Choosing an HVAC System

When deciding on an HVAC system, you need to keep in mind the size of the building it will be used in. If you have a small house, you really don’t need to have a huge system. All this is going to do is jack up your energy bill because you will be using a lot more energy than is really necessary. On the other hand, if your home is larger, you don’t want a system that is too small. You won’t get enough heat or air conditioning, and it will have to work harder, which will increase your energy bills.

Maintaining Your HVAC System

If you want to keep your HVAC system in proper working order, you need to have regular HVAC maintenance checks done by an expert heating and air conditioning technician. Maintenance can save you a lot of money over the years, and extend the life of your system. You will know that your system is reliable, and that there are no safety hazards. Too many people wait until it’s too late. They don’t get the proper HVAC maintenance, and they end up having to spend a lot of money, either on repairs or installing all new systems.

Here is a rundown of how much money you can save just by having regular HVAC maintenance checks:

• Save as much as 35% on your energy bill through adjusting the equipment operating sequence
• Clean the coils and save up to 15%
• Changing air filters that are dirty can equal a savings of as much as 15%
• Cleaning the burner assembly can save you 15%
• Remove scale from condenser coils and save up to 30%
• You can save 15% by changing air/fuel ratios
• Cleaning soot from the fire side of the burner can bring a savings of 9%
• Get rid of V-belt slippage and save up to 20%

In addition to all of the above savings, there is one more way that HVAC maintenance will save you money: you won’t need to have nearly as many service calls, and there won’t be a lot of expensive repair bills.

If you live in the Ohio area, the experts at Jennings Heating and Cooling Co., Inc. can take care of all of your HVAC maintenance needs. Now that winter is pretty much over, it is time to book your appointment for a regular maintenance check. Call toll-free today at 1-800-588-1095.

When your boiler is properly maintained, you don’t have to worry about needing to have a lot of major repairs, and you will be saving money over time. Not only will you save money on repairs, you will also find that your energy costs are lower.

Inspecting Your Boiler

While you should always leave boiler maintenance to the professionals, there are things you can do yourself to inspect your boiler in between scheduled visits. For instance, you can check things like water levels, pilot lights, etc. But, you really should leave the more complicated parts to someone who is trained in this sort of work, such as the experts at Jennings Heating and Cooling Co., Inc.

Here are some of the things that will be inspected during regular boiler maintenance appointments:

• Fireside – The first thing to be checked during a routine maintenance check is this feature. When there is a lot of dirt built up in the fireside, you can lose a lot of energy, which will cause an increase in your energy bills. Before this can be cleaned, the boiler must be completely cleaned, then the boiler tubes and furnace are checked for dirt as well.
• Refractory – This is a part that will often require repairs of some sort. Some of the things will be checked for are erosion and cracking. If the boiler does have these problems, the technician will use the proper materials to fix it right away.
• Waterside – The next thing to be inspected is the waterside. This is done as soon as the boiler cools down to approximately 120 degrees. The boiler needs to be drained, and if the water treatment system does not work properly, the boiler needs to be chemically cleaned by one of the experts at Jennings.
• Burner – When this is opened, the technician will check all of the parts, including the oil nozzle, diffuser, shutter and damper.
• Controls – The last thing to be checked are the controls. They monitor water levels, and must always be in tip-top condition. The electronics and mechanics are both inspected. If any work is needed, it is done after they are re-installed, but before the boiler is re-started.

Rather than trying to do boiler maintenance yourself, it is best to call in the experts at Jennings Heating and Cooling Co., Inc. if you live in the Ohio area. You can call toll-free for an appointment at 1-800-588-1095. Make sure that you schedule yearly checkups for your home heating system, and stay on top of boiler maintenance.

As a rule, you only need to have your system cleaned every so often, and it is best to have a professional do the job rather than try to do it yourself. This procedure is very costly, and it is better to have regular maintenance so you don’t need to bother with HVAC cleaning.

Does Your HVAC System Need to be Cleaned?

If you have regular inspections on your HVAC system, you will probably not need to have cleanings. But, if you do need to have HVAC cleaning, the technician will be able to tell during a routine maintenance inspection. They are looking for things like a lot of dirt or microbiological growths on the inside surfaces of the system. Usually, this is done by using a fiber optic or video inspection system to get the best results.

Obviously there is going to be some dirt, which is okay. You just need to be sure that the amount of dirt inside is not excessive, or you could end up with problems later on. It is also important that the source of the dirt or contamination be detected so it can be corrected and keep the dirt from coming back.

