Tag: air conditioning system

Evaporator Coils 101: How They Affect Air-Conditioning System Airflow

Posted on by tfobrien

Using the Power of Science, Your AC System Can Keep Your Long Island Home Cool

 

Dependable air conditioning is essential for Long Island homeowners this time of year. Also essential: making sure your cooling system will function properly for the duration of the season, keeping your home and family comfortable. It helps to have a little working knowledge about your A/C. Evaporator coils, which play a crucial role in cooling your home, are a good place to start.   Continue reading “Evaporator Coils 101: How They Affect Air-Conditioning System Airflow” →

New Regulations Push Air-Conditioning Refrigerant Options To New Heights: R410-A

Posted on by tfobrien

New AC Refrigerant Technology Will Help Save the Planet

 

For years, R22 air conditioning refrigerant has been used in air conditioners and heat pump systems. Now, as more and more people are becoming concerned about the depletion of the ozone layer, this refrigerant is being phased out. Its replacement in most systems is R410-A, which has been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency as a safe alternative.   Continue reading “New Regulations Push Air-Conditioning Refrigerant Options To New Heights: R410-A” →

Air-Handler Options To Increase Efficiency And Comfort For Long Island Homeowners

Posted on by tfobrien

Air-Handler Options - Long IslandLearn Why a Variable Speed Air Handler Might Be a Perfect HVAC Upgrade

 

This summer is shaping up to be a brutal one on Long Island. Having an air conditioner that can go the distance is important. With rising fuel prices, it’s also important to save as much energy as possible. Continue reading “Air-Handler Options To Increase Efficiency And Comfort For Long Island Homeowners” →

Considering Heat Pump Air Conditioning? Here’s What You Need To Know

Posted on by tfobrien

The Popularity of Heat Pumps is Because of Their Efficiency

 

Hey, Long Island homeowners: there is an option that you may not have considered yet to keep you cool this summer while also saving you some money. If you are in the market for a new HVAC system, consider heat pump air conditioning. Upgrading your home’s HVAC system is a good idea this year, because any homeowner who installs a qualified ENERGY STAR air-source heat pump is eligible for a  tax credit on their 2011 federal taxes. Continue reading “Considering Heat Pump Air Conditioning? Here’s What You Need To Know” →

Stay Cool Through The Summer By Giving These Common Air Conditioner Problems Your Attention

Posted on by tfobrien

Your AC Will Work Hard This Summer, Keep it Running Smoothly

 

With summer almost here, it’s time to get your air conditioner in working order.  It’s important to do this now, because some common issues can keep your air conditioner from working properly when you need it. Continue reading “Stay Cool Through The Summer By Giving These Common Air Conditioner Problems Your Attention” →

Sizing Can Mean The Difference Between Efficient Air Conditioning And Frustration

Posted on by tfobrien

Our Trained HVAC Technicians Use Data to Find Proper AC Sizing

 

When you’re thinking about purchasing an air-conditioning system, the first thing to do is determine the size you need. This will help keep your Long Island home comfortable and your energy bills low. Continue reading “Sizing Can Mean The Difference Between Efficient Air Conditioning And Frustration” →

A/C Preventive Maintenance Time Is Now

Posted on by tfobrien

Summer is just around the corner, and Long Island homeowners will be depending on their air conditioning systems to keep their homes cool and comfortable.   Preventive maintenance is a good idea; you can have a professional make sure that everything is in working order before it’s time to use your cooling system.   This will help you avoid last-minute problems, so that you don’t turn on your A/C system to find out something is wrong.   An efficient air conditioning system will save you money as well. Continue reading “A/C Preventive Maintenance Time Is Now” →

Wondering If Your A/C Will Last The Summer? Here’s Our Advice

Posted on by tfobrien

Give Your Air Conditioning a Quick Review Before It Gets Too Hot

Summer will be here before you know it, and you may be wondering if your air conditioning will last through one more season, especially if it is getting up in age. Continue reading “Wondering If Your A/C Will Last The Summer? Here’s Our Advice” →

Air Returns are an Important Part of Your HVAC System

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

Probably few of us give much thought to how our heating & air conditioning system is set up. As long as we stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter, we’re fine. There are a few things, however, that we ought to know to prevent problems. A major item to be aware of is our home air returns.

In most homes, air returns are located on or near the floor. Depending on the type in your particular home, you may not be able to tell an air return from a heat or cooling vent. That’s fine as long as they aren’t blocked and you’re having no problems.

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There are two types of methods to circulate the air in a home. The first is a gravity system where cooler air near the floor falls into the air return and ducting. The second is a forced-air type. A system fan creates a suction that helps pull air into the returns.

Air returns in any heating & air conditioning system do a couple of important things. First, they keep us comfortable. The air falls or is pulled back into the system to be recycled. In an optimum situation, it is then blown into a room at one area, circulating through the room, going back again at roughly the same rate to be reprocessed. This action helps maintain a constant temperature.

As we and the air in a room move, dust, pollen, pet dander and microbes also move through the air. That air enters the return, and get processed and filtered through the heating & air conditioning system, and returns to the room as both clean and comfortable air.

A proper heating & air conditioning system keeps a balance between   air coming into and air leaving a room. If a room feels stuffy in either the summer or winter, there may not be enough air returns in the room. Another reason might be that a return is blocked. Always be sure the air returns are open for good circulation.

T.F. O’Brien services the Long Island, New York area.

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, please download our free  Home Comfort Resource guide.

How HVAC Zoning Systems Provide Home Comfort

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

It seems like all of us have a different comfort zone when it comes to the heat and air conditioning system in our home.   However, there is a way to solve this issue and it satisfies everyone’s needs. It is called zoning systems. Basically what this system does is allow you to heat or cool certain “zones” or areas in your home to different temperatures, based on your needs.

Zoning works with both forced air and hot water heating systems, and offers customized comfort for every area of your home.

Zoning operates through a group of components. The first of these is the motorized dampers. These open and close based on the requirements of the zone thermostats – and zone thermostats are another component.  Standard thermostats are used. When each zone is divided in the house it uses its own thermostat to control the temperature. for the individual zone.

The zone thermostats, along with the dampers, are wired into a central control panel. The panel is then connected to the thermostat connection on the HVAC unit. Where other systems use one thermostat the zoning systems has a master control panel. This allows the until to be operated by multiple thermostats.

When any of the thermostats make a request for heating or cooling the panel accepts the call from that zone. This zone will then be serviced while the other zones remain at their present temperature until their call is made to be serviced. Once the control panel receives the request it then services that  next specific zone.

Most homes require either a two or a four zone system. If the home has two zones it is basically divided as follows: one zone covers the living room and kitchen; the second zone would include the bedrooms and bathrooms. There are optional ways of zoning and this depends basically on the size and configuration of the home or office.

Zoning systems are not only convenient, they also offer more efficiency. This efficiency equates to a major savings on future  energy bills.

T.F. O’Brien services the Long Island, New York area.

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, please download our free  Home Comfort Resource guide.