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

An Air Conditioner Dehumidifies—But It’s NOT a Dehumidifier

Monday, July 20th, 2020

man-with-fanThis is an important topic when it comes to air conditioning. Homeowners are often confused about how their ACs affect indoor humidity. People know that high humidity makes hot weather feel much worse, but don’t often know exactly why or what an air conditioner does to alleviate the problem.

The short answer is that an air conditioner can make you feel cooler, but not because it significantly lowers humidity in the air. An air conditioner does have some dehumidification properties, but not enough to make a difference or be considered an actual dehumidifier.

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What Can a Professional HVAC Contractor Do That Amateurs Can’t?

Monday, July 6th, 2020

hand-holding-wrenchIf you’re asking this question, you may be on the verge of making a big mistake: hiring a non-professional to fix your AC or install a new one rather than calling a Fairfield, OH, HVAC contractor with proper licensing and credentials—i.e. professionals.

We know why you’re tempted. Amateurs can talk big. They make promises at cut-rate prices, and it sounds like you’ll get a great deal. Hey, they’ve got a truck! And the name of the business is on its side! Maybe they even have a website. It’s going to be fine … right?

Nope, it’s not. Amateur work has serious consequences, because amateurs can’t do what the pros can:

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Why Is My AC Leaking Water?

Monday, June 22nd, 2020

water-drip-dropWhen you listen closely to the sound your central air conditioner makes while it runs, you’ll occasionally catch the noise of water dripping. Your AC doesn’t use water to provide cooling (that’s how evaporative coolers work, an entirely different type of cooling system), but water is a byproduct of how it operates.

And yes, that means your air conditioning system may start to leak. When you see water pooling around your AC, you’ll most likely need professional service for air conditioning in Cincinnati, OH to fix the problem—and it’s a problem you can’t ignore!

We’ll look a bit more at why your AC may start leaking water.

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What Do AC Efficiency Ratings Really Mean?

Monday, June 8th, 2020

air-conditioner-money-saverWith the summer rushing up to meet us, many homeowners are in the spot where they realize they need a new air conditioning system to make it through the season. ACs aren’t eternal machines; they wear down after 10 to 15 years. You may be in this situation: you know you need that new air conditioner, or you may end up trapped with a busted one during the hottest day of the Ohio summer.

Is anything holding you back? It can be a big investment to have a new air conditioner installed, but this is a vital HVAC service in Cincinnati, OH that Bartels can make much easier. We’ll start by helping you understand a part of air conditioning that confuses many people, and that’s the efficiency ratings.

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Reasons Your AC Is Already Having Trouble

Monday, May 25th, 2020

air-conditioner-unit-being-repairedYou’ve turned on your air conditioner at least once this season, and you can expect it to remain running during most days for the near future. That can make it extra worrying if the AC already appears to be having problems. This happens sometimes: an air conditioner begins the summer seasons a few steps behind. It may be a minor issue—or the air conditioning system may soon be many steps behind and in danger of failing when you need it the most.

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Why Skipping AC Maintenance Can Cost You

Monday, May 11th, 2020

ac-with-maintenance-toolsWhen we say that scheduling AC maintenance is mandatory, we don’t mean that there is some type of city regulation that will issue you a fine if you don’t have it done. It’s mandatory if you want the best service and longest system life for your central air conditioner. That’s important, especially when you consider how rough the summer can be, and how much you’ll rely on your home cooling system to keep your family comfortable and healthy.

But how bad can it be? you may ask. What’s the real cost of skipping spring maintenance now and then?

The answer: Pretty bad and pretty high. We’ll go into what can happen if you don’t schedule this vital air conditioning service in Cincinnati, OH each spring.

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March Is a Great Time to Enroll in Our Maintenance Plan

Monday, March 2nd, 2020

service-timeSpring starts in late March, although that doesn’t mean we automatically receive warmer weather. This is a fickle month where temperatures can swing from extremes, and the heating system warming your home will still need to run on the regular.

But March is also a good month to make plans for the coming warmer weather. You can get your air conditioning system in shape early by arranging for professionals to inspect the AC and give it a proper tune-up.

The easiest way to have quality air conditioning maintenance in Oxford, OH and the surrounding areas is to call Bartels Heating & Cooling and ask about our maintenance plan.

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Why You Should Always Install New AC Equipment

Monday, September 16th, 2019

ac-junkyardBuying used, or “previously owned,” makes sense in many avenues of daily life. For example, purchasing used books is a great investment. Used furniture is often a terrific bargain, and a smartly bought used car bought can provide many years of service.

But what about purchasing a used air conditioning system? This is a situation where buying used isn’t a bargain. In fact, it can cause many problems and is a money-waster, not a saver. When you call a professional contractor for air conditioning service in Middletown, OH to install a cooling system, they’ll always install a new system because they know the benefits.

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Does a Failed Compressor Mean I Need to Get a New Air Conditioner?

Monday, September 2nd, 2019

old-ac-unitOf the different ways a central AC system might malfunction, nothing is more terrifying than news of a dead compressor. It’s like being told the engine of a car is shot. But while someone who has a classic car may feel it’s worth it to put in a new engine, there’s no such thing as a “classic” air conditioning system! Nobody collects them, nobody holds vintage air conditioning shows. When the compressor dies, an owner must face the question whether it’s more cost-effective to replace the whole AC than just replacing the compressor.

And … is it? The answer is more complicated than “yes” or “no.”

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How Long Is an Air Conditioner Cycle?

Monday, August 19th, 2019

air-conditioning-grillA common problem we recommend our customers look for with their central air conditioning systems in West Chester, OH during the summer is short-cycling. This is when the AC becomes trapped in start-up mode and shuts down before completing a standard cooling cycle. Short-cycling does immense damage to an AC over time because of the increased stress. It also makes it harder for the system to evenly cool the home and creates large spikes in electrical bills.

But this leads to a good question: How long is a normal air conditioning cycle? The honest answer is “it depends.”

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