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

Oradell, NJ Heating Tip: How to Tell if Your Heater Is Too Large

Monday, September 16th, 2013

It may seem that no heater is too big for the job of keeping your home warm during a New Jersey winter. After all, isn’t it better to err on the side of a more powerful heater rather than one that’s too small and won’t keep your house comfortable? Not necessarily. A heating system that’s too large for your home can create numerous problems and cause a drain on your energy bill due to inefficient operation.

Look over this list of warning signals that you may have an oversized heater. If you experience issues with heating in Oradell, NJ, call DB Heating & Cooling for help determining the cause.

Short cycles: A heater that is producing too much warmth for a small space will cycle on and off too rapidly. Regardless of what kind of system you use to heat your home, if it is constantly shutting on and off it will be inefficient and risk wearing down faster, requiring repairs or even replacement in the future. If you think your heater is short cycling, get an expert to take a look at it.

Short cycling can also lead to poor heat distribution. Your heater will heat up the available space too fast. If you discover that certain parts of your home are not getting warm enough even though the heater seems to be working normally, the problem could be a system so large that it isn’t spending sufficient time producing warmth that will reach all parts of your home.

Increased energy bills: Whether gas or electricity powers your heating system, if you notice bills that are far above what you think you should be paying, the fault may lie with an inefficient, oversized heater.

There is no easy way to gauge what the correct heater size for your home is. More factors come into play aside from square footage: insulation and the space available for installation are also important considerations. Get an expert to determine what heating system is the best fit for your living space.

When it comes to heating in Oradell, NJ, trust to the highly-trained staff at DB Heating & Cooling to find the best solution for you.

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How to Choose the Right Oradell, NJ Heating System

Monday, September 9th, 2013

In towns like Oradell, NJ, heating systems remain more than just a luxury. They make our homes cozy and comfortable in the dead of winter. That’s why choosing the right system for you is such an important decision. Every household is different, both in terms of the building itself and in the needs of the family that occupies it. Here are some tips for making the right decision for your family.

  • Furnace size. Furnaces need to be properly sized to match the dimensions of your home, including specific factors such as the amount of insulation and the presence of a basement. If the furnace is too small, it won’t heat your home properly. If it’s too large, it will cycle on and off rapidly throughout the day, costing you money on your monthly bills. A qualified professional can inspect your home and give you parameters on the right sized furnace to heat it.
  • Type of fuel. In Oradell and other parts of New Jersey, you have a lot of options when it comes to the type of furnace you buy. Gas, oil and electrical furnaces are all available in New Jersey. Electric furnaces tend to be more efficient than gas furnaces, which tend to be more efficient than oil furnaces, but specifics vary by type. Choose your furnace based on the ease and availability of fuel, and the initial cost of installation.
  • Efficiency. Furnace efficiency is measured in terms of AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) rating. The federal government dictates that all furnaces possess an AFUES rating of at least 75%. In New Jersey, new non-weatherized gas furnaces need an AUFE rating of at least 90% and boilers need an AFUE of at least 80% (possibly higher depending on the type of fuel used). When selecting a new heating system, look for one with an AFUE as high as possible.

When it comes to proper heating, Oradell, NJ needs the guidance of an expert. DB Heating & Cooling knows the ins and outs of home furnaces, and can help you make the best decision for your home. Call us today to make an appointment.

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Westwood, NJ Heating Installation: Choosing a System

Monday, March 25th, 2013

As the heating season draws to a close, there’s never been a better time to choose a new heating replacement. If you feel as though your system has underperformed this past winter, it’s getting older, or if needs frequent repairs, you might be interested about what kind of options are available to you in Westwood, NJ. Alternatively, if your new home is being constructed this spring and you’re deciding what type of HVAC system to install, you’ll need the professional advice of an experienced heating contractor. There are a lot of options on the market today, but with some careful sizing, you can be on your way to a more efficient and effective heater in no time. For heating installation in Westwood, NJ, call DB Heating & Cooling today!

Let’s take a look at a few of your options.

