When Should I Replace My Furnace?

December 19, 2018

When your furnace stops working properly, it puts you and your family at risk. Most often, repairs are possible. This can be the least expensive option. If your technician recommends replacement, though, you may be unsure what to do. Should you replace your furnace? Our technicians in O’Fallon can help you. Signs It Is Time to Replace Your Furnace As repairs become more difficult, it gets more expensive to continue to put money into an existing furnace to keep it running. Many people do this only to find it would have been less expensive in the long run to replace the existing model. Here are a few key signs you need a replacement. Repairs Are Frequent Repairing your furnace more than once or twice a year is an indication that the system is in need of a significant overall or a replacement. Even if the repairs are different, it could indicate that the system is aging quickly. You may wish to speak to your repair technician about the lifespan remaining on your system. He or she can give you some indication of whether additional repairs are going to be necessary. Current Repair Is Expensive If you are paying $1,000 or...

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Benefits of the “Feel The Love” Program

December 13, 2018

In 2009, an idea was developed by one Lennox sales team as a way to give back to members of their community in need. Originally called “Heat Up” this program has grown to include five Canadian Provinces and 20 states and the District of Columbia in the United States. In 2018, the program was rebranded as “Feel the Love’ and to date has provided much-needed help to 850 families. Benefits of the “Feel The Love” Program The benefits of the “Feel The Love” Program sponsored by Lennox are many. First and foremost it provides a new furnace free of charge to those who would not be able to afford to do this on their own. But beyond that, it brings communities together. Typically, those who are nominated have a history of being actively involved in their community and/or have provided military service. To qualify for help from “Feel The Love” someone in the community needs to nominate you. Deserving families, specifically with home comfort needs are then chosen to be beneficiaries of this program. Lennox Volunteer Members In October, members of local Lennox teams volunteer their time to install the units in people’s homes and give them the heat that...

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Should I Turn My Furnace Off When on Vacation?

November 28, 2018

As winter weather approaches and you gear up to take winter vacations and visit family for the holidays, you may be wondering if you can turn off your O’Fallen home’s furnace while you are away. While turning off your furnace while you are gone for several days may save the most money on your heating costs, you should never completely turn off your furnace during the winter due to the risk of returning home to frozen and burst pipes. Vacation Thermostat Settings for Heat Pumps and Electric Furnaces Home heating thermostats can be set as low as 55 degrees while you are away on vacation. This will keep your home above freezing and help prevent frozen plumbing pipes. However, reheating your home once you return from vacation can eliminate all of your savings due to the high cost of electricity. A better rule of thumb is to decrease your thermostat by three to four degrees prior to leaving for vacation. You’ll save between two and three percent on your home heating costs per degree, and you won’t eliminate your savings when you return home and reheat your home. Vacation Thermostat Settings for Gas and Oil Furnaces Gas and oil don’t...

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What to Expect from a Furnace Replacement

November 18, 2018

If your furnace is constantly in need of repairs and worse still, costing you a lot in the same, then it is time you consider installing a new furnace. Doing so will not only ease your heating bills but you will also enjoy all the benefits that come with a new and working furnace. Here is what should you expect when ordering for a replacement. Logistics As one of the leading heating companies in Missouri, our personnel at Hoff Heating and AC Inc will make the furnace replacement as easy as possible. Expect our staff to arrive at your premises at 8:30 am. You will not need to be around when the work is going on, you can simply go about your errands as we make sure we keep off your way. If you need to leave the premises before we arrive, it is advisable that you leave information on where we can get the key to your premises. If you have a pet, let us know where the pet will be caged. Upholstery and Cleaning Up You will not need to remove your carpets because our staff will have shoe coverings on. We will also make sure we have...

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3 Benefits of Furnaces

November 8, 2018

Despite the emergence of many technological heating systems, furnaces remain to be one of the most popular heating systems. The use of furnaces dates back to before the Industrial Revolution. At that time, they depended on wood and coal. Keep reading to find out more about the benefits of furnaces and why they have remained popular for such a long time. 1. Flexibility A furnace can run on plenty of fuels so you have many options. Even though many furnace users prefer to use natural gas as the fuel, it is possible for a furnace to run on a variety of fuels including propane, oil, and electricity. This means that they can accommodate the needs of many homeowners who may depend on various sources of fuel. Furnaces are available in a variety of sizes to suit the needs of different people. It is possible to find something regardless of your energy needs or the size of your home. 2. Energy-Efficiency Furnaces have evolved to be very energy-efficient. The newer models may score up to 98% on AFUE ratings. This means that they use up to 98% of the fuel to provide you with heat and only two percent goes to...

