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

Common Winter Furnace Repairs in Rocky River

Monday, November 12th, 2012

It is important that you have your furnace and all other home heating components professionally installed and serviced in order to ensure its proper function and efficient operation. Even with an expert installation and high quality maintenance and repair service, though, your furnace may need some repair work during the winter. Professional maintenance can help reduce this risk and keep any necessary repairs simpler and less costly, but it is important to be prepared for the event of furnace failure this winter. Be sure to call a local Rocky River furnace repair company such as Westland Heating and Air Conditioning the moment you suspect a problem with your furnace this winter. Putting off repairs will just make it more likely that you will have the comfort in your home disrupted for a longer period of time. Here are some examples of common furnace repairs that you need to be prepared for this winter.

If your furnace is simply having trouble warming your home to the specified target temperature there are a number of possible causes. Not all of them even have to do with your furnace. It is good to start off with eliminating any best-case-scenarios causes of the problem. During the off-season for your furnace it is possible that furniture and other objects have shifted around. Make sure that no couches, chairs or other obstructions are blocking your air vents and that the vents have not been accidentally closed. If there is no obvious reason for the trouble, call a professional at Westland Heating and Air Conditioning for help right away. There may be a more serious problem with your furnace itself.

A short-cycling furnace is another common problem that many people face during the winter months. There are a lot of different reasons why your furnace may turn on and off too frequently. One common cause is a faulty thermostat. If your thermostat is malfunctioning or even placed in a poor reading location it can register the temperature incorrectly. This can account for your short cycling problem, resulting in lowered efficiency, increased energy costs and uncomfortable temperatures.

You may also experience hot or cold spots throughout your home, and again there are a few different probable causes. Your furnace may have trouble keeping up with your heating demand. However, it is important to remember that your heating system is comprised of multiple components. This development of cold spots could be indicative of a problem with your ductwork or the insulation around it. This can account for the development of the cold spots and may also cause excessive strain and damage to your furnace.

Whatever issues you experience with your furnace this winter the right decision to make in these situations is always the same: call the Rocky River furnace repair professionals at Westland Heating and Air Conditioning for expert service and repairs.

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New Home HVAC Considerations in Avon Lake

Monday, November 5th, 2012

Purchasing a new heating and air conditioning system for your Avon Lake home is a big decision, and with all of the choices and options on the market it can be a tough one to make. When you add the stress that comes with the construction of a new home to this situation, though, you can really have trouble figuring out where to begin. At Westland Heating and Air Conditioning we like to make the home heating and air conditioning system installation process as pain-free as possible for our clients. That’s why we’ve put together a list of tips and items to consider before commencing with the HVAC system installation project in your new Avon Lake home. Feel free to contact Westland Heating and Air Conditioning with any additional questions that you may have. We’re always happy to help you make the best decisions for your home and comfort.

First of all, you must have total confidence in the contractor that you choose to hire for the heating and air conditioning installation project. Do not rush into anything without getting a few estimates, and be sure to ask all of the contractors that you are considering for a few business referrals. Talk to as many real customers as you can; anyone can write a testimonial online. Find out what accreditations and qualifications they have and what their field experience is like. Do your homework and make sure that your contractor is up to your high standards. After all, not every company provides the same level of exceptional HVAC installation services that Westland Heating and Air Conditioning does.

You will also have to decide what type of heating and air conditioning system you would like to have installed in your home. Whether you are using a furnace, heat pump, ductless mini splits or other HVAC systems will affect the design of the system and inform your contractor whether components such as ductwork will be necessary. The more information you have about your options the better, so don’t be afraid to ask questions.

It is important that once all of the installation work is completed you have everything inspected to be sure that it is up to local codes and regulations. There is a reason that these codes are in place. Total compliance with these laws and expectations is necessary to ensure that you can heat and cool your home safely and with confidence.

You deserve total comfort in your new home, and Westland Heating and Air Conditioning can help. Let us handle the installation of your HVAC equipment in Avon Lake. We’ll make sure that every aspect of the project is handled with the exceptional service that we are known for.

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Westlake Heating Tip: Increase Energy Efficiency This Winter

Monday, October 29th, 2012

If your Westlake house is struggling with energy efficiency problems, you might actually be wasting quite of money on your energy bills each month. We’ve put some suggestions together to help you increase the energy efficiency of your home.

