Your air conditioner can be running, but not reducing the temperature in your home. There might not be anything worse than finding out your air conditioning system is on the fritz in the middle of a heatwave in summer. Thankfully, professionals who perform Ocean County air conditioner repair are here to help keep you cool. It’s no surprise that the phrase “the best defense is a good offense” exists. It is suitable in a variety of scenarios and holds true for our industry as well. The best way to avoid air conditioner breakdowns is to have a professional inspect and maintain your unit on an annual basis prior to using it for the summer. Even with a great maintenance history, a/c units can break so here’s some tips on what to do if you need Ocean County air conditioner repair.

Signs to Watch For

One of the most obvious signs that you need to call for Ocean County air conditioner repair is that your home is not being cooled. If your a/c isn’t cooling your home, you need turn off your system and contact a professional. Other signs that something could be wrong with your system are strange sounds and smells. Every a/c unit makes noise when it is running, but you know what your system sounds like. When there are noises that stand out to you as being abnormal, that is not a good sign. Metallic noises, banging sounds, and audible screeching should all trigger a call to an a/c repair professional.

What To Try Before You Call Us

There are a couple of things that are fairly simple to check to rule-out for being the culprit for why your a/c is not cooling your home.

• Step one is to make sure the settings are correct. For instance, make sure it is set to cool and that the temperature is set properly.
• Step two is similar to the technology adage of “turn it off and turn it back on again.” Set your thermostat to heat and let it run for a few minutes. Then switch your system back to cool. Again, let it run for a couple minutes. Then check and see if you have cold air coming from your registers.
• If neither of these steps helps, the next item to check is the air filter. Even if you know you just installed a new air filter three weeks ago, remove the air filter and maker sure there is nothing blocking air flow withing the system. If the air filter is dirty and clogged, do not run the system until you replace it with a new filter. Once that is done, try the a/c again.
• Lastly, go outside and take a look at your condenser. Make sure the fins are not blocked by debris or are not damaged in any way. If there is anything wrong with the fins, airflow is diminished and the unit will fail.

If you’ve checked all of above and you still don’t have cool air, we can fix that. When you need emergency Ocean County air conditioner repair, TRHAC is qualified and ready to help.

Call an Ocean County Air Conditioner Repair Professional Yearly

To keep your HVAC system running as efficiently as possible, contact us. As your Ocean County air conditioner repair company, we’re happy to schedule an annual inspection. When we are able to examine a system on a yearly basis, we can identify small impairments within your system before they become major catastrophes. Maintaining your system in the best condition possible helps keep the machines running well for the entire lifetime of the units.  Skipping an annual exam for your home’s air conditioner does not save you money. Rather, you can end up costing you much more in the long run. Unhealthy a/c units cost more to run and ultimately need to be replaced sooner than well-maintained units. If you are unsure when you last had either your air conditioner or heater inspected, give us a call. Let us help you prevent an emergency Ocean County air conditioner repair call!

The quality of the air we breathe is important. There are websites like Air Now that monitor outdoor air quality and provide information. In addition to sites similar to that one, the NJ Department of Environmental Protection maintains 30 air quality control monitors throughout the state. These offer up-to-the-minute details on pollutant levels in the air outdoors. What is just as important as outdoor air quality is indoor air quality. Many people do not give significant thought to the quality of the air in their homes. There are many irritants that could be circulating through your home that could be decreasing your indoor air quality to the extent that you may suffer health problems. We’re here to tell you with a few easy steps including regular HVAC service in Toms River, you can improve your indoor air quality so you be breathing a lot easier at home.

We Install Whole Home Air Purifiers in Toms River

Whole home air purifiers are one of the easiest ways to improve your indoor air quality. Unlike room purifiers that only treat the air of the room where they are located, whole home air purifiers treat your entire home with one system. They may also be referred to as in-duct systems as they are installed directly into the air ducts of an existing HVAC system. This makes them very effective

 at treating all the air in your home. These systems not only remove airborne irritants, but colds, viruses, germs, and chemical odors also. In this way, whole home air purifiers not only improve indoor air quality to help you breathe easier, but keeps you healthy too. Learn more about whole home air purifiers in Toms River here.

