Bartels Heating & Cooling Blog: Posts Tagged ‘West Chester’

Signs that You Need Air Conditioning Repair

Friday, May 17th, 2013

As we move into the cooling season, you may be looking to iron out any potential problems with your air conditioning system before they become major problems or before your system shuts down during the hottest part of the year. Fortunately, there are some preliminary signs that you might need professional attention. In this post, we’d like to review a few of these so that you can ensure that your system is highly effective and energy efficient this summer. Call Bartels Heating & Cooling today for air conditioning repair in West Chester, OH.

  • Frozen evaporator coil. Your evaporator coil resides indoors within the air handler. If it becomes frozen during operation, then there is probably an airflow issue. First, check to make sure that your air filter is not clogged. This is a common cause of frozen coils. Your air filter is designed to prevent the accumulation of dust and other debris on various system components. But if it becomes clogged, then it can actually begin to impede airflow. When this occurs, the cool air within your air handler can’t go anywhere and this stagnates the distribution of cooling into your living space, and may freeze the coils.
  • AC won’t turn on. This is typically either a thermostat issue or an electrical one. First, make sure that your thermostat is calling for cooling. If it is, then also make sure that you haven’t tripped the circuit breaker or blown a fuse. If neither of those helps, then there is probably an electrical problem. You may have a bad capacitor or a faulty electrical connection somewhere in the system.
  • Warm air. It’s never a good sign when you feel warm air coming through your ductwork during the summer months. There are numerous reasons for this, but a few of the most common are low refrigerant, dirty condenser coils, and a significant air leak. Make sure you have your system professionally maintained in order to avoid to prevent this from happening in the middle of the cooling season.

If your AC no longer works the way it once did, or if you’re concerned about its operation, then call Bartels Heating & Cooling for air conditioning repair in West Chester, OH.

 

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Air Conditioning Options

Monday, April 29th, 2013

If you’re in the market for a new West Chester, OH air conditioning system, then you may find yourself overwhelmed by the various options. There have been recent technological advances in energy efficiency and performance that give homeowners a much wider range of cooling systems to select from. The most important aspect of the process, however, is selecting the right AC contractor. Only pro installation can ensure that you get the most out of your AC, whatever brand or type it is. For superior West Chester, OH air conditioning installation, contact the experts at Bartels Heating & Cooling today!

Let’s take a look at several of your air conditioning options. While not all systems may be right for your home and budget, it’s important to know what’s out there so you can make an informed decision.

  • Central air: This is by far the most popular type of AC in the US. It is tried and tested, and many customers are pleased to have a central split air conditioning system. The basic layout of this system is an outdoor compressor/condenser and an indoor air handler/evaporator. A refrigerant circulates throughout the coils, cools the warm air removed from your home, and dissipates this thermal energy outside. This type of forced air distribution system uses an extensive system of ductwork and registers to extract and send air throughout your home.
  • Ductless mini split: A ductless mini split uses a similar type of outdoor compressor/condenser unit as central air. However, as its name suggests, it doesn’t use ductwork. Instead, the air handler/evaporator coil is either designed to sit right inside your home, high on the wall or recessed in the ceiling. Because of their lack of ducts, they tend to be highly energy efficient, and they also offer built-in zone control; you can typically assign up to 4 different air handler units for every outdoor unit and put them throughout your home.
  • Heat pump: A heat pump is more or less a similar type of setup as central air, with one major difference: it can also heat your home during the cold. 

For more information about your West Chester, OH air conditioning options, call the experts at Bartels Heating & Cooling today! 

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Air Conditioning Maintenance Tips

Monday, April 1st, 2013

If you want to make it through the hot summer months comfortably, it is important that you purchase a high-quality air conditioning system and that the installation of that system is completed by a qualified professional. Of course, even the best air conditioning systems installed by expert technicians require continuing services to operate as efficiently and reliably as possible. That is why your air conditioning maintenance is so important.

While you must schedule routine air conditioning maintenance with a professional AC maintenance technician, there are a few things you can do yourself to keep your air conditioner working properly. Here are some air conditioning maintenance tips from Bartels Heating & Cooling to help you beat the heat this summer. Contact us with any questions.

