DB Heating & Cooling, Inc. Blog : Archive for the ‘Air Conditioning’ Category

Is It Time for a Thermostat Upgrade in Bergen County?

Saturday, February 21st, 2015

Your thermostat is the control center for your HVAC system, but it is often the last part of your system to be upgraded. Having an outdated thermostat can make it difficult to achieve the maximum energy efficiency level for your home and can also add stress to your HVAC system. So what are your choices when it comes to a thermostat upgrade for your Bergen County home? Let’s take a look.

Types of Thermostats

Here are the main types of thermostats available to homeowners:

  • Digital – digital thermostats can replace a slide or dial thermostat simply by wiring it in. Digital thermostats have easy-to-read faces, precise temperature-setting and easy-to-use buttons. These features make them more energy efficient because you can set an exact temperature on them rather than aiming for a range, as can happen with a slide or dial thermostat.
  • Programmable – a programmable thermostat is a digital thermostat that can be programmed for up to 7 days. With a programmable thermostat, you can set up to 4 different temperature changes throughout a given day, which allows you to power down your heating or cooling when no one is home. This can save you a great deal of energy.
  • Wireless – a wireless thermostat is actually a small system in which the main thermostat, which acts as both a thermostat and receiver, communicates with wireless thermostats you can place around your home; the wireless thermostats just need to be within a certain range of the receiver, which is usually no more than 500 feet. Wireless thermostats can allow you to set the thermostat from wherever you are, adding a level of convenience to your home.
  • Smart – smart thermostats use all these technologies and then some to give you the highest level of control over your HVAC system. A smart thermostat can be accessed by any smart device you own, so you can manage, program, track and monitor your heating and cooling from virtually anywhere – you just need access to the internet.

Mismatched, outdated or just poorly-performing thermostats can put stress on your HVAC system and cause issues with comfort.

If your thermostat is no longer doing the job you need it to, call DB Heating & Cooling today and schedule an appointment with one of our experts.

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Finding an Energy Efficient System for Air Conditioning Replacement

Monday, September 8th, 2014

Your air conditioner has served you well over the years, but it’s nearly the end of the summer, and you want a new system for the next cooling season that will keep your home cool for years to come. Air conditioning replacement is a great step to take towards saving some money every month on cooling costs. While your older air conditioner may have been energy efficient when it was purchased, you probably noticed higher energy bills around the end of your time with it.

This is because, over time, the parts of an air conditioner begin to wear out, meaning your system must work harder to get your home to the desired temperature. Since your system must run for longer periods of time, your bills go up, and you may compensate by running the AC for shorter periods of time or setting a higher temperature. But for your new air conditioner, you want a system that is energy efficient and also won’t fall short when it comes to performance.

You’re in luck! The U.S. government mandates that all air conditioners sold in the U.S. must come with an EnergyGuide label giving pertinent information about the energy efficiency of a unit. The first number you’ll find on this label is the SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio). The SEER is a number that indicates efficiency, and it is measured by calculating the amount of energy a system uses to cool a given space in a typical cooling season. A higher SEER indicates greater efficiency.

You should also look for the ENERGY STAR symbol when choosing air conditioning replacement. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency only awards ENERGY STAR to systems that meet high standards of performance and emit fewer pollutants than other air conditioners. While an AC only needs to have a SEER of 13 or higher to be sold in the U.S., ENERGY STAR systems must have a SEER of 14 or higher.

Purchasing an energy-efficient system is not enough to ensure the unit continues to save you money. An air conditioner must be the proper size in order to run efficiently.

You should call a technician once per year for professional AC maintenance. To find the right choice for your air conditioning replacement in Oradell, call DB Heating & Cooling today!

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How Can a New Thermostat Improve AC Performance?

