Author: T.F. O'Brien Cooling & Heating

Tired of Needing AC Repair for Your Nassau County Home? Here’s What You Can Do

Posted on by T.F. O'Brien Cooling & Heating

Routine Maintenance is the Key to Consistent Performance

More than likely, the AC system in your Nassau County home was expensive, even if you installed it more than 10 years ago. Like your vehicle, your home’s air conditioning system is an expensive machine.  Air conditioning has always been an investment in the comfort of your home and family, but if you constantly have to make AC repairs, it can seem like a nuisance. There are measures you can take, though, that can make AC repair minimal, if not a thing of the past.

As your air conditioning equipment ages, the need for repairs often becomes a consistent issue. Like any other complex machinery, the AC unit in your Nassau County home has many moving parts – and the more moving parts, the more likely something, at some point in time, will fail. Even the very best AC equipment won’t last indefinitely – but there are measures you can take to ensure your system lasts as long as possible. At T.F. O’Brien Cooling & Heating, we always recommend to our clients that they choose maintenance for the longevity and efficiency of their system. Maintenance helps prevent the need for AC repair in many ways.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, there are several ways that routine maintenance can help your AC unit remain worry-free all season long, and for years to come. For instance, maintenance usually involves changing or cleaning the filters. Dirty, clogged filters have a dramatic effect on the performance of the air conditioning system in your Nassau County home. If unattended, the dirty filters can wreak havoc with your system’s evaporator coil, reducing its heat-absorbing capacity. Worse yet, dirty filters and coils can cause your system’s compressors and fans to fail permanently – and the AC repairs needed to fix those problems can be very costly.

A minor refrigerant leak in your Nassau County AC system can also grow into a big concern if left unattended. During regular maintenance, your HVAC technician will check for any leaks in your system, make any needed repairs and add refrigerant when necessary. Without maintenance, a leak can cause your system to become undercharged – and that will lead to diminished system performance and possibly, a more expensive fix. (Not to mention, a refrigeration leak can cause some serious harm to the environment, and nobody wants to upset Mother Nature!)

Of course, if you have an older AC system in your Nassau County home that seems to be breaking down often, it may simply be the age of your system.  Properly maintained air conditioning systems last on average from 10 to 15 years, so if your AC unit is at that age, it may be time to replace. The good news is, modern air conditioning systems are much more efficient than their counterparts from even 10 years ago. They use a refrigerant that’s both environmentally sound and more efficient, too. And perhaps the best part is, although a new system will be an expense, there are many incentives available that can make the cost more palatable.

When you work with T.F. O’Brien, we’ll help you make the most of your Nassau County home’s air conditioning system so it lives its longest life. We look out for your best interests and provide exceptional air conditioning products and services of the highest quality to ensure expected comfort and safety. Our entire company is focused on you, and we strive to ensure that you enjoy your experience working with us and never have to deal with a hassle. We guarantee that you’ll be 100 percent satisfied – and you won’t pay until you are.

When you need an air conditioning contractor for your Nassau County home, we’re ready to assist you. Just give us a call at 516.488.1800.

AC in your Suffolk County Home Not Working? Troubleshoot First, Call Us Second

Posted on by T.F. O'Brien Cooling & Heating

Our Experts Provide Some Easy Things You Can Do if Your AC Stops Working

Nothing is worse than turning on your air conditioning system on the first hot day of the season, only to discover that it isn’t working properly – or worse yet, isn’t working at all!  There are a few things you can do to troubleshoot your air conditioning system before you make the call to T.F. O’Brien Cooling & Heating. Angie’s List has some suggestions on what to look for when the AC system in your Suffolk County home is failing to keep you cool and comfortable.

Start with the thermostat. The thermostat is always the best place to start if your air conditioning system doesn’t seem to be operating properly. It may not be set to “cool,” or it might be set at a temperature higher than room temperature. If it is battery-operated, your batteries may be dead. If the thermostat is functioning properly, then the chances are the issue is with the unit itself.

If the thermostat is set properly, lower it by five degrees and see if your air conditioning system starts. If not, there is likely a problem with your motor or compressor – and you’ll need professional.

