Posts Tagged ‘Paramus’

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Air Conditioning Repair in Paramus, NJ: My AC Won’t Reach Target Temperatures

Monday, April 22nd, 2013

As we slowly approach the cooling season in Paramus, NJ, homeowners throughout the area are beginning to turn on their ACs, in order to test their performance. It’s a great idea, especially considering how much we have to depend on our cooling systems to keep us comfortable during the summer heat and humidity. One of the most common concerns we hear from homeowners is, “My AC won’t reach target temperatures.” In this post, we’d like to address this problem, and explain some of its potential causes. However, in order to receive a professional diagnosis, you need a professional AC technician. For excellent air conditioning repair services in Paramus, NJ, call the experts at DB Heating & Cooling today!

  • Clogged air filter: You should check your air filter at least once a month during the cooling season, to make sure that it is clean. The air filter prevents the accumulation of dust and debris on your system components, in addition to providing auxiliary support as an indoor air quality device. When it becomes dirty or clogged, it will simply not do its job. It will reduce airflow, and may cause the evaporator coil to freeze over.
  • Thermostat malfunction: Proper thermostat operation is critical to adequate temperature control. Make sure that your thermostat is calling for the right temperature. If that doesn’t work, then you may have an electrical or wireless connectivity problem with your air handler. Alternatively, the thermostat may not be sensing the temperature correctly.
  • Condenser coils dirty: Make sure your condenser coils are clean and clear of debris at all times. Because they reside in your outdoor unit, they can easily become caked with organic matter and overgrown with vegetation. Keep the surrounding area clear of grass and other vegetation. Enroll in routine maintenance to have your coils routinely inspected and cleaned.

There are numerous reasons why your AC is not reaching your target temperatures. Now is a great time to ensure that your home is ready for summer. For air conditioning repair in Paramus, NJ, call the experts at DB Heating & Cooling today! 

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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..

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Woodcliff Lake, NJ Indoor Air Quality Tip: What are UV Germicidal Lights

Monday, January 28th, 2013

At DB Heating and Cooling, we get a lot of questions about UV (ultraviolet) germicidal lights and how they can improve indoor air quality in Woodcliff Lake, NJ area homes.  Basically, these lights destroy harmful microorganisms in the ductwork and other components of your heating and air conditioning system. This keeps any airborne pathogens from spreading throughout your home.  Here’s how they work:

UV germicidal lights are also called UVGI systems, and they use an ultraviolet light to destroy the DNA of harmful organisms, thereby killing them and rendering them incapable of reproducing at the same time. While UV germicidal lights are Ideal for medical facilities, office buildings, hotels, and schools, they can also be used in residential applications. UVGI systems are a cost-effective way to improve indoor air quality, and they can be installed with most existing heating and cooling systems.

UV germicidal lights can destroy pollutants that the air cleaners don’t target, but when used alongside air cleaners, UV lamps can provide even better protection against bacteria, viruses, and toxic mold spores. If you have known issues with moisture control or mold growth in your home, UV lights can improve indoor air quality by killing new mold growth; however, the moisture problem will need to be remedied to get the full effect.

If you think you might benefit from a UV germicidal light installation, call one of our Woodcliff Lake, NJ indoor air quality experts. We can answer all of your questions and address any concerns you may have about your indoor air quality. Call DB Heating and Cooling any time to set up a consultation!

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Popular Home Heating Options in Paramus, NJ

Monday, December 17th, 2012

If you are looking for a new home heating system and find that you are overwhelmed by the sheer amount of options on the market, don’t despair. You are not alone. Having a number of different options available is a great luxury to have, but a new home heating system is a big investment and you need to be sure that you are getting the best possible system for your home and personal heating habits. That is why it is so important that you work with a home heating expert from DB Heating & Cooling when considering which option is best for your Paramus, NJ home. Here is some basic information about some popular home heating options.

Furnaces

Furnaces are probably the most common type of heating systems available. Furnaces generally use electricity or natural gas as a fuel source. The air that they heat is sent into a ductwork system by a blower mechanism. The ductwork then distributes the heated air throughout your home and also supplies more air to be heated via return vents.

