Bethke Heating & Air Conditioning

BETHKE Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. has served Madison, Verona, and surrounding Wisconsin communities since 1989. We value our good name in the community, and we know our reputation for quality must be built one customer at a time. That's why you can expect honesty, reliability, and good value for your money. It's a matter of personal pride for us. We enjoy working with homeowners and small business owners. We listen carefully to your concerns, help you understand your options, and welcome your questions.

You know that maintenance is important for your car. If you don't change your oil, filters, and belts, you risk serious damage to your car's engine. The manufacturer recommends a schedule of periodic inspections and adjustments to keep your vehicle running smoothly. Failure to perform this maintenance can invalidate your warranty. Just like car makers, HVAC manufacturers warranty their products under the assumption that the recommended maintenance will be done in a timely manner. Neglecting regular maintenance can result in damage to your furnace, boiler, or air conditioner.

Purchasing a new heating system, or modifying an existing system, can be a significant investment. We provide the following information to help you become a more informed consumer.

If your current furnace or boiler is 15 years old or older, it's approaching the end of its lifespan and may become less reliable. It's time to consider a new furnace or boiler if yours requires multiple repairs, or if a major component fails. Replacement can be more cost effective than a series of expensive and inconvenient repairs. Old furnaces and boilers tend to call it quits during periods of extreme sub-zero cold and heavy usage, just when you need a warm house the most. If your furnace or boiler is starting to show its age, we can provide the information you need to make a good decision before you have an emergency.

New air conditioners are about 60% more efficient than their 15-year-old counterparts. Better efficiency translates into lower utility bills which can partially offset replacement costs. Also consider that air conditioners made after 2010 use state-of-the-art environmentally friendly refrigerants that minimize damage to the ozone layer - a benefit for all of us who care about our planet. Plus, Murphy's Law of Air Conditioner Breakdowns says that if you have a dicey air conditioner, it will break down when the temperature hits 94 degrees and you have out-of-town guests arriving in an hour.

A split-ductless air conditioner is designed to work without ductwork to cool a space smaller than an entire house. It consists of a wall- or ceiling-mounted indoor unit plus an outdoor condenser similar to that of a central air conditioner. They are even more energy efficient than most central air conditioning. While most central air conditioning systems attain SEER ratings of 16 or less, it is not uncommon to attain a SEER of 20 - 30 efficiency with a split-ductless air conditioner. You can add an option to control your Mitsubishi split ductless from your smartphone.

Due to higher demand replacing HVAC replacement equipment, we are currently only doing DRYER VENT cleanings. Please do call us for recommendations for another locally owned/operated company who can handle your duct cleaning. Tell-tale signs of dryer vent obstruction: laundry takes an unusually long time to dry and you can sense humidity in your laundry room. These signs are annoying, but they warn of a more serious problem. Dryer lint is highly flammable and can be a fire hazard. If you notice these signs, it is time to have the vent cleaned.

An HVAC system (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) may not seem as exciting as new cabinetry, flooring, and paint colors, but thoughtful planning of heating and cooling can be crucial to the overall success of your project. In addition, opening walls or making other changes to your home can create opportunities to upgrade your existing system and/or correct any deficiencies. BETHKE Heating & Air Conditioning has extensive experience designing and installing HVAC systems for remodeling projects, in both newer and older homes.

We heartily applaud the Green Building movement's focus on environmental sustainability and energy efficiency. However, weather-tight, energy efficient construction can solve one problem while creating another problem: inadequate ventilation. High levels of indoor air contaminants - including carbon dioxide, cleaning chemicals, cooking fumes, and noxious chemicals produced by off-gassing of carpets and upholstery. Often, the most obvious warning sign is constant winter moisture condensation on the interior side of window panes.

A BETHKE service technician is on call 24/7. From 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, your call will be answered by our helpful office staff. Outside these hours, you will reach one of the friendly people at our answering service who will page the on-call repair expert for you. The on-call technician will return your call promptly. We charge a flat diagnostic fee, which is the fee you pay for a trained and experienced service technician to travel to your home and spend whatever time it takes to diagnose the problem with your heating or cooling equipment.

Zoning separates your home into "zones, " or areas that can be heated or cooled independently. This allows you to save energy and customize comfort by adjusting the temperature in each zone according to your schedule and preference. Each zone is usually controlled with its own thermostat. For example, zoning a two-story home typically involves creating three zones: one for the basement, one for the first floor living spaces, and one for the second floor bedrooms. Some homeowners like to create separate zones for new additions or four season sun rooms.