New York Governor Kathy Hochul is, as of this writing, finalizing a state budget that includes a ban on natural gas, oil, and other fossil fuel hook-ups in new construction by 2027. The governor originally announced the plan in her State of the State speech on January 5, 2022 – as part of a multifaceted approach to combat climate change.
Transitioning from Heat to AC In Spring
Birds tweeting, sunlight instead of dreary gray days, occasional sensations we remember as warmth. These signal that spring is just around the corner. That means preparing your air conditioner to run for the first time in several months. [Read more…]
Why A Home AC Plan Is Worth The Investment
Many of us have made purchases where they add optional insurance and expanded coverage plans. Everything from jewelry, rental cars, cell phones, computers, and more have some form of insurance available.
Not all coverage plans are created equal though. Depending on the product in question, it just might not be worth it. There’s a very good chance you’ve passed up on supplemental coverage for your own purchases in the past.
What is worth having expanded coverage on? Is having expanded coverage or insurance for your home HVAC system worth it?
5 Air Conditioning Myths That Cost You Money
Summer doesn’t just bring heat. It also brings a lot of misinformation about air conditioning and keeping cool. The problem is some of those myths can end up costing you a lot of money, so let’s address some common AC myths. [Read more…]
Does High Humidity Affect My Central Air Conditioning?
Living on Long Island means that summer doesn’t just bring heat, but also humidity. The old statement, “it’s not the heat, it’s the humidity” is very true because it makes the actual temperature feel warmer. And yes, high humidity can affect central air conditioning. [Read more…]
Tips to Keep Your Old House Cool
Summer sun brings summer heat, which means you want to stay cool. Whether you have central air, AC window units, or ductless air conditioning, keeping your house cool in general will lower your energy costs without sacrificing comfort. [Read more…]
Tips to Keep Your Home Cooler This Summer
Even when you have a perfectly maintained AC, extreme weather can make keeping your house cool a problem. Brutal heatwaves like the three-digit temperatures the Pacific northwest recently experienced can tax even the best system. Even if your AC can handle it perfectly, power company actions and brown-outs will require extra measures. [Read more…]
How Much Clearance Should You Keep Around Your HVAC Unit?
The placement of your HVAC condenser unit matters – a lot. HVAC clearance makes a difference in how efficiently it operates and its risk of being damaged. [Read more…]
Does Your HVAC System Suffer from Dirty Sock Syndrome?
The indoor air quality in our homes is incredibly important to our health. After all, most of us spend the majority of our time indoors where pollutants tend to be twice the concentration. And let’s face it; we also want a home that smells nice. Bad odors not only make your home unpleasant, but they’re also a good sign that some kind of pollutant is infiltrating your home. Our minds may jump to the likely culprits like a trash bag ready to be taken out or spoiled food in the refrigerator, but the odor may be coming from your HVAC system. [Read more…]
How the 2020 Freon Ban Affects Your Air Conditioning
One year after the Freon ban has taken effect and with the warm weather starting, what does it mean for your home cooling system? That depends entirely upon your current system and if it involves Freon AC. No matter the situation, Tragar has a solution for you. For an overview of what the Freon Ban means, keep reading.
The good news is that if you’ve bought or upgraded your air conditioning system since 2010, you may be fine already. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began the phase out of Freon in 1992 when it ordered the ban that took effect in 2020. Because of the long phase-in starting in 2010, new air conditioning, heat pumps, and refrigeration systems stopped using Freon, which is also known as HCFC-22 and R-22.
In 2010, a refrigerant known as Puron or R410A was substituted instead. If, however, you have an older air conditioning and cooling system that uses Freon, the solution is a bit more complicated.