Reduce the Dry Air in Your Home More Effectively
Excessively dry indoor air is uncomfortable and even unhealthy. It can also cause damage to wood furniture and musical instruments. The solution is a whole house humidifier that can keep the air at an ideal relative humidity. Continue reading “How Whole House Humidifiers Differ From Portable Models”
A New Furnace Installation Can Save You Money and TroubleDid your furnace not perform as well this winter? Did you notice a difference in comfort from last season? It might be time for a furnace upgrade. Continue reading “If Your Furnace Didn’t Perform To Expectation This Winter, Consider An Upgrade”
An Annual Plan to Tune Your HVAC is a Smart Move
Regular preventive maintenance is the best way to keep your furnace, air conditioner, heat pump or other HVAC system in prime operating condition and ready to keep your home comfortable throughout the year. Continue reading “Consider The Benefits Of An HVAC Maintenance Plan”
Learn How to Evaluate a Deal From an HVAC Contractor
The search for a good deal may take us online when we’re in the market for new or replacement HVAC equipment. New furnaces, heat pumps, and air conditioners can be costly, and there is no shortage of dealers offering discounted prices through their online stores. Deep-discount online shopping may be just fine for items such as books, DVDs, and computers, but with online HVAC deals, the risks far outweigh any advantage you’ll receive from the cost savings. Continue reading “Don’t Be Fooled By Online HVAC Deals — The Risks Aren’t Worth The Savings”
How to Determine If Your Furnace Needs Repairs
Your furnace is bound to get a workout as it keeps you warm through the cold Long Island winters, so now is the time to queue your ears and eyes to signs of trouble to keep it in good working order. Continue reading “You’ll Know If It’s Time To Repair Your Furnace When You Learn What To Look And Listen For”
Need a New Heating System Now? Here’s Some First Steps to TakeIf your heating equipment suddenly stopped working during a cold Long Island winter, would you know what to do? A good heating and cooling contractor can help you explore your options. Use T.F. O’Brien’s furnace replacement guide to get started, and then give us a call. Continue reading “Unexpected Heating Equipment Failure? Not Sure What To Do? Use T.F. O’Brien’s Replacement Steps”
Don’t Neglect the Equipment That Keeps Your Home Comfortable
We’ve all heard the saying, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Many apply that saying too loosely to preventive maintenance on a variety of home equipment, from lawnmowers to heating and cooling equipment. The trouble is, a preventive maintenance plan has more benefits than many homeowners might initially realize. Imagine a row of dominoes: Once the first one falls over, each successive one topples, until they’ve all fallen. Your HVAC equipment can end up the same way, without service. Continue reading “Wondering What’s All The Hype About Preventive Maintenance? Why It’s Critical”
Residents in the Long Island area seeking reliable and trustworthy HVAC service providers should give T.F. O’Brien Cooling & Heating the chance to impress them. Our family-owned and -operated enterprise has been giving customers the highest-quality workmanship and service for more than 70 years. In this time, we have trained some of the best service technicians in the industry, affiliated ourselves with reputable associations and acquired a number of recognitions. Continue reading “T.F. O’Brien Goes The Extra Mile For Customers”
If You Are Looking for a High Quality HVAC Contractor, Here are Some Things to Know
Selecting a heating & cooling contractor can seem like an overwhelming job, especially when the phone book alone has so many listings. How can you, the average consumer, make the choice that best suits your needs? You can start by asking your friends and family for recommendations. Do some homework on the internet and narrow your choices. Next, interview a few potential contractors, using the following questions so you can make an informed choice. Continue reading “Selecting a Heating & Cooling Contractor? Ask Good Questions, Get Good Answers”
The HVAC industry has become more complex in recent years. The pricing of electricity and other fuels, along with government standards has motivated manufacturers to produce better and more efficient equipment. Along with the manufacturing side, contractors have had to become better trained to keep up with industry changes.
There are terms used in heating and air conditioning that define the higher standards. The average homeowner needs to know a few basic ones in order to be better informed.There are three, in particular, about which every person should be aware. These terms are SEER, AFUE and NATE.
SEER, in the HVAC world, is a simple acronym for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. By understanding this term, the consumer can make better decisions on electrically powered heat pumps and air conditioners. The common SEER rating currently ranges from 13 to 25. The higher the number, the more efficient the cooling or heating.
AFUE stands for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. This rating applies to HVAC equipment that burns propane and other fossil fuels. The rating applies to how efficient the furnace, for instance, is at using fuel. An older gas furnace may only have a 65 or 70 percent AFUE rating. That means at 70 percent, the other 30 percent of fuel used is going out your flue or vent as waste. Newer models have ratings of 80 up to 95 percent. A 90 percent gas or oil furnace burns less fuel for an equal amount of heat and reduces waste and environmental impact.
NATE is a term for those who work in the HVAC industry. It represents North American Technical Excellence. A NATE Certified technician has undergone rigid testing of their skills and knowledge. Only by passing the test can an HVAC technician or contractor earn certification. When you have a NATE technician in your home, you have an assurance that they know how to deal with your problems.
At T.F. O’Brien, we want the public to be well-informed. Call on us or click here with any questions you have about terminology or your heating and cooling system. One of our own NATE-certified specialists, or anyone on our friendly staff will be 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 other HVAC topics, click here to download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
