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

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

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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

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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

Choose Heat Pumps for Better Comfort & Efficiency

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If You Want an Upgrade to a More Efficient and Versatile Home HVAC System, Check Out Heat Pumps!

If you’ve been thinking about installing a heat pump in your home, but you’re unsure whether or not it’s a good decision, we’re here to tell you that it may just be a great choice for your home. The fact is that many people aren’t really sure about what, exactly, heat pumps are, and how they can help them when it comes to maintaining their home’s comfort. What do heat pumps do, anyway?

As defined by the Dept. of Energy (DOE), heat pumps offer an energy efficient alternative to air conditioners in climates with moderate heating and cooling needs. While life on Long Island isn’t necessarily what one might term as moderate, heat pumps can still offer a great advantage when coupled with your home’s furnace or boiler:

Heat pumps are energy efficient: The DOE explains that heat pumps move heat from a cool area to a warm area using electricity, rather than producing heat. That means they can heat or cool the same space as a traditional system using less energy, which in turn helps you save on your utility bills.

Heat pumps are “greener”: Heat pumps don’t burn fossil fuels, and as such, are more planet friendly than other types of systems. The heat pumps we install also use a non-ozone depleting refrigerant that offers better energy efficiency. And, most of the models we install meet ENERGY STAR efficiency guidelines.

Heat pumps provide an alternative to AC: If you are considering either installing air conditioning or replacing your old system, you might want to consider getting a heat pump instead. Carrier, the brand of heat pump we install, indicates that heat pumps are an ideal alternative to AC and offer heating, cooling and dehumidifying.

A heat pump can help make your furnace more efficient: In cooler climes, heat pumps often aren’t able to do all the heavy lifting once the cold weather arrives. But, when used in conjunction with your furnace, they can help you save energy. We offer Hybrid Heat from Carrier, an electric powered heat pump and furnace combo.

Heat pumps often come with credits and incentives: Because they’re considered high-efficiency comfort equipment, there may be rebates available from government agencies, utility companies and manufacturers. We’ll help you look into the credits and incentives your purchase may be eligible for.

Want to learn more about how a heat pump can help your home feel more comfortable and be more energy efficient? Then contact T. F. O’Brien. We’re pleased to help our customers throughout Long Island, including Nassau County, Suffolk County, Queens and Brooklyn get the heat pump systems they need for maximum comfort and efficiency. Give us a call at 516.488.1800 and we will be more than happy to help you.

Give the Gift of Comfort this Holiday Season with These 3 HVAC Products

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Show You Care About Your Loved One’s Comfort With an HVAC Product!

When people think about holiday gift giving, their thoughts often turn to cars, jewelry, and even vacation packages. But if you’re looking for a gift that can ensure year-round comfort and joy for your loved ones, you might want to consider giving HVAC products that are specifically designed to help people enjoy a better indoor environment. We’ve chosen three items that we know your loved ones will appreciate from the moment they’re installed and for years to come.

Smart Thermostats: Today’s thermostats offer so much more than the old, dial-style thermostat we likely grew up with in our homes. Even basic programmable thermostats can help you keep your home more comfortable and more energy efficient. But smart thermostats can take home comfort to a whole new level. That’s because they can be accessed easily, even when you’re away from home. By using a web app, you can control your smart thermostat at home, the office, or while away on vacation. Some smart thermostats are even able to learn your family’s comfort habits, helping you maintain the highest level of heating and cooling efficiency. T.F. O’Brien can help you decide on the perfect smart thermostat for your gift-giving needs.

Standby Generators: Does someone you love need assurance that they’ll have power, no matter what the weather? Then a standby generator is a great gift choice. Infants, the elderly and those who rely on electricity to operate home medical devices are most in need of a home generator, but really, anyone can benefit. We provide top-of-the-line standby backup generators that offer utility-quality power, quiet operation and a durable exterior that helps ensure they’ll last for years. Our generators run on the home’s natural gas or LP fuel supply, and offer backup options that include essential circuit, managed whole-house or complete whole-house coverage. And, you can count on us to maintain the generator or make any needed repairs.

