Common problems with air conditioning units
People would be surprised to know that one of the most common causes of air conditioner failure can be easily avoided. Most times air conditioner units do not function properly due to blocked coil fins. Coil fins can become blocked or damaged by debris due to lack of regular cleaning.
Even state of the art systems require regular cleaning to remove dirt and leaf debris. Now, this does not mean that you should run out there with a power washer and a brush. These units can be easily damaged. A proper cleaning requires a special coil cleaning solvent and special brushes. Here at Friendly we use a 100% environmentally safe solution as not to damage surrounding shrubs and greenery. This process is best performed by a qualified service professional.
Cleaning and maintaining your exterior coil fins will allow your unit to run more efficiently and cool off your home more quickly. The more air flow that the unit has, the better it will remove the heat from within your home and therefore cool down your home faster.
We can appreciate that these days people are looking to save a dollar whenever possible, but doing the maintenance yourself may not be the best solution. We suggest that if you are looking to save money… that you simply hire a qualified professional to do the necessary maintenance on your unit. The best investment that you can make today is to regularly clean and tune-up the high dollar appliances in your home such as the air conditioner and the furnace. The savings from avoiding costly repairs will more than out weigh the cost of the maintenance itself.
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Don’t burn down your home!
Listen – there are so many stories of house fires occurring all over the country. Never use a grill, space heater or portable generator intended for outside use inside your home. Similarly, never attempt to heat your home with a gas range. All can emit deadly carbon monoxide. If you’re cold in your home, call us and we can help you warm up this season! It’s very cold and windy today but please be safe! If you’re not sure if something is safe, give us a call and talk to us. 732-821-0200.
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The Amish Fireplace
The Amish Fireplace has been the craze lately in home decorating. The heater itself is actually marketed by Heat Surge, a company based in Ohio – the Amish make the mantels – they are known for their incredible wood craftsmanship. It’s been on the news, in the newspapers, and in magazines. We have received several calls from customers that purchased these fireplaces and we wanted to address one concern that has come to our attention due to the popularity of these in our area. They are NOT as easy as plug and go. These units are rated for 1500-watts, which means that it requires a dedicated 20AMP circuit. Most living rooms are only 15AMP rated – So add a TV, a lamp, and you have a major problem on your hands… If you have purchased The Amish Fireplace, check with us first before plugging it in to make sure that your electrical system can handle it.
By the way, any 1500-watt heater will provide the same amount of heat energy – so there isn’t really anything so amazing about this product. Heat Surge claims that the heater can drastically lower your heating bills – but according to the U.S. Department of Energy, space heaters only cut your bills if you heat one room and them move the heater to another room – heating just one room at a time. Also, the amount of money you can potentially save depends a lot on how well your home is insulated, the rates from your electric company, and where you live. And here we go back to our initial concern… If you plan on moving your heater from room to room – give us a call first so that we can make sure your electrical system can handle it.
As a final thought about this Amish fireplace… Before you purchase this, just know that you are basically buying a space heater with a nice wooden mantel. If all you’re looking for is heat, you’re better off going to Target and purchasing a 1500-watt space heater for $69.99. (Aloha 1,500-Watt). If you like the look and want the fake fire with the wooden mantle – just understand you’re paying almost $300.00 for the look – not the heat. OR – even better – call us and get your $79.99 heating tune-up!
(Some of our information about this product was taken from the consumer affairs website.)
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No Heat?
HEATING TIP: Due to the exceptionally cold weather, if your furnace is to go off, do not try to heat your home with your oven. The carbon monoxide release from the oven door being open is harmful! Give us a call right away instead at 732-821-0200! We have 24/7 Emergency Service…www.friendlyelectric.com…
You may want to check out our pre-season $79 heating tune-up. We’ve extended it due to the warm winter we’ve been having – up until now, that is!
By the way, 1.5 hour lines today at Target…Due to the recession??? You tell me…
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Did you Know … Friendly Electric is now Friendly Electric Heating & Air?
Recently many of you may have noticed that Friendly Electric can now assist you with all of your heating and air conditioning needs! You will receive the same great customer service that you have grown accustomed to with Friendly Electric … only now we’ll be able to do even more! Call today to schedule an appointment. Our yearly maintenance program can actually pay for itself and then some since you’ll be running at peak energy efficiency. We’ll inspect and clean the coils, check and charge the refrigerant, clean or replace the filters and get everything running like new!
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