Tag: long island new york

Home Energy Savings as Simple as Understanding Your Gas Bill

Posted on by kerry

gas billLearn How You Get Billed for Your Energy Use

 

Becoming well informed about your gas bill can actually help you increase your monthly home energy savings.

Gas company costs to the customer

Many homeowners may not realize that the gas provider purchases fuel from an outside source. This cost is typically 50 percent of the average customer bill. Interestingly enough, most companies pass this cost directly on to the consumer, without a price increase. Gas companies make a profit from their delivery fees and service charges.

The cost of gas can fluctuate monthly and seasonally, depending on the current fuel rate. This can be similar to the change in gas prices at your local gas pump. Your gas bill may show an average of these price fluctuations throughout the year, keeping the monthly cost basically the same.

Gas usage terminology

It’s worth your while and you can improve your home  energy savings if you understand how gas consumption is expressed on your bill. The quantity of energy used in the Long Island area is measured in therms. Without sounding too technical, this term is a short abbreviation for thermal unit. It reflects the consumption of BTUs, or British thermal units, where one therm is equivalent to 100,000 BTUs. Other costs appear on your bill reflecting various fees and charges. These costs are set by the company and the customer has no control over them.

Lowering gas costs for better home energy savings

One area you do have control over is the amount of gas your home consumes. The first step toward lowering costs is to have an energy audit performed. You can also pay attention to the BTU rating assigned to your appliances. The higher the BTU number, the higher the amount of energy it consumes per hour, which means higher gas consumption. Consider purchasing certified energy-efficient appliances. Energy and cost savings can be expected and are well worth the investment.

For more information about boosting home energy savings, contact the professionals at  T.F. O’Brien Cooling & Heating. We’ve been proudly serving homeowners in Long Island 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.

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Furnace Troubleshooting: How Outside Exhaust Vents Can Trip You Up

Posted on by kerry

troubleshooting Long IslandMake Sure All Vents are Clear for Proper Exhaust of Fumes

When you’re in the midst of furnace troubleshooting, don’t forget to check your outside exhaust vents. The combination of warm air from the vents, exterior moisture and freezing winter temperatures can trip your furnace up.

A large percentage of winter service calls are linked to outside exhaust vents that have iced up, preventing furnaces from venting properly. Before you call a licensed HVAC technician, make a few assessments on your own to prevent an unnecessary call.

Simple furnace troubleshooting tips

  • Check your thermostat. Sometimes the thermostat is bumped accidentally and the setting is unintentionally changed from “heat” to “cool.” Verify that your thermostat is set correctly in case a simple push of a button is all you need to be comfortable again.
  • Verify that your system has power. It could be that your furnace breaker has tripped, in which case your system doesn’t have power. Verify that the breaker hasn’t tripped. Other issues which can cut power to your furnace include:
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  • The power switch is off. The furnace power switch is usually located on the ceiling above your furnace and looks like a light switch. Make sure it’s in the “on” position.
  • Furnace fan door has come loose. If the furnace fan door isn’t on properly, it will not operate. Call a professional if you’re not sure how to fix it.
  • Check outside exhaust vents. Do they look free and clear of debris and ice? Accumulated snow and melting water, which freezes overnight, can clog your vents. Make sure they’re 100 percent free of blockages.
  • Remove vent screens. It’s a good idea to remove the vent screens every winter. While they protect your system from debris, leaves and critters during the rest of the year, screens can act as a snow and ice trap during the winter months. Removing the screen will mitigate snow and ice accumulation in the first place. Don’t forget to replace them again in the spring.

If your furnace troubleshooting was ineffective, contact T.F. O’Brien Heating & Cooling. We’ve provided reliable service to Long Island customers since 1934. Our technicians will get your furnace operating efficiently in no time.

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.

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Heat Pump in High Gear? Don’t Let It Freeze Up

Posted on by kerry

Heat Pump Long IslandKeep Ice and Snow Away From Your Heat Pump

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.

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Determine Whether a Condensing Furnace Works for You

Posted on by kerry

Happy Family Condensing Furnace Long IslandLearn How New Furnaces Can Save You Money

 

If you’re in the market for a new heating system for your Long Island home, consider a condensing furnace.

