Archive for June, 2012

Cleveland Heights HVAC Q/A: Why Do I Need a Maintenance Agreement?

Monday, June 25th, 2012

While every new furnace or air conditioning system sold comes with a limited 10 year warranty for the unit and parts, it is a good idea to supplement your warranty with a more complete maintenance agreement with your Cleveland Heights HVAC provider. Why pay for a secondary maintenance plan when you already have a warranty?

For the most part, the limited warranty provided by the manufacturer is meant to cover things like faulty parts, abnormal breakdowns or recalls. If your system simply needs to get a checkup because you use it a lot or there is a clog that isn’t caused by the actual furnace or air conditioner, you will likely end up paying the maintenance cost. So, by paying for an upgraded service plan, you cover all potential breakdowns and you’ll never again need to worry about your system. It’s like getting the upgraded warranty for a new car that covers everything from a busted crankshaft to old windshield wipers.

Help Your System Last Longer

Another benefit of a maintenance agreement for your HVAC system is that the system lasts longer when it is regularly maintained. The best maintenance agreements come with unlimited checkups and service visits, any day of the week, any time. So, if you think your system is running poorly, call a professional in to check it out and it won’t cost you anything. The ability to do this will ensure your Cleveland Heights HVAC system lasts significantly longer than if you were forced to wait until you could afford an extra visit from your repair man.

So, not only do you ensure your system keeps working, you add a lot of valuable years to its lifespan. Imagine how much money you’ll save if your furnace or air conditioner lasts for 20+ years instead of just 10. Any breakdowns after the 10 year mark would require hefty repairs or replacement since your warranty is expired. So, it’s in your best interest to keep your system running smoothly throughout its lifespan.

Ultimately, your Cleveland Heights HVAC system is only as good as what you put into it. If you’re careful about your investments and are willing to spend a little extra now, you’ll stand to benefit far more in the future from a smoothly operating, efficient heating system. To learn more about a great maintenance plan, give Apple Heating & Cooling a call today!

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Trane Customer Satisfaction Survey

Friday, June 22nd, 2012

Trane | Ashtabula | Apple Heating and Cooling

 

Thank you to the hundreds of customers that have responded to the Trane Customer Satisfaction Survey about their experience with Apple Heating & Cooling. We are so pleased to announce that Apple Heating & Cooling has attained very high marks.

 

Over the last month:

100% of customers that responded said they were very satisfied or satisfied.

100% of customers that responded said they definitely would or probably would refer Apple to friends and family.

Our overall company score is a 99 out of 100.

We value your feedback and appreciate the opportunity to be of service to so many great customers. If you would like to leave feedback for Apple please visit our website and take our customer satisfaction survey.

Apple Heating & Cooling provide air conditioning, geothermal, solar, heating, and indoor air quality services in Ashtabula and the surrounding areas.

 

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Ashtabula HVAC Tip: Saving Energy This Summer

Monday, June 18th, 2012

Everyone wants to make their home more energy efficient, it not only saves you money but it also makes your home more environmentally friendly. Upgrading your Ashtabula HVAC equipment is a great place to start, but it can be hard to decide what to do first.

Before you start making changes, ask yourself the following questions:

How much do you spend on energy?

Paying attention to your energy bill from month to month is very important. A sudden spike could indicate a problem with your Ashtabula HVAC system or other appliances in your home. If you start trying to embrace an energy efficient lifestyle, your energy bill can help you keep track of how well you are doing.

Are there benefits to this upgrade?

In addition to being energy efficient, you should discover if there are any other ways that a change can benefit your home. For instance, a new air conditioner could make your home more comfortable, or zone control could make it easier to keep every room in your home the desired temperature. You’d be surprised how many energy efficient upgrades can really improve your whole home and not just your energy bill.

What is your budget?

Budgeting is never fun, but it’s important step to figuring out what you should change first. While it would be great to replace your air conditioner and furnace for ENERGY STAR rated models, it’s a big investment. You can try the little things first, like improving you insulation, repairing air ducts, and sealing air leaks. After you have saved up and improved other parts of your home you can work on replacing your Ashtabula HVAC equipment.

Improving the energy efficiency of your home will make it more comfortable and lower your utility bills. If you have any questions about energy efficient upgrades you can make to your home, call Apple Heating & Cooling today!

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Wickliffe AC Repair Tip: Icing Problems on Air Conditioner Cooling Coils

Monday, June 11th, 2012

Air conditioning cooling coil icing problems can arise for a couple of reasons: either the air filter has not been properly replaced, or there is a condensing coil leak.  It is best to check and test the easiest problem first and then move on from there.

