Bartels Heating & Cooling Blog: Archive for June, 2014

Options to Consider With Your New Air Conditioner

Friday, June 27th, 2014

If you need air conditioning installation service  in West Chester, there are a lot of factors involved that can make the process seem overwhelming. Your new AC should be a high-performance system that doesn’t cost you a fortune on your energy bill. We’ve made it easier by detailing some options you may consider, including information about energy efficiency and about whether to choose a central AC or a ductless mini split system.

Energy Efficient Systems

One of the most important options to consider with your new system is its energy efficiency. Whatever system you choose, it’s important to have an energy efficient system to help cut down on your energy bill. Look for a system with a high SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating and the ENERGY STAR label. An HVAC specialist can tell you which systems are the most energy efficient and will help you find more ways to increase energy efficiency for the life of your system, such as yearly professional maintenance. Energy efficient options are available for both central AC systems and ductless mini splits, detailed below.

Central Air Conditioning

The most common form of AC you see in homes is central air conditioning. An outdoor compressor/condenser unit works with an indoor evaporator to move the heat from inside your home back outdoors, and the system uses the ductwork to circulate cool air. With regular maintenance and a high SEER rating, a central AC system can run smoothly and efficiently for years to come.

Ductless Mini Split Systems

A ductless mini split system is a great option when the structure of your home makes ductwork installation difficult. Similar to central AC, ductless systems require an outdoor unit and indoor unit. However, this system uses multiple indoor units so you can adjust the temperature in each area of your home. A mini split does not use ducts to blow air; instead, technicians mount compact indoor air handlers onto the wall or suspend them from the ceiling, so they don’t have to interfere with the interior design of your home.

For quality, professional air conditioning installation in West Chester, Bartels Heating & Cooling wants to help you find the air conditioning that’s right for your needs. Give us a call today to schedule your next service with us.

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3 Reasons Why Duct Cleaning Is Necessary

Thursday, June 26th, 2014

Try this test right now: Go to one of the vents in your home and unscrew the grate. Now reach inside holding onto a digital camera with a flash (your smart phone should do). Take a photo of the inside, the area just out of your sight. Now look at the image you just captured.

If it isn’t a pleasant sight—something like the lint-catcher of dryer after a large load—then you need to schedule duct cleaning service as soon as possible.

If more than two years have passed since you had your ducts professionally cleaned, you don’t even need to do the test; you’re overdue to have a team come in and use powerful vacuums and agitation equipment to cleanse all the contamination trapped inside your ventilation system. Call Bartels Heating & Cooling today to schedule duct cleaning in Fairfield, OH.

Here Are 3 Reasons Why You Need Duct Cleaning

  1. Protect your indoor air quality: The U.S. EPA has identified low indoor air quality as a major health threat in the country. Clogged up air ducts filled with dirt, dust, pollen, dander, dust mites, and other debris are a major contributor to the issue. You don’t want all this material collected through the return vents form your home to continue to circulate in the air that you and your family breathe every day. Duct cleaning removes this major reservoir of airborne pollutants from your home.
  2. Shield your HVAC system: The forced-air heater and air conditioner that use the ductwork of your home can suffer damage due to the contamination inside the ventilation system. Dust that enters the cabinets of air conditioners, heat pumps, and furnaces will increase stress on mechanical components, block up burners, clog filters, and restrict the function of evaporator and condensing coils. This will lead to numerous repairs and a reduced life for your system.
  3. Maintain energy efficiency: Aside from keeping the HVAC system in good shape, maintaining clean air passages for the air conditioner and heater is crucial for system efficiency. Even a small layer of dust coating the inside of the ductwork will create friction against the airflow that will force the HVAC system to work harder than it need to. As the ducts become more congested, you can expect to see a steep climb in your utility bills. Duct cleaning makes certain that your heater and air conditioner have the least resistance possible to providing you with comfort.

Don’t try this at home (at least, not on your own)

Duct cleaning requires professional equipment and technicians who know how to use them; you cannot clean the ducts are your own by sticking a vacuum hose into an open vent. Call the experienced professionals at Bartels Heating & Cooling when you need duct cleaning in Fairfield, OH. Along with duct cleaning, we also offer other indoor air quality services such as installation of air cleaners, air purifiers, UV sanitizers, and energy recovery ventilators.

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Air Conditioning Installation: 3 Factors to Consider When Sizing A New Air Conditioner

Friday, June 20th, 2014

Installing a new air conditioner can be a great thing for your home and family, but if your new AC isn’t sized properly, it can be the opposite. Many factors need to be calculated when determining what size of air conditioner is really the best for your property, so it’s best to work with an experienced professional to ensure that your air conditioning installation service in Fairfield will give you the cooling you need and want for your home.