  • Furnace. The trusty and sturdy furnace has been a staple of the American home for well over 50 years, in part due to their cost-effectiveness and powerful heating performance. They are forced air distribution systems that require ductwork. Today’s furnaces are typically fueled by natural gas or electricity, and they offer great AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) ratings, so that you can ensure your energy is being used efficiently. If you’ve already got reliable ductwork, furnace replacement can make an excellent option.
  • Heat Pump. Heat pumps work a lot like an air conditioner: they transfer heat using a cycle of pressurized refrigerant. But, unlike an AC, they work both to cool your home in the summer by removing heat from your home, and to heat your home in the winter by removing heat from even the coldest air and heating your home. They are highly efficient, run on electricity and work year-round. For customers concerned with their effectiveness on the coldest of nights, they can often be paired with a gas furnace for optimal efficiency.
  • Boiler. They not only heat water or steam for distribution throughout your home’s baseboard piping or radiators; they can also be used in place of a water heater to supply your fixtures and faucets.

The key to a successful installation is finding the right match. Always work with a certified professional to make sure you’re getting the best heater for your home and budget. Call DB Heating & Cooling today for Westwood, NJ heating installation!

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Don’t Put Off Late-Season Heating Repairs in Waldwick, NJ Until Next Winter

Monday, March 11th, 2013

Fairly soon, most homeowners will make the switch into the cooling season and use their heaters only on particularly chilly nights. If you have any late-season heating repairs, don’t put them off until next winter. Furnaces are complex machines that require routine maintenance and consistent repair to ensure that they last. Delaying repairs will only exacerbate the problem, in most cases. Whether it’s a faulty motor bearing, crack in the ductwork or thermostat malfunction, don’t set yourself up for an unexpected repair or breakdown next heating season. For heating repair in Waldwick, NJ, call DB Heating & Cooling, Inc. today.

Let’s take a look at some common furnace repairs that you don’t want to put off:

  • Faulty Thermostat. Keep in mind that if your heating and cooling systems are linked, then you have one thermostat that controls the whole system. If your thermostat isn’t operating properly while in heating mode, it may negatively impact your cooling system during the summer. Even if you have separate thermostats, it’s a good idea to make sure that your thermostat is up and running before you need it to heat your home. Be sure to tell a technician to check it during your AC tune-up.
  • Uneven Heating. If your heating system heats your home unevenly, then it is not operating efficiently. There may be a leak in your air ducts, a clogged air filter, or a fault in the heater’s mechanical system, but any such problems should be dealt with professionally as soon as possible. When you try to heat your home on that first cold fall day, you may be unpleasantly surprised.
  • Furnace Runs Constantly. If your furnace runs constantly, even when it seems comfortably warm inside, then there is probably a problem with its operation. It might be a thermostat problem, or it could be another issue. Whatever it is, get it checked it out sooner than later. Until the heating repair technician arrives to pinpoint the cause of the problem, there’s simply no telling what’s going on in your heating system.

Allowing heating problems to go unchecked not only increases the risk of costly repairs and system replacements, but it can also lead to decreased energy-efficiency in the future. If you don’t fix it now, you may forget to do it before next season. Make sure you’re prepared to heat and cool your home throughout the year. For heating repair in Waldwick, NJ, call DB Heating & Cooling, Inc.!

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How to Prepare Your Bergen County Heating System for Natural Disasters

Monday, March 4th, 2013

Natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, and blizzards can knock out power, cut off regular fuel supply routes, and damage your home. Homeowners throughout America are looking for ways to prepare their heating system for extreme weather conditions. DB Heating & Cooling cares about the security and welfare of our customers. That’s why we put together this quick list of some of the things that you can do to prepare your heating system for natural disasters.

  • Check your heater warranties and homeowner’s insurance policy. Find out exactly what’s covered and what’s not in the event that your home is flooded, or damaged by the storm. Knowing the details can help you make decisions about any potential adjustments.
  • Secure water heater to wall studs. If your water heater tips over, it can exacerbate the damage done to your house. It’s heavy and filled with water: make sure it’s secure.
  • Make an emergency family plan. Make sure that you have a plan in the event of a natural disaster. Have a first aid kit on hand, and make sure you have enough food and water stored for a week. Make sure everyone knows the phone numbers of nearby relatives and friends in the event that you need a place to stay.

Natural disasters can be frightening and unexpected. Make sure your home and family are prepared. To learn more ways you can prep your heating system for a natural disaster, call a Bergen County, NJ heating technicians at DB Heating & Cooling. If your heating system is damaged by a natural disaster, we offer exceptional and rapid heating repair in Bergen County, NJ. Call us today.

