Who Controls the Thermostat in Your Home? – St. Louis HVAC

May 13, 2016

It is not unusual for a family to argue over the thermostat settings. Not everyone within a household prefers the same room temperature. Families often have disagreements over the heat settings; one person wants to crank up the heat and others want to bring it down a bit. If you are looking for a solution to this problem, our St. Louis HVAC expert has some simple tips for you and your family. Conflict over temperatures generally occur on gender lines as women tend to have slower metabolic rates compared to men, so they feel the cold more. A recent study has also shown that air-conditioned offices are designed for male employees, while women are left to shiver in the middle of summer. Here are some tips for those who find themselves in the middle of the battle over room temperatures. Space Heaters Modern space heaters are relatively efficient and considered safe as long as you follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Space heaters offer an easy solution to allow a family member to increase the temperature of his or her room while others can keep the thermostat at the temperature they desire. Improve Your HVAC System’s Efficiency If your arguments over the furnace revolve around money, consider making some efficiency upgrades to save...

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Your HVAC System Could be a Source of Legionnaire’s Disease

May 6, 2016

A poorly maintained HVAC system may circulate pollutants and microbes into the air, causing severe illness. HVAC systems play a crucial role in keeping your home comfortable. Proper maintenance of an HVAC system is essential to get the best performance and to safeguard the health and well-being of your family. A poorly maintained system may circulate pollutants into the air that can cause allergies and can become a breeding ground for disease-causing microbes. You may be surprised to know that some of these microbes can cause serious illnesses such as Legionnaire’s disease. Legionnaire’s Disease Legionnaire’s disease is a lung disease that is caused by a bacterium known as legionella pneumophila. Legionnaire’s disease has become more common in recent years. The most common symptoms of this lung disease include: muscle pain weakness chills fever mild headaches mental stress A person may also experience some symptoms of pneumonia such as chest pain and shortness of breath. Many of these symptoms mimic other pulmonary illnesses; a doctor is needed to make a correct diagnosis using a urine test. The symptoms may not present themselves immediately. It may take up to two weeks for symptoms to completely develop. Legionnaire’s Disease and HVAC Systems Legionnaire’s disease can be spread by HVAC systems. The bacterium responsible for this illness exists in natural water...

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What Is the Life Expectancy of Your Building’s HVAC?

April 26, 2016

Keep your building’s HVAC system running smoothly with these commercial HVAC tips. As a facility manager, one of your responsibilies is to ensure the HVAC system keeps your facility at an optimum temperature. How can you get the most from your building’s HVAC system and how long can you expect the system to last? Average Life Expectancy of Commercial HVAC System The life of an HVAC system depends on many factors. In general, a commerical HVAC system has an average life expectancy of 15 to 20 years. A central air conditioning unit can last up to 15 years and a heating furnace has a life expectancy of about 20 years, assuming that they have been properly maintained. Several factors that an HVACs functioning depends on include: the model the manufacturer current age maintenance history the size of the facility Regular maintenance is one of the most important factors that can prolong the life of an HVAC system. A system that is regularly serviced will perform better, with fewer breakdowns and repairs. Prolong the HVACs Life 1. Regular maintenance –Lack of maintenance is the number one reason why any HVAC system will die out before its time. Every machine needs regular maintenance. If an HVAC system is not regularly serviced, it must work harder and will be less efficient. 2. Replacement time – Once an HVAC is...

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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...

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St. Louis HVAC Specialists Suggest 5 Solutions for Warmer Floors

April 14, 2016

It can sometimes be difficult to keep your hardwood or tile floors warm. Here are some HVAC solutions for keeping your toes warm! When people consider house heating solutions, they generally consider solutions that heat the air around them. The cold, chilly floors are often neglected. Thermal socks, thick carpets and fuzzy slippers offer only temporary solutions for your loved ones. Try as you might you cannot ensure that your young children and toddlers will keep those socks on. Though your home’s HVAC system can take care of air temperature issues, floors often get left out. For houses that have floors made of wood, stone, or ceramic tiling, the heating system makes very little or no difference. How Can you Keep Your Floors Warm? Keeping the floors warm at times requires simple measures. These are easy steps that can be taken to not only keep floors warm but also ensure the whole house temperature is taken care of. Keep the cold air out – Look at areas in the house where cold drafts enter and keep those shutters shut. Any cracks and holes between walls and baseboards that let air in can be filled up with any sealant. Check if...

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Using Ceiling Fans to Reduce Energy Costs – St. Louis HVAC

March 30, 2016

Are you looking for ways to improve energy efficiency and save on heating and cooling costs? Maintain your home’s HVAC system and you will get the best performance from it. Are you looking for ways to improve energy efficiency and to save on heating and cooling costs? Our St. Louis HVAC expert from Scott-Lee Heating Company will share a simple and low cost way to save you money this year. Ceiling fans are a great way to improve energy savings in a home. A ceiling fan does not use more power than a 100 watt light bulb and can help you save money on utility bills throughout the year. Ceiling fans provide various benefits during both winter and summer. Winter Benefits of Ceiling Fans Running ceiling fans clockwise throughout winter months can reduce heating costs by over 10 percent. Irrespective of what season it is, warm air always rises upwards, towards the ceiling. A ceiling fan running clockwise pushes warm air against the ceiling and down the walls, thereby recirculating warm across the room without creating any cold drafts. Summer Benefits of Ceiling Fans Running a ceiling fan in a counter-clockwise direction in the summer months provides great energy savings. Ceiling fans do not bring down the room temperature, but...

