Category: Energy Savings

Enjoy the Energy Savings of Summer’s End

Posted on by Family Danz

The Niskayuna, N.Y. summertime is quickly coming to a close, and although that means the end of summer fun, many area residents also look forward to the lowering of their utility bills as they reduce their air conditioning usage.

At Family Danz Heating & Cooling, we don’t want anyone to feel they need to sacrifice their own personal comfort because of its affordability any time of the year. Certainly AC systems are a major expense in the summer, as are heating systems in the winter. But there are numerous ways you can reduce those bills.

Our experienced technicians at Family Danz can help.

For nearly four decades, we have sold, installed, and serviced heating and air conditioning units throughout the Capital District of New York State. Our highly trained HVAC specialists will put their years of expertise to work for you to make sure your HVAC system is working at peak capacity to reduce needless expense. Our professionals can quickly diagnose whatever problem your system is facing that makes it less than efficient — and more expensive — to run, and fix the problem.

With regular maintenance, Family Danz will keep your HVAC system up and running the entire year. But if there ever is a problem, we are also available for emergency service to quickly get you out of a heating or cooling crisis.

We are always available to answer your questions about how to use less energy in your home or business and save on your utility bills. For expert consultations, and a commitment to providing you with all the comfort you deserve, give us a call today!

Family Danz Heating & Cooling is a full service heating, air conditioning, and ventilation contractor, offering sales and service in Niskayuna, N.Y. and throughout the Capital District of New York State for nearly 40 years. If you would like more information on any of our services, call us at (518) 427-8685.

Tips for Summertime Energy Savings

Posted on by Family Danz

There are two times of year when your energy bills are likely to see a serious spike in your Albany, N.Y. area home or business: in the cold days of the winter, when you fire up the furnace to keep you warm, and the hot days of the summer, when you are cranking the air conditioning to try to cool down.

At Family Danz Heating & Cooling, we want all members of the extended family — our customers — to be comfortable all year round. But we are also as energy conscious as most of them are, so we want to make sure everybody is conserving as much as possible. Not just for savings on the bills, but to save the environment as well.

It doesn’t matter what time of year it is … any time is a good time for Family Danz to perform an energy evaluation in your home or office if you haven’t had one recently. We will find areas of energy loss and make expert recommendations to abate the situation. This is just as important in the summer as it is in the winter, but too often overlooked until the cold months return.

Another way to save is by having your friendly Family Danz technician install a heating and cooling system thermostat. A programmable model is especially useful this time of year because it will automatically raise the temperature while you are away and lower it back to comfortable levels before you return. This saves the AC from having to run at top capacity all the time, and reduces the energy consumption.

Family Danz will even help you with energy saving accoutrements around the abode, like ENERGY STAR-rated lighting and ceiling fans, that will maximize the return on your investment.

For energy savings tips on air conditioning or answers to any of your heating and cooling comfort questions, give Family Danz a call. No matter what the weather outside, we will help you get away from it in the sanctuary of your home or office … and save you some money on your energy bills at the same time.

Family Danz Heating & Cooling is a full-service heating and air conditioning contractor, offering sales and service in Albany and all through the Capital District of New York State. If you would like more information on any of our services, call us today at 518-427-8685.

Spring Into the Cooling Season with the Help of Family Danz

Posted on by Family Danz

Spring has arrived in the Capital District of New York State, and now residents throughout the Schenectady, N.Y. area are likely thinking about getting their air conditioning systems fired up for a test run before the hot weather returns.

Right now is a great time for a thorough check of your AC system, because very soon it will soon be getting a good summer workout again. Family Danz Heating & Cooling is here to help you with your air conditioning prep — our experienced technicians will check out your entire system to make sure it is operating to its maximum efficiency and safety. We‘ll make sure you are prepared for anything those dog days will throw at you.

From filters to condenser units, we’ll inspect every part of the AC equipment for any damage from last year’s usage and the winter weather during the idle months. We’ll check the refrigerant to make sure it is at the proper level, since low levels can signify a coolant leak and add a substantial increase to your energy bill. Unsafe levels can also cause undue stress to the compressor that can shorten the life of your AC system.

For additional reassurance that your air conditioning apparatus will run perfectly all summer, sign up for the Family Danz maintenance plan. It offers a15 percent discount on parts and labor, around-the-clock emergency service with priority scheduling, and no overtime rates.

Now is the time to make sure your AC equipment is safe, clean, and working just as it should through the summer and well into the future. Call Family Danz today and we’ll make sure your summer — and your energy bills — will be cool and comfortable.

