Posts Tagged ‘Media’

Getting the Most from Your Air Conditioning in Springfield, PA

Monday, April 1st, 2013

During the hottest days of the year your air conditioner becomes one of the most important components of your home. When you purchase a high-quality system and schedule professional air conditioning installation, repair and maintenance services, you can expect a great performance. Even so, increasing energy efficiency during the air conditioning season is a goal many of us share. Here are some tips to help you get the most from your air conditioning system. Call the Springfield, PA air conditioning professionals at Cool It for more information.

Even the best air conditioning systems will not operate as efficiently and reliably as possible if they are not serviced by qualified professionals. Scheduling your air conditioning installation, repair and maintenance services with a professional company you can count on makes all the difference. Routine maintenance is not only the best way to prevent problems with your air conditioning system but also the best way to keep it operating at peak performance levels. When every component of your air conditioning system is working as intended, it is easier for the system as a whole to cool your home.

Using your thermostat properly is another simple, yet very effective, way to get the most from your air conditioning in Springfield, PA. If you have a programmable thermostat, make sure you fully understand the programmability options. Creating cooling programs that are based around your personal lifestyle and schedule is a great way to get more from your AC.

One important factor in getting the most from your air conditioning system that many homeowners overlook is simply giving it a rest every now and then. When the sun goes down and the temperature drops a little, shut off the AC and open up the windows. This will help ventilate your home as well as reducing your air conditioning costs.

For more information about how you can get the most from your air conditioning in Springfield, PA, call the professional air conditioning technicians at Cool It. We have the years of training and experience necessary to answer any questions you may have. Contact us today to learn more.

Types of Heat Pump Repairs in Media, PA

Monday, March 11th, 2013

Heat pumps are often praised for their versatility and adaptability to changing temperatures. They are not only highly efficient, but they also run year round to provide home comfort during moderate temperatures. However, like all mechanical systems, then may eventually develop problems and require professional repair. If you notice that your heat pump is no longer transferring heat as it once did, call the experts at Cool It Heating & Air Conditioning in Media, PA.

Let’s take a look at some common problems with heat pumps that require repair:

  • Heat pump doesn’t run. This is likely a problem with the thermostat or electrical wiring of the heat pump. Your thermostat creates a set point that your heat pump works to maintain. If the thermostat is not communicating or inaccurately communicating this set point to the heat pump, it can’t sense the temperature. It also runs on electricity, and therefore requires a working electrical circuit. Whether due to faulty wiring or a blown fuse, have a pro come take a look at it.
  • Frozen heat pump. Your heat pump uses a refrigerant to transfer heat indoors and outdoors. If your system is blocked, then it can cause that cool air to freeze the condenser. This is often a dirty or clogged air filter.
  • Inadequate heating or cooling. While the air from your heat pump is neither as hot as a furnace nor as cool as an air conditioner, it should still provide comfort. If you notice that your heat pump is no longer as effective as it once was, then it may be time to check the filter, to clean the outdoor coils, or to inspect the blower.
  • Short cycling. If your heat pump begins turning on and off too frequently, then it may be at risk of overheating. The culprit may be a clogged filter or faulty blower motor. It could even be the thermostat, which may be sensing the indoor air temperature incorrectly.

These are just a few of the problems you can encounter with your heat pump. Whatever type of heat pump repair you need in Media, PA, call on the experts at Cool It Heating and Cooling!

Media, PA Geothermal Guide: Components of a Geothermal System

Monday, February 25th, 2013

Geothermal heating and cooling systems are really growing in popularity. They are able to both heat your home by utilizing the moderate temperature of the ground just below the earth’s surface. One of the perks of the system is its versatility, being used in the hot and cold months. Cool It Heating & Air Conditioning provides excellent geothermal installation and repair services. If you’re interested in hearing more about geothermal energy and how it can benefit your Media, PA home, call us today.

Geothermal heating and cooling systems utilize a heat pump to transfer heat from beneath your property into your home. In the summer months the process is reversed to cool your home. This operation requires a geothermal loop system. A geothermal specialist will install pipes underground, which contain refrigerant or water. The system circulates this mixture throughout the coils underground, absorbing heat in the winter, and dispersing it in the summer. This system is connected to a cycle including an evaporator, condenser, and heat exchanger. As with a heat pump or air conditioner, the system compresses or expands the refrigerant mixture, depending upon the temperature requirements. A fan blows air across the coils containing the hot or cold refrigerant, and then the air is moved into the house. This allows your geothermal system to keep your home comfortable more efficiently all year long.