One of the simplest ways in which you can help out the operation of your air conditioner is to change the air filter in your system regularly. If you are unsure how to do this properly, refer to the literature that came with your system or call a professional. It is important that an appropriate filter is used and that it is installed properly. This will help your AC work efficiently and reduce the risk of damage to your system.

You can also make sure that your air registers are clean and that they are not blocked off at all. If your air conditioner has to work harder to pull in and distribute air throughout your home it will incur unnecessary wear and tear. It will also cost more money to operate.

Also, take a look at your outdoor AC unit every now and then. Keeping it clear of leaves, branches and other debris will help prevent damage to your system. This unit must be able to pull in air and vent itself freely to operate properly.

The most importance West Chester, OH air conditioning maintenance tip we can give you is to schedule routine maintenance with a qualified professional. There is just no better way to keep your air conditioner operating properly. Contact Bartels Heating & Cooling today to learn more. We can help you keep your AC operating at great efficiency and performance levels.

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Why Now is the Right Time for AC Maintenance

Monday, March 25th, 2013

Spring is the best time to organize, clean, and get ready for the summer heat. It’s also the ideal time for AC maintenance. No matter what type of air conditioning system you have—whether central AC, heat pump, ductless mini split, or geothermal—you could benefit from professional routine maintenance. In this post, we’d like to inform our customers as to the benefits of our maintenance program. Whether you’ve just invested in a new cooling system or your existing system is getting on in years, we can help. Call Bartels Heating & Cooling for West Chester, OH air conditioning services.

A comprehensive routine maintenance program will make sure your system performs exceptionally. We will execute a variety of check-ups, including monitoring refrigerant pressure, replacing air filters, measuring airflow, adjusting blower components, calibrating your thermostat, and cleaning the coils. Here are some of the benefits:

  • Energy-efficiency. This is perhaps the most readily apparent benefit. Your system will only operate efficiently when its components are free and clear of dust and debris. Maximizing energy efficiency means you pay less on your utility bills every month.
  • Improve system life. Regular maintenance is widely recognized as one of the best ways to improve the life of your cooling system. Your AC is a big investment—by taking care of it, you can make it work for you in the years to come.
  • Reliability. One of the perks of enrolling in a maintenance program is that you receive priority service. Rapid response times are always available. Moreover, routine maintenance makes your system more reliable, an especially important characteristic to keep in mind as we enter the cooling season.
  • Reduce repairs. When left alone, your AC may begin to develop problems and quirks that a regular inspection may be able to take care of before they progress into major repairs or even premature system replacement. Even cleaning and adjusting goes a long way. While dust may not seem harmful, it can actually cause significant damage to the mechanical parts of your blower and even frozen coils.

Still not convinced? Call Bartels Heating & Cooling for air conditioning in West Chester, OH today! 

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Geothermal Heating Guide: How Geothermal Works

Monday, March 11th, 2013

As its name suggests, geothermal heating systems use the thermal energy of the ground beneath your property to heat and cool your home. If you’re looking to replace your system with an energy-efficient, year-round, eco-friendly alternative to conventional heating and cooling systems in West Chester, OH, look no further than geothermal installation with Bartels Heating & Cooling. We offer comprehensive services that will not only get you up and running, but will also maintain your system for years to come. In this post, we’d like to introduce you to the basics of geothermal, so that you can make smart decisions when it comes to your home. For more information, call Bartels today!

So how does geothermal work? It is basically a heat pump attached to a set of underground piping. While your system setup will vary according to your home and property, the basic components are the same. Your geothermal system will either be installed using a relatively shallow, horizontal bed of piping, or a set of deep vertical wells, with piping as deep as 100 feet. It all depends on the soil composition of your ground, as well as where your home sits on your land. The underground piping is typically made out of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), which circulates a water or water-refrigerant mixture. This is known as the “earth loop.”

The geothermal heat pump inside your home pressurizes the refrigerant and circulates it through the underground loop. During the heating season, the piping absorbs the thermal energy of the underground piping and brings it back up to your home, and your heat pump then creates warm air to be dispersed through your ductwork. The great thing about geothermal is that it also works the other way. During the cooling season, it reverses this same circulation process to air condition your home. The whole system relies on the consistently moderate temperature of the earth.

A geothermal system is an excellent way to heat and cool your home. More and more homeowners are making the switch to this simple, innovative, and eco-friendly home comfort solution. Call Bartels Heating & Cooling today for more information! 

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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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