HVAC Blog

While your central air conditioner produces cool air out of sight — usually in the attic or a closet — the coils in your A/C unit are busy producing something else: Water, and lots of it. Serious water damage can result from condensation that forms naturally on the evaporator coils. A central air conditioner may produce a surprising 5 to 20 gallons of water per day — especially during a humid Indiana summer. In a properly maintained system, the condensate collects in a drip-pan beneath the air handler and drains through a hose connected to your sewer system. If the drain system fails, or the evaporator coils produce more condensate than the drain can handle, gallons of water could silently damage your house before you’re even aware of it.

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Fort Wayne , indiana , minimize risk of water damage

When you're choosing a new air conditioner, the two most important issues facing you are selecting the air conditioner that offers ideal efficiency, and the load calculation, which determines the right size system for your home. With your A/C, both energy efficiency and size will have financial and comfort implications for years to come.

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New Haven , indiana , load calculation , sizing an air conditioner

HEPA filtration is a simple method to substantially improve the quality of your indoor air, which affects the health and comfort of you and your loved ones on a daily basis.

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New Haven , IN , air leaks , air conditioner , indoor air quality , air filters , filter changes , HEPA filtration

Every generation thinks of itself as smarter and more capable than the previous generation. While that may not be accurate when it comes to people, it certainly is the case with programmable thermostats. The new generation is much smarter than its predecessors with an array of features that make it easier than ever for you to save money.

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New Haven , IN , hvac systems , programmable thermostats , thermostats , temperature control , temperature settings , indoor air quality

When you're planning a renovation or adding more livable space, heating and cooling it can become an issue, especially if it would be difficult or expensive to extend ducts from your current HVAC system. However, ductless mini-splits are excellent ways to condition a space without ducts, since these heat pumps vent air directly into a space. Like a regular air-source heat pump, a mini-split has two main parts: an outdoor compressor/condenser and one or more interior air handlers. A conduit connects these parts.

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New Haven , IN , energy efficiency , ductless mini-splits , SEER ratings , renovation

Anything that has electronic components needs surge protection. This includes not only obvious items like TVs and computers, but also any other appliances with electronic components, such as your washer and dryer, refrigerator and other items. Less obvious equipment that needs surge protection is your HVAC equipment. In fact, your HVAC system is probably the most expensive thing you own that needs a surge protector.

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New Haven , IN , Surge Protector , electrical surges , home appliances , surge protectors

If your old air conditioning system is in need of repair, or simply needs topped off with R-22 refrigerant before the heat of summer, you may be in for an unpleasant surprise.

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New Haven , IN , R-22 prices , HVAC replacement , R-22 refrigerant

Now that spring is well underway, make sure you check your HVAC system's air filter before putting your air conditioner or heat pump into use for the cooling season. Any time you launch into a new cooling or heating season, you should make sure you have a clean air filter ready to go, since this will help ensure both improved indoor air quality and smooth HVAC system operation throughout the upcoming high-use season.

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New Haven , IN , Fort Wayne , indoor air quality , air filter , HVAC filter , filter changes

Proper air conditioner maintenance keeps you cool and saves you money. Air conditioners are large, complicated machines that potentially consume more power than any other appliance in your home. Here are five things that maintaining your air conditioner can protect you from, especially in Fort Wayne's hot and humid summers:

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New Haven , IN , indoor humidity , air conditioner maintenance , routine manitenance , dirty coils

Now that the cooling season is nearly upon us in Indiana, humidity will increasingly become an issue for homeowners. Though air conditioners and heat pumps can control humidity levels to some extent, many homes need an added level of protection from muggy indoor air, a whole-house dehumidifier. They're also handy during humid weather when the outside temperatures are cooler, and running your air conditioning isn't a viable option.

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New Haven , IN , indoor air quality , dehumidifier , indoor humidity , whole-house dehumidifiers

With the arrival of spring comes an increase in allergy symptoms for many Indiana residents. The good news is that there are quite a few ways to make allergy season more bearable, so consider these five tips to boost indoor air quality and keep allergies to a minimum:

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New Haven , IN , Fort Wayne , indoor air quality , allergens , mold , air filters

After making a substantial investment in home heating and cooling equipment, you want to be sure these devices run well and last as long as possible. A preventive maintenance plan from Hartman Brothers Heating & Air Conditioning will ensure your HVAC system stays in top operating condition for the season. Our maintenance agreements provide you with regularly scheduled service and tune-ups for your furnace and air conditioner, discounts on parts and labor, and discounts on after-hours emergency service.

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New Haven , IN , Fort Wayne , hvac maintenance , preventive maintenance plan , maintenance agreements

Thermostats have always been a smart choice. They're money and energy savers – even the old manual units, if used correctly to set back temps when your family leaves the house or goes to sleep. Digital programmable units are more sophisticated, allowing Ft. Wayne-area homeowners to program a schedule and temperature for different parts of day and days of the week. Adjustments are then automatic.

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New Haven , IN , Fort Wayne area , programmable thermostats , thermostats , temperature control , temperature settings , programmable thermostat , indoor air quality

For homeowners who want the best and most cost-effective heating and cooling system possible, geothermal heat pumps offer extremely high levels of efficiency and monthly savings on home comfort expenses. They can be as much as 50 percent more energy efficient than even high-efficiency furnaces, and can reduce your seasonal heating and cooling bills by as much as 70 percent. In addition, geothermal heat pumps run quietly and cleanly, they waste very little energy, and they are very environmentally friendly, producing no harmful exhaust or emissions.

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New Haven , IN , Fort Wayne , geothermal heat pumps , energy efficiency , energy savings , tax credits

Now is a great time to do your hardworking air conditioning equipment a favor – by scheduling a spring air conditioning tune-up. You'll be doing your wallet a favor as well, since a well-maintained home comfort system will serve you for years to come. What's more, your air conditioning system will be in top shape throughout its life with regular maintenance, saving you money every month in energy costs. Contact your  New Haven area HVAC professional to schedule an inspection and preventive maintenance visit soon, before the big summer rush.

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New Haven , IN , Fort Wayne area , air conditioning tune-up , air conditioner , hvac maintenance , hvac systems

Home heating and cooling consumes as much as 50 percent of annual expenditures on energy in a typical home. With such a large portion of your household budget going to indoor comfort, you want to make sure that there's very little energy waste throughout your residence. A do-it-yourself home energy evaluation can help you find out where in your house you're losing energy and money, and reveal where you need to focus repair and conservation efforts.

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New Haven , IN , Fort Wayne , home energy evaluation , air leaks , energy loss , insulation

Welcome to our new blog for residents of the greater Fort Wayne area of Indiana! We're proud to be part of the community, helping local homeowners to improve the comfort and health of their living environments – without blowing their budget. Here local residents (like you) will find professional HVAC advice, energy savings strategies and the latest new product information.

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New Haven , IN , Fort Wayne area , HVAC system