Category Archives: HVAC

5 sounds you NEVER want to hear come from your HVAC system

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Your HVAC system is so much like your car. When it starts to make a loud noise, it rarely is good news. When your HVAC unit is operating normally, it should be relatively quiet and many of the sounds you hear will be normal. However loud and rumbling sounds can be a signal that your system needs professional attention. We have separated sounds out for you to listen for that indicate immediate action is needed!

1. Rattling from outside compressor and fan unit — When the fan turns on in your compressor unit, it should NOT rattle. A rattling sound can indicate loose hardware or a failing motor. The louder the sounds, the more serious the problem can be. However, a squeal when the unit first starts is often a normal sound.

2. “Thwapping” — If you hear a fast “thrawpping” sound when the blower is running, something may be stuck in the blades. There might be something inside the housing that is contacting the blower when it turns. If objects/debris are creating resistance, the motor can wear our abnormally fast.

3. Loud rattling, banging, clanking or banging noises — These types of sounds are usually an indication of a problem with the blower assembly or motor. The rattling usually means a component is coming loose. The problem should be addressed before the part breaks/disconnects completely. If you hear loud banging sou when the blower is running, shut your system off entirely.

4. Squealing or screeching — Squealing from the blower motor can be indicative of a bad belt or motor bearing problems. While belts are not normally expensive, they should be replaced before they break.

5. Repeated clicking sounds — Clicking noises ARE normal when HVAC units turn on and off. If you hear repeated clicking coming from outside the compressor, a relay may be defective.

If you hear any of these sounds it would be best to call us! (314) 812-1200 or visit us online at www.zipfair.com

You can also connect with us on Twitter, Facebook and Google +!

The A,B,Cs of HVAC Vocab

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Heating and Air Conditioning is not an industry most of us are well educated in, but the more you know the more money you can save! Especially in this day in age where HVAC equipment are much more energy efficient than they have ever been. We want to equip you, the homeowner, with the right definitions of key HVAC terms so you know what to look for when you upgrade your system in your home.

That means it’s important to understand HVAC efficiency ratings so you can make an informed decision when comparing products:

  • SEER – Seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) tells you how efficiently an air conditioner or heat pump cools air over the course of typical cooling season. Rating range from 13 to the mid-20s, with 13 being the minimum rating allowed since 2006. However, if you can find a comparably-priced unit with a rating around 16, it’s usually worth the investment. SEER 16 is usually considered the point where high-efficiency air conditioning begins.
  • EER – Energy efficiency ratio (EER) is similar to SEER but it focuses on efficiency during the hottest times. It’s not as important here as it is in hotter areas but it’s still good to know when comparing similarly priced units with the same SEER rating.
  • HSPF – Heating seasonal performance factor (HSPF) measures the heating efficiency of heat pumps. It tells you the average number of British thermal units the unit produces for each watt of energy consumed over an entire heating season. HSPF ratings range from 7.7 to 10, with each point being a 10 percent increase in efficiency.
  • AFUE – Annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) is used to compare furnaces or boilers. The rating is the percentage of fuel that is converted to heat. High-efficiency furnaces run from 90 percent to near 100, and cost more than standard-efficiency furnaces. Depending on how often you use your furnace, a high-efficiency model will eventually pay for itself in monthly energy savings.

Before you decide to upgrade your system please contact us at Zipf-Air, Inc! We help homeowners just like you in St. Louis! We want to help you not only understand the HVAC terminology but also equip you with all of the information you will need in order to make the best decision for your family.

Call us today or visit us at our website! http://www.zipfair.com

You can also visit us on Twitter, or Facebook!

(314) 821-1200

The Dangers of a Cracked Heat Exchanger

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Unfortunately, if your furnace has a cracked heat exchanger, it’s time to choose between repairing or replacing your unit. Making this decision, however, is often easier said than done. In order to help you evaluate your current situation and take the right steps forward, here’s a guide to dealing with a cracked heat exchanger.

Why should I be concerned about a cracked heat exchanger?

Rule #1: If your Heat Exchanger has been deemed cracked by a HVAC professional you should NOT be running it. Unfortunately, some owners will attempt to run their furnace even when a cracked heat exchanger has been detected. It’s important that you understand there’s a good reason behind your furnace being red tagged, or taken out of commission. Choosing to ignore the warning could yield serious consequences.

A crack in the heat exchanger can allow poisonous carbon monoxide (CO) to leak into your home, leading to illness or even death. Additionally, because your heat exchanger is such an integral part of your heating system, it’s typically an expensive problem. Therefore, any cracks found in your heat exchanger should be addressed promptly in order to maintain safety and comfort.

Which is best: repairing or replacing my furnace?

Hiring your HVAC contractor to fix your heat exchanger may initially seem less expensive, but repairs should only be considered when:

  • Your furnace is under 10 years old
  • Repair parts are completely covered under manufacturer warranty
  • Labor costs are less than 25 percent of the cost to replace

Even if your situation meets these criteria, you should still consider upgrading your furnace.

If you suspect a cracked  heat exchanger or would like a quote on repairing or replacing your furnace, contact the pros at Zipf Air Inc. Call us today (314) 821-1200

 

Heating & Cooling: To DIY or not DIY?

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With money tight and our countries increase interest in DIY, a lot of handy homeowners are opting to do repairs instead of hiring a seasoned professional. While this might initially save you money it could become a great headache down the line. It is true that some jobs can be done at home but there are quite a bit that required extensive HVAC knowledge.

How do you know which problems to address yourself, and which require the expertise of a professional HVAC contractor?

