Benefits of an Automated Thermostat

July 20, 2020

The first smart thermostat hit the market in 2007. It was deemed “smart” because the device had the ability to connect to Wi-Fi. Since then, other smart thermostats have hit the market, too. Many of them have achieved success thanks to the backing and research from large tech companies in Silicon Valley. The industry was not sure if the smart device would catch on. There is definitely a segment of the market that adopts all-new technology early. Then, there are those who wait. In O’Fallon, MO, some of your neighbors have adopted the technology for the benefits it offers. If you are interested in one, too, our team at can offer you more information about automated thermostats. If you are on the fence, here are some benefits this technology delivers. 1. A Smart Thermostat is An Automated Thermostat Technology has entered every facet of the standard American’s life. It has done this through software and machine learning. A smart thermostat has the ability to connect to Wi-Fi. This allows it to be programmed by the user. Simply download the corresponding app on your smartphone or tablet. Then, input your preferences. Once you have input your preferred settings, the thermostat is...

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5 Signs That Your AC Is on the Decline

July 10, 2020

A reliable AC is a wonder of the modern world. However, these units don’t last forever. At the end of its lifespan, you’ll inevitably notice some problems. For 2020, let us take a very close look at five signs that your AC is on the decline. 1. Wear and Tear To start things off, visible wear and tear on your AC is never a good thing. If you can see damage to the unit, you know it is on the decline. This could take the form of rust that will slowly corrode the metal. This could be chipped paint that exposes the core of the AC to the rest of your home. While these things might not directly affect the temperature of your home, they will certainly have an impact in the long run. An AC with a weakened exterior will slowly develop cracks and fractures in the rest of the system. Sooner or later, the vents will crack, and you will no longer be able to operate the appliance. Wear and tear can also occur in the interior. When you change the air filter, take a look around. Look for clogs or backups that prevent air from flowing through....

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6 Benefits of Geothermal Systems

June 2, 2020

When it comes to heating and cooling your home, technology has given us many options to choose from. In the opinion of , arguably one of the most unique and intriguing options is a geothermal system. These systems are wonderfully efficient and help to keep your O’Fallon, MO, home comfortable year-round. Since geothermal systems can be quite a significant investment, though, it’s important to understand the benefits you’ll receive before you commit to installing one in your home. To help you understand if a geothermal system is right for you, here are six perks that make a geothermal system worth considering. What Is a Geothermal System? Before we move any further, it’s important to understand just what a geothermal system is. A geothermal system uses a looped pipe that is placed deep in the ground underneath your home. Above ground, a compressor works to move fluid in this pipe down to a depth where the temperature stays at a constant 55 degrees year-round. This constant temperature is important because it is almost always warmer or cooler than 55 degrees above ground. In the summer, when it’s warmer than 55 degrees, your heat pump can remove heat from your home and...

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What Are The World Health Organization Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality?

June 1, 2020

In your home, you want to maintain a healthy and safe environment for your family. However, some everyday pollutants can cause health issues. While you do your best to keep the air clean, you still might need help from a professional company to find the contaminants. For those wanting to maintain a healthy level for their air quality, you can follow some well-established standards. The World Health Organization (WHO) issued its own guidelines to help keep indoor air quality healthy for everyone. Indoor Air Quality Is Important Have you ever walked into a building and started to sneeze or cough? The poor air quality might cause those reactions in the building. Without clean and healthy air, your body will begin to feel the side effects of some pollutants. For those with allergies or asthma, poor air can trigger some irritating symptoms such as a runny nose, sneezing, and watery eyes. These pollutants are much more harmful than a few dust bunnies in the air. In the most extreme cases, the contaminants can cause cancer, heart disease, or lung problems for those exposed to them over a period of time. You don’t have to be living near a manufacturing facility to...

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Causes of AC Failure

May 20, 2020

Most central air conditioning systems last for about 12 years before they have a major breakdown. Since O’Fallon, MO, has a lot of hot and humid weather, however, it’s almost always too soon to experience an AC failure. Knowing about the most common causes behind air conditioner issues allows you to take preventive actions. Here are some of the most common reasons why air conditioning systems fail. Refrigerant Leak Older air conditioning systems use Freon as the chemical refrigerant. Systems made since 2006 usually use R-410-A, an environmentally-friendly refrigerant. A refrigerant leak triggers the air conditioner to have low pressure. The safety switch is triggered by low pressure. If the pressure is too low, the air conditioner will not turn on. A leak of R-410-A could be repaired. The fixtures, hoses, and valves can be checked and replaced by qualified technicians. In the case of a Freon leak, the system should be replaced. Frozen Coil Air conditioners have refrigerant flowing through their coils. The coils are located on the outdoor condenser unit. Those coils need warm air circulating around them, otherwise, they can freeze. A frozen coil stops the flow of refrigerant. When the refrigerant cannot flow into the indoor...

