How Long Do Heat Pumps Last?

December 13, 2024

Heat pumps are an increasingly popular HVAC system for homeowners. Much of this is attributed to their ability to provide heating and cooling for all year-round comfort. However, before you invest in any new system for your home, it’s important to understand more about it, such as how long it will last. What Are the Components of a Heat Pump? A heat pump is a specialized type of HVAC system that uses refrigerant to transport heat both indoors and outdoors. In the summertime, a heat pump will transport heat from inside of your home to the outdoors so that you can have a nice cool interior environment. However, when the cold winter season hits, a heat pump will successfully extract heat from the air outdoors and bring it into your home. This provides a nice warm environment for your family for the holiday season. In general, three main components make up a heat pump. There’s going to be an indoor air handler unit that’s responsible for moving air throughout your ducting. In cases of a ductless mini-split heat pump setup, individual mini-split units will move the air throughout the room and into the unit. Inside all indoor air handler units...

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Is My HVAC Air Compressor Damaged?

December 8, 2024

If you’re like most homeowners, you rely on a home cooling system to keep you and your family comfortable throughout the hot summer months. While you likely don’t give it much thought, every one of the components inside of your system must function optimally for cold air to be produced. Unfortunately, one component of your air conditioning system that can experience a problem that will stop your unit in its tracks is its compressor. What Is an AC Compressor? Before we dive into what an AC compressor is, it’s first important to understand how your air conditioning system works. All air conditioning systems have a substance known as refrigerant inside of them. This refrigerant works to absorb heat from the inside of your home and transport it to the outdoors so that it can be dispersed into the air. By removing heat, the remaining cold air gets circulated back throughout your home to keep you and your family comfortable. Refrigerant flows from an indoor air handler unit to an outdoor condenser unit. Once it absorbs heat from the air inside your home, the cold liquid refrigerant turns into a low-pressure warm refrigerant gas. The compressor pump is responsible for moving...

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Common HVAC Issues That Can Be Avoided With Routine Maintenance

November 13, 2024

The function and efficiency of your home’s heating and cooling system depend on how well you maintain it. Routine maintenance can minimize or eliminate numerous HVAC issues. 1. Poor Indoor Air Quality Your home’s air can contain various contaminants, such as pet dander, mold spores, dirt, and dust. They can trigger indoor allergy flare-ups, causing you and others in your home to experience symptoms like coughing, itching eyes, and skin rashes. Regular HVAC tune-ups help lower contaminant levels and improve your indoor air quality. 2. Poor Airflow Debris such as dust and dirt can clog your home’s vents and its intake air return register. These clogs impede airflow, making your home feel stuffy, humid, and uncomfortable. Keeping this part of your HVAC system clean helps improve airflow. It also helps your system run more efficiently, keeping your heating and cooling bills more affordable and your indoor environment more comfortable. 3. Unreliable Thermostat Function The thermostat plays a key role in your HVAC system’s operation. To ensure it performs optimally, you can hire an HVAC technician to inspect and test it regularly. The technician will ensure the thermostat provides you with reliable temperature readings. This service also ensures the thermostat does...

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The Importance of HVAC Zoning

November 4, 2024

If you are a homeowner in O’Fallon, MO or the surrounding area, you may have heard the term “HVAC zoning” before. What exactly does the term mean, though? Also, you might be wondering if it is something that your home could benefit from. Here, we’ll answer these questions for you, and then you should have a solid understanding of exactly what HVAC zoning is. You will also have a good idea of its benefits and a foundation of knowledge to work with in deciding if the upgrade is a good fit for your home. Demystifying HVAC Zoning If you’re wondering what HVAC zoning is, it is actually a pretty simple concept. When you have an HVAC zoning system put into your home, your residence is separated into different “zones,” each with its own individual thermostat. That means that you can, for example, set the living room to a different temperature from the master bedroom (if you have broken up the zones in such a way). With HVAC zoning, you are not relegated to heating and cooling the entirety of your home to one temperature. With HVAC zoning, you get significantly greater control over the temperature throughout your home. You can...

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What Could Potentially Void My HVAC Warranty?

October 9, 2024

An HVAC warranty is coverage from a manufacturer that provides financial and labor assistance for repairs and replacements. Since manufacturers can’t always guarantee that a unit’s parts are working properly, the warranty addresses specific problems that can occur and what coverage is included. The details of warranties can vary from one manufacturer to another, so it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with your O’Fallon, MO home’s HVAC system’s warranty coverage. Things That Can Void Your HVAC Warranty There are certain things you can do that will void your HVAC warranty. 1. Failure to Properly Maintain Your HVAC System Routine maintenance is essential for the proper function of your HVAC unit. An HVAC technician will inspect the unit and ensure the components are working properly. The technician will also clean the unit to improve its efficiency. If your HVAC system malfunctions, you may have to prove that you have kept up with the maintenance of the following components: Boiler Air conditioner Heat pump Furnace 2. DIY Repairs Each brand of HVAC system comes with a set of guidelines for maintenance and repairs. HVAC technicians have the skills and extensive training to repair various types of HVAC systems. Attempting to make...

