Bartels Heating & Cooling Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Fairfield’

Air Conditioning Repairs to Schedule before Summer

Friday, May 2nd, 2014

Before you start a long car trip, you’ll go out of your way to fix any trouble with the vehicle: motor problems, low tire pressure, weak battery. You should treat your air conditioning system the same way: think of the upcoming summer as a long road trip where your AC travels from coast to coast. To avoid a breakdown along the way, and to make sure your air conditioner doesn’t start “gas guzzling,” you need to schedule repairs before setting out on that summer drive.

It’s easier to have repairs for your air conditioner than for your car. You only need to make a single call to Bartels Heating & Cooling to take care of scheduling any necessary air conditioning repair in Fairfield, OH.

Here are a few common repairs that we perform in spring; watch out for these issues in your AC, and don’t hesitate to give us a call—any time of the day or night.

Spring air conditioning repairs

  • Recharge refrigerant – One of the most damaging problems that can occur with an AC is leaking refrigerant. The Freon inside your AC doesn’t dissipate during normal operation. But should leaks start because of corrosion on the refrigerant lines or loosened connections, the operation of the system will be in danger. The AC will lose cooling power, frost will form over the outdoor coil, and the change in pressure will start to damage the compressor. A technician can seal up the leaks and then recharge the refrigerant to remedy the problems.
  • Replacing electrical relays – The relays on motors control the flow of electrical power. If a relay should become stuck closed or stuck open, a motor will either not run at all or run continuously. This is a common repair for technicians and a simple one to perform.
  • Replacing burnt-out motors – If the motors in an AC cabinet gather too much dust or lose lubricant, they can overheat and cause irreparable damage to their wiring. When this happens, there is usually no choice but to have the burnt-out motor replaced. If you hear grinding, groaning, or screeching sounds from the air conditioner cabinet, it usually signals motors on the verge of failing; call for repairs right away.

Remember to schedule a maintenance visit

Even if your air conditioner shows no outward problems, you still need to have a technician pay it a visit before summer for its annual check-up and tune-up. A maintenance session will make sure there are no hidden repair needs, clean and adjust the unit, and generally get the system into the best condition possible for effective cooling and efficient energy use for the whole summer.

Bartels Heating & Cooling not only delivers excellent air conditioning repair in Fairfield, OH, we also offer a comprehensive maintenance program to tune-up your air conditioner in spring and your heater in fall. Call us today to learn more about the benefits of our regular maintenance program.

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How Geothermal Systems Are Good for the Environment

Friday, April 18th, 2014

We encourage many of our clients to consider installing a geothermal heat pump to manage their needs for heating and cooling their homes. These systems offer numerous advantages to homeowners: energy-efficient operation that saves money every year, immense longevity, quiet operation, and reliable heating power no matter the outdoor temperature during winter.

There are reasons beyond personal comfort and savings to look into geothermal power for your home. Geothermal energy benefits the environment. When you invest in geothermal in Fairfield, OH, you are also making an investment in the rest of the planet. This is an ideal example of “thinking globally, acting locally.”

We can’t fit into this space all the advantages of going geothermal. Call our installation specialists at Bartels Heating & Cooling to find out more and receive answers to all your questions.

Geothermal Systems and the Environment: A Great Partnership

Let’s first look at the very large scale—geothermal power plants vs. coal power plants—to show the improvement that geothermal power can make. A geothermal power plant uses 483 square yards of land per gigawatt hour, while a coal plant uses 4,344 square yards per gigawatt hour. Squeeze this down to your own home, and you can already see how much more efficient geothermal is.

There are two specific reasons your smaller geothermal heat pump can aid the environment:

  • Renewable energy: Fossil fuels, such as oil and natural gas, have limits… but the power of the Earth’s molten core is always present. As you draw heat energy from the ground, you do not “use it up.” It’s always there as long as the planet core is burning. (Should it stop, we’ll have bigger problems on our hands than running heat pumps.) With a geothermal system, you’ll reduce our planet’s dependence on limited fuel sources and instead allow the planet itself to provide you with a limitless resource.
  • Clean energy: The air pollution that endangers the ozone layer and contributes to global warming comes from the emissions of burning fuel. Geothermal systems have almost zero emissions of any kind of harmful gas, such as carbon dioxide. Geothermal systems leave very little pollution behind them.

Geothermal energy has a bright and constantly growing future. When you have a geothermal heat pump installed in your home, you’re riding the next wave of energy technology for the benefit of Planet Earth.