Monday, August 25th, 2014

Your thermostat is responsible for telling your air conditioner when to cycle on and off. It also tells your AC what temperature to maintain. Doesn’t it make sense that you should have a thermostat that is accurate and reliable? Thermostats can age and wear just like any other part of your air conditioning system, and if your thermostat starts to malfunction, it can wreak havoc on your system and your indoor comfort. In addition, today’s thermostats are made to be more efficient, so holding on to that old dial or slide thermostat may be costing you money in monthly energy bills. A new thermostat installation in Waldwick can have a number of benefits, and DB Heating & Cooling has several options from which to choose.

Types of Thermostats

There are 3 main types of thermostats from which to choose:

  • Digital
  • Programmable
  • Smart

How Do Thermostats Improve AC Performance?

Digital

One of the most important aspects of upgrading to a digital thermostat is the precision at which you can set it. Dial and slide thermostats are imprecise and can be off – sometimes by 2-3 degrees. In addition, mercury-based dial thermostats have to be properly calibrated, or your temperatures could be way off.

Programmable

Programmable thermostats allow you to set how you want to cool (or heat) your home in 7-day time periods; you can leave a specific program on a continual loop or change it as needed. With programming, you can accommodate for times of low-or-no occupancy in your home, weekends and even vacation time periods. This helps reduce your energy usage as well as the operation time of your AC.

Smart

Smart thermostats use wireless technology, so your thermostat can be accessed and programmed from any smart device at virtually any time. This gives you tremendous control over your cooling (and heating), as well as data on your energy usage.

Upgrading your thermostat can help with comfort, energy efficiency and the performance of your air conditioner.

Is it time for you to consider the installation of a new thermostat in Waldwick? Call DB Heating & Cooling and schedule an appointment with one of our specialists.

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Important Upgrades for Your Air Conditioner in Bergen County

Monday, August 11th, 2014

You may feel that your air conditioner still has plenty of years left before it needs replacement. But that doesn’t mean you have to settle for you AC’s current level of performance. You can install upgrades that will increase its performance and efficiency, making your home more comfortable and lowering your utility bills. For an air conditioning system that is running well, but which you think could run even better, look below for some upgrade suggestions.

The best way to find out about all the available upgrades that may benefit your cooling system is to contact experts. We take our commitment to our customers very seriously, and we will strive to see that you have the best comfort possible.

Schedule an appointment with our staff at DB Heating & Cooling today, and we will help you discover the best ways to improve your air conditioning in Bergen County, NJ.

Updated thermostat

One of the simplest ways to get more from an AC is one that homeowners often overlook: installing a new thermostat. It’s common for people to keep the same thermostat around while changing out the air conditioning system. But you cannot get the top performance from a new AC unless you have precision controls for it. A new digital thermostat will eliminate the margin of error that’s frequent trouble for manual thermostats. Programmable models will help you save energy by automatically turning cooling off when you aren’t home and then turning it back on before your come back. New wireless models allow for easier placement and remote control. Ask technicians about all the advantages of the new types of thermostats available.

Zone control systems

When you turn on a central air conditioner, it cools down all the rooms attached to its ventilation system, no exceptions. This will waste energy if many of the rooms have no one in them, such as an empty extra bedroom. But if you have a zone control system installed into the ductwork, you can independently control the temperature in different parts of your home (the different “zones”) thanks to dampers and individual thermostats. You will not only save money, you’ll have a more even distribution of heating, and your guests can adapt the temperature in their rooms to suit their personal needs.

A new condenser

If you want the benefits of a high-efficiency air conditioner, you can choose to replace only the outdoor unit (the condenser) of your AC. This costs less than replacing the entire system and can substantially reduce cooling bills.

Keep in mind that you will eventually need to replace the entire air conditioning system. If your AC is starting to struggle on a regular basis with maintaining its cooling power, or if it is suffering too many repair needs, then you shouldn’t look into upgrades, but a new installation. If you are unsure about your AC’s future, call on the experts at a company like DB Heating & Cooling. We will help you learn if you need upgrades, repairs, or a replacement for your air conditioning in Bergen County, NJ.

