NEW HYDE PARK, N.Y. (August 16, 2004) – T.F. O’Brien & Co. has earned its accreditation as a Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer in New York. This endorsement program was designed by Carrier Corporation to promote quality, excellence, and attention to detail in solving the heating and cooling needs of homeowners by Carrier dealers.
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T.F. O’BRIEN & CO. NAMED A CARRIER FACTORY AUTHORIZED DEALER
T.F. O’Brien & Co. Remembers Past; Grows Toward Future
HYDE PARK, N.Y., June 1, 2010 – When Thomas Francis O’Brien entered into the commercial refrigeration repair business in 1934, the world was a much different place. The United States was in the throes of the Great Depression, and World War II was a distant rumbling on the horizon. So how did one man build a business that, 76 years later, is still growing and still owned and operated by the O’Brien family?
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Sealing Air Ducts for Savings
You may have the newest, most energy efficient heating and air equipment, or maybe your system getting on in years but still performing well. Whichever is your situation, a sure way to get the most out of either is to check your air ducts.
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Comfort Plus Control with Zoning Systems
An option for your heating and cooling system that allows better comfort, greater control and the potential to reduce energy costs sounds good, doesn’t it? The use of zoning systems gives homeowners that type of increased comfort and control in our homes.
Zoning systems added to a home’s existing heating and cooling systems results in a more consistent temperature level. The home is divided into “zones” that have their own thermostat. The different thermostats tie into a central control allowing the homeowner to have a consistent comfort level in all the home living spaces. This eliminates problem rooms or areas that are too cool in winter or too hot in summer. The flow of conditioned air is more accurately balanced without getting one room too hot or cool in order to warm up or cool off another room. More air is delivered where it is needed, less air where it is not.
The air distribution can be controlled and the comfort level in each zone is more easily maintained. Rooms or areas that are rarely used can be dealt with separately. Keep those areas at a winter level of 65 degrees and a summer level of 78. While the other living spaces maintain a 72-degree level, you are saving energy costs by reducing the heating and cooling of rooms that are seldom, if ever, used. Put the warm and cool air where it is needed, not where it is wasted.
Zoning systems can give you that kind of control. If you and your family have noticed “hot spots” or “cold spots” inside the home, zoning may be a solution. If you would like an assessment of your home to see if zoning systems can give you greater comfort and control, contact us at T.F. O’Brien. We’re always happy to help with answers and options for your home comfort concerns.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about zoning systems and other HVAC topics, click here to download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Priority Appointments a Bonus for Preventive Maintenance
The dead of winter, miserable as this one has been, is the time when preventive maintenance to your heating system pays off. We hope you’re remembering furnace filter changes monthly or as often as your particular system needs them. Otherwise, a well-maintained system should be purring along, allowing you to dream of the day when we’ll finally need A/C again.
Should your system have a problem, however, T.F. O’Brien wants offers an extra perk to those who sign up for our preventive maintenance plans. We’ll give your emergency call priority service, meaning you’ll know that one of our technicians will get to you that day. And by “that day,” we also mean your call will get priority 365 days a year.
We offer a discount on repairs, too, for members of our plans and our plans are transferable if you happen to move during the contract term. We like to think that the money you’ll save anyway, by keeping your system maintained through twice-yearly service, is a pretty big deal, too.
Winter is not the only time HVAC equipment breaks down though. Summer can be miserable when the A/C or cooling system stops working. You will want to spot and fix issues before they become problems. Preventive maintenance is the best way to ensure you and your loved ones will be safe and comfortable throughout the entire year.
For preventive maintenance questions, or any issue regarding home comfort, feel free to call the professionals at T.F. O’Brien. We’re happy to help.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about preventive maintenance and other HVAC topics, click here to download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Airflow Issues? Maybe Your Air Returns are Lacking.
If it seems that some of the rooms in your home are comfortable while others are too cool, too warm or stuffy, it could be your air returns. Most homeowners don’t really think about the air ducts; as long as your HVAC system seems to be functioning, all is OK. In reality, it could be that inadequate return air ducting is the reason your home isn’t quite as comfortable as you would like.
For the air in your home to feel consistent and comfortable in every room, it is necessary that stale air is drawn out of the room so that heated supply air can enter the room. This is why it is desirable that air returns are placed in all major rooms, such as the living room, bedrooms and kitchen.
When return air ducts are located only in one or two rooms, the newly heated air coming in to your home has to force through the air in all of the rooms, making your HVAC system work harder. This also means an inconsistency in temperatures throughout your home.
We know that you don’t give these details much thought; we simply want you to be aware that air returns are essential to your family’s comfort, and to your HVAC system working as efficiently as possible.
