Bartels Heating & Cooling Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Air Conditioning Repair’

Are There Any AC Repairs You Can Do Yourself?

Monday, May 9th, 2022
air-conditioning-with-flowers

The straightforward answer to this question is “no.” Modern central air conditioning systems are complex refrigeration devices, and to work on them requires special training as well as tools not easily available to the consumer. 

The biggest obstacle against trying to do DIY work on an AC is the difficulty in diagnosing what’s causing a malfunction in the first place. For example, if an air conditioner keeps shutting down early (short-cycling), it could be due to a miscalibrated thermostat, leaking refrigerant, a reduction in airflow, dirty condenser coils, etc. Trying to repair a problem yourself will involve too much guesswork and too much that can go wrong. 

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Want to Skip AC Repairs This Summer? Schedule AC Maintenance!

Monday, April 12th, 2021

air-conditioner-condenser-3D-renderSpringtime! The weather is already warmer, and you may have even turned on your air conditioning system for a few hours to cool down. That’s great because it means we’re nearing the relaxing days of summer.

Now, how often do you want to schedule air conditioning repair in Fairfield, OH this summer? Yes, that’s a trick question. The answer is zero. Nobody wants to need to repair a major appliance in their home, especially not an air conditioner during the summer heat. 

Now, what if we told you that there’s a secret to avoiding the need for AC repairs this summer? And the next summer? Well, it’s not so much a “secret.” It’s more like something people often forget to do. It’s scheduling air conditioning maintenance with professionals during the spring. 

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Managing AC Temperature in Your Home the Best Way

Monday, August 17th, 2020

setting-the-thermostatYou could call this post “Summer Thermostat Best Practices,” although maybe that sounds a bit too business-like. Just think of this post as your short, simple guide to undo some bad habits many homeowners get into when it comes to setting the thermostat.

Have you ever done this? It’s a hot day, and you feel more flushed and sweaty than usual in your house. You go to the thermostat, notice it can go down to 60°F, and think, “I’ll crank this thing and get the maximum cool air from it,” then drop the thermostat setting to that lowest level. A short time later, it’s gotten too cold in the house, so you move the thermostat back up to where it was.

No shame in admitting if you do this. Now please, don’t do it again. This is not only a way to waste power, but it doesn’t reflect how the thermostat works or how your house becomes hot.

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Signs an AC Compressor Is in Trouble

Monday, August 3rd, 2020

compressor-in-ac-unitIf we could choose one component of an air conditioning system as the most important, it would be the compressor. All parts of an air conditioner are vital for it to operate well, and malfunctions in any of them are a reason to call for air conditioning service in Middletown, OH from our professionals. We’d choose the compressor as the most important because it’s a) the heart of the AC and the reason it can change from a large fan system to a cooling system and b) expensive to replace; it’s usually more cost-effective to replace the entire AC system rather than just the compressor.

Compressor troubles are common reasons for AC failure, so we’ve provided a guide below to the signs you may have a compressor that needs our help. The sooner you move on a suspected problem, the more likely we can rescue the compressor from complete failure.

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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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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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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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Is Your AC Leaving Hot Spots in Your Home?

Monday, July 23rd, 2018

man-with-fanThe whole point of using a whole-house cooling system is to cool your whole house with just one cooling system, right? That means cooling the entire house evenly. If your air conditioner is failing to do this, then it is failing in one of the most basic areas of its expectations. Do not allow your AC to come up short, and do not settle for anything less than a great performance from your system throughout your entire home.

There are a few different reasons as to why your air conditioner may fail to cool your entire house evenly. Whatever the cause of the problem, however, our West Chester, OH HVAC professionals are here to help. You shouldn’t have to compromise when it comes to your comfort, even if it is an issue in “just” one area of your home. One is one too many, so contact us with any concerns that you may have!

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Fixing an AC Water Leak

Monday, June 11th, 2018

red-thermometerA heating system like a gas furnace or an old oil boiler creates new heat by combusting fuel. An air conditioner, on the other hand, doesn’t create new “coolness”. That coolness that you feel as the AC circulates cooled air throughout your home is actually the lack of heat. How does an air conditioner remove heat from the air in your home? Through the evaporation of refrigerant.

At no point in the process does an air conditioner (with the exception of an evaporative cooler) use water in its operation. So how is it that you’ve noticed water leaking from your air conditioner? Are you seeing things that aren’t there? Fortunately, no. It is entirely possible for water to be “leaking” from your AC. However,  it is not really a “leak” in the terms that you’re thinking of. Read on to learn more about this phenomenon, its causes, and when to schedule air conditioning repair in Cincinnati, OH.

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