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

Benefits of Radiant Heating

Tuesday, October 29th, 2013

In towns like West Chester, OH, heating costs can easily get out of control. Our cold winters make reliable heating an absolute necessity, and while a traditional gas furnace can do the job, you have a number of other possible options available to you. For example, radiant heating consists of a series of heating tubes or electric coils in your floors to heat your home. Installation can cost more than it might in the case of a gas furnace, but the benefits of radiant heating can easily outweigh the drawbacks. Here’s a brief list of some of the advantages offered by the technology.

  • Improved efficiency. Radiant heating moves warmth directly into objects in the room, including people. That means there’s no heat lost to drafts or other air flow issues, like there are with gas furnaces. That means it doesn’t waste very much of its energy, which means it costs you much less in monthly energy bills.
  • No drafts or cold spots. Because it doesn’t rely on air flow, radiant heating also avoids some of the problems endemic to air flow, such as cold spots or weird drafts. Radiant heating systems also tend to be quieter than normal gas systems, since they don’t need fans to distribute their heat.
  • Resale value. The initial cost of installing a radiant heating system can be at least partially recouped in resale value on the home. Because radiant heating systems don’t cost a lot to run, anyone who buys the home will benefit from its presence, which can increase the asking price when the times comes to sell.

For heating installation services in West Chester, OH, contact Bartels Heating & Cooling for help. We can discuss the benefits of radiant heating with you, then inspect your home to determine whether it will work.  Give us a call today to make an appointment; you’ll be happy that you did!

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Heat Pump Repair: Compressor Won’t Start

Tuesday, October 15th, 2013

Heat pumps operate according to the same basic principles of air conditioning. Refrigerant passes through the compressor, which pressurizes it, and it then goes through the condenser coils, where it dissipates the heat into the outdoor air and condenses into a liquid. The liquid then enters an evaporator system, which returns it to a gaseous state and cools the surrounding air in the process. (The air is them blown into the home with a fan.) Heat pumps simply make this process reversible, allowing you to release either hot or cool air into your West Chester, OH home. Otherwise, it doesn’t significantly differ from the functioning of an air conditioning. But what happens when the compressor won’t start?

The compressor can suffer from a number of possible problems from a lack of cooling capacity (usually caused by a refrigerant leak) to an excessively long cycle (likely caused by general wear and tear). If it fails to turn on entirely, however, you’re likely looking at an overheated or broken-down unit. Many compressor motors have automatic shut-off switches designed to prevent greater damage. Those that don’t might overheat if they are old or suffer from other damage. Regardless, the compressor motor will probably need to be replaced.

In some cases, the compressor may not start because of a problem with the electrical wiring delivering power from your home’s circuit breaker box. Check the box to see if the breaker has been triggered. If it has – and if it keeps triggering when you try to run the heat pump – you likely have something wrong with the wiring and will need to replace it.

A professional heating techncian can usually handle all of your West Chester, OH pump repair needs. If your compressor won’t start, then call Bartels Heating & Cooling for help. We handle West Chester, OH heat pump repair issues of all varieties, and will work diligently to fix the source of your compressor problems. Call us today and get your heat pump back on track.

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Common Causes of Problems with Heating

Monday, October 7th, 2013

Winters in the region can get quite fierce, and a reliable heating system provides you with a warm and comfortable respite for the snow outside. When problems arise, they need to be addressed quickly before your home is deprived of heat. It helps if you can identify common causes of problems with heating in West Chester, OH. The sooner you can spot them, the sooner a trained technician can step in to handle them. Here are a few of the more common heating issues you may encounter.

  • No power.  Obviously if your heater won’t turn on at all, there’s a problem. Many furnaces have components that will automatically shut down in the event of an overload, including the run capacitor, the blower motor and the furnace control board. (They do this to prevent further damage to the system.) Power may also but cut off if there’s problems with the electrical system connecting the furnace to the main power in the house.
  • No heat. A lack of heat may be caused by the fact that the pilot light isn’t lit or a problem with the thermocouple (which regulates the amount of gas that goes to the furnace). If either one is demonstrating problems, it will need to be replaced. In some cases, a lack of heat may stem from a malfunctioning thermostat, which is misreading the temperature and neglecting to turn on the power.
  • Restricted air flow. If the heater is on, but your system isn’t distributing air the way you need it to, there’s probably a blockage somewhere in the system: a filter in need of changing, a damaged air duct, or the like. A trained professional can track down the source of the problem and institute the proper repairs.

