BEN TEST SITE Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Westlake’

Westlake, OH Water Heaters: Tank or Tankless

Monday, February 25th, 2013

There is a lot of debate among homeowners and even many industry experts about which are better, tank or tankless water heaters. At Westland HVAC we believe that there is no such thing as one water heater option that is necessarily better than the other. We do understand, though, that there is always a model that is best for your specific home and personal hot water needs. Working with a water heater expert to choose your new water heater in Westlake, OH is the best way to ensure that you get the best water heater for your home. Here is some information to get you started.

Many homeowners choose to stand by their tried and true storage tank water heaters. A tank water heater is very dependable, as it stores a reservoir of hot water at the ready at all times. Of course, this means that that water must be continually heated, as some standby heat loss is inevitable. This is heat loss that occurs while the water is waiting to be used. Modern water heaters are very efficient, and you can buy jackets to further insulate your water heater’s tank. If standby energy loss is something you really wish to avoid, though, you may want to consider a tankless water heater installation in Westlake, OH.

Tankless water heaters completely eliminate the issue of standby heat loss by completely eliminating the need for a storage tank. Tankless water heaters heat water on demand, meaning that only the amount of water you need at that moment is heated. Cold water passes through the device, is heated nearly instantaneously, and sent to its destination. These tankless water heaters take up little space and are highly efficient. When asked to do multiple tasks, though, such as heat water for a shower and a load of dishes, water flow may suffer. This can be resolved by utilizing more than one tankless water heater.

For more information about tank and tankless water heaters or to schedule water heater installation in Westlake, OH call Westland HVAC. Our professional technicians can help you find the right water heater for your home. Contact us today to schedule service.

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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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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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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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3 Things That Will Eventually Happen To Your Water Heater: A Rocky River, OH Water Heater Guide

Monday, December 3rd, 2012

You may not realize it, but you use the hot water in your Rocky River, OH home probably every single day. Whether it’s to take a shower, wash your dishes or wash your clothes, your water heater is a busy appliance. With such an important job, it’s always very inconvenient when it starts to break. At Westland Heating and Air Conditioning we’ve responded to tons of calls for repairs on water heaters. We wanted to help out our customers in the  Rocky River, OH area so we put together 3 of the most common repairs that will most likely happen to your water heater at some point.

Rust

Inside your water there is something called an anode rod, also called a sacrificial rod. This metal stick exists to keep rust from forming inside your water heater. It does this by absorbing tiny electrical currents that cause rust to form. But eventually, the sacrificial rod deteriorates. At that point, the inside of your water heater will begin to rust. You’ll start to notice rust-colored water coming out of your hot water faucets. Once that starts to happen, there is rarely any other option except to replace your water heater.

Sediment

If you have hard water in your area, this can cause mineral deposits and sediment to build up on the bottom of your water heater. Eventually, this can keep the heat from the burner from actually reaching the water. This can cause low water temperatures and luke-warm showers.

Water Leaks

Water leaks are another common problem with water heaters. Leaks can happen on the tank itself or with one of the pipe fittings that connect into the water heater. Corrosion from rust or minerals can cause the water heater to leak and the pipes to come a little loose.

If you’re having any water heater issues at your home in Rocky River, OH, contact the experts at Westland Heating and Air Conditioning. We offer fast and reliable water heater repair services throughout the Rocky River, OH area. Call us today!

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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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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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Westlake OH Heating and AC Question: Why Do I Need a Pool Dehumidification System?

Monday, September 17th, 2012

Too much humidity can be a big concern for Westlake pool owners.  Humidity can cause damage to many structural areas, which can be costly to fix.  In order to avoid this type of problem, it’s a good idea to install a pool dehumidification system.  The dehumidification system alleviates any humidity problems, ensuring the structural aspects of the building remain intact and its integrity isn’t compromised.

 Pool dehumidifiers house big metal plates which are cooled off with refrigerant gases by a gas compressor.  The metal plates prompt the moisture in the air to condense on them, and as the moisture slides off the plates it is gathered in a tray and pumped out.  All pool dehumidifiers have a humidistat which can be set to regulate the humidity to the appropriate level for any given pool area.

These systems can also help pool owners by heating the air around the pool.  This is done in one of two ways. Either an electric heater is built into the humidification system or one can be attached to the regular heating system for the building.  This helps to save electricity by using already warmed air.

Pool dehumidification systems come in a variety of shapes and sizes to accommodate all types of pools.  Installation by a trained Westlake HVAC professional is necessary to make sure the system is being installed properly and that it is in a position to provide the greatest benefit.  They can be installed in a variety of places such as the rooftop or inside the pool area, depending on your individual situation.

In order to make sure you get the right type of system for your pool, it’s a good idea to speak with the experienced professionals at Westland Heating and Air Conditioning. And after installation, it’s important to keep up with regular maintenance for your pool dehumidifier to ensure it continues to run smoothly.

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