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

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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Why You Cannot Delay Furnace Repair

Monday, February 17th, 2014

Modern furnaces are durable machines, and they can often continue to run and provide you with heat when they are experiencing malfunctions. Although this is an indication of how well manufacturers build furnaces today, you shouldn’t let a furnace continue to run with repair needs and hope you’ll make it to the spring thaw.

Any time you detect a problem with your furnace—whether from strange operating noises, odd smells from the vents, or uneven heating—you need to call for repairs as soon as possible. With a company like DB Heating & Cooling offering 24-hour emergency furnace repair, you have no reason to hesitate.

Why You Need Prompt Repairs

  • Avoid an abrupt breakdown—at the worst time: We have experienced a particularly rough winter this year, and we can still expect some deep chills ahead before we emerge into spring. If your heater is running with a malfunction, it is skirting close to a complete breakdown that will leave you without warmth on one of the coldest days. Because you will push your furnace harder during cold days, it is more likely to stop working then… and emergency repairs may have trouble reaching you because many other homeowners will have similar problems.
  • Stop paying more for heating: Any malfunction in a furnace, regardless of whether it allows the furnace to keep working, will reduce the system’s efficient operation. As the furnace works harder, it will drain more energy. Your heating bills will start to rise; they might even skyrocket. Taking care of a repair means shaving away a large portion of your monthly bills.
  • Keep your furnace safe: The most common type of furnace is a natural gas-powered model. Gas furnaces are safe provided they remain in good repair with regular maintenance. Letting one go without needed repairs is potentially dangerous because it can lead to gas leaks and other hazards. Never delay getting repairs for a gas furnace, and never attempt repairs on your own.

If you trust the work on your furnace to trained experts like those at DB Heating & Cooling, the repairs should go fast and return the system to top condition. In a season as cold as we’re having this year, you don’t want to risk losing your vital home heating: call for prompt furnace repair in Bergen County, NJ.

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There’s Rust on My Furnace, Should I Call for Repairs?

Monday, January 13th, 2014

Furnaces do not use water in their heating cycle the way that hydronic systems like boilers do. It would seem strange for rust to form on a gas furnace—yet it still happens. If you discover rust on your furnace, you may need repairs—or even a replacement furnace. Regardless of the outcome, you should call professionals to take a look at your heating system to decide the best path to take.

DB Heating & Cooling has technicians ready 24 hours a day to work on your furnace repair in Bergen County, NJ. Don’t delay calling, because a rusty gas furnace is a potential safety hazard.

Rust and your furnace

Rust can occur on a gas furnace because of the reaction of combustion fumes and metal. Usually, the proper venting of exhaust will prevent this from occurring, so if you have a newer furnace and notice rust developing on it, you may have ineffective venting.

However, even with the vents working right, rust can start on a very old furnace. If your furnace is over 20 years old, the appearance of rust is often a sign that you should schedule a replacement. A furnace that has worked effectively for 20 years has more than lived up to its potential, and it is probably time to retire it before it retires itself—at a very inconvenient time.

Rust poses a particular danger to your furnace and you: corrosion across the heat exchanger. If a heat exchanger starts to corrode, it can develop cracks which will allow carbon monoxide exhaust to escape into the cabinet and possibly into your living spaces. This is why you should always take rust seriously and summon repairs when you notice it. A technician will be able to fix any problem and offer advice about whether the time has come to replace the furnace. If you gas to heat your home, you should also have carbon monoxide detectors installed.

Regular maintenance will help

You can help avoid rust in the first place with regular preventive maintenance. If you enroll in a maintenance program with a professional HVAC contractor, you will receive a yearly check-up on your furnace that will catch rust and the venting problems that can lead to it. A maintenance specialist will replace any damaged heat exchangers. Your furnace will run safer, and it will also run more efficiently.

DB Heating & Cooling offers customized maintenance plans to take care of your furnace. We can also handle any furnace repair in Bergen County, NJ, from corrosion to burned-out motors. Don’t hesitate if there’s an issue with your furnace: call DB Heating & Cooling today.

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Does Rust Necessitate Boiler Repair?

Monday, November 11th, 2013

Rust is the main enemy of the integrity of metal. Any place where metal comes into contact with water there exists a risk of rust developing from oxidation. Rust eats away at metal, making it flaky and weak, eventually leading to its disintegration.

