BEN TEST SITE Blog: Posts Tagged ‘North Olmsted’

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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Fairview Park, OH Water Heater Tip: What to Consider Before Buying a Tankless Water Heater

Monday, January 28th, 2013

If you are thinking about upgrading to a tankless water heater in your Fairview Park, OH area home, call Westland Heating and Air Conditioning. We’ll be glad to help you choose the most cost-effective model for your home and hot water needs. Here’s how tankless models work and some of the benefits.

Unlike tank water heaters that use a large tank of water and that have standby heat loss, tankless water heaters provide instant hot water without using a tank. They heat the water on demand – only using energy when you need hot water. They provide energy savings because they both consume less energy and don’t have any standby losses. However, if you have a large home with a big demand for hot water, a tankless water heater might have problems providing all the hot water you need. You should consult with a professional to find out if a tankless water heater is right for your home.

A professional can discuss flow rate with you. While tankless units vary in size, their capabilities depend on flow rate and how much hot water is needed. A professional can help you determine your hot water needs and help you select the right size tankless for your home. Another factor to consider is the first hour rating (FHR), which is measured by how many gallons of hot water can be delivered in one hour. Our professional installers will know which size is best for your needs.

If you are interested in a new water heater, call the Fairview Park, OH water heater experts at Westland Heating and Air Conditioning to handle all your tankless hot water heater installation needs.

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How a Furnace Can Affect Indoor Air Quality: A Westlake Furnace Tip

Monday, January 7th, 2013

When properly installed and professionally maintained a furnace is one of the most efficient, effective home heating options available. The professional heating technicians at Westland Heating and Air Conditioning have all the training and knowledge necessary to ensure that you get the high quality, safe operation you need from your furnace. We also understand that there are certain risks that are inherent when operating a furnace, which is why we take every precaution and safety measure necessary to ensure that your furnace is operating correctly.

One problem that furnaces can pose which many homeowners are unaware of is reduced indoor air quality. To be truly comfortable in your home you need the cleanest, purest air possible. Do not let the furnace in your Westlake home keep you warm at the expense of air quality. Here are a couple of ways in which furnaces can affect the indoor air quality in your home.

One potentially serious problem to consider when it comes to your furnace and indoor air quality is the possibility of back drafting and exposure to harmful gases including carbon monoxide. With a professional installation, great maintenance and a high quality CO detector you can expect a safe, reliable performance from your furnace. Anytime you are dealing with fuel and combustion, though, you must keep in mind the potential for such problems. Make sure that your ventilation is sufficient and properly installed, and be sure to contact a professional if you have any concerns about reduced air quality due to your furnace.

Another, more common way that furnaces may reduce indoor air quality is due to the fact that they use a forced air distribution system to heat your home. Forced air is a great way to circulate heated air throughout your home evenly and effectively. However, due to the fact that they blow air into the different rooms of your home they can also stir up dirt and debris in your home, causing these pollutants to go airborne. This can aggravate allergy or asthma symptoms and make for unpleasant air quality levels in general.

For more information about how your furnace may upset indoor air quality and what you can do to prevent and resolve these issues contact Westland Heating and Air Conditioning. We are always happy to help make your home a safer, more comfortable place to live. Call today for more information.

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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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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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