If your system is running but your Suffolk County home isn’t being cooled properly, your evaporator might be dirty. You can clean it yourself, or call us to help. If after you clean it and allow it to run for a couple of hours it still isn’t cooling properly, you might be dealing with an improperly sized unit or a few other factors. No air conditioning unit can keep your home super-cool when temps soar above 100 degrees, especially if you have a lot of windows that allow the sunlight to pour in.

If your unit runs but there is no cool air coming from it, or if it keeps shutting off and turning on repeatedly, double-check the thermostat. If this isn’t the issue, make sure your condenser isn’t dirty or blocked. Weeds, grasses and debris can easily block your condenser. If you clear out the weeds and the problem still isn’t fixed, you may have a faulty compressor or inadequate refrigerant in your system. T.F. O’Brien can help you with those issues.

Any time you are unsure of what to do, you should call in the professionals. The air conditioning system in your Suffolk County home is complex and expensive, and can be hazardous if you attempt to fix it without knowing how. Keeping it well maintained can help problems from starting. When you count on T.F. O’Brien Cooling & Heating to help, we’ll offer you the air conditioning maintenance you need to keep problems from occurring, and AC repair should your system need a fix.

T.F. O’Brien provides air conditioning repair to all makes and models of air conditioners, and we pride ourselves on prompt service, so you will only be without air conditioning for a short time. So when you need air conditioning repair for your Suffolk County home, T.F. O’Brien is ready to assist you. Simply call us at 516.488.1800.

May Message from Kerry

Posted on by T.F. O'Brien Cooling & Heating

 

Welcome to the May Message from Kerry. Spring is in full tilt here on Long Island. As we move closer to summer weather, now is the time to think about getting our cooling systems in shape. At T.F. O’Brien, we want to schedule your air conditioning maintenance at your convenience, and we need your help to do that. Giving us a call early before the cooling season rush starts means we’ll be there when you need us – and you and your family will enjoy better home comfort. So call us today at 516-488-1800 to get your spring tune-up scheduled!

Don’t forget – you can enjoy significant savings right now when you choose to install a new Carrier® system in your home. Now through June 30, you can save up to $3150 on a new system with rebates and incentives from Carrier, T.F. O’Brien and PSE&G, as well as federal tax credits. Certain restrictions apply – call us for details.

This month, we’re thinking about all the ways we can help you keep your home cool this summer. There are so many options available nowadays, from new central air conditioning to high velocity cooling. T.F. O’Brien can help you find the solution that’s perfect for your home. Not to mention, more and more Long Islanders are installing heat pumps as a comfort solution for their home – we can help you decide if this is the right option for you.

May is the month for moms – we hope all the mothers on our customer list enjoy their special day.

We hope you have a beautiful May, and thanks for reading!

Kerry

Three Ways You Can Improve Your Indoor Air Quality

Posted on by T.F. O'Brien Cooling & Heating

Keep Your Home’s Air Free of Allergens and Pollutants

 

The arrival of spring also means the arrival of allergy season for many, and for those who suffer from allergy, asthma and other respiratory conditions, breathing easy can be difficult. It’s important for everyone that the quality of the indoor air they breathe is clean, fresh and healthy. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), there are three ways you can take a proactive approach to your indoor air quality so that you and your loved ones can breathe better this season: controlling the source, improving ventilation and installing air cleaning devices.

  • Source control is, basically, mitigating or removing anything that’s causing indoor air pollution in your home. That means removing any mold or mildew in living areas as well as in places like your basement, having your gas stove adjusted so emissions are decreased, and stopping activities that contribute to indoor air pollution like smoking tobacco or burning certain candles and incenses. You might also look at the type of chemicals you’re using for home cleaning, as some can cause breathing problems and allergic reactions.
  • Improved ventilation is another way you can help improve the quality of the air inside your home. Ventilation is, basically, bringing fresh air from outside into your home. Since most HVAC equipment like furnaces and air conditioners are basically designed to circulate indoor air, you’re pretty much always breathing the same air in your home, unless you have good ventilation. Opening windows is one way to get fresh air inside, but often this isn’t enough. Many people today are opting for whole house ventilation systems, which help eliminate issues like allergens, indoor pollutant and humidity by bringing fresh air into your home.
  • Air cleaners, especially whole-house systems, can be effective in the removal of certain particles in the air you breathe in your home. Air cleaners help get rid of indoor pollutants like mold, dust, dander and some bacteria. Those equipped with a HEPA filter can capture at least 90 percent of all particles sized 0.3 microns or larger in diameter. While air cleaners can effectively remove particles in your indoor air, they require upkeep, and filters need to be changed according to manufacturer specifications in order for them to continue to work properly. Air cleaners should be used in conjunction with source control and improved ventilation.

