Archive for May, 2012

Lawrenceville AC Tip: What to Check if Your AC Is Not Blowing Enough Air

Tuesday, May 29th, 2012

The summer is right around the corner, so if your air conditioner in Lawrenceville is not blowing enough cool air it is time to perform this quick diagnosis to see what’s wrong.  Always start with the obvious – make sure your air conditioner is on by checking the thermostat is asking for cool, and the desired temperature is at least 5 degrees cooler than the temperature inside.  The next simple test is to make sure that electricity is getting to the unit.  Check that the service switches are in the ON position, and that nothing has tripped the circuit breaker.  Your air conditioning could have been automatically turned off because a built in fail-safe.  Some of these problems include if the blower compartment door is not shut properly, or the electric motor is overheated.  It is best to determine why your air conditioner is being forced off before trying put it back on.

If you go through all of the straightforward fixes above, and you are still not receiving cool air you might need to contact us for air conditioning repair.

If you would like to continue to diagnose the issue yourself, here are a few other issues that could be causing your cooling system to malfunction.  When working on your AC unit it is important to make sure it is off so it does not turn on while your hands are inside it.  First try checking the air filter for dirt and debris.  If it has been more than a few months since you changed out the filter dirt and debris could be blocking adequate air from entering the air handler.  Try dusting off the condensing coil, and making sure that nothing is blocking it.

The next place to look is your duct system.  Make sure that the vents are in the open position.  Make sure that nothing is blocking the airflow out of the vent like furniture or plants.  Check for dirt stains around the duct vents, this could be an indication that there is a lot of dust in the ducts.  If there is too much dust or debris in your ducts airflow will be restricted.

Anything beyond these quick checkups you will most likely need to call Heritage Air and Heat for further assistance.  If you perform the quick maintenance tasks above on a regular basis you will improve the performance of your Lawrenceville cooling system and avoid extensive repairs in the future.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Air Conditioning | Comments Off

Memorial Day in Central New Jersey

Friday, May 25th, 2012

Memorial Day | Princeton | Heritage Air and Heat

Hamilton, NJ Memorial Day Parade
The annual parade starts at 10:30 on Nottingham Way and end at the Nottingham Way Firehouse. May 28, 2012 @ 10:30 am – 12:00 pm.

Princeton, NJ Memorial Day Parade
10am Saturday. Sponsored by the Spirit of Princeton, Operation Shoebox will also be at the parade collecting donations for soldiers.

Princeton, NJ “The Revolution Comes Alive”
A reenactment of the Battle of Princeton will be help at the Princeton Battlefield from noon-5pm on Saturday.

Remember to call Heritage Air and Heat for all of your home comfort needs. If you ever have an emergency service need on a weekend, after hours, or on holidays we will be there for you.

 

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Air Conditioning, Community Involvement, Happy Holidays | Comments Off

Lawrenceville Heat Pump Installation Guide: What to Look For in a New Heat Pump

Monday, May 21st, 2012

When you are making a big purchase, like a new heat pump for your Lawrenceville home, you want to make sure that you are getting a good deal. You also need to make sure it has the features that you want and that it fits the needs of your home.

  • When you are choosing a new heat pump, one of the most important features to look for is the energy efficiency. Heat pumps have two efficiency ratings, SEER and HSPF. SEER stands for seasonal energy efficiency ratio, and it is a measure of the how efficiently your heat pump cools. HSPF stands for heating season performance factor, which a ratio of the heat produced divided by the total electricity used. For both of these ratings, the higher the number is, the more efficient the unit. Heat pumps, just like air conditioners, can receive the ENERGY STAR label if they meet certain requirements of energy efficiency.
  • You should also think about getting a heat pump that has demand defrost control. Heat pumps with demand defrost control only run the defrost cycle when it is needed, instead of on a timer, which reduces how much energy your unit uses.
  • When you have your new heat pump installed, remember to have it placed away from windows, since the fans and compressor will make some noise. You can also install the unit on a noise absorbing base to reduce sound levels.
  • When you get your new heat pump, you might also think about getting a programmable thermostat. A programmable thermostat will allow you to turn down the heat pump during the times of day you don’t need it, such as when everyone is at work or school, which will save you energy without sacrificing comfort. However, you need to make sure that your programmable thermostat supports multi-stage functions, which are necessary for the thermostat to work with many models of heat pumps.

When trying to choose the perfect heat pump for your home, the best thing you can do is consult with a  a professional Lawrenceville HVAC contractor. They will be able to go over with you all the features that you need and help you chose the right model for your budget. For any heat pump installation questions, give Heritage Air and Heat a call!

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Heat Pumps | Comments Off

Purchase a New AC System and Save $500!

