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

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

Wednesday, 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 Quality Issues and Your Air Conditioning in Emerson, NJ

Monday, 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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Bergen County Air Conditioning Tips: Benefits of Custom Ductwork

Monday, 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?

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

Tuesday, 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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Common AC Problems in Oradell, NJ

Tuesday, June 11th, 2013

Who doesn’t love to flip on their air conditioning system and feel the cool air start to pour out? But if your air conditioning system isn’t working well then your home could be uncomfortable this summer. Call the Oradell, NJ air conditioning repair pros at DB Heating and Cooling today if your AC is experiencing any problems. We have years of experience working on all different kinds of air conditioning issues and wanted to share some of the most common calls for service that we get.

  • Not enough cooling – If your air conditioning system is blowing warm air or if it is producing enough cool air, call for repair immediately. These types of issues don’t fix themselves and will likely just get worse. This problem could be caused by faulty thermostats, bad compressor or a broken fan motor.
  • Strange noises – Has your AC started making an unusual noise that you’ve never heard before? Squealing can be caused by a bad fan motor belt that needs to be replaced. Hissing usually indicates that you have a refrigerant leak somewhere. Gurgling is often caused by low refrigerant.
  • Clogged air filter – A clogged air filter is by far the most common cause of Oradell, NJ air conditioning repair. Your AC’s air filter is there to keep the inside clean and working well. If the air filter gets clogged it can restrict the flow of air through your home’s AC system. This will cause insufficient cooling, increased wear and tear, reduced efficiency and many other issues.

For all your Oradell, NJ air conditioning repair needs, just pick up the phone and call the friendly experts at DB Heating & Cooling.

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Westwood, NJ Air Conditioning Repair FAQ: Keeping Cool While Your AC is Down

Tuesday, June 4th, 2013

In the unfortunate event that your air conditioning system breaks down completely, then you may have to survive few days without AC. Keeping cool while you AC is down is critical, especially on those incredibly hot and humid days. As one of the leading providers of new air conditioners in your service area, we’d like to give you some tips in case this happens to you. Even if it’s only a repair service, you need to make sure you know how to keep cool. But make sure, first and foremost, that you contact a qualified, reputable AC technician so that your problem is fixed fast or your new AC replacement works well. Call DB Heating & Cooling for comprehensive Westwood, NJ air conditioning repair services.

  • Draw the blinds and curtains: Keep the powerful sun out of the home. By drawing blinds and curtains during the day, you can ensure that the cool nighttime temperature is not spoiled by the sun’s rays.
  • Open the windows at night: Make sure you take advantage of the cooler temperatures at night by opening up the windows and letting that breeze in.
  • Fans: Use box fans in windows at night and ceiling fans during the day to keep cool. If your ceiling fan has a reverse function, you can get it to pull the hot air up out of the living space.
  • Take cold showers: This is the ultimate cool-off exercise if you can stand it. A nice cold shower can cool you off if you’re feeling overheated.
  • Drink cold beverages: Keep your fridge stocked with refreshing drinks and your ice tray full so that you can take advantage of cool drinks if your AC breaks down.
  • Backup unit: If you need to, you can purchase a wall unit to keep you cool during the repair or replacement service.

We hope you find these tips helpful. If your cooling system breaks down and you need Westwood, NJ air conditioning repair services, call DB Heating & Cooling. 

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Emerson, NJ AC Question: Is Routine Air Conditioning Maintenance Really Worth It?

Monday, May 20th, 2013

Yes, we believe it is. Routine air conditioning maintenance from a professional company like DB Heating and Cooling can dramatically improve your AC’s performance, energy efficiency, and system longevity. While professional installation and taking care of any repairs as they arise are both critical to solid operation, they’re not enough. If you neglect maintenance, you place your entire cooling system at risk of frequent repairs, inefficiency, and even premature replacement. The best part of pro maintenance is that you don’t have to do it. Because the majority of maintenance duties for your AC have to be carried out by a professional anyway, signing up for cost-effective maintenance program is a great way to take care of your system so that it can take care of you and your family all summer long. Call DB Heating and Cooling today for comprehensive air conditioning services in Emerson, NJ.

Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of routine maintenance so that you can decide about whether you’re interested:

  • Energy efficiency: Considering how much of your energy budget is spent on keeping cool during the summer, it’s no wonder that you’d want to maximize your energy efficiency. Pro routine maintenance is simply the best way to ensure that your system cools efficiently. Dirty and damaged components only lead to your system expending more electrical energy for the same amount of cooling.
  • Performance: Everything about your AC comes down to performance—it’s the reason why you have a comprehensive cooling solution in the first place. Don’t let your performance decline because of neglect. While it’s important to clean your air filter once a month during the cooling season, that’s about the extent of your homeowner duties. A pro can clean and inspect the intricate mechanisms that make your AC work so that you can stay on top of your performance.
  • System longevity: If you’re concerned about how long your system will last, then sign up for routine maintenance. There’s no better way to improve the lifespan of your system than by ensuring that it’s clean and properly adjusted at all times.

Call DB Heating & Cooling, Inc. today for comprehensive air conditioning services in Emerson, NJ.

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Ensuring a Successful Westwood, NJ Air Conditioning Installation

Thursday, May 16th, 2013

If you’re in the market for a new air conditioning system, then you may not know where to begin. The sheer diversity of types and brands of air conditioners can make the process seem daunting, to say the least. Yet, with the right advice and level of professional workmanship, you can ensure that your new AC is a complete success. In this post, we’d like to go over some ways that you can make this happen. Call DB Heating & Cooling today for comprehensive Westwood, NJ air conditioning installation services.

  • Professional quality: Your AC is a complex piece of machinery. It uses plumbing, electrical, and mechanical systems to effectively and efficiently remove heat from your home and send cool air throughout your home. But in order to make this a reality, you need to ensure that you hire a certified professional to install your new AC. Only a trained, skilled, and experienced technician knows how to make sure that all the components are properly connected and that the right amount of refrigerant circulates throughout your coils and compressor.
  • Size: The size of your AC is of critical importance. Don’t settle for anything less than an exact match. If your AC is too large, then it may turn on and off frequently and this can cause inefficient cooling and high energy bills. However, if it is not large enough, and is, in fact, undersized, then your AC will simply not be able to perform effectively on a consistent basis, and this can lead to increased wear and tear and even premature replacement. Your new AC is a large investment of your time and resources, so make sure you hire a pro who can match one to your home.
  • Additional upgrades: While you’re at it, you may want to consider several cost-effective upgrades so that you can get the most out of your system right off the bat. Installing a programmable, digital thermostat will make it easier to read and set the temperature, and it will also allow you to customize your indoor climate according to your schedule. That way you can save energy without sacrificing comfort.

Call DB Heating & Cooling today for excellent Westwood, NJ air conditioning installation services. 

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Indicators that You Need Air Conditioning Repair in Bergen County

Monday, May 6th, 2013

Even with professional installation and routine maintenance, your home cooling system will still probably need repair at some point in its service life. While only a professional hands-on diagnosis can adequately determine the cause of the problem, there are some common indicators to look out for as we enter the cooling season. When you need air conditioning repair in Bergen County, call the pros at DB Heating & Cooling!

  • Not cooling enough: This is a common complaint, especially when the heat and humidity are at their peak during the hottest days of summer. It won’t be clear until a professional diagnosis takes place what the root of the problem is, although there are some frequent culprits. You may have a frozen evaporator coil caused by blocked airflow, or low levels of refrigerant circulating through your coils.
  • AC won’t start: First, check your electrical panel to make sure you haven’t blown a fuse or tripped the circuit breaker. Next, make sure that your thermostat is on and calling for cool air. If neither of these works, then you may have an electrical connectivity issue with your AC. Alternatively, you may have a faulty capacitor.
  • Incorrect temperature: If your home never seems to reach the temperature that you ask it to, then there may be a problem with the calibration of your thermostat. As your primary user interface, your thermostat needs to be professionally installed and calibrated in order to ensure that it senses the temperature accurately. If not, it can’t possibly communicate with the air handler properly and your house will wind up too hot or too cold.
  • Frozen evaporator coil: If the evaporator coil inside your indoor air handler is completely frozen over, then your AC will work neither efficiently nor effectively. This may be caused by an air leak that is allowing humid air into the air handler or a clogged air filter not allowing the cool air to be distributed throughout the home. Your AC may have already tried to shut itself down to defrost. Have a professional technician come out to determine the root of the frozen coil.

For comprehensive air conditioning repair services in Bergen County, call DB Heating & Cooling today! 

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