Preventive Maintenance Archives | Page 4 of 4

Spring Into the Cooling Season with the Help of Family Danz

Posted on May 11, 2015November 20, 2020 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.

Fall Into Fire Safety in Your Capital District Home

Posted on October 3, 2014October 3, 2014 by Family Danz

Fall has returned to the Capital District of upstate New York, and that means temperatures will be dropping and heat sources like furnaces and fireplaces will once again be well used.

At Family Danz Heating & Cooling, we want all of our neighbors to live safe and healthy lives in the sanctity of their homes. We encourage everyone to remember to not only change their smoke alarm batteries in the fall and spring, but even beyond that to take a look at your own general smoke alarm safety. Many people have inadequate, or even worse, nonfunctional smoke alarms in their homes, and that can lead to tragedy that could have easily been prevented.

According to the National Fire Prevention Association, all smoke alarms should be replaced when they are 10 years old. The date of manufacture is right on the back. But any smoke alarm that doesn’t respond to your testing — and always remember to test them regularly — should be replaced right away. If you have the combination smoke alarm-carbon monoxide alarms, you can check with the manufacturer’s specific recommendations to see when they should be replaced.

The best way to maintain a constant warning system is to have the right number of smoke alarms in the right places throughout the home. Smoke alarms, with the label of a respected testing laboratory, should be in every bedroom, outside the sleeping areas and on every floor of your home. If you have no bedrooms on a floor, install an alarm in the living room or family room and in the stairway to the upper level. Don’t forget the basement … those alarms should be in the ceiling at the bottom of the stairs going up.

In the kitchen, smoke alarms should be at least 10 feet from any oven or other cooking device so you don’t get the false alarms that prompt you to remove the battery. We’ve all forgotten to put the battery back in, so don’t promote a situation where that is likely to happen. Because smoke rises, the alarms should be high on the walls not more than 12 inches from the ceiling, or even mounted to the ceiling. Never install them near windows, doors, or drafty ducts.

If you are redecorating, make sure not to paint the smoke alarm. That paint, or any other kind of decoration for that matter, can interfere with its function.

If your smoke alarm alerts you to a serious fire problem, the first call to make after everyone is safe is to the fire department. But if you ever notice anything odd about the function of your furnace, maybe a strange smell or weird noise while it’s running, give Family Danz a call right away. We’ll check it out and make sure everything is running the way it should. It’ll definitely be a lot easier to call us now than after that smoke alarm emergency.

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.

What to Do in a Power Outage Emergency

Posted on July 29, 2014September 26, 2022 by Family Danz

The weather around Troy and the entire Capital District of New York State has been hitting some wild extremes lately, and no matter what time of the year it is, bad weather can lead to power outages.

At Family Danz Heating & Cooling, we want you to be prepared for any electricity emergency with just a few precautions and pointers. It’s not just a matter of personal comfort — the loss of power during the summer heat can lead to safety threats as well.

First, if your power goes out don’t just assume someone else has already reported it … find the nearest working telephone and give your utility company a call. If it’s a hot day, dress loosely in lightweight clothes and move to the coolest part of the house, like the basement. Unless you have a generator, you won’t be able to use your air conditioning or fan, so keep your shades drawn and windows closed during the heat of the day. Open the windows at night to allow for natural ventilation. Eat light meals and drink plenty of water, but avoid alcohol and caffeine.

Keep the doors to your refrigerator and freezer closed. Freezers can keep your food frozen for a day or two, but the refrigerator will only preserve your food without power for a few hours. If the outage is expected to last longer than that, pack your perishables in an ice-filled cooler. If you can’t chill your food items in a cooler, don’t take chances — throw out anything perishable that was in the refrigerator unprotected.

Turn off and unplug all major appliances and electronic equipment like computers, air conditioners, and televisions. Likely you‘ve already got them on a surge protector, but this will give you some extra safety from any surge when the power comes back on. But leave one noticeable light or a radio on somewhere in the house that will come back to life to let you know when power resumes.

Look at the positive opportunities: power outages are great times for cookouts, and the loss of power means less time spent with electric distractions. Or maybe you can all jump in the car for a shopping trip to the air-conditioned mall or go to the movies. Sounds like good quality family time!

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 long for nearly 40 years. We’ve seen power outages at all times of the year, and want to help you stay safe and secure even in the toughest times. Give us a call any time for more helpful heating and cooling safety tips.

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

Posted on April 9, 2014November 20, 2020 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.