Maintenance is important, and when you have regular maintenance on your HVAC system, you have less chances of having a lot of problems with it, including dirt buildup and microbiological contamination. How often you need to have inspections depends on a number of factors, including the area where you live, how many people live in the building, the environment, etc. Usually, once or twice a year should suffice for inspections.

Get a Professional to do the Job

It is always best to hire a professional to take care of your HVAC cleaning. This involves cleaning all parts of the system’s interior, including any components where air enters. There are a few methods of cleaning HVAC systems, such as using chemical sanitizers or mechanical means of cleaning. The method used on your system will depend on just how dirty it is, the type of component that needs to be cleaned, and how easy it is to get to.

If you live in the Ohio area, you can have all of your HVAC cleaning needs taken care of by the experts at Jennings Heating and Cooling Co., Inc. Not only will you be able to have your system cleaned, you will also have the opportunity to learn about your system, and how you can take care of some things yourself to avoid hefty repair bills later on. To make an appointment to have your system inspected and/or cleaned, call toll-free at 1-800-588-1095.

When you are choosing your HVAC contractor you will probably want to know something about their experience and qualifications. After all, there are many different contractors out there, and you need to be sure that you get the right one for your job. Of course if you simply contact Jennings Heating you will be put in contact with some of the best technicians in Ohio.

5 Questions You Need to Ask

When you are choosing an HVAC contractor you should be asking questions. Actually, you should be asking five very important questions:

1. Are You Licensed? You need to be sure that any HVAC contractor you choose is fully licensed and certified. They must meet all licensing requirements. You should also ask if they are NATE-certified (North American Technician Excellence).
2. What will be Installed? As a home owner you need to know the things that are in your house, including the products used for your HVAC system. Make sure that you ask about energy efficiency levels, which include SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) and HSPF (heating seasonal performance factor).
3. What is the Warranty Like? This is very important. If you are not getting a good warranty on your service you could end up needing more service before you really should. Your warranty from Jennings Heating & Cooling Co., Inc. will be explained to you so you understand everything involved.
4. How Much will Repairs Cost? If you only have a certain budget to work with, make sure that you let the HVAC contractors know what your budget is. You can meet with various contractors to get prices, but you will probably find that you get the best deals from Jennings.
5. Ask for a Written Contract. Everything involved in the work should be listed in the contract, from labor to materials and everything else including cleanup, removal of materials, etc. You don’t want to have any unexpected costs when the work is completed.

Should You Do Your Own Repairs?

Unless you are a trained heating and cooling technician it is never a good idea to do a lot of repairs to your HVAC systems. Of course you can always do your own trouble shooting, and there will be some things that you can repair yourself. Leave the big things to Jennings Heating & Cooling Co., Inc. You can call or go online at www.jenningsheating.com to make an appointment to have a technician come to your home and take care of all of your heating and cooling issues.

Doing Your Own Troubleshooting

Before you call in anyone from Jennings Heating & Cooling Co., Inc. to repair your heat pump you should do some troubleshooting yourself to discover what the problem is. Some things you may be able to take care of yourself. Here are some things to look for when you are having problems with your heat pump:

• Heat Pump Does Not Turn On: When a heat pump doesn’t come on, or it needs to be restarted when it’s cold out there may be a problem. The most common problems are with thermostats not working properly or issues with circuit breakers and/or fuses. Check the thermostat, and if this is working, check to make sure that the heat pump is getting power and that it is turned on. If you still have a problem and you live in Ohio it’s time to call in someone from Jennings.
• Heat Pump Does Not Heat or Cool: If this is happening, you need to first check the thermostat. If this is working properly, then check to make sure that all registers are open and whether or not the heat pump filter is clean. If it is grimy it will need to be changed. Clean and wipe the coils of the condensing unit. If the heat pump is still not working properly you need to call in the experts at Jennings.
• Heat Pump Does Not Cycle Properly: One of the easiest solutions to this problem is to change the filter, which may be clogged up with dirt. You should also check the thermostat to make sure it is working properly, which is one of the most common problems because of the heat anticipator.
• Heat Pump Makes too Much Noise: This is not something you should look into yourself, unless you are a heating technician. It is best to bring in someone from Jennings Heating & Cooling Co., Inc. to find out what the problem is and take care of it for you.

Don’t Wait Until You’re Freezing to Call in the Experts

If you have any issues with your heat pump it is important to make sure that they are taken care of right away. After all, you want to make sure that no one in your home is going to freeze in the winter, and that you are going to stay nice and cool in the summer. To learn more about the services available from Jennings you can go online and visit www.jenningsheating.com.