If you’re having trouble with the quality of air in your home, the best thing you can do for you and your family is contact a qualified home comfort company to help. Because they’re highly trained and use the right equipment and measuring devices, they can quickly discover your indoor air quality problems, make the right recommendations, and install the equipment you need for improved indoor air. When you call T.F. O’Brien, we can help you with your air quality concerns and more. Just give us a call at 516.488.1800, and we will be more than happy to help you get the IAQ you and your family deserve.

Four Questions to Ask When You’re Looking for an Air Conditioning Contractor

Posted on by T.F. O'Brien Cooling & Heating

Find Out More About an AC Company Before Hiring Them

When you’re looking for an air conditioning contractor for your home, chances are you want someone who’s reliable, has years of experience under their belt, and who can provide you with all your air conditioning needs from soup to nuts. It’s important to work with a contractor you can trust. Air conditioning is an expensive investment, so no doubt you want someone who is looking out for your best interests, as well as the comfort of you and your family.

According to the Better Business Bureau, there are certain characteristics of a good contractor you should look for when you’re seeking someone to take care of your home’s air conditioning system. Here’s what you as a consumer should know:

How long has your company been in business locally?

You want to look for a company that’s been around for a while, because that shows they’ve gained customer loyalty and have years of experience under their belt. T.F. O’Brien has been in the comfort business since 1934 – that’s 82 years of helping people in the Long Island area with their needs.

Which manufacturer do you do installs for?

Brand recognition and reputation is important. You’ll want to work with a contractor who offers quality equipment. T.F. O’Brien is a Carrier President’s Award winner. And, we proudly install Daikin ductless air conditioning systems as well.

Can your company verify licenses, insurances and registrations?

It is very important that the air conditioning contractor you choose is fully licensed and insured, and registered to perform HVAC services in the state where they do business. When you work with a company like T.F. O’Brien, you can guarantee everything is up-to-date. We belong to trade organizations that require this from their membership, and we’re accredited with the Better Business Bureau. In fact, we have an A+ rating with them, and we’ve received the Angie’s List Super Service Award as well.

Does your company have references?

It has been said that the best advertising comes from word-of-mouth. Any good air conditioning contractor is going to have earned a lot of happy customers over the years, and most likely, they’ll be willing to share their experiences with you. At T.F. O’Brien, we post our customer comments right on our website. Please feel free to review them before making up your mind.

If you do decide to choose T.F. O’Brien for the air conditioning products and services you need for your Long Island, NY home, we think you’ll be pleased. We’re able to help you with any air conditioning need you may have, from installation of new equipment, to annual maintenance, to repair services. We offer top products so your home will be cool and comfortable, and you’ll save on your energy consumption. Just call us at 516-488-1800 and we’ll be glad to provide you with full air conditioning contracting for your home.

Shamrock Savings This March from T.F. O’Brien

Posted on by T.F. O'Brien Cooling & Heating

463506495Welcome to the March Letter from Kerry. We love this time of year, because it means St. Patrick’s Day is upon us, and spring is right around the corner. It also means we’re gearing up for our annual Shamrock Savings event. What’s so special about this sale? We pull out all the stops to get our valued customers into a great new high-efficiency home comfort system, by giving them our best offer of the year!

When you choose to take advantage of our Shamrock Savings event, you won’t just be installing a top-performing system in your home. We’re also including some terrific add-ons that will make your home more comfortable and your life easier. Couple that with incredible rebates, and you’ll be enjoying the best in home comfort in no time – for less!

Click here to learn more about how you can save, and be sure to check out our Shamrock Savings commercial!

Thanks for reading. Best wishes for a magical March!

Kerry

Help Us Help You: Tips for Getting Better Service

Posted on by T.F. O'Brien Cooling & Heating

A Few Things You Can Do Before We Arrive for a Heating Repair or Install

When winter weather strikes, there is a greater likelihood that our customers will need us for emergency repairs. That’s because the colder it gets, the harder heating equipment has to work – and that can lead to breakdowns. As your home comfort company, we want to help you get the best service as possible, so we’d like to share some tips on how you can help us help you.