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What Are MERV Air Filter Ratings?

May 1, 2020

In 1968, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers released its first air filter testing standard. Nearly two decades later, ASHRAE created the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, aka MERV. This was an update that the society felt was necessary. The ratings, which range from 1 to 20, are used to determine the quality of any given air filter. MERV measures the filter’s efficiency by its ability to trap airborne pathogens. At in O’Fallon, MO, we help install air filters that meet MERV standards and recommendations. Here are some things you should know about the MERV air filter ratings. What Rating Should I Use? The proper rating for your interior depends on several factors. The higher the rating, the more particles the air filter is expected to trap. If the air filter is going to be used in your home, you do not need the highest-rated air filter. However, you’ll need a filter that’s going to do the best in your HVAC system. While a filter with a high rating is wonderful, it’s not necessary for all situations. In fact, it may not be good for your system. For residential heating, cooling, and ventilation systems, there are filter recommendations....

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How To Light a Pilot Light on a Furnace

February 20, 2020

When your furnace’s pilot light goes out, the bad news is that you won’t have any heat. The good news, in most cases, is that you’ll be able to re-light it on your own. Follow These Steps Each furnace should come with an instruction label that will tell you what to do to light it. If you can’t find or read this label, these general instructions should work. First, look for an On/Off switch for your pilot light, which should be at the bottom of your furnace. Turn the switch to the Off position, and wait for five minutes or longer so that any gas can dissipate. This is an important safety step that will ensure that the gas in the air won’t ignite when you’re holding an open flame. While you’re waiting, find the button that says “Reset,” since you’ll be using this later. After at least five minutes, turn the switch to “Pilot.” Hold down the reset button while bringing the flame from a long lighter or match to the pilot light opening. It should catch immediately, but once the flame does catch, let go of the reset button. Still Won’t Work? If you’re not able to light...

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How Long Should a Furnace Last?

February 10, 2020

In today’s consumer culture, where many items you purchase in O’Fallon are made to be replaced within a short time, you may be concerned about the lifespan of your furnace. After all, a furnace is a significant investment as well as an important part of your family’s comfort, so you don’t want it to simply break down after a few years. Fortunately, a furnace is one consumer item that is built for the long haul. Just how much time, though, can you expect to get out of a furnace? Read on to find out more. Buy Once, Buy Quality Though you’ll be able to get several years out of any furnace you buy, there are different levels of quality depending on how much you spend upfront. That’s not to say that you should purchase the most expensive furnace available, just that’s it’s good to buy a quality furnace once if you can afford to rather than buying a mediocre furnace two or three times. Make sure to do your research before making a purchase and be sure to buy through a reputable O’Fallon, Missouri, dealer such as . Maintenance Is Everything If you want to get every last year out...

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How To Improve Indoor Air Quality Naturally

February 1, 2020

Your home should be a fortress that keeps you safe from harm. Unfortunately, the air inside it can often become so polluted that your home causes you harm instead of protecting you from it. Typically, poor indoor air quality is caused by the closed and sealed nature of a home, which prevents pollutants from leaving and fresh air from entering. Fortunately, there are several natural solutions to the problem of poor indoor air quality. Here are a few that should help spark some ideas of your own. Plants Plants are often appreciated for their ability to purify the air outdoors. Fortunately, these same air-purifying properties also apply to plants that are indoors. Plants absorb carbon dioxide, volatile organic compounds and other common indoor pollutants, releasing fresh oxygen through the process of photosynthesis. Therefore, if you want to purify your home’s air, a thriving garden of indoor plants is a great place to begin. Activated Charcoal Another great way to absorb pollutants and foul odors in your home is to use activated charcoal. Activated charcoal typically comes in cloth pouches of various sizes and is made from the charred remains of bamboo and other plants. Due to the millions of tiny...

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What Can Be Done to Prevent Mold Buildup in My Home?

January 20, 2020

Mold exposure is more common than you may realize. You can find mold in both the inside and outside areas of your home. For those with asthma and allergies, it can cause harmful side effects. Here are several ways to prevent mold from growing throughout your home. Clean and Dry Surfaces to Prevent Mold Some places in your home are breeding grounds for mold, including floors and sinks. When you have a non-porous surface, it is easy to use a disinfectant or other cleaner to prevent mold. For those with soft surfaces, a vapor steam cleaner is another effective way to disinfect the home. As you use this product, you want to make sure that no moisture remains on the surfaces. Mold can start to grow on wet surfaces in only a few hours. Keep Proper Airflow With proper air circulation, you can limit the growth of mold in your home. If you have dark areas or confined spaces, then you should focus on keeping those places ventilated. For those with heating and cooling systems, you need to schedule regular maintenance on the unit. At , our technicians can conduct a complete inspection of your ducts. We can help you...

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