Buffalo is in a heatwave!  A friend of ours just came back from vacation and to save energy, they had turned off their central air when they left.  When they came home, the house was extremely hot and stuffy. They shared with us what it was like just last summer when they didn’t have central air in their home.

“When we walked in from vacation, we instantly remembered how we had suffered in years past. Our upstairs would get so hot, it was almost unbearable and sleeping was miserable at times. There were many nights when the kids would camp out in our bedroom, since it was the only room with an a/c unit in the window.”

“Once you have central air, you just couldn’t imagine life without it.”

It’s not too late to get central air in your home.  Just call Emerald Heating & Cooling today. We’ll take good care of you!  716-681-0100

HEAT ADVISORY

Warning:  This heat can be dangerous. Make sure you (and your pets) drink plenty of water and limit your time in the heat whenever possible. The National Weather Service reminds us to watch out for these conditions in this extreme heat:

Sunburn: Redness and pain. Sometimes severe sunburn occurs and may include swelling of skin, blisters, fever, headaches. Treatment: Ointments for mild cases if blisters appear and do not break. If breaking occurs, apply dry sterile dressing. Serious, extensive cases should be seen by a doctor.

Heat Cramps: Painful spasms usually in the muscles of legs and abdomen. Heavy sweating. Treatment: Firm pressure on cramping muscles or gentle massage to relieve spasm. Give sips of water. If nausea occurs, discontinue water.

Heat Exhaustion: Heavy sweating, weakness, skin cold, pale and clammy. Pulse weak. Normal temperature possible. Fainting and vomiting. Treatment: Get person out of sun. Once inside, the person should lay down and loosen clothing. Apply cool, wet cloths. Fan or move victim to air conditioned room. Offer sips of water. If nausea occurs, discontinue water. If vomiting continues, seek immediate medical attention.

Heat Stroke (or sunstroke): High body temperature (106° F or higher). Hot dry skin. Rapid and strong pulse. Possible unconsciousness. Treatment: HEAT STROKE IS A SEVERE MEDICAL EMERGENCY. CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY OR GET THE VICTIM TO A HOSPITAL IMMEDIATELY. DELAY CAN BE FATAL. White waiting for emergency assistance, move the victim to a cooler environment Reduce body temperature with cold bath or sponging. Use extreme caution. Remove clothing, use fans and air conditioners. If temperature rises again, repeat process. Do not give fluids. Persons on salt restrictive diets should consult a physician before increasing their salt intake.

We recently had a customer refer two of their friends to Emerald Heating & Cooling and we just completed installation of central air in their homes.

It is always humbling when our customers refer their friends and family to us.  We are proud of the compliment and thank you for making Emerald Heating & Cooling one of the best heating and cooling companies in Western New York.

Our goal at Emerald Heating and Cooling is to provide you with top notch customer service and superior workmanship, which is the foundation of our business. Each job is approached with the care and professionalism that we would expect in our own homes.

Everything we do is backed by our  100% satisfaction guarantee. We have been making homes and families comfortable for over 10 years.  We would be proud to help you and your family with your heating and cooling needs.

Emerald Heating and Cooling shares key air conditioning and central air terms.

Air condition: To control the humidity and temperature of your room or home.

Air Conditioner Repair: The process of troubleshooting and repairing broken or inefficient air conditioning units or systems.

Air conditioners: Equipment that provides a source of cooling. This can be from a window air conditioner, a central air conditioner or a portable air conditioner.

Buffalo air conditioning: Relates to air conditioning service in the Buffalo area.  It can also be the keyword you type in the search engines to find an air conditioning repair company in the Buffalo area.

Central Air Conditioner System: System in which air is treated at a central location and carried to and from the rooms by one or more fans and a system of ducts.

Cooling Capacity: The measurement of a units ability to remove heat from an enclosed space.

Ductwork: Pipes or channels that carry air throughout your home. The delivery system through which warm air from the furnace is brought to where it’s needed.

Heat Pump: An air conditioner capable of heating by refrigeration. Outside air or water is used as a heat source or heat sink, depending upon whether the system is heating or cooling.

Humidifier: A piece of equipment that adds water vapor to heated air as it moves out of the furnace. This adds necessary moisture to protect your furnishings and reduce static electricity.

Humidty: The amount of moisture in the air. Air conditioners remove moisture for added comfort.

HVAC Buffalo: HVAC stands for heating, ventilating and air conditioning. This term is associated with Buffalo heating, ventilation and air conditioning.

Refrigerant: Absorbs heat by a change of state (evaporation) from a liquid to a gas, and releases heat by a change of state (condenses) from a gas back to a liquid.

SEER: Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio means the total cooling output of a central air conditioner in British thermal units during its normal usage period for cooling divided by the total electrical energy input in watt-hours during the same period as determined using the ARI-specified test procedure. This rating is only for units with cooling capacity less than 65,000 Btu/hr. The higher the SEER, the more efficient the unit. The more efficient the unit, the lower the operating cost.

