Atlantic Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, Inc. Blog: Archive for the ‘HVAC’ Category

When Is an HVAC System Repair TOO Expensive?

Monday, April 13th, 2020
blue-question-mark

If you’re asking yourself about whether a repair for your faulty HVAC system is too costly, it’s either because a) your heater is starting to fail at the end of the season after a long winter, or b) you’re concerned about your old air conditioning system and if it will manage the coming summer weather.

In either case, you’re already asking the right question. Repairs for an HVAC system early on in its service life are usually worth the price, and many will fall under the warranty. With older systems that are out of warranty, price becomes a bigger concern. The cost to fix an older AC, furnace, boiler, or heat pump is often steeper, and you may be on the edge of purchasing a new system. Is the cost of a repair worthwhile, or is the repair too expensive and it’s finally time for a replacement system?

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Here’s How to Find a Worthwhile HVAC Contractor

Monday, January 21st, 2019

technician-at-doorThe internet has changed the way we find businesses. Whether we’re looking for somewhere to eat or you’re looking for an HVAC contractor that will get the job done right, the first thing we do is an extensive internet search before we even get on the phone with someone.

Doing research will certainly help you find the best HVAC contractor, but only if you know what to look for. Today, we’ll help you in your search by offering a few pointers on how to find an HVAC contractor worth your time.

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A Few Tips on Maintaining HVAC Efficiency

Monday, November 12th, 2018

balancing-home-expensesInstalling an HVAC system is only half the battle. The other half is in keeping the monthly operational costs as low as possible. If that’s your goal, then we recommend doing all the research you can on HVAC efficiency.

While we’re not asking you to become a certified HVAC technician overnight, we think there’s enough good information out there to tell you the do’s and do not’s of HVAC efficiency. We’ll try to set you in the right direction with a few tips of our own:

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Let an HVAC Contractor Make Your Project Easier

Monday, November 27th, 2017

HVAC-contractor-servicesNew construction projects generally don’t begin until the spring: avoiding complications incurred by cold weather and snow in the cooler months. But you’re likely planning your project now, and no matter what it is – residential, commercial or otherwise – it’s going to need a reliable HVAC system. That means you want a proper HVAC contractor on your side: someone who knows how to install a new system, not just repair an existing one. And if you’re planning and preparing for your operation now, you should have the right team on your side to help. Why? Here’s a quick guide.

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HVAC Systems Come in Many Forms

Monday, September 4th, 2017

ductless-heater-air-condtionerMost of us are used to centralized air conditioners and forced-air furnaces in our home. They generate cool air or hot air in a single locale and then blow it through your home via a system of ducts. They’re efficient and inexpensive, but they’re not the only type of HVAC system out there, and depending on your home, an alternative model might be a batter fit for you. The autumn makes an excellent time to assess the state of your HVAC system. If it’s older and you don’t think it will last another year, now might be an excellent time to consider an alternative form of heating and/or cooling. We’ve provided a short list of alternative options below for you to peruse.

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What Are Energy Recovery Ventilators?

Wednesday, August 20th, 2014

Having an energy efficient home is important for you, your family and your wallet. However, some homes can be too airtight, which can cause problems with proper ventilation. No one wants to throw open a window in the middle of summer or winter to allow fresh air into the home, and with an energy recovery ventilator in Dover, you don’t have to. An energy recovery ventilator (ERV) from Atlantic Refrigeration can help you properly ventilate your home while also reducing your energy usage.

How Does an ERV Work?

An ERV is a component that attaches directly to your HVAC system, and is used year-round. ERVs capitalize on a law of thermodynamics that states energy will spontaneously move from areas of high energy to low energy. As such, when two different temperatures meet, the heat, which is energy, transfers from the higher temperature to the lower one. Additionally, ERVs transfer moisture in a very similar way to heat. Inside every ERV is a heat exchanger that allows moisture to transfer between incoming and outgoing air. As with heat, high levels of moisture move to lower levels of moisture.

How Does It Differ Seasonally?

Here is how an ERV works during summer and winter:

Winter – upon expulsion from your home, the warm, humidified indoor air transfers moisture and heat to the cold, dry incoming air, preheating it and adding needed moisture as it enters your HVAC system.

Summer – the cool, dehumidified air is expelled, and as the fresh, more humid air enters, the expelled indoor air absorbs the excess heat and moisture from the incoming air before leaving the system. This pre-cools and dehumidifies the incoming air before it enters your system.

Benefits of an ERV

  • Greater energy efficiency – the pre-treating of incoming air reduces the amount of work your HVAC system has to do, which helps reduce the amount of energy it uses
  • Better indoor air quality – the constant stream of fresh air increases your indoor air quality
  • Better moisture control – the transfer of moisture helps maintain balanced humidity levels in your home year-round

Installing an energy recovery ventilator to your Dover home is an easy way to increase your energy efficiency and comfort.

For more information on this technology, call Atlantic Refrigeration today and speak to one of our experts to see what an ERV can do for you.

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