As you might imagine, rust poses a threat to the boiler in your home, since your boiler operates through heating and pumping water through your living spaces. Fortunately, the danger from rust and other corrosion in your boiler is minimal if you make sure that it receives regular maintenance. A special anode rod on the top of your boiler helps prevent rust from infiltrating the tank, and as long as this rod gets replaced regularly before it corrodes through completely, you should have few worries about rust weakening your boiler and causing leaks.

However, if rust does start to afflict your boiler, does this mean you need to get a replacement? Not necessarily—but you will at the very least need professional repairs. For high quality boiler repair in Bergen County, NJ, look to DB Heating & Cooling.

If the rust on your boiler is minor and superficial, professionals can usually remove it with ease. The professionals can then inspect the boiler to make certain that the problem won’t immediately return. However, even if the rust contamination seems extensive, it might only require replacing the coils and mounting plates on the boiler—these are the areas that are usually first hit with corrosion.

However, extreme rusting on a boiler’s tank—especially a very old boiler—may require replacing the water tank entirely. Make sure you get a technician to look over the extent of the corrosion damage on your boiler so you’ll have an informed opinion about whether you need repairs or a complete replacement of the tank.

You should take the appearance of rust on your boiler seriously: even if it looks minor, it won’t stay that way. The rust will continue until your boiler starts to spring leaks—and you definitely don’t want a leaking boiler in your home! Get repairs done as soon as you can not only to remove the rust but to determine what faults in your system caused it in the first place.

DB Heating & Cooling can handle your needs for boiler repair in Bergen County, NJ. With our 24-hour emergency services, you never have to worry about getting the repairs done as soon as you need them.

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What to Consider Prior to Your Furnace Installation in Bergen County

Monday, September 30th, 2013

If you’re thinking of having a furnace installed in your home, either to replace an older system or because you have a new house, then you want to get moving before the cold weather arrives. It’s smart to take advantage of the early fall to install your home’s new furnace, but you need to take a moment to consider a few factors that will help make the installation successful. A new furnace requires a large investment in time and resources; make certain you’ve thought through what you’re planning to do.

If you need help preparing for a new furnace, consult with the experts at DB Heating & Cooling. We can address all your questions, as well as perform the installation when it’s time.

Is a furnace the best choice?

If you decided to get a furnace because you’ve had one before, take some time to consider the other heating options that may work better for you. There are more types of heaters available today than ever before, and one of them might do a more efficient job heating your home. Heat pumps and boilers offer both advantages and disadvantages. An HVAC expert can help you determine if a furnace is the right way to go, or if another choice might give you improved heating and energy savings.

What size furnace will I need?

It’s crucial that you get a furnace that can evenly heat up your home. Too small, and the furnace won’t give you adequate heat. Too large, and it will short cycle and age rapidly. Have a professional perform a heat load calculation that will evaluate numerous facts about your home, from square footage to the amount of windows, to give you an exact idea of how large a furnace you need to keep you warm and your heating system healthy.

Who should install the furnace?

If you thought you might handle the installation yourself, or have a friend with some experience take on the job, think again. Furnace installation is a huge, complex task, and any errors can lead to poor operation and malfunctions. It will cost you far more in the future, offsetting any savings you get from an amateur job. Find a heating company with a proven track record and trained technicians who will get the installation done right the first time.

DB Heating & Cooling is one of the top Bergen County furnace installation companies. We offer all kinds of services to help you with any heating needs. Call us if you want to get started on installation, or if you just have questions.

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Bergen County Air Conditioning Tips: Benefits of Custom Ductwork

Monday, July 15th, 2013

If you already have a forced-air distribution system, or are thinking that you may need for your home construction project, then you probably already realize the important role that air ducts play in distributing cool air from your air conditioning system. But when it comes to ductwork, you need to make sure that yours fits your home exactly. Because of the impact that they have on your cooling effectiveness and efficiency, you should consider having custom ductwork installed in your home. In today’s post, we’d like to look more closely at some of the benefits of professionally installed custom ductwork. Call DB Heating & Cooling today for all of your Bergen County air conditioning services.