Ensure You Have Proper Circulation with HVAC Service in Toms River

If you’ve read any of our past blogs, we’re sure you are aware that any blockage of air anywhere within your HVAC system is bad news. The best way to avoid this? Contact us to schedule regular inspections and service of your units. Just as it is helpful to clean often to reduce airborne contaminants, it is also advantageous to have a professional examine your heating and air conditioning units. We’ll look for damages and clean the units to ensure proper function.

Along with circulation, ventilation is important especially when using products with volatile organic compounds like paint or cleaners. The first step in reducing VOCs is to research alternate ways to accomplish your task using items that do not contain these contaminants. If that is not a possibility, purchase products that are labelled as containing low VOCs. Lastly, whenever using these types of products it is essential to use them outdoors or keep the windows open. It also helps to have a fan pulling air out of the space.

The Number One Way  to Remove Pollutants is To Eliminate Them

The best way to avoid breathing in harmful particles is to remove them from your home. One way to do this is to clean well and clean often. This greatly cuts down on dust, dander, and other allergens in your home. The truth is, a cleaner house does help improve your air quality indoors. For more a severe source, like asbestos, always contact a professional for removal of this dangerous substance. Another way to accomplish this we already discussed, and this is to clean the air. If a whole home air purifier isn’t in your plans, stand-alone units do a fine job of cleaning the air. Even a small addition of an air purifier can reduce the effects of poor air quality. Things like itchy eyes, runny nose, headaches, and fatigue can all by symptoms of “dirty” air.

HVAC Service in Toms River is Just One Step in Cleaning Your Air

Reducing allergens and irritants all together may be impossible. But we hope we’ve given you a few steps on how to improve your indoor air quality. With one phone call, we can help improve your indoor air quality by ensuring your HVAC system is running properly and efficiently. Even small damages or impairments can negatively affect the performance of these units. This is why annual HVAC service in Toms River is important. Give us a call today and get ready to breathe easier.

While a home HVAC system is most common, it is not the only way to heat your home. With that being said, most alternate heat sources are meant to be supplemental or to be kept on hand in case of emergency. Aside from a professionally installed furnace, many other heat sources only provide warmth to a select area. This makes them not great options for most homes as a primary heating source. However, when your furnace breaks in the dead of winter, having another way to keep your family warm is essential. A great way to avoid needing emergency heating solutions is to give us a call today to provide your home with expert heating service in Toms River.

Heat Your Home from the Ground Up

There are two notable ways to heat your home from the ground up. One is radiant heat flooring and the other is a geothermal heat pump. Radiant flooring is widely accessible and is a service that we offer as well. Geothermal pumps, also known as ground-source heat pumps or earth-coupled heat pumps, are less used.

If you are interested in learning more about installing radiant heat flooring in Toms River, contact us today. This type of heat uses either a water-based system or an electric one. The system is installed under your flooring most commonly, but there are also versions that can be installed in walls and ceilings. However, under the flooring is the most effective. It works by using the natural convection of heat (hot air rises) to circulate the heat. The floors can be set to temperatures over 100°F but are typically set to around 80°.

Geothermal heat pumps are something many people probably have never heard of. Even when air temperatures are below freezing, ground temperatures just a few feet below the surface may only get as cold as 45°F. Just as caves can be cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, heat pumps take advantage of this and exchange the air with the earth to warm or cool a home. Visit The Department of Energy to learn more about this alternate heating system.

Solar Heating Can Mean a Few Different Things

Many people will think of solar panels when someone says solar heating. This is definitely one definition of it. Another, is using the actual power of the sun with well-placed landscaping and windows to help add warmth to your home. The first definition is also known as active solar power and the latter, passive solar space heating.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, “Active solar heating systems have collectors for heating a fluid (air or a liquid) and fans or pumps to move the fluid through the collectors, where it is heated, to the interior of a building or to a heat storage system, where the heat is released, and back to the collector to be reheated.” Solar energy can be used for different zones in your home individually like using it only for hot water, or can be used to help heat your entire home. Installation is costly, but often pays for itself in less than a decade. After this time, owners enjoy free energy for the lifetime of the panels.

