Surge protectors are a reliable method of keeping your electronics and HVAC system components safe and undamaged by power surges. They can stop the sudden, damaging power spikes that destroy equipment and electronics.

Destructive power surges are most often caused by lightning during storms. Power surges can also happen when large appliances or equipment with high power needs switch on. They demand a lot of energy for motors, compressors and other components, which can cause the relatively even levels of power in the lines to spike. Problems with electrical wiring, downed power lines, and the failure of power transmission equipment can also cause surges.

Surge protectors are available that provide:

• Service entrance protection, which protects the whole electrical system, including incoming power lines, phone lines and TV cables where they enter your house.
• Point-of-use protection, which adds an additional layer of protection where the equipment or electronic device is plugged in. This is what most people think of when they hear the phrase surge protector.

No surge protector can provide complete protection, especially against a strong lightning strike. However, using both service entrance and point-of-use surge protectors will significantly decrease the chances of damage from electrical power spikes throughout your home.

Joe Hurley Inc. Heating and Cooling has been providing HVAC services for over 30 years. We serve customers in central New Jersey throughout Ocean, Monmouth and Mercer counties. Contact us today for more information on residential surge protectors, why they are important, and for help finding a model that will work best for you.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about surge protectors and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Joe Hurley Inc. Heating & Cooling services Ocean, Monmouth and Mercer Counties in New Jersey. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!

• Set points: Set points are pre-programmed but adjustable temperature settings that operate your furnace in a pattern designed to save both energy and money. For example, these settings can lower the system’s operational level during the day when it’s not needed, then increase cooling or heating levels to create a comfortable indoor environment when you and your family return from work or school.
• Touchscreen operation: Touchscreens provide simple controls that can be operated at the light touch of a finger. You get quick access to both basic system controls and more advanced features through this type of interface.
• Detailed information: Touchscreens display system status and indoor environmental characteristics on the screen. You can tell at a glance the indoor temperature and humidity level, system function, date and time, and operational status.
• Remote programming: Many programmable thermostats can be programmed from a distance using a remote-control device. Some more advanced models can be controlled by phone or through an online interface. Other models allow multiple thermostats to communicate with each other to maintain consistent temperatures throughout your house.
• Control of other devices: Some programmable thermostats also let you control other home-comfort equipment, such as whole-house humidifiers.
• Alerts and indicator lights: Programmable thermostats display alerts and indicators about the status of your HVAC system. These can include warning lights informing you that a filter change or maintenance appointment is due. By attending to the issues indicated by these alerts, you can keep your system running at peak efficiency.

Joe Hurley Inc. Heating and Cooling has provided reliable HVAC services for over 30 years. We serve customers in Ocean, Monmouth County and Mercer counties. Contact us today for more information on the latest in programmable thermostat technology and for expert assistance with choosing a new thermostat for your home comfort needs.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about new thermostats and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Joe Hurley Inc. Heating & Cooling services Ocean, Monmouth and Mercer Counties in New Jersey. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today! 

Standby generators are usually connected to your home’s natural gas or propane line. This means there’s no need for messy manual fueling. The three main types are:

1. Essential circuit: These generators power the circuits you need most, usually from eight to 16 basic of them. This is a significant reduction in power, but it will keep important equipment, appliances and lights operating during the outage.
2. Smart circuit: These generators provide electricity for more than 16 circuits, and if electricity consumption is limited and used carefully, they can power your whole house. These types of generators can allow important appliances that use large amounts of power to operate in rotation.
3. Whole house: Whole-house generators can power your entire home without restriction. These generators can be very large and quite expensive, but if you must have an uninterrupted source of electrical power due to medical conditions, home environmental requirements or other factors, they will give you all the electricity you need until the outage is over.

Make sure your standby generator is rated to provide more than the minimum amount of power you require. To find your basic power needs:

• Calculate the amount of electricity needed to power your home appliances and equipment; check labels or operator’s manuals to find this information.
• Add up the wattage of all the light bulbs in use to determine lighting power expenditures.
• Add these numbers together to find the total amount of power your home requires.

Joe Hurley Inc. Heating and Cooling serves customers in Ocean, Monmouth and Mercer counties in central New Jersey. Contact us today for more information on standby power generators and for expert assistance in finding the best generator for your needs.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about standby generators and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Joe Hurley Inc. Heating & Cooling services Ocean, Monmouth and Mercer Counties in New Jersey. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!

The Internet is a wonderful resource for many things but it’s not very helpful for comparing potential A/C upgrades. That’s because you never really know where the information is coming from, and you’ll find so many different opinions that you’ll end up more confused than when you started. First, sit down with a local expert who cares about the customers in the area and can help you choose the best A/C for your needs.