Keep Your Geothermal Power Working for the Planet…And You

A malfunctioning geothermal heating and cooling system won’t do much good for anyone, so make sure that you keep up regular maintenance on your home’s system. Schedule yearly inspections and tune-ups, and always stay atop of repairs.

To handle all your needs for Fairfield, OH geothermal heat pumps, look to Bartels Heating & Cooling. We employee EPA- and NATE-certified technicians so you will receive the best work possible. Give us a call today to schedule your next service appointment.

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Consider Heat Pump Installation for the Transition from Heating to Cooling Season

Friday, April 4th, 2014

Spring is here and with it comes a slow transition in most households, as they turn their furnace off and start prepping their air conditioner for the summer. That makes it an excellent time to trade out your old HVAC system for a new one, possibly a heat pump which combines the features of a heater and an air conditioner in one. Here in Fairfield, OH, one of our heating installation technicians can discuss the specifics with you, and well as giving you some reasons to consider heat pump installation for the transition from heating to cooling season. We’ll discuss a few of the more general ones below.

Heat pumps provide a number of benefits for those so interested. They often cost less to run than a traditional heating or cooling system, saving you money in your monthly bills and reducing your environmental impact in the bargain. Then there’s the convenience of combining a heater and an air conditioner into a single system, used throughout the year and able to provide heating and cooling in equal measures. Though the up-front cost is a little more, the long-term savings of regular use could save you a great deal.

Furthermore, spring makes an ideal time to make the change, when temperatures are mild and you don’t need heating or air conditioning the way you would in the summer or the winter. That gives you maximum flexibility in terms of scheduling the installation. You can find a time that works for you instead of rushing in front of the next heat wave or winter storm. That lowers stress and makes the process of installation much easier.

If you’re considering heat pump installation for the transition from heating to cooling season, now is obviously the time to act. And when you do, Bartels Heating & Cooling is ready to help. Our Fairfield, OH heating installation services include heat pumps and our trained staff has the experience you need to do the job right. Call us today and let us show you what we can do!

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3 Ways to Avoid Heating Repair

Monday, February 17th, 2014

Here in Fairfield, OH, heating repair is no small matter. We need our heaters to function on a daily basis when the snow falls, and any problems need to be fixed quickly before the indoor temperature drops. A good heating repair company will respond in a timely fashion, but even better than repair is avoiding a breakdown in the first place. The more prevention you can exercise, the greater the chances that your heater will continue to function as it’s expected to.

Here are 3 ways to avoid heating repair:

  • Schedule a maintenance visit before heating season starts. A technician will come to your home and clean the dirt off of the heater’s interior components, as well as tightening loose fittings and running the heater to see that everything is functioning as it should. Not only does this reduce the chances of a breakdown, but it helps the heater run more efficiently, cutting down on monthly energy costs.
  • Don’t crank the heat way up. Many people falsely assume that turning the heat up means that the furnace will warm your home faster. This isn’t true. Most furnaces have just one fan speed, and the others don’t have more than two or three. That means that turning it up won’t warm your house any faster. It will just increase the strain on your system, and with it, the chances of a significant breakdown.
  • Watch for signs of trouble. Not every problem results in the heater shutting down. Many times, they will keep running until the problem gets worse, wasting energy in the bargain and raising the cost of repairs when it finally does give up the ghost. You can prevent this by listening for strange sounds, monitoring the functioning of the heater and checking you monthly bills to see that they’re not going up unexpectedly.

For more ways to avoid heating repair in Fairfield, OH, or to schedule a maintenance or repair visit, call Bartels Heating & Cooling. Contact us today to make an appointment!

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3 Reasons to Invest in Geothermal Heating

Wednesday, January 29th, 2014

Geothermal heating uses the heat of the earth to keep your home comfortable all winter long. No matter how cold the weather can be outside, the temperature just a few feet under the ground remains unchanged. A geothermal system uses that to facilitate a heat exchange – running coils or tubes filled with liquid to transfer the heat and take it back to your home.  But the up-front cost is enough so that you should carefully consider the benefits before making a decision. For more information about installing geothermal heating or any of our heating services in Fairfield, OH, give Bartels Heating & Cooling a call today.

Here are 3 reasons to invest in geothermal heating:

  • Lower bills. While the installation cost can be quite expensive, geothermal heating is extremely efficient with little wasted energy. That means it will cost less to heat your home from month to month than it would with a more traditional furnace. Geothermal systems can also provide very efficient air conditioning in the summer. A geothermal system may add resale value to your home, making it more attractive to potential buyers.
  • Eco Friendly. Geothermal heating system use little energy and produce no pollutants. That makes it a very “green” option for environmentally conscious homeowners looking to reduce their carbon footprint.
  • Fewer repairs. Geothermal systems are known for their durability, and since most parts are located underground, they have few repair and maintenance needs. The underground pipe systems can last 50 years or more.

