Top Signs You Need a New Air Conditioner

June 11, 2019

Air conditioners are built to last for many years and operate efficiently. However, every unit will reach the end of its lifespan at some point. Many people may wait too long to replace the appliance, which can lead to inadequate cooling and higher utility bills. If you want to maintain a comfortable climate, here are a few signs that it’s time to replace your air conditioner. 1. Old Age Air conditioners are designed to last up to an average of 10 years. If the appliance has been well-maintained, you can expect it to last 15 years before installing a new model. If the unit requires expensive repairs and is older than 10 years, then it can be more cost-effective to replace the product instead of investing more money into it. 2. Frequent Repairs Although it’s common for air conditioners to have issues from time to time, you shouldn’t be pouring money into it throughout the year to keep it operating properly. It may cost you more to constantly repair it over time than to just get a replacement. Replacing the item will also allow you to avoid unnecessary headaches when a surprise breakdown occurs during a heat wave. 3. Excessive...

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AC Filters Are Important for Your Home

May 22, 2019

Air filters are often an afterthought for many homeowners. These filters are very important for your cooling system, however. If you want to keep a well-maintained unit, you need to change your filters regularly. They help to filter out dust and debris from the air in your home and promote healthy indoor air quality in other ways. Here’s more information about what air filters do for you and your home: Protecting Your Cooling System Many things can damage your AC system, including dust and debris. A buildup of dust can even clog up important components in your unit. A clean air filter will stop these harmful particles from reaching the interior of your cooling system. In some cases, a new filter can save you money by avoiding costly repairs. If you need help replacing your air filter in Dayton, you need to contact the professional team at . Improving the Quality of Air You want to have the cleanest air in your home for your family. When you operate your AC unit, all that air in the home passes through the air filter. You want to make sure the filter is clean and not passing through dirt and debris on...

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What are the Benefits of an AC Tune-Up?

April 18, 2019

Your air conditioner is supposed to run silently and efficiently in the background, but cooling problems can be disruptive. An AC tune-up performed by a qualified technician can produce multiple benefits for you and your equipment. Increased Energy Efficiency A dirty, clogged air conditioner isn’t going to be able to run as smoothly as one that has just been cleaned. Fresh filters and the absence of dirt and grit elsewhere in the unit will likely lead to superior mechanical performance. Clean machinery working at peak efficiency will be better for the environment, your interior, and your bottom line. Decreased Electrical Expenditures The more energy-efficient your air conditioner is, the less money you’ll have to pay each month for electricity. Dirty, inefficient equipment requires more energy to run; more energy comes with a higher cost. Keeping your cooling machinery neat and tidy can ultimately save you money. Early Discovery of Mechanical Problems An air conditioner can fail with little to no warning, causing you irritation and discomfort. An AC tune-up can result in the discovery of cooling issues before they become larger problems. A skilled technician will be able to evaluate your system thoroughly and detect trouble before it leads to...

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Ways to Reduce Your Monthly Heating Bills in the Winter

March 16, 2019

When the temperatures start to drop outside, heating bills tend to go up. There are several steps you can take to minimize your winter energy bills, and will be happy to help you explore your different options. We’ll show you the different ways that you could prevent heat from escaping your building. Our skilled technicians can also make sure that your heater is clean and working as efficiently as possible. Only Heat the Rooms You Use Trying to keep a large house at an even temperature can take a lot of energy. If you’re only using your bedroom, kitchen and living area, consider shutting the vents to the rest of your rooms. This will concentrate the heat in the areas where you actually need it. Wear Sweaters and Socks Turning your thermostat down a few degrees can lead to large energy savings. Choosing to put on extra clothes when it gets chilly in your home instead of turning the temperature up could end up saving you money. Let Solar Energy In South-facing windows have the potential to let a lot of heat from the sun in. When the sun is shining, open your window coverings and take advantage of the...

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Is Your Furnace an Older or Newer Model?

February 9, 2019

An essential element of human survival is staying warm when temperatures drop. The earliest version of a furnace in American civilization was the hearth fire. Wood was plentiful in the deciduous forests of the early settlers. However, keeping the fires lit was a full-time job, and chopping firewood was a backbreaking task. Also, the hearth fire was dangerous. By the end of the 18th century, household furnaces were still fueled by wood, but the wood was chopped up and burned in an enclosed stove. This required less supervision and was much safer. The Evolving Nature of Furnaces The first evolutionary step in the history of furnaces was the substitution of coal for wood at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. Although coal was easier to collect than firewood, furnaces still needed to be supplied regularly. Many homeowners kept a stash of coal indoors to fuel the furnace when needed. The next step in the evolution of furnaces was the use of gas or oil-powered furnaces with a forced-air convection system. No refueling was necessary. These forced-air furnaces are the direct precursors to the heating systems used in homes today. New vs. Old Furnaces New furnaces are more energy efficient than...