Call Bartels Heating & Cooling for heating services in West Chester, OH!

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Signs of Trouble with Your Boiler

Monday, September 23rd, 2013

A boiler is an efficient and effective way to heat your home. You see plenty of both in southern Ohio towns like West Chester; boiler systems embrace a wide variety of makes, models and ages. When your boiler exhibits signs of trouble – especially during our cold Midwestern winters – you need to take steps to correct it quickly. That’s why it pays to look for signs of trouble before they get out of hand. Here are a few of the most common:

  • No hot water or hot water taking time to arrive. This can some from a number of possible sources, such as a faulty thermostat or thermocouple, trouble with the pilot light, a valve failure, or mineral build-up preventing the flow of hot water to your radiator. Whatever the cause, the effects are obvious and need prompt addressing in order to restore heat to your home.
  • Leaks. Leaks indicate a problem with a coupling, damage to the boiler’s water tank, or possibly a faulty line. Besides creating puddles of water that need to be cleaned (and possibly damaging nearby household fixtures as well), leaks can severely impair your boiler’s ability to function.
  • Strange noises. Noises can come from many sources, ranging from leaks to air in the system to water gurgling through sediment build-up. A trained professional can identify the source of the noise and take corrective measures before the problem becomes worse.
  • Frozen condensate pipe. The condensate pipe removes waste liquid from the boiler: usually water mixed with a few trace gases created by the heating system. During the cold months – and we have more than a few of those in Ohio – the water may freeze in the pipes, creating a back-up and causing damage to your boiler.

Regardless of the cause, when you recognize signs of trouble with your boiler in West Chester, OH, it’s time to call in a professional. If you need boiler repair or service for any type of heating system, call Bartels Heating & Cooling today to set up an appointment.

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If My AC Turns On, Why Bother with Air Conditioning Repair?

Monday, August 26th, 2013

When it comes to air conditioning systems, people focus on performance, especially in cities like West Chester, OH, where the hot summers necessitate daily use of an AC unit. If cool air is coming out and the house is comfortable, why bother with air conditioning repair? In truth, air conditioning repair services are at their most effective when the issue isn’t pressing. Small problems are much easier to correct than large ones, and jumping on an issue early can save you a lot of money and stress in the future.

Take, for instance, the issue of low refrigerant levels, which is fairly common to a lot of air conditioning units. When a hole develops somewhere in the lines, refrigerant can leak  out, and too little refrigerant can cause problems with the cooling cycle. It probably won’t prevent the unit from functioning entirely, but it will force it to work harder and longer to do its job. Ice will likely form on the evaporator coils, leading to water leaks and inadequate cooling. Motors may be put under greater stress. And as the leak continues, the issues will only grow worse .

If, on the other hand, you contact a professional earlier in the process, a lot of that wear and tear can be avoided. A trained technician can pinpoint the leak and then seal it before recharging the refrigerant to its specified levels. That’s a simpler, easier and more cost-effective operation than simply waiting until the AC stops working entirely, and the extra strain of ineffective cooling has caused multiple components to fail.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure as the saying goes, and you can prevent a lot of problems with your air conditioning unit with regularly scheduled maintenance calls. Bartels Heating & Cooling handles all kinds of air conditioning issues in the West Chester, OH area, and can help set up a maintenance schedule that works for you. Contact us today to set up an appointment.

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Air Conditioning Tip: Does My AC Require More Voltage?