The installation process will take into consideration the topography on which your house sits, as well as the composition of the ground beneath your house. Depending on your location, these coils can be placed vertically or in a relatively shallow horizontal bed. It is a green technology and does not rely on a fossil fuel. Geothermal systems tend to use from 25% to 60% less electricity than conventional systems, require no fuel supply, such as natural gas or oil, are durable and quiet. They are an ecologically-sound solution for homeowners interested in fossil fuel alternatives. To find out if geothermal is right for your Media, PA home, contact a geothermal expert at Cool It Heating & Air Conditioning today.

Media, PA Furnace Tip: How to Recognize that You Need Furnace Repair

Monday, February 4th, 2013

In a perfect world your heater would work the way you want it to, which is to say affordably and without any issues. Unfortunately, no mechanical system has yet reached that level of reliability. With a professional installation and high-quality routine maintenance your furnace should work dependably for years to come. Not even the most meticulous maintenance from the experts at Cool It Heating & Air Conditioning can completely prevent problems with your furnace, though. Luckily there are a number of recognizable signs that you can recognize indicating the need for furnace repair in your Media, PA home.

One major indicator that you are in need of professional furnace repair service is the inability of your furnace to heat your home as effectively as it usually does. If your furnace’s performance seems to be suffering, contact a professional heating technician right away. There are a great number of possible causes for this issue. Your thermostat may be faulty, your air ducts may be damaged or the blower in your furnace may be dying. Whatever the cause, waiting it out will only make matters worse. Do not let minor issues become major problems. Schedule furnace repair service as soon as you suspect the need.

Have you noticed that your heating bills have spiked recently? Well, if your home heating habits have not changed then your heating costs should be pretty consistent. Contact Cool It today if you think that you are paying too much for too little heating performance. We are always happy to help you get the most out of your heating system. A sudden drop in the efficiency with which your heater operates is never a good sign. Paying attention to details like this can help you save a lot of money, not only in heating costs but in the potential cost of repairs as well.

Even top-of-the-line furnaces from the industry’s leading manufacturers are subject to damages. This is unavoidable. The extent of those damages is largely influenced by your reaction to the situation, though. As soon as you suspect any issues with your furnace in Media, PA it is important that you call a professional heating service provider immediately. Let Cool It Heating & Air Conditioning handle your furnace repair service before the problem progresses.

Why Isn’t My Heating System Producing Heat? A Media, PA Heating Question

Monday, January 21st, 2013

When you line in the Media, PA area, you need a good heating system during the winter. We all love enjoying the winter evenings in a home that is nice and toasty. But one of the most common calls for heating repairs in Media, PA is for a heating system that isn’t producing any heat. There are a number of things that can cause this problem. At Cool It Heating and Air Conditioning, we’ve been providing comprehensive heating installation and heating repairs in Media, PA for over 50 years. We’ve repaired countless heating systems and wanted to share some of the most common reasons why your heating system might not be producing heat.

Why Your Heating System Isn’t Producing Any Heat in Media, PA

If your heating system isn’t producing any heat, then it’s obviously a very serious issue. Here are some of the common causes of no heat.

  • Pilot light/Igniter – If you have a furnace that has a pilot light, it can sometimes go out. But if it starts to happen a lot, you may have to call a heating contractor to clean it or replace it. The same is true if you have an electric igniter on your furnace.
  • Thermocouple – The thermocouple is a safety device that detects if the pilot light is lit. If it detects no heat from the pilot, it shuts off the flow of gas. If your thermocouple is malfunctioning, it could have mistakenly shut off the flow of gas which would mean no heat.
  • Thermostat – Another common problem is with the thermostat in your home. If its batteries are dead or if it is broken, it could be telling your heater that you don’t need any heat.
  • Clogged air filter – This is a common problem that we see in many homes. The air filter on your furnace or heat pump is there to keep dust from getting in. But if you don’t change it regularly, it can actually get so clogged that it keeps any air from getting into your home.

The Important of Regular Heating Maintenance in Media, PA

Many of the most common heating problems can be potentially avoided with regular heating maintenance. During regular maintenance visits, the Cool It heating technicians will be able to find small issues potentially before they turn into larger, more costly repairs. This may be able to keep your heating system working well for a very long time.

Contact Cool It today if you need heating repair in Media, PA or heating maintenance.

