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

Yes, a Cracked Heat Exchanger in Your Furnace IS Dangerous

Monday, January 21st, 2019

A cracked heat exchanger is one of those furnace issues that should not—well, cannot—be ignored. Not only is it something that most often happens to aging furnaces that are just about at the end of their lifespan anyway, a cracked heat exchanger is dangerous. It enables carbon monoxide—a tasteless and odorless, yet hazardous, gas—to make its way into your living space.

If you suspect your heater is experiencing this problem, or that you have a gas leak, we would encourage you to call your utility company’s emergency line, first and foremost. If you want help in preventing this from happening, then give our team a call for professional Oradell, NJ heating services, such as maintenance.

Tags: Heating Services, Oradell
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on Yes, a Cracked Heat Exchanger in Your Furnace IS Dangerous

Why Isn’t My Heat Pump Cooling?

Monday, July 27th, 2015

Many homeowners with heat pump systems will sing the praises of the unit, and it’s understandable why. They are very energy efficient and can supply your home with both heating and cooling. However, if you’ve had the unfortunate experience of realizing that your heat pump isn’t cooling as needed, then you know that, like all other HVAC systems, your heat pump will need repair at some point. There are a few reasons that can cause your heat pump to have problems cooling your home:

Tags: Heat Pump Repair, Oradell
Posted in Air Conditioning, Heat Pump Systems | Comments Off on Why Isn’t My Heat Pump Cooling?

Zone Control: Great for Cooling and Heating

Monday, April 6th, 2015

As we get ready to transition to a different season, you may be wondering if there’s a whole home solution that can help you maintain comfort in each area of your home in Oradell, NJ, no matter what the temperature may be outside. The good news is, there is, and it’s called zone control.

What Is Zone Control?

Zone control is the name for a temperature control system that integrates with your home’s ductwork. The system is comprised of a series of motorized dampers that are installed into the supply ductwork of your home, and their operation is controlled by a main control panel.

The first step to the installation of any zone control system is hiring a trained expert to perform the work, and this is where DB Heating & Cooling comes in. Our experts have been helping customers with their heating and cooling needs for many years, and we can install, repair and replace your zone control system. The second step of the installation involves designating the zones. As the homeowner, you will work with your technician to clearly define what the zones will be. Zones can be independent rooms, a group of rooms, or an entire floor – the decision is up to you. Once the zones are established, the technician will install the dampers and the main control board, and then install a thermostat in each zone. The dampers and thermostats are connected to the main control panel, which opens and closes the dampers as needed to maintain the temperature that has been set in each zone. Zone control works for both heating and cooling, allowing you tremendous control over your HVAC system year-round.

Benefits of a Zone Control System

Customized comfort is only one of several benefits a zone control system can offer your home:

Better energy efficiency – with zone control, you have the ability to cool only what you need to, reducing the amount of cool air you need; less cool air means less operation for your AC.
Less stress on your system – in addition to using less energy, less operation also means less wear and tear on your air conditioner, which helps reduce the system’s level of wear and tear.

Interested to see what a zone control system can do for your home? Call us today and schedule an appointment!

Tags: Air Conditioning, Oradell, Zone Control
Posted in Energy Savings | Comments Off on Zone Control: Great for Cooling and Heating

How Do Ducts Become Damaged?

Thursday, January 8th, 2015

Most ductwork is hidden behind walls, attics and crawlspaces, so it can be hard to know when problems have developed. It can also lead you to wonder: how did this happen? Isn’t the ductwork protected by being inside the house? The answer to this is: not always. And while ductwork has a relatively long lifespan – an average of 30 years – this doesn’t mean it stands soundly for 30 years without any problems. So how can ductwork become damaged? Let’s take a look:

Rust/Corrosion

Most ductwork is metal, and when metal meets any kind of moisture, it can oxidize the metal, creating rust. Excess moisture can come from leaks, humidity and even rain; the problem is that once the corrosion starts, it can be very hard to stop unless it is caught quickly enough. Rust and corrosion can lead to cracks and holes, which can cause your energy bills to soar, among other problems.

Infestations

No one likes to think about critters or insects taking up residence in their ductwork, but it does happen, and fairly frequently. Mice, squirrels and raccoons love to hunker down during winter inside areas like ductwork because it’s warm and protected; insects can be worse because they’ll stay year-round. Not only are these infestations unhealthy for you, they are unhealthy for your ductwork as animals and insects create nests, which can damage the inside of your ductwork.

