Choosing the Best Heating System for Your Home

March 1, 2019

Whether you’re in the process of building a new home or you’re replacing an existing heating system and looking to explore your options, this type of project is a major investment. To take some of the confusion out of the process of choosing the best heating system for your home, let’s look at the three of the most common options for heating installations — furnaces, heat pumps and boilers — and some other factors that you’ll want to consider. Furnaces A common heating system used by homeowners in O’Fallon, MO, and the surrounding area is a furnace. This particular heating system works by delivering forced hot air throughout your house via ductwork and vents. Gas, oil, and electricity are the three main fuels a furnace could use. Annual fuel use efficiency percentage (AFUE) for a furnace is determined by the type of fuel it employs and how efficient the particular model is. The higher this rating, the greater your long-term savings potential will be. Heat Pumps and Boilers Heat pumps work by using outside air to heat your home during the winter months. If indoor air quality is a big concern for you because of allergies and other health issues,...

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Furnace Repair Warning Signs

February 21, 2019

It’s late at night. You wake up to a quiet house that’s steadily getting colder. The furnace has stopped working, and now you need to make an emergency repair call. However, your furnace may have been giving you the message that it needed a repair for some time. This article will describe some common signs that a furnace repair may be coming soon. Unusual Noises Every homeowner knows that the heating system makes some amount of noise. The normal sounds tend to fade into the background. If you hear other, unusual sounds, your furnace may be telling you something. Call a professional if you hear: Rattling sounds: It could just be a loose screw or it could be something more important. Scraping sounds: The sounds of metal on metal may indicate parts that have come out of alignment. Whining sounds: A loose motor belt will squeal at a high pitch. Booming sounds: If your furnace fires up with a bang, it may mean that the timing of the burner is off. Strange Smells There is often a slight burnt smell when the heater turns on for the first time of the season. Most other smells coming from your furnace indicate...

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The Benefits of Regular Heating Maintenance

February 12, 2019

You probably would never drive your car around for an entire year without having any maintenance tune-ups. The same should go for your home’s furnace or heat pump. It also needs yearly maintenance to make sure it’s running properly and ready when you need it. Consider these benefits that heating maintenance can provide. Improved Efficiency Regular heating maintenance helps ensure that your heater will continue to run at its optimal performance. An important part of maintenance is making sure dust and debris are regularly cleaned out of your heating equipment. It is not enough to just change or clean your system’s air filter monthly because dust can still accumulate and interfere with your heater’s performance. Prevents Major Breakdowns Yearly maintenance can alert you to small problems before they grow into big and expensive repairs. Our service technician will inspect all moving parts and make needed adjustments and recommend parts replacements as needed. This helps cut down on breakdowns when you need your heat the most. Keeps Your Family Safe Yearly furnace or heat pump maintenance includes an inspection of wires and other electrical connections in your heater for any fraying or scorching that could indicate a fire hazard. The technician...

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What to Look for in Your Heating Repair Company

February 2, 2019

Shopping around for a new heating repair company because you are new to the area or just need a fresh start? There are a handful of characteristics you should look out for to spot the top companies. Experience and Local Presence Choose a company with experience. was established in 1983 and has been providing heating repair services to O’Fallon residents for more than 35 years. It’s not just that we’re established, but we’re also experienced in the community. You know our company will be here for you. Licensing and Certification Your heating repair company should be fully licensed as required by the state and your local jurisdiction. Insurance and bonding are important as well, and a company should be proud of its certificates, such as certifications from North American Technician Excellence (NATE). Also, be on the lookout for a good Better Business Bureau rating. Customer Service Approach How does a company make you feel when you deal with them? A company that is truly committed to customer service will always be professional and respectful. The technicians will go above and beyond to ensure that you’re satisfied with the customer experience. Makes and Models Serviced Many heating repair companies are factory-authorized,...

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Checking for Air Leaks in the Home

January 28, 2019

Air leaks are responsible for a large percentage of energy loss in a home. It is estimated that almost half of your energy bill goes to the heat that is lost through these leaks. Sometimes, they may be huge and easy to notice. However, there are those that are very small and can only be found using special techniques. Before calling a contractor to seal the leaks, you can detect them on your own. Try the following methods: Using an Air Leak Detector Air leak detectors are gadgets that are used to identify where the air is entering or leaving your house. These devices run on electronic sensors that detect air movement. They can be particularly effective at identifying small leaks that are not easy to detect using other methods. Using a Candle to Detect Air Leaks Candles can be used to detect smaller leaks that your hand cannot. They are effective because they will detect the smallest entry of air. With a lit candle, you should gently place it close to the areas that could have leaks. If no air is coming through, the flame will remain steady. However, if you place it at a certain position and the...

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How to Choose the Right HVAC Contractor

January 18, 2019

An HVAC contractor plays a major role in determining how your heating system functions. This is the company you’ll rely on to fix your mechanical problems and install everything from important parts to an entire system. In addition, you’ll count on this resource for expert advice and routine maintenance. Considering the importance of this choice to your comfort and well-being, you’ll want to enlist a conscientious HVAC contractor, and you shouldn’t hire one without asking a few questions. Even though there may be many companies in your area, you should take some time to find the one that fits the bill. Experience With Different Heating Systems Different types of heating systems require different installation and maintenance practices. Therefore, the contractor you select should be versatile and capable of working on a variety of equipment. When technicians only know about one type of system, chances are they won’t properly understand something different. At , our personnel is trained to deal with all makes and models. Certification and Accreditation A heating contractor that is accredited and certified can be trusted to behave competently and professionally. Various organizations offer accreditation, and they require compliance and testing prior to granting it. Before you commit,...

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How to Tell If You Need Furnace Repair

January 8, 2019

is a premier heating company in O’Fallon, and our technicians know that a well-maintained heating system can last for decades. However, there are those times when the system simply needs to be fixed, and that’s usually beyond the ability of the owner. How do you know when the time has arrived? The Furnace Simply Won’t Run If your furnace won’t come on even after the thermostat is reset and the circuit breaker is checked, you’ll probably require technical assistance. Sometimes, a furnace won’t respond because its motor is overheated. If you wait for several minutes, try to turn on the furnace again and it still won’t operate, it’s time to call in our team. You shouldn’t try to restart an oil furnace after the third try. Oil can build up in the combustion chamber and cause a flash. Energy Bills Keep Going Up As a furnace gets older, it gradually becomes less efficient. You can see this when you receive your monthly bill and the operating expenses keep going up even though you’re not using any more energy than usual. The Unit Keeps Cycling On and Off When a furnace keeps cycling on and off even after the filter and...

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What is Geothermal Heating?

December 27, 2018

Are you looking for a way to decrease your heating bills this winter? Hoff Heating & AC is proud to offer the greater O’Fallon, MO area with full-service geothermal heating equipment and services. Now is the perfect time to learn more about this cost-effective option that is also great for the environment! How Can Geothermal Heating Help to Improve Your Home? This heating technique harnesses the warmth of the sun and will immediately decrease your heating bills by 30% to 60% while decreasing the impact that you and your family have on the environment. Simply put, a geothermal system taps into the warm underground temperatures that remain close to a constant 50 degrees Fahrenheit all year long. If you dig about six feet underground you will find a nearly constant ambient temperature. A geothermal system takes advantage of these warm temperature levels by distributing a water-based solution through a closed-loop system that can provide the air and water heating in your home. Additionally, this process is also able to tackle cooling your home with the same device! Easy Maintenance and Upkeep These systems are easy to maintain and are incredibly effective once installation is complete. The closed-loop system will be...

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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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