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

Is It Too Early for AC Maintenance?

Monday, March 7th, 2022

With daytime temperatures still in the high 50s for now, it may seem strange to be mentioning air conditioning maintenance. Perhaps you even think that it’s way too early for this service. But the truth is, now is a perfect time!

Let’s face it, you know as well as we do that our variable weather can surprise us. Sure, it’s cold and dreary one day, but the next can be the start of a weeklong heatwave… and don’t you want to know that your air conditioner is well prepared for the change of seasons?

With routine annual maintenance (biannual, if you have a heat pump system) you can help ensure that your air conditioner operates as efficiently and effectively as possible, for as long as possible. Read on to learn more about this important service!

Tags: HVAC, Oradell
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Does My Home Need More Humidity?

Monday, January 20th, 2020

Winters in our area are two things—very cold and very dry!

Oftentimes, when you hear the term “humidity” you think of hot summers made even hotter with humid conditions—but in the winter, humidity is actually something you want more of. Balancing the humidity in your home no matter what time of the year it is can help in a number of ways. Dry hair, skin, and nails, plus frequent colds and chilly temperatures are all things that can be relieved with the installation of a whole-house humidifier. More on that below.

Tags: Bergen County, HVAC
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Heating Repair Signs to Watch Out For

Monday, October 28th, 2019

As temperatures begin to cool, the last thing you need to worry about is your heater breaking down unexpectedly. However, if you don’t know the signs that your heater needs service, this is a potential reality. It’s never fun to need repairs on your heater, but it’s worse when the system has broken down completely and requires a massive, emergency repair, or even replacement.

Professionals say that it’s important to schedule HVAC service in Bergen County, NJ as soon as you suspect you need it, to avoid sudden system breakdowns and potentially higher repair costs. Additionally, the sooner you repair your system, the lower your monthly energy bills may be, and the longer your heater will last. Keep reading for some of the most common signs that your heater or furnace system is in need of repair.

Tags: Bergen County, HVAC
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Is an HVAC Maintenance Enrollment Plan Worth It?

Monday, September 2nd, 2019

The best way to prepare for the starting of a heating or cooling season is by scheduling annual preventive maintenance. With the official end of summer just a couple short weeks away, it’s just about time to think about scheduling heating maintenance. Having your HVAC systems tuned-up right before you’ll need them the most is a great strategy!

HVAC maintenance is the best way to ensure that your system works as effectively and efficiently as it’s meant to, for as long as it’s meant to. Plus, if you sign up for one of our maintenance agreements, you’ll receive a number of tangible benefits.

Tags: Emerson, HVAC, HVAC maintenance
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Benefits of Duct Sealing: Paramus, NJ HVAC Tip

Monday, February 11th, 2013

If you have a forced air system in your home, all of the conditioned air in your home has to go through those ducts. Your ducts are critical to your home’s comfort and to the proper operation of your heating and air conditioning system. Having your ducts sealed in Paramus, NJ by a professional contractor can have a very positive impact on your home. At DB Heating & Cooling, we provide duct sealing services throughout the Paramus, NJ area. We thought it would be helpful to our customers if we put together some of the benefits of getting their ducts sealed.

Common Duct Problems in Paramus, NJ

Leaks – Over time, your ducts can wear out and get old. When that happens they can crack and start to leak. As air travels through the ducts it can leak out of those holes. This can decrease the efficiency of your system and cause you to waste money. It can also allow outside contaminants, insects or rodents to get into your ducts as well.
Blockages – The average house has about 20 pounds of debris inside of it. Not only can it decrease the efficiency of your heating and air conditioning system, it can also cause big problems for the air quality of your system. As air moves through your ducts if can pick up the contaminants, allergens and other particles that are in them.

Benefits of Duct Sealing

Duct sealing is a great idea for homeowners throughout the Paramus, NJ area. Here are some of the potential benefits.

Greater efficiency – Having holes and leaks in your ducts reduces the efficiency of your heating and AC system because it allows the heated or cooled air out of your home. When you seal up your ducts more of that energy will stay in your home.
Air quality – With duct sealing, outdoor contaminants can enter your home and your air supply.

If you’re interested in duct sealing at your home in Paramus, NJ, call DB Heating & Cooling, Inc..