Here are some of the reasons an expert is necessary when comparing potential A/C upgrades:

• Technological Advances – Over the past couple of years, A/C units have progressed rapidly because of pressures from consumers for more energy efficiency. Different units have different strengths so you have to understand the technology in order to know which unit is best for your specific needs.
• Language – The technology has also come with new terminology thats not easy to grasp for someone outside the industry. For example, do you know the difference between EER, SEER and HSPF? What does each mean for your energy bills?
• Heating and Cooling Load – Not only can an HVAC expert help you find the right model for your needs; they can help you lower your needs prior to making the investment. Professionals have tools that measure factors such as air flow, airtightness and other factors that affect how efficient your home comfort system operates. Then you can choose the unit for your actual needs.

If you think about comparing potential A/C upgrades as an investment, you will make an informed decision that will pay off. From there, you’ll just need to have it installed and maintained properly so you can enjoy the savings.

To schedule your expert consultation, contact Joe Hurley Inc. Heating and Cooling. With more than 30 years of service to Ocean, Monmouth and Mercer counties, we have the expertise to help you make the best decision.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about comparing potential A/C upgrades and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Joe Hurley Inc. Heating & Cooling services Ocean, Monmouth and Mercer Counties in New Jersey. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!

One thing you’ll need to note right off is whether or not you receive enough sun. For maximum energy savings, your home ideally should have a southern exposure, and your roof relatively free of shade from trees, chimneys or other buildings. You’ll also need to note the size of your roof: each solar panel needs 15 square feet of space, so you’ll have to factor in the amount of available space you have for the number of modules you’ll want. And if you live in a subdivision, you will want to check if your homeowners association or subdivision covenants have any restrictions on work you can do on your roof; you may be required, for example, to submit your plans to the HOA before work can begin.

A reputable dealer can help you calculate your home’s energy requirements, determining the number of solar panels you’ll need, and ensure that your plans comply with local electrical code requirements. In central New Jersey, Joe Hurley, Inc. has been a reputable, affordable supplier of quality HVAC products for more than 30 years. With our variety of service plans, a full fleet of trucks, and staff known for our response times, if your home is ready to take advantage of energy savings from solar, you’ll be in good hands with Joe Hurley, Inc.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about energy savings and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Joe Hurley Inc. Heating & Cooling services Ocean, Monmouth and Mercer Counties in New Jersey. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!

1. Decide right off the bat whether you’re OK continuing to use a manual thermostat, or whether you’d like to step up to a programmable model.
2. Match the thermostat to your heating and cooling system.
3. Find the options and features that suit your needs.

Manual thermostats are often found in older homes. They’re inexpensive with basic controls, but offer limited energy savings and convenience. Programmable thermostats adjust temperature automatically according to your set schedule, providing convenience, comfort and energy efficiency.

When choosing a programmable thermostat, make sure it will work with your HVAC system. Product packaging makes this simple, as long as you understand the following terms:

• One stage: for use in systems with separate heating and air conditioning units
• Two-stage or multistage: for use in systems that don’t just operate at full-go all the time.
• Direct line voltage: for use in older homes that utilize a 110 or 240 direct current power source
• 24mV: for use a floor, fireplace or wall furnace
• Zoned HVAC: for systems where heating and cooling is separately controlled in different areas of your home with multiple thermostats.

Once you’ve selected thermostat type and functionality, you can look at what features will suit your lifestyle. When determining which features you need, you should consider what level of flexibility is necessary for your lifestyle. Usually you have four basic programming options:

• 7-day: program each day of the week
• 5-2: Standard program from Monday through Friday, and a different program on the weekends
• 5-1-1: Standard program from Monday through Friday, and a different program for each day of the weekend
• 1-week: single program running all week long

There are additional features offered with some programmable thermostats that you may find useful:

• Touchscreen
• Backlit display
• Battery backup
• Remote controls
• Keyboard lock
• Vacation mode

If you live in or around Ocean, Monmouth or Mercer counties, and want expert advice on choosing a programmable thermostat, contact Joe Hurley, Inc. Heating & Cooling. We’ve been making our customers comfortable for more than 30 years.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about programmable thermostats and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Joe Hurley Inc. Heating & Cooling services Ocean, Monmouth and Mercer Counties in New Jersey. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!

• Any family members have allergies.
• A family member has suppressed immunity because of cancer or other health-related treatment.
• A child or adult tends to bring home cold and flu bugs from school or work.

When properly installed by a qualified HVAC-system technician, residential UV lights are not harmful to humans. But UV lights are deadly to airborne bacteria, mold spores and viruses — even tuberculosis bacteria. When the air in your home is circulated, the harmful micoorganisms are exposed to the lights and sterilized. The microorganisms die because they’re unable to reproduce. Once your indoor air is cleaner, your whole family can be healthier. This is especially true for those with suppressed immunity, as airborne mold can trigger opportunistic infections that healthy people resist more easily. In addition, the elimination of airborne microorganisms can significantly reduce the incidence of asthma attacks for those with severe allergies.

UV lights are relatively easy to maintain. Check the lamps from time to time, and go over them with a paper towel or nonabrasive cloth. Alternatively, have your HVAC-system technician check them during your regular maintenance. The lights also require periodic replacement.

