Archive for July, 2012

Princeton Air Conditioning Replacement Tip: How to Decide If You Should Upgrade or Replace an AC System

Monday, July 30th, 2012

Air conditioner upgrades are not something to go about lightly.  You want to make sure that your old air conditioning system truly needs to be replaced, rather than needing a simple repair or adjustment. You also want to make sure that you get a system that will suit your cooling needs even better than your previous AC system did.  Heritage Air and Heat provides Princeton air conditioning services, and our technicians have the knowledge necessary to help you decide if you should upgrade or replace your air conditioner.

When you finally decide to upgrade or replace your air conditioner, it is important to understand the main factors that are necessary to consider, such as AC type, energy efficiency ratings, and proper sizing or capacity.  Each of these factors takes time and knowledge on the subject, and our qualified technicians can help you with both.

The SEER ratings or seasonal energy efficiency ratio will be a factor that will also help you determine which AC system to purchase.  Higher SEER ratings help save you money on monthly utility bills, which can help make up for the initial cost of the system.

Our AC technicians can help you determine the proper air conditioner capacity or sizing that is appropriate for your distinct needs.  If you are doing an AC upgrade because of increased square footage, that area will have to be taken into account.  Other things that should be taken into account include certain room characteristics, such as how many rooms have windows that get more sunshine throughout the day, how many are heavily shaded, and whether there is insulation in the home or not.  We can help you through this process quite easily.

Heritage Air and Heat is a licensed air conditioning company that provides quality AC services in Princeton and throughout Central New Jersey.  Our air conditioning technicians have years of experience working with all types of systems and can help you determine when is the right time for an AC upgrade or replacement.

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Lawrenceville Air Conditioning Question: Why Is My Air Conditioner Not Cooling?

Thursday, July 26th, 2012

If your air conditioner is not living up to past performance levels there are a number of possible causes. Some can be corrected easily, but any time your air conditioner needs to be opened up or serviced you need the help of a Lawrenceville air conditioning professional. Aside from risk of  damage to your system, you may void the warranty by attempting to fix it yourself. These are some possible problems your air conditioner may be experiencing.

  • It may simply be a matter of an incorrect thermostat setting. Double check that your thermostat is set to cool and that the temperature is appropriately set. It sounds obvious, but if it’s a new system that you’re unfamiliar it’s a real possibility.
  • Another easy fix is to check your circuit breakers. Don’t be fooled by a running blower fan. If your outdoor unit is on a separate breaker then it’s possible for the indoor units to be running but for the compressor to be dead. Check the circuits of all components and the answer to your problem may be a simple flip of a switch.
  • Dirty air filters may also be to blame. If yours haven’t been changed in a while it is possible that they are dirty enough to restrict air flow. A quick visual inspection will tell you whether or not the filters need replacement.
  • If none of these quick fixes help you out, there is likely a more complicated issue at hand. When you call in an HVAC technician they will check to be sure that your refrigerant level is correct. If it is low they can recharge it, but since refrigerant does not wear out it suggests that you very likely have a leak somewhere in your system that will need repair.
  • The condenser coils may also be at fault. Dirty condenser coils, much like filters, will upset air flow and result in lowered performance levels. Also, if your refrigerant is low, there may be condensation that has frozen onto your condenser coils. Either way, they will need to be cleared of any ice or debris.
  • Finally, your ductwork may be in poor shape. Any gaps in the seams, holes, tears or other damage will allow cooled air to escape and upset your system’s efficiency. Poorly insulated ducts can also be at fault. An inspection by a professional is the only way to discover if your ducts are the problem.

We hope that this brief guide helps you understand the variety of issues your Lawrenceville air conditioning system may be suffering from. When your system needs service, remember that Heritage is here with any help you may require.

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Princeton Air Conditioning Question: What Does an Air Handler Do?

Monday, July 16th, 2012

Your Princeton HVAC system can seem pretty complicated, and there are a lot of components that need to work together to keep your home comfortable. One of the most important parts of any forced air system is the air handler. The air handler is what distributes the conditioned air through the air ducts and into the rooms of your home.

Your air handler is typically a metal box, in which is a blower and heating or cooling elements. It can also contain dampers and an air filtration system. Simple air handlers will only transfer the heated or cooled air throughout your home, while more advanced devices will clean and condition the air as they circulate it.

Types of Air Handlers

There are a couple of different types of air handlers you can get for your HVAC system. Many homes have a terminal unit, which only consists of an air filter, a blower and a coil. This simple system is all you need to transfer the air throughout your ductwork.

For larger systems, there might be larger makeup air units which bring in outdoor air (instead of recirculating the indoor air). There are also package and rooftop units that have all components of the air conditioning and heating system in one cabinet, and they are designed to be placed outside. These types of unit are usually used for commercial spaces.

