Ambient Comfort LLC Blog: Posts Tagged ‘HVAC’

WPG Talk Radio Host Harry Hurley Loves Our Maintenance Program

Tuesday, March 3rd, 2020

We don’t harp on and on about our maintenance program for no reason! The truth is, we’re all about saving money and providing our customers with long-lasting comfort care. The only way to achieve both of these goals is with a quality maintenance program. With a yearly tune-up, you can look to avoid expensive repair costs and save money with minor adjustments made ahead of time by a licensed professional.

Our local talk radio host, Harry Hurley, get’s what we’ve been saying this whole time! From our free reminders to our priority service, he understands the benefits of belonging to a maintenance plan like our Comfort Club.

Unconvinced? Take a look and see for yourself what he’s got to say about the team here at Ambient Comfort. Give us a call if you’re interested in signing up for our maintenance program, carried out by the best technicians in the area.

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Heat Pump Stuck on Cooling? Here’s What To Do

Monday, December 23rd, 2019

Nothing feels worse in the middle of the winter than pressing “heat” on your thermostat, to then feel frigid air coming from your air handler. Heat pumps are supposed to heat your home, at least that’s what you were told when it installed! Not only that, but it’s freezing outside and you can’t deal with it being freezing inside as well, right?

Well, before you panic, we’d like to say that this kind of thing happens. It’s still a problem, and perhaps we can clue you into some solutions for said problem.

Firstly, we’d like to emphasize that you shouldn’t just start dealing with this as normal. Don’t’ shut off your heat pump for the season as you brace yourself to deal with the frigid temperatures alone. For emergency Mount Laurel HVAC services, contact our team to help get your system back on track. Though, perhaps we can give you a bit more information as to what’s happening to your heat pump.

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What to Look For in a Commercial HVAC Technician

Monday, October 14th, 2019

Commercial work is much different than residential HVAC work. Commercial HVAC services can include different systems and processes which means that you’re going to want to be particular when looking for your next contractor. You need a professional technician who is experienced working in commercial spaces and who knows what they’re doing with the larger, more intensive rooftop units. If you’re in Pitman, Newfield, or Mullica Hill, you need the best possible commercial HVAC service, and that’s where we come in!

Whether it’s a specific set of awards or accolades, a comprehensive service plan, or just experience working with commercial systems, it’s incredibly important that you choose your service professional wisely. Working with the cheapest handyman out there could give you an immediate discount, but your building will have sub-par service that might end up costing you much more in the long run.

Don’t take any chances. We’ll guide you through some major points to ensure that you choose the best technician you possibly can for your commercial HVAC work in Gloucester County, NJ.

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What to Look for in an HVAC Technician

Monday, September 30th, 2019

We know how difficult it is to find a technician who is qualified for your particular HVAC work. Improper installations, amateur work, no credentials, broken promises, we’ve heard about these nightmares before. That’s we are writing for you today, with a list of some important things to keep in mind when hiring a new HVAC technician for your home heating and air conditioning needs. These don’t have to be complicated, but they provide some information to learn about your technician so you don’t waste money on something you don’t need, or repairs in the future.

The difference between an HVAC technician who you trust with expertise and a technician who is just the cheapest on the block can be absolutely everything. After all, the first step to proper AC and heater maintenance is a proper installation by an honest person. You need a great professional to take care of your commercial HVAC services so that you can focus on your business.

So? What should you keep in mind when meeting with a new technician?

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Need to Replace Your HVAC System? Consider a Heat Pump

Monday, August 20th, 2018

heat-pump-floor-mounted-unitDid your air conditioner show signs of old age and wear this summer? Is your furnace on its last legs, leading you to wonder if it’s time for a new one? Have you been struggling to decide what you need to replace first, your air conditioner or your heating system?

If your answer to any or all of these questions was “yes,” then we have good news. There is one Gloucester County, NJ HVAC system that will serve all of your needs—the heat pump.

“But wait,” you might be thinking, “it’s called a heat pump, doesn’t that mean it’s only used for heating?”

Read on!

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The Invisible Dangers of Carbon Monoxide

Thursday, February 15th, 2018

It is an old adage that what you don’t know can’t hurt you. But this is blatantly false when it comes to carbon monoxide gas.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a byproduct of combustion. It is produced when any fuel burning device is used. For example, when your oil or gas furnace, boiler, gas dryer, stove, deep fryer, space heater, or other any fuel-burning device is running, CO is being created. Normally, it is produced in small amounts and vented safely out of the home. But, because it is invisible and odorless, it is also dangerous. Should the device be operating inefficiently, or if there is a failure in venting the gas out of the home, CO can build up to dangerous levels, causing illness, permanent injury or death. It happens to hundreds of people every year.

RELATED READ: Five signs your furnace needs repair

The first step in protecting your family against carbon monoxide poisoning is to have a CO monitor in your home. Check your monitor at least quarterly and replace batteries twice a year to make sure they are operating optimally. There is a difference between a CO detector, available at most home stores starting around $30, and a CO monitor. A CO detector only alarms when levels are very high for sustained periods. A detector may prevent death, but not headaches, flu symptoms, memory loss and other symptoms of even low-level prolonged CO exposure. Children and the elderly are particularly susceptible.