For more information about UV lights, contact Joe Hurley Heating and Cooling. We have served residents of Ocean, Mercer and Monmouth counties for more than 30 years. We’re happy to answer all of your questions and provide expert installation services. Give Joe Hurley Heating and Cooling a call, or go to our website.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about uv lights and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Joe Hurley Inc. Heating & Cooling services Ocean, Monmouth and Mercer Counties in New Jersey. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!

Like everything else in your home, ductwork requires maintenance. Much of it you can do yourself. You can make sure your registers are free of obstructions, and you can inspect, seal and insulate easily accessed ductwork. When you’re sealing your ductwork, use mechanical fasteners, mastic or tape approved for heat by the Underwriters Laboratories. Do not use cloth-backed duct tape. Despite its name, this kind of tape does not hold up to heat. An HVAC-system pro can check, seal and insulate ductwork that you can’t get to easily.

Sometimes ductwork changes are necessary. For example, if you’re getting central air conditioning for the first time, you may need a ductwork retrofit. In older homes, second-floor ductwork is sometimes inadequate for central air conditioning. Or you may need to run ductwork into an addition you’re building. Whenever possible, try to locate new ductwork in a conditioned space, preferably a cavity, such as the space between floor joists. Ductwork in an unconditioned space, such as a crawl space or an unfinished basement is less efficient and more vulnerable to contaminants. If you must install ductwork in an unconditioned area, make sure it is adequately insulated. It’s best to work with an HVAC-system pro for a project of this size and sophistication, as he can ensure that placement and insulation are optimal.

For expert advice on how to improve your ductwork for better HVAC-system efficiency, contact Joe Hurley Heating and Cooling. We provide service to residents of Ocean, Mercer and Monouth counties.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about HVAC efficiency and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Joe Hurley Inc. Heating & Cooling services Ocean, Monmouth and Mercer Counties in New Jersey. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!     

During the winter, an air-source heat pump extracts heat from the outside air and moves it inside to warm your home. During the summer, heat is removed from interior air and exhausted to produce cooling. A heat pump can provide as much as four times the amount of energy that it consumes because it moves the heat instead of generating it. The advantages of adopting air-source technology are many. Here are just a few of the benefits:

• Increased efficiency decreases utility costs. When temperatures are moderate, as they are in the spring, fall and much of the winter, the electric heat pump delivers warmth that’s much more economical than gas.
• An air-source heat pump has few moving parts, which reduces maintenance and increases long-term reliability. It is not uncommon for an air-source unit to have a 20-year lifespan. Manufacturer warranties available on new units reflect this increase in reliability.
• CO2 emissions are far less than those of gas or oil.
• An air-source pump with reverse-cycle chiller technology can use heat extracted from the air to warm water for household use or for radiant heating in the floor.
• Heat pump technology is continually improving. Features that weren’t available initially now include variable-speed blowers and better coil, compressor and motor design.

Serving Ocean, Monmouth and Mercer counties, Joe Hurley Inc. has provided heating and cooling service to homeowners on the Jersey shore for more than 30 years. Contact us for all your home comfort needs.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about heat pumps and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Joe Hurley Inc. Heating & Cooling services Ocean, Monmouth and Mercer Counties in New Jersey. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today! 

1. Choose the right filters and remember to change them

If you haven’t changed your air filters in awhile, there’s no better time than now. Furnace and air conditioning filters catch dust and other particulate matter. That dirt accumulates on your filters, and they become less effective if you don’t change them. When you’re choosing your filters, check the packaging for the  minimum efficiency reporting value. MERV  ratings go from 1 to 16, and a 7- or 8-rated filter is sufficient for most home systems. Generally speaking, filters should be changed at least every three months. It’s best, however, to ask your HVAC-system professional or to consult your owner’s manual to find out how often your filters should be changed.

2. Seal your ductwork

Inspect the ductwork that’s visible in your home for any signs of air leakage in the form of loose seams, cracks or bad connections. Compromised ductwork not only reduces the energy efficiency of your system, but also allows fumes from areas such as your kitchen and utility room to circulate freely throughout your home. You can repair the leaks you find yourself with mastic sealing or metal tape. In most homes, however, much of the ductwork is in inaccessible areas. Your HVAC-system professional can get to inaccessible ductwork and seal it, making your indoor air more breathable and your system more energy efficient.

3. Schedule annual maintenance

Having your heating and cooling system serviced regularly has a number of benefits. It helps to keep your system running at peak efficiency, it prevents major problems from developing, and it removes dust and other allergens from your system. You can have maintenance done at any time of year, but it’s generally best to have your air conditioner serviced in the spring and your furnace serviced in the fall.

To learn more about how you can optimize the quality of your indoor air, contact Joe Hurley Heating and Cooling. We’ve served residents of New Jersey’s Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean counties for more than 30 years.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about springtime allergies and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Joe Hurley Inc. Heating & Cooling services Ocean, Monmouth and Mercer Counties in New Jersey. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!