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

The Steps of a Professional Furnace Installation

Monday, February 7th, 2022

technician-working-on-furnaceThe last thing any New Jersey homeowner needs in the middle of winter is a heating system that’s malfunctioning, right?

If you’ve come upon this blog post, however, and you want to know how to install a furnace, chances are you need heat now. Unfortunately, though, this really isn’t a purchase or a job you want to rush into.

In fact, we’re not even sharing these steps with you so that you can do the furnace installation job yourself. This could actually do more harm than good, and can be unsafe–especially if it is a gas-powered furnace we’re talking about. We’re sharing these tips so that you can see just how important it is to only trust a trained, experienced, and licensed professional to complete your furnace installation.

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How Can a Smart Thermostat Save My Household Money?

Monday, September 27th, 2021

“Smart homes” have become quite the catchphrase. “Smart” devices have grown increasingly popular in recent years, granting us everything from iPhones and smartwatches to even smart coffee makers. Modern technology has made operating our households much more convenient and efficient. And then there are smart thermostats, which are changing the way in which homeowners are able to interact with their HVAC systems, improving their efficiency and lowering their monthly utility costs.

Too often, folks hold onto their old, outdated thermostats for years before considering an upgrade. But we’re here to tell you that replacing your thermostat with a smart model can give your heating and cooling systems the boost they’ve long been needing. Read on as we outline a few of the reasons you should consider the installation of a smart thermostat.

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What Is the Difference Between an Air Cleaner and an Air Purifier?

Friday, March 13th, 2015

There’s a lot of terminology that gets thrown when it comes to whole-home products and systems. Indoor air quality is one such area that has its fair share of terminology, and it can be confusing for homeowners to know exactly which products do what. For instance, take air cleaners and air purifiers – what’s the difference between these two products? It’s important to know the difference so that you can get your indoor air quality needs met, and the experts at DB Heating & Cooling are here to help you.

Air Cleaners

“Air cleaners” is a broad term that refers to any kind of indoor air quality product that cleans the air – however, an air cleaner is not an air purifier. This means that an air cleaner, like a mechanical air filter, will not be able to remove all biological contaminants, including bacteria, viruses and spores (mold, mildew, fungi). Why? Biological contaminant particles are very small and can pass through filter media. Electronic air cleaners can capture more biological contaminants because electronic air cleaners charge the particles and then capture them, but like mechanical filters, not all the biological contaminants can be trapped. Here are the products that are considered air cleaners:

  • Mechanical air filters (not HEPA)
  • Electrostatic precipitators (electronic air cleaner)
  • Ion generator (electronic air cleaner)

Air Purifiers

An air purifier is a device that will remove biological contaminants from your indoor air. The main indoor air quality product that does this is UV germicidal lighting. UV lighting utilizes UV-C rays to destroy and eradicate biological contaminants by destroying the cell’s DNA and life-sustaining proteins. As such, the cells cannot survive or reproduce. However, for UV lighting to kill biological contaminants, the organism has to pass directly under the lighting, so it’s best to pair UV germicidal lighting with an air cleaner.

HEPA mechanical filters can also purify the air, but they are so strong that they can restrict air flow in your HVAC system. If you are interested in using a HEPA-grade mechanical filter in your HVAC system, work with a specialist to determine if this is feasible for your HVAC system.

If you have questions about what type of product(s) you should be using for your Waldwick home, call the experts at DB Heating & Cooling today.

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How Does a Ductless Mini Spit Work for Heating?

Monday, November 10th, 2014

Ductless mini-split systems are a fairly new addition to the heating system market. Though they are gaining in popularity, there are few who know how ductless systems actually work. Let’s take a look at what ductless mini-split systems do, and why you might want one.

What is a Ductless Mini-Split?

Most ductless mini-split systems are essentially heat pumps. Rather than rely on combustion to create heat, a heat pump moves heat from one place to another. A ductless mini-split is constructed of two different units, an interior and exterior. When the heat is turned on, the exterior unit evaporates the refrigerant in its heating coil, drawing thermal energy out of the air and into the coil. This absorbed thermal energy is then sent to the interior unit by way of the refrigerant line, where it is used to warm and circulate the air in the room. A ductless mini-split system has no ducts, obviously, and can only heat one room at a time.

Why Install a Ductless Mini-Split?