Ventilator: A ventilator captures heating or cooling energy from stale indoor air and transfers it to fresh incoming air.

It’s time to get your air conditioning system tuned up for the summer cooling season.  Utility research has confirmed the necessity of tuning up your system each year.

Like your car, your air conditioner is a hard-working machine.  Because your air conditioner resides outdoors, it collects dust and dirt and undergoes harsh wear and tear. It should go without saying that in order to keep your air conditioning system working at its most efficient, regular tune-ups and maintenance are necessary.

Did you know that over 55% of air conditioning owners do not schedule regular tune-ups for their air conditioning systems and units? That would certainly explain why over half of all A/C users express dissatisfaction with the performance of their air conditioner and its cost to operate.

A tune-up for your air conditioner is the simplest and best way to guarantee your summer comfort.  Call Marty at 681-0100 today to schedule your tune-up.

Homeowners ask us about how to choose the right company for a replacement, not for themselves (they have us after all), but for friends and relatives in other towns.  Here are eight simple questions homeowners can and should ask when replacing their air conditioner.

1. Does the company hold an air conditioning license? State licensing is the minimum requirement to operate an Air Conditioning Company.  Licensing protects the public, including you. Unlicensed companies are unaccountable to regulations and often unavailable if things go wrong.

2. Is the company insured? General liability and insurance protects you. Most companies will be insured, but not all are.  Assume that any company failing to state that it carries insurance in its marketing or website lacks insurance.

3. How long has the company been in business (under the same name)? One air conditioning company in five closes every year. The best way to predict whether a company will be around long enough to honor its warranties is whether the company has been around in the past.  Most reputable companies state their business tenure.  Beware of companies that close due to a poor reputation and reopen with a new name.

4. Does the company offer financing? You may not need financing, but you should still look for companies that offer it because its shows concern for affordability and shows the company can meet the minimum qualifications to offer financing.

5. Does the company perform Manual J. design calculations? Good companies perform engineering calculations based on the Air Conditioning Contractors of America’s “Manual J,” to ensure the equipment they provide is the right size (over sizing an air conditioner is just as bad as under sizing one).  Improperly sized heating and air conditioning systems are all too common. Poor quality companies replace with the same size as the existing equipment or use rules of thumb (i.e., they guess).

6. Does the company provide “ARI Performance Certification?” When you are replacing an air conditioner or heat pump, it is important to replace both the outdoor unit and indoor components together, as a matched set. Otherwise, you will get reduced efficiency and increased breakdowns.  Good contractors provide system certification from the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute.

7. Doe the company give you choices? A wide variety of options exist for heating and cooling your home. Good companies present you with choices in efficiency, refrigerant, filtration, controls, and financing.

8. Are the company’s service vehicles clean and well maintained? The condition of a company’s service vehicles is an indication of the way the technician will take care of your home.

These are questions that we get asked all the time. Our answer to all of them is yes. If you have any questions about this, please give us a call at 681-0100. We’d love to hear from you.

Central air is something many Buffalo and Western New York homeowners long for. With the warm weather finally here, we offer these helpful tips for choosing the right air conditioner for your home.

Efficiency

If you are concerned about energy efficiency, look for the Energy Star label.  The cooling efficiency of an air conditioner is indicated by a SEER rating. SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating and it tells you how well a unit uses electricity.  If the SEER number is higher, the efficiency is better.  A minimum cooling efficiency standard has been set by the government at 13.0 SEER. For high efficiency air conditioner units, a rating of at least 16.0 SEER is required.

Select the Correct Size

Often times, people think bigger is better. That is not always the case.  In order to achieve comfortable cooling and dehumidification, the system must be correctly sized for your home. If you are looking to replace your existing unit, you may have to purchase a larger unit than your present air conditioner. By larger we mean more tons, not necessarily size.

If you own a smaller home, installing an air conditioning unit that is too large will cost you more in the end and will not get the level of comfort you deserve. A unit too large will lower the temperature too quickly and force the unit to shut off before it has properly dehumidified the air being conditioned.  Also, with a unit that is too large, you will not feel the comfort. The temperature will be lowered but the humidity will still be there.  It is important to have a heating professional measure the house to calculate the correct sizing with heat loss analysis.

The Noise Factor

If you are looking for a relatively quiet air conditioning unit be sure to look for a unit that uses scroll compressors instead of traditional piston-driven compressors. The scroll compressors and the precision balanced direct drive fan allow them to operate without producing so much noise. Speak with an air conditioning expert if you have questions.

Comfort Features

Other comfort features are available with some air conditioners. For example, a two-speed unit has a low speed, which can run using 50% efficiency.  Ultimately, this feature will use fewer on/off cycles and produce fewer drafts and much smaller temperature swings.

The air conditioning experts at Emerald Heating and Cooling are ready to help you with your air conditioning needs.  Contact us online or call us at 681-0100.

