Archive for February, 2012

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York and the Good Housekeeping Seal

Wednesday, February 29th, 2012

Many York products bear the Good Housekeeping Seal, but what exactly does that mean? Good Housekeeping is a magazine that is dedicated to helping its readers find only the best food and other products on the market. For over a hundred years, Good Housekeeping has tested the advertisements and products in its magazine to ensure that they live up to their promises. When a product has earned the Good Housekeeping Seal of approval, it means that it has been tested and proven its quality. Good Housekeeping is so sure of its Seal that it offers its own guarantee: “If any product that bears our Seal or is advertised in this issue proves to be defective within two years from the date it was first sold to a consumer by an authorized retailer, we, Good Housekeeping, will replace or repair the product or refund the purchase price.”

Many York products have earned the Good Housekeeping seal, and are sold with the same excellent guarantee. As long as you buy your product from an authorized York dealer,  Good Housekeeping and York stand behind all the assurances that come with the York equipment.

For more information about York products and the Good Housekeeping seal, contact your local New Jersey York Dealer.

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York Products and Sustainability

Friday, February 24th, 2012

Some of the best ways to make your home more environmentally friendly involve your heating and air conditioning equipment. Did you know that residential and commercial buildings account for 40 percent of the energy used today? One of York’s missions is to help homeowners reduce their carbon footprint, and we have produced many products that can help you make your home more environmentally friendly.

All of our air conditioners and heat pumps use R-410A refrigerant, which has been shown to have zero impact on ozone depletion. We also offer gas furnace with a fuel efficiency of up to 98 percent, so you can use as little fuel as possible to keep your home comfortable.  All of our high efficiency equipment, from heat pumps to air conditioners, is offered at an affordable price. You can upgrade your system without it costing an arm and a leg, making it easier than ever to go green.

We also make many smaller, compact products, which use fewer natural resources to produce. And since York products are designed to be durable, they will last a long time before needing to be replaced.

If you are thinking about making your home more green this year, give one of our York dealers a call! They will tell you more about our innovative, environmentally friendly systems and how they will make your home more comfortable and help you save money on your utility bills!

 

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Carteret Indoor Air Quality Question: What Type of Air Cleaner Is Best for People with Pets?

Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012

Lots of people in Carteret have pets, and they are a great addition to your family. However, pet ownership has one very obvious drawback: dander. The fur, dry skin cells and other debris that pets carry around flakes off their bodies and onto your furniture and rugs. The also means they inevitably wind up in your air, recirculated through your whole house via your York HVAC system.

Or at least, that’s what happens if you don’t have a York air cleaner or some sort of air filtration system. This leads many pet owners to ask, “what is the best air cleaner for me?”

With all the choices in air cleaners, the choice can seem daunting. If the goal is specifically to filter out pet dander, it becomes somewhat easier.

Pet dander is quite large in size relation to other indoor air pollutants, so many air cleaners are equipped to do the job. You can use an air cleaner with a standard pleated HEPA filter, or one that uses electrostatic technology. You will want to make sure that the HEPA filter is rated to handle pet dander. A MERV rating of 8 or more is recommended.

Once you have a York air cleaner installed, make sure to change or clean the air filter frequently, in accordance with manufacturer instructions. A clogged air filter won’t help eliminate pet dander from your household air and can actually degrade the operation of your HVAC system’s air handler.

In addition to installing a high quality air cleaner with a HEPA filter, you can also help reduce the amount of pet dander floating around your Carteret home by keeping the place clean. Vacuuming often and dusting hard surfaces weekly keeps pet hair and dander from being drawn up into the HVAC system, which reduces wear on the air cleaner.

If you have any questions about having an air filtration system set up in your home, give your local New Jersey York Dealer a call!

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Happy President’s Day from All of Your New Jersey York Dealers!

Monday, February 20th, 2012

All of the New Jersey York Dealers wish you a very happy President’s Day! Fun fact: though it is commonly referred to as “President’s Day” this holiday is still officially called “Washington’s Birthday.” There was an attempt to change the name of the holiday in 1968, but the proposal failed.  It is traditional to celebrate this holiday with cherries, in honor of George Washington.  While the name hasn’t officially changed, today has come to be about all of our nation’s presidents, and a celebration of all that they accomplished. In honor of this holiday, here are some fun trivia questions to stump your friends and family:

  • When was Washington’s Birthday first celebrated?
    • During his presidency his birthday was celebrated every year. However, Washington’s Birthday officially became a holiday in 1885.
  • Who was the oldest president elected?
    • Ronald Regan (69)
  • Who was the youngest president elected?
    • John F. Kennedy (43)
  • Who was the tallest president?
    • Abraham Lincoln (6’4’’)
  • Who was the shortest president?
    • James Madison (5’4’’)
  • Which state is the birthplace of the most presidents?
    • Virginia (8 total; George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, Zachary Taylor, and Woodrow Wilson)
  • How many states are named after a president?
    • One (Washington, DC)

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Monroeville HVAC Tip: How Your York System Can Save You Money

Friday, February 17th, 2012

When thinking of ways to save energy in your Monroeville home, changing out your incandescent light bulbs for fluorescents and adding insulation were probably the first things you thought of. But did you know that your heating and air conditioning system can account for more than 40 percent of your utility bill? An upgrade to your HVAC equipment can have a huge impact on your energy use, no matter where you live or the power source you use. York heating and cooling systems have some of the best energy efficiency ratings in the business, and we are constantly innovating to give you the best performing equipment possible. Here is a video that explains the ways that our high efficiency systems can save you money!