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Westwood, NJ Heating Tip: What To Do If You Lose Heat

Monday, February 25th, 2013

Losing the ability to heat your home can cause serious discomfort. Spring comes on slowly in the Northeast and some homeowners need to rely on their heating systems longer than others. Whatever type of heating system you have—boiler, furnace, heat pump—you’ll need the professional diagnosis and repair service of a heating expert. DB Heating & Cooling offers professional services to homeowners in the Westwood, NJ area. For heating repair, call us today.

If you find yourself without heat, contact a professional heating technician right away to request emergency repair service. Heaters are complex systems, with many different components. Here are some common problems:

  • No Power. Your furnace requires electricity. It may have blown a fuse or tripped the circuit.
  • Switched off. Make sure your thermostat is turned up high enough to make the heating system turn on.
  • Motor problem. Occasionally motors need repair and sometimes need to be reset.
  • Pilot light out. The pilot light is the small flame that allows the heater to ignite, and is sometimes attached to an electronic device called the thermocouple. This device stops the fuel supply in a gas furnace or boiler when the pilot is not lit, so as to reduce the danger of excessive fuel build-up.

Attempting to fix your own furnace or boiler without the proper knowledge and skill can lead to further damages. Besides calling a local heating repair technician, there are several measures to take if you suddenly find yourself without heat.

  • Do you have enough fuel? No fuel, no fire, as they say. Make sure you keep an eye on your fuel levels, and replenish it before you run out.
  • Dress warmly. It may be necessary to wear hats, gloves, scarves and multiple layers indoors.
  • Trap existing warm air. Hanging blankets over windows and doorways can help to boost the insulation of your home.
  • Keep the water moving. If it’s very cold outside, you can turn your faucets on ever so slightly to ensure your pipes don’t freeze..
  • Stay with friends and family. Check with them to see if they have power, and if they’re not too far away, call in the favor and stay in a warm place until your heater gets fixed.

Loss of heat can be dangerous, especially for the elderly and the very young. Call a Westwood, NJ heating repair specialist if your home loses heat. Call DB Heating & Cooling today. 

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Why Consider a Boiler in Bergen County, NJ

Monday, February 18th, 2013

If you are currently replacing your heating system in your Bergen County, NJ home, you may be interested in switching out an old system with a new, high-efficiency boiler. While a furnace heats air and distributes heated air throughout your home by the use of ducts, a boiler heats water, and provides either hot water or steam for your heating needs. A boiler can heat both your water and your air—this 2-in-1 functionality makes it an attractive option for new homeowners. If you’re thinking about replacing your current system with a boiler or installing a new system, then you will need the professional advice of a boiler technician. Call DB Heating & Cooling today for a consultation.

Like a furnace, a boiler’s efficiency is measured by its annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) rating, which determines its average energy-efficiency. Most models nowadays are at least 80%, some over 90%. The higher the percentage, the more efficient, although you have to measure the annual benefits against the upfront costs of purchasing a more expensive system.

There are further considerations: the size of the boiler, whether you would like it to be a steam or hot water boiler, whether you want them to have the capacity for high temperatures, and so on. You may also want to consider the advantages to a boiler. Although initial installation can be more expensive, hydronic boilers are known for being more efficient and economical than forced-air systems. Moreover, baseboard pipes and aluminum fins take up less space than ducts, and they offer a more even temperature throughout your home. The boiler also offers a simplicity impossible with two separate systems to upkeep and repair. These are just some ways in which you may find a new boiler system to be an attractive option in your Bergen County, NJ home.

Call us today if you are interested in boiler installation in Bergen County, NJ!

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Benefits of Heating Replacement in Emerson, NJ

Monday, February 4th, 2013

Making the decision to invest in a home heating replacement system is a big commitment. In many situations, though, it is the best available option.  If you are considering the installation of a replacement heating system in your home, call the home heating experts at DB Heating & Cooling. Our skilled technicians can help you evaluate your options and make the right decision for your home and heating needs.

There are a lot of benefits that accompany the replacement of your home heating system, if that is the route you decide to take. One of the biggest benefits is that you have the luxury of choosing an entirely different heating system if you so desire. Do not feel that you must stick with what you know. Discuss your options with a professional and get the right heating system for your heating habits.

