Westland Heating, Air Conditioning and Plumbing Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Fairview Park’

Problems with Your Heat Exchanger?

Monday, January 27th, 2020

We’re going to talk a bit today about what a heat exchanger is, the problems that can arise in a heat exchanger, and how these problems can be dangerous if left alone. Don’t panic—this can be safely and easily addressed when you call an HVAC professional to fix the furnace.

The truth is, gas furnaces aren’t inherently dangerous devices. But through neglect and disrepair, they can quickly become a huge problem when it comes to safety.

A problem with your heat exchanger requires heater repair in Fairview Park, OH or perhaps the immediate need for a heater replacement. This will vary from situation to situation. Luckily, our professionals are trained and certified in furnace care to the point where they can provide you the options you need when the time comes.

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Geothermal Heating vs. Radiant Heating Systems

Monday, May 6th, 2019

technician-explaining-to-customerIn this showdown, we have two types of heating systems: the geothermal system and the radiant heating system.

Both of these systems are installed below your feet and provide unmatched heating power. However, the differences between the two will have you choosing sides. Either way, they’re both great systems that deserve a chance and can be installed by a qualified HVAC company in Fairview Park, OH.

Here are all the details:

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Why Is My AC Blowing Hot Air?

Monday, August 27th, 2018

man-feeling-hot-in-front-of-fanWe can think of one thing worse than an air conditioner that stops working when you need it most:

An air conditioner that blows hot air instead of cold air.

But we’re not just saying that as some kind of joke. There are certain kinds of AC issues that can do the opposite of what your AC is intended to do. If your AC is ever blowing out air that isn’t cold, there could be a problem. We’ll help you figure it out so you can know whether you just need to reprogram your thermostat or if it requires calling an air conditioning expert in Fairview Park, OH.

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Dispelling Myths About Your Air Conditioner

Monday, May 9th, 2016

Air conditioners are a staple of most homes here in Fairview Park, OH, and with summer coming our way, people will be using theirs more and more often. That’s why it can be difficult when myths and misconceptions about air conditioners result in wasted energy and increased strain on the systems. People may think they’re using their system wisely, but following the wrong path can force you to spend more than you should to keep your home cool this summer. Here are some common myths about your air conditioner that we’d like to dispel. 

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How do UV Germicidal Lights Work?

Monday, April 11th, 2016

Fairview Park, OH residents always keep an eye on their home temperature levels, and trust their HVAC system to keep them warm in the winter and cool in the summer. But you can use that system in other ways as well as with addition of indoor air quality devices. For example, take a look at UV germicidal lights, which can be placed in the apex of your heating and cooling system where the conditioned air is blown into your ducts. Such a system could make for a happier and healthier household. Here’s how.

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Get Your Air Conditioner Ready for Spring

Monday, March 7th, 2016

We’re still looking at some cold days ahead here in Fairview Park, OH, but warm weather will be here before you know it and soon enough, your air conditioner will be called into service again. Now is the time to get ready for that change. By taking steps to prepare your system now, you’ll save yourself a lot of potential heartache later. You want your system to be ready to go when the mercury climbs, as well as performing as efficiently as possible. You can take some concrete steps to get your air conditioner ready for spring.

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How Does Air Filtration Make for Healthier Living?

Friday, March 21st, 2014

Most heating and air conditioning units have some kind of air filtration, whether it’s a replaceable screen, a UV light or an electronic air filter. Basic air filters usually need to be replaced every few months, while more elaborate ones can usually be installed to work in conjunction with your HVAC system. Here in Fairview Park, filtration systems can be readily installed by qualified professionals. But that doesn’t explain why you’d want to install such a system in your home. How does air filtration make for happier living? A few answers can be found below.

Air filtration screens out dust and detritus in your home, with an eye on improving your indoor air quality. Standard filters typically screen out larger particles while missing smaller ones, though you can improve on that front by installing HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Absorption) filters, which strain much smaller particles than a standard filter. Electronic filters use electromagnetism to capture a wide array of dust particles, while UV lights kill bacteria and other biological organisms. Both can be installed in your existing HVAC system in many cases.

Regardless of the level of protection, however, the presence of a clean filter elevates the quality of your indoor air. That means a reduced risk of nose and throat irritation, fewer colds and flu bugs, and relief for family members suffering from allergies. In the latter case, a high-end system can help make your home a haven from allergens, allowing asthmatic or allergy-sensitive family members some respite. Even if you don’t have those concerns, air filters help you breathe more easily and can reduce the risk of viruses and other common infections.

For more on how air filtration makes for healthier living, or to schedule an installation session, call on Westland Heating & Air Conditioning to help. Filtration systems are part of our standard coverage, and we are committed to making you happy at every step of the way. Pick up the phone and give us a call today to set up an appointment. We’ll find and install the right kind of air filter for you! And don’t forget to let us know if you have any other questions you may have about other HVAC services in Fairview Park.

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Why Businesses Use Rooftop HVAC Units

Monday, January 20th, 2014

You can see rooftop HVAC units on top of most businesses, whether they exist as stand-alone buildings or part of a larger complex like a mall. Here in Fairview Park, rooftop units remain a very popular option for business owners hoping to condition their air cheaply and efficiently. But that doesn’t explain why rooftop units are so popular with businesses, or what kinds of advantages they provide. It can be particularly perplexing since rooftop units still use the same basic system operated in most homes. Here’s a brief rundown of why businesses use rooftop units.