  • Cooling performance: In a forced-air distribution system, you need to make sure that all of your components are working well throughout the summer months. One of the downsides to standard ductwork is that it often does not fit the unique design and layout of your home. Just like your AC, your ducts need to be professionally sized if they are to perform well. They need to be able to extract and return air to your living space constantly.
  • Energy efficiency: Another benefit to having custom ductwork in your home is improved energy efficiency. Every square inch of your ducts contributes to the overall efficiency of your cool air distribution. But when your ducts are over- or under-sized, or make too many turns to fit into your home, it can lead to energy loss and airflow impedances.
  • Longevity: When you install a new HVAC system in your home or a major system replacement for your existing system, it’s a major undertaking, one that you want to be able to rely on for years to come. You need to make sure that your ductwork is in great shape year-in and year-out, particularly if you also use it for your heating in the winter. With custom ductwork optimized for the unique circumstances of your home, you can be sure that they will last.

At DB Heating & Cooling, we specialize in custom ductwork for our clients throughout the Bergen County area, whatever their air conditioning needs may be.

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Westwood, NJ Air Conditioning Repair FAQ: Keeping Cool While Your AC is Down

Tuesday, June 4th, 2013

In the unfortunate event that your air conditioning system breaks down completely, then you may have to survive few days without AC. Keeping cool while you AC is down is critical, especially on those incredibly hot and humid days. As one of the leading providers of new air conditioners in your service area, we’d like to give you some tips in case this happens to you. Even if it’s only a repair service, you need to make sure you know how to keep cool. But make sure, first and foremost, that you contact a qualified, reputable AC technician so that your problem is fixed fast or your new AC replacement works well. Call DB Heating & Cooling for comprehensive Westwood, NJ air conditioning repair services.

  • Draw the blinds and curtains: Keep the powerful sun out of the home. By drawing blinds and curtains during the day, you can ensure that the cool nighttime temperature is not spoiled by the sun’s rays.
  • Open the windows at night: Make sure you take advantage of the cooler temperatures at night by opening up the windows and letting that breeze in.
  • Fans: Use box fans in windows at night and ceiling fans during the day to keep cool. If your ceiling fan has a reverse function, you can get it to pull the hot air up out of the living space.
  • Take cold showers: This is the ultimate cool-off exercise if you can stand it. A nice cold shower can cool you off if you’re feeling overheated.
  • Drink cold beverages: Keep your fridge stocked with refreshing drinks and your ice tray full so that you can take advantage of cool drinks if your AC breaks down.
  • Backup unit: If you need to, you can purchase a wall unit to keep you cool during the repair or replacement service.

We hope you find these tips helpful. If your cooling system breaks down and you need Westwood, NJ air conditioning repair services, call DB Heating & Cooling. 

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Indicators that You Need Air Conditioning Repair in Bergen County

Monday, May 6th, 2013

Even with professional installation and routine maintenance, your home cooling system will still probably need repair at some point in its service life. While only a professional hands-on diagnosis can adequately determine the cause of the problem, there are some common indicators to look out for as we enter the cooling season. When you need air conditioning repair in Bergen County, call the pros at DB Heating & Cooling!

  • Not cooling enough: This is a common complaint, especially when the heat and humidity are at their peak during the hottest days of summer. It won’t be clear until a professional diagnosis takes place what the root of the problem is, although there are some frequent culprits. You may have a frozen evaporator coil caused by blocked airflow, or low levels of refrigerant circulating through your coils.
  • AC won’t start: First, check your electrical panel to make sure you haven’t blown a fuse or tripped the circuit breaker. Next, make sure that your thermostat is on and calling for cool air. If neither of these works, then you may have an electrical connectivity issue with your AC. Alternatively, you may have a faulty capacitor.
  • Incorrect temperature: If your home never seems to reach the temperature that you ask it to, then there may be a problem with the calibration of your thermostat. As your primary user interface, your thermostat needs to be professionally installed and calibrated in order to ensure that it senses the temperature accurately. If not, it can’t possibly communicate with the air handler properly and your house will wind up too hot or too cold.
  • Frozen evaporator coil: If the evaporator coil inside your indoor air handler is completely frozen over, then your AC will work neither efficiently nor effectively. This may be caused by an air leak that is allowing humid air into the air handler or a clogged air filter not allowing the cool air to be distributed throughout the home. Your AC may have already tried to shut itself down to defrost. Have a professional technician come out to determine the root of the frozen coil.

For comprehensive air conditioning repair services in Bergen County, call DB Heating & Cooling today! 

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