Heat Pumps

Like a furnace, heat pumps use a ductwork system to circulate heated air throughout your home. Heat pumps are unique in the way in which they heat that air, though. They do not consume a fuel but rather transfer existing heat into or out of your home. This heat transfer method makes them extremely efficient at heating your home.

Boilers

Furnaces and heat pumps can be very effective home heating options, but ductwork is a leading cause of energy loss in a number of homes. Boilers do not use a forced air system to distribute heat. Rather, hot water or steam from the boiler is circulated throughout your home. The heat is dispersed by radiators or baseboards. This eliminates energy loss associated with air ducts.

There is no “best” home heating option, but there is one out there that is best for your home. The heating professionals at DB Heating & Cooling can help you determine which option is best for you. Contact us today when considering a new heating option for your Paramus, NJ home.

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Why Your Business Needs HVAC Maintenance: A Paramus Commercial HVAC Tip

Monday, December 3rd, 2012

Have you ever walked into a business in Paramus whose HVAC system wasn’t working? It’s either too hot or too cold inside and you’re uncomfortable while you’re there. That isn’t a good impression. If you own a business or building in Paramus, you want to make sure that the HVAC system in your building is working well every single day that the doors are open.  At DB Heating & Cooling, Inc., we thought it would be helpful for our commercial customers if we put together a few reasons why regular maintenance is a good idea for your business.

Customer, Employee and Tenant Comfort

When you have people working, living or entering your building you want to make sure that they are comfortable. Whether they live, work or shop there, the climate in your building is critical to your success as a business.  Having a professional technician visit your building to regularly inspect and repair your HVAC equipment is a great way to make sure that it keeps running reliably and consistently.

Greater Efficiency

Over time, the HVAC equipment at your building in Paramus will start to break down. It’s a sad fact of life but eventually, this happens to everything. One of the best ways to slow down the ravages of time is to have your equipment regularly maintained. During the inspection of your building’s HVAC equipment, your heating technician will be able to spot small issues that could be hindering your systems’ performance. They can lubricate valves and fan bearings, change fan belts and blades and clean out debris that has accumulated on moving parts. Things like this go a long way to the overall efficiency of your HVAC system.

Reduced Repairs

Another great reason to get your HVAC system regularly maintained is the potential to reduce costly repairs. If you own a car, you most likely get the oil changed regularly and have it tuned-up. We do this to keep the car running as best as possible. The same principle is true with your HVAC system. When your heating technician is able to catch small issues early, you can keep them from developing into catastrophic and expensive failures later on down the road.

If you have own a building or office complex in Paramus, make sure that your customers, tenants and employees are comfortable as soon as they walk in the door. Having your HVAC system regularly inspected and maintained is a great way to make that happen. DB Heating & Cooling, Inc. offers comprehensive commercial HVAC services throughout the Paramus area. Give us a call today! 

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Hohokus Heating Question: What Is an Electronic Ignition?

Monday, October 1st, 2012

Gas furnaces are very complex pieces of equipment. Modern ones in particular are designed to use as little gas as possible, and to recapture as much of the heat generated from burning that gas as can be done safely. One of the many safety and energy-efficient advances in furnace technology in the least twenty years is the electronic ignition.

The Purpose of Electronic Ignition

In older furnaces in Hohokus, a pilot light would stay lit continuously whenever the heating system needed to be available. That meant continuously burning gas throughout the fall, winter and spring months for those times when heat was needed. It was inefficient and unsafe, especially in older devices that didn’t have safety valves.

Today, furnaces are built with electronic ignitions – small devices that only ignite the gas supply when the thermostat is on. there are two types of electronic ignition used in boilers and furnaces today.

  • Intermittent Pilot – An intermittent pilot is unique in that it releases a spark through an electronic component to the gas pilot, lighting the gas burners.
  • Hot Surface Ignition – Hot surface ignition uses an electronic filament (like a lightbulb) to heat up and ignite the burners when the thermostat calls for heat.