Family Danz Heating & Cooling is a full-service heating and air conditioning contractor, offering sales, maintenance, emergency repairs, and installation in Schenectady, N.Y. and all through the Capital District of New York State. If you would like more information on any of our services, call us at 518-427-8685.

A Maintenance Plan is a Sound Investment

Posted on by Family Danz

Lots of people these days are looking for an investment with some serious return potential and minimal risk. Family Danz Heating & Cooling has a great recommendation for folks around the Niskayuna, N.Y. area looking to make a positive impact on their future finances: a regular maintenance plan for their air conditioning system.

It might not be quite as exciting as playing the Stock Market, but it can be a lot safer in the long run with results you will feel right away. Having your friendly Family Danz technicians keep on top of your AC system’s service needs is one of the best ways to make sure your cooling apparatus continues to operate at its maximum efficiency. Performing regular maintenance can head off more serious — and more costly — problems in the future, and likely save you some significant funds by preventing higher bills you might later face from negligence.

Anyone signing up for a Family Danz AC maintenance plan in Niskayuna, NY also enjoys additional benefits than the peace of mind in knowing their cooling system is ready for the summer heat. There is a 15 percent discount on parts and labor, and if there ever is a problem, they also receive around-the-clock emergency service with priority scheduling and no overtime rates.

Taking the initiative to make sure your AC equipment is clean, safe, and functioning as it should is a great way to make sure all of that apparatus serves you well into the future. Call Family Danz today to learn more about enrolling in a scheduled maintenance plan, and make sure you will have a cooler summer while saving some cool cash on future repair bills.

Family Danz Heating & Cooling is a full-service heating and air conditioning contractor, offering sales, maintenance, emergency repairs, and installation in Niskayuna, N.Y. and all through the Capital District of New York State. If you would like more information on any of our services, call us at 518-427-8685.

Think Spring Care for Your AC

Posted on by Family Danz

April showers and May flowers are coming, and shortly afterwards the summer weather will return to Albany and the Capital District of New York State. But if you can’t wait for those dog days to help lift you out of your leftover winter blahs, another good relief is to start thinking about starting up your air conditioning system.

Family Danz Heating & Cooling knows it’s still a ways away before you will have to rely on that AC for comfort from the heat, but now is a great time to check out that cooling apparatus to make sure it is functioning as it should. Your cooling system hasn’t been used for a while, and even in its downtime there are all sorts of concerns that may need to be addressed to guarantee maximum safety in turning it back on.

We would be glad to have our experienced technicians take a professional look at your air conditioning system in Albany, NY to make sure everything is ready to go. Our techs will make sure it’s clean and all of your regular maintenance is performed appropriately to ensure your system is running at peak performance. That proper and timely maintenance will not only extend the life of your air conditioning equipment, but also help reduce larger repair bills in the future that can result from neglect.

Our Family Danz TLC for your AC will continue to pay dividends all summer, as having your air conditioning running to maximum efficiency will likely help lower your utility bills. It will run cheaper, safer, and more reliably — what more could you ask for in an AC system, rather than having a brand-new one installed? We can check that out, too, and if it’s getting close to time for new AC equipment, our technicians can offer their expert advice on a new cooling system based on your own situation.

Family Danz can help you choose an upgrade to your existing cooling apparatus, showing you all the latest, energy-efficient models that will also help you save big on your energy bills.

At Family Danz Heating & Cooling, we want to make sure everyone throughout the Albany, N.Y. area is as comfortable as possible all year round. Spring into the season with a check of your AC system today, and you won’t have to worry about that summer heat soon to come.

Family Danz Heating & Cooling is a full-service heating and air conditioning contractor, offering sales and service all through the Capital District of New York State. If you would like more information on any of our services, call us at 518-427-8685.

Time to Pack Up That Window AC

Posted on by Family Danz

Family enjoying hVAC system running smoothlyIt’s inevitable this time of year that the temperatures will start to drop and suddenly there won’t be the need for that window air conditioning unit any longer. But all too often, some folks who have those units might want to avoid that storage struggle by simply covering it up and leaving it hanging in the window through the chills of the winter.

Not a good idea.

At Family Danz Heating & Cooling, we want to make sure residents of Troy and the entire Capital District of New York State are aware of the damage improper storage of their window air conditioners can cause. Even though you are saving time both in the storage now and reassembly in the spring, you could actually be costing yourself some big bucks in repair and replacement because of damage to the unit’s delicate machinery caused by the cold.

