First things first, let’s cover HVAC.  This stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.  It covers all the equipment, technologies, and systems that allows you as a homeowner to have control over the temperature and quality of your indoor air.

Air filtration system – Helps to remove allergens, dust, bacteria, and mold from the air.  A filter should be changed on average every 3 months.  Different things will affect how often you need to change your filter such as the presence of pets, occupants with allergies or asthma, and how much your system is in use.

Air flow – Self explanatory to a degree, but this measures the amount of air moving through your system.  It’s important for you to know because reduced air flow can be a major red flag that something may be wrong somewhere within your HVAC system.

BTU – British Thermal Unit; a traditional unit of heat.  It is used in terms of calculating the capacity of an air conditioner and is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit.

Compressor – This is a part  of the outdoor unit that powers the heat transfer by compressing the refrigerant and pumping it through the system.

Duct – Insulated pipes that run throughout a building that transfer the air from one place to another.

Furnace – This is what generates heat and distributes it through your home using a fan.

SEER – Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio.  This rates an HVAC systems competence similar to a miles per gallon rating of a car.  It is calculated using the cooling output for an average cooling season divided by the total electric energy input for the same time period.  The more efficient a system is, the higher the SEER rating.

Thermostat – An indoor portion of an HVAC system that allows you to control the temperature.  By setting the temperature and indicating whether you want the temperature to increase or decrease at that degree, you are controlling when your HVAC system turns on.

Zone – Individual sections that can be controlled independently of one another.  Having different zones set up allows you to make your system run more efficiently by reducing the systems use in unoccupied areas.

This is just a basic list of terms, but if you ever have any questions about your HVAC unit, it’s parts, or it’s repair feel free to give us a call and we’ll be happy to help!

The Lennox Summer Promotion has been Extended! 

PLUS All financing-only offers are now rebate AND financing offers!!

Updates:

• Extended Summer Program Dates 
  • Sell Between: July 1 – August 31
  • Install By: September 7
  • Claim By: September 21

Lennox is offering a rebate of up to $1,600 on the purchase of any qualifying system. Alternatively, they are also offering a finance option for as low as $116 a month. Why choose Lennox? With a huge selection of energy efficient products and systems, including solar options and tons of smart home products, there’s something for every home and business. They continue to be leaders of the industry by consistently pushing and improving the technology with increased energy efficiency, lower noise levels, and improved air quality. Lennox has been helping people live comfortably for well over a century with reliable, sustainable, durable systems that come with comprehensive warranties. Lennox is a brand you can trust.

As a Lennox Premier Dealer, we’re held to a superior set of standards. You can rest assured that you’ll receive top of the line installation and customer service when you choose to partner with us and Lennox. We are committed to providing you with service and support that surpasses your expectations including offering our customers highly efficient systems from the Dave Lennox Signature Collection. From heating and cooling, to air quality control and zoning, we can help you select the perfect system for you. Need help with changing your filter to keep your system running smoothly and increase indoor air quality? We can help with that! Wondering which thermostat will help you achieve the ideal balance between energy efficiency and total home comfort? Give us a call! Not sure if your system should be repaired or replaced? Our expertly trained technicians can help you decide.

We can help develop a custom Lennox system for your home or business that will keep everyone comfortable and maximizes your investment. The rebate is only available on purchases made from July 1, 2019 through August 9, 2019 so get in touch with us today!

A man in Toms River needs an air conditioning repair company

Summer is here. In a perfect world, you’d coast through the summer without an issue, your air conditioner keeping you cool the entire time, but we don’t live in a perfect world. Problems happen. Fixes are needed.

This isn’t about doom and gloom – most of these issues can be addressed without breaking the bank – it’s about awareness. The more you know about your home or business HVAC, the better off you’ll be, not only because you’ll have a better understanding of what’s wrong, but also so you can cut some problems off at the pass before they become BIG problems.

Here are some of the most common we encounter:

Open Doors & Windows

Believe it or not, a good functioning A/C is about more than just setting your thermostat and forgetting about it. When you run the A/C, be sure your windows and doors are closed. This may seem obvious, but some people enjoy a cool home while still getting an outdoor breeze. The problem is, this puts huge strain on your air conditioner. Either run the A/C or open the windows. One or the other, not both!

