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: hvac system
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?”
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.
Image via Shutterstock.com
Replacing Your Split Air Conditioning System: Skimp Now and Risk Paying Later
It’s well known that “you get what you pay for” is more than a cliché. Quality costs, and when it comes to a purchase as large and complex as your split air conditioning system, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and a quality installation. Continue reading “Replacing Your Split Air Conditioning System: Skimp Now and Risk Paying Later”
The R-22 Phaseout Is Speeding up — Is Now the Time for an A/C Replacement?
You may not have heard of R-22, but you’re probably familiar with the term “Freon,” which is the proprietary name. R-22 is a refrigerant used in air conditioning systems to create cold air. Continue reading “The R-22 Phaseout Is Speeding up — Is Now the Time for an A/C Replacement?”
Call on T.F. O’Brien, and Count on Courteous, Expert Service
There are very few businesses around today that were around in 1934. T.F O’Brien Cooling & Heating has stood the test of time, and the HVAC customers of Long Island have been the beneficiaries of that longevity. Continue reading “Call on T.F. O’Brien, and Count on Courteous, Expert Service”
SEER Ratings: So What Are They Exactly?
If you’ve been in the market for a new cooling system in recent years, you’ve probably seen references to a unit’s seasonal energy efficiency ratio, or SEER. Understanding more about this efficiency can help you cool your house as effectively as possible. Continue reading “SEER Ratings: So What Are They Exactly?”
Your Air Conditioner Installation: Getting the Right Contractor for the Job
Installing an air conditioner can be difficult to do on your own. That’s why it’s best to hire an air conditioner installation contractor for the job. Continue reading “Your Air Conditioner Installation: Getting the Right Contractor for the Job”
Modulating Furnaces: Green, Eco-Friendly, Efficient and Comfortable
Unlike standard furnaces that start and stop, leaving drastic temperature changes in your home, a modulating furnace operates constantly to monitor the temperature in your home. Continue reading “Modulating Furnaces: Green, Eco-Friendly, Efficient and Comfortable”
Correct Furnace Sizing Is Paramount for Top Efficiency
Furnace sizing is an important factor to focus on before you make a sizable investment. Continue reading “Correct Furnace Sizing Is Paramount for Top Efficiency”