So when should you take the AC unit out of the window? When temperatures are regularly below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, the air conditioning unit isn’t doing you much good anyways, so that’s the time to prepare it for a long winter’s nap. If you have your owner’s manual, you can consult it for the manufacturer’s directions on storage, but if not, here are some helpful tips:

To learn more, contact us today

Call Family Danz at (518) 427-8685 or complete our online form here:

Make sure to ask a friend or family member for help when removing the air conditioner from the window, regardless of the size. You might want to entice that buddy with a favorite beverage or snack, and make it some bonding time. Plus an extra set of hands makes the job that much easier. Remove the air conditioner from the window and check it out for any damage that might have happened during the cooling season. If there is significant damage, check with your Family Danz technician to make sure it is still safe to use or if it needs some repairs before you store it away.

Replace or clean the air conditioner’s air filter … you don’t want it sitting around with a dirty air filter until next spring. Clean the condenser coils and water pan also before storing it to give you a clean start next year.

The storage location is important. Keep it away from moisture, temperature extremes, and critters that might make a nest inside it and chew on wiring. Attics, basements, and storage rooms make great places to keep the off-season air conditioners, while garages and outdoor sheds don’t.

Family Danz is here to answer all of your heating and cooling questions and keep you comfortable all year long. We have more than 30 years of experience in all kinds of HVAC equipment, so let us put those three decades of service to work for you and your family.

Family Danz Heating & Cooling is a full-service heating and air conditioning contractor, offering sales and service all through the Capital District of New York State, including Troy, Albany, Schenectady, Saratoga, and the surrounding region. If you would like more information on any of our services, call us at 518-427-8685.

The Best Setting for Your AC

Posted on by Family Danz

It’s summertime and the air conditioners are running once again throughout the entire Capital District of New York State. But how do the AC operators decide exactly what temperature to set their thermostats to, or exactly how long to run them at top capacity before their energy expense outweighs the cooling benefit?

Your own comfort levels are obviously a personal matter, so your opinion might differ, but at Family Danz Heating & Cooling we suggest keeping the temperature at the mid- to upper-70s during the summer.

Factors like the humidity, use of a fan, and layers of your clothing while all also impact your comfort level, but for most people setting a thermostat to that range — or running the air conditioner at a setting that maintains that range if there is no temperature control setting — will be good during the heat of a Troy area summer. That setting also means the AC likely won’t run constantly, saving you wear and tear on the equipment as well as some money on your energy bill.

Of course, a heat wave of successive dog days will force your air conditioning system to run more than usual. If it’s not too uncomfortable, you might want to bump the thermostat up a few degrees to save energy, but don’t forget that the air conditioning is also there for your safety as well. That hot, moist air isn’t good for your health, and makes a great environment for mold to grow in.

Stay cool and enjoy the summer … it will be over and winter will be back before you know it, and then you will really appreciate all that summer heat.

At Family Danz, we‘ve been experts in keeping you comfortable in your home and office throughout the Albany, Schenectady, Saratoga Springs, and Troy area all year round for nearly 40 years. Family Danz Heating & Cooling is a full-service heating and air conditioning contractor, offering sales and service all through the Capital District of New York State.

If you would like more information on any of our services, call us today at 518-427-8685.

Spring Into Energy Savings

Posted on by Family Danz

If your energy bills got a little steep during the cold winter that just passed, and you are worried that as soon as you turn on your air conditioning this summer you’ll see more of the same, Family Danz Heating & Cooling is here to help you stay cool and comfortable even when that dreaded bill arrives.

Family Danz sells, installs, and services AC systems throughout the Capital District of New York State, including Troy, Albany, Schenectady, Saratoga, and the surrounding region, so we know all the ways to maximize the efficiency of your equipment. You’ll save money and be more comfortable at the same time.

The weather will soon be warm again — we promise! — so here are strategies straight from the Department of Energy that will make sure your air conditioning dollars aren’t being spent needlessly.

The first step is to call Family Danz to schedule an energy assessment of your home if you haven’t had one recently. Most people think of having an assessment in the fall before the cold of winter, but the spring is also a great time to have a thorough check of any energy loss areas before the summer heat returns. Those trouble spots can waste just as much of your money during the hot days as the cold days.

In the Capital District, the temperature will cool down on most nights, so turn off your AC and open the windows to cool your home while you sleep at no cost. Then, in the morning close the windows and the shades to keep that cool air inside.

If you don’t have one, we would also be happy to install a programmable thermostat to control the temperature and maximize your AC efficiency. While you are away there is no reason to keep it as cool as while someone is there, but it’s always nice to come home to a relaxing cool temperature indoors. The programmable thermostat keeps the temperature right where you want it all day long.

