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”
Tag: preventive maintenance
Your Springtime Heat Pump Maintenance
When spring rolls around, it’s a good time for homeowners to take on necessary heat pump maintenance. If you haven’t done it before, or if you need a refresher, here are some step-by-step tips to get you on the right path.
DIY heat pump maintenance
- Start by hosing off the outside of the unit. Washing the unit with water removes the grime, debris and dead leaves that can get caught in the unit. Make sure that you wait until the weather has warmed up completely and you’re certain you won’t have to use your heat again until the fall. This task helps ensure that the heat pump will continue to run efficiently without dirt buildup.
- Check your filters and replace or clean them as necessary. You may have disposable glass fiber filters that you can simply discard, or you might have plastic fiber or aluminum mesh filters that require washing and can be reinserted. If you’re not sure, check with your HVAC technician, who can show you how to best take care of your heat pump’s filter needs.
- Most of the time, your heat pump maintenance won’t include lubrication, but you do need to make sure that dust is periodically removed from the motor. You can use air pressure like a vacuum in reverse mode or an air compressor to clean the dust off of the motor.
- Make sure that you have your unit inspected by a professional periodically. This is one of the steps that many forget, and if your heat pump is warrantied, it’s one of the easiest tasks that if not done routinely, can void the manufacturer’s warranty. Professional preventive maintenance can catch issues before they turn into costlier problems.
For more information on heat pump maintenance, or to schedule an appointment, contact the experts at T.F. O’Brien Cooling & Heating. We’re proud to serve homeowners throughout 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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Tend to Your Air Conditioner Maintenance Now, Before Long Island Heats Up
The ideal time for air conditioner maintenance is in the spring, so your system is functioning at its highest level of efficiency before the summer heat arrives. Continue reading “Tend to Your Air Conditioner Maintenance Now, Before Long Island Heats Up”
Cutting Your Home Energy Bills Down to Size: Strategic Steps You Can Take Right Now
When it comes to managing your household, every penny counts, especially with energy bills. Continue reading “Cutting Your Home Energy Bills Down to Size: Strategic Steps You Can Take Right Now”
What ACCA Membership Means When You Call T.F. O’Brien
When your home comfort system isn’t working properly, it can be very stressful. You may be concerned about the cost to repair it, as well as how to find a qualified and trusted company to make the repairs. No matter the issue, from preventive maintenance to a cracked heat exchanger , hire an HVAC company that has an Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) membership. With that, you know your system is in good hands. Continue reading “What ACCA Membership Means When You Call T.F. O’Brien”
Don’t Let Ice Dams Wreak Havoc On Your Roof
The last thing Long Island homeowners need to contend with is another catastrophe triggered by the weather. So if continuing winter weather has kept you on edge, it may help to remember that you can take a proactive stance with regard to ice dams. In fact, you can absolutely prevent an ice dam from wreaking havoc on your roof, as well as your home and wallet. Continue reading “Don’t Let Ice Dams Wreak Havoc On Your Roof”
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
Peace Of Mind With An Automatic Standby Generator
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.
Image via Shutterstock.com
Heat Pump Troubleshooting: If At First You Don’t Succeed, Don’t Try Again — Call The Experts
Do you have heat pump problems? To save time and money, it may be worth attempting a few fundamental heat pump troubleshooting tips to get your system up and running before you call your HVAC technician. Continue reading “Heat Pump Troubleshooting: If At First You Don’t Succeed, Don’t Try Again — Call The Experts”
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”