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What to Look for in a Furnace Installation Company

October 12, 2018

When working with a professional furnace installation company, homeowners achieve value for their investment in the system besides enhanced comfort. It is essential that customers inquire about the services of different companies from friends and family to help settle on the best. Alternatively, customers can establish the quality of services provided by a company by looking at customer reviews on their website. Hoff Heating and A/C Company has over thirty years’ experience in installing furnaces in O’Fallon. Our products and services are centered on the following key customer considerations: 1. Product and Service Guarantee Furnaces can fail to function as required due to poor installation. A quality company inspires customer confidence by providing a guarantee in installation. At Hoff Heating and A/C, we offer a guarantee on all our services from installation, maintenance, furnaces system checks, and ductwork fabrication. We also conduct energy analysis to ensure customers do not incur high bills due to faulty installations. 2. A Company’s Experience Customers should establish how long a furnace installation company has been in business. Companies that have been in the business for long have experienced staff who can help suggest efficient and cost-effective furnace installation methods. Our range of products includes...

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Careers in the HVAC Industry

October 2, 2018

There are numerous careers in the HVAC industry. These range from well-known options such as working as an HVAC technician to obtaining a job in a specialized, eco-friendly HVAC field. Following are some job choices you may want to consider if you are interested in this field. HVAC Technician HVAC Technicians are the ones who handle day to day HVAC maintenance, repair, and replacement jobs. These dedicated individuals may specialize in handling residential work, commercial work or both. They can be found in homes, businesses and on construction sites. The best HVAC technicians are the ones with NATE certification. This certification shows a technician is both experienced and qualified to handle certain jobs. HVAC Engineers HVAC engineers are often in charge of supervising one or more teams of HVAC technicians. These individuals make sure new HVAC systems are properly installed and running well. Alternatively, an HVAC engineer may work at an HVAC manufacturing plant, evaluating new HVAC systems and designs to find ways to improve system efficiency and performance. Solar and Wind Turbine Technicians As solar and wind power continues to grow in popularity, a growing number of HVAC technicians are learning how to work with these forms of energy....

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Will Air Conditioning Remove Humidity?

September 19, 2018

A common question asked by homeowners is whether their air conditioners remove the humidity from the air. The short answer to this question is yes, but there is more involved than just removing humidity. In fact, the main function of your air conditioner is not to remove humidity, it happens as a byproduct of the way the unit works. Air Conditioners and Humidity—What You Need to Know The removal of humidity occurs when your air conditioner operates due to how the air conditioner cools the air in your home. For an air conditioner to work, it needs to remove the heat from the air before it pushes that air into your home. To accomplish this task, the air conditioner uses coolant, an evaporator coil, and a condenser. The Evaporator Coil and Collection Tray When the air moves over the evaporator coil, the expanding coolant inside that coil pulls the heat out of the air that passes over it. The process of pulling out heat also pulls out moisture, which is why there needs to be a collection tray underneath the evaporator coil to collect all the water that results from the cooling process. Periodically, the unit will dispose of the...

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3 Ways to Improve Indoor Air Quality

September 5, 2018

Many people tend to think that poor air quality is something that’s limited to the air outside. However, most people spend more time indoors than out so that’s where improvements to air quality can really make a difference. While taking the following steps to increase the quality of your indoor air range from those you can DIY to the more involved, one thing they all have in common is that you and your family will breathe much better afterward. 1. Don’t Smoke According to a New York City pediatrician and the director of the Children’s Environmental Health Center at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Philip Landrigan, MD, eliminating secondhand cigarette smoke is likely to be the most important component when improving the quality of the air inside your home. Not only does cigarette smoke contain over 4,000 chemicals, but it also increases the chances of the smoker developing cancer, strokes and heart attacks. Children who grow up in a home where people smoke are more likely to develop asthma, ear infections, and respiratory problems. Of course, it’s best if no one smokes in your family at all but at least don’t allow anyone to smoke inside your home. 2. Ventilate...

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3 AC Energy Efficient Tips

August 22, 2018

During the summer months, your energy bills can end up climbing higher than you expected if your air conditioner isn’t as energy efficient as it should be. Making sure that your AC is able to operate at maximum efficiency means that it won’t have to run as often, which helps lower your cooling bills. 1. Change Your Air Filter One of the best ways to ensure that your air conditioner is running more efficiently is to change your air filter. This filter traps dust and debris, preventing it from entering your home through the vents and allowing air to flow freely. When you have a clogged or dirty air filter, your air conditioner is forced to work harder and run more often to cool your home. This results in more energy use, higher energy bills, and more wear and tear on your AC. Replace your air filter with a new one every month or every other month to make sure that your AC unit is able to run efficiently. 2. Raise the Thermostat Setting Raising the setting on your thermostat a few degrees can result in big energy savings throughout summer. When your thermostat is set at a higher temperature,...

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