BEN TEST SITE Blog: Archive for the ‘Heating’ Category

End of the Season Heating Maintenance in Avon, OH

Monday, March 11th, 2013

The end of the heating season is a welcome change of pace, even for those of us that like the cold weather. Sometimes enough is enough, and the promise of mild, warm weather is always exciting. Of course, before you shut your heating system down for the off-season, you really ought to make sure that it is in the best condition possible. There is a lot of talk about preventive maintenance prior to the start of the heating season. At Westland Heating & Air Conditioning, though, we also encourage homeowners to schedule end of the season heating maintenance. Any issues, no matter how minor, should not be allowed to carry over into the next season.

A lot of people think that it is no big deal to allow a problem with their heater to carry over through the heating season, especially if they are planning on scheduling preventive maintenance prior to the next heating season. In fact ,though , because you will not be using your heating system regularly does not mean that any problems with the system will not worsen. A whole season’s worth of wear and tear should not be allowed to go unaddressed over an entire summer.

There is no way for you to be sure that a problem with your heating system, even seemingly minor ones such as strange odors and noises, have not caused real damage to your system. Shutting your heating system off will not mean that those problems will do no further damage. In the event of a boiler leak, for instance, the leak will continue throughout the inactive period. Any problems with your natural gas furnace involving the gas supply are just as dangerous during the offseason.

Plus, you never know when cold temperatures will strike again. Even if you have your beginning of the season preventive maintenance scheduled there is no way to guarantee that the cold won’t arrive sooner than expected. By tuning up your system at the end of the heating season it will be better able to jump back into action earlier than expected, should need be.

For more information about end of the season heating maintenance, call Westland Heating & Air Conditioning. We are always happy to answer any questions that you may have about your home heating system. Contact us today to speak with a professional Avon, OH heating maintenance technician on our team.

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Common Commercial HVAC Repairs in Westlake OH

Monday, March 4th, 2013

Keeping your customers, clients or employees comfortable is a huge priority for every business owner. If your heating and air conditioning systems aren’t working well then you might not be able to do that. If you need commercial HVAC repair in Westlake, OH call the experts at Westland Heating and Air Conditioning. We’ve worked with all different types of businesses and helped them get their HVAC systems back up and working. We wanted to share with our customers some of the most common commercial HVAC repairs that we see in Westlake, OH so they can keep an eye out for them.

Commercial HVAC Repair in Westlake, OH

During the winter you likely run your business’s heating system every day in order to keep your guests, employees or tenants warm. With all that use it’s no wonder that you will eventually need commercial HVAC repair in Westlake, OH. Here are some of the most common repairs that we see.

Not Enough Heating or Cooling

If your commercial heating and air conditioning system isn’t able to properly heat or cool your business then you might have a serious problem on your hands. One of the most common causes of commercial HVAC repair in Westlake, OH is a clogged air filter. If the air filters in your system are clogged then they could be restricting the flow of heated or cooled air into your business. Another common cause of insufficient heating or cooling is a faulty thermostat. But it could also be low refrigerant or the fan motor.

Commercial HVAC Making Strange Noises

If you start to notice that your heating and AC system is making a new or unusual noise it likely is an indication that something is wrong. Hissing and squealing are two of the most common commercial HVAC noises that we get called about. Hissing normally means that your compressor is leaking. Squealing is often caused by a bad fan belt that needs to be replaced.

Call Westland Heating and Air conditioning for any commercial HVAC repair in Westlake, OH.

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How To Tell If You Need Furnace Repair in Westlake, OH

Monday, February 18th, 2013

Your furnace is a very important part of your home in the heating season. It is what keeps your Westlake, OH house warm and comfortable for you and your family. Westland Heating and Air Conditioning is committed to bringing you high-quality heating services, including the maintenance, repair and, if necessary, replacement of your furnace. In this post, we would like to focus on how to tell if you need furnace repair, at which point you should get in touch with a professional heating technician.

There are various signs that your furnace is not working properly. If your furnace is no longer producing sufficient heat, or is heating unevenly, that is a straightforward indication. Other more obvious indicators are strange smells emitting from the furnace or any visible leakages. But occasionally, the signs are less straightforward. For example, if your heating costs rise unexpectedly one month, without a corresponding increase in use, your Westlake, OH furnace may be in need of professional repair.