Both devices are designed to use a very small amount of electricity and reduce the amount of gas needed for continuous operation of your furnace.

Safety Benefits of an Electronic Ignition

While gas efficiency was a big part of the transition from pilot lights to electronic ignition, safety was an equally big component. Whereas before, the pilot light was continuously lit, meaning gas was continuously flowing into the furnace, today’s furnaces are essentially off when not in use. This means less of a chance that gas will flow unburned or that the pilot will get dirty or burn too soft, releasing carbon monoxide.

If your Hohokus furnace still uses a traditional pilot light, consider having it upgraded to electronic ignition, not just to save gas but to keep your home and family safer. For more information about features in new heating systems, give DB Heating & Cooling a call!

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Things to Check on Your Broken AC Before Calling a Paramus AC Professional

Monday, June 18th, 2012

A broken air conditioner is a stressful situation, especially since you’re considering whether you need a Paramus AC professional to come out. No one likes spending money to have a professional take a look at their system, so before you call anyone, make sure to check these problems. You may be able to fix the problem on your own without spending a dime.

Thermostat

The thermostat is one of the most common problems you’ll have with an air conditioner.  Make sure the thermostat wasn’t knocked out of position and the sensors near your coils are in the right place. Often times, a bumped sensor or a slightly off thermostat can cause this kind of problem and as a result, you’ll be left without steady cooling.

Check Your Filters

Another common problem that can cause issues with your air conditioner is filter clogging. While the system will continue to run with a clogged filter, there are a few issues that might pop up – it could smell funny or you might notice icing on the outside line (a major problem). If you allow the filter to get so clogged as to block the air flow from your system, you can expect a number of problems to crop up.

Blower Belts

Check the system’s blower belt for damage like cracking, excess slack or general wear. A blower belt that isn’t properly installed or that needs to be replaced will reduce air flow which can result in ice buildup or poor air flow – it will make it harder for your system to maintain a steady temperature.

Check the Outdoor Unit

Check to make sure nothing is blocking the outdoor unit. Clean the condenser coils and remove any debris that might have built up around the outdoor unit. Often, slowed air flow is caused by nothing more than leaves piled in front of your condenser.

If none of these problems is the culprit or if you fix them all and your system continues to struggle, it is time to call a Paramus AC professional like DB Heating & Cooling!

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Paramus Air Conditioning Installation Tip: Air Conditioners and Humidity

Monday, April 9th, 2012

Ever wonder why all of those Paramus air conditioners hanging out of people’s windows are constantly dripping water? All they’re actually doing is disposing of the moisture they’ve removed from the indoor air. That’s right – air conditioners are dehumidifiers too.

When you think about it, it makes a lot of sense. After all, you know how much more uncomfortable 90° is when the humidity’s up around 90% than when it’s closer to 60%. Of course, some air conditioners are better at removing moisture from the air than others, so you should definitely consider how well an air conditioner dehumidifies when evaluating your air conditioning options.

Why Humidity Matters

High humidity, even at lower temperatures is uncomfortable. But there are more reasons than simple comfort to want an air conditioner that reduces indoor humidity levels. For instance, high levels of humidity promote the growth and spread of several allergens like dust mites and mold spores. High indoor humidity can also cause problems for the wood fixtures and furnishings in your home.

The Importance of Proper Sizing

Most air conditioners do a decent job of controlling humidity indoors. But depending on the severity of your problem and the typical levels of humidity in your area during the summer months, you may want to pay special attention to each unit’s capabilities when evaluating your options.

An air conditioner’s ability to maintain proper humidity levels indoors has a lot to do with how well it’s matched to the size of your room as well. An air conditioner that’s too small likely won’t get the humidity or the temperature down to a comfortable level. On the other hand, that doesn’t necessarily mean that bigger is better.

In fact, an air conditioner that’s too large for the space you’re using it to cool will have a hard time bringing down the humidity level. Sure, you’ll wind up with a cold room, but that room will remain damp, making it no more comfortable than it was before the air conditioner was turned on.