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Signs of a Good HVAC Company

October 2, 2024

Quality is everything in the HVAC industry. A good HVAC team can help you stay comfortable and save money at the same time. On the other hand, shoddy work can lead to expensive repairs, uncomfortable homes, and even damage to your property. Unfortunately, many people struggle to identify good HVAC companies. After all, it often takes an expert to tell the difference between good and bad work. Fortunately, there are a few telltale signs that you can use to identify reliable HVAC businesses. 1. Licenses and Certifications Professional licenses and certifications exist to help people find reliable workers. Reputable HVAC companies only hire licensed technicians. The best technicians also have optional certifications that prove their skills. When you choose an HVAC company, you should look for a team with NATE certifications. Those certifications prove that the technicians are professionals who can maintain acceptable standards of service and quality. You should also check the company’s credentials. The local Better Business Bureau is the easiest place to start. Most reliable HVAC companies have an A+ rating with the BBB. That rating is not a technical certification, but it is just as important. The Better Business Bureau focuses on integrity. If a company...

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5 Reasons to Replace Your AC With a Heat Pump

September 17, 2024

As a homeowner, you must ensure that your home is comfortable regardless of the season. Over the years, most homeowners have used traditional air conditioning units; however, their preferences have changed with time. Currently, some homeowners are now using heat pumps. Are heat pumps a better alternative to a traditional air conditioning unit? We’ll outline the differences below and explain why a heat pump is preferable to an air conditioning unit. About Heat Pumps Heat pumps use similar technology to an HVAC system to heat and cool your home. The heat pump usually moves cold and hot air from one point to another, depending on whether you want to warm up or cool your house. A Comparison Between a Heat Pump and Air Conditioner In the absence of humidity and heat, you’re bound to experience cooling relief when you’re indoors. The air conditioning unit usually removes the humidity and heat energy from the warm air to ensure the indoors are comfortably cool regardless of the season or weather outside. The air conditioner utilizes fuel to ensure your home or office is cool. The unit moves heat inside the house and passes it through refrigerant coils, which help to get rid...

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How Is Air Purified?

September 10, 2024

Every home has a variety of sources of indoor air pollution that can make the air inside several times more polluted than the air outside. This includes the building materials your home was made with as well as your furniture, cleaning products and cooking appliances. If you live in an urban area where the outdoor air is also fairly polluted, your indoor air quality may be worse due to outdoor pollution getting inside. Virtually all homes could greatly benefit from upgrading their air filtration or installing an air purification system. We’ll look at the importance of having adequate air filtration or purification as well as the differences in how each process works. How Your HVAC Filters the Air in Your Home All HVAC systems have one or more filters that provide at least some level of whole-home air filtration. In a central HVAC system, the air filter is located in the return side of the home’s ductwork, where air gets drawn into the system. Most systems have a single air filter that slides into the return plenum, the large sheet metal compartment that attaches to the furnace and/or air handler. This type of filter is typically referred to as a...

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Is My HVAC Fuse Blown?

August 22, 2024

Your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system requires power to run. Normally, HVAC fuses protect your system from damage due to excessive amperage. Each fuse can only handle a certain amount of amperage. If the electricity level increases too much, the fuse will blow. While this is frustrating for homeowners, the blown fuse is actually a good thing. By blowing, the fuse causes your HVAC system to shut off. The fuse is a fail-safe mechanism that prevents high amperage from damaging your HVAC. Once you notice common signs of a blown fuse, the next step is figuring out the underlying cause. To do this, you should call an HVAC technician to diagnose and repair your HVAC system. With the right repairs, your air conditioner or heater can run properly again. What Are the Most Common Signs of a Blown HVAC Fuse? You’ll quickly notice a blown fuse because your HVAC system suddenly stops running. There are also a few other signs of a fuse-related problem with your HVAC system. Burning Smells One of the first signs of a blown fuse is the smell of something burning. This smell can come from the furnace, air conditioner, or heat pump. If...

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Are Reusable Air Filters Worth It?

August 15, 2024

Air filters are an integral part of your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. By investing in reusable air filters, you can save money on replacement filters and protect the environment. Plus, these filters are an eco-friendly way to protect your HVAC unit from dirt, dust, and other contaminants. What Are Reusable Air Filters? These washable air filters are made from a type of woven polypropylene material. They are designed to be electrostatically charged, allowing them to attract more contaminants. Thanks to their design, they can be washed instead of thrown away. While reusable air filters are generally more expensive upfront, they save you money in the long run because you don’t have to keep buying replacements. However, you can’t simply install a reusable air filter and forget about it. These filters have to be cleaned every month. How Do I Clean a Reusable Filter? Fortunately, it’s relatively easy to keep your air filter clean. Prior to cleaning, you should check out the manufacturer’s guide to see if there are special warnings or precautions for your air filter. To begin cleaning your filter, you must start by turning off your HVAC unit. Then, remove the air filter. Wash the...

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