Considering these issues in furnace repair, you may also find that you simply do not have the knowledge or expertise to properly assess your Westlake, OH heating system. It is better to have the peace of mind that professional care offers, especially when dealing with a complicated system such as your furance. Westland Heating and Air Conditioning Westland can perform a heating tune-up that checks the various components of your furnace: the burners, fans and controls, vents and flues, motor, drains, as well as the pressure levels. Our Ultimate Service Plan gives you a 5 year guarantee, priority service, and discounts on service and equipment. Preventive maintenance is a key component of reducing major and emergency repairs, and a certified furnace technician can also advise you when the time for replacement comes.

Call Westland Heating and Air Conditioning if you need furnace repair in Westlake, OH and the surrounding areas!

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Radiant Heat vs. Forced Air: Which is Better? A Westlake, OH Heating Question

Monday, February 11th, 2013

When it comes to heating your home, radiant heat and forced air systems are two of the options available to homeowners in Westlake, OH. For many homeowners, choosing between a radiant heating and forced air system can be difficult. There are advantages on both sides but also disadvantages. At Westland Heating and Air Conditioning, we wanted to help our customers figure out which option is best for their home in Westlake, OH.

What is Radiant Heat?

Heat moves in 3 ways: convection, conduction and radiation. With a forced air furnace, heat is moved through your home using convective heating. But with a radiant heating system, heat radiates out of different heating elements like a radiator or out of heated coils in your floor.

Advantages of Radiant Heat

Many people report that radiant heat is more comfortable.  While this is a matter of personal preference it should be considered when thinking about switching to radiant heat. Additionally, radiant heating systems don’t move air through your home which has the potential to reduce allergic reactions from dust and pet dander getting picked up. Finally, the thermostats on radiant heating systems typically can be set a few degrees lower than forced air because of how effectively radiation heats your home.

Advantages of Forced Air

One advantage that forced air systems is that they allow you to filter the air that moves through your home in Westlake, OH. This could improve the quality of air in your home and reduce reactions to allergies or asthma. Forced air systems like furnaces and heat pump are also very efficient. Furnaces can also be installed very cheaply.

Radiant Heat Installation

One of the considerations that you need to think about is the cost of conversion. If you have a forced air system in your home right now, switching to radiant heat can be costly. If you have the budget for it, radiant heating systems are a terrific option for homeowners.

If you’re interested in learning more about radiant heat and forced air heat in Westlake, OH, call Westland Heating and Air Conditioning today. Our expert technicians can help you figure out which option is best for you.

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North Ridgeville, OH Heating Guide: Why Buy a Trane Furnace?

Monday, February 4th, 2013

Investing in a new home heating system is a big step. You need to do the necessary research and speak to trained professionals to ensure that you are purchasing the right heating equipment for your North Ridgeville, OH home. If you are in the market for a new furnace, Westland Heating and Air Conditioning would like to recommend that you consider purchasing a Trane furnace for installation in your home. Trane has made a name for itself over the decades that it has been an industry leader. Westland Heating and Air Conditioning is confident that a Trane furnace installed by one of our expert technicians will exceed your home heating expectations.

One of the main reasons that you may want to consider a Trane furnace installation is how efficient Trane products are. The more efficient your home heating system is, the less money it will cost to keep your home comfortable. A Trane XC95m variable speed furnace boasts up to 95% AFUE. AFUE stands for annual fuel utilization efficiency. What this number means is that the Trane XC95m furnace will successfully convert 95% of the fuel it uses into energy to heat your home. That amazing home heating efficiency is just one reason to consider a Trane furnace installation.

Another reason that a Trane furnace may be right for you is simply the quality of the heating service that they provided. A variable speed fan motor allows your furnace to better regulate the way in which your home is heated. With the incorporation of a Trane CleanEffects package you can heat your home efficiently and effectively while also improving indoor air quality. If you had the opportunity to keep your home comfortable and to breathe cleaner, healthier air at the same time, why wouldn’t you?

With a professional installation and the exceptional maintenance and repair services offered by Westland Heating and Air Conditioning, you can enjoy a great performance from your Trane furnace for years to come. Isn’t it time you got more heating power for your money in North Ridgeville, OH? Westland Heating and Air Conditioning and Trane can help you do just that.