Other reasons to invest in geothermal heating can vary depending on the nature of your property. If you’re considering investing in a system, then the Fairfield, OH heating experts at Bartels Heating & Cooling can help. Not only can we install a geothermal system quickly and properly, but we can set up a regular maintenance schdule to ensure that it’s running as it should. Pick up the phone and give us a call today!

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Causes of Boiler Leaks

Tuesday, January 14th, 2014

Leaks are among the most common cause of boiler malfunction, lowering the pressure and preventing the boiler from heating the your home comfortably. They can also be quite subtle: it’s not enough to simply look for a puddle because some leaks are so small that the water simply evaporates. Trained heating technicians know how to hunt down the causes and make repairs accordingly. Here are some common causes of boiler leaks. For more information or for boiler repair, call the Fairfield, OH heating repair experts at Bartels Heating & Cooling.

  • Rust. Rust and corrosion can affect any part of the boiler, especially an older one. Rust around seals and fittings is common, but depending on the boiler, it can pop up anywhere.
  • Bad circulator pump. The pump helps the water move around the boiler system, allowing it to heat your home. When the pump won’t work, the water doesn’t move and the pressure can build up. All that pressure can work on weak fittings and seals until a leak develops.
  • High pressure. Along those lines, excessive pressure from any source can put severe strain on the boiler’s components and result in a leak.
  • Cracks in the body. As your boiler ages, it may develop hairlines cracks and create a leak in the core unit. This is serious because it usually means having to replace the entire boilers.  Cracks are especially prevalent in older boilers that have been around a while.
  • Seals and joints. Depending upon their age and condition, seals and joints are the most obvious places to look for leaks. Unlike the pipes themselves, they don’t have to corrode to create a breach. A poor fitting can be enough to cause a leak (though such fittings are usually easy to fix).

A good heating technician can spot the causes of boiler leaks and make a strong plan for repairing them. Call Bartels Heating & Cooling for Fairfield, OH heating repair services. We pride ourselves on absolutely professionalism and we’ve seen countless cases of leaky boilers over the years. Contact us today to make an appointment.

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What is a Thermocouple?

Wednesday, December 18th, 2013

What is a thermocouple? In the shortest possible terms, it’s a vital component in your gas heating system, controlling the flow of gas into your system. In some cases, it’s actually a part of your pilot light or electric ignition system: bound in a single unit. It serves as a key safety feature which can literally render your heater inoperable. Here in Fairfield, OH, heating repair services can fix or replace a broken thermocouple, but that still doesn’t explain how, exactly it does its job.

The thermocouple begins with two wires, usually made of differing metals and joined together in a circuit. A voltmeter or similar measuring device is often attached to the wires. One end is placed in a position where the temperature does not vary (such as an ice bath or a sealed container), and the other end is placed in close proximity to the pilot light. When the light comes on the voltmeter detects the differences in temperature (usually requiring a certain specific difference), and signals for the thermocouple to release the gas and start the heating process.

The purpose of this is to ensure that the gas isn’t released when there’s nothing to ignite it, preventing your house from flooding with gas (which can create a serious safety hazard). Most heaters will shut the gas off automatically if the thermocouple becomes damaged, another safety step to keep the gas from flooding your home. (As frustrating as it can be, the heater’s inability to turn on without a functioning thermocouple is a good thing.)

On the other hand, it still won’t heat your home, which means you need a reliable repair service to come in and deal with the problem. If you need Fairfield, OH heating repair services, call Bartels Heating & Cooling, who has the expertise to repair or replace your thermocouple quickly. We pride ourselves on our professionalism, and won’t rest until you’re completely satisfied with our work. If you’re having trouble with your furnace, then pick up the phone and give us a call!

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Is Garage Heating a Worthwhile Investment?

Tuesday, December 10th, 2013

Is garage heating in your Fairfield, OH home a worthwhile investment? In all honesty, that depends on your particular needs. Your heating system is very important, particularly during the winter months when the snows are falling. Your garage is a part of your home like any other, and in many cases it will require some form of heating. In order to make that decision you need to weigh the costs of such a move against the benefits if will provide.

