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

What Are the Benefits of Generator Installation?

Friday, May 23rd, 2014

Storms and extreme weather conditions have made homeowners more aware than ever of the importance of having backup standby generators working to supply them with electricity during emergencies. With proper installation from experienced generator technicians, you can protect your home from both short-term and long-term power failures.

There are a number of good reasons to have a standby generator in West Chester, OH aside from keeping the lights burning when the power blinks out. Here are some of the major benefits you’ll receive from a generator that was professionally installed. Call Bartels Heating & Cooling to find out more about what a generator can do for you and how we can help you find the right model.

Advantages of standby generator installation

  • Maintain your comfort: Power outages usually occur during difficult weather conditions. Winter storms can wreck power lines, and intense heat often forces an overstressed power grid to shut down. You don’t want to lose power to your AC or heater during these periods (and even if you have a gas-powered heater, modern heaters will start up without electricity). To make it through these stretches, a generator is invaluable.
  • Prevent food from spoiling: Along with your lights and your HVAC system, the appliance you most want to stay on during a power outage is the refrigerator. Food will rapidly spoil when a refrigerator shuts off, and since it’s unlikely you will be able to make it to the store while the power is still out, keeping your food fresh and edible is a crucial part of your comf0rt.
  • Protect people with medical needs: If you have people living in your home who depend on powered medical equipment, such as an oxygen system, then having a whole-house generator can be a literal life-saver. You don’t want to take risks on a power outage when so much rides on electrical power, and a store-bought portable unit won’t offer you the assurance of making it through a lengthy power failure.

Installing a generator is a task that professionals must handle. Only trained technicians can 1) find the unit of the right size to match your home’s voltage; 2) install it so it doesn’t violate electrical codes; and 3) connect it so it will work every time you need it. Do not make this a DIY project or something you delegate to amateurs.

For fast and professional installation of a generator in West Chester, OH, give us a call today and speak with our experienced team at Bartels Heating & Cooling . We will not only install your generator, we will also offer the repairs and maintenance you may need to keep it running whenever your power supply is threatened.

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Improve Your Air Conditioning System’s Efficiency

Friday, May 9th, 2014

When it comes to air conditioning, West Chester, OH residents are used to paying higher prices in the summertime. Our Midwest weather gets awfully muggy in June and July, and you want your home to be a comfy relief from the stifling temperatures outside. That usually means paying for the privilege when your monthly bills arrive, but the costs don’t have to be as high as you might think. Here are some ways to improve your air conditioning system’s efficiency.

It starts with a regular maintenance session, wherein a technician spruces up your air conditioner and looks for any signs of future problems down the road. She or she will clean all of the dirt off of internal components, tighten loose fixtures and replace any filters that have become dirty or clogged. As a result, your air conditioner won’t have to work as hard to do its job. The air will flow more smoothly, friction between moving parts will be reduced and the energy will be spent cooling your home instead of being wasted away by inefficient components. A maintenance session will also help you spot large problems while they’re still small, allowing you to schedule a repair session before the system breaks down.

In addition to the system itself, you should look into ways to improve the overall energy efficiency of your home. This can include such steps as sealing leaks under doors with weather stripping, installing double-paned windows, and adding more insulation to retain your home’s temperatures (a trick that works in the summertime as readily as the winter). A trained technician can inspect your home and make suggestions on ways to improve its energy efficiency, which can save you a surprising amount of money in many cases.

For more ways to improve your air conditioning system’s efficiency, or to schedule an AC repair session, then the experts at Bartels Heating & Cooling are standing by. We specialize in air conditioning, West Chester OH falls within our service area, and we’re dedicated to helping you save as much money as possible without skimping on the cool comfort you expect for your home. Give us a call today and let us show you what we can do!

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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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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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How the Thermostat Affects Your Heating

Friday, March 28th, 2014

In many ways, the answer to how the thermostat affects your heating in West Chester, OH is self-evident. The thermostat controls when your heater turns on and off, allowing you to precisely control the temperature in your home and raise or lower it when circumstances dictate. Any homeowner can tell you that. The real question becomes how a faulty or broken thermostat affects your heating.

A thermostat can evince problems stemming from a number of sources, including problems with the activation mechanism and an inability to accurately read the temperature. Whatever the cause, the problems soon become apparent. In some cases, the heater won’t turn on when it’s supposed to or will turn off before it has finished warming your home. In other cases, it can keep running well after the household is warm, raising temperatures until they are actively uncomfortable. Sometimes a faulty thermostat can result in rapid cycle, which means the heater turns on and off very quickly multiple times in a short period. This can waste a great deal of energy, as well as increasing wear and tear on the system as a whole.