Poor Installation

This is one that frustrates us when we show up to service homes and businesses where someone else did the installation. To be clear, most contractors are reputable and we have great respect for our colleagues in the industry. Still, a bad apple slips through now and then. Improper installation of central air can result in poor airflow and leaky ducts, which can make your system inefficient. Other installation issues include not charging the refrigerant properly.

Bad Fuse or Circuit Breaker

Sometimes, the problem isn’t even with your A/C. If your unit stops working, let it cool down for about ten minutes then check your fuses or circuit breaker. Reset them if needed.  You might be surprised, that may be all there is to it!

High-Pressure Limit Switch is Tripped

Here’s another easy one: On extremely hot days when your A/C is working extra hard, sometimes the high-pressure limit switch is tripped. There is a reset button on the compressor’s access panel. Give the system time to cool, then reset. If the problem persists, call a service technician! (And if you’re not sure how to do this, don’t attempt it yourself. You don’t want to cause even bigger problems!)

Electrical System Failure

Wires, terminals, fan controls, and the compressor can wear out over time. This is especially true when your A/C turns on and off a lot. This isn’t an easy fix for most homeowners, but thankfully if this is your issue, a quick service call can usually diagnose the problem.

Refrigerant Leaks

Low refrigerant is not normal. It’s an issue that generally indicates that it was undercharged during installation or, more worrying, that you have a refrigerant leak. Thankfully, these issues are usually simple to diagnose (though not always as easy to repair). A technician can fix leaks and test your system to ensure the fix took.

Poor (or no) Maintenance

When your coils become dirty or blocked, your unit is not going to be as efficient. This can even lead to your compressor or fans failing well before their time. This is why annual maintenance is a must!

Drainage Issues / Condensation Drain Blocked

When the summer months get humid or there are long periods of rain, sometimes the condensate drain can get clogged, making your A/C struggle to maintain cool temperatures, or sometimes not even work at all.

Do you have an issue that needs to be addressed? Give us a call at (732) 244-2880 and we’ll take a look at your system, evaluate it, and tell you how to ensure it runs at peak efficiency.

There is no more escaping it. The weather has turned. Spring is now in full swing. And that means we’ll all be running our air conditioners soon, if we aren’t already.

Keeping the A/C on costs money, of course, and these days it’s important to keep an eye on your household budget, so it’s key to strike a balance between comfort and frugality. This begins with having energy efficient appliances, especially when it comes to your HVAC, but there is more you can do to help trim dollars and cents from your bills and keep your home energy friendly.

Here are some tips anyone can put into practice:

Set Your Thermostat Higher

This one seems obvious, doesn’t it? Yet it’s something that many people won’t even consider. A difference of just a couple of degrees can save you money every month, and the fact of the matter is that you’ll get used to the new temp quickly. By the time a few days pass you won’t even think about it.

Use Programmable Thermostats

Speaking of thermostats, if yours is not programmable, it’s time to upgrade. Programmable thermostats are not expensive – remember, they’re not the same as Smart Home systems – and they can be a huge help in managing your energy use. Set the temp higher for when you’re away or at work, and program it to lower for when you get home. This simple fine-tuning can result in lower bills, and it’s easy to do. Ask us about how to install one!

Ceiling Fans Are Your Secret Weapon

Did you know that according to the Department of Energy, if you use a ceiling fan you can raise the temperature of your home by four degrees without any negative impact on your comfort? Four degrees is a lot when it comes to your energy bills, too! Just remember that ceiling fans don’t cool the room, they cool YOU with moving air currents, so if you’re not going to be in the room, turn off the fan.

Open Your Windows (When You Can)

With how effective modern A/C systems are, it’s often easy to forget Mother’s Nature’s cooling system: the night air. Though it’s not possible during the dog days of summer, on cooler nights consider opening some windows instead of letting your cooling system run all night.

Install More Efficient Windows

Your air conditioner and insulation are not the only things that keep your house cool, nor are they the only things improved by modern technology. Modern windows are significantly more energy efficient than those made in the past and can help save money on your bills. It’s a big up-front investment, but one that will pay for itself over the years.