While furnaces older than 10 years have an annual fuel utilization efficiency, or AFUE, of only 65 percent at best, the new condensing furnaces on the market have an AFUE of more than 98 percent, meaning that at least 98 percent of the fuel used to operate the system is converted to heat for your home. The remaining 2 percent or less is vented outdoors.

So what makes a condensing furnace so fuel-efficient? It starts with a duel heat exchanger. In a conventional furnace, which has one fuel-driven heat exchanger, the exhaust gases left after heating the air are sent up the chimney. The condensing furnace features a secondary heat exchanger which recovers this exhaust and uses it to heat more air for your home, reducing waste and increasing the unit’s energy efficiency exponentially. The end result is considerable savings on your energy bills.

Condensing furnaces have other features that add to their efficiency, including:

  • Variable-speed blower motor – Conventional furnaces have two speeds: on and off. Condensing furnace blowers utilize varying speeds that change with your real-time heating needs. Lower speeds during warmer periods mean less electricity consumed and more comfortable temperatures in your home.
  • Electrically commutated motor (ECM) – Most standard furnaces utilize split-capacitor motors, which are tough but require a lot of electricity to operate. ECMs are not only quieter, but also use up to 75 percent less power.
  • Modulating gas valve – Unlike conventional furnaces in which the flow of fuel to the unit is constant, condensing furnaces modulate the consumption of fuel from 40 percent to 100 percent, depending on your heating needs. On warmer days, the furnace will automatically reduce the fuel used to heat your home.

For more expert advice about whether a condensing furnace is right for your home heating needs, please feel free to contact us at T. F. O’Brien Cooling & Heating. We’ve served Long Island for over 75 years with a high level of customer satisfaction.

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.

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What Can Home Air Cleaners Do for Your Long Island Home?

Posted on by kerry

Home Air Cleaner Long IslandIndoor 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.

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Let a Whole-House Humidifier Put Viruses in Their Place

Posted on by kerry

Whole House Humidifier Long IslandKeep Your Home Humidified and Remove Virus Breeding Grounds

 

If you think you’re completely safe from diseases in your own home, you’ve got to do some serious rethinking. Viruses like the flu thrive in cold temperatures for a reason — because cold weather comes with lower humidity.

To prevent viruses from taking up residence in your home, consider a whole-house humidifier to curb sickness and improve comfort.

Viruses love the cold

Low humidity and cold temperatures leave your body with less moisture, as it evaporates into the air, leaving your skin, nose and throat dry. As a result, nasal passages also dry out and crack, leaving you more susceptible to the flu and other airborne viruses that would normally be trapped by mucus in your nose. Also, the flu virus thrives in the air longer in these dry, cold conditions, which explains why more people are affected by viruses like the flu in the winter months.

Why a whole-house humidifier works

Turning up the heater to the warmest temperature isn’t enough. A furnace makes the air less cold, but it can’t make the air less dry. What you also need to fully protect yourself from the flu is a humidifier. Humidifiers release moisture into the dry, warm air, which protects your skin, nose and throat while also improving the conditions so the flu virus won’t linger and is less likely to affect you. Together, a whole-house humidifier and a furnace can improve indoor air quality, making your home an unwelcome environment for the flu and other viruses.

A whole-house humidifier draws water from your home’s current plumbing system. Once installed, it requires very little maintenance aside from occasional preventive maintenance like other whole-house systems.

For more information about whole-house humidifiers and to determine if your home could benefit from increased humidification, contact the pros at T.F. O’Brien Cooling & Heating. We’ve proudly served homeowners throughout Long Island 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.

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How to Maximize Your Programmable Thermostat to Save Energy

Posted on by kerry

thermostat Long Island

Why Programmable Thermostats Can Save You Money

 

As temperatures fluctuate between seasons, weeks and even days, having a programmable thermostat can help keep you and your family comfortable.

Installing a programmable thermostat also provides energy-saving benefits, resulting in lower monthly utility bills. Follow some simple guidelines to maximize your programmable thermostat and save energy.

  • Keep your thermostat set at its energy-saving setting during long periods of time, such as during the day while family members are at work or school and overnight. To see the best results in savings, keep settings in place for 8 hours at a time when possible.
  • If you need a boost in warm or cool air, temporarily override the set program  temperature. That said, using this feature regularly can reduce your efficiency. Instead, alter your settings to a more comfortable programmed setting.
  • When you’ll be away from home for days at a time, use the vacation setting so you aren’t heating or cooling an empty house. Maximize your savings by reducing the amount of conditioned air your HVAC system produces since your home will be empty.
  • Set a program that works for your family. The 7-day models are ideal for families with a unique schedule each day of the week while 5+2-day models are great for families with a set Monday through Friday routine and a separate weekend schedule.
  • To optimize performance, remember to change the batteries in your thermostat each year. Most systems will alert you if you need to change the batteries more often.

