Why Skipping AC Maintenance Can Cost You

May 11th, 2020

ac-with-maintenance-toolsWhen we say that scheduling AC maintenance is mandatory, we don’t mean that there is some type of city regulation that will issue you a fine if you don’t have it done. It’s mandatory if you want the best service and longest system life for your central air conditioner. That’s important, especially when you consider how rough the summer can be, and how much you’ll rely on your home cooling system to keep your family comfortable and healthy.

But how bad can it be? you may ask. What’s the real cost of skipping spring maintenance now and then?

The answer: Pretty bad and pretty high. We’ll go into what can happen if you don’t schedule this vital air conditioning service in Cincinnati, OH each spring.

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Should You Shut Down Your Heater for the Middle of the Year?

April 27th, 2020

natural-gas-furnace-burnerWhen the summer weather finally settles in and we know we’ve seen the last of the chill for the season, you’ll face a decision about your heating system. Should you shut it down entirely for the summer until it’s needed again in the fall? Or is it better to simply keep it on, but not in use?

The answer to this question varies depending on the type of heating system you use, and it’s not always an absolute “on” or “off” distinction. We’ll go into the details for the different types of systems you may have:

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Don’t Ignore Heating Repairs Because It’s Spring!

April 13th, 2020

heating-furnace-repair-technicianIf you’ve been through at least one spring in Ohio, you know that the season is never a guarantee the cold weather will vanish for good. Cold snaps can continue to happen even into June. You never know when you’ll need to have your furnace or boiler running again. This is why you shouldn’t shut down either for the season until the summer weather has well and truly arrived.

But you may still feel tempted to ignore the need for heating repair in Mason, OH because of the proximity of summer. The boiler is making some odd rumbling noises? “Oh well, it can wait until fall.” The furnace is turning on and off too rapidly? “Not a big deal, I won’t need it soon anyway.”

This kind of thinking can lead to trouble. Possibly even a dangerous situation if your home uses natural gas. Heating repairs need to be taken care of promptly, no matter the season.

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Is There a Difference in the Heat From a Furnace and a Heat Pump?

March 30th, 2020

heating-cooling-ventThis is a debate homeowners often face when making a major update to their HVAC system that will replace both the old air conditioning system and the old furnace: should they replace the AC and furnace with another AC and furnace, or should they instead put in a heat pump to handle both heating and cooling?

A quick glance at that question may seem like the answer is simple: a heat pump. If it does both jobs, why not save the time and put in the single unit? But the answer isn’t simple. Heat pumps are more expensive than a standard AC, and they may not be right for all homes. Many people have heard that heat pumps simply can’t stack up when it comes to home heating compared to a furnace, and that they just don’t feel warm enough.

We’re going to look closer at the question of the heat from a furnace vs. a heat pump and provide some answers. The best way to get the detailed answers you need for your home and family is to call our Fairfield, OH, HVAC experts. They’ll guide you to the right system for your needs.

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A Message from Bartels Heating and Cooling to Our Customers

March 18th, 2020

Here at Bartels Heating and Cooling, we care about the safety and well-being of our customers and employees. We have been closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation and are using the guidance from public health officials.  This is a fluid situation and Bartels will continue to take necessary measures to help protect our employees, their families and our customers.

Bartels Heating and Cooling is currently taking all service calls, maintenance visits, and installation work. We realize that the services we provide are necessary for the health and comfort of your family and assure you that we will be here to provide those services when needed.

Per public health officials, we have instructed our employees to not initiate physical contact with customers.  In addition, we will continue to utilize preventative measures as we have in the past such as wearing shoe covers, using clorox wipes, wearing gloves, etc.

We will continue to monitor the situation as it changes on a daily or even hourly basis.  Bartels heating and Cooling will continue making changes to our routine as required.  In the meantime, stand ready and willing to serve you in every way we can.

Paul Reid
President
Bartels Heating and Cooling

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How Long Will My Furnace Last?

March 16th, 2020

Furnace-standardAt the end of each winter, you’ll want to assess your furnace and ask yourself if it is getting close to—or even reached—the end of its service life. If you think the furnace is too old, the spring and summer is a good time to have the new installation work done, since you won’t need to have the furnace keeping your home warm.

One of the key pieces of knowledge in deciding if a furnace needs a replacement is how old it is. But what does that age tell you? How long can you expect a furnace to last? The answer isn’t straightforward, since other factors come into play.

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March Is a Great Time to Enroll in Our Maintenance Plan

March 2nd, 2020

service-timeSpring starts in late March, although that doesn’t mean we automatically receive warmer weather. This is a fickle month where temperatures can swing from extremes, and the heating system warming your home will still need to run on the regular.

But March is also a good month to make plans for the coming warmer weather. You can get your air conditioning system in shape early by arranging for professionals to inspect the AC and give it a proper tune-up.

The easiest way to have quality air conditioning maintenance in Oxford, OH and the surrounding areas is to call Bartels Heating & Cooling and ask about our maintenance plan.

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Understanding When Repairs Are Still Worthwhile for Your Furnace

February 17th, 2020

furnace-oldPeople enjoy a fresh start at the beginning of the year. You may be thinking that a new start is what you need for your home heating. You have an old furnace that you think isn’t living up to its old standards. It sounds like a good reason to have a new furnace installed, and there are many excellent options on the market for a high-efficiency heating unit.

But… can repairs keep the furnace going? If they can, are they worth the cost? Before you make a choice about either heating replacement or heating repair in Mason, OH, we want you to read more about the cost of getting a new furnace vs. the cost of repairing an old one.

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Your Boiler Isn’t Keeping Up—Let’s Find Out Why

February 3rd, 2020

large-boilerIf you feel colder in your house than normal this winter to the point that you’re putting on heavy layers of clothing, nudging up the thermostat to much higher temperatures, and listening to family members complain about their rooms feeling like iceboxes, the trouble may be a heating system that’s struggling to keep up.

In this post we’re going to look at boiler systems specifically: why might a boiler start falling behind at its job? We’ll look at the more common reasons so you’ll know when to call for heating repair in Middletown, OH from our experts. Not all local contractors service boilers. We do!

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Is Duct Sealing Really Helpful?

January 20th, 2020

duct-sealing-with-caulkingNot only is duct sealing helpful, in situations of major duct leakage it’s a necessity. Going without it means paying more to heat and cool your house, creating extra strain on the HVAC system, a shorter life for the heater and AC, unhealthy and poor-smelling air in the house, and other problems.

We know why people wonder about the usefulness of duct sealing. It’s because ducts are hard to see. This makes it difficult to visualize the ducts needing to have any repairs in the first place. When you see damage to a wall or dying grass on the lawn, it’s a signal to do something about it. The only warning signs you’ll have that your ducts are in trouble are second-hand issues that might be from other troubles. These include higher energy bills and hot/cold spots around the house.

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