Have Your Cooling System Maintained & Inspected

Your cooling system is a complex web linked to a piece of machinery that requires some maintenance if you want it to last for as long as possible. That’s why regular A/C inspections and maintenance are essential to not just keeping your home or office cool, but to ensuring your investment is protected and your HVAC works for as long as possible. If yours hasn’t been inspected in a few years, give us a call. You are long overdue!

Do you want to save some money on your cooling bills? Give us a call at (732) 244-2880 and we’ll take a look at your system, evaluate it, and tell you how to ensure it runs at peak efficiency.

Spring is here and summer is right around the corner. That means you will soon fire up your air conditioner in the hopes of having cool, comfortable days even in the midst of a Jersey Shore heat wave. In most cases, that will go smoothly and your A/C will fire up without a hitch.

But as we all know, life has a tendency to throw us curveballs.

In order to better your chances of avoiding expensive repairs or replacement, here are some simple ways we can prep your A/C for summer (and a few ways you can help) to ensure you enjoy life at the Jersey Shore even when it’s sweltering hot outside.

• Remove Any Debris – This is one you can (and should) do yourself. Check the area around your air conditioning unit and remove any debris from it (fallen leaves, etc.), especially if they are blocking any portion of the unit. Left unchecked, these seemingly small issues can turn into big problems, especially if debris gathers near your condenser coils.
• Change Your Air Filters – This is also one you should be handling. Every three months or so, change the air filters in your home. Pollen, dust, and other contaminants can accumulate, causing your A/C to run less efficiently (therefore costing you money) and spreading that dust and pollen throughout your home (which has potential health negatives).
• Clean Your Condenser Coils – During a spring check up or maintenance call, cleaning your coils is an important part of ensuring the unit will function efficiently through the summer.
• Lubricate Any Moving Parts – Much like any piece of machinery, your air conditioning unit has moving parts that need to be lubricated to protect them from wear and tear. Let this go undone for too long and you run the risk of shortening the lifespan of your unit.
• Clear The Drain Line – Draining the line is a simple but essential way of ensuring your A/C remains in good running order.
• Check Your Coolant Lines – It goes without saying that if your coolant lines aren’t in good working order, your air conditioner won’t be, either. We’ll ensure they are free of leaks, worn lines are replaced, and existing lines have adequate insulation.

Ensuring these basic steps are done is simple and affordable, and will be an essential part of being sure your unit operates efficiently for as long as possible.

Nothing lasts forever, of course. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a central air unit that is 10 years old could operate with 20 to 40 percent less efficiency than a newer model – and that’s a lack of efficiency you will feel in your energy bills.

Some of this can be mitigated by making your home more energy efficient. Modern insulation, new windows and doors, and other upgrades can help offset some of those increases.

But the truth is that you will eventually need to replace your A/C unit.

When that time comes, reach out to Toms River Heating and Cooling. We are a family owned and operated HVAC service who have been serving the Ocean and Monmouth county area since 1970. Reach us at 732-244-2880 or visit our contact page to send us an email.

Having served the Ocean and Monmouth county region since 1970, we’ve been in countless offices and workplaces helping keep the heat or air conditioning in running order. Keeping you comfortable is what we do best.

That also means we’ve seen the inevitable debates that arise when employees just can’t get on the same page when it comes to the most comfortable temperature for the workplace, or even worse, the miserable days that occur when the boss is so cheap he keeps it far too cold in the winter and far too hot in the summer.

You can’t control the owner’s wallet, you can’t make the office furnace work more efficiently, and you may not even be able to control the thermostat, but there are a few things you can do to keep warm during those chilly winter days in Toms River. Here are a few ideas to get you through the final cold days of winter:

Space Heaters

It’s best that you get permission before taking this approach, since space heaters can be energy hogs, and from a safety standpoint they are not suitable for certain environments. If you get the okay from your manager, however, these can be a lifesaver.

Look for smaller, personal space heaters. They are affordable and can fit snugly under a desk, just be wary of fire hazards! They are also ideal stopgap measures during times when there is furnace repair or furnace maintenance being done in the office.

