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

What You Should Know about the Heat Exchanger in Your Furnace

Monday, November 7th, 2016

We focus on educating homeowners about the importance of regular heating maintenance, changing air filters, and gas and carbon monoxide safety. But for the most part, we don’t expect our clients to know very much about the various parts of the heating systems in their homes. That’s why we’re here.

Still, it may be helpful for you to know a bit about a key component of your furnace—the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is responsible for transferring heat to the air moving into your home. But it can be responsible for a major safety concern as well.

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Making Last-Minute Heating Repairs: Don’t Put It Off Until Next Season

Monday, March 21st, 2016

Your heating system is not functioning at its best. “Oh well,” you think, turning on the space heaters and lessening your heating system usage for the end of the season, “there’s always next season.” A lot of people have this same way of thinking about heating and cooling repairs. If it happens at the end of the season, you don’t really need the repair right away, right?

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What to Do If Your Heat Pump Won’t Switch to Heating Mode

Wednesday, November 5th, 2014

We are at the time of year when we switch our heat pump systems from cooling to heating – but what if yours won’t switch? There are a few reasons why a heat pump won’t switch modes, but the first thing to remember is not to panic. Bartels Heating & Cooling has the trained technicians to help you with any heat pump issues you may experience, so if you are in need of a heating repair service in West Chester, call us today!

Reasons Your Heat Pump Won’t Switch Modes

Thermostat Problems

Your thermostat is the instrument that cues your heat pump to change modes. Thermostats can malfunction just like any other component, and can require repair. Sometimes the instrumentation inside the thermostat can become dusty and dirty, which can affect how it operates. The wires that connect the thermostat to your system can fray and corrode, cutting off needed electrical flow. Sometimes it can be as simple as an issue of programming. The best way to manage a problem with your thermostat is to call a technician to review and inspect yours for any existing problems.

Refrigerant Leak

Your heat pump needs an exact amount of refrigerant to operate correctly, whether or not the system is cooling or heating your home. During the winter, the refrigerant absorbs the heat in the surrounding air so that your system can heat your home. If there is a refrigerant leak somewhere in your system, the heat pump can’t operate as it should, and the result may be lukewarm air blowing into your living spaces. Refrigerant leaks can be hard to find, and handling refrigerant requires certification, so if you suspect you have a refrigerant leak in your system, call for a technician.

Reversing Valve

The reversing valve in your heat pump is what allows the device to switch from cooling mode to heating mode. The reversing valve can get stuck in a certain position, whether it be a specific mode or in between modes. If the reason for the immobility is traced to the solenoid, the solenoid can be repaired; if the reason for the valve being stuck is attributed to a refrigerant leak or other issue, the valve will need to be replaced.

If your heat pump isn’t changing modes, don’t wait to call for heating repair in West Chester – call Bartels Heating & Cooling today!

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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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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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