Ceiling fans are also a great method to get the most out of your AC system. The proper use of the fan can actually allow you to raise the setting on your thermostat a few degrees with no loss of comfort, and each degree will equal dollars saved on your energy bill. Of course, when you aren’t in the room, remember to turn off the ceiling fan.

Speaking of fans, when you are in the shower always remember to turn on the bathroom exhaust vent fan to remove the heat and humidity, and turn on the kitchen exhaust fan while cooking. And make sure the vents go to the outside rather than just into the attic.

Saving energy is not just something that is good for your bills, but also a good deed for the environment as well. Give Family Danz a call today to learn more about how you can save money and save the world at the same time.

Family Danz Heating & Cooling is a full-service heating and air conditioning contractor, offering sales and service all through the Capital District of New York State. If you would like more information on any of our services, call us at 518-427-8685.

Resolve to Save Energy in Your Capital District Home

Posted on by Family Danz

Was making a commitment to be more energy conscious in 2014 one of your New Year’s resolutions, but you aren’t really sure how to go about doing it?

Don’t fret — give Family Danz Heating & Cooling a call. You can count on us to give you expert advice to make your entire heating and cooling system more energy friendly while saving you some cash on your energy bills at the same time.

Family Danz sells and installs state-of-the-art HVAC equipment throughout the Capital District of New York State, including Albany, Schenectady, Saratoga, and the surrounding region. Our factory certified technicians meet with you to analyze the needs of your home or office, then come up with plans for just the right HVAC system for your situation and install it with the expertise and personal attention you deserve.

HVAC equipment has certainly changed in recent years, as the focus on energy savings has become more and more important. And energy savings is more than just a good thing to do for the environment and for future generations. It equals money savings on your energy bills come the end of the month, so the installation of newer and more efficient machinery can often pay for itself in a short time. We’ll even take a look at governmental incentives that you might be eligible for in your energy efficient HVAC renovations.

At Family Danz, we have more than 30 years of experience working on all kinds of HVAC equipment, so we know the ins and outs of the latest energy-friendly technology. Let us put those three decades of service to work for you and help become greener, while saving some greenbacks at the same time.

Family Danz Heating & Cooling is a full-service heating and air conditioning contractor, offering sales and service all through the Capital District of New York State. If you would like more information on any of our services, call us at 518-427-8685.

Spring Cleaning in Your Capital District Home? Don’t Forget the HVAC Equipment!

Posted on by Family Danz

Spring has sprung in the Capital District of New York State, and that means the hearts of men and women throughout the area will soon turn to thoughts of cleaning out the clutter of the winter.

Family Danz Heating & Cooling wants to remind you that when you start your traditional spring cleaning, you shouldn’t forget your HVAC equipment. Your cooling system especially has been dormant several months so that will need some special attention.

Cleanliness is next to godliness, as they say, but in this case cleanliness can lead not only to better operation but also an extended life for all of your heating and cooling apparatus. Most of these chores will only take you a few minutes, so don’t worry you’ll be getting in over your head.

First of all, replace any air conditioning filters before the start of the season, and while you are at it, replace the furnace filter as well. This time of year there’s a good chance you’ll alternate between cooling and heating as the unpredictable weather of the Capital District often throws the weatherman a curve with cold temperatures one day and heat the next.

Check your air conditioner to see if it has a drainage hole beneath the evaporator fins. Clear any refuge away from the hole, since it needs to be open for the AC unit to work properly. You can use a pin, paper clip, stick, or wire rod to poke through the flotsam stuck in the drain.

If you have a central air unit outside, clear away any limbs, leaves, dirt, and other debris that has accumulated around it during the winter.

Take a look around the house and inspect the caulk sealing your home’s doors and windows from any air leakage. That caulk isn’t there just to keep the winter cold out … it also keeps out the heat and humidity during the summer. The winter weather has probably taken a beating to your caulk, so make sure it’s in good shape. A tight seal will save you on your energy bills year round.

Open and close all of your windows to make sure they operate easily. Chances are they haven’t been open in a while, and you’ll want to make sure they slide up and down as they should before the first day you want to let in a cleansing spring breeze. Make sure they seal properly, so once you do turn on your AC that cool refreshing air stays inside where you can enjoy the comfort.

At Family Danz, we want all of your HVAC equipment working to its peak efficiency. Give us a call today and we will help you make sure that it is running right all year round.

Family Danz Heating & Cooling is a full-service heating and air conditioning contractor, offering sales and service all through the Capital District of New York State. If you would like more information on any of our services, call us at 518-427-8685.