DB Heating & Cooling, Inc. Blog : Posts Tagged ‘Bergen County’

How Heat Pumps Work for both Heating and Air Conditioning

Thursday, December 18th, 2014

More and more homeowners countrywide are installing heat pumps for their myriad of benefits. Perhaps the most unique benefit to using a heat pump, however, is its ability to act as both a heater and an air conditioner. Let’s examine how this functionality is made possible, and why it’s such a huge advantage for the heat pump over other systems.

Anatomy of a Heat Pump

In order to understand how a heat pump can switch functions, you must first understand the different parts of a heat pump. There are two main parts we’ll be discussing in this part, the interior unit and the exterior unit. As you might have guessed, the interior unit is inside the house while the exterior unit is outside. These two units are connected by a refrigerant line, which flows into a coil housed in each one. These coils are the most important part of the system. When the heat pump is turned on, one coil will evaporate refrigerant while the other will condense it back into liquid. When the refrigerant evaporates, it leeches thermal energy out of the air and into the coil. When the refrigerant is condensed back into liquid, it releases the captured thermal energy so that the system can heat the house.

The Reversing Valve

The key to the heat pump’s dual functionality is a part called the “reversing valve.” In a normal system, like an air conditioner, the refrigerant flows only one way between the two coils. There’s a condenser coil and an evaporator coil, and the two never switch. The reversing valve works by reversing the flow of refrigerant, thereby making the condenser coil the evaporator coil and vice versa. This means that each coil can either take heat from the area around it or release heat instead. It is in this way that the heat pump can move heat back and forth in either direction between the house and the outside air.

If you’d like to know more about heat pumps, call DB Heating & Cooling. We install heat pumps throughout Bergen County.

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What Does a Trane Furnace Have to Offer in Bergen County?

Thursday, December 4th, 2014

The most popular heating installation in the U.S. today is the gas furnace. Furnaces are reliable, effective, and efficient, and today’s models can cut monthly costs dramatically over similar furnaces built decades ago. At DB Heating & Cooling, we’re proud to install and service one of the most trusted brands in furnaces, Trane. Trane has been manufacturing heating systems since 1910 and is recognized worldwide as an industry leader in residential heating. Learn more about why a Trane furnace may be the right fit for your home.

  • Options to Suit Any Home: When you need a new furnace, the size and style are both extremely important in making sure you have an efficient, long-lasting system. A heating system that is too small will not completely heat your home and will wear down too quickly, while a system that is too large will use way too much energy. The various Trane furnaces, oil or gas systems from any of their highly efficient models, are available in all sizes so a technician can make sure you get the right unit for your home.
  • High Efficiency Ratings: All Trane furnaces have a high AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) and some even go above and beyond. The AFUE is a percentage that indicates how much of the fuel your system uses actually goes into heating your home. Some of Trane’s highest rated furnaces, in their XL, XV, and XC lines, have an AFUE of over 94%. Compare that to the 50-60% average AFUE of furnaces created a few decades ago and you’ll see instant monthly savings when you replace with Trane.
  • Long Lasting: Trane furnaces are designed to last a long period of time and to withstand the harsh winters here in Bergen County. And when you get annual maintenance from a Trane dealer, you can be sure your system has an even better chance of exceeding its expected lifespan. With maintenance, your unit is cleaned, adjusted, and inspected, which helps you to know about repair needs early on and keeps your unit running more efficiently for longer.

Hear more about the many benefits of Trane furnaces in Bergen County. Call DB Heating & Cooling to speak with a friendly professional today!

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Choose a Peerless Boiler for Your New Heating Installation

Monday, November 3rd, 2014

Many years ago, choosing a boiler for your home was a fairly simple process. Most boiler models offered comparable performance and efficiency and operated in a similar fashion, so homeowners merely needed to consider the initial price. Today, you have far more options for boiler installation in Bergen County, with varying levels of efficiency and above average performance.

The heating experts at DB Heating & Cooling stand by the efficiency and performance of Peerless boilers as a superior choice for boiler installation. Learn more about the benefits of choosing this option for heating and find out about the unmatched quality of Peerless boilers in Bergen County in today’s post.