For all of these reasons, it’s important to carefully evaluate your options when buying a Paramus air conditioner and make sure that the unit you buy is the right kind and size for the area you’re cooling. A little extra time spent researching your options will make your home infinitely more comfortable this season. If you have any questions about which air conditioning system is right for your home, give DB Heating & Cooling a call!

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Paramus Heating Question: What Is Involved in Replacing an Old System?

Wednesday, February 29th, 2012

When your Paramus home’s HVAC system starts to fail — or if it already has — your options essentially come down to two: replace or repair. There are a lot of factors that go into making such a decision, but in general, if it is a newer system with a small problem and you haven’t had much trouble with it, then a simple repair clearly makes sense.

For older systems, or ones that have been repaired all to often lately, or ones that seem to be on their last legs, repair may be the only reasonable course of action.

Surely you know that a total system replacement would be a big job, but have you ever thought about just how big? Sure, you know you will have to swap out the failing furnace, and you may as well replace the air conditioning unit while you’re in there, but that’s it, right?

Actually, there is a lot more to an HVAC system than just those two machines. Think about all the behind-the-scenes components and the little components that are often overlooked, such as:

  • Ducts – Keep in mind that your ducts are probably as old as that furnace you are replacing, and that a new, efficient unit cannot operate at nearly its full potential with faulty duct work.
  • Thermostats – Your old ones may not even be compatible with a new furnace or air conditioner.
  • Wiring – For the thermostat, among other things.
  • Insulation – Many homeowners forget that insulation is part of an HVAC system, too. Just like we said about duct work, old insulation does not help a new system achieve maximum performance.
  • Piping – Such as refrigerant piping on a geothermal system or a ductless air conditioning system.

You can see that the job starts to get pretty complex pretty fast. This doesn’t mean you should shy away from a necessary replacement, just make sure that you fully consider the scope of what you need done, as well as the budget and time frame you have to work with.  If you are thinking about having your old system replaced, give DB Heating & Cooling a call!

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Paramus Heating Tip: 5 Reasons to Replace Your Furnace

Wednesday, January 11th, 2012

Many Paramus homes are heated with furnaces, since they generally provide safe and efficient heat.  Furnaces have also improved dramatically over the years as manufacturers find ways to make them more efficient. Even if your furnace has been reliable for many years, it may be worth the money to replace your old furnace with a newer, more efficient model.

Here are five major benefits to upgrading your furnace.

1. Lowering Your Utility Bills

Whether you realize it or not, your current furnace could be costing you more than it should in heating bills. If your furnace is 15-20 years old, it’s probably not heating your home as efficiently as the newer models with higher AFUE ratings. Even if your heating system has been replaced within the last ten years, the technology has advanced enough to consider an upgrade.

2. Fewer Repairs

Repair costs can add up if you are constantly repairing your furnace. Routine maintenance for your furnace can help reduce the need for repairs, but as furnaces age, they tend to need more repairs and replacement parts. If you need frequent repairs for your furnace, it may be time to replace it with a newer one.

3. More Consistent Heat

While maintaining consistent temperatures throughout your home involves several factors, such as insulation and thermostat control, your furnace could also be the reason you aren’t getting enough heat to all parts of the house. If some rooms are colder than others, or if your heating bills have recently gone up, it may be time for a furnace replacement.

4. Reduce the Chances of a Breakdown

When a furnace breaks down, it not only leaves you without heat, but it is also a major expense. Budgeting for a new furnace before it breaks down will put less financial burden on you than needing an emergency furnace replacement. Newer model furnaces are also more reliable and less likely to give you problems if maintained properly.

5. Safety

There’s higher potential for safety concerns with older or poorly maintained furnaces. In addition to fire hazards, carbon monoxide poisoning is another serious threat. When the heat exchanger stops working because it’s corroded or faulty, carbon monoxide can leak into the home. If you’ve had your furnace for more than 20 years, it could create safety hazards that you may be unaware of.

No matter how long you’ve had the furnace in your Paramus home, it’s always wise to speak with a qualified HVAC technician about furnace upgrades, particularly if you have expensive heating costs. Call us today to talk with one of our Paramus heating experts about furnace upgrades.

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