Factors to Consider

There is one important question to answer when sizing a new air conditioning system: how much cooling do you really need? The answer lies in calculating a number of factors together in order to get the correct answer, and it’s a calculation that is best done with your Bartel’s Heating & Cooling expert.

Here are 3 important factors to consider when sizing for a new AC:

  • Levels of insulation throughout your home – just as insulation is important for keeping heat in your home during winter, it is just as important in keeping the warm air outside during summer. Knowing exactly how your home is insulated, and at what R-level, is a big part of the cooling calculation, and one that should not be missed or overlooked.
  • Floor plan design – the floor plan design of your home doesn’t just describe the layout, it also indicates how air will flow through the property. For air conditioning, there is a big difference between floor plans that are open versus floor plans that have multiple, walled rooms. For instance, you can have two homes that are both 2,000 square feet in size, but if one has an open floor plan, the cool air is going to move very differently through it as compared to the one that doesn’t.
  • Daily heat gain – every home takes on heat throughout the day, but does so at different rates and temperatures. Different factors go into heat gain, such as the orientation of your property, types of windows, natural and indoor shading, etc. Heat gain can raise the temperature in a home anywhere from 10-15 degrees during the summer months, so knowing how many degrees your home gains during the day is an important factor to know before purchasing your new air conditioner.

Make the Calculation Correctly with an Expert

Bartel’s Heating & Cooling has been conducted air conditioning installation in Fairfield since 1973. Our technicians understand how important it is to calculate correctly for the right-sized air conditioner for your property. If you are ready to install a new AC but aren’t sure what size to purchase, call Bartel’s Heating & Cooling today and schedule a consultation with one of our experts.

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Why Are Package Rooftop Units Popular for Commercial HVAC?

Friday, June 13th, 2014

Commercial HVAC systems in West Chester and other local towns have very different needs than residential air conditioning systems. They must handle a larger amount of space, for instance, and keep many more people comfortable. In addition, the demands on them will shift depending upon the particular business occupying the space. An office with a lot of computer hard drives, for instance, will need more air conditioning power than one used solely for paper storage. That creates different needs for office-based HVAC systems that can usually be solved by package rooftop units. Why are package rooftop units popular for commercial HVAC? We’ve provided a brief breakdown below.

In the first place, package units usually mean modular HVAC systems: multiple individual units all connected to the same system which can be added or removed as needed. This provides the building manager with maximum flexibility in terms of how much cool air is provided. He can divide the units between individual tenants according to their needs, and add or subtract units as appropriate. If one floor of the building is vacant, he can simply turn off the modular units providing that floor with cool air: saving money on monthly bills without disrupting the service for the rest of the building’s occupants.

That’s a big part of why such units are placed on the roof. Depending upon the size of the building, all those modular units can take up a lot of space. Putting them on the roof means that you don’t have to sacrifice any square footage that can go to cubicles, office storage or parking. And the rooftop still provides easy access in the event of repairs.

All of that combines to make package rooftop units very popular for commercial HVAC systems. If you’re a business manage or have a similar vested interest in commercial HVAC systems in West Chester, contact the experts at Bartels Heating & Cooling. We have the specialized training to handle commercial systems and we’re dedicated to your complete satisfaction every step of the way. Give us a call today and let us show you what we can do!

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Stages of Air Conditioning Installation

Friday, June 6th, 2014

Air conditioning installation in Hamilton, OH is not a light undertaking, but eventually, it’s necessary. Sooner or later, even the most well-maintained system breaks down, requiring a new system to take its place. Every installation process is different and a reliable service company can set up a plan that works for your unique circumstances. It may help you to understand the general stages of air conditioning installation in Hamilton, however. That way, you won’t be caught by surprise and you can discuss the specifics with your technician from a more knowledgeable perspective. We’ve provided a quick breakdown below:

  • The technician arrives at your home and conducts measurements to determine the proper power load for your air conditioner, balanced against such factors as square footage, insulation in your attic and sunlight exposure.
  • The technician makes calculations to determine the square footage needed for your need system, as well as the location of electrical wiring, vents, drain lines and other auxiliary components that need to line up.
  • The technician brings in any equipment needed to remove your old system and install the new one.
  • The technician shuts off power to your home and methodically disconnects your system from electrical connections, drain lines, the duct system and other components which your new system might need.
  • The technician removes your old system with care, ensuring that no other part of your home is disrupted.
  • The technician places the new unit in position, then methodically attaches all of the lines, hoses and electrical connections.
  • The technician turns on the power, and runs your new air conditioner for 15-20 minutes while checking for potential problems. Only when he is satisfied that everything is as it should be does he turn off the unit and complete the installation.

The experts at Bartels Heating & Cooling can explain all of the stages of air conditioning installation in Hamilton to you, as well as performing the operation with courtesy and care. We value your satisfaction as a customer and we won’t rest until you are completely satisfied with your new AC unit. Pick up the phone and call us today for a consultation. You’ll be glad you did!

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