Facebook

HVAC Blog

Home > HVAC Blog

When Air Cleaners Need Cleaning, Here's What to DoElectronic air cleaners can be an integral component for any homeowner’s indoor air quality strategy – if the systems are clean. With allergy season on the way, make sure you’re maximizing the effectiveness of your air cleaner with regular cleaning, and you’ll enjoy better indoor air quality with fewer allergy and respiratory issues for household occupants.

Read More »

indoor air quality , electronic air cleaners , air cleaners , air cleaner maintenance , allergy season

Keep Your Energy Costs Under Control With These Practical PointersKeeping your energy costs down during the cooling season in the Fort Wayne area could be as easy as keeping your air conditioner clean and well maintained. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that half of your energy bill goes toward cooling and heating your home. The federal agency also reports that a regular tune-up can cut operating costs by as much as 25 percent.

Read More »

New Haven , air leaks , indiana , HVAC Technician , lower energy costs , Leaky ducts , Energy Costs

What's Your Air Filter IQ? Some Tips to Boost Your KnowledgeAlthough every forced-air heating and cooling system utilizes some sort of air filter, the first function of these devices is to protect your equipment from large particulate matter – not to improve indoor air quality. But over time, improving air quality has become a greater part of what most homeowners expect out of their HVAC air filter. Here's a quick guide to choosing and using air filters that provide your home with both benefits – an efficiently operating cooling and heating system and improved indoor air quality.

Read More »

New Haven , air filter , indiana , HVAC contractor , Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) , HVAC filters , life span of an air filter

Indoor Air Quality Not What It Should Be? Get Tough on These BiocontaminantsOn a quest to reduce energy costs and preserve the environment, people are attempting to seal every possible source of airflow into their homes. While this does increase the efficiency of a home's heating and cooling systems, it also means that in Indiana and many other areas, people spend the vast majority of their time in places that have little or no fresh air. This can lead to poor, and even hazardous, indoor air quality. Tightly sealed spaces can fill up with invisible biocontaminants that according to the federal EPA, can trigger or exacerbate health issues including allergic reactions, asthma, an increased chance of contracting an infectious disease, and digestive problems.

Read More »

New Haven , indoor air quality , indiana , Biocontaminants , Pet dander , Mildew and mold , Viruses , Pollens , home air purifiers , HEPA filters

Schedule Air Conditioner Maintenance This SpringWarmer weather is on its way, and it won't be long before you're running your air conditioner almost nonstop. Is it up to the task? After collecting dust all winter, your cooling system is ripe for its annual preventive maintenance. Here's a look at what needs to be done to ensure that your air conditioner is running at peak performance this summer. Nearly all of these tips also apply to heat pumps used for cooling.

Read More »

New Haven , air conditioner maintenance , indiana , preventive maintenance , HVAC contractor , thermostat , annual preventive maintenance

Air Conditioning Season Isn't Far Away: Explore High-Efficiency OptionsNew air conditioning systems available to homeowners today are performance-driven workhorses, yet deliver quieter operation and greater home comfort than models made just a decade ago. If you’re ready to replace your old A/C unit, explore high-efficiency options that will provide a nice return on investment with energy savings and superior engineering for longer system life span.

Read More »

New Haven , indiana , Variable-speed air handler , replace old A/C unit , High-Efficiency A/C Unit , thermal expansion valve , automatic-delay fan switch

Geothermal energy has emerged in recent decades as one of the best solutions for clean, safe and renewable energy generation around the planet. The U.S. has some of the best potential for harnessing this underground resource for large-scale electrical generation, or individually for home heating and cooling, where high installation costs are decreasing.

Read More »

New Haven , Fort Wayne , indiana , Geothermal Energy , federal tax credit , renewable energy source , loop field

When your utility bill arrives, do you routinely submit the amount next to the dollar sign, or do you take the time to actually read the bill? Unfortunately, many homeowners don't understand how to interpret their bills. In order to help you start saving money each month, we've put together this quick crash course on learning how to read a utility bill (in this case from your gas supplier).

