Air Conditioning Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to frequently asked questions about air conditioning.

Q: How does an air conditioner system (AC) work?

A: The two basic functions of air conditioners are to remove heat and moisture from your home. In St. Louis we have hot and humid summers but relatively dry winters. Lower humidity levels, will make you feel more comfortable, at any given temperature. As your warm indoor air is pulled through the air filter, it is pushed over a very cold coil, a process which removes its’ the heat and moisture.

Q: Does Hoffmann Brothers suggest shutting air conditioner vents in closed or unused rooms, to save cooling costs?

A: If an AC system is designed correctly, the delivery system in your house has been sized according to the airflow requirements of the AC unit and each room. Closing vents can create a pressure imbalance within the air conditioner and decrease the effectiveness of your air conditioning system. By closing off vents, the increased pressure in the air ducts can cause increased duct leakage.

Q: Can I program the upstairs to heat up more during the day and cool the downstairs less at night?

A: Anytime you raise the temperature on your thermostat, your AC unit will run more efficiently, and you will save money. When an air conditioning unit first turns on, it can take seven to 10 minutes of operation to reach peak efficiency. It is better for the unit to run longer, after it reach maximum efficiency. If you need help operating your air conditioner, request service from Hoffmann Brothers today.

Q: Is it better for the air conditioner run using short bursts of cooling (running for five to seven minutes at a time) or to stay on for longer periods of time?

A: A heat pump has two jobs to make you feel comfortable in your home. It removes your home’s heat and moisture. When your AC unit turns on, it can take up to 10 minutes for the unit to reach peak efficiency and remove moisture from the air. When you only allow a unit to run five to seven minutes, you're preventing the unit from running at maximum efficiency.

Q: We are new to St. Louis, MO and are want to know how to program our air conditioning for summer. Our house has two units, one downstairs and one upstairs. How should we set them up?

A: Because heat rises, additional heat will accumulate on the second floor of your home, meaning your upstairs will require more effort to cool than your downstairs. However, to achieve a consistent temperature in your home, program the thermostat on each floor at the same temperature. But, to lower your energy costs, you can program your thermostat to a comfortable temperature on the floor you are occupying. This means if you are not using the upstairs, set the thermostat a little higher, and reverse this at when you are upstairs. If you need setting the thermostat, one of our qualified technicians would be more than happy to do it for you. Request service from one of our hvac technicians today!

Q: We want to replace our current thermostat with a new programmable one. What do you recommend?

A: Hoffmann Brothers encourages selecting a programmable thermostat for your system, rather than a particular brand or style. There are many different thermostat models for single-stage or multistage heat pumps, air conditioning using gas heat, straight air conditioning, etc. Tell your Hoffmann Brothers service technician what type of system you have and what programming requirements you want the new thermostat model to have. You can request service today or give us a call for more information at (314) 664-3011.

Q: What size air conditioner should I install for my house?

A: The only accurate way to find out the capacity of the air conditioning and heating and equipment for your house is to have a Hoffmann Brothers Heating and Air Conditioning technician conduct a heat-load calculation for your home. This will give Hoffmann Brothers figures which we then use to find the best sized heating or cooling system to meet the needs of your family, your budget, and the size of your home. Technicians from Hoffmann Brothers Heating and Air Conditioning will perform manual load calculations, which will allow us to determine the correct sizing for a new air conditioner or heat pump for your house.

Q: What do SEER and ton stand for?

A: SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio and measures the efficiency of a heating or cooling unit. Heating and AC units are measured in tons.

Q: Can I estimate the energy costs of my air conditioner?

A: Yes! To estimate your energy costs, use your March energy bill, or a month when you typically do not operate heating or cooling systems, and subtract it from your May through October bills. The final number is an estimate of your air conditioner’s energy costs. If you think that a higher efficiency system would lower your bills, you are correct! Request an energy audit today from Hoffmann Brothers Heating & Air Conditioning.

Contact the Expert St. Louis, Missouri Heating & Air Conditioning Contractors at Hoffmann Brothers

For over 40 years, Hoffmann Brothers has proudly installed and serviced all types of heating and cooling systems throughout the St. Louis, MO Metropolitan Area. We service and repair all brands of HVAC systems and install American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning. Please give us a call today at (314) 664-3011 or send us an email on our Contact Us page.

Our service area includes St. Louis County, Missouri, St. Louis City, Jefferson County, St. Charles County, St. Clair, Illinois, Madison County, Ballwin, Chesterfield, Des Peres, Wildwood, Ladue, Kirkwood, Webster Groves, Clayton, Sunset Hills, and Creve Coeur. Hoffmann Brothers is the premier St. Louis, Missouri Heating and Cooling Contractor.