Passive solar heating is simply being smart about where you plant trees in your yard, where windows are located on your home and even installing skylights to allow as much sunlight into your home as possible. Sunlight beating through windows can add a considerable amount of warmth to a home when it is not diffused through a canopy of trees or blocked by window coverings.

Fireplaces and Wood or Pellet Stoves Are Effective

Fireplaces and wood burning stoves are very effective at heating rooms. It can be difficult to effectively spread that warmth throughout the home. Plus, it can only be used while someone is home. Most homes use this type of heat as supplemental and a way to decrease energy bills in the winter when possible. For smaller abodes, like winter hunting cabins, pellet stoves may be the only source of heat and in that case, can be extremely efficient and effective.

Heating Service in Toms River Keeps Homes Cozy

No matter what type of heating source you choose, proper maintenance is crucial. Fireplaces and stoves require annual chimney cleaning to remove dangerous creosote to reduce the risk of chimney fires. Even solar panels need regular cleaning and inspecting in order to keep them effective. For a majority of homes in Ocean County, an HVAC system is the preferred method for heating a house. With that, heating service in Toms River is essential to keep your system running smooth. Cleaning, inspecting, and repairing parts and systems is important to avoid major damages and loss of heat. Contact us today to provide you with heating service in Toms River to ensure a warm winter!

Anyone that owns a home in Ocean County is likely to have an HVAC system installed. This will include a portion for air conditioning and machinery for heating as well. As with most equipment found within a home, furnaces and air conditioners can break. When this happens, you and your family can be literally left in the cold. We’ve decided to review a few of the most common furnace repairs in Ocean County. Plus, we’ll give you some tips on how to avoid them.

A Scraping Sound is Usually Worn-Out Ball Bearings

Some furnaces make a lot of noise when they run even when they are in the best condition. Others may be much quieter. The key as a homeowner is to recognize what noises are normal for your furnace. This way you can easily identify an abnormal noise that may be a warning sign of damage. One of these noises that isn’t typical of any working furnace is a scraping metal sound. Most commonly, this is a sign of worn-out ball bearings in your blower. It is always best to refrain from turning on your furnace again until our repair technician confirms that this is the problem and replaces them.

During our yearly inspection, we’ll check all parts of your blower including the ball bearings for wear and tear. Anything identified as broken or worn can then be replaced before you have problems.

Your Energy Bill is On the Rise

Usually, the first few times you turn your heat on, it’s only on to take the chill out of the air. It turns on to raise the indoor temperature a few degrees and then turns off. As the weather gets colder and colder, you run your heater more and more. So, it is not uncommon for your energy bills to be higher as winter sets in. However, once your daily routine is set and the temperature on the thermostat isn’t changing much, your energy bill should plateau. If the outdoor temperatures have been steady and you haven’t changed anything on your furnaces schedule, but your bill is going up every month, there could be a number of things wrong.

An inefficient machine is an expensive machine. Save money with an annual inspection so we can keep your furnace running smoothly.

Your Furnace Blows Continuously

There is a part of your furnace that ultimately controls when it turns on and when it shuts off. This is called the limit switch. These are a common part to go bad in a furnace. You will almost immediately know if you have a bad limit switch because the blower in your furnace will blow continuously. Not only can this lead to our first problem because the blower is working too much, but it can also be dangerous. The limit switch knows to shut your furnace off when it gets hot enough. Without that trigger, your furnace can easily overheat. Not only can this cause extensive damage to your furnace, but these damages are potentially hazardous. When the furnaces temperature continues to ruse unchecked, it can crack the heat exchanger. This in turn can allow toxic byproducts to leak into your home.

Routine care by our professionals helps to ensure not only the efficiency of your HVAC, but the safety of it as well. Always be sure to have working smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors in your home on all floors.

Lack of Maintenance is the Biggest Contributor to Furnace Repair in Ocean County

One of the biggest contributing factors to homeowners needing to call for furnace repairs in Ocean County is the lack of routine maintenance. All the repairs we’ve already mentioned can often be avoided with a regular visit from one of our technicians. A once-a-year inspection of your HVAC system can identify minor issues that we can then fix before they cause more damage. It is best to have your a/c examined in the spring and your furnace in the fall. This gives you the best chance at avoiding any breakdowns or emergencies. That being said, if you miss that window, it is still always better to schedule an inspection for any time versus not at all. Any maintenance is better than no maintenance at all when it comes to furnace repair in Ocean County so contact us today.