Insulation

Insulation is absolutely vital to increasing the energy efficiency of your home. The insulation in your home is what helps keep all that nice heated air actually inside your home. If you have old or deteriorated insulation, that hot air might be slipping away outside. The first place to check is your attic. Because your attic is at the top of your house, it is the first place where all that toasty warm air going to go. You can use weather stripping or cans of foaming insulation to seal up your window and door frames. There are also window insulation kits that are basically invisible and will help keep your hot air in and the cold air out.

Heating Tune-Up

If you have an older furnace that hasn’t received any attention recently, it might be operating below its optimal level. Regular maintenance on your vehicle is something that is common knowledge. But performing regular maintenance on your heating system is just as important. As your system wears down over time, it gradually has to work harder to produce the same results. This reduces its efficiency and can cost you extra money. Having it tuned up can potentially lead to more efficiency and energy savings.

Upgrade Your Heating System

While this may not seem like an economical investment up front, it can actually save you money. This is especially true if you have an older heating system. In the case of furnaces, older models typically have an efficiency rating of 60%. This means that 40% of the fuel you buy is wasted. Newer models can have an energy efficiency rating of up to 97%. In the case of furnaces, they are one of the cheapest heating systems to replace. Also, in some areas there are energy rebates for upgrading your system.

If you have any questions about the energy efficiency of your home, contact the heating experts at Westland Air. We have years of experience offering exceptional heating services in Westlake.

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Rocky River Heating Replacement Guide

Monday, October 22nd, 2012

When you have to replace your heating system in Rocky River, there are a lot of different factors that you have to keep in mind. We’ve put together a list of some of the most important things to remember:

Efficiency

The efficiency rating of your new heating system will impact the future cost of running your heating system. Newer models tend to have a higher efficiency rating than older models. But among the types of newer systems, the efficiency rating can vary. An average new furnace will probably have an annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) rating of 80%. The more most efficient ones can have as high as 95% AFUE. However, geothermal heating systems and some heat pumps can have a 100% or higher efficiency rating. This is obviously very attractive to homeowners who are looking to save money on their utility bills.

Fuel

Another thing to think about is what kind of fuel you’ll be using for your heating system. Energy prices aren’t coming down and people are looking for all kinds of ways to save their money. Depending upon where you live, the price of electricity, propane, oil and other fuels can vary. Prices fluctuate all the time. For people who have the space, the money and are tired of depending upon fuel supply companies, geothermal systems can be a great option. This system uses the renewable energy stored in the earth to heat and cool their home. However, the installation cost of this kind of system can be prohibitive to some people. Also, a geothermal system needs a certain amount of available ground space in order to be effective.

If you have any questions about replacing your heating system or if you’d like one of our Rocky River heating experts to visit your home, then just call Westland Heating and Air Conditioning today.

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Bay Village Heating Question: Why Install a Garage Heater?

Monday, October 8th, 2012

Here are some reasons you may want to consider heating your Bay Village home’s garage.

  • Storage: It’s tempting to toss anything you don’t use on a regular basis into your garage. Keep your property protected from the elements with the installation of a garage heater. Not everything handles the cold well, and if you’re in the habit of storing items all winter long there is ample time for damage or compromises in quality to occur.
  • Maintain comfortable working conditions: Are you the handy type? If so your garage can serve a number of purposes, providing you with the opportunity to pursue your own mechanical repairs or use the space as a wood shop, craft area or art studio.
  • Extend your living space: Garages don’t necessarily have to be used to store cars, tools and decorations. If you have a big family or an aspiring drummer in your home a comfortable garage can make a great addition to your living space. Enjoy a football game with your friends or quality time with your kids in a comfortable, well heated garage.
  • Increase property value: When people are looking to buy a house, seemingly small benefits such as a heated garage can go a long way in impressing them. Your garage does not need to be completely refinished or furnished to show prospective buyers potential. The installation of a heating system in your garage shows that you’re a homeowner dedicated to comfort and willing to make improvements to your home, which can really help make the right impression.

If you’re interested in the installation of a garage heater in your Bay Village home, call Westland Heating and Air Conditioning today! We can answer any questions you may still have about the operation of a garage heating system and the models available to you.

