DB Heating & Cooling, Inc. Blog : Archive for September, 2013

What to Consider Prior to Your Furnace Installation in Bergen County

Monday, September 30th, 2013

If you’re thinking of having a furnace installed in your home, either to replace an older system or because you have a new house, then you want to get moving before the cold weather arrives. It’s smart to take advantage of the early fall to install your home’s new furnace, but you need to take a moment to consider a few factors that will help make the installation successful. A new furnace requires a large investment in time and resources; make certain you’ve thought through what you’re planning to do.

If you need help preparing for a new furnace, consult with the experts at DB Heating & Cooling. We can address all your questions, as well as perform the installation when it’s time.

Is a furnace the best choice?

If you decided to get a furnace because you’ve had one before, take some time to consider the other heating options that may work better for you. There are more types of heaters available today than ever before, and one of them might do a more efficient job heating your home. Heat pumps and boilers offer both advantages and disadvantages. An HVAC expert can help you determine if a furnace is the right way to go, or if another choice might give you improved heating and energy savings.

What size furnace will I need?

It’s crucial that you get a furnace that can evenly heat up your home. Too small, and the furnace won’t give you adequate heat. Too large, and it will short cycle and age rapidly. Have a professional perform a heat load calculation that will evaluate numerous facts about your home, from square footage to the amount of windows, to give you an exact idea of how large a furnace you need to keep you warm and your heating system healthy.

Who should install the furnace?

If you thought you might handle the installation yourself, or have a friend with some experience take on the job, think again. Furnace installation is a huge, complex task, and any errors can lead to poor operation and malfunctions. It will cost you far more in the future, offsetting any savings you get from an amateur job. Find a heating company with a proven track record and trained technicians who will get the installation done right the first time.

DB Heating & Cooling is one of the top Bergen County furnace installation companies. We offer all kinds of services to help you with any heating needs. Call us if you want to get started on installation, or if you just have questions.

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Heating in Emerson: Why Change Air Filters Regularly

Monday, September 23rd, 2013

Most furnaces and air conditioning units are equipped with air filters, working to keep dust and debris out of the system. Heating in Emerson and other New Jersey towns is no laughing matter; our cold winters demand a reliable means of making your house warm and comfortable. Regular maintenance and upkeep are as much a part of that equation as buying a furnace in the first place, and you can’t perform maintenance without addressing your air filters. Why change air filters regularly?

The air filter’s primary job is to keep dirt and dust out of your furnace. That extends the life of the furnace immeasurably, preventing wear and tear in the system and keeping the various components functioning at peak efficiency. Over time, the filter becomes clogged with all that dust and debris, which reduces its effectiveness. More dust starts to build up in the furnace, more components are affected, wear and tear increases, and the furnace has to work harder to do its job. That results in higher monthly energy bills, as well as increasing the chance of a component malfunction that will cost a great deal to repair. Furthermore, when an air filter becomes clogged, it can restrict the flow of air though the system, reducing your heater’s ability to warm your house and again raising your monthly heating bill.

It doesn’t have to be that way. Changing your air filter’s regularly ensures that your system stays free of dirt and dust, prolonging its life and keeping it working as it should. Most filters are comparatively inexpensive and can be purchased at any home supply store. Look for filters with a high MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating, which indicates their effectiveness. (MERV ratings usually range between 1 and 11.)

Changing the filter should come as part of a professional maintenance program, with scheduled visits from a trained specialist. He or she can examine your furnace for faulty parts, clean any dust or dirt which has gotten through the filter, and identify potential problem spots for repairs before they become too large. That ensures your unit will provide the most effective heating. In Emerson, NJ, contact the experts at DB Heating & Cooling. They can set up a schedule for you to augment your efforts to change your air filters regularly.

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Oradell, NJ Heating Tip: How to Tell if Your Heater Is Too Large

Monday, September 16th, 2013

It may seem that no heater is too big for the job of keeping your home warm during a New Jersey winter. After all, isn’t it better to err on the side of a more powerful heater rather than one that’s too small and won’t keep your house comfortable? Not necessarily. A heating system that’s too large for your home can create numerous problems and cause a drain on your energy bill due to inefficient operation.

