Bartels Heating & Cooling Blog: Archive for the ‘Air Conditioning’ Category

Upgrading Your Air Conditioning System

Monday, April 22nd, 2013

Is your AC no longer operating as it once did? Do you have trouble keeping your home cool during the hotter months of the year? If you’re considering upgrading your Fairfield, OH air conditioning system, spring is a great time to do so. Not only do you eliminate the risk of a major breakdown when the heat and humidity are at their highest levels, but you also ensure that your AC will operate at a high level of energy efficiency this summer. Because it’s one of the major energy costs during the summer, your AC needs special attention. For more information about Fairfield, OH air conditioning services, call the experts at Bartels Heating & Cooling today!

Let’s take a look at some things to consider:

  • SEER rating: You may have already come across the acronym SEER, which stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. It’s a national standard that seeks to estimate the ratio between electrical energy input and cooling output. All air conditioning units are given one when they are manufactured and it’s a fairly good indicator of how efficiently your air conditioning system will be. The higher the number the better the efficiency.
  • Ducts or no ducts? Upgrading your air conditioner is an opportunity to consider moving to a ductless mini split system. These systems do not use ducts to distribute cool air throughout your home; rather, multiple indoor air handlers are installed directly in your living space, typically high on a wall, or recessed in the ceiling. They are highly efficiency because of their design, and the fact that ducts can account for up to 30% of energy loss.
  • Heat pump: If you previously had a central air, consider a heat pump. They operate according to the same refrigerant cycle as an air conditioner, but they can also heat your home in the winter. They offer year-round comfort and are highly energy-efficient. They can also be combined with furnaces.

For more information about upgrading your air conditioning system in Fairfield, OH, call the experts at Bartels Heating & Cooling today!

 

Continue Reading

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Air Conditioning | Comments Off on Upgrading Your Air Conditioning System

Using a Zone Control System with Your Air Conditioning System

Monday, April 15th, 2013

If you have a forced-air distribution system, then you know that you often end up cooling parts of your living space that are unoccupied. Without anyone there to enjoy that cool air, it is a waste of energy. Energy costs are high enough as it is. Fortunately, there is an efficient solution to such problems. For Fairfield, OH air conditioning services, including zone control systems, call the experts at Bartels Heating & Cooling today!

Let’s learn more about zone control systems:

  • What it is: A zone control system is a set of dampers, thermostats, and other devices that integrate into your existing central AC unit. A professional will visit your home and install electronically controlled dampers that control the passage of cool airflow at particular points in your ductwork. These are assigned to thermostats linked to the air handler.
  • How it works: A zone control system works by utilizing this zone division of your ductwork, and gives you the ability to control each one separately from the others. Whereas before you had only a single adjustment for the entire space of your home, with a zone control system, you can fine-tune and customize the zones of your home.
  • Why it’s a good idea: A zone control system is a good idea because it will improve both the energy efficiency of your home as well as your home comfort. Not only will you be able to shut off the cooling to parts of your home that are hardly used, but you will also be able to configure the temperature of your bedroom differently than that of your kitchen. The one-size-fits-all is an outdate approach. Control your indoor climate while saving energy in the process.

For more information, or to learn about whether your AC can be integrated with a zone control system, call the Fairfield, OH air conditioning experts at Bartels Heating & Cooling today!

 

Continue Reading

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Air Conditioning | Comments Off on Using a Zone Control System with Your Air Conditioning System

Common Types of Air Conditioning Repair

Monday, April 8th, 2013

While we have only just left winter behind, spring is a great time to ensure that our air conditioning systems are ready to go when the summer heat arrives. While there are various types and brands of air conditioning systems installed throughout the area, there are some common air conditioning problems. In this post, we’d like to provide an overview of them, and to describe their possible causes. If your AC doesn’t operate properly, make sure you hire a trained professional. For air conditioning repair in Fairfield, OH, call Bartels Heating & Cooling.

  • Inadequate cooling: If you find that your AC no longer operates as it once did, or you notice a sudden drop-off in its ability to cool your home, then you probably need air conditioning repair. While it may be something as simple as a dirty or clogged air filter, it could also indicate a frozen coil, or a mechanical problem with the blower motor. It’s important not to delay the process of repair because it could lead to further damage.
  • Hot spots: This stems from inadequate cooling, but more particularly from the lack of cooling in a particular section of your home. While it may seem like an enigma that this or that corner can’t cool down, it’s most likely due to a system imbalance. This can stem from a crack or leak in your ductwork. If your ducts cannot adequately extract hot air and replenish cool air, then that cool air may simply not reach certain parts of your home. Your air handler may need to be adjusted. If you have a zone control system installed, then one of your electric dampers may be stuck.
  • Frozen coils: Perhaps the most common cause of a frozen evaporator coil is a clogged air filter. Because of their proximity to each other, if cool air cannot pass through the filter, it tends to build up in the air handler, causing the coil to frost over. Alternatively, there may be a problem with the blower motor itself.