If your home is lacking in return air ducts, consider having more installed. Avoid placing furniture over air returns, or blocking them with wall coverings or other items if located in the wall. Also, consider having a professional check your return air ducts for air leaks and proper air flow. You will save on energy costs, and your family will remain comfortable no matter what room they are in.
T.F. O’Brien services the Long Island, New York area. We strive to educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). You can find more information about air returns and other HVAC topics by downloading our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Faced with “Repair or Replace” Decision? Some Tips…
Homeowners often face the decision of whether to repair or replace their furnace. Before making this important decision, answer the following questions:
- Is your system in overall good condition? If so, it might be more cost- effective to repair it.
- How long are you planning to live in your home? If you are moving within a couple of years, evaluate whether a new system will increase the value of your home. If the cost outweighs the investment value, consider repair. If you are planning on living in your home for many more years, consider the benefits of a more energy efficient system.
- Have you addressed insulation and duct work? Proper insulation and seals can save up to 20 percent on your energy costs.
- Are you using a programmable thermostat? A programmable thermostat can save up to 30 percent in energy costs.
- Have you performed the Home Energy Yardstick? Use this tool to score your home’s energy efficiency.
Consider repairing if:
- Your system is less than 15 years old.
- The repair is under $500.
- The overall condition of your system is good.
- Your energy bills are reasonable and not concerning.
- Your Home Energy Yardstick score is 5 or above.
Consider replacing if:
- Your system is over 15 years old.
- Your system needs frequent repairs.
- Your Home Energy Yardstick score is less than 5. If the energy savings of a more efficient unit will cover all or part of your investment, consider replacing it.
- Your utilities costs are constantly rising.
- You are concerned about air quality. Consider replacement with an energy-efficient system that can reduce the potential for air contaminants like mold, bacteria, and dust.
A general rule of thumb that can be helpful in deciding whether to repair or replace your furnace is to add up your energy costs for the past winter and multiply by 20 percent. Divide that number into the cost of buying and installing. This is an estimate of how many years it will take to recoup your investment.
Of course, you can also count on T.F. O’Brien for expert advice on repairing vs. replacing your furnace. We can walk you through the options and help you make an educated decision. Call us if we can help.
Retrofitting Options for Zoning Systems
Home zoning systems have gained in popularity as a method of moderating room-to-room temperature fluctuations. It’s not uncommon to see zoning systems incorporated into new residential construction as it is being built. Existing homes can also use zoning to maximize home comfort. The system can be retrofitted.
Zoning is simply a method to maintain a comfortable level of heating and cooling consistent throughout the home. Leaving one room to move to another can mean a change of several degrees in temperature. This problem can especially exist in two or three story homes. Upstairs rooms can get uncomfortably warm due to downstairs heat rising. Zoning systems can control the heating and cooling differences.
A heating and air specialist can consult best determine how to retrofit an existing home. Usually, the home is divided into two, three or four zones. Separate thermostats are installed in the zones. These work in conjunction with a central control unit. This unit can intelligently control the amount of air required in each zone, keeping a consistent comfort level in the living spaces of the home. Hot and/or cold spots are eliminated.
Rooms, wings or sections of a home that see little use can be controlled to reduce the amount of heat or cool air going in. This can result in a substantial savings in energy costs. Savings of up to 30 percent are not uncommon in homes with a zoning retrofit.
Over time, zoning systems can pay for themselves in fuel and energy costs. The added benefit of a consistent temperature in all living spaces makes zoning quite attractive to families who have had to endure rooms that are too cold in winter and too hot in summer.
The experts at T.F. O’Brien Cooling and Heating are familiar with all the latest information in maintaining peak comfort at the lowest possible cost. Call us if we can help.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about xoning systems and other HVAC topics, click here to download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Replace Air Filters, No Matter What Kind You Choose
If your heating and cooling system uses disposable filters, make a point of checking your home’s air filters monthly, and replace them at least every three months, especially during heavy usage periods in the winter and summer. Your furnace, central air conditioner, and/or heat pumps all rely on air filters to keep their systems, and the air in your home, clean. Your system has to work hard when it tries to pull air through filters that are clogged with dirt and dust. Extremely old or dirty filters can lead to costly repair and replacement, so it’s worth a little upfront maintenance to prevent lots of time and trouble later. By replacing your air filters, you will improve your equipment’s efficiency and durability, saving you money both in utility bills and maintenance.
Beyond cost savings, clean air filters are vital for improving indoor air quality, which is often much worse than outdoor air, according to the EPA. Allergens, mold, bacteria, viruses, and dust accumulate and can flourish in your home, but standard air filters help trap particulate and reduce the contaminants in your indoor air. You may also want to consider a high-efficiency air filter, which targets and captures a far broader range of indoor pollutants.
For support checking or replacing your filters, contact T.F. O’Brien. We’re happy to help recommend the best filters for your home’s system, too.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about replacing air filters and other HVAC topics, click here to download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