It boils down to two basic factors: space and flexibility. Unlike residences, which usually have back yards to set their HVAC systems, business place space at a premium. Any spot taken up by the heating system is a spot that can’t be used for another purpose: anything from storage to extra parking space. Add to that the fact that many businesses use high story buildings – which require a lot of energy to push cool air to the upper stories – and placement on the roof starts to make a lot of sense.

Then there’s the question of flexibility. Rooftop HVAC systems tend to use a set size capable of heating or cooling a certain specific amount of space. If the system is too small, it’s not going to do the job. That’s rarely a problem, however, because Rooftop systems are designed to be modular. That is, you can add more units quickly and easily in order to support every part of the building in question. That modular aspect helps you better treat the needs of different businesses occupying the same building, as well as tracking which businesses use more heating in the winter.

The combination of those two factors makes rooftop HVAC units very attractive to most businesses. Rooftop units can be assembled and installed by the Fairview Park rooftop units specialists at Westland Heat and Air Conditioning. We can discuss your options with you beforehand, then conduct the installation with courtesy and care. Pick up the phone to make an appointment. You’ll be glad that you did!

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Why Can’t I Spot a Boiler Leak on My Own?

Saturday, January 18th, 2014

Boilers contain few mechanical parts and therefore have a reduced need for repairs compared to a heating system like a furnace or a heat pump. However, because boilers use hydronic power (water) to provide heat, they are susceptible to two specific problems: corrosion and leaking. The former is often the cause of the latter, although there are a number of other reasons for leaks to occur.

We’ll deal with leaks in this post, specifically the difficulty you can have detecting them. If you need assistance with a leaking boiler in Fairview Park, OH, contact the professionals at Westland Heating and Air Conditioning. We bring more than a quarter of a century of experience to our work.

There are two principle reasons why boiler leaks can pose problems to spot:

  1. The leaks occur in hidden places: Much of the piping that comes from your boiler and connects to the baseboard heaters and/or radiators throughout the house are hidden in walls, ceilings, and floors. Leaks here are difficult to detect until they begin to cause noticeable damage, such as bulges beneath wallpaper, dark spots on walls, and warping in floorboards. Boiler repair technicians have special tools that allow them to locate leaks through drywall, wood, and even stone.
  2. The water from the leaks evaporates too fast: The temperature inside the boiler is of course very high. Few boilers today actually “boil” and use steam power as they once did. However, the temperature of the water is high enough that when it leaks it often rapidly evaporates in the outside air, not giving the water enough time to form a visible pool on the ground. It requires the work of professionals to track down leaks of this nature. Fortunately, these sorts of leaks are small, so you have time to catch them before they start to enlarge and cause more problems. (And they will get worse; that’s the nature of leaks.)

Sometimes boiler leaks are easy to spot: if the tank itself is leaking from corrosion or a broken connection, it’s hard to miss the water collecting beneath the tank—and it might mean the whole tank needs replacement. But if the leaks are difficult to find, there are a number of warning signs to look for that indicate you may have leaking problems. A rumbling boiler, a drop in heating power, or an increase in humidity in your home can point toward boiler leaks. If in doubt, you need to call in experts to discover what is wrong, locate the leaks, seal them, and find the root cause of the problem.

Leak detection and any kind of boiler repair requires training and specialized equipment, so call up experts like those at Westland Heating and Air Conditioning when you need help to rescue your boiler in Fairview Park, OH.

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How Does a Pool Heater Work?

Friday, December 6th, 2013

There are a couple different types of pool heaters on the market that homeowners have to choose from. Probably the two most popular are gas and heat pump pool heaters. They’re both very different and each has specific advantages over the other. Here at Westland Heating and Air Conditioning, we offer total service for pool heaters in Fairview Park. We wanted to share a little bit about how pool heaters work.

Call us today if you need installation, repair, maintenance or replacement for your pool heater in Fairview Park.

Gas Pool Heaters in Fairview Park

Gas pool heaters operate in a similar fashion to a gas furnace. The pool heater burns natural gas which heats up a series of metal coils. A pump draws in cold pool water and passes it through the coils which heats up the water. The pump continues to circulate the newly-heated water back to the pool.

One of the main advantages of a gas pool heater is that it can operate in even the coldest temperatures. While you’re probably not going to heat up your pool or spa in the dead of winter, there may be some times during the fall or spring that you want to enjoy your pool and a gas pool heater is going to be able to get the job done a lot more efficiently and effectively in those cases. Also, natural gas is almost less expensive to buy than electricity which can be a big deal for some homeowners.

Heat Pump Pool Heaters in Fairview Park

Unlike gas pool heaters that need to consume a fuel to create heat, a heat pump pool heater actually absorbs heat from the outside air in order to heat your pool. This makes them incredibly efficient which many homeowners enjoy—especially if you like to heat your pool or spa a lot.

However, when the temperature drops below a certain temperature, usually around the freezing point, heat pump pool heaters stop operating efficiently because of the lack of heat in the air. This is one of the main disadvantages to heat pumps in general. However, many homeowners choose the heat pump pool heaters because of their efficiency.

Call us here at Westland Heating and Air Conditioning if you have any questions or if you need any heating service in Fairview Park.

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