The first thing you should consider before choosing a ductless mini-split system is what eschewing ducts can do for you. Systems that use ducts lose about 20-30% of their heat on average to leaks in the ductwork. That’s a substantial waste of energy, and it results in a higher heating bill. Ductless systems deliver warm air directly from the unit to the room, completely avoiding the loss of heat and saving you money. Since ductless systems are already energy efficient (by virtue of moving heat instead of creating it) installing one can save you a sizeable amount over time.

Though you may be tempted to consider it a disadvantage to only be able to heat one room at a time, remember that multiple ductless mini-splits can be installed in a home at once. Each ductless unit will have its own corresponding thermostat, allowing you unparalleled control over which rooms you want heated and to which temperature. This will allow all the members of your household to determine the climate that is most comfortable for them, which central heating cannot do.

If you’re interested in installing a ductless mini-split system, call DB Heating & Cooling. We install ductless heating throughout the Waldwick area.

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How Can a New Thermostat Improve AC Performance?

Monday, August 25th, 2014

Your thermostat is responsible for telling your air conditioner when to cycle on and off. It also tells your AC what temperature to maintain. Doesn’t it make sense that you should have a thermostat that is accurate and reliable? Thermostats can age and wear just like any other part of your air conditioning system, and if your thermostat starts to malfunction, it can wreak havoc on your system and your indoor comfort. In addition, today’s thermostats are made to be more efficient, so holding on to that old dial or slide thermostat may be costing you money in monthly energy bills. A new thermostat installation in Waldwick can have a number of benefits, and DB Heating & Cooling has several options from which to choose.

Types of Thermostats

There are 3 main types of thermostats from which to choose:

  • Digital
  • Programmable
  • Smart

How Do Thermostats Improve AC Performance?

Digital

One of the most important aspects of upgrading to a digital thermostat is the precision at which you can set it. Dial and slide thermostats are imprecise and can be off – sometimes by 2-3 degrees. In addition, mercury-based dial thermostats have to be properly calibrated, or your temperatures could be way off.

Programmable

Programmable thermostats allow you to set how you want to cool (or heat) your home in 7-day time periods; you can leave a specific program on a continual loop or change it as needed. With programming, you can accommodate for times of low-or-no occupancy in your home, weekends and even vacation time periods. This helps reduce your energy usage as well as the operation time of your AC.

Smart

Smart thermostats use wireless technology, so your thermostat can be accessed and programmed from any smart device at virtually any time. This gives you tremendous control over your cooling (and heating), as well as data on your energy usage.

Upgrading your thermostat can help with comfort, energy efficiency and the performance of your air conditioner.

Is it time for you to consider the installation of a new thermostat in Waldwick? Call DB Heating & Cooling and schedule an appointment with one of our specialists.

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How to Know You Need Commercial Control System Repair in Waldwick

Monday, July 21st, 2014

A central control system for a commercial building is designed to make life easier. A central control system can handle the operation of multiple air conditioners and heaters, humidity controls, air handlers, zone dampers, lighting, fire alarms, and security systems. In many ways, one of these centralized systems is like having an ideal universal remote control for your home: instead of requiring a small army of remote controls to take care of the television, the Blu-ray player, the amplifier, and the streaming device, you can have all the power integrated into a single, handy device.

Any control that oversees such an intricate, wide-ranging network of systems can malfunction. When you depend on a control system for your commercial building, you can’t afford to let faults lead to issues with security, comfort, lighting, and energy efficiency. At the first sign that you need skilled commercial control system repair in Waldwick, NJ, contact DB Heating & Cooling, where we have 24-hour emergency service from skilled technicians for commercial systems.

Watch for signs that you need control system repair

  • The system alerts you itself: One of the advantages of an automated, integrated system that controls multiple functions throughout the building is that it will alert you when something is wrong with one of the systems it controls… including itself. Make sure that you keep a close watch on diagnostic warnings from the system that will inform you that it is having problems correctly operating.
  • Energy waste: Of course, the control system will not always detect that it is malfunctioning. One of the ways you can tell that it is developing problems is from an increase in your energy bills. A control system monitors energy use in the HVAC system and the lighting, and if it begins to run these inefficiently, you will notice higher bills. Have technicians first check the individual systems to see if they are experiencing repair needs, and then look into the control system to see if the fault lies there.
  • Uneven temperatures: The most important part of a commercial building under central control is the HVAC system. Loss of effective control over this system will result in uneven temperatures throughout the building because of miscalibrated thermostats, dampers in the ductwork opening and shutting at the incorrect times, and the compressor activating and shutting down when it shouldn’t. If nothing seems wrong with the HVAC system itself, the issue may come from a faulty control system.