Collapse

Sections of ductwork can collapse, particularly if there is extensive corrosion that has destroyed the seals. Collapsed ductwork can become bent or dented, and may have to be fully replaced, depending on the level of damage it has sustained.

Damaged ductwork is faulty ductwork, and faulty ductwork isn’t good for you, your home or your heating system. If you are seeing the signs of damaged ductwork, including excess dust, dirt and moisture, strange smells and/or high energy bills, don’t wait to repair your ductwork in Oradell.

Call DB Heating & Cooling today and schedule an appointment with one of our experts.

Tags: Duct Repair, Oradell
Posted in Energy Savings, Indoor Air Quality | Comments Off on How Do Ducts Become Damaged?

What Makes Commercial HVAC Service So Different from Residential?

Friday, January 2nd, 2015

Licensed contractors will always warn against choosing amateur for heating and air conditioning repair, maintenance, and installation, especially when it comes to commercial HVAC services. Commercial technicians are trained specifically to handle large commercial systems. Now, you may already know that a commercial heating and AC system is generally bigger than a residential unit. But besides that, what makes these systems so different? Why wouldn’t a residential technician be able to handle a commercial unit as well?

The fact is that commercial units aren’t just a little bit bigger in size; they’re much larger and far more complex. Commercial heating and air conditioning systems are designed to heat or cool spaces that have multiple stories or expansive floor plans. This means that many commercial units have a zone control system so that all of the clients, employees, and/or residents in the building can control their areas independently of the others. And while residential homes can have a zone control system installed as well, it’s certainly not as involved as a commercial HVAC system.

The control system alone needed for installing a commercial unit is quite intricate. This contains the gateway from the thermostat to the air conditioning and heating unit and all of the safety devices, zone control ports, and other electrical components involved therein. When a technician comes to service your unit, it should be simple enough to determine which switches manage which components quickly so that the necessary repairs can then be completed, but this is not an easy task for an amateur.

Someone who was never trained on complex commercial units will most likely take a longer time to perform repairs and handle maintenance as they must spend much of the visit searching for the different parts and controls and locating problem areas. And installation is quite a chore for the untrained eye since these systems are not only large and complicated, but they also are designed in a different way than the average residential unit. Residential systems may have an indoor and an outdoor unit, but a commercial system may be packaged, with all of the components, including the air handler, located outside, generally on the roof.

DB Heating & Cooling can take care of any of your professional heating and cooling needs with quality commercial HVAC services in Oradell.

Tags: Commercial HVAC, Oradell
Posted in Energy Savings | Comments Off on What Makes Commercial HVAC Service So Different from Residential?

Finding an Energy Efficient System for Air Conditioning Replacement

Monday, September 8th, 2014

Your air conditioner has served you well over the years, but it’s nearly the end of the summer, and you want a new system for the next cooling season that will keep your home cool for years to come. Air conditioning replacement is a great step to take towards saving some money every month on cooling costs. While your older air conditioner may have been energy efficient when it was purchased, you probably noticed higher energy bills around the end of your time with it.

This is because, over time, the parts of an air conditioner begin to wear out, meaning your system must work harder to get your home to the desired temperature. Since your system must run for longer periods of time, your bills go up, and you may compensate by running the AC for shorter periods of time or setting a higher temperature. But for your new air conditioner, you want a system that is energy efficient and also won’t fall short when it comes to performance.

You’re in luck! The U.S. government mandates that all air conditioners sold in the U.S. must come with an EnergyGuide label giving pertinent information about the energy efficiency of a unit. The first number you’ll find on this label is the SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio). The SEER is a number that indicates efficiency, and it is measured by calculating the amount of energy a system uses to cool a given space in a typical cooling season. A higher SEER indicates greater efficiency.

You should also look for the ENERGY STAR symbol when choosing air conditioning replacement. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency only awards ENERGY STAR to systems that meet high standards of performance and emit fewer pollutants than other air conditioners. While an AC only needs to have a SEER of 13 or higher to be sold in the U.S., ENERGY STAR systems must have a SEER of 14 or higher.

Purchasing an energy-efficient system is not enough to ensure the unit continues to save you money. An air conditioner must be the proper size in order to run efficiently.