Spring cleaning seems to be a universal response to the promise of warmer weather.  Before starting household to dos, consider the following steps for a healthier, safer and more comfortable home for the entire family.

HEALTH CHECKLIST

• Change the filters on your air conditioning unit, not only will your entire system run more efficiently, but the quality of your indoor air will improve.
• Consider adding an electronic air cleaner to remove unhealthy particles and allergens.  If your home does not have good ventilation, it may be time to add a ventilation system. Call Marty to learn more at 681-0100.
• Check your home for water damage, wood rot or leaks, which are the prime causes of mold and fungus growth. Left unattended, these issues can lead to respiratory and health issues.
• Clean all light switches, door handles, and telephones with a disinfectant to help prevent germs from spreading.

SAFETY CHECKLIST

• Have a certified chimney sweep inspect and clean chimeys.
• Check the bulbs in all your light fixtures to make sure you’re using the correct wattage.  Better yet, replace them with energy-efficient compact flourescent bulbs.
• Make sure all smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers are in good working order.
• Check all electrcial outlets for loose-fitting plugs or overloaded use.
• Safety store all toxic household chemicals and cleaning products, as well as oil and gas law equipment.
• Caulk windows and doors so cool air doesn’t escape this summer – this will also lower your cooling bills.
• Install a programmable thermostat if you don’t already have one.  It can be programmed around your lifestyle and help reduce energy costs.  Contact us for rebate information.
• Have your air conditioning system cleaned and services. Not only will it operate more efficiently, but a pre-season service call can identify problems that could leave you without air conditioning when you need it most.
• Out expertise in heating, cooling, ventilation and filtration systems can help you achieve the most comfortable indoor environment possible.

If you’re ready for the peace of mind that perfect comfort brings, give us a call at 716-681-0100.

At Emerald Heating & Cooling, our customers are extremely important to us.  We appreciate it when they take the time to say thank you.

Here are a few comments we have received from our wonderful customers.

• Just a few lines to let you know how happy that I had your company do the installation for my central air. Your workers (Darrel & Tony) were both friendly, helpful, informative and neat. I loved the fact that the owner personally stopped by to check how things were going. I can’t thank you enough. Aggie Lancaster, NY

• Just a quick note to say thank you for your timely & courteous service today. From when I called and spoke to the friendly and helpful person who answered the phone to your arrival was less than an hour! Then, even though the problem wasn’t yours, you helped me find the solution ~ for no charge!! I’m sure I was too tired and incoherent to thank you appropriately and wanted to be sure you know how much I appreciate your service! Christina - Cheektowaga, NY
• It’s been a year since you and your helper at Emerald replaced that old bear of a furnace with the new Bryant furnace and Puron central air conditioning unit. We were impressed by your prompt service and your care in cleaning up after the job. And like you told us it would it made our lives more comfortable and has saved us money on our utility bills. Although we are on budget billing for our gas and electric, we have saved about $118 per month, at that rate it will have paid for itself within a 2 ½ year period. We never felt we could afford central air, and now we feel we can’t afford not to have it. Thanks ever so much for your help. We would recommend Emerald to anyone who is looking to improve their quality of life with heating and cooling needs. They really know what they’re talking about. Bob T. – Lockport, NY

If you are looking for installation of central air in your home, Emerald Heating and Cooling would be proud to help you. Call us today at 656-0100.

At Emerald Heating & Cooling, it’s all about you.  We have been helping families with their air conditioning and heating needs for over ten years.

So, why should you hire Emerald for your air conditioning needs? 

First and foremost, we believe in outstanding customer service and superior workmanship. This is the foundation of our business.  It is important to us to provide you with the solutions that will improve the comfort in your home.

We treat our customers the way we would expect to be treated.  Each job is approached with the care and professionalism we would expect in our own homes.

Second, we are experienced professionals. Professionalism and integrity are the standard for everything we do.  When we install a central air system in your home, you can have peace of mind as we back up our work with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. 

You have our word.  Emerald Heating & Cooling provides service 24 hours per day, 7 days per week on any make or model air conditioning product. We will be there when you need us.  You have our word.

For additional peace of mind, Emerald Heating & Cooling has a BBB (Better Business Bureau) rating of A+ on a scale of A+ to F.

Contact our central air professionals online today or call us today at 681-0100.

Keep your spirits up everyone, summer is just around the corner. Yay! Here’s a little joke to put a smile on your face.  A little air conditioning humor, if you will.

A customer was continually bothering the waiter in a restaurant; first, he’d asked that the air conditioning be turned up because he was too hot, then he asked it be turned down cause he was too cold, and so on for about half an hour.

Surprisingly, the waiter was very patient, walking back and forth and never once getting angry. So finally, a second customer asked why didn’t they just throw out the pest.

“Oh I don’t care.” said the waiter with a smile. “We don’t even have an air conditioner.”

Have a wonderful day everyone.