Bartels Heating & Cooling Blog: Archive for April, 2014

How Refrigerant Gas Creates Cool Air

Friday, April 25th, 2014

Air conditioning in West Chester is more than just a luxury. Summers are hot and muggy and a good air conditioner can be your best friend when the temperatures start to climb. But as much of a staple as the system has become to our lives, most people still don’t know how it operates. They know that refrigerant is involved, but the precise nature of the process is something of a mystery. In actuality, the process is very simple, at least in terms of the basic concepts. Here’s a quick rundown on how refrigerant gas creates cool air.

The process involves a heat exchange, which means that heat transfers from the refrigerant and back again. The refrigerant itself must be of a particular type and amount that matches your precise type of air conditioner. It moves through a closed circuit (though breaches in that circuit are not uncommon and require the services of a professional when they arrive). The process starts when the gas enters a condenser valve, where it is put under a huge amount of heat and pressure. It then moves to the compressor coils, where the heat is bled off into the surrounding air. (The hot air is vented outside with a fan, which is why this part of the air conditioner is usually located outside.)

That shifts the gas to liquid form, though it is still under a high amount of pressure. It then moves to the next stage in the process. It passes through an expansion valve, which sprays a set amount into the evaporator coils, not unlike an aerosol can. (Again, the exact amount it sprays depends on the specific model of the air conditioner.) In the evaporator coils, it returns to gaseous form, pulling heat from the surrounding air in the process. It can then return to the condenser valve and begin the process again. The cool air, however, can be blown into your home via a fan, giving you the cool comfortable temperature you want.

For more on how refrigerant gas creates cool air, or to discuss installation or repairs for air conditioning in West Chester, give the experts at Bartels Heating & Cooling a call. We have the know-how and experience to do the job right the first time, every time!

When you’re in need of AC service in West Chester, OH, contact us today and schedule your next appointment.

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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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What You Can Expect During Air Conditioning Maintenance

Monday, April 14th, 2014

Spring has arrived, and with it comes a chance to perform some routine maintenance on your air conditioning system. Maintenance will help your system function more efficiently – saving you money on monthly cooling costs – as well as helping spot potentially big problems while they’re still small. Air conditioning maintenance in West Chester, OH is a fairly common service, though you could benefit by knowing exactly what a session entails. Here’s a quick breakdown of what you can expect during air conditioning maintenance.

  • Clean components. A maintenance tune-up will include cleaning the dirt off of interior components, including the condenser and evaporator coils. The last one is very important because dirty coils can impact the unit’s ability to cool the air.
  • Recharge refrigerant levels. The refrigerant needs to be at a set level in order for the air conditioner to work. Checking the refrigerant level is a standard step, although a separate repair service may be required if there’s a leak in the system.
  • Check the drains. Drain pans in the air conditioner catch condensate and drain it out of the system. If the drain lines get clogged or the pan is misaligned, it could leak water onto sensitive electronic components. The technician will check the drain system and ensure that everything is in good condition.
  • A general inspection. This includes checking the fan, fan motors, electrical wiring, refrigerant tubing, blower system, ductwork and compressor for any signs of trouble or damage. If an issue is spotted, you have it fixed before it affects your cooling.
  • Running the air conditioner. As a final step, the technician will run the air conditioner for 15-20 minute to ensure that anything is running smoothly.

Air conditioning maintenance in West Chester, OH can be performed by the experts at Bartels Heating & Cooling. You want your air conditioner to perform at its peak this summer. Give us a call today and let us help you make that happen!

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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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