Here are 5 reasons it’s better to hire a professional:

  • Safety is golden – I’m sure you know how important it is to protect your family. But repairing your heating system on your own can end up putting them at risk. There are many factors to consider, such as carbon monoxide, leaking gas, and other issues that could potentially cause harm. Professionals are trained to watch for these issues, and take the appropriate measures to protect your family.
  • DIY is costly – I’m sure you went into the project with good intentions. The problem is that you may end up buying a part that is less energy-efficient than I would have used. Over the winter season, that furnace may have cost you more than what my fee would have been had you hired me. Not only that, but what happens if you accidentally cause further damage to the furnace? That will result in buying additional parts.
  • Speed – Professionals repair these systems on a daily basis. Let’s assume you are trying to repair your furnace during the winter season. Imagine any delays in the repair, and the temperature in the home plummeting while the furnace is not running. A professional can have the vents blowing out hot air before you know it.
  • Pre-emptive warning – There may be more wrong with your systems than you know about. While you may only be repairing the current issue, a professional could have spotted something that may be an issue in a few days. That second issue will be a complete surprise to you, but it wouldn’t have been a surprise to the professional.
  • Savings – You may be weary of the fees by professionals, but they are not that bad. Especially when you look at the savings they can bring you because they often have special relationships with parts suppliers. They can end up saving you some serious money on a new furnace or central air unit, while you would normally be paying retail prices if you were to do it on your own.

At the end of the day we at Zipf-Air, Inc are here to serve YOU. We promise you efficient service with a great price! Contact us today by calling us 314-821-1200.

Keep warm this winter!

Good Contractors are easy to find, if you know what you’re looking for!

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When it comes time to replace your HVAC equipment, you want the best person for the job. But separating the expert from the rest of the pack can be difficult unless you know what qualifications to look for.

You want an expert who will do high-quality work, ensures peak efficiency for your system and energy savings. Look for the following:

- License and Training: NEVER work with a contractor who does not hold the necessary state and local license. Also, an expert HVAC company will encourage continual training with their technicians and will be more than happy to explain the training to you, so ask!

- Certification: There are different type of certification out there, the ones you are most likely going to hear about are BPI, NCI and NATE.

- Sizing: Your contractor will insist on doing a load calculation, this enables the contractor to match an appropriately sized system to your home.

- Safety and Efficiency: Ask the contractor which steps are involved in their installation work.

- Guarantees: What kind of guarantees can this contractor offer you? Are they willing to stand behind their work 100%?

At Zipf-Air Inc we want to provide you with quality service and honest pricing. Call us today at 314-821-1200 for a FREE ESTIMATE or visit us online at www.zipfair.com — We are the quality HVAC contractor you’ve been looking for!

Should you buy HVAC equipment online?!

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Nowadays it seems like there isn’t anything you can’t buy online. In most cases people shop online because they think they can find a better price. For example, they go into a store, see something they like and then type it into Google looking for a better price. And why not? Sometimes it can save you a substantial amount of money. The problem? You must be very careful because there are some serious downsides.

The newest trend are homeowners looking to save money by buying their HVAC equipment online. In theory, it sounds like a good idea but in the long run it could cost you up to twice of what you paid for said equipment.

Here are some real dangers in purchasing equipment online:

1. Amana – One of the leading HVAC equipment manufacturers released a policy with the following statement “No warranty is offered on Amana brand equipment purchased by consumers over the internet including web-based auctions.” You may find this is common with top brand names.

2. If you don’t read the fine print you could be stuck without a warranty! Most online retailers do not offer warranties for their equipment and it can be difficult to find a contractor who is willing to warranty a piece of equipment they didn’t sell to you, meaning that should your equipment break, you could be forced to spend even more money to replace it!

3. Even if the website you are purchasing your equipment from sounds legitimate the equipment could have been obtained illegally or it could be a knockoff.

4. Salesmen or Comfort Advisors usually will assess your existing equipment, home, external and internal factors before recommending a system. When you buy a system online, the online retailer is unable to provide you with a professional assessment and you could end up ordering equipment that is completely wrong for your home.

More often than not, buying equipment online can lead to problems down the road that could be avoided by going with a trusted home professional such as Zipf Air!  Sure, your local contractor’s price may be a bit higher but you have to ask yourself…what corners are the online retailers cutting in order to give you a lower price? Often, that could be a 5 year, 10 year or lifetime warranty.

You be the judge. Contact Zipf Air today for FREE ESTIMATE ! (314) 821-1200 or contact us online at www.zipfair.com

Fall Air Conditioning and Heating Tune Up

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Just like your car, your home’s equipment needs periodical attention to keep it running better, safer and longer.  Scheduled cleaning and tune ups will save your furnace, and you money in the long run.

Zipf-Air helps you protect your furnace with their Fall Tune Up.

Our Precision tune up includes:

* Complete Safety Inspection

* Test Blower Motor and Air Flow

* Inspect Furnace Operation

* Check for gas leaks and Carbon Monoxide

* Clean the Burner Assembly

* Overall expert review, analysis and tune up

Call to schedule your tune up today~

Make Your Air Conditioner More Efficient

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Help your air conditioning unit work more efficiently by keeping the outside condensing unit free of twigs, grass clippings, weeds and other debris.  Check the air intakes and outlets for obstructions regularly.  It is also wise to shade your outside condensing unit.  Combining these little things will save you money and prolong the life of your unit.

Do I need to do anything with my furnace and AC?

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You wouldn’t drive your car 100,000 miles without changing the oil. The same logic holds true for your home comfort system. Regular preventative maintenance is the best way to ensure trouble-free operation and peak performance. Pre-season maintenance is also important. It can help to avoid a system failure in severe hot or cold weather when you need it most, and it can also keep your energy bill from getting out of control.