DB Heating & Cooling, Inc. Blog

Steps to Take as the Emerson, NJ Air Conditioning Season Winds Down

August 21st, 2013

Summers in Emerson, NJ usually mean heavy air conditioning use, as the warm days and high humidity keep us indoors where the air is cool and comfortable. When the season ends and the temperatures drop, however, you won’t be using your air conditioning system very often. You can help maintain the unit, as well as getting an early start to next summer. Here are some steps to take as the air conditioning system winds down.

  • Schedule maintenance: A trained professional can go over your air conditioning system and check for any potential problems. He will clean dust off the coils, tighten any loose bolts or fittings, recharge refrigerant and identify any potential problems in need of addressing. By doing this in the early fall, you give yourself the maximum amount of time to effect any significant repairs before you need to use the air conditioner again.
  • Adjust your thermostat: When the air cools off, you don’t need to keep your thermostat set so low in order to enjoy the lower temperatures. Make sure you’re not wasting energy by setting your thermostat too low and adjust any pre-programmed settings to reflect the shorter daylight hours. If you don’t have a programmable thermostat, this makes a good time of the year to consider an upgrade.
  • Perform DIY maintenance: While you should rely on a professional for regular maintenance, you can take a few modest steps yourself to keep your AC unit up and running. Change the air filters (or clean them if your filters are re-usable) and clear the vents of any leaves or twigs that may have built up.

You can perform similar operations in the spring before the warm days start, but doing so in the fall gives you the maximum amount of time to schedule and plan any serious repairs. For air conditioning services in Emerson, NJ and throughout the surrounding Bergen County area, call on DB Heating & Cooling to help. We can get your air conditioning systems ready for the winter and make sure it’s good to go when warm temperatures return.

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Air Conditioning Repair in Emerson, NJ: Damaged Ductwork

August 14th, 2013

In a central air conditioning system, the ductwork exists to move cool air into every corner of your house. Ducts usually run through the crawlspaces in your home or in unobtrusive areas like the attic. Since they’re out of sight most of the time, it may take some time to notice damaged ductwork and call a service professional to correct the problem. That can result in higher energy bills in the interim, and air conditioning repair in Emerson can take on an added urgency thanks to our hot, muggy New Jersey summers. The quicker you can spot the problem, the quicker you can get it restored.

Ductwork can become damaged in a number of ways:

  • It can crumple or become distended  if your home is damaged in a storm or starts to settle.
  • Fiberglass or similar material can clog ducts
  • Rust and similar damage are not uncommon, and the fittings between lengths of ductwork and wear out over time.
  • Without regular cleaning, your ductwork can become dusty, and dust can seep in through cracks and similar leaky spots as well.

The result of all of that is impeded air flow and – in the case of holes or leaks – cool air lost through the damaged component. Not only does it force your air conditioning system to work harder, but it may result in a complete loss of cooling to the affected part of your home. In the case of dust and similar build-up, the quality of your indoor air may be affected, as particles and contaminants are carried through the air into the home. You may notice that your airflow is severely reduced, or that your monthly bills are higher due to the AC unit having to work harder to cool your home.

Repairing damaged ductwork is the purveyance of professionals. A trained service tech can isolate the source of the problem, and determine what precisely is needed to correct it. In some cases, that might mean nothing more than a cleaning. In others, the damaged ductwork will need to be removed and a replacement length sealed in its place.

For damaged ductwork and similar issues, you can trust the experts at DB Heating & Cooling. We’re dedicated to customer satisfaction, and conduct our operations with thoroughness and professionalism at all times. Call us today to schedule an Emerson, NJ air conditioning repair service.

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When is a Good Time to Schedule an Air Conditioning Installation in Oradell, NJ?

August 6th, 2013

We all want our air conditioning systems to last forever, and a regular maintenance schedule can extend the life of your AC a great deal. There comes a time, however, when even the most durable air conditioning system needs to be replaced. Installing a new AC system can help lower your bills by improving efficiency, as well as offering potential features that your current system doesn’t. The question becomes when to schedule an air conditioning installation?