Choosing a Boiler for Heating Installation

Boilers are the preferred heating choice of many homeowners, for a few good reasons. For one, boilers evenly distribute heat throughout a home, unlike forced-air heating options like furnaces which have been known to be somewhat inadequate. Boilers generate hot water and move it to a terminal point like a radiator, baseboard, or floor piping to provide radiant heating. And radiant heat simply feels more comfortable, because it radiates throughout a room instead of blowing through vents. Boilers are also known for their quiet operation, high efficiency, and durability.

The Efficiency of Peerless Boilers

Whether you are choosing a boiler for installation in your new home or replacing an older boiler, the efficiency of Peerless boilers is tough to beat. Boiler and furnace efficiency is represented by a percentage known as the AFUE, the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency of the unit. If the AFUE is very high, it means that most of the energy your boiler uses goes directly towards heating your home. For greater initial savings, you can choose a Peerless Series 63 with an AFUE rating of up to 83%. This is quite an upgrade if switching from an older unit, as those built 20-30 years ago had an efficiency close to 50-65%. But to save a lot more every month, you may choose a Peerless Combi 160, which boasts an AFUE of 93%, or a Peerless Purefire at an efficiency rating of 97.3%.

Be sure to speak with a professional technician at DB Heating & Cooling to find out more about installing Peerless boilers in Bergen County.

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Can I Do Heating Maintenance on My Own?

Monday, September 29th, 2014

DIY is very popular, and there are some tasks that homeowners can handle on their own. However, any kind of work on your heating system does not fall into this category. Unless you have expert knowledge about it, it is not advisable to take on heating repair or maintenance yourself. Instead, call an expert for your heating maintenance in Bergen County: DB Heating & Cooling.

What Happens During A Maintenance Appointment?

Understanding what happens during a professional maintenance appointment demonstrates how in-depth an appointment really is:

  • Thorough inspection of entire system
  • Check all electrical components, including wires
  • Check all motors
  • Check entire burner assembly
  • Clean all components as needed, including removing ash and soot
  • Safety checks, including for carbon monoxide
  • Change air filter
  • Check all belts for wear and tightness
  • Check for leaks and cracks in components
  • Clean and lubricate parts as needed
  • Make small repairs as needed
  • Flush the system

It’s quite a comprehensive list and entails a lot of work – are you up to it? Do you have the tools to accomplish all these tasks, and can you do them efficiently and quickly? These are all questions you have to ask yourself before committing to conducting your own maintenance.

Benefits of Maintenance

When maintenance is performed correctly, these are the benefits you can expect:

  • Better energy efficiency – when your system is being weighed down by dirt, dust and wear-and-tear, it can’t perform to the energy efficiency level it was made to. Performing maintenance allows your system to run optimally, which can help it maintain energy efficiency.
  • Better comfort – a system that is struggling to perform may not be able to achieve the set temperature. Maintenance helps put everything in good working order so that your heating system can heat as it should.
  • Prevents repairs – the thorough inspection your system undergoes during a maintenance appointment allows the technician to detect any existing or developing problems, and repair them before they can become large and potentially costly.

The bottom line: unless you have the expert knowledge of a trained professional, you shouldn’t take the risk of performing your own maintenance.

When your heating system needs expert attention call DB Heating & Cooling and schedule your heating maintenance in Bergen County today.

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The Steps of Professional Furnace Maintenance

Monday, September 22nd, 2014

Maintaining your heating system is important for its energy efficiency, longevity and providing the heating you need through the winter. There are multiple tasks involved with a professional furnace maintenance appointment in Bergen County, and we’ll outline some of them here. To truly benefit from maintenance, it’s important to always hire trained professionals. Let the specialists at DB Heating & Cooling get your furnace in great shape for this winter – schedule a maintenance appointment today.

What Happens During a Routine Maintenance Appointment?