How Air Handlers Work

The most basic component of all air handlers is the blower fan. This device is run by an AC electric motor, and you can get models that are either single speed or variable speed. The dampers on the fan control the speed of the air going through the blower fan. Frequently, the blower in residential homes is a part of the air conditioning or furnace system. Commercial systems have more than one blower to help maintain a constant air flow.

Since all the air that moves through your vents passes through your air handler, it’s the best place to install a quality air filter to remove contaminants from your air. Many people also install humidity control devices at this point in the system.

The air handler is an important part of any HVAC system.  Without it, your air conditioning and heating system wouldn’t be able to keep your home comfortable. For any air handler repair or replacement in the Princeton area, give Heritage Air and Heat a call today!

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Hamilton NJ Air Conditioning Q/A: How Much Can I Save With New Equipment?

Monday, July 9th, 2012

When it comes time to consider new HVAC equipment in Hamilton, NJ, the biggest sticking point for most homeowners is cost. The equipment can be costly, plus there are installation costs to consider…and what if you need to repair or replace some existing piece of equipment in order for the new stuff to work right? It all can be very overwhelming.

The logic behind new equipment, of course, is that modern technology can save you money over the long run with lower operating costs than older equipment. So, the question becomes:

 How MUCH can I save?

It’s a good question, especially since it plays into the decision of when to buy new equipment. There is no one simple answer, but let’s see if we can address it at least in a general way.

 Simple Efficiency Calculations

The main way that new HVAC equipment offers savings is in the form of lower monthly costs. Today’s machines are so efficient that they are able to provide the same levels of comfort you have come to expect, while doing much less work. One way to estimate these savings is to use an online savings calculator. Keep in mind that it is just an estimate, but you can at least get an idea.

For example, one online calculator reveals your estimated savings with new, energy efficient equipment versus the average model manufactured before the year 2000, according to average costs nationwide. It shows that a new air conditioner with a SEER rating of 13 yields an annual savings of about 38% versus the older system. That equates to over $700 over a 5 year period. For heating equipment, the savings are even more drastic: an AFUE rating of 90 can save as much as 33% annually, or over $3300 in 5 years.

That means that replacing both your Hamilton AC and furnace could save you as much as $4000 over the next five years. A matched system could mean even more efficiency and savings.

 Other Savings

Utility bills aren’t the only place you can see savings from new HVAC equipment. There’s also the decreased frequency of repair, the longevity of new technology and possible tax credits for owning energy efficient equipment. Once you stack all those things up, a new HVAC system can easily pay for itself in just a few years.

Keep in mind that all figures are estimates, and that your situation may vary. New equipment may not be for everyone, especially if you have just recently invested in a new system. However, if the time has come for you to look into new HVAC equipment, the question shouldn’t be how much will the new system SAVE you, but how much is that old system COSTING you.

Heritage offers free installation estimates and financing, so call us today if you are interesting in installing a new system in your home!

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Get $500 off a New AC System! Offer Ends Soon!

Friday, July 6th, 2012

$500 Off AC | Hamilton | Heritage Air and Heat

If you purchase a new York LX or Affinity air conditioning system you will receive $500 off or no interest for a year! This offer won’t last much longer. With the incredible heat wave we are experiencing, you need to act now to take advantage of this great offer! Call Heritage Air & Heat of Hamilton, New Jersey for all of your air conditioning, indoor air quality, and heating needs. We service Brick, Toms River, Central New Jersey and the Jersey Shore.

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Hamilton Air Conditioning Guide: Freon and Load Capacity

Monday, July 2nd, 2012

Most people tend not to think much about the inner workings of their Hamilton air conditioners. As long as they work to keep the house cool and comfortable, most don’t much care how the things work.

But for those who want to know more, this post will shed some light on the link between two vital components of your system. Here, we discuss the relationship between freon and load capacity – the amount of space that an air conditioner can be expected to keep cool.

What is freon?

Freon is actually a brand name that describes a group of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) developed by DuPont in the first half of the 20th century. Today, the name “freon” still describes any of the CFCs, which are used in aerosol cans and cooling systems, such as air conditioners.

Simply put, freon is the refrigerant substance within your air conditioning system that cools the air in your home. Obviously, the process is more complex than that, but in a nutshell, you can think of it in those simple terms.

Freon and load capacity

Since freon is the substance that makes air cool, then the amount of freon in a given air conditioning system is directly related to that system’s capacity for cooling a volume of air.

Or, to phrase it another way, more freon means more air cooled.

However, the relationship is not quite that simple. There are a number of other factors that contribute to an air conditioner’s load capacity, and simply upping the amount of freon in an air conditioner won’t suddenly bestow it with an ability to cool larger spaces. In fact, having too much refrigerant in your AC can causes problems.

Generally speaking, Hamilton air conditioners with a larger capacity for freon also have a greater load capacity so they can cool larger spaces. For more information, give Heritage Air and Heat a call!

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