You should call a technician once per year for professional AC maintenance. To find the right choice for your air conditioning replacement in Oradell, call DB Heating & Cooling today!

Tags: Air Conditioning Replacement, Oradell
Posted in Air Conditioning | Comments Off on Finding an Energy Efficient System for Air Conditioning Replacement

3 Reasons You Need Your Air Conditioning Installation Done Professionally

Friday, May 9th, 2014

You’ve put a lot of effort into making your home comfortable. Adding an air conditioning system can increase that comfort level tremendously – when it’s done correctly. When it’s not, you may run into some serious problems. Below are 3 important reasons to have an air conditioning installation in Oradell done professionally by a DB Heating & Cooling expert.

Top 3 Reasons to Call an Expert

Reason 1: Correct Installation

An air conditioning/HVAC system is not a simple mechanical device; it is complex, with multiple different components and many different parts. It needs refrigerant to run and has to be tied into your electrical and heating systems. The bottom line: the margin for error can be wide – and potentially dangerous – when installing your own AC; the smarter, and potentially more economically sound decision, is to schedule an expert installation.

Reason 2: Time Consumption

A new air conditioning system installation takes time, and if you’ve never done this kind of work before, it can take a lot of time. How much time are you prepared to give up in order to properly install your air conditioning system? Are you willing to let your home be potentially hot and uncomfortable while you do it? A trained professional brings both expertise and speed to a new air conditioner installation, ensuring that the install happens quickly and correctly.

Reason 3: Calculating the Correct Air Conditioner Capacity for Your Property

Installing an air conditioner that is either too large or too small for your home can result in a number of problems that may require air conditioning repair down the road. To ensure you are getting the right size system for your property, a calculation of your home’s size, insulation and heat gain needs to be determined. A professional AC installer does this type of calculation as part of his/her job, so it’s better to let an experienced specialist handle it.

Save Money with a Professional

DB Heating & Cooling offers air conditioning installation in both residential and commercial properties.

Let us help you with your air conditioning installation in Oradell, and help you save some money at the same time – schedule a consultation with DB Heating & Cooling today.

Tags: Air Conditioning Installation, Oradell
Posted in Air Conditioning | Comments Off on 3 Reasons You Need Your Air Conditioning Installation Done Professionally

Ways to Save Money on Your Cooling Bills This Summer

Thursday, April 10th, 2014

The average length of time a central air conditioner runs over a summer is 6 hours per day, which can mean using approximately 900 kilowatt/hours (kWh) of energy per month. However, you can find a more specific answer for how much it takes to power your AC. If you look at the cabinet of your air conditioner, you’ll find the wattage of your system. Multiply this by the amount of hours you use your AC each day in summer, and you’ll have an idea how much power your system consumes daily. Now take a look at a recent utility bill to find out you’re paying for electricity per kWh. Using basic multiplication, you can determine the monthly estimate of what you’ll pay during the summer to cool down your house.

There are ways to shave money off these bills, however. Here are some tips to achieve a more energy-efficient performance from your AC this summer. DB Heating & Cooling can help you save money with repairs, installation, and air conditioning maintenance in Oradell, NJ.

Tips to lower AC costs this summer

Upgrade your thermostat: Thermostat technology continues to evolve, and each advance increases the efficiency of the systems they operate. With a wireless thermostat, you’ll have better control over your AC, capable of turning it on and off remotely, from any spot with Wi-Fi access. Newer thermostats also have more accurate temperature settings than older models: you’ll have increased comfort as well as a reduced need to keep the air conditioner running.
Raise the temperature a few degrees: People often set their air conditioning as low as possible, but consider that each degree you set you thermostat below 78°F will raise energy use by 3–4%. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends 72°F as a comfortable temperature for most situations. Also try to avoid AC use during any outdoor temperature lower than 80°F.
Change the filter regularly: The air filter prevents debris from entering the AC cabinet and damaging internal components. But if it becomes too clogged, it will cut down on airflow, and this will force the air conditioner to drain more electricity. Replace the filter regularly during the summer.
Schedule a maintenance visit: It’s mandatory for an AC to receive an annual check-up and inspection from a professional. This ensures longevity and prevents unnecessary repairs. But it also cleans and adjusts the system so it runs at its most efficient. Even going for just one year without maintenance can mean a 20% increase in energy use in an air conditioner.