DB Heating & Cooling tailors every maintenance appointment to fit our clients’ homes and heating systems. But there are some basic tasks that are always performed, as outlined below:

  • Safety check (to check for leaking fumes) You say that these are always performed, but it seems like many of these are specific to gas furnaces, not applicable to electric furnaces
  • Cleaning/replacing of air filter
  • Check and test combustion chamber/heat exchanger
  • Clean burner compartment/firebox
  • Check pilot safety timing or flame sensor
  • Inspect burner flame to ensure proper mix of air and fuel
  • Ensure that the chimney vents properly
  • Check all motors and belts
  • Lubricate all moving parts

Why Conduct Heating Maintenance?

The benefits of maintenance can carry you through the whole winter:

  • Better energy efficiency – when your furnace is dirty and worn it can’t run as well as it should. During maintenance, it will be cleaned, lubricated and adjusted, so that all the components and your system work optimally.
  • Longevity – an ill-maintained heating system is one that will age prematurely due to operating under stress. When your system is kept in good working order, it operates normally, which helps it extend it lifespan.
  • Prevents repairs – the EPA estimates that a heating system that is well-maintained can reduce its incidence of repair up to 30%. This is because your system runs optimally, and also because your technician will be able to detect any existing or developing problems, and repair them as needed.

Fall offers a great time frame to schedule maintenance for your furnace in Bergen County.

If you haven’t had your heating system professionally maintained in more than 12 months, call DB Heating & Cooling today and schedule an appointment with one of our experts.

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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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What’s Involved in Duct Cleaning?

Monday, August 4th, 2014

In the U.S., people spend on average 85% of their time indoors. Unfortunately, the quality of indoor air has dropped over the last half century as homes and buildings become more sealed against energy loss. The same stale air circulates through ventilation systems, and soon dust, dirt, and other unpleasant contamination builds up inside ductwork.

This is why regular duct cleaning is so important. It helps eliminate this major region of pollutants that gathers in a home and contributes to lowering the quality of the air its residents breathe. Duct cleaning provides other benefits as well, such as taking stress away from air conditioners and heaters by allowing air to flow easier through the ductwork.

Duct cleaning is a skilled job that requires professionals. Call DB Heating & Cooling to schedule duct cleaning in Bergen County from an experienced indoor air quality team.

How professional duct cleaning is done

The basic concept behind cleaning an extensive ventilation system in a home where most of the ducts are difficult to access is to use a power vacuum to change the pressure within the ducts. This dislodges contaminants from the duct walls, and then the vacuum uses suction to draw them out of the system. To do this job, professionals seal up all the vent registers in a house to close off the ductwork, then attach an enormous power vacuum onto the HVAC system where it leaves the air conditioner/heater.

Duct cleaning can also target specific places within the ducts that have more serious levels of dirt buildup using agitation equipment and smaller vacuums. The technicians remove vent registers and send in special rotary brushes to scrape away ground-in dust and dirt without damaging the duct walls. Special ductwork vacuums then suction away the loose particles.

During duct cleaning, technicians take note of any serious issues within the ducts, such as leaks or the development of potentially dangerous molds and biological growths. After they finish the cleaning, they can recommend repairs or the installation of UV germicidal lights to treat these situations and make sure the ducts are in the best condition possible.

How often should I schedule duct cleaning?

If more than two years have gone by since you had your last duct cleaning—or if you can’t remember ever having duct cleaning—you need to call professionals right away. In general, homes will benefit from a cleaning every two years, although it depends on the level of dust and dirt that enters the home. Some houses need it more often, some less. Your duct cleaners will help you find out how frequently your home should have the work done.

Call us to learn more about how we can provide your home with healthier air.

DB Heating & Cooling offers a number of services to help you achieve better indoor air quality in Bergen County, from duct cleaning to humidifier/dehumidifier installation.

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The Benefits of Energy Management Systems

Monday, July 28th, 2014

When you run a business, you keep a closer eye on your finances than you will almost anything else. Among the various costs to run your company, you may think that the energy required to operate the building is an inflexible one and unlikely to change unless your company undergoes some radical shift. But there are ways you can improve your business’ energy consumption through a centralized device: an energy management system (EMS).

