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

Can I Use Any HVAC Professional for My Commercial AC?

Monday, May 18th, 2015

Understanding basic mechanics is a must for any job involving HVAC service, but it isn’t enough to perform installation, maintenance, repair or replacement of a system, especially when dealing with commercial systems. This is why hiring a residential-only technician to repair your commercial air conditioner is likely to have poor results. This is also why we have both residential and commercial heating and cooling technicians at DB Heating & Cooling: we know that commercial AC systems require a different level of expertise from residential ones, and we know that business owners in Saddle River, NJ, need this expertise. What are some of the differences? Let’s take a look:

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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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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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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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Waldwick Heating Installation Checklist: What You Should Consider Before Upgrading

Wednesday, January 18th, 2012

Many Waldwick homeowners who heat their homes with an older heating system—whether it’s a furnace, boiler, or heat pump—may want to consider upgrading to a more efficient system. Older furnaces with an AFUE rating of less than 80%, for instance, could be costing you a lot more than you realize in heating bills.

While it is a significant initial investment, upgrading to a more efficient furnace or heat pump will pay for itself in energy savings. Before you decide on whether or not an upgrade is right for your home, here are some things to keep in mind.

Fuel Costs

Some types of fuel, such as electricity, are more expensive in certain areas. Depending on where you live, you may want to compare the cost of fuel before choosing a heating upgrade. In fact, natural gas may or may not be available to your home. Check with your utility company to find out what types of fuel are available and which ones would be more cost-efficient for heating your home. You can always call a qualified HVAC technician at COMPANY NAME if you have any questions about a heating system upgrade or the products we offer.

Insulation

Whenever you are thinking about upgrading your heating system, you’ll want to make sure your home is properly insulated and sealed. If you purchase and install a highly efficient furnace, it won’t save as much in energy bills if your house is poorly insulated. Get a home energy audit with a local energy resource organization if you aren’t sure. You might want to also consider upgrading your old windows and doors, or installing storm doors and windows to improve air tightness.

Property Value

A lot of Waldwick homeowners forget that any upgrade or remodeling project will increase the value of their home. Not only will a heating system upgrade lower your heating bills; it will also add value to your home and property. Always make sure you choose the right system for your home so that it lasts as long as possible.

If you are considering upgrading the heating system in your Waldwick home, call DB Heating & Cooling, Inc.to speak with one of our HVAC experts to ask about our quality products and installation services.

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How to Make Your Bergen County Heating System More Effective

Wednesday, December 7th, 2011

Everyone in Bergen County wants an effective heating system – one that will provide steady, reliable heat without you having to spend hundreds of dollars each month on gas, oil or electricity. And while the best way to improve the efficiency of your heating system in most cases is to upgrade it, there are some simple things you can do around the house to boost its effectiveness. Here are some of the best:

  • Rearrange Furniture – Just having the heat on doesn’t necessarily ensure the heat entering your room is being distributed evenly. Move your furniture in such a way that there is a clear, unimpeded path from the registers and radiators to the rest of the room. Done properly, this will make it much easier to and faster to heat every room of your house.
  • Maximize Air Flow – Air flow can be maximized in a number of ways. Make sure you close any windows near a register or radiator and that you remove any large objects that might block air flow. You should also install things that can help move air like fans and always call someone in for changes to the arrangement of your vents or radiators.
  • Clean Registers or Radiators – The cleaner your radiators or dust registers are, the more efficiently they release their heat. Not only have that, but clean radiators and registers resulted in better indoor air quality. Weekly cleaning of each room’s heating source is highly recommended.
  • Install Ceiling Fans – Ceiling fans switched to blow down are incredibly effective for distributing air throughout the room. This will keep push warm air down and keeps cold air up – in effect, reducing the need for constant running of your furnace or boiler.

Effective heating is important to keep your home comfortable, reduce the cost of heating and prolong the lifespan of your furnace or boiler. You should also make sure your heating system is properly maintained throughout the year. Skipping maintenance visits (which are highly recommended annually) will put unnecessary stress on your system and shorten its lifespan substantially, not to mention the decrease in efficiency when heating your home.

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Happy Thanksgiving!

Thursday, November 24th, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving!  We have a lot to be thankful for this year, especially all of our great customers! Have a very happy holiday with your family, friends, and loved ones. And don’t forget that Thanksgiving is also about amazing food; here is a recipe from allrecipes.com for some Sugar Coated Pecans that will add a little something extra to your day:

Sugar Coated Pecans

“These slow-roasted whole pecans coated in an egg white and sugar glaze spiced with cinnamon make a wonderful snack for any occasion.”

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 egg white
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1 pound pecan halves
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C). Grease one baking sheet.
  2. In a mixing bowl, whip together the egg white and water until frothy. In a separate bowl, mix together sugar, salt, and cinnamon.
  3. Add pecans to egg whites, stir to coat the nuts evenly. Remove the nuts, and toss them in the sugar mixture until coated. Spread the nuts out on the prepared baking sheet.
  4. Bake at 250 degrees F (120 degrees C) for 1 hour. Stir every 15 minutes.

For more details, click here.

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Heating System Preventative Maintenance: A Guide from Hackensack

Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011

Ben Franklin once said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” His famous quotation can apply to many things in life, including the heating system in your Hackensack home. While heating systems in Ben Franklin’s time consisted of wood burning stove and fireplaces requiring little maintenance, today’s sophisticated furnaces and building controls require a good dose of preventative maintenance in order to avoid mechanical failures and inefficient operation.

For example, a furnace runs better and lasts longer when you maintain a regular schedule of filter cleaning or replacing. A dirty or clogged filter can restrict airflow from the furnace into your home’s ventilation system and cause the furnace to work harder, putting more wear and tear on it and taking months, if not years, off of its useful life. If your furnace uses disposable filters, check them every month and replace them if necessary. If your furnace uses an electronic filter that requires cleaning, check it on a monthly or semi-monthly basis and clean it with soapy water and a hose. Be aware of the change of seasons which could add extra pollutants into the air like pollens, ragweed, and cottonwood. This debris easily finds its way into the filters and creates an unhealthy indoor environment.

You can also perform a simple visual inspection of working components inside your furnace by removing the access cover and checking – with a flashlight – for loose fan belts, frayed electrical wires, or a build-up of dirt and dust. Simple solutions include tightening or replacing belts, repairing wiring, and vacuuming out dirt and dust with a hose attachment. All of these actions will keep your furnace working better and prevent future failures.

You can also do a visual check of your home’s ventilation system, paying close attention to any cracks in duct seams or holes in flex ductwork. Using sealing cement or duct tape can usually fix these problems and allow for better, unrestricted air flow. Again, these actions will help your furnace work more efficiently and avoid premature failures.

Maybe the best advice for preventing heating system breakdowns is to have a regular maintenance schedule with a local qualified heating contractor. Most contractors can set you up with annual furnace and ventilation system inspections. Having a service agreement – as a rule – gives you priority emergency repairs and discounts on parts and services. Besides that, planned maintenance is also preventative maintenance, something that will give you peace of mind in the long run.

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