A CO monitor, available from professional HVAC companies, indicates the current level of CO in your home, down to the lowest levels. On a heavy cooking day, for example, the monitor may show 16 parts per million, letting you know that cracking window might be a good idea.

Also important is to have your home’s heating system checked annually by an HVAC professional. Regular maintenance can ensure that your devices are burning fuel efficiently and venting it properly outside of the home.

Heating professionals can test the air quality in your home to make sure your family is breathing air that is safe. They also can check for leaks around your furnace, chimney, gas heaters, hot water heaters and stoves.

RELATED READ: Improving your home’s air quality

 

More Tips to Stay Safe from Carbon Monoxide

  1. Never use portable heaters that burn fuel (such as kerosene or propane) inside the home.
  2. Have wood stoves and fireplaces inspected and cleaned annually to ensure proper venting.
  3. Never start or run a motor vehicle with the garage door closed or with a door open to the living areas of the house. After starting the car, drive it out of the garage as soon as possible.

The physical symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headache, blurred vision, confusion, dizziness, physical weakness or nausea or vomiting that sometimes come on quickly. Should you experience these, you may be experiencing CO poisoning. Go outside immediately and do not reenter the home even if you feel better. CO builds up in the human body and does not leave with a quick trip outside. Call for emergency support using a mobile phone or a neighbor’s phone. Get a professional to check your furnace and other appliances.

Contact the professionals at Home Comfort Experts today to find out how we can improve your home’s air quality so you can breathe easily and safely. We serve Northern Indiana and Southwestern Michigan from our twelve locations. Give us a call at (574) 255-4600 to find out how we can help.

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Preventing Dryer Fires

Thursday, February 1st, 2018

Washing machines and clothes dryers are workhorses in most homes, especially those with children. Both, however, cause thousands of home fires each year, and dryers are responsible for a many of them. However, it is not difficult to ensure the safety of your dryer, and given the importance of doing so, there’s really no excuse not to. After you’ve made sure your dryer is properly installed (something a professional should take care of), the rest of it is simple.

 

Since dryers are appliances that heat, sparks can occur. In the case of gas dryers, an actual flame is present in your dryer, just like in a gas furnace. Most fires caused by clothes dryers occur when an item being dried ignites, or when built-up lint in either the lint screen or the dryer venting ignites. To avoid the first cause of fires, make sure that all items placed in the dryer are made of fabrics suitable for drying. Never dry items that contain combustible fluids such as painting solvents, certain household cleaners, or grease. If you washed greasy clothing and the grease didn’t come out, you have three choices: wash it again, air dry it, or throw it out.

Watch out for Lint

Lint is composed of tiny fibers that break off the fabric of your clothing. Many hikers and campers carry a little bag of dryer lint with them in a sealed plastic bag to use as tinder, to help start a fire in an emergency. It’s that flammable!

The easiest step in preventing a dryer fire is to clean the lint screen after each dryer load. Making this a regular practice will eliminate the flammable material, allow your dryer to function more efficiently, and also reduce lint buildup in the exhaust hose and vent. Regularly wiping down the inside of the dryer to remove any extraneous fibers can also help.

Make sure your dryer vents to outside the home and that it is kept clear. Keep leaves and grass away from the vent. Several times a year, go outside while the dryer is running and confirm that plenty of warm, moist air is coming out of the vent. If it’s not, the exhaust hose is probably clogged with lint. Also check if the vent itself is clogged. If you can’t disassemble the vent and detach the hose yourself to clear or replace them, call a professional.

The area around your dryer should also be kept clear. There are air intake vents on the back of your dryer which can accumulate lint and dust. If they are obstructed of become clogged, it can cause the motor to overheat, possibly resulting in a fire. Vacuuming the rear vents a couple times a year is a good precaution.

Consider a booster for dryer hoses longer than 10 feet to ensure all the lint and hot air are properly vented.

Related read: Clean your dryer vent and limit lint buildup to help prevent fires

 

Simple Tips for Dryer Safety

Here’s a summary and some more tips to prevent dryer fires:

  • Make sure your appliances are professionally installed and grounded. If your dryer is gas-fired, make sure the gas lines are intact.
  • Do not overload the dryer with too many clothes, which can increase the heat levels.
  • Never operate the dryer when you are sleeping or not at home.
  • Clean the lint trap after every use.
  • Check the exhaust hose and vent periodically for lint buildup, and clear them when necessary.
  • Keep the intake vents clear.
  • Get professional service for any problems you can’t handle yourself.

The heating professionals at Home Comfort Experts are available to inspect your dryer vent and use our professional grade equipment to clean out your dryer from the lint screen all the way to outside your home if necessary. We serve Northern Indiana and Southwestern Michigan from twelve locations. Give us a call at (574) 255-4600 to learn about our complete heating, cooling and plumbing services.

 

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