Buying a home is an exciting time. There is often a lot of information, tons of numbers, and lots of people involved. When all is said and done, however, and those keys are in your hand, that house becomes your home. This also means that the responsibility to take care of that home rests squarely on your shoulders. We’ve put together some tips relating to a homes HVAC system for all homeowners, but especially those who have recently purchased a home. Unfortunately, heating and air conditioning units are often missing from standard home maintenance task lists. This can lead to disastrous effects. The best thing you can do to care for your heating and a/c is to have a professional inspection by a technician experienced in heating repair in Sea Girt every year starting when you first move into the home.

Tip #1 is To Learn Your System

The most helpful tip we can give homeowners is to know some basic information about your HVAC system. Age of the system parts, what type of units are installed, and other details are important to know about your heater and air conditioner.

Location

First and foremost, it is important to know where your units are located and where the emergency shut-off switch is. This typically looks like a standard light switch but may be red and is usually right outside the area where your HVAC is located.

Fuel and Operation Type

It is essential to know what type of furnace is installed. Is it fueled by gas or oil or is it electric? Oil is the least likely option, but requires regular oil delivery which makes it essential to know this. It is also good to know how your furnace operates. Is it a single-stage, two-stage, or variable?  If you don’t know this information, don’t worry. When you schedule an inspection for your system after you move in, our technician will be able to give you all the information you need about your HVAC system.

Warranty

Another good piece of information that is good to know is if any parts of your heating or air conditioner are still under warranty. Repairs can be costly so it’s good to know when something may be covered. Be sure to get this information from the previous owner. Typical warranties cover a variety of parts and last about 5-10 years. Most HVAC unit’s lifetime is approximately 5-25 years. This information is important to know and will help you decide when it is time to replace rather than repair the hVAC system.

General Maintenance Goes a Long Way in Avoiding Heating Repair in Sea Girt

When you first move into a new home, it can be easy to forget that not everything in the house may be new. It is important to review some general items relating to your newly acquired HVAC system to avoid emergencies. One, it is always important to check the air filter in the furnace. It may not necessarily need to be changed, but it is important to know how close it is. Second, take a close look at your HVAC units and ensure there is adequate air flow around all parts inside and outside. Make sure there is at least three feet of clear space around all areas. Lastly, when you move into a home, make sure there are no vents closed in any rooms. Some people believe closing vents saves money, but we know that is just a common myth and can increase wear.

Your HVAC can be the Source of an Emergency

No matter what type of furnace or HVAC system your new home has, these machines can be the source of an emergency. Whether it is a broken belt leaving your home in the cold in the winter or a refrigerant leak in the summer, damages to HVAC units can lead to some dangerous situations. The best way to avoid any crisis is to have one of our experienced technicians in heating repair in Sea Girt inspect your system every year. This can be an important step for newly purchased homes as well no matter the age of the home. It is always best to know the condition of your heating and air conditioning system when moving into a new home. Even after a home inspection, a professional evaluation by a local HVAC repair company is a good idea.

Contact us today to schedule an inspection of your HVAC!

Living in and around the Toms River area means we get to enjoy all four seasons. Temperatures reach both ends of the spectrum ranging from extreme heat to extreme cold and everywhere in between. This makes our air conditioners and heaters very important to us. Our HVAC systems work really hard during summer and winter. One of the seasons when our systems get to take a little break is fall. After heavy usage of air conditioning in the summer and right before needing to turn your heat on for winter, fall is the perfect time of year to schedule your HVAC maintenance in Ocean County.

HVAC Maintenance in Ocean County is Important After Summer

This summer was a scorcher. Weeks upon weeks of higher than 90°F temperatures. The only relief found was in the comfort of your temperature-controlled home. With a properly, efficiently running a/c, you will stay comfortable every summer despite how hot it gets. The best way to care for your unit after a long summer is with a professional inspection every year. After heavy use and before letting it sit for the winter, a thorough cleaning will help your air conditioner remain in good shape and running efficiently year after year. Our technicians will ensure all parts of your air conditioning system are clean, damage free, and that there is proper airflow through the entire system. This includes checking and replacing the air filter where necessary.