Tags: Duct Sealing, HVAC, Indoor Air Quality, Paramus, Waldwick, Westwood
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Emerson Heat Pump Tip: Easy Ways to Lower Your Heat Pump’s Energy Bill

Tuesday, September 4th, 2012

One of the biggest advantages of a heat pump in Emerson is that it is highly efficient for both heating and cooling. There is always room for improvement, though, so here some tips to lower your energy bill even more:

Get it checked. It’s been said many times before, but it’s always worth saying again: consistent maintenance is one of the biggest keys to keeping any appliance running efficiently. Get your heat pump inspected by an Emerson HVAC professional at least once a year. This will keep it in good shape and provide an opportunity to make small repairs, before they have a chance to turn into big problems.
Keep it clean. When it comes to HVAC equipment, a clean unit is an efficient unit. Check and replace the filters regularly, according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Keep the coils and fan clean. This will also be part of the annual maintenance, but you can – and should — do touch up cleaning on your own.
Install a thermostat. A programmable thermostat is a great energy efficiency tool for any home heating and cooling system, not just a heat pump. A thermostat will keep the temperatures lower during the day or any time no one is home, so that you are not wasting heat.
Let it run. It may seem counterintuitive, but turning off a heat pump to save energy may actually do more harm than good. Heat pumps operate most efficiently when they stay running on a regular basis. The components don’t need to take time to spin up, and the refrigerant stays warm so it can keep moving. Your best bet is to have your heat pump connected to a programmable thermostat, program it and then stop thinking about it. You’ll save a bundle over manual operation.
Protect the outdoor unit. The outdoor portion of your heat pump has to put up with a lot from the elements. Strong winds can damage them or negatively impact the efficient operation of the pump, so keep the outdoor unit protected from wind.

These simple measures, in combination with a highly efficient heat pump, will help slash your energy bills. In addition, check to see if your Emerson heat pump is eligible for a federal tax credit, which can save you even more money. Call DB Heating & Cooling today to learn more about how to save energy with your HVAC system!

Tags: Emerson, Energy Saving, Heat Pumps, HVAC
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Waldwick HVAC Guide: Plants & Indoor Air Quality

Monday, July 30th, 2012

In elementary school, we were taught about how useful plants can be. They remove carbon dioxide from the air and release oxygen, which is great because it is the exact opposite of our respiratory process. They also clean the air in the process, like natural air pollution scrubbers, improving the quality of the air around them.

Given this, it’s not surprising that people in Waldwick have sought to harness the respiratory power of plants to improve air quality in their homes. One study by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in the 1980s even identified the best plants for improving indoor air quality.

This seems like great news for people who suffer from asthma or allergies, or who just want a natural way to purify the air in their homes. However, plants are not without their drawbacks. It is not a simple as to just bring a plant into the home. A plant is really an entire ecosystem, with many other organisms latched on for dear life. There are bacteria in the soil, for one, and there may be bugs or fungi in the soil or on the plant that you can’t even see.

Most of these are harmless, but not always. The fungus can be a problem, for example, if the spores get into the air. This can make allergies and asthma worse, not better.

That doesn’t mean you have to toss out that nice spider plant or Boston fern in the garbage, however. After all, it is probably doing a great job of filtering out some inorganic pollutants, it’s increasing the oxygen concentration of the room and it looks nice. Instead of getting rid of it, just give it a partner.

Adding an air cleaner like a fan with a filter to your Waldwick HVAC system can help purge the organic gunk that may be coming from the plant, while the plant is taking care of the other stuff. The result is cleaner, better air, which can be a relief to asthma and allergy sufferers. For more ideas of how to improve your home, give DB Heating & Cooling a call!

Tags: Air Filtration, HVAC, Indoor Air Quality, Plants, Waldwick
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Waldwick HVAC Question: Do Heat Pumps Work for Air Conditioning?

Monday, June 4th, 2012

It’s possible that in the course of your search for a new air conditioning system, you read or were told about heat pumps. Doesn’t sound right, does it – heat pumps providing cooling for your home? Regardless of the seeming misnomer, heat pumps are actually much older and more reliable cooling technology than you know. And once you understand how these units work, the name makes much more sense.

What Is a Heat Pump?

Technically every refrigerant containing air conditioner is some form of heat pump. A heat pump is a device that removes heat from one area and transfers it to another. So, in the case of your Waldwick air conditioner, warm air cycles into the condenser, the heat is removed, and the cooled air is circulated back through your home. The actual science behind this is slightly more complicated, but the gist is simple – cold air isn’t produced and then pumped into your home; warm air is removed.

Your refrigerator and freezer operate under the same principle. It works so well that it’s been a standard technology for nearly 100 years, albeit with quite a few upgrades and enhancements. So, if an air conditioner already is a heat pump, why are these devices called something different? Because heat pumps can do so much more.

Heat Producing Heat Pumps

A true heat pump can work in two directions. It can extract heat from your home or it can extract heat from outside and pump it into your home. A true heat pump offers year round climate control because it both heats and cools – not too shabby if you think about the cost of a furnace and central AC system.

So, back to the main question – should you purchase a heat pump for your air conditioning needs? The short answer is “it depends”. For the most part, a heat pump is comparable to the same air conditioning model in terms of energy efficiency and capacity. The major difference is its ability to heat your home. So, if you are interested in ditching the furnace or boiler, it may be a great upgrade. If not, a standard air conditioner can get the job done equally well. If you are interesting in learning more about how a heat pump would work in your Waldwick home, give DB Heating & Cooling a call today!

Tags: Air Conditioning, Cooling, Heat Pumps, HVAC, Waldwick
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