You might also have a problem with the placement of your thermostat. Sometimes, there’s nothing wrong with the unit itself, but because it’s placed in a spot with a high draft, or it lies in an area that gets an excessive amount of sunlight. In those cases, it will often misread the temperature and turn on and off when you don’t need it to. Correcting the issue means moving the location of the thermostat itself rather than correcting any kind of internal problem.

Regardless of the cause of the issue, a good technician can identify it and correct it for you. Bartels Heating & Cooling knows how the thermostat affects your heating in West Chester, OH, and we have the expertise to correct whatever problems may be plaguing it. If your thermostat is faulty or even if you just need it moved somewhere that more accurately reflects the temperature, then pick up the phone and give us a call today. You’ll be glad you did!

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Boiler 101: The Expansion Tank

Wednesday, March 12th, 2014

Boilers have advanced tremendously during the more than a century that they have heated businesses and homes. Few boilers use steam any more to send heat through their pipes, and the cast-iron radiators of yore have gradually vanished in favor efficient baseboard heaters. Another way boilers have made a technological leap forward is with the invention of the expansion tank to replace primitive methods of regulating water pressure inside the boiler to protect it from “water hammer.”

We’ll take a close look at this important component of the operation of your boiler in West Chester, OH. If you encounter any troubles with your expansion tank or other parts of your boiler, call the 24-hour emergency service technicians at Bartels Heating & Cooling.

What the expansion tank does

If you look at the top of the water tank of your boiler, you will notice what looks like a smaller water tank attached to a pipe. That’s the expansion tank. Although the name may make it sound like it’s a container for extra water, that’s not how boilers work. (They have a set amount of water already in them, and more water won’t make them work any better.) The expansion tank does the job of maintaining even pressure inside the boiler by giving its water a place to expand and a cushion to absorb the pressure and then regulate it.

Inside the expansion tank, a diaphragm divides the chamber into two sections. On one side, water from the boiler tank flows in through a pipe; on the other side is air controlled by a valve. When the pressure in the boiler increases, the water in the expansion tank presses against the diaphragm and the air on the other side, which alleviates the pressure. The air valve then pushes back against the water until the valve registers that pressure has reached normal once more.

This system prevents air from entering the water. Older boilers simply had an open space at the top of the main tank to absorb the pressure from water hammer (a pressure surge from water motion when a valve closes), but the introduction of air into the tank would promote corrosion. The expansion valve keeps the air and the water separate.

Keep the expansion tank working

Expansion tanks can suffer damage and lose their seal against water or start losing air. When this happens, you need to call for repairs before your boiler’s pressure increases and begins to cause leaks. Call for repairs for your boiler in West Chester, OH from Bartels Heating & Cooling. We also offer a maintenance program that will make sure the expansion valve is always in the best shape possible. Call us to sign up today.

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Furnace Guide: 3 Components You Should Know

Tuesday, January 21st, 2014

Furnaces don’t last forever, and even the best furnaces break down occasionally. A faulty component can often result in the entire system shutting down, or even worse: can damage to additional components as well. The more you know about how these components function, the better you can understand the ways they affect your heating when they run into problems.

  • Igniter/thermocouple. These two components are basically linked, and sometimes even appear as one conjoined unit. The igniter consists of the pilot light (usually in older furnaces) or an electric igniter (usually in newer ones). The thermocouple controls the flow of gas into the furnace, to ensure that your home isn’t flooded with gas when there’s a problem. If either component is damaged, the furnace simply won’t turn on.
  • Burners. The burners themselves provide the heat, fed by gas that passes through the thermocouple to create hot, intense flames. Burners can malfunction for a variety of reasons, including becoming clogged with dirt and dust.
  • Heat exchangers/venting systems. The heat exchangers transfer the heat from the burners (which often contain toxic gases) into air which can then be blown into your home. The gases move into a venting system which can then safely remove them from your home. The heat exchangers suffer breakdowns when the blowers connected to them malfunction and/or if blockage in the venting system prevents them from releasing the gases.

This furnace guide contains 3 components you should know, but most furnaces contain a great deal more. Hopefully, this will give you a basic idea of how the heating process works and how a breakdown with one component can affect the entire unit. Regardless, if you live in West Chester, OH, furnace repair services can be provided by the professionals at Bartels Heating & Cooling. If you’re experiencing problems with your furnace, pick up the phone and call us today!

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How Heat Pumps Provide Both Heating and Cooling

Monday, January 6th, 2014

Many homeowners in West Chester, OH have heat pumps in their homes. With only a single unit, they receive both air conditioning and heating. However, heat pump owners often know few of the details about how these wonderful devices do both the jobs of an AC and a heater.

A heat pump isn’t a combo-unit that packages two separate systems together: it uses the same method to provide heating as it does to provide cooling. In this post, we’ll give you a short guide to understanding the dual function of heat pumps.