Obviously, the sooner you schedule an air conditioning installation, the more quickly you’ll benefit from the improved efficiency. And if your old AC unit conks out in the middle of a heat wave, you need to get the new system up and running as quickly as possible. But assuming you have the luxury of time and can plan for an installation at your leisure, you probably don’t want to schedule the procedure in the summer time. You want a new AC system installed and ready to go by the time the first heat wave arises, not in the middle of July when it’s already here.

By that logic, one might assume that the fall is the best time of the year to schedule an installation. The heat of summer is over and there’s plenty of time left until the temperature starts rising again. However, early spring becomes is also an opportune time to schedule an air conditioning installation. The snows of winter have melted but the temperatures are not yet high enough to necessitate daily use. If problems arise, you will likely notice them before an excessive amount of time has passed. If you want to schedule a new air conditioning installation in Oradell, NJ, call DB Heating & Cooling to do the job right. Our trained experts will handle all the details and set an installation schedule that works with yours.

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Air Quality Issues and Your Air Conditioning in Emerson, NJ

July 29th, 2013

All of the cool air that comes into your home has to travel through your air conditioning system. This means that your air conditioning system is an ideal device to make an impact on your home’s air quality. However, the impact is not always a good one. Here at DB Heating & Cooling, we wanted to put together a few of the ways that your AC can affect your air quality and what you can do to make sure that it helps improve the quality of the air the you breathe.

Modern homes are built very air tight so that they can keep as much of the heated or cooled air inside of them. While this is great for efficiency, it can allow many different types of contaminants to build up in your home because of the lack of fresh, clean air from outside. Many different kinds of pollutants can get trapped in your home’s air including dust, pet dander, bacteria, pollen, insect droppings and many others. These can cause respiratory issues for your family—especially if any of them suffer from allergies or asthma.

So what can you do to improve your Emerson, NJ home’s air quality? There are a number of different products on the market that are designed to help you remove pollutants from your air and also prevent them from even getting into your home.

  • Air filters – One of the best ways to remove pollutants from your air is to use an air filter. These types of products sit in your ducts or your air handler and trap particles as they pass through the filter. There are many different kinds of air filters and there are also air purifiers that you electrostatic electricity to remove particulates from your home’s air.
  • Duct sealing – One major source of air pollutants is holes in your ducts. If your ducts are old or if they weren’t installed properly, they could be allowing many types of outdoor contaminants to get inside your home. Getting your ducts sealed will keep them from getting in and it will also greatly improve the efficiency of your home.
  • Duct cleaning – Something that every homeowner should have done on a regular basis is regular duct cleaning. As your AC operates it will pick up any contaminants that happen to be in your ducts and circulate them through your air. Getting your ducts regularly vacuumed and sanitized is a great way to improve your air quality.

For all your installation, repair or maintenance services for your air conditioning in Emerson, NJ,  just call DB Heating and Cooling.

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Why Schedule Prompt Air Conditioning Repair in Westwood, NJ

July 22nd, 2013

We all lead busy lives filled with work and family, which sometimes means putting off problems that should be dealt with promptly. This is especially true with air conditioning repair. Muggy New Jersey summers means that a good AC system is absolutely vital, but unless the air conditioning shuts down completely, it may be tempting to defer a repair service call until a later date. In most cases, that’s a mistake. Prompt air conditioning repair is often the safer and less expensive option than leaving the problem for later.

The most obvious reason is to prevent a relatively small problem from getting worse. Air conditioning units require regular maintenance, just like any other piece of complex equipment. A worn or outdated part can be replaced with relative ease by a trained professional. If left unaddressed, however, that part can cause severe damage, as the air conditioning works harder to compensate and surrounding components run an increased risk of breakdown. For example, components like air filters and compensate collection pans usually only require a little periodic cleaning, but can result in significant damage if dirt or stagnant water are allowed to build up.

Then there’s the question of weather. You don’t want to be left without an air conditioner on a hot muggy day, and deferring a visit from a service technician might mean a breakdown at the worst possible time. Scheduling a visit on a comparatively cool day, on the other hand, means that any problems are addressed and your AC is functioning properly when the hot weather rolls around.