  • Our employees’ safety is important to us. Please understand that when weather is inclement, we pull our trucks off the road.
  • Safe access to equipment is a necessity. In order for our technicians to best service your equipment, please make sure pathways in closets, basements or attics are clear so we can get to your equipment safely and easily. An added bonus – your equipment needs space to “breathe” too – by keeping it clear around it, your equipment can operate in a safer, more efficient manner.
  • Same goes for outdoor equipment. If it is outside, shovel around your equipment and make sure the area is free of debris. And, make sure driveways, sidewalks and entrances are safe for our technicians and other people.
These little things add up, and help our employees do a great job for you – ensuring the comfort and safety of you and your family all winter long!

At T.F. O’Brien, We Love Our Customers

Posted on by T.F. O'Brien Cooling & Heating
Welcome to the February Letter from Kerry. February makes us think of hearts and flowers for Valentine’s Day – and how much we care about our customers! Your comfort and safety is important to us every day, and we strive to make it easy for you to work with us.
The weather has been interesting so far this winter, and while we’ve enjoyed mostly warmer-than-usual weather here on Long Island, we’ve also had to dig out from a pretty significant winter storm. Keeping your furnace running properly is one of the best ways you can stay safe during the wicked winter weather – we take your furnace safety very seriously. And, choosing us for all of your comfort needs is a good decision – see how we’re uniquely qualified to help you. 
Thanks for reading. We hope you have a February filled with love and sweet surprises!
Kerry

T.F. O’Brien Earns Esteemed 2015 Angie’s List Super Service Award

Posted on by T.F. O'Brien Cooling & Heating

An Award-Winning Local HVAC Company on Long Island

 

T.F. O’Brien Cooling and Heating has earned the service industry’s coveted Angie’s List Super Service Award, reflecting an exemplary year of service provided to members of the local services marketplace and consumer review site in 2015. 2015ssa_ColorLow528px

“We pride ourselves on our customer service and our attention to detail,” Kerry O’Brien, president at T.F. O’Brien Cooling and Heating said. “We try to go above and beyond on every project, and we think our customers notice a difference. We’re very proud to receive this award because nothing makes us more proud than the nice things our customers say about us.”

“Only about 5 percent of the heating and air conditioning companies on Long Island have performed so consistently well enough to earn our Super Service Award,” said Angie’s List Founder Angie Hicks. “It’s a really high standard.”

Angie’s List Super Service Award 2015 winners have met strict eligibility requirements, which include an “A” rating in overall grade, recent grade, and review period grade; the company must be in good standing with Angie’s List, pass a background check and abide by Angie’s List operational guidelines.

Service company ratings are updated daily on Angie’s List. Companies are graded on an A through F scale in areas ranging from price to professionalism to punctuality.

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Angie’s List helps facilitate happy transactions between more than three million consumers nationwide and its collection of highly rated service providers in more than 720 categories of service, ranging from home improvement to health care. Built on a foundation of more than 10 million verified reviews of local service, Angie’s List connects consumers directly to its online marketplace of services from member-reviewed providers, and offers unique tools and support designed to improve the local service experience for both consumers and service professionals.

 

Happy Holidays from T.F. O’Brien

Posted on by T.F. O'Brien Cooling & Heating

Happy holidays from all of us at T.F. O’Brien! We love the month of December, because it means we’ll be able to spend time with friends and loved ones and just enjoy the warmth and joy that the holiday season brings. We’re also excited for the New Year, as 2015 comes to a close. We have appreciated your patronage this year and look forward to serving you in 2016.

This month, we want to talk about ways you can stay safe, comfortable and save money throughout the chillier season. Furnace repair is important – keeping your furnace in good working order not only ensures your family’s comfort, but their safety as well. And, did you know that adding a heat pump to your home comfort equipment lineup can mean improved energy efficiency for your home? Plus, if you’re trying to figure out what to give that hard-to-buy-for person on your holiday gift-giving list, you should know that the gift of home comfort is always appreciated – click here to learn more about gifts that will keep on giving all year long!

Everyone at T.F. O’Brien would like to wish you and your family a very happy holiday season, and a wonderful new year. Thank you for reading!

Kerry