Thursday, August 22nd, 2013

Like a lot of devices, most air conditioning units depend on electricity to function. Indeed, a central AC system often requires more electricity than any other item in the house – up to 5,000 watts when the unit first starts up – which makes it vital to measure both its proper voltage and its efficiency in cooling the home. In West Chester, OH, with its hot muggy summers, an efficient air conditioner is the first, best way to keep your home comfortable. Ensuring that your AC has the proper voltage is an important step in that process.

A central air conditioning system usually needs a dedicated 220-volt or 240-volt circuit for operation, which is usually added at the time of installation. If the voltage is too low, it may cause the air conditioning system to “hard start,” or stutter before it finally fires up. This can cause a great deal to wear and tear on the system, and in some cases may trip the circuit breaker.

Accordingly, it’s very important to determine the right size air conditioning unit to meet your particular needs. A trained professional can help you estimate the amount of power required to cool  your home, usually measure in British Thermal Units (BTU) per hour. (Ironically, an air conditioning that is too large may cause as many issues as one that’s too small, since it will require more voltage to run and will likely cycle on and off too quickly.) Once you know that, an expert can add more circuits if needed, ensuring that your air conditioning has the proper voltage and keeping it running at maximum efficiency.

Efficiency is especially important with the hot summers in West Chester, OH. Air conditioning electrical bills can get out of hand, and you always want to use no more than the voltage you need. Bartels Heating & Cooling has years of experience handling air conditioning issues and can provide you with a reliable estimate of your air conditioning power needs. If more voltage is required, one of our trained professionals can perform the upgrade with your complete satisfaction in mind. Call us today to set up an appointment.

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Air Conditioning Tip: Change Your Filter

Monday, August 5th, 2013

The filter in your air conditioning unit helps keep the system free of dust and debris. The cleaner a system is, the better it will function and the higher your indoor air quality will be. In West Chester, OH, where temperatures climb in the summer months, a clean, well-functioning air conditioning system is key to spending the summer in comfort. We all have our share of concerns from day to day, and changing the filter in your air conditioning can be fairly easy to forget. In the long run, however, it pays to change your filter regularly.

Filters serve to protect the air conditioning unit from dust and dirt, but they can also serve as a “first warning” for other potential problems. An excessively dirty filter may be a sign of burgeoning issues elsewhere in the air conditioning system, and can give you a “heads up” to call in a trained technician for more through maintenance inspection. More importantly, changing your filters helps keep the air in your house clean and remove irritants and allergens from the air. That’s not an insignificant concern in southwestern Ohio, where pollen and similar allergens have a way of making summers miserable for those allergic to them.

If you don’t change your filters regularly, it does more than just lower the air quality in your home. Dirty air filters can increase the airflow resistance in your system, which means it has to work harder in order to properly cool your living space.  That can raise the cost of your energy bills, as well as increasing the amount of wear and tear on the system itself. Changing your air filter regularly can prevent that, giving your pocketbook a break while extending the life of your unit in the bargain.

For maintenance and upkeep issues, contact the skilled technicians at Bartels Heating & Cooling. We can set up a regular maintenance schedule for you and help keep the rest of your air conditioning clean and efficient. We serve all manner of air conditioning needs in West Chester and southwestern Ohio. Call us today and see what a difference we can make!

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Air Conditioning Repair Question: My Compressor Won’t Start

Thursday, June 27th, 2013

Modern air conditioning systems are more efficient and reliable than ever before. That does not mean that you will never experience any problems with your AC, though. All mechanical systems can fail in a variety of different ways, and your air conditioner is no exception. If you notice any issues with the operation of your AC, or if it fails on you completely, contact the West Chester, OH air conditioning repair technicians you can really count on at Bartel’s Heating & Cooling. We thought it would help our customers if we provided some information on common reasons why your compressor won’t start.

Your compressor is a vital part of your air conditioning system, and if it will not start up you are in for some discomfort. Having the problem repaired as soon as possible is absolutely necessary. One reason this issue may come up is faulty wiring. Your compressor needs a constant supply of electricity in order to get running and stay on. If the power source feeding the compressor is not able to feed it that power, it will fail. The start capacitor, which transfers power to the compressor to get it going, may also be at fault.