By following these tips and being thoughtful about your energy usage, you will notice the savings in your utility bills.

Thinking of installing a programmable thermostat in your home to optimize your energy usage? Contact the experts at T.F. O’Brien Cooling & Heating. We’ve served 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.

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Water Heater’s Underperforming? Troubleshooting Tips to Get It Back on Track

Posted on by kerry

showerhead Long IslandA Hot Water Heater That Can’t Deliver on a Promise of Hot Water Needs Attention

 

Can you barely make it through your shower before the hot water is gone? Is washing dishes a challenge with dwindling hot water? Is “hot” water a bit of a misnomer at your house? If so, it’s probably time to take a look at your water heater.

While some water heater issues are best left to an HVAC professional, there are some things you can do yourself if your water heater’s underperforming.

  • Insulate the heater. Is your water heater located in an unheated basement area or utility room? If so, the unit is having to work hard during the cold winter months to deliver that hot water on demand. Save energy dollars and increase the amount of hot water available by insulating your water tank. Most home improvement stores sell specially-designed, insulated blankets that fit snugly over water tanks.
  • Don’t forget the pipes. In addition to the tank, your heated water may be losing its warmth traveling through cold pipes. If the pipes leading from the water heater are in a cold part of the house, consider buying special insulation wraps to help keep the water in them warm.
  • Is it the element? Your hot water challenges may be caused by a problem with the heating elements (on electric heaters), pilot light or thermostat. Have someone check these three essentials to make sure they’re functioning properly.

If you’ve checked these three common trouble spots and your water is still lukewarm at best, it’s probably time to call an HVAC professional to identify the source of the problem.

If  your water heater’s underperforming or you need help with  other mechanical systems in your Long Island home, give T.F. O’Brien Cooling & Heating a call. We’ve been helping homeowners throughout Long Island with their heating and cooling needs 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.

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Peace Of Mind With An Automatic Standby Generator

Posted on by kerry

standby generator Long IslandLong Island Experiences Enough Outages to Make It a Good Idea to Have Back Up Power

 

You can do any number of things to help ensure the comfort of your home for yourself and your family — from properly maintaining your heat pump to installing a programmable thermostat. However, without power, these efforts are pointless. Hurricanes and winter storms are fairly common occurrences on Long Island, which is why many homeowners in the area are installing an automatic standby generator.

These generators offer many benefits for homeowners, particularly when power outages occur.

Benefits of an automatic standby generator

A severe storm near your home can easily knock out power for days at a time, as we know all too well. As a result, you might lose any food you have stored in your refrigerator, in addition to any medications that are affected by temperature extremes. Some home occupants rely on electrically powered medical equipment such as ventilators. The loss of power for these individuals is a serious issue. Even for those who have no serious health problems, having a standby generator is a great convenience when it comes to maintaining a comfortable home, particularly when temperatures are extreme.

Portable generators versus standby generators

Automatic standby generators offer many advantages over portable units. For instance, while portable units have to be refueled by hand with gasoline after a few hours of operation, automatic standby generators are commonly fueled by natural gas, and thus are directly connected to the home’s gas fuel line. This means the automatic standby generator is always ready to be used, and will automatically start up when it detects that the power has gone out. In addition, a large generator can produce enough power for your entire home, while a portable unit might only be able to power a few items.

Because it connects directly to your home’s utilities, you should employ a professional to install an automatic standby generator. If you have any questions about this process, please feel free to contact T.F. O’Brien Cooling & Heating. With over 75 years of experience, we are proud to serve the people of Long Island, and our team of experienced professionals is more than happy to help you.

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.

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A Home Duct System That’s Designed to Deliver

Posted on by kerry

home duct system design, Long Island, New YorkDelivering Air Evenly to the Whole House is Important

 

A well-designed home duct system is a fundamental component for maximizing your house’s overall energy efficiency. Continue reading “A Home Duct System That’s Designed to Deliver” →