We hope that this gives you some indication about the various types of problems that arise during the course of your air conditioner’s working life. Make sure to get any problems diagnosed by a professional. For air conditioning repair in Fairfield, OH, call Bartels Heating & Cooling today! 

Continue Reading

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Air Conditioning | Comments Off on Common Types of Air Conditioning Repair

Air Conditioning Maintenance Tips

Monday, April 1st, 2013

If you want to make it through the hot summer months comfortably, it is important that you purchase a high-quality air conditioning system and that the installation of that system is completed by a qualified professional. Of course, even the best air conditioning systems installed by expert technicians require continuing services to operate as efficiently and reliably as possible. That is why your air conditioning maintenance is so important.

While you must schedule routine air conditioning maintenance with a professional AC maintenance technician, there are a few things you can do yourself to keep your air conditioner working properly. Here are some air conditioning maintenance tips from Bartels Heating & Cooling to help you beat the heat this summer. Contact us with any questions.

One of the simplest ways in which you can help out the operation of your air conditioner is to change the air filter in your system regularly. If you are unsure how to do this properly, refer to the literature that came with your system or call a professional. It is important that an appropriate filter is used and that it is installed properly. This will help your AC work efficiently and reduce the risk of damage to your system.

You can also make sure that your air registers are clean and that they are not blocked off at all. If your air conditioner has to work harder to pull in and distribute air throughout your home it will incur unnecessary wear and tear. It will also cost more money to operate.

Also, take a look at your outdoor AC unit every now and then. Keeping it clear of leaves, branches and other debris will help prevent damage to your system. This unit must be able to pull in air and vent itself freely to operate properly.

The most importance West Chester, OH air conditioning maintenance tip we can give you is to schedule routine maintenance with a qualified professional. There is just no better way to keep your air conditioner operating properly. Contact Bartels Heating & Cooling today to learn more. We can help you keep your AC operating at great efficiency and performance levels.

Continue Reading

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Air Conditioning | Comments Off on Air Conditioning Maintenance Tips

Why Now is the Right Time for AC Maintenance

Monday, March 25th, 2013

Spring is the best time to organize, clean, and get ready for the summer heat. It’s also the ideal time for AC maintenance. No matter what type of air conditioning system you have—whether central AC, heat pump, ductless mini split, or geothermal—you could benefit from professional routine maintenance. In this post, we’d like to inform our customers as to the benefits of our maintenance program. Whether you’ve just invested in a new cooling system or your existing system is getting on in years, we can help. Call Bartels Heating & Cooling for West Chester, OH air conditioning services.

A comprehensive routine maintenance program will make sure your system performs exceptionally. We will execute a variety of check-ups, including monitoring refrigerant pressure, replacing air filters, measuring airflow, adjusting blower components, calibrating your thermostat, and cleaning the coils. Here are some of the benefits:

  • Energy-efficiency. This is perhaps the most readily apparent benefit. Your system will only operate efficiently when its components are free and clear of dust and debris. Maximizing energy efficiency means you pay less on your utility bills every month.
  • Improve system life. Regular maintenance is widely recognized as one of the best ways to improve the life of your cooling system. Your AC is a big investment—by taking care of it, you can make it work for you in the years to come.
  • Reliability. One of the perks of enrolling in a maintenance program is that you receive priority service. Rapid response times are always available. Moreover, routine maintenance makes your system more reliable, an especially important characteristic to keep in mind as we enter the cooling season.
  • Reduce repairs. When left alone, your AC may begin to develop problems and quirks that a regular inspection may be able to take care of before they progress into major repairs or even premature system replacement. Even cleaning and adjusting goes a long way. While dust may not seem harmful, it can actually cause significant damage to the mechanical parts of your blower and even frozen coils.

Still not convinced? Call Bartels Heating & Cooling for air conditioning in West Chester, OH today! 

Continue Reading

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Air Conditioning | Comments Off on Why Now is the Right Time for AC Maintenance