Look over this list of warning signals that you may have an oversized heater. If you experience issues with heating in Oradell, NJ, call DB Heating & Cooling for help determining the cause.

Short cycles: A heater that is producing too much warmth for a small space will cycle on and off too rapidly. Regardless of what kind of system you use to heat your home, if it is constantly shutting on and off it will be inefficient and risk wearing down faster, requiring repairs or even replacement in the future. If you think your heater is short cycling, get an expert to take a look at it.

Short cycling can also lead to poor heat distribution. Your heater will heat up the available space too fast. If you discover that certain parts of your home are not getting warm enough even though the heater seems to be working normally, the problem could be a system so large that it isn’t spending sufficient time producing warmth that will reach all parts of your home.

Increased energy bills: Whether gas or electricity powers your heating system, if you notice bills that are far above what you think you should be paying, the fault may lie with an inefficient, oversized heater.

There is no easy way to gauge what the correct heater size for your home is. More factors come into play aside from square footage: insulation and the space available for installation are also important considerations. Get an expert to determine what heating system is the best fit for your living space.

When it comes to heating in Oradell, NJ, trust to the highly-trained staff at DB Heating & Cooling to find the best solution for you.

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How to Choose the Right Oradell, NJ Heating System

Monday, September 9th, 2013

In towns like Oradell, NJ, heating systems remain more than just a luxury. They make our homes cozy and comfortable in the dead of winter. That’s why choosing the right system for you is such an important decision. Every household is different, both in terms of the building itself and in the needs of the family that occupies it. Here are some tips for making the right decision for your family.

  • Furnace size. Furnaces need to be properly sized to match the dimensions of your home, including specific factors such as the amount of insulation and the presence of a basement. If the furnace is too small, it won’t heat your home properly. If it’s too large, it will cycle on and off rapidly throughout the day, costing you money on your monthly bills. A qualified professional can inspect your home and give you parameters on the right sized furnace to heat it.
  • Type of fuel. In Oradell and other parts of New Jersey, you have a lot of options when it comes to the type of furnace you buy. Gas, oil and electrical furnaces are all available in New Jersey. Electric furnaces tend to be more efficient than gas furnaces, which tend to be more efficient than oil furnaces, but specifics vary by type. Choose your furnace based on the ease and availability of fuel, and the initial cost of installation.
  • Efficiency. Furnace efficiency is measured in terms of AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) rating. The federal government dictates that all furnaces possess an AFUES rating of at least 75%. In New Jersey, new non-weatherized gas furnaces need an AUFE rating of at least 90% and boilers need an AFUE of at least 80% (possibly higher depending on the type of fuel used). When selecting a new heating system, look for one with an AFUE as high as possible.

When it comes to proper heating, Oradell, NJ needs the guidance of an expert. DB Heating & Cooling knows the ins and outs of home furnaces, and can help you make the best decision for your home. Call us today to make an appointment.

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Happy Labor Day!

Monday, September 2nd, 2013

On the first Monday of every September, we celebrate Labor Day in honor of workers everywhere who strive to make our local community and country great. We enjoy the holiday like any other business as a time for BBQ, hanging out with friends and family, and celebrating the end of summer. It also means the start of the NFL and college football seasons.

The origins of Labor Day are disputed, as is the case with many other holidays. Some cite Matthew Maguire, the machinist and secretary of the Central Labor Union of New York, while others cite Peter J. McGuire of the American Federation of Labor. Whomever the original founder, by 1894, the holiday had become widely recognized and was designated a federal holiday by Congress and President Grover Cleveland immediately following the Pullman Strike. This strike pitted US Marshals and US Military against employees of Pullman Palace Car Company outside Chicago, as workers sought to protest wage cuts and the firing of union representatives. At the time, the holiday was a way of repairing ties with workers and recognizing the importance of their contributions.

Today, we see Labor Day as an opportunity to recognize all the people who work hard to contribute to our county. Thank you, and Happy Labor Day from all of us! 

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