Ductless AC & Heating: If you have a loved one who has to contend with a clunky window air conditioner to keep a room cool in the summertime, and a potentially dangerous space heater during the winter, then you might want to consider giving them the gift of ductless air conditioning and heating this holiday season. A ductless system requires no messy renovations or installation of additional ductwork, and our installers can typically have it up and running for you in just a few hours. Ductless also provides advanced energy efficiency, quiet operation and indoor air quality control, so your loved one will not only enjoy improved comfort, but also a potential savings on their energy bill. Talk about a gift that keeps on giving!

If you’d like to give any of these gifts of comfort to someone you care about this holiday season, T. F. O’Brien wants to help you. We’re pleased to offer comprehensive services throughout Long Island, including Nassau County, Suffolk County, Queens and Brooklyn. Give us a call at 516.488.1800 and we will be more than happy to assist you in spreading the holiday cheer!

This Holiday Season, Make Sure Your Furnace Can Keep You Safe.

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

A Broken Furnace Will Show a Variety of Symptoms

As the classic song goes, there’s no place like home for the holidays, but if you’re contending with a furnace that isn’t operating properly, your home may not feel as comfortable – or as safe – as you’d like. Your furnace may be giving you several indications that a repair is needed, and knowing the warning signs can mean the difference between a dangerous system breakdown and getting the repairs you need so you and your family can experience comfort and joy this season.

The most dangerous issue a furnace in need of repair might have is giving off carbon monoxide, which is invisible, odorless – and can be fatal. If your carbon monoxide detector goes off at any time, you should leave your home and call in the professionals right away. You should also know the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning – these include headaches, dizziness and vomiting. If anyone is experiencing these symptoms, get them to fresh air and call your local fire and ambulance.

Fortunately, your furnace may simply need repairs but not be dangerous. According to Bob Vila, you should have a qualified HVAC technician look at your system if you’re dealing with the following furnace issues:

  • Your energy bills are increasing, even though your furnace usage is still the same.
  • Your furnace cycles on and off at more frequent intervals.
  • Your furnace seems to be heating your home unevenly (some rooms are hot, some are cold).
  • Your furnace is noisy and has developed rattling, buzzing or humming noises.
  • You notice an excessive amount of dust in your indoor air.

At T.F. O’Brien, we want to help you ensure that your family is safe and comfortable, at the holidays and all year long. If you’re furnace is experiencing any of the above symptoms, we can help. Our technicians are NATE certified and trained to provide you with the best furnace repair possible. We’re pleased to offer comprehensive services throughout Long Island, including Nassau County, Suffolk County, Queens and Brooklyn. Give us a call at 516.488.1800 and we will be more than happy to help you.

November Message from Kerry

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T.F. O’Brien is thankful for you!

November is one of our favorite months of the year, because we have a chance to pause and reflect on all that we’re thankful for. At T.F. O’Brien, when we stop and think of what we give thanks for, our great customers always come to mind. We’d like to extend our sincere gratitude for your patronage, year in and year out.

We’re also thankful for our families, and we’re so glad that we are a family company, and have been since we opened our doors. We take pride in one another’s successes, which is why we’re so pleased to congratulate Chris O’Brien on his recent success in the NYC Marathon, which took place on November 1.

This month, we’d also like to pass along some exciting news from one of our comfort advisors, Brendan Sihler, who has partnered in a craft brewing company with his brother Kevin. Best of luck to Brendan! And, our special Cool Cash offer is coming to a close – have you taken advantage of the savings yet? (It expires November 15th so hurry!) Thinking about turning up the heat again – and how costly it can be? A programmable thermostat can help you save this winter. And, if you have limited space for ductwork in your home, high velocity heating can help you stay warm no matter how cold it might get outside.

Best wishes for a wonderful Thanksgiving from our family to yours.

Kerry

5 Amazing Ways a Heat Pump Can Help Your Suffolk County, NY Home

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Heat Pump Technology Keeps Advancing Making It a Great HVAC Choice

Maybe you’ve been thinking about installing a heat pump in your Suffolk County, NY home, but you’re not really sure if it’s a good choice. The truth is, a lot of people don’t really know how heat pumps can help them maintain their home’s comfort. We all know furnaces and boilers are made to keep us warm, and air conditioners help keep our homes cool all summer long, but what, exactly, do heat pumps do?