Refrigerant is used, and it circulates the heat through condensation and evaporation. The refrigerant is pumped between a couple of heat exchanger coils, one of which is evaporating the refrigerant. The refrigerant is then condensed as it goes to the other coil where it reduces, and the heat is released. While this may sound confusing, you don’t have to worry about knowing much about this if you have the experts from Jennings Heating and Cooling Co., Inc.

Not Just Heaters Use this Technology

This type of technology is not new, and it is not just used to heat homes. Heat pumps are used in refrigeration and air conditioning units. The only difference is that they are used for cooling instead of heating. Basically, the heat pump takes heat from the inside and puts it outside so the items in the fridge and freezer remain cold and/or frozen.

Air conditioners work in the same manner. Since a heat pump is reversible, you can use it year round: in the winter to heat your home and in the summer time to stay nice and cool even when it is roasting outside. This is the most common type of heat pump that can be found in North American homes.

Parts of a Heat Pump

If you live in Ohio and you have problems with your heating pump you will want to call in the professionals at Jennings Heating & Cooling Co., Inc. to take care of things for you. Even so, it is still a good idea to know a little bit about your heat pump, such as what the various parts are:

• Reversing Valve – This is used to change the heat pump from heating to cooling.
• Coil – This is a loop or multiple loops of tubing that allows for the transfer of heat.
• Refrigerant – This is a liquid/gas that goes through the heat pump. It collects, moves and releases heat.
• Evaporator – This is a coil that allows the refrigerant to gather heat from around it and boils it into a vapor. Some pumps have an accumulator that takes in the excess liquid that is not turned into vapor.
• Compressor – This presses refrigerant gas molecules together to make it hotter.
• Condenser – This is a coil that lets the refrigerant become liquid and give heat.
• Expansion Device – This lowers the pressure from the compressor and allows the temperature to go down.
• Plenum – This is an air compartment that helps heat to go through the entire house.

If you are having trouble with any of the parts of your heat pump, you need to contact the experts at Jennings Heating & Cooling Co., Inc. You can find them online at www.jenningsheating.com.

Should You Do Your Own Gas Furnace Repair?

Most of the problems that arise with gas furnaces should be repaired by a professional. If you live in Ohio you can call Jennings Heating & Cooling Co., Inc. to do the work for you. Of course, there may be small problems that can easily be fixed by you, and you will be able to save money on repair bills. Here are some troubleshooting tips to help you decide whether or not you need to call someone in for your gas furnace repair:

• No Heat – Check to see if the unit is getting electricity. It could be that the problem is simply a burned out fuse that needs to be replaced or a circuit is broken.
• Not Enough Heat – Your burner may be clogged with dirt, which is easy to clean yourself. While you are cleaning you should also make sure the air burner shutter is properly adjusted.
• Pilot Light is Out – It is probably dirty, and you can clean it with a toothpick. If the flame is not at the right height you can adjust it to where it should be.
• Thermocouple Doesn’t Work – You can’t fix this. It will have to be replaced, which is easy to do.
• Burner Takes too Long to Light – There is probably a dirt clog blocking the pilot orifice. Simply set a higher level for the pilot light and clean out the dirt.
• Flame is too Yellow or Uneven – You need to clean the burner to correct this.
• Air in the Home is too Dry – Clean and wash the evaporator pad (replacing if necessary) if you have a humidifier in the home. You may also have to adjust the float to bring the water level up.

The Bigger Picture

If you have done your troubleshooting and you are still having problems you will need to call in the experts from Jennings Heating & Cooling Co., Inc. for your gas furnace repair. Unless you are a trained heating and cooling technician it is never a good idea to try to do any big repairs yourself. To learn more about the services offered by Jennings you can visit the website at www.jenningsheating.com.

Of course, if there are problems and you live in Ohio you will want to bring in someone who knows exactly what they are doing. These are the people who work for Jennings Heating & Cooling Co., Inc.

The Life Span of a Central Heating System

If you are making sure that the unit is properly maintained, your central heating system should last as long as 15 years or more. It is imperative that you have central heating maintenance checks performed at least once every year. This will help to ensure that everything is working properly. This will ensure that you have heat in the winter and cool air in the summer. You can take care of some of your central heating maintenance yourself. Here are the things you can check regularly. If you see something that doesn’t look right you can get all of the necessary repairs from Jennings Heating & Cooling Co., Inc.