A building with integrated and automated controls allows for a more comfortable, energy-efficient, and work-efficient environment. We can also take care of the regular maintenance that will prevent repairs in the future.

Do not lose these advantages because you neglected commercial control system repair in Waldwick, NJ when you needed it. At the first sign of trouble, call DB Heating & Cooling.

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What Kinds of Tools Are Used in Duct Sealing?

Monday, July 14th, 2014

One of the great misunderstandings of home repairs is that “duct tape” is useful for repairing broken ducts. But duct tape is essentially worthless for this job, although it can help in hundreds of other ways for household chores. This misconception of the purpose of duct tape goes back to the 1950s, when what was until then called “duck tape” received a deceptive new name.

When it comes to sealing ducts, you need to rely on professionals who use a set of special tools for the job that are out of the reach of most consumers. Sealing ducts doesn’t only involve special tools, but also special training. If you require duct sealing in Waldick, NJ, call up only trained technicians to handle it. The indoor air quality experts at DB Heating & Cooling will bring the best tools and top-quality training to the job of sealing your leaky ventilation system.

The tools used in professional air duct sealing

  • Leak detectors: A key part of the process of sealing ducts is to locate where the leaks are. The technicians turn on the HVAC system to send air through the ductwork and use detectors that contain a fan and a pressure sensor to track down where the ducts are losing pressure and how large the leaks are. This will give the technicians a good idea of how much work needs to be done and what sort of methods will work. (For example, in cases of extreme leaks, they may suggest replacing sections of the ducts.)
  • Mastic sealant: Mastic is a resin-based sealant which technicians apply to gaps and leaks using a caulking gun. Mastic will stick to most surfaces and remain flexible even after it dries, making it resistant to breaking when the gaps expand and contract during temperature changes. It also keeps a smooth surface to offer little resistance to airflow.
  • Metallic tape: This is true “duct tape,” metal foil used to create actual mechanical seals along damaged ducts. Some technicians prefer these tapes to mastic sealant because they have an even higher durability to temperature changes and do not age as rapidly. However, whether a duct sealer uses metallic tape of sealant to fix a leak will usually depend on the size and location of the gap. Skilled technicians will know the right method for each situation.

Let the professionals take care of your leaky ducts

We will send out a team to handle the duct sealing in Waldick, NJ that you need to restore your ventilation system to like-new condition.

When you have damaged ductwork, place the duct tape aside to seal up boxes for storage in the attic. Call DB Heating & Cooling and speak to our professional air quality technicians.

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How Does a Whole-Home Dehumidifier Work?

Friday, July 11th, 2014

As we head into the most humid time of the year in New Jersey, you may be wondering what you can do to reduce excess humidity in your home. Even though your air conditioner removes humidity as part of the cooling process, your AC will need to work harder in order to sustain the temperature at which you set your thermostat when humidity is high. But there is a way to help your air conditioner through periods of excessive humidity that can help you be more comfortable, too: consider installing a whole-home dehumidifier to your air conditioner in Waldwick.

What Happens When You Dehumidify?

The comfortable range for humidity is anywhere from 30-60%. During June, July, August and September, the humidity averages for New Jersey are anywhere from 58-87%. To dehumidify the air, a dehumidifier collects the air around it, runs the air over cool coils, pulls the excess moisture from it, and sends the air back dry. The water from the humidity is removed from the house via the condensate pipe that drains into your sewer. Typically, a dehumidifier is set to a specific humidity level so that the space doesn’t become too dry. When you consider how much extra humidity we can have during the summer months, it is easy to see where a dehumidifier can benefit your home and air conditioning system.

Other Benefits of a Whole-Home Dehumidifier

There are other benefits to installing a whole-home dehumidifier other than making your space more comfortable:

  • Help with allergies – allergies can be exasperated by excessive moisture in your home. Not only does moisture promote mold and mildew growth, dust mites flourish with it. By removing the excess moisture in your indoor air, you can help prevent mold, mildew and dust mites from proliferating.
  • Better energy efficiency – your air conditioner can remove only so much humidity. In times of excess humidity, it will have to work harder to achieve the same level of comfort in your home. By giving it a boost in the form of a dehumidifier, you’ll help your AC to run more effectively and efficiently.
  • Less strain on your system – when it’s hot and humid, it is inevitable that your air conditioner will be working more. Having a tool that helps remove the excess humidity means your system doesn’t have to overwork to make everyone comfortable.

