Creative Ways To Hide Your Mini-Split

June 3, 2024

Due to the numerous benefits of mini-split HVAC systems, they are growing in popularity among homeowners. Their ductless design allows them to take up much less space. While interior units come in various aesthetically pleasing designs, some homeowners prefer to keep them out of sight. This piece will explore creative ways to hide your mini-split unit and address specific concerns in the process. How a Mini-Split HVAC System Works The energy efficiency of a ductless mini-split HVAC system is due to the ways in which its design differs from that of a traditional heating and cooling system. A smaller outdoor unit is installed, and refrigerant lines connect this outdoor unit to interior appliances that are installed throughout the house. A home can have a variety of different indoor units depending on room requirements and homeowner preferences. These individual interior blower units are what some people choose to hide. They come in a few different varieties. Wall-Mounted Units These interior blower units are usually mounted high up on a wall near the ceiling. They are commonly installed against exterior walls for easier access when connecting to the outdoor unit. However, they can be installed on interior walls in some cases. Floor-Mounted...

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Is HVAC Filtration Good For Pet Hair/Dander

May 21, 2024

It’s common for homes in O’Fallon, MO, to have pets such as dogs and cats. While these beloved creatures are part of your family, they can irritate allergies. If you’re someone who suffers from allergies because of your furry family members, this doesn’t mean you need to find them a new home. HVAC filtration is one method that you can use to improve your indoor air quality when you have pets. How Does HVAC Filtration Work? When your HVAC system is turned on and is running, air will be drawn in, and then, it will be climate controlled. Then, the air passes through a series of ducts before it circulates through the various rooms in your home. Just before the air passes through the blower, it will move through a filter. There are different filters available along with other air purification equipment that can further improve indoor air quality. Air Purification You’ve probably seen those stand-alone air purification units that can be moved from one room to another. You may even have one in your home already. While they can be relatively useful for removing pet hair and dander from the air in your home, they aren’t necessarily the most...

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Can a Smart Thermostat Save Me Money?

May 13, 2024

Many homeowners want to know whether a smart thermostat can save them money, and the answer is an emphatic yes. In fact, the U.S. EPA estimates that the average American home can save anywhere between 10% and 30%. That estimate reflects annual savings across both the space heating and cooling portions of your utility bills. Let’s explore the features that may help you achieve those savings. Remote Access and Control Both programmable and smart thermostats provide scheduling, but internet connectivity is what sets the smart thermostat apart. Most brands offer an app that you can download to and use on your smartphone and other devices. This lets you check your thermostat and adjust it no matter where you are as long as you have cellular access. It’s a powerful tool. It ensures you’ll never lose money because you left on a business trip and forgot to set the temperature down. Automatic Setback at Night Much of the energy that the average household without a smart thermostat wastes occurs at night. Just think of all the money you spend on air conditioning and heating that you really don’t need. The EPA estimates that you can hit the 10% savings mark by...

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What Does Dual Fuel Furnace Mean?

April 20, 2024

While there are many ways to heat your O’Fallon, MO home, few offer the efficiency and flexibility of a dual-fuel furnace. Also known as hybrid heating systems, dual-fuel furnaces combine natural gas furnaces and electric heat pumps. As needed, they seamlessly toggle between the two to maintain comfortable indoor conditions with minimal input. Whether you’re interested in lowering your carbon footprint or your home energy bill, opting for a dual-fuel furnace is an excellent way to reach your goal. The Benefits and Drawbacks of Natural Gas Heating Natural gas furnaces are the top choice for winter heating in regions like O’Fallon where outside temperatures regularly dip and remain below freezing. Natural gas is clean burning and available at a reasonable cost. Gas furnaces produce heat with temperatures as high as 140 degrees Fahrenheit. This allows for rapid heating and also ensures that the cold air seeping through cracks and gaps in building materials or the heat that escapes when residents enter or exit the building doesn’t completely diminish the heat gains. Unfortunately, despite these and other attributes, natural gas furnaces have come under fire in recent years due to their greenhouse gas emissions. All fuel-burning appliances produce carbon monoxide (CO)...

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What Are The Controls On My Mini Split Remote?

April 4, 2024

Updated March 23, 2026 What is the most important button on a mini-split remote? The ‘Mode’ button is critical because it dictates whether your system cools, heats, or dehumidifies. If your AC is blowing warm air, check that it isn’t accidentally set to ‘Fan’ or ‘Dry’ mode. Modern mini-split remotes have become quite sophisticated. They typically have digital displays, provide Wi-Fi access and offer you a wide array of features. All those useful features often result in a cascade of controls that can be a bit overwhelming at first. In order to demystify these options, let’s explore the most essential of those mini-split remote controls. 1. Power Most mini-splits have a power button similar to a TV remote. The button has a broken circle with a ‘1’ through the center. Many users believe this indicates that the button toggles between on and off. It actually indicates toggling between on and standby. Some mini-split remotes allow you to hold the power button for several seconds to put the mini-split in a true off mode. 2. Mode The mode select button allows you to cycle between your mini-split’s operating modes. The most common modes available are auto, cool, heat, dry and fan....

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Do I Have Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?