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Westlake, OH Heating Repair Guide: Benefits of the Westland HVAC Maintenance Plan

Monday, January 21st, 2013

No matter what kind of equipment you own, getting regular maintenance for it is a great way to keep it running smoothly. The same is true with your heating and air conditioning system. Having your HVAC system inspected regularly has a number of very attractive benefits. At Westland Heating and Air Conditioning, we’ve been offering heating maintenance for over 25 years. With all of our experience and training, we wanted to put together a short list of some of the benefits that homeowners can expect with regular heating and air conditioning maintenance in Westlake, OH.

Benefits of Heating and Air Conditioning Maintenance in Westlake, OH

  • Reduced repairs – During regular maintenance visits, the technicians from Westland will thoroughly inspect all of the different components of your HVAC system. This will allow them to discover any small problems before they turn into larger, more expensive repairs. This can potentially reduce the need for costly repairs in the future.
  • Increased efficiency – Over time, your heating and air conditioning system will start to wear down and wear out. When that happens, it is likely that you’ll experience a reduction in efficiency. But when you have a professional technician cleaning and lubricating the moving parts and important components, that efficiency can potentially be returned.
  • Extended lifespan –We’ve helped many customers replace their heating system in Westlake, OH. Many of the replacement jobs that we do were caused by small problems that were allowed to fester until they destroyed the whole system. With regular maintenance, those small issues can potentially be avoided.

The Westland Maintenance Plan

At Westland Heating and Air Conditioning, we know home important the comfort of your home is to you. That’s why we offer a very attractive heating and air conditioning maintenance plan for our customers in the Westlake, OH area. In addition to precision tune-ups for your heating and air conditioning system, it also includes the following:

  • 5-Year guarantee on all repairs performed during an active service agreement.
  • Priority service for emergency repair services
  • Discounts on emergency repairs
  • Discounts on equipment and accessories that can be added onto our other coupons that are available to the general public.

If you’re interested in heating and air conditioning maintenance in Westlake, OH, just call Westland Heating and Air Conditioning today! 

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Westlake Heating Question: What is a Heat Exchanger?

Monday, December 17th, 2012

All home comfort system installations should be handled by qualified professionals, as should any necessary maintenance and repair services. But every homeowner can benefit by having a basic understanding of some of the components that make up their heating and air conditioning systems. At Westland Heating and Air Conditioning, we like to keep our clients well informed. Here is some information about heat exchangers for you to review.

A heat exchanger is basically a device that allows for the transfer of heat from one liquid to another. You can find heat exchangers in your heaters, air conditioners, refrigeration equipment and even in your refrigerator. These devices may use water, steam or refrigerant as the heat exchange fluid. There are many different types of heat exchangers, but they all perform a very similar function of heat transfer between two liquid sources.

Take, for example, the operation of an air conditioner. The liquid refrigerant in the outdoor unit is sent through the evaporator coil. The evaporator coil absorbs heat from the surrounding air, and this turns the liquid into a gas. The gas absorbs heat from the air as it is pulled through the system, leaving behind cooled air. During heating the process is reversed, and heat from the gas is simply put into the air being dispersed throughout your home.

We hope that this information has given you some idea about how the heat exchanger that you depend on for your comfort and convenience works. If you have any further questions about the operation of your heat exchanger, contact the experts at Westland Heating and Air Conditioning. We are always happy to help our customers in Westlake, OH better understand how their heating and air conditioning systems work.

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Avon Heating Tip: 3 Common Boiler Problems

Monday, December 10th, 2012

If you think you may need a Avon heating repair for your boiler, it’s good to know some of the more common problems that can arise. Here at Westland Heating and Air Conditioning, we’ve listed three of the more common boiler problems, the causes, and what to do about them.

No Power

If your boiler has shut down, first check the emergency fuel switch. Sometimes this can get tuned of accidentally, or maybe it wasn’t turned back on after a service. Next, check the controls and pressure gauge to ensure that both are on the correct settings. Consult your owner’s manual if you aren’t sure how to check these. Lastly, check the fuse box for a blown fuse. Call a repair technician if none of these tips work.

Faulty Thermostat

Once you have checked to make sure you have power and that there are no blown fuses are blown, check your thermostat to ensure that it is on the right settings. If that checks out, turn it up a few degrees to see if it just needed to be turned up a little. If that doesn’t work, call a technician. You could have a faulty thermostat or a larger issue.