Why Is My Heater Underperforming? A Media, PA Heating Repair Question

Monday, January 7th, 2013

An underperforming heater can be a serious problem when the temperatures really start to drop here in Media, PA. It can be especially frustrating for homeowners because there are so many different issues that may cause your heater to perform at subpar levels. It is important to remember that no problem with your home heating system should be considered too minor to call a professional about. Make the right choice for your heater and call Cool It to discover why your home heating system is not living up to the high standards that you deserve.

A common problem that we see with many forced air heating systems is damage or disrepair in the air duct system. This is a likely issue that may be affecting your heater’s performance due to the fact that there is really no way for a homeowner to discover this problem on their own. During professional maintenance service your ductwork will be inspected, but if you have been neglecting this necessary service there is no way to know if your air ducts are torn or otherwise damaged.

The neglect of proper home heating system maintenance itself is by far the root cause of most problems that may lead to a lackluster performance from your heater. When you operate your home heating system it is always going to suffer some wear and tear. If you do not have it tuned up before each heating season these minor issues can compound into serious problems. Remember that your heater does not necessarily have to completely break down in order for it to underperform. It may still run in its compromised condition but it will wind up costing you more money for a weaker performance as well as put your system at risk for further damage.

It is also possible that your heater is simply beginning to lose its efficiency and performance capabilities. Most heaters have pretty respectable, effective lifespans. No mechanical system will last forever though. Just because a system can be repaired does not necessarily mean that it should be. Discuss the condition of your heater with a professional to decide if it is finally time for a replacement.

If your heater is underperforming in Media, PA, contact Cool It Heating & Air Conditioning. We have the training, knowledge and experience necessary to help you make the right decisions about the repair or replacement of your heater. Let us help you make it through the winter comfortably.

Media, PA Boiler Tip: When to Call for Boiler Repairs

Monday, December 10th, 2012

At Cool It, we can provide you with all your Media, PA boiler repair needs. Before you call, it is important to know what to look for so that you know when it is time to call for a repair service. Here are some warning signs that tell you that your boiler may need a repair.

Not Producing Enough Heat

If your boiler no longer produces enough heat, keep these potential causes in mind. First, the water levels inside the tank could be off. When something happens to lower the hot water levels, it can cause reduced heat in the radiators and radiant floor heating system. This could be caused from sediment buildup, or you could have a broken pressure valve.

If the levels are off on your pressure gauge, call a repair technician ASAP. Pressure issues in boiler systems could be a safety concern. In addition, the technician may need to flush out sediment buildup in the boiler’s tank.

Water Leaking from the Tank

Water leaks could be another reason for a reduction in pressure. This would also cause improper temperatures in the system. Water leaks are fairly obvious, but call a technician if you notice any signs of a leak, such as rust or corrosion.

Slow Hot Water Recovery

If you use your boiler to heat the water in your home, slow hot water recovery could be a warning sign. If you feel the tank and the hot water is at the top and the cold is at the bottom, there’s a problem. It should be the opposite: hot water at the top and cold at the bottom. This could be a problem with the air pressure or a water level in the expansion tank.

If you suspect any boiler repair needs in your Media, PA area home, call the heating specialists at Cool It.

Why are Supply and Return Vents Important? A Media, PA Heating Question

Monday, November 26th, 2012

If you have a furnace in your Media, PA home then you have a system of ducts in your home as well. These ducts are critical to your home’s comfort and to the efficient operation of your furnace. Without proper ductwork, your furnace wouldn’t be able to heat or cool your home properly. At Cool It, we’ve worked with countless customers on the ducts in their home in Media, PA. We thought our customers would appreciate it if we put together a quick explanation about two particular components of your ducts: the supply and return vents.

What are Supply and Return Vents?

The furnace in your home has a pretty simple job: heat your home. The way it does this is by circulating heated air throughout your home. To accomplish this, each room has registers that allow hot air to come in and cooler air to be pulled back to the furnace to be heated again. The freshly heated air from the furnace travels through supply ducts to the supply vent. The return vents in each room allow for the cooler air to be returned to the furnace, mixed with fresh air from the outside and heated again.

 Take Care of Your Vents

The supply and return vents in each of your rooms are obviously very important to the proper operation of your furnace. In order to get the best service out of them, you should try to take care of them.

  • Don’t block them – You should try not to put furniture in front of or on top of any supply and return vents. This can block the flow of air through them.
  • Properly sized – If the vents in your home in Media, PA aren’t the right size, it can also decrease the efficiency of your furnace.