If you have any questions about having a York system installed in your home, give your local Monroeville York dealer a call today!

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Happy Valentine’s Day from Your New Jersey York Dealers!

Tuesday, February 14th, 2012

New Jersey York Dealers wish you a Happy Valentine’s Day! Valentine’s Day is all about showing your appreciation for your loved ones. Whether it is your significant other, your family, or your friends, it is a great time to let them know how special they are to you. A handmade card, a bouquet of flowers, or even a simple phone call can make someone’s whole day.

If you are thinking about a big gift for your family, an upgrade to your HVAC system might not be the most romantic gift, but it is a gift that keeps on giving! An air filtration system will keep you indoor air clean, and a new York furnace or heat pump will make your home more comfortable and lower your utility bills. Making your home cozier is something your whole family will appreciate!

Call your local New Jersey York Dealer to learn more about how some HVAC system upgrades can improve the comfort level in your home. And to make your Valentine’s Day a little sweeter, here is a recipe for White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake:

“Raspberry sauce is swirled into the batter of a creamy white chocolate cheesecake. Garnish with white chocolate curls if desired.”

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup chocolate cookie crumbs

3 tablespoons white sugar

1/4 cup butter, melted

1 (10 ounce) package frozen raspberries

2 tablespoons white sugar

2 teaspoons cornstarch

1/2 cup water

2 cups white chocolate chips

1/2 cup half-and-half cream

3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese,

softened

1/2 cup white sugar

3 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS:

  1. In a medium bowl, mix together cookie crumbs, 3 tablespoons sugar, and melted butter. Press mixture into the bottom of a 9 inch springform pan.
  2. In a saucepan, combine raspberries, 2 tablespoons sugar, cornstarch, and water. Bring to boil, and continue boiling 5 minutes, or until sauce is thick. Strain sauce through a mesh strainer to remove seeds.
  3. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). In a metal bowl over a pan of simmering water, melt white chocolate chips with half-and-half, stirring occasionally until smooth.
  4. In a large bowl, mix together cream cheese and 1/2 cup sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs one at a time. Blend in vanilla and melted white chocolate. Pour half of batter over crust. Spoon 3 tablespoons raspberry sauce over batter. Pour remaining cheesecake batter into pan, and again spoon 3 tablespoons raspberry sauce over the top. Swirl batter with the tip of a knife to create a marbled effect.
  5. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, or until filling is set. Cool, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 8 hours before removing from pan. Serve with remaining raspberry sauce.

For more details, visit allrecipes.com.

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Montclair HVAC Tip: How to Reduce Indoor Allergens

Monday, February 13th, 2012

Indoor allergens range from the obnoxious like pet dander, pollen and dust to the downright dangerous like mold, smoke and dust mites. Typically, you won’t even realize you have allergens in your Montclair home until one or more members of your family develop symptoms of discomfort or illness with no clear reason. Long term respiratory or allergic issues when inside the house are usually a clear sign of an indoor allergen problem – usually something you can fix.

Identify the Allergen

Step one is to identify the source of the discomfort. Most allergens are related to something you have in or around your home. For example, if you have a cat or dog, you very likely have high levels of pet dander. A flower garden outside or lots of plants inside can result in high pollen levels. Excess moisture in your basement or attic can result in dust mite and mold growth.

If you are unsure of what allergens are causing your discomfort, there are companies that can test the air in your home for specific allergens. These tests look for all allergens as well as potentially dangerous contaminants like radon and MVOC toxins from mold and mildew. Whether you need such testing depends on the severity of your health concerns and the initial inspection performed by your New Jersey York dealer.

Getting Rid of Allergens

Once you know for sure what your problem is, it’s time to cut back on the allergens. Mechanical fixes are available in the form of York air filters and York advanced ventilation systems. You can supplement those solutions by implementing a series of simple upgrades to your insulation to keep out the pollutants that are outside.

The key is to make sure the air flows freely through your home and filters remove and ventilate the air properly to keep it from growing too stale and making you sick. You can also cut back on the use of certain chemicals and materials that cause allergens to build up. For example, aerosols, paints and glues produce a number of irritating gases that tend to stick around inside.