Clogged Pipes

Every boiler system has a series of pipes that run from your boiler unit to the hydronic radiant system, whether you heat with baseboards or radiant flooring. When there’s a clog, your boiler may not be providing an adequate amount of heat, or no heat all. This could be caused from sediment that hasn’t been flushed, and a technician will need to remedy the situation.

Call Westland Heating and Air Conditioning for all your Avon heating repair needs. We repair all makes and models of boilers throughout the service area, so call us any time for quality repair service!

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Westlake Furnace Tip: 3 Sounds You Need To Listen For

Monday, November 26th, 2012

Our homes in Westlake make weird noises from time to time. This is to be expected. But the furnace in your home might be a different story. If you start to hear certain noises it might be a good idea to call for furnace repair services. At Westland Heating and Air Conditioning, we’ve responded to countless calls for furnace repair service in Westlake. So that our customers can have a better understanding of their furnace, we put together a few of the most common furnace sounds that should cause trouble.

Squealing

If your furnace makes a squealing sound when you start it up, you should probably call for service. This isn’t a life-threatening problem, but it can be annoying. This happens when the blower’s belt or bearings have worn out. This can be easily fixed by a professional Westlake heating technician.

Rattling

If you hear a rattling sound when you turn on your furnace this a very serious problem. While it might be that some screws are loose on one of the covers, it can also indicate a problem with your heat exchanger. The heat exchanger in your furnace has two jobs: first, to heat the air going into your home and second, to exhaust the harmful combustion fumes out of your house. When the heat exchanger cracks, those dangerous combustion fumes, that can include carbon monoxide, are blown into your home. Call your local heating contractor immediately.

Rumbling

If you have a fuel oil furnace and you hear or feel a rumbling when you start it up, this could be another critical problem. The cause of this is unburned oil in the combustion chamber continuing to burn after the unit is turned off. This could also leak carbon monoxide into your Westlake  house.

Roaring

If your furnace erupts with a loud roaring sound, like when you fire up a welding torch, this is a very bad sign. It means that there is an uneven mixture of fuel and air.

If the furnace in your Westlake home is making any strange noises, contact the experts at Westland Heating and Air Conditioning. We have years of experience working with all types and brands of furnaces. We would love to help keep your home safe and give you peace of mind. Call us today!

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Why You May Be Paying Too Much for Heating in Avon Lake

Monday, November 19th, 2012

Don’t let the high costs of energy dissuade you from keeping your Avon Lake, OH home as comfortable as possible come this heating season. Did the cost of heating your home last winter come as a shock? Are you hesitant to heat your home to the same degree this winter? If so, call Westland Heating and Air Conditioning today. We have the products, services and supplies to help you heat your home more effectively and more efficiently this winter.

When it comes to reducing your home heating costs, efficiency is the name of the game. You deserve total comfort in your home, even when energy costs are high. By boosting efficiency you can heat your home to your heart’s content while keeping the process more affordable. Here are some helpful tips to help you get started and, as always, feel free to contact Westland Heating and Air Conditioning today for more help and advice on how to heat your Avon Lake home more efficiently.

The first step that you must take in order to heat your home more efficiently, allowing you the monetary savings you need to feel comfortable turning up the thermostat, is to call your professional heating service provider to schedule regular heater maintenance. A poorly maintained heater is not only one of the leading causes of damage to heating systems requiring costly, professional repair service; it is also one of the main contributors to inefficient heating. Failure to provide your home heating system with regular maintenance allows small problems and basic wear and tear the opportunity to cause serious damage to your system. Even minor issues can cause your heater to work less efficiently, costing you more money for less performance and heat output. Schedule heating maintenance today to get the journey to heating efficiency started.

Of course if you cannot keep the heat that your home heating system produces inside your home it is impossible to use that heat efficiently. Poor insulation and drafty doors or windows allow the heat that you have paid for to slip right through the cracks in your home, meaning that your heater will have to work harder and more continually to keep your home warm. Make sure that your heat is staying inside by having your insulation inspected and, if necessary, repaired or replaced. Also, affordable items such as window shrink wrap kits and weather stripping are great, do-it-yourself ways to boost energy efficiency.

These are just a couple of reasons that your Avon Lake, OH heating system may be costing you more than it should to keep your home comfortable. For a complete inspection and diagnosis of your heating system call the heating professionals at Westland Heating and Air Conditioning today. We’ll help you lower the cost of comfort in your home.

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