Proper Maintenance

Another critical part aspect of not only your vents but also your entire furnace system is proper maintenance. Having your vents and ducts regularly repaired and inspected is a great way to make sure your heating system is working well. During maintenance visits, your heating technician can discover small problems or issues and fix them quickly. This keeps them from developing into larger, more expensive problems. Not only can this increase the efficiency of your furnace system, it can also extend the life of it.

If you’re having any issues with your furnace in your Media, PA home, contact the experts at Cool It. We can perform repairs and maintenance on your return and supply vents and on any other component of your system. Give us a call today!

Common Home Heating System Repairs in Prospect Park

Monday, November 12th, 2012

It’s a sad fact of life that eventually everything breaks down—including the heating system in your home in Prospect Park. The only thing we can do is be prepared for it. But when it does happen to you, know that you are not alone. At Cool It Heating & Air Conditioning, we respond to calls for service for a number of very common heating repairs. Below, we’ve listed some of the top repairs that we see in Prospect Park.

Air Filter

This one of the most overlooked parts of your furnace or other forced-air heating system. Some people don’t realize that their furnace has an air filter that needs to be changed regularly. If it’s not changed it can cause a whole bunch of problems. Below are just a few of the ones that we see most often:

  • Low air flow – The air filter in your furnace filters incoming air to keep dust and debris from collecting in the furnace. If it gets clogged it will restrict the airflow through the furnace. This will obviously reduce the amount of air that will get to the homes in your house.
  • Furnace short cycling – Short cycling is when your furnace turns on and off very quickly. This can potentially lead to increased repair costs due to added wear on your system. It may also cause reduced efficiency.
  • Overheating – As your furnace heats up the heat exchanger, it needs air to flow across the exchanger, remove the heat and carry it into your house. With reduced air flow from a dirty filter, your heat exchanger could over heat and crack.

No Heat

This is another problem that we see very often with all types of heating systems including furnaces, boilers and heat pumps.

  • Furnace – With furnaces, no heat is usually the result of the pilot light going out.
  • Boiler – For boilers, no heat means that the water from the boiler isn’t getting to the radiators. It could also be that the boiler’s pilot light is out.
  • Heat Pump – For heat pumps, no heat could be related to the fan breaking or to low refrigerant.

Insufficient Heat

When your heating system is producing some heat, but not enough, it can be the result of a number of things.

  • Furnace – For furnaces, insufficient heat can be caused by a dirty burner or a faulty thermostat.
  • Boiler – For boilers this can be caused by a blockage in the lines or by a dirty burner.
  • Heat Pump – Similar to a boiler, this can be caused by blockage in the refrigerant lines.

Give Cool It Heating & Air Conditioning a call today to learn about the heating repair services that we offer in Prospect Park.

Media PA Solar Hot Water Heater FAQ: Do Solar Hot Water Heaters Work in the Winter?

Monday, November 5th, 2012

Solar hot water heaters, also called solar collectors, are a great way to help conserve energy and increase the efficiency of your home in Media PA. We normally imagine that these devices are for people who live in warmer climates because of the abundance of heat energy there. But can solar hot water heaters actually work in the winter or in areas with colder climates like Media PA? We’re going to explore that question here and hopefully give you a better idea of whether or not a solar hot water heater is right for your house.

Solar Panels vs. Solar Collectors

Solar panels use the sun’s energy to generate electricity for your home. Solar panels produce electricity no matter what the temperature of the air outside—all they need is sunlight. But a solar hot water heater uses the actual heat energy of the sun to heat up water. Water from your water heater’s tank is circulated through the collector, which is installed in an area that receives a lot of direct sunlight. The water collects heat from the sun and then returns to the water heater tank. In warm climates, like in Southern California, a solar water heater like this can heat water to 212° F.

Solar Water Heaters in the Winter

While solar hot water heaters work very well in warm climates, they can still be extremely useful for people in Media PA—even during the winter. In a recent study conducted by the WISE project, they measured the temperature of hot water produced by a solar collector during the months of January and February in Ontario, Canada. In January, the average water temperature produced was 89.24° F. In February, the average temperature increased to 95.72°F. So even in the dead of winter, a solar hot water heater can still be a great help to your traditional water heater.

If you’re interested in learning more about solar hot water heaters, contact Cool It today. We have years of experience working with these kinds of systems. We would love to talk with you about whether or not a solar hot water heater is a good choice for your home in Media PA.