DB Heating & Cooling, Inc. Blog : Archive for the ‘Heating’ Category

3 Signs Your Heater Needs Repair

Monday, November 14th, 2022

technician-working-on-furnace

Nobody likes to spend unnecessary money right before the holiday season, let alone any time of the year. The fact of the matter is though, some things come as a surprise and force you to spend money before you were ready to. Heating system repairs are one of those things that can come as a surprise. Whether it’s a loose component, damaged ductwork, or worn-down motor bearings, heating repair needs are never fun.

However, knowing the warning signs that you have a small problem and calling our team right away is much better than waiting for the problem to grow, making it a bigger and more expensive problem right in the middle of the holiday season. Read on to learn a few of these signs!

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What Happens During Heating Maintenance?

Monday, October 17th, 2022

technician-working-on-furnaceIf you’ve followed our blog for very long, you’ve probably seen us talk about the importance of routine professional maintenance. Maintenance helps both your air conditioner and your heating system, or heat pump, work as effectively and efficiently as possible for as long as possible. Without maintenance, you could struggle with frequent repair needs, inefficient system operation, and a shorter equipment lifespan.

Even more problems can crop up if you have a gas-powered system, which can become harmful if not properly cared for due to components such as heat exchangers and gas lines that could theoretically become damaged.

But we also know how easy it can be to brush off a service you don’t seem to need right now. Especially if you don’t know what actually happens during this service.

We’re here to get rid of some of the mystery–read on as we uncover what actually happens during your heating maintenance session, and why these steps are so important.

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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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Does an Electric Furnace Need As Much Maintenance as a Gas Heater?

Monday, January 10th, 2022

technician-servicing-furnaceA number of homeowners in our area choose an electric furnace over a gas-powered system due to their convenience and flexibility. After all, practically all homes are wired for electricity, so electric furnaces are a reliable option for any homeowner. They’re also a bit safer than gas furnaces since there are no hazards from toxic or combustible gases. That’s not to say that gas furnaces are inherently dangerous–just that this is a reason that many homeowners choose an electric furnace!

Electric furnaces do tend to be less cost-efficient when it comes to month-to-month utility bills, but their current technology is far superior to what it once was, making electricity a competitive option for reduced energy use. The biggest benefit of an electric furnace as your home heating choice is its longevity and durability. Typically, an electric furnace can last up to 10 years longer than a gas furnace and need fewer repairs over the years.

However, this doesn’t mean they don’t need service! Just like a gas furnace, an electric furnace needs careful professional maintenance to prevent repair needs and keep the system running smoothly for the years to come. Read on to learn why!

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Noises You Don’t Want Coming from Your Heater

Monday, December 6th, 2021

woman-holding-hand-to-ear-to-listenThere’s no denying that when you live somewhere like the Emerson area, you need a quality heating system in place. Not only that, but you need to make sure it’s well-maintained. This means scheduling professional tune-ups for your heater each year–twice a year if you’re using a year-round heat pump system. Tune-ups help your heater work as effectively and efficiently as possible for as long as possible. Plus, tune-ups can help prevent up to 85% of the repairs a furnace or heating system may ever need in its lifetime! This is because, during your tune-up, we’ll alert you to small repair needs so you can take care of them before they turn into larger emergencies.

Of course, that doesn’t mean that repair needs will never crop up between maintenance appointments, and it’s important to know the signs of a heater in disrepair so you can get it fixed ASAP. One of these signs is strange noises coming from the system. But, what noises constitute “strange?” Read on to find out!

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Furnace Installation: Gas or Electric?

Monday, November 8th, 2021

technician-working-on-furnaceSo it’s time for you to replace your current heating system. You’re considering a new furnace, but is gas the best choice for your fuel source, or should you go with an electric furnace? We can’t answer this definitively for you without hearing more about your specific needs and seeing your home, but we can certainly help you make an informed decision! Both furnace types have their pros and cons, and there are many factors to consider with both types.

There’s no such thing as one perfect furnace for every household–every furnace will need routine maintenance and occasional repairs. But we’ll explore below some of the benefits of furnaces, both gas and electric. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team for further information about either.

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Why You Don’t Want a Cracked Furnace Heat Exchanger

Monday, October 25th, 2021

tech-working-on-furnaceAre you utilizing a gas-powered heating system in your home? Well, then there is at least one safety risk that you really need to know about. Now, this isn’t to say that gas furnaces are automatically dangerous by nature… they aren’t. However, there is a component within your gas-powered system that could be harmful if ignored for too long–and this is the heat exchanger.

Like any other big or powerful piece of equipment or appliance that produces combustion gas, your furnace could potentially create hazards if it is not routinely maintained or repaired as soon as troubling symptoms appear.

Now, if you have a newer furnace you likely won’t deal with a cracked heat exchanger. This is a problem that usually afflicts aging furnaces. And when we say aging, we’re talking about 10-15 years old. This is the average lifespan for a well-maintained furnace system. Read on to learn more!

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How to Set Your Heater Up for Success This Year

Monday, October 11th, 2021

woman-sitting-on-comfy-chair-sipping-out-of-mugFall is officially here, which means that soon enough, you’ll be using your heating system to keep you comfy for multiple hours a day. There are many things you can do to prepare your home for the heating season. One of the key things you can do, however, is to ensure that your heating system gets a proper tune-up! This is the best way to set your heater up for success this year.

Read on as we uncover why heating system maintenance is so vital to the health of your heater, and why it’s important that you do it sooner rather than later to get the most out of the service.

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What Does It Mean When a Boiler Has a Scaling Problem?

Monday, February 15th, 2021

pressure-gauge-on-a-boilerHave you ever been told by a professional plumber or HVAC technician that your boiler can be affected by boiler scale? Perhaps you’re not sure how seriously to take this warning—scaling is a common problem but it doesn’t sound all that threatening right? Unfortunately, it can be, if it’s ignored for too long.

What causes scaling is high levels of minerals in the water—namely calcium and magnesium. This is also known as hard water and it leaves behind mineral deposits in your plumbing system, including in your boiler or water heater. It can lead to a reduction in heat among other issues.

A boiler that suffers from scaling and scale building for too long is in danger of breaking down, or even springing a leak. Read on as we explain further.

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Is Going Ductless a Good Idea?

Monday, February 1st, 2021

woman-using-remote-to-turn-on-ductless-air-handlerPerhaps you’ve heard of a ductless system before, but don’t quite know what it is or why it’s so different from a standard HVAC system.

For starters, it’s a heat pump system which makes it a singular alternative to owning both an air conditioner and a heater—making it a great option when you have an outdated or malfunctioning heater and air conditioner to replace.

Ductless heat pump systems are great for keeping homes warm in the winter and cool in the summer. But is this the right system for your home?

Choosing the right HVAC systems for your household can seem daunting, especially since there are many fantastic options to choose from. Our best advice is to talk to a professional before making any final decisions. After all, not all homes are created equal and a ductless system may not be the best choice for your specific living space. But for many, it’s a very worthwhile investment. Read on to learn more!

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