If you need repairs for your heat pump, or if you’re interested in having one installed, call Bartels Heating & Cooling. We’ve served Southwest Ohio since 1973.

Heat exchange: how the heat pump heats and cools

Heat pumps operate through heat exchange, which neither creates heat nor cold. Instead, heat exchange moves heat from one location to another. If you remove heat from a room, the room will feel cooler. If you bring heat into the room, it feels warmer. A heat pump is designed so that it will move the heat to wherever you need it the most: inside or outside. In the summer, you will want the heat outside. In the winter, you will want it inside.

Here’s how the heat pump manages this. Your heat pump consists of two units, an indoor and an outdoor unit. Flowing between the two units along copper lines is a chemical blend known as refrigerant, which can easily change between liquid and gaseous states. The refrigerant absorbs heat from an evaporator coil located in one of the units, then moves to a compressor, which squeezes the refrigerant to a high-pressure, high-temperature gas. The refrigerant then moves to a condenser coil, where it releases the heat. After that it travels back to the condenser coil to restart the cycle.

During cooling mode, the indoor coil acts as the evaporator, absorbing the heat. When the heat pump goes into heating mode, a reversing valve changes the direction of the flow of refrigerant. Now, the indoor coil acts as the condenser, releasing heat, and the outdoor coil acts as the evaporator, absorbing heat.

Keep your heat pump working for you: repairs and maintenance

Heat pumps are complex devices that require the balance of different components to operate correctly. If you sense something wrong with your heat pump, summon a repair technician immediately. Make sure you schedule regular maintenance once a year to see that your heat pump is working its best and not developing potential malfunctions.

Bartels Heating & Cooling offers 24-hour emergency service when you need help with your heat pump. We also offer excellent maintenance and installation for your heat pump in West Chester, OH.

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Causes of Noisy Heating Ducts

Monday, December 2nd, 2013

Heating ducts are an integral part of your heating system: carrying warm air from a central unit throughout your entire house. Here in West Chester, OH, heating in many houses depends on a reliable system of ducts. While a certain amount of noise is expected in such a system – with fans blowing and motors running to carry the air through the ducts – you may hear noises that don’t constitute a normal part of the system’s operations. They usually mean trouble, and you should probably turn off your heater and call a repair service as soon as you hear them. But what are the causes of noisy ducts?

In some cases, the noise may not originate in the ducts at all. The system can carry sound as well as air, and noises such as grinding, humming, rattling, sparkling or clanging may actually be coming from the heater itself. (The causes are numerous, ranging from a bent fan bade to a loose electrical wire.) But in those cases, you shouldn’t look for the causes in the ducts: they’re just carrying the noises, not creating them.

Sounds that originate in the ducts tend to be caused by a breach or leak somewhere. In those cases, air gets pulled out or pulled into the ducts from the outside, which can create an odd noise such as a humming or a vibrating noise. Sudden damage will create a loud noise of course, but that usually doesn’t repeat itself (and may involve damage to more than just the ducts). It’s also possible that the ducts will groan or make similar noises when you first turn on the heater: stretching a bit as the warm air travels across the cool metal.

Regardless of the causes of noisy heating ducts, you should contact an expert to see about addressing the situation. Call the West Chester, OH, heating professionals at Bartels Heating & Cooling. We pride ourselves on reliability and our trained staff is dedicated to your 100% satisfaction.

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How do Boilers Distribute Heat?

Tuesday, November 5th, 2013

Here in West Chester, OH, boilers are popular form of  home heating system. They work on a very simple principle – older than even gas furnaces – and as such they have been in place for a very long time. If you own a boiler and use it to heat your home, it pays to understand the principals involved with its operation. Specifically, how do boilers distribute heat?

The concept is simple. The boiler itself contains a set amount of water, heated by a burner beneath it. The burner is fueled by either natural gas or oil, both of which are used in West Chester. Oil is slowly declining in popularity, since natural gas is cheaper and easier to use.

Regardless of the source of fuel, the burner heats up the water, which is then distributed through your house through a series of pipes. The hot water in the baseboard radiators inside your rooms help warm the air via convection. There is also some radiant heating from your baseboard heaters.

This is different than most furnaces. The heaters in forced-air system blow hot air through a series of ducts, often the same ones used to transfer cool air with an air conditioner. While furnaces are usually less expensive to install and can heat homes more quickly, they can have issues with indoor air quality and are not as long lasting as boilers. Since boilers don’t need fans to distribute heat, they also run much more quietly.

But like all mechanical, boilers need upkeep and repair. If you know the answer to “how do boilers distribute heat,” you can likely ascertain when something is wrong with the system. In those cases, Bartels Heating & Cooling is ready to help. We serve homes throughout West Chester, OH, boiler repair is one of our specialties, and we’re dedicated to your complete satisfaction. Give us a call today!

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