Read More »

New Haven , Fort Wayne , indiana , Texas Hill Country , Utility Bill , baseline allowance , bill teminology , BTU , CCF/MCF

In the spring before your heat pumps switches over to its cooling function, a yearly maintenance check is a good idea. An HVAC professional will inspect the unit for rust, leaks, corrosion and any wiring that appears frayed or loose. The service technician also will check the heat pump condenser, compressor, fans, indoor and outdoor coils, air filter, airflow and refrigerant lines. He will clean and oil parts that need those services. He also will measure the amount of refrigerant in the heat pump system and add refrigerant if necessary.

Read More »

New Haven , Fort Wayne , indiana , Heat Pump , annual maintenance , check air filter , service technician

4 Key Ways To Ensure Air Quality In The Indiana Home You're Planning To Build Or RemodelHomeowners have become increasingly aware of the hidden dangers associated with poor indoor air quality and are taking the necessary steps to ensure that their homes are filled with fresh, clean and healthy air. However, with all the chaos and disruption that comes along with building or remodeling your Indiana home, you may overlook airborne pollutants.

Read More »

New Haven , Fort Wayne , indiana , Carbon Monoxide , Air Quality , airborne contaminants , whole-house ventilation

Tax Credits For Energy Efficiency Upgrades: They're Restored, And They're RetroactiveBack in 2009, tax credits for energy efficiency upgrades were enacted as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. These tax credits motivated Americans across the country to replace old, inefficient equipment with new high-efficiency HVAC systems, with consumers taking advantage of $290.7 billion in tax credits. The credits expired at the end of 2011, but Congress has reinstated them as part of the "fiscal cliff" agreement of January 2013. Learn the terms of the tax credits for energy efficiency upgrades, and how to qualify.

Read More »

New Haven , Fort Wayne , tax credits , indiana , HSPF , afue ratings , energy efficiency upgrades , Energy factor (EF)

What Smart Thermostats Can Do Will Amaze YouHomeowners who are looking for ways to save energy and money – which describes nearly anyone who owns a home – look no further. With the use of smart thermostats, it's possible to get your energy usage under control once and for all. If these devices are used wisely, you can say goodbye to huge heating and cooling bills.

Read More »

New Haven , Fort Wayne , programmable thermostats , indiana , save energy , Smart Thermostats , energy usage chart

Is A Dual-Fuel System Right For Your Indiana Home? Run The NumbersA dual-fuel system combines the best attributes of combustion furnaces with an air-source heat pump and helps you save energy throughout the heating season. In the winter, a heat pump extracts heat from the outside air and transfers it inside for efficient heating – that is, until temperatures fall to around 30 degrees. At that point, with a dual-fuel system, a high-efficiency furnace takes over the work for comfortable, relatively affordable heating. This is preferable to the emergency heat in a regular air-source heat pump, which will trigger an electric heating element that's expensive to use.

Read More »

New Haven , Fort Wayne , energy efficiency , indiana , Dual-Fuel System , money savings , save energy

While there are a multitude of home improvement projects that homeowners might want to attempt themselves, putting in a furnace usually isn't one of them. First and foremost is the fact that an improper furnace installation can have deadly consequences. Furnaces produce carbon monoxide, which can be deadly to humans in high enough concentrations. Improper furnace ventilation can lead to such concentrations. This is part of the reason many jurisdictions will require you to get a permit to attempt such a project on your own, as well require a post-installation inspection.

Read More »

New Haven , Fort Wayne , indiana , Putting In A Furnace , carbon monoxide leaks , HVAC technicians , improper furnace installation , brazed tubing

If you’re getting ready to install a heat-pump system in your Fort Wayne home, you’ll ensure peak performance and optimal home comfort by first prepping your home. Prepping the home involves lowering its heating and cooling load so that you can install a smaller-sized system and/or the unit can operate efficiently, as well as addressing ductwork factors and following proper installation guidelines.