Our staff at DB Heating & Cooling is familiar with energy management systems, since we’ve been installing them in New Jersey for many years. We have seen the enormous benefits an EMS can bring to a company, and the level of control it grants for reducing and stabilizing energy use. If you wish to know more details about energy management systems in Bergen County, NJ from people who have worked closely with them, contact our commercial staff today.

Advantages that energy management systems can provide

First, to answer the basic question, “What is an energy management system?” An EMS is a device that centralizes all the powered systems that run a building. An Internet-based system is installed over TCP/UP or EIA-485 with peer-to-peer communication. From one location, you can access security, lighting, and the HVAC systems and monitor their operation, and, most importantly, their energy use. You can also choose during installation if you want to be able to access the EMS from multiple locations.

The major benefit of a commercial energy management system is a reduction in energy costs. Through centralization, you can see the building’s full electrical load and how much each individual system contributes to it. This allows you to rapidly pinpoint places where energy is going to waste, such as needless lighting or a malfunctioning commercial HVAC system. You can discover where the placement of high efficiency lighting upgrades will benefit you the most. For older buildings, an EMS will point out where you need to update older equipment that is placing a significant drain on power.

An EMS is also an effective tool at creating a more smooth operation of the building. It’s easy to locate faults in systems and schedule repairs and maintenance. Most of the guesswork and additional effort it would require to monitor electrical systems, the heating and cooling, and security individually to find where repairs are necessary vanishes thanks to the centralization of an EMS.

For an EMS to effectively work, it must have professional and skilled installation that will set up both the central hardware and the monitoring for each of the systems you want integrated. The installers will tailor the EMS to your specific needs—no two commercial buildings and companies are alike, so no two energy management systems will be alike either.

Although an EMS is a complicated device, you can place all the hard work in the dependable hands of DB Heating & Cooling.

Call DB Heating & Cooling today to speak with our team and to get started with the benefits of energy management systems in Bergen County, NJ.

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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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Air Conditioning Repair Tip: Why Change the Air Filter

Friday, April 18th, 2014

An air conditioner needs annual maintenance, consisting of an inspection and tune-up, for it to run efficiently and effectively during the year. It takes the knowledge of an HVAC professional to perform maintenance, so you should seek out a maintenance program from a trusted contractor to handle this task for you each year.

You can take a few maintenance steps on your own. One of the most important is to regularly change the air filter on your air conditioner; you might need to do it as often as once a month during the summer. We’ll explain why this is such a crucial step. (If you don’t know the location of the air filter for your system, ask a repair technician.) If you need air conditioning repair in Bergen County, NJ because of air filter troubles, call on DB Heating & Cooling—any time of the day or night!

Why replacing the air filter is necessary

  • To prevent debris contamination: The air filter is located where the return air vent brings in air from inside the house to circulate through the AC. Dust, lint, pollen, dander, hair, and larger particles like gravel can come with this air. If these pollutants get inside the air conditioner’s cabinet, they will cause damage leading to inefficient operation and eventually repair needs. Dust can cause motors to run down and evaporator coils to ice over, while large contaminants can bend fan blades. If the air filter becomes too clogged with the objects it traps, it can develop damage that will allow the debris to get inside.
  • To maintain airflow: As the filter catches more debris, it will start to slow down the airflow into the air conditioner. A thick clog can choke off the flow to almost nothing. Even minor clogging will restrict flow enough that the AC will need to work harder, and this will cause a drain on power. You will notice a spike on your energy bills as the filter becomes congested.

A bit more on filter change frequency

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you should change the filter every 1–3 months depending on the type of AC, where you live, the time of year, and how much you use the system. During the summer, when you run the air conditioner frequently, you should change the filter every month. During cooler seasons, you can lower the frequency, although make regular checks to see how fast the debris builds up.

Regular maintenance will help you with this task, since your technician will detect how quickly the filter clogs up. (Changing the filter is part of a maintenance visit.) To sign up for the maintenance plan at DB Heating & Cooling, or to schedule air conditioning maintenance in Bergen County, NJ, call one of our staff members today.

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