According to the Department of Energy (DOE), heat pumps provide an energy efficient alternative to air conditioners in climates with moderate heating and cooling needs. While in this area you’ll likely need to use your heat pump as well as a furnace or boiler, you can still take advantage of these five amazing benefits heat pumps offer.

  • Heat pumps use less energy. The DOE explains that heat pumps use electricity to move heat from a cool area to a warm area. Because they move heat rather than produce it, they can heat and cool the same space as traditional equipment using less energy – and that can help you save money on your utility bills.
  • Heat pumps are a better choice for the planet. Because heat pumps don’t burn fuels, that makes them more planet-friendly than traditional systems. The heat pumps we offer to our Suffolk County, NY customers use Puron®, which is a non-ozone depleting refrigerant choice that also provides better energy efficiency than refrigerants of the past. Plus, most of the models we offer meet ENERGY STAR guidelines for efficiency.
  • Heat pumps are a good alternative to air conditioning. Carrier®, one of the best brands of heat pumps in the country and the brand we carry here at T.F. O’Brien, says that heat pumps are an ideal alternative to an air conditioning system. Their units provide heating, cooling and dehumidifying.
  • Heat pumps help furnaces perform more efficiently. In cooler climates like those in Suffolk County, NY, heat pumps by themselves might not be enough to keep your home warm during the chilly winter months. Carrier offers an electric-powered heat pump and furnace configuration known as Hybrid Heat®, a combo that can help save energy.
  • You can save when you choose to install a heat pump. Because heat pumps are considered to be high-efficiency equipment, there are often tax credits and incentives available. Depending on the heat pump and the region it’s being installed in, you may be able to receive rebates from government agencies, utility companies and manufacturers. T.F. O’Brien can help you look into the rebates and incentives you may be eligible for.

At T. F. O’Brien, our focus is always on your home comfort and energy savings. We work hard to make sure that you’re fully satisfied with the work we’ve done for you, and we never consider a job done until you are. When you need a heat pump for your Suffolk County, NY home, count on T.F. O’Brien for professional installation and service after the sale. In addition to heat pump installation, we’re pleased to provide heat pump maintenance and repair as well. To learn more, give us a call at 516.488.1800 and we will be happy to help.

At T.F. O’Brien, We Take Furnace Repair in Your Nassau County, NY Home Very Seriously

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We Fix and Replace Furnaces for Our Long Island Neighbors

At T.F. O’Brien, we strive to not only be experts in the field of home comfort, but to also be friendly and approachable to all of our clients. We enjoy being lighthearted, but there is one area in which we’re always very serious – and that’s your home’s comfort system. We always work hard to make sure you’re comfortable in your Nassau County, NY home, but even more importantly than that, we take your safety very seriously. When it comes to furnace repair in Nassau County, NY, we cannot emphasize enough how very important it is to make sure your equipment is running safely.

There are certain instances where we may deem your furnace unsafe for use, and the main reason we would do so is because it either poses a fire or carbon monoxide (CO) hazard. As an Angie’s List Super Service award winner, we work hard to provide our customers with excellent service. That might mean coming into your Nassau County, NY home to make a furnace repair, and having to red-flag your furnace, or determine that it cannot be used until repair or, in some cases, replacement, has been made. If that happens to you, you can rest assured that we’ll help you until repairs can be made or a replacement can be performed. Angie’s List indicates that most often, HVAC companies flag furnaces because of CO concerns, and lists some potential reasons for these concerns:

  • The heat exchanger is cracked. This allows CO and other noxious gases to leak into the ductwork – and living areas.
  • There is a chimney blockage. Instead of CO escaping out of the chimney, it comes back into the home.
  • The venting system is cracked. Instead of directing CO outside, the cracks allow it to seep into the home.
  • There is an electrical problem with the furnace. Many things can cause this – be alert in instances of water or flood.
  • There might be another issue, such as dirty burners, gas pressure issues, or lack of air for proper combustion.

