When Should I Consider a New Heating System?

man in blankets and winter wear sits on sofaWhen winter’s chill returns to the Albany area, most homeowners turn to their home heating system for warmth and comfort. An effective, efficient heating system can make the freezing temperatures outside more bearable and can help you and your family stay cozy on the chilliest of days. But, if your heating system isn’t working as well as it should, you may find yourself cold, uncomfortable, and paying more on your utility bills.

A new heating system can be a costly venture, which is why many people put off replacing their old system. However, it may cost you more to keep that old heating system going. In this article, we’ll talk about the signs that you might need a new heating system and how Family Danz can help you find the right one for your home and lifestyle needs. Keep reading to learn more!

5 Signs You Need to Replace Your Heating System

Nobody likes to think about having to replace HVAC equipment in their home. Your heating system is a major investment and something you rely on for comfort for several months of the year. If your system is showing the following signs, though, it may be time for a replacement.

  1. Your heating system is more than 15 years old. In our area of the state, the heating systems in our homes often are working from October through May. That means that they put in a lot of overtime keeping us comfortable. As your heating system ages, it becomes less effective and efficient, especially if it hasn’t received the proper maintenance. If you’ve noticed your energy bills increasing and your comfort decreasing, then it’s probably time for a replacement.
  2. You’ve had to make frequent, expensive repairs. Because your heating system works hard to keep you comfortable, you can expect to make minor repairs now and then. That’s a normal part of your heating system aging. However, if repairs have become more frequent and more costly, you may be better off financially overall if you replace your system.
  3. Your energy bills have steadily increased over the years. As your equipment ages, it loses some of its original efficiency. The older it is, the more inefficient it becomes, leaving you with higher and higher energy bills. Many of today’s heating systems offer much better efficiency than their predecessors, so it’s likely that by replacing your system, you’ll save money. High-efficiency systems can save you between 10-20% over a 15-year-old furnace, for instance.
  4. You have added on to your home. Many people don’t take their HVAC system into account when they add space to their home, but if you have built an addition, upgraded your basement, or converted any space not formerly attached to your home’s HVAC system, your heating system may not be the right size for your increased square footage. While you may not need an entirely new system, you may want to consider an alternative source of heat, such as ductless, as it will help balance out your heating and allow your central heating system to operate more efficiently.
  5. You and your family are never comfortable. If you’re always having heating system failure, or your equipment is inadequately heating your home, or no matter how many times you adjust the thermostat you simply cannot get your home warm, it’s time to consider a new system.

If your heating system is showing any of the signs above, it’s time to call in the pros. They will examine your system to see if repairs are all that is needed, and if so, explain to you what repairs they’ll make and the cost. If your system should be replaced, they’ll show you all the available options and help you choose the right heating system for your home – and your budget.

If you need a heating system replacement, count on Family Danz to help.

At Family Danz, we’re pleased to offer our customers complete heating services, so whether you have a furnace, boiler, or heat pump, our skilled technicians can help. They’ll thoroughly troubleshoot your system to see if making repairs is cost-effective And, if repairs will either be extremely expensive or impossible, they can help you choose replacement equipment so you and your family can enjoy a comfy, cozy home all winter long. Just give us a call at 518.427.8685 and we’ll be happy to help you.

How Do I Know if I Need Heating Repairs?

Woman feeling cold at home in winterThe chilly weather has returned to the Albany area, and chances are you’ve had to run your home’s heating system by now. But maybe you’re not feeling as warm and cozy as you’d like to be. If not, your heating system might not be operating as well as it should be. How do you know if your heating system needs repairs?

In this article, we’ll talk about three different types of heating equipment – furnaces, boilers, and heat pumps – and some of the signs they might give you if they need repair services. And, we’ll explain how Family Danz can help. Keep reading to learn more!