Don’t Like That Sticky Feeling? Call Us

Humidity makes everything feel heavy, icky and sticky, and it feels the same to your air conditioner. Help your AC work more effectively and efficiently by considering the installation of a whole-home dehumidifier.

DB Heating & Cooling experts are here to help answer any questions you may have about installing a whole-home dehumidifier in Waldwick, so give us a call.

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How Does Zone Air Conditioning Work in a Centralized System

Friday, May 16th, 2014

If you’re in the market for a new air conditioner, you may have heard the term “zone control system” batted around. Or you may have seen a modular zone control system, with multiple small units placed in different rooms of a given house. Zone control systems offer the benefit of fine tuning your environment – setting one temperature in the kitchen and another in the living room for example – but if you own a centralized air conditioner, you may have thought that zone control isn’t compatible with your system. Nothing could be further from the truth. Upgrades exist that let you retrofit your central system with zone controls, allowing you to set different temperatures in different rooms and even turn off the air in parts of the house you aren’t using. If you’re looking into zone air conditioning, Waldwick has the services you need.

How does zone air conditioning work in a centralized system?

Your centralized system relies on a series of ducts to transport the cooled air. The ducts branch out from the unit itself to cover every room in your home, using hidden areas like the attic or crawlspace to hold them. When you upgrade to a zone control system, the technician installs a series of valves and controls at each junction to the ductwork, along with thermostats in each room to control whether the valves are open or closed. With them in place, you can achieve the same effect as ductless zone control systems, guiding the cool air where it needs to go or cutting it off from rooms you aren’t using. As a result, the air conditioner wastes less energy and allows you to tailor the temperature to suit individual comfort levels.

If you know how zone air conditioning works in a centralized system, you know how important it is to contact a qualified technician to install it. And if you’re interested in a centralized version of zone air conditioning, Waldwick has an answer with the experts at DB Heating & Cooling.

Give the zone air conditioning experts at DB Heating & Cooling a call today to set up a consultation and let us show you what we can do!

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How Can I Keep My Heater as Reliable as Possible?

Monday, December 9th, 2013

To make it through a New Jersey winter, you need to have a heating system you can depend on to keep you warm without malfunctions or abrupt shutdowns. There are few things worse than having to spend a few chilly hours waiting for repair technicians to come to your home (on a day when they are likely already busy with numerous emergency calls) to service a broken heater.

We have some tips on how you can help your heater work reliably for you during this winter season. For more assistance with your heating system, including expert repairs and maintenance, contact DB Heating & Cooling—24 hours a day, 7 days of the week.

Tips for reliable heating in Waldwick, NJ

  • Schedule repairs the moment you need them: If you notice a minor malfunction in your heating system—a few cold rooms, a strange noise from your furnace cabinet, rust spots on your boiler, or odd smells from the vents—don’t simply shrug it off or delay repairs until something more serious occurs. Trust to our experience in this field: the problem will not get better on its own. Your heater will soon start to develop far worse troubles if you don’t have the issue repaired professionally.
  • Prevent your heater from overworking: The best way to stop your heater from developing the stress that will lead to breakdowns is to make sure your house is well-insulated with all potential heat leaks sealed (weather stripping around doors, windows caulked, effective attic insulation). The better your house traps heat, the less work the heater will need to do to maintain a comfortable temperature. Also refrain from turning the thermostat up too high: keep in mind that the thermostat is a switch, not a throttle, so turning the heat up to 90°F won’t warm your home faster; it will make the heater work longer to reach the target temperature. Keep the thermostat set to lower temperatures, such as 68°F, and put on an extra layer of clothes.
  • Schedule regular preventive maintenance: Your heater needs to receive annual check-ups to see that all its components are working properly and not suffering from too much wear or possible repair needs. During maintenance, a technician will tune-up your heater so that it will continue to perform efficiently, and also make any repairs necessary to ward off possible malfunctions and breakdowns. Routine maintenance is the surest way to keep your heater reliable.

DB Heating & Cooling offers maintenance programs customized for each home; we’ll find the best way to protect your heating in Waldwick, NJ all through the winter. We can also take care of any repairs, whether preventive or emergency, to make your house warm and cozy once more.

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