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How to Know You Need Commercial Control System Repair in Waldwick

Monday, July 21st, 2014

A central control system for a commercial building is designed to make life easier. A central control system can handle the operation of multiple air conditioners and heaters, humidity controls, air handlers, zone dampers, lighting, fire alarms, and security systems. In many ways, one of these centralized systems is like having an ideal universal remote control for your home: instead of requiring a small army of remote controls to take care of the television, the Blu-ray player, the amplifier, and the streaming device, you can have all the power integrated into a single, handy device.

Any control that oversees such an intricate, wide-ranging network of systems can malfunction. When you depend on a control system for your commercial building, you can’t afford to let faults lead to issues with security, comfort, lighting, and energy efficiency. At the first sign that you need skilled commercial control system repair in Waldwick, NJ, contact DB Heating & Cooling, where we have 24-hour emergency service from skilled technicians for commercial systems.

Watch for signs that you need control system repair

  • The system alerts you itself: One of the advantages of an automated, integrated system that controls multiple functions throughout the building is that it will alert you when something is wrong with one of the systems it controls… including itself. Make sure that you keep a close watch on diagnostic warnings from the system that will inform you that it is having problems correctly operating.
  • Energy waste: Of course, the control system will not always detect that it is malfunctioning. One of the ways you can tell that it is developing problems is from an increase in your energy bills. A control system monitors energy use in the HVAC system and the lighting, and if it begins to run these inefficiently, you will notice higher bills. Have technicians first check the individual systems to see if they are experiencing repair needs, and then look into the control system to see if the fault lies there.
  • Uneven temperatures: The most important part of a commercial building under central control is the HVAC system. Loss of effective control over this system will result in uneven temperatures throughout the building because of miscalibrated thermostats, dampers in the ductwork opening and shutting at the incorrect times, and the compressor activating and shutting down when it shouldn’t. If nothing seems wrong with the HVAC system itself, the issue may come from a faulty control system.

A building with integrated and automated controls allows for a more comfortable, energy-efficient, and work-efficient environment. We can also take care of the regular maintenance that will prevent repairs in the future.

Do not lose these advantages because you neglected commercial control system repair in Waldwick, NJ when you needed it. At the first sign of trouble, call DB Heating & Cooling.

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Why You Need Specialists for Your Commercial Air Conditioning Repair

Friday, June 27th, 2014

An effective air conditioning system to keep your business cool during the summer isn’t a luxury anymore—it’s a necessity. The best way to make sure that your business’ AC keeps running is to have professional, qualified technicians take care of all maintenance and repairs the system needs.

We need to emphasize qualified. Not every repair technician familiar with residential air conditioning is qualified to work on your commercial AC. It requires specialized training to handle commercial systems, and you can’t find that everywhere. Your best option is to call DB Heating & Cooling and our commercial HVAC staff to handle your needs for commercial air conditioning repair in Bergen County, NJ.

We not only have the qualifications for the repair work you need, but we are available 24 hours a day for your convenience. Call us today to set up an appointment.

The reasons you need commercial-qualified specialists

There are some significant differences between commercial and residential air conditioning. Although an air conditioner works through the same process no matter where it is installed—heat exchange using refrigerant—commercial systems are different in size and configuration, and that means they have some specific needs that take specialized training.

The extent of commercial systems is the difference that will be most obvious to someone unfamiliar with the HVAC world. The average cooling load of even light commercial work is 25-tons, twice what most homes require. Standard size for the majority of businesses is 50-tons or greater. This level of cooling needs training to take into account the power of the motors and the refrigerant needs.

Commercial systems have different configurations from those used in homes. The standard residential AC is a “split” system with separate indoor and outdoor cabinets. But commercial air conditioning uses a packaged unit, with a single cabinet that houses all the components in a single place: evaporator coil, condensing coil, compressor, fan, blower, motors, etc. This makes it easier for a technician to service the system without disrupting workflow, and it also removes the noisy indoor unit to the outside.

Commercial systems are also modular, allowing for an increase in cooling capacity without needing to replace the entire system. This adds a new layer a complexity to the individual modules that is not found in residential air conditioners.

Finally, commercial air conditioners have a much more intricate system of zone control and multiple thermostats designed to serve many people with differing comfort needs. The complexity of the thermostat network is far beyond that found in most homes.