Furnaces

Most of the homes in North America rely on a furnace to keep them comfortable during the chillier months of the year. Furnaces work by forcing warm air through ductwork that delivers the heated air throughout the house via registers. Some of the ways you can tell if your furnace needs repair services include:

  • Increased energy bills
  • Unusual odors
  • Strange noises
  • Uneven heating
  • Carbon monoxide alarm sounding

If you’ve noticed any of these signs, you should have your furnace checked out by a professional HVAC technician as soon as possible. If your carbon monoxide alarm sounds, you should leave your home immediately and call 911. Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause serious illness and can be fatal.

Boilers

While most homeowners have a furnace installed in their home for heating, the next most popular system is boiler heating. Boiler heat is considered radiant heat because it delivers heated water to radiators throughout your home. The radiators then heat the air in your rooms. Signs your boiler may need repair include:

  • Radiators not heating or no heat at all
  • Signs of water leakage
  • Unusual noise
  • Low water pressure
  • The pilot will not stay lit

If you’ve checked your thermostat and that doesn’t seem to be the problem, the next step is to call your HVAC professional. A leaky boiler can do a lot of damage to your home quickly, so if you notice water collecting around your boiler or see an obvious leak, call as soon as possible.

Heat Pumps

Heat pumps have been used in the south for home heating for quite some time, but are a relatively new way of heating homes in the Northeast. This is because early heat pump systems were not capable of providing adequate heating when the temperatures dipped too low. Modern technology has allowed cold-climate heat pump systems to be used more effectively in our chilly climate. Heat pump systems that need repair may show the following signs:

  • Increased energy bills
  • Ice on coil
  • Short cycling
  • Poor airflow
  • Constant operation

Because your heat pump system is often used for air conditioning in the summer, you’ll want to have it checked out right away if it doesn’t seem to be working right. While it can provide you with high-efficiency, year-round comfort, a problem that goes unchecked can spill over into the next season when you need it for cooling – and nobody wants a total breakdown on a hot summer day!

Family Danz can help meet your heating repair needs.

At Family Danz, we’re pleased to offer our customers complete heating services, so whether you have a furnace, boiler, or heat pump, our skilled technicians can help. They’ll thoroughly troubleshoot your system and make the repairs you need quickly. And, if repairs will either be extremely expensive or impossible, they can help you choose replacement equipment so you and your family can enjoy a comfy, cozy home all winter long. Just give us a call at 518.427.8685 and we’ll be happy to help you.

Need a New Home Comfort System? Heat Pumps are a Great Choice.

girl and mother enjoying sunny morningNow that the summer months are winding down, you may be wondering if your home heating system will be ready for the cooler weather ahead. If you’ve been considering updating your home comfort equipment, you should know that heat pumps are a great option. Heat pump systems have been around for a while, but have only recently become a more popular choice for home comfort in the Northeast.

That’s because older heat pumps did not have the capacity to keep homes warm when temperatures fell below freezing. However, technological advances have made it so heat pumps can operate even in cold climates, making them a viable heating option for places like the Albany area. There are many benefits to choosing a heat pump system for your home – keep reading to learn more!

How Can My Albany Area Home Benefit from a Heat Pump System?

As heat pump systems become more common in our area, you may be interested in learning more about them. Below, we’ve outlined some of the main benefits of choosing a heat pump system for your home.

  • Heat pumps offer year-round comfort. Not only can a heat pump keep you warm in the winter, but it can also keep you cool in the summer, too. That’s because heat pumps extract heat from the air. In the winter, they extract heat from the outdoor air and pump it into your home (yes, there is heat present in the air, even on chilly winter days.) In the summer months, the process is reversed, and hot air is pumped out of your home.
  • Heat pumps are highly efficient. Heat pumps are considered to be one of the most efficient types of home comfort equipment on the market. The Department of Energy states that a heat pump can reduce your electricity use for heating by approximately 50% compared to electric resistance heating, such as baseboard heaters. They also indicate that high-efficiency heat pumps also dehumidify better than standard central air conditioners, resulting in less energy usage and more cooling comfort in the summer months. Combined, these factors can help you see significant savings on your utility bills all year long!
  • Heat pumps are better for the environment and safer for you. Because they do not require fossil fuel to operate, heat pump systems are considered more environmentally friendly than other types of home comfort equipment. You won’t have to worry about fuel storage, which can sometimes leak and cause hazardous conditions, or carbon monoxide emissions.
  • Heat pumps are available in both ducted and ductless configurations. If you have a central heating and air conditioning system installed in your home, a ducted heat pump system is probably the right choice for you. If you have no system of ductwork in your home and rely on electric baseboard heat in the winter and window AC units in the summer, then a ductless heat pump system is a better option.
  • Heat pumps offer ease of use. No more forgetting to call for fuel in the winter or struggling with installing window air conditioning in the summer. Heat pump systems, whether ducted or ductless, provide comfort with minimal effort on your part.