HVAC Maintenance is Great to have it checked before heavy usage in the winter.

Just as it is a good idea to have your a/c inspected and cleaned before the off-season, it is equally important for a professional to examine your furnace to ensure it is in working order before you need to use it during winter. The inspection will check fluid levels, look for impairments, and ensure proper function.  The once situation you don’t want to find yourself in is one where you are calling us for emergency furnace repair. The best way to avoid this is to regularly schedule your HVAC maintenance in Ocean County during the fall season. Repairs may be unavoidable, but with regular checks, our professionals can diagnose any potential issues before they cause a problem.

Schedule Your HVAC Maintenance in Ocean County Today

A good maintenance schedule helps ensure your HVAC system runs as efficiently as possible during the summer and the winter. This translates into as low as possible energy bills. A dirty and inefficient HVAC system leads to rising utility bills. Therefore, save money year-round by ensuring your HVAC is running smoothly and breakage-free with regular visits from one of our professionals. Not only does maintaining your HVAC system help control your energy bills, it also helps keep you protected. By checking for leaks, cracks, and other damages, we can ensure your furnace is not just efficient, but also safe. Save money and protect your home by contacting us to schedule your HVAC maintenance in Ocean County today.

Air cleaners are often referred to air purifiers. Most people are familiar with the portable stand-up air purifiers. Not as many people are aware that you can have an electronic air cleaner installed in your home along with your HVAC system that easily treats the air throughout your home. These can improve your indoor air quality and can be advantageous especially in homes where people with ling illnesses live. However, having good air quality is important for every home. Breathing in low quality air for an extended length of time can result in any number of negative health consequences.  To improve the air quality in your home, contact us now to discuss the installation of an electronic air cleaner.

What to Know About Indoor Air Quality

Air quality refers to how clean the air is inside your home. This is especially relevant when using an HVAC system. To assess your air quality, ask yourself questions like how free of irritants and pollutants is your air? Does it irritate your lungs when you breathe? Do people with respiratory illnesses suffer more when they are in your home? If the answer is yes to any of those questions, your air quality may need to be improved. Common household air irritants are smoke, pet dander, mold, mildew, asbestos, lead, and ozone. Some of these can easily be removed or kept out of a home. Others, however, are harder to avoid. Owning pets, for example, is going to lead to pet dander. Even with the best cleaning practices, there will still be molecules in the air. This is where electronic air cleaners come in.

Why Does Air Quality Matter?

For those who have a respiratory sickness like asthma or COPD, and even those who don’t, what is in the air you breathe matters. We call the molecules found in the air that aggravate us irritants for a reason. Aside from breathing issues, there are many other negative effects that these particles can cause. Headaches, fatigue, heart disease, and cancer are all possible if your air contains many pollutants. There have even been studies that have found outbreaks of Legionnaire’s Disease among workers in buildings with poorly maintained HVAC units. Neglecting to schedule an annual inspection can be detrimental to individual parts and to the system as a whole. During the inspection, one of our expert technicians will assess the condition as well as the cleanliness of your HVAC units. Having this done every year helps to reduce the amount of irritants located in your air.

How Do Electronic Air Cleaners Work?

They are termed electronic not because they are powered by electricity, but because the filtering process itself is uses electromagnetism. You can think of the filter as one end of a magnet and the air molecules as the other end of the magnet. By using an electric field, contaminates get trapped and therefore removed from circulation within your home. This can work on particles like dust, mold, and dander, all common allergens. One positive aspect of an electronic air cleaner aside from their effectiveness is that they use reusable filters. Being able to cleanse and reuse your filters means you can save money over the lifetime of the unit on filters. Plus, you don’t have to remember to order or run to the store every few months to purchase a new filter.

Contact Us For More Information on Electronic Air Cleaners

If you are going to be researching electronic air cleaners, to know exactly how effective the air cleaner is, look at the MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating. We recommend filters with a rating of 10 or above.  It is also important to make sure that the filter you choose does not produce ozone as a byproduct. This can be an unfortunate side effect of some electronic air filters. If you have any questions about the electronic air filters or want to have one installed in your home, contact us today!