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Can You Save Money By Closing Vents in Unused Rooms?

January 18, 2019

With the rising cost of heating fuel and electricity, you might be thinking of ways to lower your monthly bills. If you have a forced hot air heating system in your Dayton, OH, home, closing one of the vents in a storage space or unused guest room might be at the top of the list. Let’s find out if that is actually an effective means of saving money. The Short Answer Is No Your forced air heating and air conditioning system is installed, balanced and tested with all the vents open. When you close a vent in a room, it will either cause the blower in the basement to circulate less air because it detects added pressure in the line or it tries to push through more air to overcome the blockage it senses in the ducts. One way results in less heat circulating through the house, which means your furnace works harder to keep you comfortable. The other way uses more electricity and damages equipment, resulting in higher utility bills and repairs. Closed Vents Can Cause Damage If your blower increases pressure to push past the closed vent, it can rupture ducting. Constantly calling for heat or cooling can...

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Butler Can Help You Achieve Your 2019 New Year’s Resolutions

January 10, 2019

It’s the start of 2019, and just about everyone has New Year’s resolution. No matter what your resolution is, we wish you luck! And if your resolution include making yourself or your family healthier, or your goal is to save money, can help you achieve your goals through your HVAC systems! We even have some solutions that don’t cost a lot of money so you don’t have to worry about making a big investment to make a positive impact. Read our tips below or watch the video version made by our very own Nick Lamb, owner of : Health Benefits Solutions to make your home healthie by improving your home’s indoor air quality, and your health as a result! These range from a simple filtration upgrade project or duct cleaning to a whole house humidifier and air purification system. Whole Home Humidifiers Health benefits of installing a whole home humidifier: Helps prevent the spread of airborne viruses, especially influenza Airborne particles become heavier and drop, instead of spreading Helps relieve allergy & sinus symptoms Helps prevent sore throats Helps prevent snoring for a better sleep Helps prevent irritation of the throat tissues associated with snoring The whole home humidifier solutions...

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How to Know When My Water Heater Needs Replacing

December 17, 2018

Hot water is a necessity in most homes. It is provided by a water heater. Hot water heaters come in a variety of styles and well as a variety of fuel options. No matter what type you have, you want it to work and it is important to understand what some of the warning signs are that you may need to replace the water heater that you have. Water is on the Floor Any water on the floor under or near your water heater is not a good sign. It can be caused by several different issues but it is best to contact your plumber or HVAC technician to have it diagnosed. No Hot Water When you turn on the tap and the hot water is not hot, that is not something that anyone wants to have happened. A cold shower is never a good way to start the day. Murky or Foul Smelling water This is a serious issue and may be the result of mineral deposits that have eroded the interior of the tank and should be addressed immediately. Noises Coming From Tank If you are hearing sounds that are not normal coming from your water heater it...

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How Do Furnaces Work?

November 15, 2018

Older heating systems are mostly furnaces. During the earlier years, people used to fuel their furnaces with coal and wood. In the modern day, residential furnaces are run by electricity, gas or even propane and operate at high-efficiency rates. But how exactly do they work? The Principle of Forced Air Heating All furnaces, despite the fuel they use, operate on the forced air heating mechanism. You see, the furnace heats air, then blower fans circulate the warmed air throughout the duct system and air vents of a house. In most cases, furnaces use the same duct system as the air conditioner, therefore there is no need to look for extra space for your cooling system. Electric Furnace Instead of using a pilot light like a gas furnace, an electric furnace uses an electrical ignition to start the heating process. The electrical ignition ignites heating elements with conductive coils. Current passes through these coils, and they start to heat the air, which is then circulated by the blowers. The heating is regulated by the thermostat. Gas Furnace In a gas furnace, a pilot light is used to ignite several burners found in the combustion chamber. The burners produce heat which goes...

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Energy Efficiency Tips

October 20, 2018

What if you could save the environment and money at the same time? Most of us would love to do that, which is where energy efficient tips come in. Today Butler Heating & Air Conditioning presents three energy efficient tips for homeowners in Dayton, OH. Reduce all of the costs of powering your home by going more efficient with actions you can take today. Use a Programmable Thermostat All too often we see homeowners who have a programmable thermostat installed but they never use it. What a shame because this is one of the best ways to make your house energy efficient. Start by programming your thermostat when you are at work or away for a length of time. For winter months, set the thermostat for the heating system lower. In the summer and on warm days raise the temperature on your air conditioning. According to the US Department of Energy, this will cut your energy costs by 10 percent. Schedule Professional HVAC Maintenance When is the last time you had HVAC maintenance conducted? Typically, homeowners wait until their heating and air conditioning system is broken before they call for service. However, by getting routine maintenance for your HVAC system,...

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