Read More »

New Haven , Fort Wayne , indiana , Heating And Cooling Load , Heat Pump System , heat pump installation preparation , evaluating ductwork

When you install a natural gas or propane garage heater in your garage, you can enjoy warm temperatures all winter, whether you use the space for a workroom or just want to keep your vehicles and garage contents just a bit warmer. Today's heaters are safe and energy efficient, and heating your garage gives you more space that's livable. The advantage that natural gas or propane offers is that they're both relatively clean fuels.

Read More »

New Haven , Fort Wayne , indiana , Garage Heater , natural gas heater , propane heater , oxygen depletion snesor

Increasing the amount of insulation in your attic or walls will lower your heating and cooling billsand is the least expensive way to save energy for decades to come. The two most common insulation products used in retrofit situations are fiberglass and cellulose. Fiberglass is made from silicone, while cellulose is made from recycled paper. They share some characteristics, but differ in others that may make a difference in the type you choose.

Read More »

New Haven , Fort Wayne area , insulation , indiana , R-value , cellulose , fiberglass , embodied energy

Because the winters in Indiana can be brutal, when your furnace has quit working, you want it up and running again as soon as possible. Therefore, before calling a service technician, you may want to try to troubleshoot the problem yourself. This is especially wise since the majority of heating system failures occur due to thermostat malfunctions, blown fuses or tripped circuit breakers.

Read More »

New Haven , Fort Wayne area , indiana , Furnace Has Quit , troubleshooting furnace , tripped circuit , dirty furnace filter , broken pilot light

As a homeowner, you may not be familiar with the intricate workings of your furnace, but it does pay to have a basic knowledge about certain important components including the furnace filter. Understanding the role your furnace filter plays in your home heating can help save you money on repairs, heating costs and improve your indoor air quality.

Read More »

New Haven , Fort Wayne area , indiana , Furnace Filters , improve indoor air quality , MERV filter , replace the filter , pleated filter

Satisfied Clients

Our Number One Goal

Flurish


★ ★ ★ ★ ★

"Great first impression with the receptionist who answered my call after the first ring! She was friendly, professional, and genuine... The service repair technician was professional and took time to explain the repair that he recommended to the A/C unit. He fixed the unit on the spot. Not only great service, but great people too. Thank you, Hartman Brothers!"

Stephen Vachon
(Facebook Review)

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

"Serviceman on time, friendly, polite, professional. I will recommend Hartman Bros. To anyone who asks if I know good company for heating/ac. Very glad I chose them."

Patricia Stine
(Google Review)

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

"Very friendly and quick service, even on short notice. We will be able to sleep comfortably tonight with our fixed air conditioner! Thank you, Hartman Brothers!"

Brittany Grote
(Facebook Review)

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

"Had our a/c quit functioning over the weekend. Called first thing Monday and they were able to get someone out in the morning and had us back up and running before we knew it!! Great service experience from initial phone call to completion of the job couldnt be happier!!"

Bud Brewer
(Google Review)

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

"Hartman Brother Heating & Air is the BEST!!!! When I have an issue they immediately come to help! There employees are very friendly, kind and courtious of your home. They are well trained and have the knowledge to fix the problems in a timely manner! Way to go Hartman Brothers!!!"

Julie Chesney
(Google Review)

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

"Ked was excellent, friendly from the start and extremely helpful. Because of how thorough he was, he fixed the problem but also discovered another potential problem and promptly fixed it as well."

Casey Holt
(Google Review)

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

"I've used Hartman Brothers for all my HVAC needs across multiple properties and they are always responsive and timely. Dalton was my technician and demonstrated a high degree of both professionalism and helpfulness. Vicky is their jack-of-all trades office and scheduling manager. She always does a phenomenal job and makes you feel valued as a customer in every interaction. You can't go wrong with this company. Strongly recommended!"

Spencer Lulling
(Google Review)

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

"I have always had excellent service from Hartman Bros. They go above and beyond! Thank you, Ked S."

Tina Fourman
(Google Review)

Contact Us

Call Today to Schedule with Us