Should You Hire an HVAC Technician for Maintenance or Do it Yourself?

February 19, 2018

Sometimes when you try to save money, you end up spending a whole lot more. There are some things that you can do around your home yourself – but just because you can doesn’t mean you should. If you are wondering whether you should have a professional HVAC technician perform maintenance or work on it your self, in most instances the answer is “hire a professional.” The longevity of your HVAC appliances is directly related to how well you protect them and notice any early signs of trouble before they can become more serious. So, although it is possible for you to do a quick check of your furnace and air conditioner, it is well worth the maintenance cost to have someone else monitor them. Why is Regular Maintenance a Good Idea? There is nothing more frustrating than a late-night or emergency repair call for your HVAC system. The best way to make sure that everything is running in tip-top shape is to have a professional inspect and maintain it to ensure that it is working as it should. Just because you might know the general maintenance routine, that does not mean that you know how to spot if something is...

View Article

Read More

Tired of Winter Heating Costs? There’s Still Time To Catch Up

February 11, 2018

Try these tips to prevent damage, to lower your energy bills, and to improve the air quality of your home. Even though winter is nearly over, there is still time to save a significant amount on energy costs by winterizing your home. As the cold weather continues, it is important for you to keep your heat pump or furnace in peak condition. Since you are putting your furnace under some wear and tear, maintaining it appropriately is essential to extending its life and to help keep costs low. If you left your air conditioner naked, make sure to cover it up to protect it from ice and snow. An inexpensive air conditioner cover is all you need to keep it running tip-top for the first hot spring day. Doors and Windows One of the biggest places that you are losing heat is probably in the leaks and cracks around your doors and windows. A great do-it-yourself fix can cut your energy costs significantly. Using weather stripping or caulk are both great ways to keep the cold air out and the warm air in. Whether you use silicone or latex caulk, you can make sure to stop cold drafts and put...

View Article

Read More

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...

View Article

Read More

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...

View Article

Read More

St. Louis Maintenance for your Furnace: Are Your Filters Dirty?

December 19, 2016

Scott-Lee Heating Company offers Precision Maintenance Agreements for customers who want to keep their systems running at peak performance. Winter is at its peak now, and most of us are paying more attention to our heating systems than we have done in many months. With the weather continuing to grow colder, the last thing we want is a heating system that does not work as efficiently as it should. Among the many things that you should be monitoring closely is your furnace filter. Have you checked to see how is it doing? If you haven’t, you may want to check it now. Our St. Louis HVAC technicians come across too many dirty furnace filters, and the homeowners are always left wondering what has caused their filters to become so dirty. There are various reasons why this could happen: Furnace Fan is Set to “On” If your furnace filter is dirty, take a look at your thermostat and check the fan setting. It should be set to “auto”, however, if it is set to “on” the furnace fan should will run constantly, and expose the filter to contaminants throughout the day. This means, the furnace filter will get much dirtier than...

View Article

Read More

Preparing for Winter – HVAC Tips for Furnace Maintenance

September 5, 2016

As St. Louis homeowners prepare for the next season, cleaning, gardening, and repairs will fill the weekends. A home maintenance task that should never take a backseat is furnace maintenance. Regularly scheduled maintenance ensures that your furnace is up and running when you need it this winter. Seasonal maintenance usually involves a general inspection and cleaning of the system to ensure that there is no dust or debris accumulation and that there are no needed repairs. Change the Filters The importance of regular filter maintenance cannot be overemphasized. Whether you have a gas furnace or an electric furnace, replace the filters. Make sure the filters that you buy are the right size for your furnace. In addition, check the air ducts. If they have not been cleaned in the last 5 years, this is the time to do it. Check the Furnace Blower Belt Inspect the fan belt on the blower for any fraying or cracks. Check if the belt has become too loose. If the belt has become loose, consider replacing it. Clean Dust from Furnace Area Dust and debris tends to accumulate around the furnace and if it is left there for a long time it can cause damage. Vacuum the area under the furnace and clean the crevices. Inspect the Safety...

View Article

Read More

5 Tips to Choosing the Right Furnace

January 22, 2015

5 Things to Consider When Choosing a Furnace Is it time to replace the furnace? Make the right decision and invest wisely. Call Scott-Lee Heating to discuss all your heating and cooling needs! Your furnace has a lifespan of between 15 and 20 years. When your furnace approaches the end of its life, it can become inefficient and costly to run. A furnace is a significant investment, but it is often a better choice in the long run. Before replacing your current system, consider the following tips to find a furnace suitable for your home. 1. Choosing the Type of System Forced-air furnaces are the most recognizable type of heating system in American households. A packaged HVAC system will often include a gas furnace. The outdoor unit houses the evaporator, condenser, and blower in one enclosure. In packaged systems, a series of tubes called “air ducts” distribute warm air into different rooms in the house. Even though most components are in the outdoor housing, it is controlled mainly from the indoor unit. Packages systems are suitable for homes without the necessary indoor space for a large cabinet. The other type is a split system, which has an indoor and an...

View Article

Read More

Do Not Ignore The Noises Coming From Your Furnace

December 6, 2013

With cold weather already upon us, now is not the time to close your ears and hope that the furnace quiets down. We all grow accustomed to the everyday sounds in our house, and tend to tune them out. If you hear something new coming from your furnace, it is a good idea to have an HVAC technician make a house call to investigate. You do not want to wait until it actually breaks down, especially now, when the weather is so cold. The Sounds of A Noisy Furnace Ignoring a noisy furnace can lead to costly repairs or even a need for a replacement. In some cases it may even be dangerous.  It is imperative that you call an HVAC technician if you notice an unusual noise coming from your furnace. Certain sounds are indicative of a furnace in dire need of cleaning. A dirty furnace can catch on fire and destroy your home. A certain amount of popping or rattling can be expected in your ductwork. The ducts are made of metal, and as it heats and cools it will expand and contract to cause some popping. Rattling is more serious and could indicate that a duct has...

View Article

Read More