It is important to replace air conditioning filters as often as is recommended by the manufacturer.  A common result of not replacing filters frequently enough is a buildup of dust and dirt on the filter, which causes reduced air flow throughout the air conditioning unit.  With reduced air flow, the evaporator coil or cooling coil within the air handler can become blocked by ice or frost build-up.  Having cooling coil icing can significantly reduce or completely stop the amount of cool air being produced by an air conditioning unit.

Easy steps to diagnose and resolve air conditioning cooling coil icing problems:

  • Visually inspect the air conditioning cooling coils to check whether reduced air flow has been caused by cooling coil icing.  If ice or frost is found on the coils, thus blocking air-flow, proceed with the next step.
  • Turn off the air conditioning system completely to allow ice to evaporate, the unit will have to remain off until all ice is completely melted and drained away from the unit
  • Unclog the condensate drain to ensure proper drainage of melting ice
  • Replace all dirty filters on the air conditioning unit
  • Once the a/c unit is de-iced and has fresh filters, it is safe to turn the system back on, to test whether the icy build-up happens again

If after completing these steps, when your Wickliffe  air conditioning unit is turned back on cooling coil icing happens again, this could mean one of two things.  Either too little of the refrigerant is being released into the cooling coil due to a clogged capillary tube or a stuck thermostatic expansion valve.  Or the refrigerant charge is too low due to a refrigerant leak.  A refrigerant leak can happen at any point in the refrigerant piping system which would then need to be soldered and resealed, or it can happen in the cooling coil or condensing coil which could mean the entire coil needs to be replaced.  Fixing of refrigerant leaks should be handled by a Wickliffe air conditioning professional.  Contact Apple Heating & Cooling, we can identify the air conditioner cooling coil icing problem and execute the proper solution.

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Ashtabula AC Question: What Does an Air Handler Do?

Monday, June 4th, 2012
Your Ashtabula HVAC system is a complex system filled with vital components tasked with keeping you comfortable. One of the most important of those component is the air handler – the device responsible for circulating the heated or cooled air produced by your system through the vents in your home and into each of your rooms.

 

The air handler is a metal box, usually consisting of a blower and the heating or cooling elements. It might also include dampers and sound attenuators along with an air filtration and humidity control system. The simplest air handlers are designed only to transfer the heated or cooled air to the various parts of your home, while the most advanced devices are designed to perfectly condition and clean that air as it is circulated.

Types of Air Handler

There are a few different types of air handler as well, depending on the size of the HVAC system and the nature of the heating and/or cooling used. Most homes, for example, use terminal units which consist of just an air filter, blower and coil. This very simple system is all you really need to heat and transmit air through your ductwork.

 

However, for larger systems, there are also makeup air units which use outdoor air instead of recirculated indoor air. There are also packaged and rooftop units which are designed to be placed outside. These devices are most commonly used for commercial applications when space is limited.

How the Air Handler Works

 An air handler’s most basic component is a blower fan. This device is run by an AC electric motor and can be either single speed or variable speed depending on the size and scope of your air handler. The dampers on the fan will control the flow rate of the air going through the blower fan. Most residential blowers are part of the air conditioning or furnace system, while commercial systems often have multiple blowers to maintain steady airflow for a larger space.

 

Because an air handler passes all of the air that will go through your vents, it is the best place to install high quality MERV or HEPA filters to remove pathogens and contaminants. It is also a good place to install humidity control devices to either raise or lower humidity depending on the time of the year.

 

Your air handler is an incredibly important component in your Ashtabula heating and cooling system. Without it, all that heated and cooled air you pay for each year wouldn’t reach you. So, make sure to keep your system in tip top condition by scheduling a maintenace visit with Apple Heating & Cooling!

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Humidity in Your Home? You May Need Air Conditioning Maintenance

Friday, June 1st, 2012

AC Maintenance | Ashtabula | Apple Heating and CoolingHave you noticed higher levels of humidity in your home? You may need an AC tune-up. Did you know that if your air conditioner’s condensate drain gets clogged it will be unable to reduce the humidity in your home? During your air conditioner’s annual maintenance visit, a technician can pass a wire through your unit’s drain channels to make sure it is clear, which will keep your air conditioner working effectively. If your air conditioner is not reducing humidity in your home like it normally does, be sure to call an HVAC contractor to see if there is a problem with the condensate drain. Apple Heating and Cooling provides comprehensive air conditioning maintenance. We recommend scheduling a maintenance visit two a year, during this time the technician will check your refrigerant levels, the wear and tear on parts, and will do a complete coil cleaning along with many other points.

Apple Heating and Cooling offers services in Ashtabula, Ohio and the surrounding Greater Cleveland area. Our award winning customer service team will help you every step of the way, and our expert technician will ensure that whatever the job, it is done to industry standards.

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