Additionally, make sure your pets are cleaned often and that your upholstery and carpet is vacuumed daily by a HEPA quality vacuum cleaner. This will severely reduce the presence of dust, dust mites and dander.

By focusing heavily on the reduction of pollutants and allergens like dander, pollen and dust, most of your indoor air quality problems will be solved. It just takes awareness and action. If you have any questions about the best way to improve your indoor air quality, give your local Montclair York dealer a call!

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Paterson Heating Repair Question: What Are Flue Gas Spill Switches?

Friday, February 10th, 2012

While some components of a York heating system make sense to the average Paterson homeowner – think blower fan, thermostat and air ducts – others are more esoteric and prone to bouts of head scratching.

So, you may find yourself asking “what the heck is a flue gas spill switch?”

As you know, gas heating appliances produce heat by means of combustion. The gas line feeds gas into the appliance, the gas is ignited, and the burning gas produces heat. It’s a simple concept that goes all the way back to our caveman ancestors building fires to keep warm, and it is the same process in gas furnaces, boilers and water heaters.

In addition to producing the cozy heat we love in the winter time, this combustion process also releases gases. Known collectively as “flue gases,” some of these – carbon monoxide being the most notorious – can be very toxic. This why we have flues or chimneys in our homes– to give these gases a means of egress.

A flue gas spill switch is designed to shut down the furnace if these gases start seeping out. It is made up of a sensor or series of sensors that detect heat outside the flue, not unlike the flame sensor in your York furnace. If flue gases start to escape and pass by the sensor, the sensor heats up and signals the furnace to shut down. This cuts off the power and gas, so that no more flue gases can leak into the home and create a health concern.

If your furnace has been abruptly shutting down, it could be your flue gas spill switch trying to tell you that you have a leaky or cracked flue. If this is the case, you want to have it repaired right away. The constant off and on is not good for the furnace, and more importantly, those flue gases can be exceptionally hazardous to your family’s health. Be sure to call your New Jersey York dealer if you us suspect that you have a problem with your furnace.

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York’s History of Quality

Wednesday, February 8th, 2012

The York brand has a lot of history behind it, including a lot of great accomplishments. York actually started in 1874 (138 years ago!) making ice machines. Since then, they have moved far beyond refrigeration. They installed one of the first air conditioners as early as 1914, in the Empire Theater in Montgomery, Alabama. This was followed ten years later by installing the first air conditioning system in an office building in Fresno, California. Today, York has designed and installed heating and air conditioning system in some of the world’s most well-known structures, including the Capitol Building, the Taj Mahal, and the Sydney Opera House.

All of these accomplishments are because of York’s quality products and ability to innovate. When you purchase York equipment, you are getting some of the best products in the industry. However, no matter how good our equipment is, it doesn’t mean anything without our dealers. They are also the best in the business, and they receive ongoing training in the latest technology so they are well equipped to handle any system. York Certified Comfort Expert Dealers are always ready to go that extra step for their customers, and their quality of works speaks for itself.

To learn more about York products or York Certified Comfort Experts, give your local dealer a call today!

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West Orange HVAC Question: Will My York Air Cleaners Reduce Health Risks?

Monday, February 6th, 2012

There is a lot of talk these days about how important it is to have a good York air cleaner in your West Orange home. If you don’t have one, you’re putting yourself at risk, or so says common knowledge. But, do air cleaners really reduce health risks, and if so, by how much?

 What Air Cleaners Do

Before we can say whether an air cleaner has any positive health effects, we must first look at what they do. Air cleaners are designed to remove certain particles from the air inside your home. Different air cleaners are designed for different levels of removal.

Ratings like the MERV of an air cleaner measure how small of particles the device can remove. Additionally, the type of cleaner will determine what it is best at removing. Mechanical filters are the most efficient at removing dust, pollen, and dander while electronic filters are best for smoke, bacteria and mold spores.

 So, What Impact Does this Have on Health?

The big question then is what kind of health benefits you will gain from a high end air cleaning system. If your home isn’t prone to a large number of contaminants and you have good ventilation, the difference may not be that big, but for those with a well-sealed home, pets, humidity problems or any number of other indoor air contaminant sources, an air cleaner has a tremendous impact on your health.

The problem is that when the house gets sealed up so tightly, we put our bodies at risk of contamination from gasses and pollutants that would otherwise dissipate into the air. Those with asthma are put at an increased risk as they breathe in a variety of different triggers like dust, mold and dander.

An air cleaner removes these threats and while they don’t have a proactive effect on your health – you won’t suddenly lose weight or never again get the flu – they can remove many of the negative effects that poor air quality as on your body.

So, should you get a York air cleaner for your West Orange home? In most cases, the answer is yes, but if you’re still not sure, consider getting your air quality tested. This way you’ll know exactly what you’re breathing and what kind of impact it’s having on the health of you and your family. For more information about York air cleaners, talk you your local New Jersey York Dealers.

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