We may have just passed the summer solstice, but things have been heating up for a while. Have you noticed that your air conditioner has been sluggish or underperforming? Then it may be time to schedule a maintenance appointment. It’s strongly recommended that every homeowner schedule air conditioning maintenance on a yearly basis, but this doesn’t mean that you don’t do it if you’ve passed the year mark. The experts at Bartels Heating and Cooling can help with all of your air conditioning needs, including professional preventative AC maintenance in West Chester, OH, so give us a call today!
Bartels Heating & Cooling Blog: Archive for the ‘Air Conditioning’ Category
Looking to Keep Your AC Energy Efficient This Summer? Schedule a Maintenance Appointment
Monday, June 29th, 20153 Common Reasons to Call for Air Conditioning Repair Help
Monday, June 22nd, 2015While you should always leave all work needed for AC to a trained expert, especially repairs, it’s good to know what certain terms mean as well as some of the more common issues that can develop with your air conditioning system in Fairfield, OH. However, should you experience any problems with your air conditioner, be sure to call the experts you can count on: Bartels Heating & Cooling.
3 Important Steps of Air Conditioner Installation
Monday, June 1st, 2015Installing a whole-home air conditioning system is not like choosing a simple window unit. To ensure that your air conditioner provides you with the comfort you need for years to come, it’s important to take three important steps before purchasing and installing your new AC system. As always, the air conditioning experts at Bartels Heating & Cooling are here to help you with all of your AC needs in Oxford, DE – all you have to do is give us a call.
How Does an Air Conditioner Remove Humidity?
Monday, May 11th, 2015To the untrained eye, air conditioners cool your home by blowing cool air into it; the truth is that air conditioners remove the heat and humidity from your living spaces while blowing cool air into it. ACs are able to remove heat and humidity due to the refrigerant in the system. Refrigerant can absorb and release heat because it easily changes from a liquid to a gas and back again, allowing it to facilitate heat transfer. But humidity is moisture, and it is removed in a slightly different way. A typical sign of air conditioning issues is excess humidity, so if you are feeling cold and clammy inside your home in Hamilton, it’s time to give the experts at Bartels Heating & Cooling a call.
Why Is There Frost on My Air Conditioner?
Monday, May 4th, 2015Air conditioning systems are designed to keep us cool, which is serious business here in Hamilton, OH. Our Midwest summers can get quite uncomfortable, with high temperatures and higher humidity being the norm. Homeowners who notice frost on their air conditioning system may not think that anything is amiss. In fact, however, the presence of frost or ice signals a significant problem, requiring professional help to address it. “Why is there frost on my air conditioner?” you ask. Simply put, because your air conditioner is malfunctioning.
Why Should You Replace Your Air Conditioning System Now
Monday, April 27th, 2015With warm temperatures on the way, Hamilton, OH residents are switching from winter to summer. Temperatures are comfortable now, but soon enough that thermometer is going to rise, and with it comes the humidity and uncomfortable conditions that make an air conditioning system an absolute necessity. If you’re considering a replacement system, now might be the best time to contact an expert, before the heat of summer really kicks in. Why should you replace your air conditioning system now? Here are three good reasons for you to consider.
Does Your Commercial Air Conditioning Need Repair?
Monday, April 6th, 2015We are finally starting to see some warmer weather in our area, and if you have a commercial space, this means you’ll soon be switching from heating to cooling. While you need to be aware of potential problems developing with your commercial HVAC system year-round , the switch between seasons is especially important. Why? Part of your system has been dormant for a few months, and there is the possibility that an issue may have developed during that time. So what kinds of things should you keep an eye out for? Here are some tips from the commercial AC experts at Bartels Heating & Cooling:
Poor Performance
Is your thermostat set to 72 degrees and it feels like it’s almost 80 degrees indoors? Does your AC seem sluggish? Poor performance is a telltale sign of a system in need, so if you are seeing these signs, or are simply questioning whether or not your system is operating as it should, call for an expert.
Sky-High Energy Bills
Have you noticed a significant increase in your business’s monthly energy bills, but haven’t changed how you use your AC? When a part or an assembly in your air conditioning system malfunctions, it will create stress on the system; anytime your system is stressed, it will use more energy to operate. It can be tempting to wait for a full breakdown before calling for help, but this is never advisable. If you are seeing very high, inordinate energy bills, call a professional for assistance.
