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

Why Choose Radiant Heating

Monday, March 4th, 2013

While long used for commercial applications, radiant heating has always been popular for homeowners looking for alternatives to forced hot air. Radiant heating works by heat transfer: it heats people and objects in the room rather than supplying hot air. If you’re thinking of installing radiant heating in your home, we can help you plan, install, and maintain your heating system. Here are a few advantages of radiant heating in Fairfield, OH.

Figuring out whether radiant heating is right for the heating needs of your home requires research, planning, and professional consultation. Here are some of the reasons to choose radiant heating:

  • Efficiency. Radiant heating is sometimes more efficient than forced air systems. Forced-air systems like furnaces and heat pumps use ductwork which can account for up to 30% of heating loss. If your radiant heating is hydronic (water-based), then it uses very little electricity, which can benefit those homeowners in areas with high electricity prices. It’s often the case that the level of indoor comfort can be achieved at a lower temperature through radiant heating than by forced hot air systems.
  • Quality. Because radiant heating doesn’t move air to heat your home it tends to invite less indoor air quality issues. For homeowners who are sensitive to allergens and other particles that can circulate through ductwork, radiant heating is a great alternative. If you don’t yet have ductwork or if your existing ducts are in disrepair, a radiant heating system may be an excellent option.

Radiant heating is an innovative and effective way to make your home comfortable throughout the heating season. For radiant heating in Fairfield, OH, call Bartels Heating & Cooling today.

 

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Energy Saving Heating Tips

Monday, February 25th, 2013

Here’s a checklist of some simple tips for keeping your West Chester, OH home at desired temperatures throughout the winter without paying more than you need to.

  • Change or clean your furnace filters on a regular basis, or at least once a month. This will help to improve efficiency. This can also help to improve indoor air quality. If you have pets, you may need to clean or change the filters more often.
  • Try to keep several filters on hand throughout the heating season, and keep a calendar or some sort of reminder system to let you know when it is time to change your filters. Some thermostats feature a setting that lets you know when it is time for a filter change. If you would like more information on how to change your air filter, give us a call any time.
  • Consider installing a programmable thermostat to help keep heating bills down. These thermostats let you have more control over your heating system by automatically turning it off when it is not needed as much, such as at night or when you are away. You can program these models to fit your schedule.
  • Ask for a home energy audit to see if there are small things you can do, such as add weather-stripping or sealing cracks. You can also perform a flame test by putting a candle near doors and windows to see if the flame flickers due to a draft.
  • Schedule a heating tune-up and inspection once a year to ensure optimal performance.
  • Install “draft blockers” or gasket insulators behind light switches and electrical outlets.
  • Plant deciduous trees outside windows on the south side of your house to provide shade in summer and allow sunlight in winter.
  • Install ceiling fans, which can be reversed in the winter to push warm air that rises back into the living spaces.
  • Add attic insulation to increase the efficiency of your heating system. A good standard is to reach “R30,” or ask a contractor if you aren’t sure.
  • Make sure drapes, furniture, or rugs do not block vents and clean vents regularly with a vacuum to ensure proper airflow.

Lastly, call the West Chester, OH heating professionals at Bartels Heating & Cooling with all your home efficiency and heating questions.

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Heating FAQ: What Are Common Furnace Problems?

Monday, February 18th, 2013

At Bartels Heating & Cooling, we get many calls with questions about furnace problems from our Hamilton, OH customers. During the annual heating inspection and tune-up, the technician will look for anything that might cause problems, but there are a few common issues that happen with furnaces. If you need a repair, maintenance, or you just have questions, call us any time.

Here are a few common furnace problems:

Not Enough Heat

If your furnace is not producing enough heat, there could be a number of reasons for this. There could be a dirty filter that needs to be changed or cleaned. You could have restricted airflow due to closed or blocked vents, or buildup inside the ductwork. You could also have the thermostat set on the wrong setting, or it could be inaccurate or giving “ghost readings” due to being installed in a poor location. There could also be a larger issue, so you should call a technician if you have tried checking for all these issues.

Pilot Light Won’t Turn On

If the pilot light on your gas furnace won’t turn on, or if it is burning orange or yellow, there could be something wrong with the igniter. For problems with turning the light on, there could be a few causes, such as a clogged valve. A clogged valve can be easily fixed by cleaning the opening of the valve. However, if it still won’t turn on, it could be the thermocouple. Call a technician if you are having problems with your pilot light.

Damaged Heat Exchanger

A damaged heat exchanger on a gas furnace can be a safety hazard due to the risk of carbon monoxide. While every home with gas appliances should have a working carbon monoxide detector, it is important to have your gas furnace inspected at least once a year so that the technician can check for cracks in the heat exchanger. This is a problem more common in older furnaces, since the newer models tend to feature heat exchangers made of more durable materials.

Call the Hamilton, OH furnace experts at Bartels Heating & Cooling any time. We are here 24/7 for all your heating repair needs.  

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