New heating systems are generally more efficient than older models as well. This means that, despite the installation costs, your new heater may be able to save you money during operation. Just because your old heating system can be repaired, remember, does not mean that it is worth repairing. If it is working inefficiently then the cost of operating that system may not justify the cost of the repair service.

Your new heating system will also reduce the likelihood of a breakdown or other repair needs, further saving you money while providing you with the comfortable home you deserve. A new system means that all of the components are new, not just the parts that have been replaced in an older system. A new heating system will work in harmony for better operation, better comfort and better efficiency.

If your heating system is getting on in years it may not be totally necessary to replace it. However, it may be beneficial to do so. You can only repair and service a heating system so many times before the cost of doing so is no longer justifiable. Call DB Heating & Cooling today to discuss the installation of a heating replacement system in your Emerson, NJ home.

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Do I Really Need Custom Ductwork? A Westwood, NJ Heating Question

Monday, January 14th, 2013

You may think that the most important part of your home heating and cooling system is the air conditioner or your furnace. The fact of the matter is, though, that without a high quality air duct system you will not be able to distribute that conditioned air throughout your home in an efficient, effective manner. Many homeowners may not fully understand just how important the design and condition of their air ducts are to the successful operation of the heating and cooling system in their Westwood, NJ home. At DB Heating & Cooling we do understand this, which is why we offer exceptional custom ductwork services throughout the area.

If you are constructing a new home or your home does not have the ductwork necessary for a forced air heating and cooling system, our custom ductwork experts can help. Your new ductwork system must be meticulously designed and installed only be qualified experts. Every factor of your air duct system, including the amount of bends and turns in the design, can affect the performance of your heating and cooling system.

Homes are as unique as the people that own them. You cannot expect to just walk into a shop and find every piece of ductwork necessary to complete your system. By customizing ductwork to suit a particular home with particular needs you can allow your heating and cooling system to work less while still providing a great output of heating and air conditioning power. The less energy your home comfort system needs to use in order to achieve and maintain your target temperatures the less money it will cost for you to operate those systems.

Eventually your ductwork will need to be replaced. If you notice a decrease in the efficiency or effectiveness with which your home heating and cooling system works, it may be time for a new ductwork installation. This is the perfect opportunity to improve on the previous ductwork’s short comings. Contact a professional and get the ductwork you need customized to your unique home.

For more information about custom ductwork and its benefits, call DB Heating & Cooling today. Our custom ductwork experts can make your Westwood, NJ home a more efficient, comfortable place. Schedule the services you need to improve living conditions in your home.

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2 Upgrades to Consider for Your Waldwick, NJ Heating System

Monday, January 7th, 2013

One of the great things about most home heating systems is that they are so customizable. When you work with a professional heating technician with years of experience and training you may be surprised at the performance you can get from your heater, even if it is getting on in years. At DB Heating and Cooling, we love getting our loyal customers the best performance possible from their home heating systems. That is why we would like to share some information about two great upgrades you may want to consider incorporating into your Waldwick, NJ home’s heating system. Consider these options and feel free to call us with any questions you may still have.

Upgrading your old manual or basic digital thermostat is one great way that you can start using the heat you pay for more efficiently in your home. There is nothing wrong with a basic thermostat, and even very basic digital models can give you better control over temperatures in your home. However, a new programmable thermostat can really open up some opportunities for you when it comes to heating your home more efficiently and effectively.

By programming a thermostat to fit your individual lifestyle, schedule and personal heating preferences you can really cut down on the amount of energy that you use. If you are out of the house regularly between certain times each day, for instance, you can lower the temperatures that you heat your home to. You can then program the heater to bring the temperature up gradually before you return home. This improves efficiency while also leaving you with a warm home to come back to after work or even vacations and weekends away from home.

Zone control systems are another great way to boost energy efficiency in your home. No two people are guaranteed to be comfortable at the exact same temperature, let alone an entire family. With a zone control system no one needs be expected to. You can control different temperatures throughout your home individually to boost efficiency while keeping everyone happy. This is a real win-win situation.

For more information about new thermostat options or zone control systems available for your home, contact DB Heating and Cooling. Our team of home heating experts can help you heat your Waldwick, NJ home more efficiently. Call today for more upgrade suggestions from the local pros.

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