Strange Sounds
Your commercial AC system is designed to operate with minimal noise, so any kind of loud sound is typically a solid indication that a problem has developed. Examples of abnormal sounds would be clunking, banging, screeching, and anything else that sounds of out of the ordinary in regard to the system’s operation.
It’s critical to the operation of your business to have a cool, comfortable atmosphere in which to work – don’t compromise it by hiring an inexpert or amateur person to repair your commercial air conditioner. The commercial specialists at Bartels Heating & Cooling have been serving southwest Ohio since 1973, so call us today for all of your commercial AC needs!
3 Ways to Prevent Air Conditioning Failure
Thursday, April 2nd, 2015It’s difficult to think about when the outside air is still chilly, but warmer weather will soon be here, and your air conditioning system will be running regularly throughout the day before too long. It can be an alarming situation if your air conditioner breaks down in the middle of a hot summer day, which is why we recommend taking preventive steps now to avoid this. Follow these tips for successful air conditioning operation throughout the warmer months, and call one of our experts now for professional maintenance services in West Chester.
- Pay attention to problems – If your air conditioning system is struggling, you may be able to tell early on if you know what signs to look for. Noisy operation and slow cooling times indicates trouble. If your system has trouble starting up or staying on, it could do some damage to the compressor. Call for repairs early on to prevent parts from deteriorating any further.
- Change your filter regularly – The filter of your air conditioning system is designed for two purposes. First, it stops your fan from sucking in large debris that could damage the air conditioning unit. Second, it filters contaminants out of the air so that your family does not breathe these in. If you allow this filter to become clogged, though, air cannot successfully pass through and into the system, which may result in motor trouble or frozen coils, among other problems that could result in system failure.
- Keep your AC professionally maintained – Changing the air filter regularly is an important part of maintaining your unit, but one of the best things you can do for your system is to schedule regular maintenance visits from a professional. Professional maintenance involves checking refrigerant levels, testing the voltage, tightening electrical components, cleaning the coils, oiling the motors, and many other tasks that help to extend the life of your system. For the most part, these tasks require an expert with the proper tools for the job and the experience necessary to recognize trouble quickly.
Call the cooling experts at Bartels Heating & Cooling for air conditioning maintenance, repairs, and any additional services in West Chester and the surrounding areas.
Air Conditioning Question: What is the Condensate Drain?
Wednesday, July 30th, 2014An air conditioned room is the perfect place to take shelter when it gets too hot. But did you know air conditioners protect against high humidity as well? The concept of air conditioning actually came to be about 100 years ago, developed as a defense against high humidity levels. Today, these systems are much more advanced, and one of the key components in humidity control is the condensate drain.
To understand the role of the condensate drain in humidity control, you must first understand the concept of heat exchange. Air conditioners move heat from inside of your home to the outdoors. This is usually done with a split-system air conditioner consisting of an indoor unit and an outdoor unit which refrigerant moves through repeatedly. Inside, the evaporator changes refrigerant from a liquid to a gas and heat is absorbed in the process. Outside, the condenser coil changes refrigerant from gas to liquid and heat releases into the air.
The indoor coil stays relatively cool as warm air blows over the evaporator and cool air returns to the home. Any moisture from the air begins to collect on this coil as condensation. Much like a glass of ice water on a warm day, the evaporator coil forms water droplets on the outside of the coil which eventually need some place to go.
This is where the condensate drain comes in. First, the water droplets fall into a shallow tray called a condensate pan. Then, water flows either directly into a condensate drain or through a condensate line that leads to an outdoor drain.
Sometimes, condensate drains encounter problems. If the drain line is clogged by debris or because of faulty installation, the condensate pan may overflow and harm your system, or else water may leak into your home. Water leaks are one of the most common reasons homeowners call for air conditioning repair, but these may be prevented with annual maintenance by an air conditioning technician.
If you run into problems with your system, or if you have questions about air conditioning service in Fairfield, OH, call Bartels Heating & Cooling today!
Options to Consider With Your New Air Conditioner
Friday, June 27th, 2014If 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.