Let DB Heating & Cooling give your AC the best start possible for the summer: with a professional check-up and tune-up. Call us today to schedule air conditioning maintenance in Oradell, NJ.

Tags: Energy Savings, Oradell
Posted in Energy Savings | Comments Off on Ways to Save Money on Your Cooling Bills This Summer

3 Ways You Can Avoid Heating Emergencies

Wednesday, March 12th, 2014

At DB Heating & Cooling, we consider offering 24-hour emergency service a basic part of our job. We know that when heating emergencies strike, they won’t choose a time when it’s convenient for you. If your heater breaks down on Sunday at 6 pm during a cold snap, you don’t want to wait until business opens at 9 am on Monday to reach someone who can help. We have our technicians ready whenever your heater fails so you won’t have to wait long in the cold.

Of course, nobody wants to call late at night about a heating emergency. We have some advice on how you can avoid emergency failures with your heating in Oradell, NJ. With a bit of precaution, you can keep calls for repairs to a minimum.

Schedule regular maintenance: We put this one first because it is the #1 way to keep your heater running—no matter if it’s a furnace heat pump, or boiler—with few repairs. Regular maintenance is sometimes called preventive maintenance because it prevents repairs and breakdowns. A technician comes to your home and inspects your heating system to find where it needs adjustments and cleaning. After your annual visit, you’ll have a heater running with less stress and a reduced danger of suffering malfunctions and a breakdown.
Leap on minor repairs quickly: Most major breakdowns start with smaller malfunctions and warning signs. These include strange noises from the cabinet, odd smells from the vents, uneven warmth and cold spots, and sudden rises in energy costs. If you think something is going wrong with your heater, schedule routine repairs so that you won’t have to scramble for the phone at 3 am one night.
Do not overstress the heater: Too often we’ve seen homeowners push their thermostat up to its top setting because they think this will lead to better comfort faster. It doesn’t. The higher setting will make the heater work longer to reach the target temperature, and you’ll end up with a dry, stuffy house. Worse, you’ll put tremendous strain on the heater that could lead to an emergency breakdown. Keep the temperature on the thermostat down at a lower level that you find comfortable and keep it there. We recommend starting at 72°F during waking hours and make necessary adjustments from there.

You can’t avoid all emergencies

Even the best care and maintenance can’t stop all emergencies. If you need that late-night help for your heating in Oradell, NJ, contact our staff at DB Heating & Cooling. You can also sign up for maintenance with our expert technicians.

Tags: Heating Emergencies, Oradell
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on 3 Ways You Can Avoid Heating Emergencies

Is My Thermostat Causing Problems with My Heating System?

Tuesday, January 28th, 2014

It’s good to keep your thermostat in mind whenever you have issues with your furnace, heat pump, or boiler. No matter what type of heater you have, if the thermostat won’t work, the heater won’t work.

For heating repair in Oradell, NJ that extends from your thermostat to the innermost workings of your heater, call DB Heating & Cooling.

How Your Thermostat May be Causing Problems

The most frequent difficulty that heating specialists see with thermostats is a miscalibration in the heat sensor. Modern thermostats use a device called a thermistor to gauge heat; a thermistor registers electrical resistance that increases with the ambient heat, which a processor then translates into data for the system to read. A fault in the thermistor will make it sense incorrect temperatures, and it will start turning your heater on and off at the wrong times, leading to uneven heating or too much heating. Sometimes, the miscalibration will cause the heater not to turn on at all. Technicians can easily recalibrate the thermostat.

Electrical trouble can also plague thermostats. Most thermostats are connected to the heating system using five different wires, which control turning the heater and the fans on and off. Crossed and broken wires can cause the thermostat to lose its connection to the heater, or cause the heater and the fans to run continuously. Repair technicians with knowledge of thermostat wiring will need to fix this problem.

If you have an older manual thermostat, or even a standard digital model, you should consider upgrading to a programmable or wireless model. Even if the old thermostat isn’t creating “problems” for your heater, it is probably making it less efficient.

If you do not have training with HVAC repair, you will not be able to easily determine if a thermostat is causing the problems you are encountering with your heater. Professionals will need to make the diagnosis so they can provide targeted repairs.

DB Heating & Cooling is glad to assist you with any thermostat issues, as well as any heating repairs in Oradell, NJ that you might need.

Tags: Heating, Oradell, Thermostat
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on Is My Thermostat Causing Problems with My Heating System?