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

3 Alternative Forms of Heating

Monday, January 25th, 2016

Here in Dover, DE, most homes rely on traditional heating models to stay warm and cozy during the cold winter months. This usually means either a boiler (which uses pressurized steam to warm your home) or a furnace (which pushes heated air through the same series of ducts used by your air conditioner). Both are extremely effective means of warming your home and can serve you well. But they’re not the only kinds of heating system. If your home is the right fit, you might consider one of these 3 alternative forms of heating when the time comes to install a new system.

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What is Boiler Kettling?

Monday, January 18th, 2016

Your boiler is a vital part of your household, and as heating systems go, you could do a lot worse. Boilers used steam and water pressure to heat your home, the concepts of which go back to the Roman days and which remain an efficient way of handling the heating in your Dover, DE home. Boilers benefit from their simplicity and ease of use, but like any system in your home, they suffer problems from time to time, and require a trained professional to correct. Among the most common is boiler kettling, which is created by hard water deposits in your system. It sounds like a dangerous issue, and while it isn’t, it’s still something that merits swift correction. What is boiler kettling and how does it affect your system? Read on for the answers.

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3 Upgrades to Your Heating System

Monday, January 4th, 2016

Winter in Dover, DE is never easy, even when it gives us a break like it did around Christmastime. The better your heater is prepared for the slings and arrows Mother Nature can throw at it, the more easily you can keep your home and family safe and warm. Replacing your heater may not be in the cards this winter, especially if your existing heater is firing on all cylinders. That doesn’t mean you can’t give it a boost however. Upgrades to your heating system cost less to install and can be completed quickly by a trained professional, but can also do wonders for your monthly costs and for reducing strain on your system overall. Here are 3 potential upgrades you should consider if you want to give your furnace a boost this winter.

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Don’t Call Heating Repair Until You Check First!

Monday, December 28th, 2015

With winter officially here, residents of Dover, DE have been firing up their heater in anticipation of some cold days and colder nights ahead. The last thing you need is trouble with your heating systems, and when malfunctions occur, you want a reliable service to make it right as quickly as possible. But make sure that you really need repairs before you do. It can be embarrassing – not to mention expensive – calling in a service professional, only to find that the issue could be resolved with the simple flip of a switch. Here’s a few things to check with your heating system before you call in a repair service.

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3 Advantages to Zone Control Systems

Monday, December 21st, 2015

One of the big benefits to ductless mini split systems is their ability to divide your home into sections, each of which can have their temperature adjusted individually. Normally, this can’t happen if you have a centralized HVAC system, generating conditioned air from a single heater or air conditioner and distributing it through a system of ducts. However, a zone control system – a series of valves and shutters installed in your ductwork, each controlled with its own thermostat and activation panel – can achieve much the same thing without forcing you to get rid of your existing ducts. It can be a huge boon here in Dover, DE, especially for homes with a lot of square footage. Here are 3 specific advantages to zone control systems that you should consider.

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Avoid High Heating Bills This Christmas

Monday, November 30th, 2015

Dover, DE gets its share of snow and ice every Christmas, and with relatives coming over for the holiday season, your heater is apt to see a lot more use than it might otherwise. You never want to deal with faulty heating systems when you’re preparing a Christmas dinner or welcoming friends and family into your home, which is why now is the perfect time to cut down on those high heating bills. The steps you take today could make a big difference tomorrow, and ensure that high bills won’t put a pinch on your holiday cheer. Here’s a few tips on how to avoid high heating bills this Christmas.

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3 Advantages of Heating Maintenance

Monday, November 9th, 2015

Fall has arrived in Dover, DE and that means winter will be on its way soon. Your heating system will be called upon to perform at its peak each and every day, and even if there doesn’t seem to be anything wrong with it, now is the time to schedule a service session from a trained technician. The benefits to a heating maintenance session performed now, before the snows begin falling in earnest. Some homeowners may question the benefits of paying for heating maintenance if there’s nothing wrong with the heater, but in fact, it can provide a number of tangible benefits. Here are 3 of them listed below.

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When Should I Call an Emergency Service?

Monday, November 2nd, 2015

Quality HVAC companies know that repairs don’t always fall during normal working hours, and given the hot summer and cold winters here in Dover, DE, a qualified technician needs to be on call 24/7. That’s invaluable when you have an emergency to deal with… but how can you tell when that moment arrives? What qualifies as an emergency service, and what can wait until normal operating hours (and a lower expense)? Only you can answer that question for sure, but here’s a few suggestions to help guide you in the right direction.

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Common Signs of Heater Trouble

Monday, October 26th, 2015

With the cool days of fall here in Dover, DE, you’ve likely had an opportunity to run your heater and keep your household comfortable in the face of falling temperatures. You may also have noticed signs that something is amiss, which may require a repair technician to take a look. If your heater is experiencing problems, then now is the time to treat them, before the snows of winter start to fall and you need your system to function without trouble every day. By spotting common signs of heater trouble – even those that don’t shut down your heater – you can get a jump on any trouble and head it off before it results in a complete breakdown.

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What are the Benefits of a Radiant Heating System?

Monday, October 19th, 2015

If you’re looking at replacing the heating system in your home, then now is an excellent time to do it. Fall has arrived, and with our chilly Dover, DE winters just a few short weeks away, you’ll want to equip your home with the best system you can to combat those low temperatures. And if more traditional forms of heating aren’t quite what you need, you might want to consider an alternative, specifically a radiant heating system. It involves placing tubes of coils beneath the floorboards in your home, then pumping heated liquid through them to warm your room directly through your feet of the furnishings. It sounds wild, but it actually provides a number of tangible benefits.

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