Smart thermostats are the future of homes in the United States, and for some pretty significant reasons we’ll get into below.

Why bring this up now? Because starting in April 2019, we’re offering up to $1,700 in savings in a Lennox iComfort wifi smart thermostat systems. With that in mind, we thought we’d outline exactly why smart thermostats are the future and how they can improve your life.

Before we outline some of the features smart thermostats have, we want to be clear: not all smart thermostats have all these features. Features can different depending on the manufacturer and model, so if a particular feature catches your eye, be sure to mention it to us so we can ensure you get the model that is right for your needs.

And how, here are some fantastic ways these modern devices can make your life better:

Control It From Your Phone

Among the most common features of most smart thermostat systems is the ability to control the thermostat from anywhere you have cell service. On vacation in Hawaii and see that you’re getting a bad cold snap back home? A tap on your phone and you can adjust the temperature so your pipes don’t freeze. Away for the weekend in the middle of summer and worried a sudden heat wave will bother your cats? You can adjust the A/C no matter where you are. This is a powerful tool that offers great peace of mind.

Detailed App-Based Scheduling

Thermostats that allow you to schedule heat and cooling cycles are not new. These days, most people in our area have thermostats that allow you to automatically turn down the heat or A/C while you are at work, and have the temperature automatically adjust when you get home. What these new app-based scheduling features allow you to do is to not only do this remotely, but to create highly in-depth temperature management schedules that allow you to customize with great detail. Hourly, daily, weekly, weekends, holidays – whatever your needs, these apps can handle it.

They Can Detect Where You Are

Some smart thermostat systems come equipped with motion detectors that can sense when you are in a room. This data lets the systems determine what rooms are getting used most often and when, allowing them to better schedule heating and cooling cycles so you get maximum impact for your dollar. This can be a huge boost for your energy efficiency.

AI Learning Algorithms

In conjunction with the motion detectors mentioned above, some smart thermostat systems can adjust their own schedules based on the way your home is being used. That means even if you set it and forget it, the system itself will “learn” and adjust itself as needed.

Track Your Energy Use

A great feature of newer smart thermostats is that they can provide detailed statistics regarding your energy use. This allows you to get a better idea of where and when you are using more energy than you realize, and adjust your lifestyle accordingly. Is that “always on” video game system you have sucking up more power than you knew? With a smart thermostat, you’ll know to unplug it between uses.

Save You Money On Your Energy Bills

This is the obvious one, which is why we saved it for last. When you invest in a smart thermostat system, it’s a true investment. You’re saving money every month on your energy bills, and that adds up over the long term.

Are you interested in knowing more? Contact us at 732-244-2880 and ask about what the smart thermostats we carry can do for you.

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!

As a homeowner and a consumer, it’s easy to be skeptical when a heating and air conditioning company suggests you get an annual furnace inspection. It probably sounds like a sales pitch to you, and since you’ve never had annual maintenance done on your furnace before and everything has been fine, it’s got to be some kind of sales scam, right?

The truth is, annual furnace inspections really are an important part of home maintenance.

The experts to listen to on this topic aren’t HVAC contractors like us, either. Instead, listen to the furnace manufacturers themselves. Every furnace manufacturer recommends annual service and maintenance on their products. Further, these manufacturers include language in their warranties indicating that damage caused by improper maintenance, or a lack of maintenance, is not covered under warranty. (To be clear, the chances of you having a warranty claim rejected because you didn’t have annual inspections are exceedingly slim, though take note that they can ask for your service records before approving a warranty claim.)

According to a report on the subject from Angie’s List, “The manufacturers that built them all agree on this; you should get it serviced once [a year] for heating and once for cooling,” said Paul Mills, an HVAC tech from North Carolina. “Tuning it up and checking it out is definitely recommended. Much like a car, if you ignore it, a lot more things break. You [will] extend the life of it and help prevent major breakdowns.”

