Your heat pump air conditioner requires regular maintenance to keep it running efficiently and to help you save money on your energy costs. Continue reading “A Heat Pump Air Conditioner Needs Regular Maintenance”
Tag: air conditioning system
Your Long Island Home Is a Haven When You Improve Indoor Air Quality
When it’s hot and humid outdoors, who can blame you for pining for the creature comforts of home? But if you walk through the door and register the “eww” factor, don’t despair. Your Long Island home can be a haven if you take steps to improve indoor air quality. Continue reading “Your Long Island Home Is a Haven When You Improve Indoor Air Quality”
Your A/C Installation: You Know About Manual J and Manual D, but What About Manual S?
If you haven’t undertaken an A/C installation before (or at least a proper A/C upgrade or installation), you may be surprised by the volume of information acquired. Continue reading “Your A/C Installation: You Know About Manual J and Manual D, but What About Manual S?”
Your Poorly Performing Air Conditioner Is at the End of the Line? The Telling Signs
The last thing you want to deal with when the temperature soars outside is a poorly performing air conditioner. Continue reading “Your Poorly Performing Air Conditioner Is at the End of the Line? The Telling Signs”
Is Summer Heat Gain Getting the Upper Hand in Your Long Island Home?
Running your air conditioner 24/7 is enough to counter summer heat gain, but it sure doesn’t make your energy bills look very pretty. Here are some helpful tips for keeping your home cooler so your A/C doesn’t have to work as hard. Continue reading “Is Summer Heat Gain Getting the Upper Hand in Your Long Island Home?”
An Air Conditioner and a Dehumidifier: Does Your Home Need Both?
Hot and humid weather describes a good deal of the climatic conditions in Long Island, making an air conditioner and dehumidifier important components for many homes. While an air conditioner does remove humidity, it’s more a side effect of the conditioning process.
If any of these conditions exist in your home, you may benefit from having both of these appliances:
- Humidity levels over 60 percent
- Areas where it feels clammy
- Musty smell in some or all of the rooms
- Wooden windows, doors or drawers that swell periodically
- Mold and mildew
- Family members with airborne allergies or asthma
Humidity promotes the growth of mold and mildew, which thrive in an environment where the humidity is over 60 percent. Mold is inherently dangerous, and the most common airborne allergen is dust mite waste. If you’re not sure if the humidity levels exceed 60 percent, you can measure them with an inexpensive hygrometer that you can move from space to space to see if your levels are high.
If the humidity stays over 60 percent after cooling your home to a comfortable temperature, the combination of an air conditioner and dehumidifier could increase your comfort, health and your home environment.
Depending on the severity of the humidity in your home, you can use portable dehumidifiers, notably in the basement. But if the problem is widespread, a central dehumidification system could serve you well. These systems pull the air through the ductwork and blow it over a chilled coil, removing the water vapor and returning drier air through the ducts.
It could be more energy efficient for you to use a central system if you find yourself turning down the thermostat for the air conditioner to reduce indoor humidity levels. You can also use the dehumidifier in lieu of the air conditioner when cooling isn’t needed, but humidity removal is, like in the spring and fall.
If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of an air conditioner and dehumidifier, contact T.F. O’Brien Cooling & Heating. We’ve been providing HVAC services for Long Island homeowners since 1934.
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Your New Air Conditioner: Installation Issues That Profoundly Affect Performance
Reading efficiency labels is important when purchasing a new cooling system, but it’s only half the battle. Although you may not give it much thought, the air conditioner installation process plays a huge role in securing efficiency ratings and performance values. Continue reading “Your New Air Conditioner: Installation Issues That Profoundly Affect Performance”
Buying a New Air Conditioner: The Basics
When you’re buying a new air conditioner, it’s likely that you’ll run across terms and concepts you’re unfamiliar with. This guide can clarify some of the mysteries of these major appliances, simplifying and demystifying the process for you. Continue reading “Buying a New Air Conditioner: The Basics”
Keeping Your Home Safe and Sound When You’re Vacation-Bound
If you’re eagerly anticipating a much-needed family vacation, make sure everything’s in order before you head out. By completing the following measures before you pull out of the driveway, you can enjoy peace of mind on your trip, knowing you’re keeping your home safe and sound during your absence. Continue reading “Keeping Your Home Safe and Sound When You’re Vacation-Bound”
Taking Charge of Summertime Cooling Costs: 10 Foolproof Tips
Trying to stay comfortable in Long Island’s mid-year heat and humidity can get expensive, but these 10 tactics will give you a good head start on controlling your summertime cooling costs. Continue reading “Taking Charge of Summertime Cooling Costs: 10 Foolproof Tips”