Simply put, running an air conditioning you know is in need of repair can easily result in more damage and higher bills, especially in places like Westwood, NJ in the height of summer. It may feel like you’re saving money, but in most cases, you’re just putting off a larger bill come due. For prompt air conditioning repair service in Westwood, NJ, call DB Heating & Cooling. We pride ourselves on courtesy and professionalism and our staff is on call 24 hours a day in case of emergency. Schedule an appointment today and get your air conditioning running sooner rather than later.

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Bergen County Air Conditioning Tips: Benefits of Custom Ductwork

July 15th, 2013

If you already have a forced-air distribution system, or are thinking that you may need for your home construction project, then you probably already realize the important role that air ducts play in distributing cool air from your air conditioning system. But when it comes to ductwork, you need to make sure that yours fits your home exactly. Because of the impact that they have on your cooling effectiveness and efficiency, you should consider having custom ductwork installed in your home. In today’s post, we’d like to look more closely at some of the benefits of professionally installed custom ductwork. Call DB Heating & Cooling today for all of your Bergen County air conditioning services.

  • Cooling performance: In a forced-air distribution system, you need to make sure that all of your components are working well throughout the summer months. One of the downsides to standard ductwork is that it often does not fit the unique design and layout of your home. Just like your AC, your ducts need to be professionally sized if they are to perform well. They need to be able to extract and return air to your living space constantly.
  • Energy efficiency: Another benefit to having custom ductwork in your home is improved energy efficiency. Every square inch of your ducts contributes to the overall efficiency of your cool air distribution. But when your ducts are over- or under-sized, or make too many turns to fit into your home, it can lead to energy loss and airflow impedances.
  • Longevity: When you install a new HVAC system in your home or a major system replacement for your existing system, it’s a major undertaking, one that you want to be able to rely on for years to come. You need to make sure that your ductwork is in great shape year-in and year-out, particularly if you also use it for your heating in the winter. With custom ductwork optimized for the unique circumstances of your home, you can be sure that they will last.

At DB Heating & Cooling, we specialize in custom ductwork for our clients throughout the Bergen County area, whatever their air conditioning needs may be.

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Does this Noise Mean it’s Time for Air Conditioning Repair in Emerson, NJ?

July 8th, 2013

Your air conditioning system will make a variety of noises as it starts up, operates and shuts down. But if you start to hear any new or unfamiliar noises you may want to think about calling for air conditioning repair in Emerson, NJ. At DB Heating & Cooling, Inc.,  we often get called about our customers’ AC units making new noises. We thought it would be good to put together a few of the most common noises and what could be causing them.

  • Squealing – One of the most common, and also most annoying, noises that your air conditioner might start to make is squealing. This can be a high-pitched squeal or a low-pitched droning. Either way, this problem is usually caused by a bad fan motor belt that needs to be changed.
  • Hissing – If your air conditioning system is hissing you should definitely call air conditioning repair. Hissing usually is a sign that you have a refrigerant leak somewhere. Your air conditioning system uses compressed refrigerant to cool your home so if it is leaking it means that not only do you have insufficient refrigerant, but you also have insufficient pressure.
  • Gurgling – Another common noise is gurgling which is caused by low refrigerant levels. The gurgling is caused by air in the lines. This problem requires that a professional technician refill the refrigerant levels to their proper place.
  • Buzzing – If you have a heat pump that is buzzing it doesn’t necessarily mean that anything is wrong. This can be caused by the reversing valve solenoid. The reversing valve controls the direction of flow for the refrigerant. Heat pumps use these to reverse the flow of refrigerant so that they can provide both heating and cooling to your home.
  • Lack of noise – In some cases, silence could also be a problem. For example, if you only hear some components switch on then it likely means that something has gone wrong. This might happen if your outdoor fan motor starts up but the compressor’s motor doesn’t fire on.

If you need any kind of air conditioning repair in Emerson, NJ, make sure that you call the technicians at DB Heating & Cooling, Inc. today.

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Have a Safe and Happy 4th of July!