Make sure that you have the number of a qualified company for commercial air conditioning repair in Bergen County, NJ handy should you encounter any trouble with your AC. DB Heating & Cooling is ready any time of the day or night to assist you.

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How a Maintenance Session Differs from a Repair Session

Friday, June 20th, 2014

Most of the time when people call a heating and cooling company it’s for one of two reasons: to schedule repairs (sometimes in emergencies) or to arrange for a maintenance visit. Any quality HVAC service will offer 24-hour emergency repairs and regular maintenance programs so that it’s easy for a customer to call for either, and the technicians will know how to handle both types of calls in a timely manner and with all the work done accurately.

We’ll explain some of the differences in how technicians perform maintenance sessions and repair sessions for ACs. If you need either, entrust the work to DB Heating & Cooling: we are fully EPA-certified and insured to protect you, and our technicians are among the best-trained and customer-friendly you can find. We offer 24-hour emergency service and effective and affordable programs for air conditioning maintenance in Emerson, NJ.

Maintenance vs. Repair

Maintenance sessions go essentially the same each time a technician comes to your home. When you sign up for a maintenance program, you’ll arrange for a time during the year when the technician will come for the check-up and tune-ups; for air conditioners, this is usually in the spring. The technician will show up with a detailed checklist that covers every aspect of your cooling system. The job will go through the points one at a time, making sure that each component of the air conditioning receives attention. The only place where a maintenance session will differ from year to year is when the technician discovers issues that need correcting or possibly repairs. If the air conditioner requires a repair that goes beyond what is covered during maintenance, the technician will arrange for the necessary work.

Repairs are targeted, and therefore much different from maintenance, which must survey the entire system. When a specialist arrives for repairs, he or she will asked for a detailed description of the problem that you are experiencing with your AC. The technician will first look for simple possibilities for the malfunction, such as checking thermostat operation. (The thermostat is almost always the first component checked during repairs.) Then the technician will focus on root causes that could require extensive work. A professional technician will not start any repair job until he or she has checked with you regarding time, price, and any parts that may need to be ordered.

You can expect a maintenance session to last about an hour. For repairs, you will find out usually within a half hour how long the job will require: it could be from anywhere under an hour to a few days if the technician must order special parts. You can trust that professionals will do all they can to reduce that amount of time necessary to complete repairs.

DB Heating & Cooling has technicians ready to do either job for you, and do it to match your expectations. Call us for 24-hour emergency repairs or for air conditioning maintenance in Emerson, NJ.

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Why Ductless Air Conditioning Systems May Be Right for You

Friday, June 6th, 2014

What is ductless air conditioning? It is an innovation that has already existed for decades, but was originally restricted to business use. Now ductless mini splits (as they are often called) have entered homes in a big way because of their huge advantages in comfort, savings, and convenience.

The basic way that a ductless system works is this: Instead of having a single indoor and outdoor unit (an evaporator and a condenser) like standard air conditioners and heat pumps, a ductless mini split uses multiple blower units on the indoors that hook up independently to the outdoor condenser. Each blower contains a fan and coil and blows conditioned air directly into a room—no ducts necessary!

Ductless systems will not match every home or family. Contact DB Heating & Cooling when you are interested in finding out if a ductless air conditioning in Emerson, NJ is right for you. We will help you make the choice and then install whatever system will best do the job.

Reasons you should consider ductless air conditioning:

  • They also provide heat: Ductless mini splits are heat pumps—which means they can switch over to heating mode whenever you no longer need to run the AC during the end of the year. You have a two-in-one comfort solution.
  • More building and design freedom: If you are planning to remodel your house or build a new one, ductless systems give you more freedom for design without worrying about ducts getting in the way or gobbling up valuable space. Ductless mini splits are also excellent for add-on rooms, since you won’t have to resize and reinstall a new air conditioner/heat pump to accommodate the large space.
  • Improved indoor air quality: Without ductwork, you won’t have a reservoir for dust and dirt to collect in the ventilation system and get blown out into the air. No more regular duct cleaning jobs to keep them clean; you have no ductwork to worry about at all, and that means cleaner air and an increase in overall indoor air quality.
  • Energy savings: Because you no longer need to cool (or heat) every room when you turn on your comfort system, you’ll save money. You can shut off the air to empty guest rooms or dining rooms that no one is using. This will save large amounts of money off your utility bills, and the people who live in your home will have individual control over the temperatures wherever they are… and that means a happier household all around.

