When cooler weather arrives, homeowners need to be ready for it. Though many homeowners know the basic tips of sealing their windows and checking their home’s insulation to improve furnace and whole-house efficiency, there are other tricks to keeping your home comfortable and lowering energy costs. Did you know that by utilizing your ceiling fans in conjunction with your furnace, you can enjoy a cozier winter at a lower cost? Continue reading “A Ceiling Fan Can Be Your Furnace’s Best Friend”
Tag: long island
Ventilation And Insulation: Rx For The Long Island Attic That’s Spiking A Temp
Your Attic Might Be Sucking Energy Out of Your Home
If your home comfort and your wallet have seemed a bit under the weather this summer, you may be surprised to learn that your attic may be to blame. Adequate ventilation and insulation will allow you to improve your air conditioner’s efficiency and lower your spending. Continue reading “Ventilation And Insulation: Rx For The Long Island Attic That’s Spiking A Temp”
Ductless Mini Splits Require Maintenance To Operate Well: Here’s What Your Technician Should Do
Keep Your Ductless Running Optimally With a Yearly Tune Up
A ductless mini split should receive annual maintenance, just like any other type of HVAC system, to operate at its best. Continue reading “Ductless Mini Splits Require Maintenance To Operate Well: Here’s What Your Technician Should Do”
Is Refrigerant Huffing A Problem In Your Area? Addressing Issues With Safety, Efficiency
Simple Precautions Can Keep People from Abusing Freon
Recent news stories about refrigerant huffing are raising the awareness of homeowners about its dangers to people and their air conditioners. Continue reading “Is Refrigerant Huffing A Problem In Your Area? Addressing Issues With Safety, Efficiency”
A Noisy Air Conditioner Is A Nuisance — For Everyone — Here’s What You Can Do
AC Noise Can Be Reduced But Not Eliminated
- It could be your air conditioner. Or it could be your next-door neighbor’s. Either way, a noisy air conditioner can keep you up at night and cause you frustration.
- Noisy air conditioners are a genuine nuisance for everyone involved. Here’s what you can do to mitigate the noise and keep your sanity. First, come to terms with a few bits of conventional wisdom about air conditioners:
- Older units are noisier than newer units.
- The compressor, more than the fan, is usually to blame for the racket coming from inside an air conditioner.
- Dirty fan blades can make a lot of noise if they get so coated with dirt that they become unbalanced, contributing to the noise.
So how can you muffle a noisy air conditioner? First, know your limitations. If you feel out of your element meddling with an air conditioner (and many homeowners do), call the experts at T.F. O’Brien Cooling & Heating. We’ll clean your compressor and blades to ensure they function at peak efficiency.
Just remember that while cleaning will help matters, the noise may continue, especially if your unit is more than 10 years old. In this case, you may wish to consider building a fence around the unit. Installed at least 3 feet from the unit and made with boards that allow proper airflow, a fence made with sound-proofing materials may muffle a good deal of the noise coming from your A/C.
Another remedy? A sound blanket, which can be carefully placed on the inside of the air conditioner or heat pump and wrapped around the compressor. Sound blankets do not impair airflow; in fact, they actually insulate the compressor and help the unit maintain a more consistent temperature, thereby prolonging the life span of the compressor’s bearings. Further, sound blankets can reduce the noise coming from your air conditioner by 30 to 50 percent. They also prevent condensate from forming on the compressor on humid days. Learn more about air conditioning repairs.
Bringing peace and quiet to the Long Island, NY area for 85+ years
T.F. O’Brien Cooling & Heating has more than 85+ years experience in bringing peace and quiet to the greater Long Island area–and we can do the same for you and your noisy air conditioner with just a phone call.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Simply give us a call at 516.488.1800, and we will be happy to help.
Diminished Home Comfort And High Energy Costs? 3 Possible Problems
Are You Getting Higher Energy Bills? Learn Why It Might Be Happening
If your home comfort is not up to par, it will generally result in an unpleasant living environment that leaves you feeling stressed and uncomfortable. When decreased home comfort combines with high energy bills, look to the following three possible problem areas in your home. Then, take action to remedy the problem. Continue reading “Diminished Home Comfort And High Energy Costs? 3 Possible Problems”
Annual HVAC Service — How A Service Agreement Benefits You
Save Yourself Some Unplanned Issues With an Annual Plan
Do you want to keep your HVAC system at peak working condition? Would you like to pay less on your utility bills, while enjoying peace of mind that your equipment is functioning safely? The best way to accomplish these goals is to schedule annual HVAC service. Continue reading “Annual HVAC Service — How A Service Agreement Benefits You”
Selecting a Heating & Cooling Contractor? Ask Good Questions, Get Good Answers
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”
New Heating Systems Offer The Perfect Opportunity to Add an Air Purifier
Improve Your Home’s Comfort and Health With an Air Purifier System
Updating or adding a new heating system is a smart move. After the brutal winter we have had in the New York area, installation of a high efficiency heating system can prepare us for next winter and get us ready to reap the rewards of better energy savings. Continue reading “New Heating Systems Offer The Perfect Opportunity to Add an Air Purifier”
Airflow Issues? Maybe Your Air Returns are Lacking.
Having an Effective Air Return Reduces HVAC Stress
If it seems that some of the rooms in your home are comfortable while others are too cool, too warm or stuffy, it could be your air returns. Most homeowners don’t really think about the air ducts; as long as your HVAC system seems to be functioning, all is OK. In reality, it could be that inadequate return air ducting is the reason your home isn’t quite as comfortable as you would like.
For the air in your home to feel consistent and comfortable in every room, it is necessary that stale air is drawn out of the room so that heated supply air can enter the room. This is why it is desirable that air returns are placed in all major rooms, such as the living room, bedrooms and kitchen.
When return air ducts are located only in one or two rooms, the newly heated air coming in to your home has to force through the air in all of the rooms, making your HVAC system work harder. This also means an inconsistency in temperatures throughout your home.
We know that you don’t give these details much thought; we simply want you to be aware that air returns are essential to your family’s comfort, and to your HVAC system working as efficiently as possible.
If your home is lacking in return air ducts, consider having more installed. Avoid placing furniture over air returns, or blocking them with wall coverings or other items if located in the wall. Also, consider having a professional check your return air ducts for air leaks and proper air flow. You will save on energy costs, and your family will remain comfortable no matter what room they are in.
T.F. O’Brien services the Long Island, New York area. We strive to educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). You can find more information about air returns and other HVAC topics by downloading our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