Things You Can Check Yourself

You can check for a number of issues before doing any actual central heating maintenance. This will help you to save money on unnecessary repairs. Here are some of the things you should be checking for regularly:

• Leaks in the system
• Proper drainage
• Cracks or leaks in the hose connections
• Condensate tube should be able to drain properly
• Filter should be changed every four to six weeks
• Clean the outside of the air compressor regularly
• Have ductwork professionally cleaned every three to five years

If you see any problems when you are checking things it is important to call in a professional as soon as possible. In Ohio you can contact Jennings Heating & Cooling Co. Inc. to have your central heating system serviced and repaired so it is always working the way it should.

Stay Comfortable Year Round

Your central heating system will help you stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer, and it is important that you keep up with the maintenance on it. You should be doing checks every few weeks for problems so they can be taken care of right away. The longer you let things go the worse the problems can get. If you need any central heating maintenance and you live in Ohio, you can contact Jennings to help. Go online today and check out the website at www.jenningsheating.com.

Now you need to have some idea of what steps to consider when doing this. Here are a few things that can help make hiring a professional heating contractor that much easier.

• First, make sure your potential heating contractor is licensed, bonded and insured. This is true for basically any type of contractor you allow into your home. It is also not something you have to worry about when it comes to Jennings Heating and Cooling Co., Inc. While many “contractors” may try to offer you a better deal because they do have these things in place, it is too big a risk to take.

• Look for a professional who takes the time to come and do an inspection or survey what he or she will be working with. A truly professional contractor for heating will make the effort to have a look at what they will be working with as well as determining your needs or goals. For repairs this should also include knowing you are working with a company that offers 24 hour emergency service. This is all something you will easily find when you work with Jennings.

• Work with a trusted and respected name, one that can offer references, testimonials or comes to you as a referral from someone you know and trust. Too many businesses get started, perform shoddy work, then disappear. A fly-by-night heating and cooling company is going to leave you stranded with more expenses to cover in the long run. There is a reason Jennings has been in business for more than 80 years and why our customers are eager to refer us to those they know.

• Get your estimates for repairs, costs for parts and labor costs in writing. While there is the occasional deviance from a quote, this helps prevent gouging. More homeowners than you would care to think about have been left with a job partially done and the heating contractor’s hand out for more money in order to finish the job. Jennings would never have been able to service the residents of Ohio for so many decades if this was their standard practice.

The bottom line is that when it is time to call in an expert there really is only one name you know you can rely on in the Ohio area. We assure you that you can ask around about Jennings and hear good responses. You can shop around for prices and find out how competitive we are. When it comes to finding a contractor for your heating needs, don’t take a gamble. Make the call to Jennings and get things started today.

• Building a new home
• Updating an outdated system
• Replacing a furnace that has worn out
• Converting from oil or electric to a gas furnace
• Changing to have an energy saving furnace

Or possibly you have another reason. However, these are the most common reasons people seek expert advice or a contractor for installing a furnace. The important thing to know, though, is that much of the performance and efficiency of the furnace depends on who installs it and how it is installed.

Furnace Installation – How to Make a Decision

One of the best ways to find someone to work on anything relating to your home or business is to get referrals from people you know and trust. The second most important thing it to always work only with a company who sends out installers who are licensed, bonded and insured. This protects them as much as you, but anyone without these qualifications could be questionable. If nothing else there could be a reason this person does not meet the required qualifications to be licensed, bonded and insured and that means it is probably not someone you should take a gamble of allowing in your home without knowing first.

It is still a good idea to get at least three different quotes. The important thing is to remember you are not necessarily looking for the lowest, rock bottom price. However, you are looking for the best value. The difference is getting the most and the best for the amount you are quoted. While at Jennings Heating and Cooling Co., Inc. we strive to be the most competitive in pricing, we also know our customers get the absolute best in quality and service for the price. Keep in mind you usually do get what you pay for, and a lower price for shoddy, unfinished work is not worth saving a few dollars. Cutting costs often times means cutting corners, which is something we never do at Jennings.

Make the Smart Choice with Your Furnace Installation

When it comes to investing your money and expecting a long lasting working furnace, Jennings is the name you can trust. Areas all around Northeast Ohio including Kent, Ashland, Doylestown, Hudson just to name a few have been supporters of the Jennings name for 80 years now. You cannot make it that long in the service industry without taking good care of your customers.

The other thing you should know about the Jennings guarantee is that our goal is to go above and beyond the industry standard and make sure our customers are more than happy. The best part is this guarantee comes without the usual fine print other companies use to get out of honoring theirs. The bottom line is that Jennings stands behind its work for furnace installation and everything else.