July 2nd, 2013

The 4th of July will forever hold a very special place in the history of the United States of America. On this day in 1776, the second Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence.

Not only is Independence Day an important day in our nation’s history, but for many people it is a day that is filled with memories from celebrations of years past. Fireworks, barbeques, baseball games, fairs, carnivals, patriotic music and ceremonies are all scattered through our memories as we’ve participated in annual parties, get-togethers, picnics and family gatherings throughout the years. John Adams, our 2nd president, was right when he said that our Independence Day “…ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.”

The 4th of July is truly a day to enjoy but also to remember and respect the sacrifice that many brave men and women made over 200 years ago to give us the freedom that we cherish today. However you celebrate Independence Day, make sure that you take a moment to remember what this day is really about.

We wish you a safe and happy 4th of July!

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Air Conditioning Repair in Westwood, NJ: Why Your Compressor Won’t Run

June 26th, 2013

In a perfect world, you would never have to worry about the performance of your air conditioning system. The truth of the matter, though, is that your air conditioner is a mechanical system and, just like any other mechanical system, it is susceptible to many different operational problems. The important thing to keep in mind is the fact that the best way to deal with any air conditioning system problems is to schedule any necessary air conditioning repairs as soon as possible. The longer you wait to do so, the more serious any resulting damages are likely to be. Contact the Westwood, NJ air conditioning repair technicians at DB Heating & Cooling today to learn more about why your compressor won’t run.

While a compressor that will not start up is obviously undesirable under any circumstances, the potential cause of such a problem can vary in severity. One very possible reason that your compressor will now start up may be that that there is a wiring problem. If the electrical wiring that powers your compressor or connects it to other vital components in the system is not in good condition, you cannot expect your compressor to operate reliably.

You may also have a bad capacitor in your system which could result in your compressor failing to run consistently. There are 2 types of capacitors: a run capacitor and a start capacitor. If your compressor will not come on at all it is possible that the start capacitor, which gives a motor some extra torque during startup, is not operating problem. If your compressor will not continue to run after starting up then the problem may be with your run capacitor. This capacitor maintains a constant level of voltage to keep a motor running.

To learn more about potential reasons why your compressor won’t run properly, contact the company you can count on for quality air conditioning repair in Westwood, NJ. Call DB Heating & Cooling. Our team of professional technicians is happy to help you keep your air conditioning system as effective, reliable and efficient as possible. Contact us today to get started.

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Bergen County, NJ Air Conditioning Problems: Causes of Uneven Cooling

June 18th, 2013

Are you satisfied by your AC’s ability to cool your home? Do you feel hot spots in certain rooms, or a major difference in temperature throughout the home? If you have any air conditioning problems, then you should not hesitate to get them solved quickly. Like any other aspect of your home, there will come a time when routine maintenance is not enough and you need to have it professionally repaired. There are numerous causes of uneven cooling. Only a professional HVAC technician will be able to assess exactly what’s gone wrong with your AC. Give DB Heating & Cooling a call today to learn more about our Bergen County, NJ air conditioning repair services.

  • Ductwork blockage: If there is one area in particular that does not seem to get as cool as the others, the problem (and solution) might be in the air ducts. If you have a forced air distribution system, then you rely heavily on the integrity and cleanliness of the ducts to deliver the cool air throughout your home. But the system will be unable to work properly if the ducts are filled with dust, dirt, and other debris or they have been comprised by cracks, holes, and loose connections.
  • Low refrigerant: Low levels of refrigerant can adversely affect your home’s ability to stay cool during the summer. During installation, your AC was charged with a certain amount of refrigerant that would adequately absorb and dissipate thermal energy from your home into the outdoor air. But if a leak has occurred, then you may have low refrigerant levels that are leading to inadequate cooling.
  • Dirty condenser coils: Because of their location, your outdoor condenser coils are subject to more wear and tear then your indoor coils. Over time, they will become caked with dust and debris unless you have your AC routinely maintained. This is a common cause of inadequate and uneven cooling.

If you’re having any difficulty with your air conditioning system in Bergen County, NJ, then do not hesitate to call for professional service from DB Heating & Cooling.

 

 

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