There is good news for consumers who have been hesitant to upgrade their heating and cooling systems. The federal government has reinstated the 25C residential energy tax credits for taxpayers for qualifying equipment. Continue reading “Take Advantage of Residential Energy Tax Credits for HVAC Purchases”
Tag: hvac system
Heat Pump in High Gear? Don’t Let It Freeze Up
Cold, snow and ice is an expected part of your life in the Long Island area during the winter. If your heating system includes an outdoor heat pump, you can expect ice or frost to form occasionally on the system coils. However, if your heat pump should become completely covered by ice, immediate attention is required.
Heat pumps are equipped with a defrost cycle which will engage to rid the coils of small amounts of ice or frost. The defrost cycle will typically run for two to 10 minutes before returning to normal heating mode. When this switch occurs, you’ll typically hear a whooshing sound and see a small water vapor cloud rise from the outdoor unit.
If your heat pump is not properly defrosting, there are several possible causes. A typical homeowner can address some of these, while others will require a trained service technician.
Heat pump troubleshooting techniques
- Make sure the area under and around the outdoor unit is not blocked. Clear away leaves or snow drifts.
- Check to determine if the unit has sunk into the ground. This could keep melted ice or snow from draining away from the unit.
- Ice buildup can be caused by a leaking gutter or misdirected drain spout. Fix or replace the gutter and direct all drain spouts away from the unit.
- Freezing rain and/or ice storms can encase the entire unit. Turn off the unit and use a garden hose to remove the ice. Never use an ice pick or other sharp object to chip off the ice; coils are easily damaged.
Other possible reasons for ice building up on your heat pump
- The unit requires refrigerant charge.
- Defrost system relay, control, timer, sensor and/or thermostat isn’t functioning and needs replacement.
- The reversing valve is sticking or there’s a bad valve solenoid coil.
- The outdoor fan motor needs to be replaced.
These last items require a skilled and knowledgeable service technician.
For more information or to schedule repair of your heat pump, contact the experts at T.F. O’Brien Cooling & Heating. We proudly serve homeowners in the Long Island area.
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, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Image via Shutterstock.com
What Can Home Air Cleaners Do for Your Long Island Home?
Indoor air pollution poses a serious health problem when left unaddressed. Health problems associated with indoor air pollution include irritation to eyes, nose and throat, as well as fatigue, dizziness and headaches. Incorporating air cleaners in your house can significantly reduce the chances of these problems.
The first thing to do to improve the poor air quality in your home is to eliminate the source. Many types of indoor air pollutants exist that are easily removed with an air cleaner. Tobacco smoke, radon gas and various vapors from cooking, heating appliances and even building materials such as paint and varnish are just a few of the culprits. Once the source pollutant is removed, incorporating indoor air cleaners can remove the remaining particles from your home, which greatly increase the quality of your indoor air.
Many types of air cleaners exist, but choosing one depends on your particular problem. It could be as simple and inexpensive as replacing your heating and cooling system’s air filter with a high-quality filter.
For superior indoor air quality, consider a stand-alone air filtration system, such as an ozone generator, electrostatic precipitator or ionizer. The method you choose to clean your indoor air will depend on the type of pollutant causing the problem. After you identify and remove the source, you can then choose the appropriate type of air cleaners needed to clean the air.
Hiring a professional is the most effective way to eliminate your indoor air pollution problem. Because they’re highly trained and possess the proper equipment and measuring devices, they can quickly track down and address indoor air pollution problems accordingly. Whether you do-it-yourself or hire a professional, reducing the pollution inside of your home will reduce the chance you suffer from the short and long-term illnesses associated with indoor air pollution.
For more expert advice about what air cleaners can do for your Long Island home, contact T. F. O’Brien Cooling & Heating. We’ve been serving the Long Island area since 1934.
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, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Image via Shutterstock.com
Your Forced-Air System: How It Keeps You Warm In The Winter
When the forced-air system in your Long Island home is working well, it’s easy to think of it as just a basic appliance that distributes warm or cool air. Although that is what the system does, a number of components are involved in getting that seemingly simple job done. When you’re shopping around for a new HVAC system, it helps to be familiar with your system’s inner workings. Continue reading “Your Forced-Air System: How It Keeps You Warm In The Winter”
Heating And Cooling The 2-Story Addition You’re Planning To Construct
Heating and cooling is an essential part of planning a second-story addition, since the space has to be conditioned if you’re going to use it as livable space. Incorporating the heating and cooling system early on in the design process makes it easier for the architect to incorporate the mechanical components. Continue reading “Heating And Cooling The 2-Story Addition You’re Planning To Construct”
When You Detect A Hazardous Gas Leak
There are certain steps that you should take to avoid a hazardous gas leak and remain safe in your house. Natural gas is extremely combustible. If a gas line, connection or household appliance begins to leak, you could find yourself in serious danger. Continue reading “When You Detect A Hazardous Gas Leak”
Understand HVAC Efficiency Ratings To Get More Bang For Your Buck
If the air conditioner or heat pump in your Long Island home is ready for a replacement or upgrade, understanding HVAC efficiency ratings terminology will help you get the best return on your investment. Continue reading “Understand HVAC Efficiency Ratings To Get More Bang For Your Buck”
NATE Certification Means You’re In Great Hands
If you’ve had an experience with an HVAC contractor that let you down, consider hiring one with NATE certification. You’ll know you are in good hands and can rest assured that the job will be done right the first time. Continue reading “NATE Certification Means You’re In Great Hands”
Mechanical Or Electronic Air Cleaner: How To Choose
Experts estimate that many residential buildings have poor indoor air quality, resulting in unnecessary sickness, aggravated allergy symptoms and general discomfort. With an air cleaner on the scene, homeowners can greatly improve indoor air quality. Continue reading “Mechanical Or Electronic Air Cleaner: How To Choose”
Get Set For Winter With A Heating Tune-Up
Though winter is still far from the minds of Long Islanders, now’s a great time to start thinking about a heating tune-up. Continue reading “Get Set For Winter With A Heating Tune-Up”