Are Regular Heating and Cooling Inspections Necessary?

Why is it important to have regular maintenance on my home comfort equipment?

Just as annual doctors visits are necessary for preventative health measures, the same applies to keeping the home’s heating and cooling system operating at peak performance. Many a comfort system breakdown could be avoided with the proper maintenance. When heating system functions properly, the comfort contraptions are innately more energy efficient.

Aside from purchasing a heating and cooling system backed by an enduring warranty ( in example), regular inspections, maintenance and minimal fixes reduce the chance of compromising the comfort system’s performance.

In terms of maintaining the home’s safety, a heating and cooling contractor ensures that your equipment is not releasing an invisible toxin, carbon monoxide. Water heaters, stoves, space heaters, furnaces, the clothes dryer, and other combustion appliances are potential sources for carbon monoxide. When pressure builds up, carbon monoxide can find its way in the home. As a result, it’s a key safety issue to have a technician inspect your combustion appliances and heating and cooling system to prevent dangerous operational hazards.

Regardless of the quality of the heating pump, furnace and other components, regular maintenance is necessary to prevent malfunctions. Leaks, blockages and particle buildup are a few of impediments which can cause a heating and cooling system to under-perform, contributing to utility bill spikes, poor air circulation, and inhalation discomfort.

• Annual heating and cooling inspections ultimately extend the life of the comfort system
  
• Reduces the chances of requiring an entire system replacement
  
• Warms the home at a livable temperature while maintaining peak performance
  
• Functions efficiently reducing the energy budget
  
• A regular schedule of maintenance assure that your system is covered under the warranty

Contact Hoffmann Brothers Heating and Cooling to ensure that your system is operating safe at peak performance.

Hot Water Savings Tips

In the home, water heating accounts for the third highest expense. For most homes, the water bill ranges for almost 15 percent of the utility bill. St. Louis Hoffmann Brothers, a St Louis based heating and cooling company recommends four cost-cutting strategies for reducing the water heating bill:

• Conserve on hot water usage.

• Lower the temperature on the water heater.

• Invest in an energy efficient tank-less water heater, which will save on hot water, warranting an endless supply. Make sure that the contractor installs the water heater according to code.

• Replace shower-heads and faucets with low-flow aerating models.

• In cases where the washing machine and / or dishwasher are outdated, investigate the cost of replacing with an efficient, ENERGY STAR model to save on hot water consumption.

• Since most water heaters are configured at the factory at 120°F, reduce the temperature on the thermostat of the water heater down to 90 to 100°F.

• To maximize the water heater’s efficiency to transfer heat and to remove sediment buildup, every season (three months), drain one-quart of water from the water heater. Follow the guidelines outlined in the manufacturer’s manual.

• Decrease heat loss by installing heat traps on both the hot and cold pipes. Energy efficient water heaters usually have these configurations built in.

• Without covering the thermostat, insulate the hot-water’s storage tank. Refer to the manufacturer’s directions or contact a hot water heater specialist.

• Insulate the first 6-feet of the water heater’s cold and hot water pipes.

• For additional questions about saving on the hot water or for a fast quote, contact Hoffman Brothers at 314.664. 3011.

Programmable Thermostats Control the Home Energy Bill

Programmable thermostats are more than another useful hand held device. These portable home atmospheric, monitoring gadgets ensure savings and comfortable temperature settings in the home.

Energy Star, a federally funded energy conservation advocacy group reports that Americans can reduce up to 10 percent of the annual costs to heat and cool the house by lowering the thermostat 7 or more degrees. That makes these programmable thermostats quite eco-friendly.

How much can the average household expect to save with a programmable thermostat?

The ultimate savings of the programmable thermostat is reducing the heat 7 to 10 degrees below the standard room temperature, which is 68-70 degrees Fahrenheit. Figure a one percent savings for each degree a minimum of eight hours a day. The longer the programmable thermostat is set below the average room temperature, the higher the reduction of energy costs. 

When is it a good time to reduce the temperature setting of the programmable thermostat?

From the time the home is empty--when everyone is at work and/or school, and during the wee hours of the night, the programmable thermostat automatically controls the temperature without requiring any manual adjustments.

Which programmable thermostat is the best option?

On the Energy Star Web site, consumers will find a list of manufacturers, who engineer programmable thermostats, which come in one of three formats:

• Digital
• Electromechanical
• Digital and electromechanical hybrids

Which programmable thermostat is better for multiple settings?

Digital thermostats are preferred for making numerous setback settings, which include daily, daylight savings time, as well as other override configurations. With the electromechanical system, settings require a sliding bar or peg to program.

What is the easiest method for selecting the right programmable thermostat?

Serving Greater St. Louis, Metro East and St. Charles Counties, Hoffmann Brothers, a heating and cooling company makes choosing and installation easy. Click on ‘programmable thermostat’ to learn more.

2010 How to Save Energy and Trim Household Energy Cost

If you’re looking for areas to cut costs and how to save energy, this year, consider reducing household energy bills. It’s the little savings that add up over time. Heating and electricity are adjustable bills that are assessed based on monthly usage. Aside from turning down the thermostat and layering up, Hoffmann Brothers, a St. Louis-based heating and cooling contractor recommends these quick fixes, which aid in the energy conservation:

Electrical outlets have a tendency to produce drafts. To decrease the flow of air, apply foam caskets underneath the outlets’ plates.

Consider upgrading to a programmable thermostat replacement. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Energy Star qualified, programmable thermostat--equipped with four-time and temperature settings, saves up to $100 of annual energy costs.

Always remember to check your air filters every two to three months to maximize your heating system’s performance. If they are dirty, replace them. Affix a wide piece of tape over the air filter’s slot. This will block out any air, seeping to the parameter of the edges of the filter.

The heating system runs in overdrive to maintain the home at a comfortable temperature. If you’re constantly turning up the thermostat, check the air ducts. Make sure that they are releasing adequate warm air. If the duct seams are visible, where the metal is adjoined, purchase a duct sealant (duct mastic) or a shiny foil adhesive, labeled UL-181.

If your heating system has not been serviced in more than five years, it might be a good time to have it checked by a bonded, heating contractor. Having the furnace, duct system and other parts of the heating system checked now, can alleviate any future, costly outages.

Also, if you’re considering replacing your heating system with geothermal energy or other green energy heating and cooling system, contact a St Louis heating and cooling company to learn about qualifying for the green energy tax credit.