Simple mechanical issues can also be to blame. If you have not had your system properly maintained it is possible that the motor is not properly oiled. The bearings may also be broken or damaged, or the motor itself may have some issue. Only a qualified professional can determine if a mechanical failure is causing your compressor to let you down.

Finally, a refrigerant leak may cause the level to drop enough that the compressor will not turn on. Refrigerant is recycled over and over, rather than being consumed, so a low refrigerant charge is most likely the result of a leak somewhere in the system. Contact your AC technician to have the leak repaired and your refrigerant properly charged.

To learn more about why your compressor may have failed, contact Bartel’s Heating & Cooling today. We can answer any questions you may have. Our West Chester, OH air conditioning repair technicians have the information you need to get your AC back up and running.

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How You Can Prevent Air Conditioning Repair

Wednesday, June 5th, 2013

As summer fast approaches, homeowners throughout our the West Chester, OH area are making their systems can keep up with the heat and humidity. If you’d like to minimize the repair needs of your air conditioning system, the first step is ensuring that your AC is installed and serviced by a reputable, quality AC technician so that you know it’s being handled correctly. Call Bartels Heating & Cooling today for quality air conditioning repair in West Chester, OH.

There are numerous ways to prevent air conditioning repair. First, make sure you keep your air filter clean and clear or dust and debris as much as possible. Your air filter is designed to prevent the accumulation of dust and other debris from disrupting the refrigerant cycle and the various components. But that’s not the only reason why it’s important to keep it clean. When it gets dirty or clogged, it actually works against the cool air, by trapping it in the evaporator, which can lead to frozen coils, as well as other problems. You’d be surprised at the difference a clean filter can make. We recommend checking it about once a month during the cooling season.

If you haven’t already done so, you should also consider enrolling in a program of preventive maintenance. There’s no better way to ensure that your repair needs are kept at a minimum. During these regular visits, your AC system is thoroughly inspect, cleaned, and adjusted to ensure that it runs well no matter what the outside temperature may be. Professional maintenance may even be required by your manufacturer’s warranty. There’s simply no substitute for the technical expertise and precise knowledge of a professional. He will also be able to alert you to potential future issues, and offer solutions that can significantly reduce costs.

But if you do need air conditioning repair in West Chester, OH, look no further than Bartels Heating & Cooling. We can get your AC back up and running quickly.

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AC Problem: Air Conditioning Electrical Problems

Tuesday, May 21st, 2013

We rely on electricity more and more every year to power our various electronic gadgets, to cook food and clean our homes. But we also rely on electricity to operate our air conditioning systems. In fact, your AC is probably one of the largest consumers of your electrical energy during the cooling season. Considering how much you depend upon the crisp, cool air provided by your AC, no matter what type it is, it’s imperative that your repair problems as soon as they arise. While routine maintenance is the best way to reduce the need for repairs, sometimes they are inevitable. In today’s post, we’d like to review a special type of problem that you may encounter this summer: AC electrical issues. Call Bartels Heating & Cooling today for comprehensive air conditioning services in West Chester, OH.

  • AC won’t turn on: First, check to make sure that you haven’t merely tripped the circuit breaker or blown a fuse. Also, check to make sure that your thermostat is set at the right temperature, is in “cooling” mode, and calling for cool air. If neither of those two helps, you may have a faulty capacitor. This small device stores extra voltage to boost the startup of your AC.
  • AC won’t turn off: While it may seem like this couldn’t possibly be a “problem,” your AC shouldn’t run constantly. It should reach the temperature that you have set at the thermostat, and should then turn off. An AC that won’t turn off often indicates an electrical or thermostat issue that needs to be taken care of. If not, it can lead to increased wear and tear on your system.
  • Short cycling: This term describes when your AC turns on and off frequently. You need to ensure that your AC operates in full and effective cycles so that you can ensure that you’re getting the most from your AC this summer.

If you’re concerned about the operation of your AC or think that you may have an electrical problem, don’t worry. Just call Bartels Heating & Cooling today for comprehensive West Chester, OH air conditioning services. 

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