Annual inspections can be referred to a number of ways, but the terms are largely interchangeable. Annual maintenance, a checkup, a “tune up,” and others. All mean basically the same thing: a thorough review of your furnace and related systems by a qualified professional, checking for leaks, blockages, rust, corrosion, wear and tear on parts, and overall safety. Sometimes this might include a cleaning, too, if necessary.

No, you’re not going to discover some expensive problem with it every year – and that’s the point. The idea is to prevent problems before they happen, extending the lifespan of your furnace and addressing issues before they become expensive fixes.

In fact, more than half of no-heat service calls made during the winter could have been avoided had the furnace been serviced in the autumn.

As Fox Business noted in its report on the topic, “The best analogy is going to the dentist every six months for a checkup and cleaning; probably not necessary, but recommended.”

Depending on the age of your furnace, there is some flexibility in how often you get yours serviced. If you have a new furnace, it’s safe to have inspections every other year. When your furnace is over a decade old, however, an annual inspection is recommended.

A further benefit of annual maintenance is that it can help your heating system operate more efficiently, which means spending less money on your energy bills. Even routine maintenance you can do yourself can make a big difference. According to Energy Star, a branch of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), simply changing your air filters every three months can result in a reduction in your energy bills. A programmable thermostat can help, too.

Want to more about what is entailed with annual furnace maintenance? Contact us at (732) 244-2880 and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you have.

When Sergeant George “Tyler” McGibbon of Toms River, NJ returned home in 2017, the wounded warrior was welcomed with open arms. To help him transition back to civilian life, a squad of friends, family, contractors, decorators and veterans support groups went into action – including the team at Mitsubishi Electric, ABCO, and Toms River Heating & Air – to customize a home living space for him.
Renowned actor Gary Sinise set the project in motion with his RISE program which provides injured veterans with specially customized smart home makeovers. They teamed with George To The Rescue, the hit NBC TV show that undertakes home makeovers for people in need.

Soon after, the garage in the McGibbon family home had been transformed into a new living space with full bed, bath and living room customized for Sgt. McGibbon. Stylish, roomy and functional, it’s an all-new place to call home as he continues therapy and readjusts to daily life.

Maximizing limited home space. Jason Wong of ABCO’s Lakewood, NJ branch spoke to the versatility of Mitsubishi Electric’s ductless equipment. “It lets us tailor HVAC systems to meet specific needs of individual customers. That’s what we did for Sgt. McGibbon.” The job called for a heating and cooling solution that didn’t take up a lot of space and provided year round comfort, durability and energy efficiency.

The indoor Mitsubishi MLZ one-way ceiling cassette heat pump was installed in the bedroom and living areas

Out of sight comfort from above. Mitsubishi Electric MXZ-C One-Way Ceiling Cassette Heat Pump
The indoor Mitsubishi MLZ one-way ceiling cassette heat pump was installed in the bedroom and living areas.
The units are compact and fit snugly between standard ceiling joists and are ideal for retrofit and new construction.

• Sleek design easy mounting
• A variety of speeds and capacities
• Sync with wifi kumo cloud app for remote control
• Quiet operation reducing distracting noise
• Washable antibacterial and deodorizing filters that capture & neutralize bacteria, pollen, and other airborne allergens
• Accessible from bottom, no access panel is required

Stylish cozy all year, the way it should be.

For even more convenience, the units are sync’ed up with the kumo cloud wifi system. “Our ductless system was a logical choice for this project in which a small space was skillfully turned into a new fully-outfitted, roomy and comfortable apartment for Sgt. McGibbon,” said Tim Rabel of Mitsubishi Electric.

Catch the whole story . Now you can meet the family, the friends, the fire fighters and town officials who pitched in to make the project a success. Because George to the rescue chronicled it from beginning to end and will broadcast it on NBC TV on October 27, 2018. Tune in and learn all the details of this story of courage, coming home and inspiration.