March 26, 2024

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless and odorless gas that is a by-product of incomplete combustion of carbon-containing materials. It originates from such sources as gas-fired appliances, wood stoves, and blocked chimneys. Its unnoticeable characteristics are risky, making the comprehension of its sources and indoor air quality relevant. HVAC services are helpful in CO detection and elimination. Regular inspections and maintenance guarantee that heating systems and appliances work well, reducing CO accumulation risk. We also recommend carbon monoxide detectors, which are an important safety measure against this invisible danger. What Is Carbon Monoxide Poisoning? Carbon monoxide poisoning is a serious problem caused by breathing CO gas. This poisonous gas binds with the hemoglobin in the blood, forming carboxyhemoglobin and reducing the amount of oxygen delivered to the body’s organs and tissues. With an increased CO in the blood, oxygen transport decreases, resulting in tissue damage and possibly fatal consequences. The cunning nature of CO poisoning is its silent progress that someone may initially miss until symptoms escalate. CO emissions mainly come from malfunctioning or incorrectly used fuel-burning appliances like furnaces, water heaters, and room heaters. Other common sources are blocked chimneys, exhausts from attached garages, and gasoline generators working too...

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Are HVAC UV Lights Safe?

March 6, 2024

Updated March 24, 2026 Yes, HVAC UV lights are completely safe for your family and pets when professionally installed. Because they are contained within your metal ductwork or air handler, there is zero direct exposure to your living space. They work silently to neutralize 99.9% of airborne viruses and mold without any moving parts or noise. Indoor air quality has become a crucial concern for many homeowners. Many have resorted to using ultraviolet (UV) light together with their HVAC systems to ensure their air is clean. However, as this technology becomes accepted, there are also health risks due to improper installation and maintenance of UV lights. The question that everyone is asking is, are HVAC UV lights safe? UV lights can be used for air disinfection; nevertheless, the right usage and safety measures are necessary. Read on to find out more. Different Types of UV Lights Coil Sanitizing Lights: These stay on 24/7 and point directly at the AC indoor coil to prevent “Dirty Sock Syndrome” (mold/smell). Air Sanitizing Lights: These are installed in the return air duct to kill germs as they fly past in the airstream. UV Lights in HVAC Systems UV light has been used in applications...

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Can Dehumidifiers Help With Mold?

February 9, 2024

is committed to making families more comfortable with reliable whole-home dehumidifiers in O’Fallon, MO. As the name suggests, a dehumidifier is a device that reduces or controls humidity in a certain area, home, or space. Missouri is a beautiful state but is known for being humid, with average levels at 82.25%, making it the 13th most humid state in the US. Having a whole-home dehumidifier is one of the best ways to beat the heat while also making sure you and your family breathe clean air. Worry no more about mold and mildew growth with a quality humidifier that you can lean on when you often deal with comfort and allergy issues, as well as damp, musty odors and visible signs of moisture in your house. The Mold and Humidity Link There are many reasons why you do not want mold in your home. The spores are unpleasant to look at, and they stink. Not only that, but they also cause a variety of health problems. If you have breathing problems or allergies, mold is not your friend. If left untreated, it can cause destruction, such as wood rotting and warping. Thankfully, there are a few practical and easy ways...

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Is Indoor Air Quality Better Than Outdoor Air Quality?

February 5, 2024

Your overall health and well-being depend on the quality of the air that you breathe as well as your comfort in your O’Fallon home. Is indoor air quality better than the quality of the air outside? This is a common question and to answer it, you need to examine what influences air quality, pollutant types and how to improve air quality. Exploring Indoor Air Quality Maintaining quality indoor air in your home is essential for all occupants. There are several factors that affect the air inside. Make sure that you have sufficient ventilation. This allows fresh air to flow into your space while pushing indoor air pollutants out. Dry air can cause respiratory discomfort and dry skin while high humidity can lead to mold growth. Indoor air quality is reliant on balanced humidity levels. Ideally, you want the humidity levels in your home to be between 20 and 60%. The common airborne contaminants include dust, mold spores, particulate matter, pet dander and pollen. There are also volatile organic compounds that certain paints, cleaning products and air fresheners can release. Occupant activities, such as smoking, appliance use and cooking, can release some pollutants into the air. Exploring Outdoor Air Quality There...

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Missouri Homeowner’s Guide to Dry Indoor Air

January 10, 2024

Proper indoor air quality has a major influence on people’s health and happiness. But breathing in dry air can cause a host of problems. These problems range from irritated respiratory tracts to warped wood furniture. To have a healthy home, it’s important to know what produces dry indoor air and how it affects people. Let’s take a look at the top causes of dry air. We’ll also cover how it affects you and your house and nine practical remedies. Causes of Dry Indoor Air A number of things may cause dry air to build up in a house, which can be very uncomfortable and even dangerous. The use of heating systems, particularly in the winter, is a common cause of low humidity. Seasonal changes, especially in colder regions, have the potential to make dryness even worse. Factors that lead to low humidity include overheating living environments and the usage of certain equipment. Another factor is the absence of moisture sources, such as houseplants or clothes dried in the air. A lack of natural ventilation, airtight housing, and environmental variables like low relative humidity also play a role. For a healthier and more pleasant interior climate, it is essential to identify...

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