for heating a larger space for fewer people. Don’t let the cold winter temperatures get you down! Even though it feels like it, winter doesn’t have to be all about shivering nights curled up under a blanket. With the proper insulation, you can keep the chill off your back and still enjoy a cozy home. Here’s everything you need to know about reducing your energy bill so that you can stay warm this winter without breaking the bank. Use Your Wall Heater Winter is the perfect time to give your wall heater some extra love, especially if you still have open floor space in your home, like an open basement. It typically runs on electricity, so all you need is enough outlets to keep it powered. Use it to keep yourself warm when you can’t get into your house (like overnight), or use it to heat the water in your garden once you’ve got everything planted. You can also bypass the heating element entirely by using a cool-to-the-touch wall heater. These are little electric heaters that are specifically designed for...

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Minimize Energy Loss in HVAC Duct Work – St. Louis HVAC

December 21, 2012

We are dedicated to providing you with the highest quality and most energy-efficient heating systems. Many duct systems lose a considerable amount of energy due to leakage and poor insulation. It is estimated that leaky ductwork can lose 20-40% of heating energy. This results in higher energy bills, inconsistent heating of the rooms in your home, and poor indoor air quality. However, changes and updates to your heating and cooling air ducts can reduce heat loss in your HVAC system. When duct systems are well-designed and efficient, they distribute air properly and keep air from leaking. However, even ducts that are properly sealed and insulated can still lose some heat. In newer energy-efficient homes, the air duct systems are being placed within the conditioned space of the home. There are many types of supply duct configurations. No matter where they are placed, air ducts need to be well sealed. Duct System Maintenance In some cases, it is just a matter of making sure furniture is not blocking the airflow through the registers. You may also try vacuuming the registers in case dust has built up in them. However, simple maintenance may not be enough. Rooms that lack sufficient airflow may need new air...

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St. Louis HVAC Professional Explains How Heat Pumps Work

November 1, 2012

How Heat Pumps Work Heat pumps use two to three times less energy to produce hot or cool air. The term ‘heat pump’ can be misleading. Do heat pumps only serve one purpose? The answer is no. Heat pumps serve a double purpose in your home or business. Heat pumps have been found to be more energy efficient than the standard air conditioner or furnace. This is because heat pumps do not use fossil fuels to convert heat. When a heat pump is in use during the cold-weather season, it extracts outdoor heat and moves it inside your home. It uses a small amount of energy to move heat from one place to another. Heat pumps provide cool air, like an air conditioner, on warm days. However, during cold days, a heat pump reverses its refrigerant flow to provide warm air. Because a heat pump works in this way, it uses two to three times less energy than it produces in hot or cool air. Heat Pump Installation If you are interested in having a heat pump installed in your home or business, or have any questions regarding heat pumps, call Scott-Lee Heating Company today. Our St. Louis HVAC technician will be happy to...

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