Blog

January 9, 2023

Are heat pumps inevitable for NYC, LI?

Many government leaders are pushing for homes and businesses to switch to heat pumps for financial and environmental reasons. New York State is among the most eager. As the Washington Post notes, “A New York commission recently approved a plan to require...

January 2, 2023

Why your HVAC smells

Your nose often is the first sensor to detect problems with your heating, ventilation or air conditioning system. We should learn as children that an odor of rotten eggs, of course, means there may be a gas leak. Open your windows, leave your building and aler...

December 26, 2022

In gas furnaces, control board is the brain

Power surges, dirt, age and water are threats to the control board that is the quarterback of your gas furnace. The control board controls operations – turning on the gas, maintaining the desired temperature and other important tasks. It also often has c...

December 19, 2022

New refrigerant is more eco-friendly

A new refrigerant will replace R-410a, which can harm the environment if it leaks from an air-conditioning system. R-410 also contributes to global warming. The change is effective Jan. 2, 2023. The new refrigerant, R-454b, has less global warming potential. H...

November 28, 2022

HVAC coils, fins rusting? It’s a dog-going problem

The coil and fins on your outside HVAC unit can withstand weather, but not frequent visits from a dog. Urine from dogs contains acid that eats away at these important parts. Repeated doses of urine will corrode the fins and coils, which will hurt your unit&rsq...

November 21, 2022

Ventilation works best with busy fans

Two of your best friends for ventilation are the fans in your bathroom and kitchen. Fans bring fresher, cleaner air at little cost. Don’t be reluctant to use them often. They remove moisture, mold and unwanted smells, and they use little power because th...

November 7, 2022

Replace old boiler with new furnace?

There are many benefits to replacing your boiler with a new furnace. A forced-air furnace has several plusses: • It heats faster, giving you more efficiency at lower cost. • It’s easier to maintain. • Repair costs are lower. • Leaks a...

October 25, 2022

Don’t touch that thermostat!

Program it What works for one appliance does not automatically work for another appliance. Case in point: Yes, you can save energy by turning off lights. But you won’t save energy by constantly turning your HVAC on and off. You actually will be running u...

October 18, 2022

Good news, bad news on prices

Manufacturers warn of price hikes If you’re wondering whether to buy a new HVAC system, this item will help you see the pros and cons of waiting until next year. That’s when manufacturers will raise prices of heating and cooling costs. One big fac...

October 11, 2022

How to spell sustainability? VFR.

Sustainability is a very  important word now, but our parents and grandparents knew it by different phrases. “Get your money’s worth,” they said. “Make it last.” “Don’t waste anything.” “Think ahead!&r...