Are there any incentives available for heat pump systems?

To help people convert to heat pump systems, both New York State and the federal government are currently offering incentives. You can learn more about these incentives and tax credits on the NYS Clean Heat website. Additionally, there are often manufacturer rebates available as well. We encourage you to call us and talk about ways you can save money on a heat pump upgrade for your home. We are pleased to offer our customers quality ducted and ductless heat pump systems, professionally installed by our skilled technicians. Just give us a call at 518.427.8685 and we’ll be happy to help you.

Considering New Air Conditioning for Your Home? Now’s a Great Time!

happy family enjoys cool comfort of air conditioned homeOnce the warmer weather arrives, most people look forward to fun in the sun and vacation time away from school and work. And while they like to spend staycation days outdoors by the pool or on the patio, most people also like having a nice, cool home to enjoy when the day is done.

If your air conditioning system hasn’t been delivering the cool comfort you need for the past couple of years, it might be time to investigate getting a new air conditioning system for your home. In this article, we’ll talk about some of the benefits of installing a new AC system, and how Family Danz can help. Keep reading to learn more!

Benefits of Updating Your Home’s AC System This Spring

Summer will be here before you know it, so now is the perfect time to upgrade your air conditioning system. Not sure if it’s the right choice for your home? Here are some great things to consider:

  1. Better Energy Efficiency: Newer air conditioner models are designed with energy efficiency in mind. And, ductless cooling, which is perfect for homes without ductwork, provides much greater energy efficiency than window or portable models. Chances are, replacing an old AC system with today’s air conditioning will help you save money on energy bills, too.
  2. Improved Home Comfort: A new AC unit will provide better cooling performance compared to an old one, including more consistent temperatures throughout different rooms in your house. Additionally, newer systems tend to be quieter which means that you won’t have to worry about a loud AC system disrupting your sleep or quiet time.
  3. Modern Convenience: Many new air conditioning systems can access the home’s Wi-Fi system and offer convenient online apps that allow homeowners to monitor their air conditioning system and change the temperature remotely. Ductless AC models also offer remote control access, so you can easily turn them on or off, or change the temperature, with the press of a button.
  4. Manufacturer Warranty: If you have a system that’s old and out of date, it’s likely that the warranty is no longer valid. And, as air conditioning systems age, they often need more repairs – and without a valid warranty, that can get expensive. If your system is out of warranty and needs costly repairs, it may be a good time to consider a new AC system installation, as it may cost you less in the long run.
  5. Dealer Availability & Incentives: Often, manufacturers and contractors offer rebates and incentives on the installation of a new system. This can help you save money upfront. Not to mention, many contractors have more availability for installation appointments during the spring. Once Mother Nature cranks up the summertime heat, contractors often become very busy with repair calls.

If you’d like to learn more about new AC for your home, Family Danz can help.

At Family Danz, we like to help our customers enjoy the best possible comfort. That’s why we’re always happy to help you explore your options when it comes to new air conditioning for your home. We’ll schedule an appointment to discuss the best possible system for your home and lifestyle needs and help you choose just the right type of air conditioning system. And, you can rely on our highly-skilled technicians to provide you with expert installation of your new system. If you’re ready for better home comfort – along with energy savings – call Family Danz today at (518) 427-8685. We’ll be happy to schedule an appointment with you at your convenience.

Just give us a call at (518) 427-8685, and we will be glad to assist you.

Contact Family Danz