When you call T.F. O’Brien with the furnace repair needs of your Nassau County, NY home, you can trust that we’ll treat you fairly and with consideration of the needs of your and your family. If we feel you’re in an unsafe situation, we’ll work diligently to get to the root of your furnace problem. Our technicians are specially trained to provide the highest level of service possible. They’ll provide a complete evaluation of your furnace, and make recommendations for repair that will get your furnace back up and running smoothly and efficiently.

In the worst-case scenario, you might have furnace issues that are either too costly or too extensive for us to recommend repair. In some instances, it very much depends on your furnace’s warranty whether it will be more cost-effective to repair or replace your unit. At T.F. O’Brien, we generally only will recommend a replacement if it is warranted, and in those circumstances, we’ll help you find a furnace that’s right for your home and budget. We’ll also work with you to find any available rebates and incentives, and financing is available for qualified buyers. Most of today’s furnaces are highly efficient compared to older models, and they have sealed combustion systems for safety.

You can enjoy comfort all winter long in your Long Island, NY home when you choose T.F. O’Brien for all your furnace needs. We’re pleased to provide you with the furnace repair services you need. We proudly serve all of Long Island, including Nassau County, Suffolk County, and Brooklyn. Just give us a call at 516.488.1800 and we will be more than happy to help you.

Count on T.F. O’Brien for the Innovative Boiler Services You Need

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

We Can Install a Wall Hung Boiler to Replace Your Old One

If it’s just about time to replace the boiler in your Nassau County, NY home, then you should call T.F. O’Brien. We offer boiler services throughout the area so that our customers never have to be without the boiler heat they need. What’s more, we work hard to stay on the cutting edge of boiler technology, so that we’re able to provide you with boiler services that are both effective and innovative. One of the products we proudly install is the wall-hung boiler – an energy efficient, flood resistant boiler unit that proves good things come in small packages. ENERGY STAR designates the wall-hung boilers we install in your home as among the most efficient on the market today.  But you may be wondering what, exactly, a wall hung boiler is. Here are five ways these boilers are different, innovative and perfect for your home.

  • Wall hung boilers are super efficient. Many of the models we provide offer you a huge 95 percent efficiency level. That means that only five percent of the heat produced by these boilers is lost, whereas the rest is used to heat your home. Considering that boilers more than 10 years old can be up to 30 percent less efficient than today’s boilers, the energy you save by installing a new wall hung boiler will be significant.
  • Wall hung boilers can weather the storm. Or more appropriately, a flood in the aftermath of a storm. That’s because wall hung boilers are mounted directly on the wall instead of on the floor, which also helps you save on valuable floor space in your Nassau County, NY home. Home flooding often spells disaster when it comes to your boiler – mounting it on the wall can help keep it clear should flooding occur.
  • Wall hung boilers are space savers. As we mentioned above, installing a wall hung boiler means you get to save valuable floor space. But that’s not the only reason – most wall hung units are packaged, which means that all of the features, such as sensors, microcomputer and condensing unit, that are outside on a traditional system are completely built in. Their compact size means they can be installed in spaces where traditional boilers might not fit.
  • Wall hung boilers are quiet. You won’t hear a lot of noise from your new wall hung boiler. These units are manufactured to operate in a much more quiet manner than their older counterparts. Plus, if your current boiler is noisy, sounds like rumblings, vibrations and banging could mean there are some problems. Any time you suspect you may need boiler service in your Nassau County, NY home, call us – we want you to stay safe!
  • Wall hung boilers are a “greener” way to heat your home. We’ve mentioned that wall hung boilers are super efficient, which already helps them be the more environmentally sound choice for home heating. But they also can cut fuel consumption and gas emissions in comparison to conventional heating systems.

If your boiler is old, you live in an area prone to flooding, or you just want better energy efficiency, it might be time to consider a wall hung boiler for your home. When you need innovative boiler services and solutions for your Nassau County, NY home, you can count on T.F. O’Brien to help. When you call us, we’ll show you your options and provide you with the best in quality products and installation. Just give us a call at 516.488.1800 and we will be more than happy to assist you.