Ducted or Ductless? We’re ready to help you choose!

Whether a ductless system will do the optimum job for you depends on your home.

Call DB Heating & Cooling for a consultation to decide if installing ductless air conditioning in Emerson, NJ is your best path to many years of comfort and increased savings.

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Why SEER Ratings Matter with New Air Conditioning Installation

Friday, May 30th, 2014

When installing a new air conditioning system, you have a number of important considerations to keep in mind, from the power load to the position of the thermostat. But out of all of them, the SEER rating may be the most important. It measures the efficiency of your system, which informs almost every other consideration you make. In Teaneck, air conditioning replacement services can discuss the specifics with you. But what is a SEER rating specifically? And more importantly, why do SEER ratings matter with new air conditioning installation?

SEER & New Air Conditioning Installation

The term stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, and it basically compares the amount of energy the unit uses in a given year with the amount of energy actually used to cool your home. The higher the rating, the more efficient the system. Most units have a rating between 7 and 24, though units made after 2006 must have a SEER rating of at least 13. (Older units are still allowed to have lower ratings.)

If at all possible, you want your new air conditioner to have a higher SEER rating than your old one. (It’s not difficult, especially if your existing system has been around for a number of years.) Your new unit should be more efficient in order to cut down on your monthly bills, helping you recoup the cost of investment. More importantly, the SEER rating will influence other factors involved with installation, such as the power load and the initial cost of the unit itself. You need to factor it in to almost every aspect of the decision, which is why you need to understand how it works early in the process.

Luckily, help is available. For Teaneck air conditioning replacement services, the experts at DB Heating & Cooling are ready to help. We have the knowledge and experience you need to handle all aspects of the project for you, and we can explain why SEER ratings matter with new air conditioning installation.

Customer satisfaction is our top priority and we won’t rest until you are happy with every aspect of the operation. Give us a call today. You’ll be glad you did!

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Why Are Parts of the Air Conditioner on the Outside of the House?

Friday, May 23rd, 2014

Air conditioners are a staple of 21st century life, but the specifics on how they work are often known only to professionals. Services that offer air conditioning repair in Teaneck can usually explain the details if something goes wrong with your system, but home owners can also educate themselves about certain particulars. For example, why are parts of the air conditioner on the outside of the house? The short answer is to vent hot air. But how does a unit designed to produce cool air end up producing hot air?

The components on the outside of the house usually include the condenser valves, the compression coils and the condenser motor. This is where the process of air conditioning begins. Refrigerant gas enters the valve, which places it under a great deal of heat and pressure, and then moves to the coils, where the heat is bled off into the surrounding air. The liquid – still under pressure – then moves inside, where it passes through an expansion valve and into the evaporator coils. As it evaporates, it pulls heat from the surrounding air, which can then be blown into your house to cool it.

That process only works if the refrigerant is in liquid form and it won’t reach liquid form without giving off a great deal of heat. Obviously, you don’t want any of that hot air in your air conditioner, since it will defeat the whole purpose of air conditioning. Hence, that part of the cycle is often left outside. The hot air can be vented into the outside atmosphere and the condenser array can do its job without interfering with the second part of the cycle (the one that produces the cool air). It’s a strange set-up but it makes a lot of sense in terms of efficiency. And with air conditioners, efficiency is the name of the game.

If you know why parts of the air conditioner are on the outside of the house, you also know that the delicacy of the system requires professional attention when something goes wrong.

For air conditioning repair in Teaneck, give the technicians at DB Heating & Cooling a call. We can fix just about anything, so contact us today!

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