Most garages benefit from at least some sort of heating. Cold can damage things you’re storing there, and if you keep your car in the garage, you want it to stay at least moderately warm so that it will start in the morning when you need it to. On the other hand, the garage’s space may place additional strain on your existing heater, and if your garage isn’t insulated, then you’ll need to consider adding some in order to make the most out of your investment.

One possibility is to add a separate heater to cover your garage. This allows you to tailor the size of it to fit the garage’s needs without placing an additional load on your home heater. It also means you don’t have to run ducts or water lines to the garage from your house: an important consideration if your garage is a detached unit. It also allows you to tailor the temperature in your garage. Since you probably won’t be using it very often, you can set the temperature fairly low – say, 50 degrees or ever cooler – while keeping your home a toastier temperature.

Regardless of the specifics, a good heating service can advise you of your options. Here at Bartels Heating & Cooling, we can take care of any Fairfield, OH heating service you need. We’ll inspect your home to help determine if garage heating is a worthwhile investment, then make our recommendations to you before setting up an installation schedule that meets your needs. Pick up the phone and give us a call today.

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Is it Time to Try Something Different for Heating?

Tuesday, November 12th, 2013

Heating in Fairfield, OH has traditionally relied on boilers and furnaces: proven, effective technology that has been in place for a long time. We live in the 21st century, however, and while those forms of heating work well for many homes, you may want to consider something new. Alternate forms of heating often cost less to run and are more environmentally friendly, though specifics depend on the particular nature of your home. Is it time to try something different for heating in Fairfield, OH? Only you can answer that question, but some of the more popular options are outlined below.

  • Radiant heat systems. This system involves tubes or electric coils installed in your floorboards to warm the room. It works extremely well because the warmth goes directly to furniture and occupants, instead of blowing around in the air. That means it costs less to run that traditional boilers or furnaces, and you don’t have to worry about drafts or cold spots. The downside is that it takes a great deal of time and effort to install, since your floors need to undergo serious alteration. The rewards can be worth it, however, both in terms of monthly savings and in terms of the resale value of your house.
  • Geothermal systems. Geothermal systems draw upon the ambient heat of the ground, which stays the same year round and which can be used to warm your home. Tubing is run through the ground on your property, facilitating a heat exchange which then brings the heat inside. You usually need a certain amount of space for geothermal heating, but like radiant systems, they can save a great deal of money in monthly costs.
  • Heat pumps. Heat pumps combine the functions of a heater and an air conditioning system, using refrigerant to heat your home in the winter and cool it in the summer. They don’t cost much to run each month and installation isn’t as invasive as it would be for radiant heat systems or geothermal heat systems. They often require an auxiliary heater for the coldest days, however.

If you’ve decided that it’s time to try something different for heating in Fairfield, call the NATE-certified experts at Bartels Heating & Cooling. We’ll discuss your options with you and help you find the perfect heating system for your home!

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Heating Tip: How Humidity Impacts Heating

Tuesday, October 22nd, 2013

In Fairfield, OH, heating systems often need to contend with humidity as well as high temperatures.  Southern Ohio can get very humid all year round, which can affect your comfort levels no matter where you go. A good heating and air conditioning system can deal with the humidity as well as the temperatures, leaving you enough moisture in the air to keep from drying out your skin without turning your home into a swamp. If you understand how humidity impacts heating, you’ll understand why this is so important.

As human beings, we’re very sensitive to humidity in the air. Excess moisture leaves the body through our skin in the form of sweat, an action that helps keep us cool. Higher humidity in the air hampers that process, meaning that sweat doesn’t evaporate off of our skin quickly enough to cool our body temperature. We stay warmer than we should, and we’re just not as comfortable as we might be. Ideally, we want a relative humidity level in our surroundings to be at about 45 percent.

In addition to their heating and cooling functions HVAC systems can reduce the humidity levels in your house. A heater warms the air which causes water particles to evaporate, lowering the overall humidity levels. That’s why it can sometimes feel excessively dry in your heated home during the winter months. Your heater has sucked all the moisture up. Dry air is just as bad as humid air, since it can make breathing problems worse and irritate your skin if left unaddressed. You can correct the issue by adjusting your heater and/or by using a humidifier to keep the air moist.

A qualified professional can help adjust your heater to meet your comfort levels, and help you with a humidifier if that’s what you need. In Fairfield, OH, heating issues can be treated by Bartels Heating & Cooling. We know how humidity impacts heating, and we can conduct installation and repairs to meet your needs. Call our team of professionals to set up a consultation today. You’ll be glad you did.

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