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Maintenance for Radiant Heating Systems in Rocky River

Monday, September 24th, 2012

If you have a new radiant heating system installed in your Rocky River home or are interested in having one installed, it is important that you make regular maintenance a part of your schedule. Annual maintenance performed on a radiant heating system ensures that it not only continues to work as intended to keep you and your family warm, but that it does so as efficiently as possible.

What exactly is involved in maintenance on a radiant heating system? Here are a few tasks we will perform when we visit and why they are so important.

  • Inspection of the Burners and Pilot Light – Older systems may need to be cleaned and inspected once a year. Many newer systems don’t even need this much maintenance because they are installed as sealed systems.
  • Flushing of the Hydronic Boiler – The system should never need to be flushed, but if a leak occurs or if a problem is suspected, this may be a maintenance task recommended by your technician.
  • Testing Pipes – Pipes may be periodically tested to check for leaks or other issues. Due to the nature of the system, leaks are very rare, but should still be inspected every year or so.
  • Clean Around the Boiler – The area around your boiler should always be kept clean and clear of any excess debris, dust, dirt or other things that could get in the way of proper combustion and air flow.

A good radiant heating system will require very little maintenance to operate effectively over time. It is a closed system which means it was carefully calibrated to work properly without any outside intervention. However, periodic checks for leaks, burner issues or pipe problems will ensure it stays that way.

To schedule a maintenance service for your Rocky River radiant heating system today, call Westland Heating and Air Conditioning!

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Thinking About Upgrading to High Efficiency HVAC Equipment?

Friday, September 7th, 2012

There are many reasons to consider upgrading to high efficiency HVAC equipment. Newer high efficiency systems increase the effectiveness of your system, decrease your overall energy cost, and may be a required by the government in the future!

Furnace Efficiency | Westlake| Westland Heating and Air ConditioningThe Department of Energy released new regional standards for HVAC equipment to take effect between May 2013 and January 2015. Once this ruling goes into effect, “In the North region, most furnaces will be required to have an AFUE of 90 percent or more”. The rule also sets requirements for standby mode and off mode for residential furnaces, air conditioners and heat pumps. The DOE splits these requirments into three regions (Northern, Southeastern and Southwestern).

So if you are considering upgrading your replacing your HVAC equipment in the near future, we advise choosing a model that complies with the new DOE regional standards. Even though there has been little information on how they plan to implement and enforce this ruling, there are so many great reasons to chose a high efficiency furnace or air conditioning system. Contact the experts at Westland Heating and Air Conditioning today to find out what your best heating and cooling options are. We can help you find the best systems for your home, that will bring you efficient home heating and cooling for years to come.

At Westland we provide top quality heating, air conditioning, air filtration, water heater and commercial HVAC services in Westlake, Avon and throughout the surrounding areas.

 

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Common Problem Areas for North Olmsted HVAC Systems

Monday, August 20th, 2012

The following are a few of the most common problem areas for North Olmsted HVAC systems.  It is important to pay attention to these and contact the professionals at Westland Heating and Air Conditioning when they do occur.

Some of the most common problem areas for HVAC systems that are already in place have to do with power lines, drains, and venting.  When one of these main systems need attention, an immediate repair is best.

The power lines on HVAC systems are what keep them running continually, day in and day out, all year round.  An HVAC system uses a lot of electricity and if it shuts off suddenly or frequently shuts down, it can be a sign of a power issue.  There could be damage to electrical lines from extreme weather conditions, animals, or other factors.

The drains on HVAC systems are important in keeping the system functioning properly.  They release condensed water that builds up inside the HVAC as it runs, and if drains clog there is no way for this water to escape.  Drainage problems can mean an overflow of water, which can in turn seriously damage your system.

The vents on your HVAC system allow air to be dispersed throughout your home. They also allow air to return and be heated or cooled once again.  When vents become clogged it can result in more than just stuffy air. Indoor air quality suffers, heightening allergy symptoms and allowing for higher levels of contaminants.  Additionally, clogged vents can result in decreased energy-efficiency.

Westland Heating and Air Conditioning has the experience and knowledge necessary to help you understand your North Olmsted HVAC system better. For all your HVAC needs,  call us today!

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