Friday, May 18th, 2012

Don’t sweat the summer heat! Call Heritage Air & Heat to get a great deal on a new AC system. Save $500 off or receive no interest for 12 months when you purchase a new York LX or Affinity Air Conditioning system. Need a tune-up on your current system to get ready for summer? Take advantage of our $59.95 Spring Tune-up special.

Spring York Special | Central New Jersey | Heritage Air and Heat

 

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Air Conditioning, Coupons & Promotions | Comments Off

Hamilton HVAC Question: How Much Can I Save with New Equipment?

Monday, May 14th, 2012

There is certainly something to be said for upgrading your current Hamilton HVAC equipment to newer, more energy efficient equipment. Doing so can save you a ton of money in heating and cooling costs and it can make your home a more comfortable place in general. Of course, upgrading your equipment is a big investment, but ideally you will save enough on your monthly energy bills that it will more than make up for the initial cost of the installation.

But before you can decide whether or not it makes sense for you to upgrade, you need to know exactly how much you stand to save every month by upgrading. And that will vary considerably depending on several particulars of your situation.

For instance, you will have to take the age of your current system into account. No matter how energy efficient your system was when you first bought it, that energy efficiency has almost certainly deteriorated over time. Plus, the older your system is, the less energy efficient it probably was to start with. And the less energy efficient your current system is, the more you will save when you upgrade to a newer, more energy efficient system.

But that is not the only variable you will have to be on top of. The amount you will save monthly and annually will also have to do with how much you use your HVAC system. If you live in a rather temperate climate, you may use your HVAC much less, both in the summer and the winter.

In a case like this, the percentage you will save with an equipment upgrade will be the same as it would for someone who lived in an area with a harsher climate, but the actual dollar value will be much lower. All that really means is that it will take you longer to recoup your investment, but it may still be worth it to invest in a new system now.

You will also need to be aware of other factors that could impact the energy efficiency of your Hamilton HVAC system. For instance, if your house is not well insulated, it will not matter how good your HVAC system is. You will still be paying more than you should to keep the indoors comfortable, and while investing in a new system may save you money, you will save more by taking care of your insulation problem first.

For more information about how much upgrading your equipment will save you, give Heritage Air & Heat a call!

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Air Conditioning | Comments Off

New Jersey HVAC Tip: Why Avoid the Lowest Bidder?

Monday, May 7th, 2012

They are often called “garage mechanics” or “Johnny one-trucks.” In layman’s terms, these are the men (yes, usually men), who moonlight from their regular jobs in the mechanical services trades or who set up their own businesses with little or no overhead – to keep costs down.

They are the perfect people to call if you want a job done cheaply. True, many are qualified and do good work. But many more are simply looking for work and will do almost anything to underbid or “lowball” their competition. And why not? They can afford lower prices because they don’t have the fixed costs like larger, more established HVAC contractors in New Jersey. Unfortunately, some of these fixed costs include training and licensing, which are a necessity for any contractor.

Here are some things to look for when bidding out a service/replacement job or a new installation. The bidder you hire will answer yes to most of these questions (except the obvious). The lowball bidder likely will not.

  • Can the contractors give you references from former customers and show details of work they have done?
  • Can the contractors verify if they are licensed to do their work or have any certifications, i.e. refrigerant handling?
  • Do the contractors include the cost of pulling permits and paying for inspections for their work?
  • Are the contractors members of any professional organizations and can they show credentials?
  • Do the contractors belong to any local Chambers or other civic organizations?
  • Are the contractors rated favorably by the local Better Business Bureau?
  • Do the contractors offer an option of products and services to choose from, rather than just one choice they say “is best for you?”
  • Do the contractors take measurements and do mathematical equations to determine what size equipment you need (called load calculations or heat loss/heat gain measurements to determine the proper sized furnace or air conditioner, for example).
  • Do the contractors constantly criticize their competition and use this tactic more than explaining what they can do for you?
  • Do the contractors listen and ask questions?
  • Do the contractors use pressure tactics like offering add-on equipment for a “special price” or say, “I will need to know you answer as I have other customers who need my services right away.”
  • Do the contractors offer a variety of warranty plans to back up their work?
  • Do the contractors require a large deposit or all of the money up front?
  • Do the contractors have a neat appearance, i.e. well-groomed and clean clothes?
  • Are the contractors’ vehicles clean and free from obvious rust or body damage?

There are likely several other considerations but the point is, the contractors should be professional and businesslike. They should “act like they’ve done this before.” The low bidders may appear to put on a good face, but dig below the surface and ask a lot of questions. The low bidders may quickly lose their happy disposition.

A low bid can sometimes work but the odds are not in your favor. The main things are – you want piece of mind and fewer callbacks because of service or installation problems. Call Heritage Air & Heat today for quality HVAC service in the Central New Jersey area!

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Services | Comments Off