USB Vests & Finger Gloves

Technology is amazing. We’ve been in the heating and cooling business for going on 50 years now, and we never cease to be impressed by the advances made in our industry. In this case, however, it’s a combination of the tech and clothing industries that are making the advancement.

These days, you can find affordable gloves, vests, and other garments that are warmed with just a little bit of power. You plug a small USB battery into them, small enough to slip into a pocket, and the whole garment warms up, keep you nice and toasty even on cold days. These are a great way to keep warm at a cold workplace. It’s like having a furnace in your pocket!

Heating Pads

An old standby at this point, the often overlooked heating pad gets the job done and even has the advantage of turning itself off after a while if you forget to do it yourself. They are not as cozy as USB clothing – it can be awkward sitting on one or having it draped over your shoulders – but a little warmth is better than a chilly office.

Extra Clothing

This one is so obvious we hesitated to list it, but it has to be included. When push comes to shove, often the simplest way to address a cold office is to put on some more clothes. Keep a hoodie or sweater or shawl at your desk, and wear it when needed.

It’s a simple method, yes, but it’s the old standby because it works. Even in a cold office, this can keep you going.

Call In The Experts

This is where we come in. Sometimes those cold spots in your office are not a result of a stingy boss or people manipulating the thermostat. Sometimes there is an issue with the workplace’s heating system or ductwork. Often, these issues are relatively easy and affordable to address. Someone just needs to take the first step and make a call!

No one enjoys working in a cold office, especially when you’re used to the warmth of the Jersey Shore region, but try a few of the ideas above and you may find some relief.

Either that, or talk to the boss about turning up the thermostat!

The history of how our homes and workplaces are kept warm in the winter probably sounds like a boring topic, but we think it’s pretty interesting.

Okay, we admit, we’re biased! We’ve been in the heating and cooling industry since 1970, locally owned and operated that entire time, so of course we’re interested in how modern heating systems came to be.

But trust us, this is probably more interesting than you realize. It’s a journey that will take you from ancient Greece right into New Jersey.

Take a look:

• Central heating has actually been around since the ancient Greeks. Places like the Temple of Artemis had flues built into the floor. These flues would circulate heat throughout the temple, with the heat being generated by fires. In a lot of ways, it’s not much different than the home heating you have today!
• The ancient Romans did much the same, with empty spaces built beneath the floor. Furnaces called hypocausts were created underneath important buildings, in rooms supported by many stone pillars. Wood-fed fires created heat, which was pumped throughout the building through a system of pipes and flues. These were essential to those famous Roman baths!
• After the Roman empire collapsed, so did central heating technology, at least in Europe. For centuries, Europeans went back to primitive fireplaces to keep their homes and buildings warm.
• Europe may have been without central heating technology during this time, but not elsewhere. In Korea, excess heat from cooking stoves was circulated throughout houses through air ducts. Early Muslim architects also used central air, with pipes run under the floors to distribute heat to homes, government buildings and places of worship.
• By the 13^th Century, that old technology had been brought back in Europe and was improved. Monks utilized it to heat their abbeys, using channels under the floor to heat large rooms. By most accounts, the systems were incredibly efficient, almost matching modern standards.
• In the late 1700s and early 1800s, the first systems that closely resemble modern systems were invented. Inventory William Strut created a large stove-live furnace that brought air in from the outside, heated it, and then circulated it through a building using central ducts. Yes, that’s a lot like how your house works!
• Not long after, steam heating systems were put to use, pumping steam through a building instead of hot air.
• In the mid 1850s, the radiator was invented, one of the last major steps towards the central heating systems we have today.
• And finally, in 1919, New Jersey’s Alice Parker was granted a patent for a central heating system that used natural gas to power the heating furnace. Her invention revolutionized the way homes were heated and led directly to today’s home heating systems. Thank you, Alice!

See, we told you we’d end up in New Jersey.

These days, of course, modern technology has dramatically improved how your homes and workplaces are heated – with a little help from friendly neighborhood contractors like us, of course. Now even the most frigid of winters can be pretty comfortable as long as you’re indoors.

And if you’re having problems with your heating system, no worries. Contact us today!