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Keep Your Home Warm Without Spending More Money – St. Louis HVAC

February 22, 2016

Keep your home warm and cozy without increasing your heating costs. Cranking up the furnace is one way to keep your house warm, but it could be costly in terms of energy expenses and environmental impact. We will recommend some simple ways to keep your home warm without increasing your energy bills. Weather Proof the Garage Doors You might be letting in cool air through the garage doors. Weatherstrip and insulate the garage doors and seal all cracks around the windows. Check the Furnace Filter Regularly Change the furnace filter every month during the winter season according to the manufacturer’s instructions. A clean air filter will improve the efficiency of your furnace and keep you warm even during the coldest of winter months. Check the Vents Make sure that your HVAC system’s vents are clean and not clogged with dirt or blocked by furniture. This is important to ensure that warm air circulates freely across the house. Prevent Cold Attic Air From Cooling Your House The attic access cover and staircase may be a source of cold drafts. Weatherstripping is a good way to counter this problem. Ask your St. Louis HVAC contractor for a ready-made insulating attic access cover. Minimize Heat Loss Through Windows Windows are a major source of heat loss. Use weather stripping and caulking to prevent heat...

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Did Your Boiler Just Die a Cold Death? – St. Louis HVAC

February 12, 2016

Do not face discomfort due to issues with your boiler system during the winter months, when you most need heat and hot water. Your family relys on your home’s boiler system to provide heat and hot water, especially during these chilly days. However, many issues with boilers are caused by negligence. Homeowners tend to overlook their boiler systems – until the boiler stops functioning. There are signs to look for that may suggest there is something wrong with your home’s boiler. In order to prevent a breakdown, here is what to look for. Common Boiler Issues The hot water supply in your house is notably lesser than before or is diminishing slowly. You can hear a gurgling, whistling, or banging noise from the boiler system. There are water leakages in the boiler. The pilot light of the boiler has gone out. The boiling system shuts off on its own periodically. There is a loss of pressure in the boiling system. There are problems in the thermostat or the radiator is not generating enough heat. What Causes Boiler Issues? There can be a number of reasons that can cause the aforementioned boiler issues. There is a loss in electrical supply to the boiler. The gas supply reaching the boiler is...

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Energy Saving Tips for a St. Louis Winter – St. Louis HVAC

January 26, 2016

With winter upon us, keep your home heating system in optimal working condition. Enjoy the remainder of the St. Louis winter season from the comfort of your home. There are a number of simple and cost-effective ways to keep your heating bills under control. Draft-Proof Your Home Do not allow the cold air to leak in and the warm air to leak out of your home. Inspect your house for unwanted gaps and vents and seal those gaps. Look for hidden cracks and crevices in the walls, floors, utility pipes, and ceiling. Air leakage makes your indoor atmosphere not only uncomfortable but also unhealthy. Long-term exposure to chilly outside air may cause mold growth inside your house, making the indoor atmosphere unhygienic. Windows can account for 25 percent of heat loss in most houses. Check your doors and windows for any unnecessary gaps and seal them. Replace conventional doors and windows with new, energy-efficient ones. In addition, have your home insulated by professionals. Improve the insulation capability of your existing doors and windows. Storm windows come with a layer of thin metal and help keep the heat inside your home.  A cost-effective way to insulate your windows and doors is by hanging heavy curtains to restrict the entry of cold...

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St. Louis HVAC – Is There a Mold Problem in Your Facility?

December 31, 2015

The HVAC system in commercial buildings provide a suitable environment for mold growth. The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment in a commercial building is more susceptible to mold growth than other equipment. Maintenance and engineering managers can play a major role in preventing mold growth in a commercial building. The Key Problem Areas Molds need water, food, air, and the right temperature to grow. Unfortunately, commercial HVAC systems provide a suitable environment for mold growth. For example, the indoor environment usually provides a variety of food sources, such as cardboard, wooden structures, building furnishings, papers, and fabrics. One way to discourage mold growth is by reducing moisture in the indoor environment. Some managers prefer using chemicals, sprays, and fungicides for mold control. Using fungicides helps to kill mold but does not provide a permanent solution to the problem. Molds residing in the HVAC system may still survive. In most cases, eliminating molds from the HVAC system requires implementing a pre-emptive plan. Maintenance managers need to develop a detailed mold prevention plan and seek professional help when required. Lack of Guidelines There is a lack of standard guidelines on how to prevent or control mold growth in commercial facilities. Most states,...

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