Preparing Home Heating / HVAC Systems for Winter

Applause roared from inside of the Colden Auditorium at Queens College during Richmond Hill High School graduation 2017.

Jay Sobhraj, Executive Vice-President of Zara Realty, just announced the names of two RHHS graduates who will be receiving a scholarship to study computer science at the college of their dreams.

Estrella Perez will be studying at the Borough of Manhattan Community College and Malik Assad will be studying at the New York Institute of Technology.

"We are so grateful to Zara for this opportunity," said Perez, who is passionate about computer science. "I will not let you down Mr. Sobhraj," Assad proclaimed, as photos were being taken of the two.

The relationship between Richmond Hill High School and Zara Realty began last year when Zara Realty donated a $125,000 computer lab to the school. The computer lab has been used by a plethora of students for everything from curriculum to extracurriculars.

“This is a model for building real community between the school and the private community,” Principal Neil Ganesh said. “We have future leaders in our program and we’re really excited about this new resource for us.”

Recently, Sobhraj and information technology specialist Naresh Singh returned to the school recently to see how the “seed turned into a plant with burgeoning fruit.” Not only have students been able to focus on their passion of computer science, but there has been a trickle down effect into the school’s robotics program.

They found that the computer lab helped Perez, Assad, and the rest of the robotics team focus on enhancing their computer science knowledge, engineering skills, and form a serious direction for their robotics team, Qubit. In just one year, the team has been able to achieve incredible success which includes building their own robot.

Sobhraj and Singh were so impressed with the focus and determination of the these RHHS students, that they decided to announce the plan to award two computer science college scholarships right then and there.

“I really want to give back,” said Jay Sobhraj. “Never forget where you come from and always give back to the community... that's what Zara is focused on.”

Richmond Hill High School offers several pathways, which include computer science and IT, art, criminology and forensics, business and engineering. As a supporter of computer science and IT, Zara Realty plans to grant one or two students with this opportunity each year.

"We are grateful to Mr. Sobhraj and Zara Realty for being an active community partner with their vision set on making a long term change," said RHHS Assistant Principal, Paul Wilbur.

Zara Luxury Homes, the innovative real estate holding company, provides quality homes in both Queens and Long Island. They have been serving the rental community for 36 years. Visit theirwebsite or call them at 718-291-3331 to inquire about their rental properties in Jamaica, Queens and Long Island.

By Philip Maltighati, CEO
United Public Adjusters & Appraisers

If you live in a single- or multifamily home in Queens, or own/manage rental, condo or cooperative properties, you know that keeping your Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system in top shape is essential. Routine maintenance, like changing furnace filters and checking thermostat batteries, is a good start, but Fall is also the perfect time for a more thorough inspection prior to your semi-annual professional servicing.

Unfortunately, even well-maintained systems can fail. A burst boiler or sudden heating system breakdown can cause severe damage to your property and its contents. When that happens, your first call should be to United Public Adjusters & Appraisers (UPA). As a leading Queens, NY public adjuster, our team has supported the Queens community for over a decade, helping hundreds of businesses and homeowners obtain the maximum settlement for their property damage claims. Partner with us, and we’ll manage your insurance claim from start to finish and fight for the maximum settlement your policy allows.

Key Areas to Check During Fall Maintenance

Pilot Light

For older gas furnaces, the pilot light should burn a steady blue. A flickering or yellow flame may indicate combustion issues that require professional attention.

Listen for Odd Noises

New or persistent banging, grinding, or squealing often signal internal problems. Don’t ignore them. Schedule a professional inspection.

Watch for Water or Leaks

On high-efficiency furnaces, check condensate lines and pans for clogs or leaks.
Pooling water elsewhere may suggest a cracked heat exchanger or other serious issues.
Left unaddressed, leaks can lead to a NYC boiler burst insurance claim.

Outdoor Units (Heat Pumps & AC)

Clear away leaves, sticks, and debris.
In snowy weather, remove snow and ice buildup to prevent shutdowns or damage. An ounce of prevention can avoid possibly prevent having to file an emergency heating repair claim in Queens later.

When to Call an HVAC Professional

After your own quick inspection, contact a licensed HVAC technician immediately if you notice:

Abnormal Sounds: Banging, grinding, or scraping could indicate failing internal components.
Unusual Smells: Electrical or burning odors may mean overheating wires. Rotten egg odor = gas leak (leave immediately and call your gas provider + fire department).
Yellow Pilot Light: Can signal incomplete combustion and potential carbon monoxide danger.
No Heat / Inconsistent Heat: Could be blower, burner, ductwork, or heat exchanger failure.
Water Leaks: Pooling water may point to a clogged drain line or cracked exchanger.
Carbon Monoxide Alarm: If it sounds, evacuate immediately and call emergency services.

Safety First: Never attempt to fix gas, electrical, or combustion-related issues yourself. These problems require professional expertise.

Special Note for Condo & Co-Op Owners

If you live in a building with shared heating systems, a burst boiler or HVAC failure can damage multiple units at once. In these cases, having United Public Adjusters & Appraisers on your side as your Queens, NY public adjuster is essential. When the unfortunate circumstance arises to file a claim, often your insurance carrier will delay accurate settlements for incurred damages.

Prevent this issue from arising by trusting United Public Adjusters to document damages sustained to your building, lost business revenue, personal property, betterments/improvements or business personal property. Our experts are well versed in the insurance claim process and how it affects business owners, building owners and homeowners differently.

The knowledge our adjusters have in construction, real estate, personal property and various business types allows for a reduction in unnecessary delays. We’ll protect your rights, coordinate documentation, and ensure you aren’t left paying for damage caused outside your unit.

Why Call United Public Adjusters & Appraisers?

With decades of experience assisting Queens homeowners, condo and co-op residents, property owners and managers, United Public Adjusters & Appraisers will:

Document and files property damage claims on your behalf
Oversee every step of the process
Negotiate directly with your insurance company
Pursue the highest settlement your policy allows

Don’t wait until you’re facing an HVAC winter damage claim in Queens, a NYC boiler burst claim, or an emergency heating repair claim in Queens. Get peace of mind today; speak with our team of licensed public adjusters and let us be your advocates when you need us most.

******************************************************************************************************

About United Public Adjusters & Appraisers, Inc.

United Public Adjusters & Appraisers, Inc. is a nationally licensed public adjusting firm serving over 25 states with a focus on complex, high-value property insurance claims.

With established offices in New York City and Long Island, our deep bench of adjusters, estimators, engineers, and advocates is built to support large-loss commercial, multifamily, and institutional clients.

We work exclusively on behalf of policyholders -never the insurance companies- to secure proper documentation, defend coverage, and recover what’s rightfully owed to you after disaster strikes.

Offices in NYC & Long Island | Serving Policyholders in Over 25 States

Call: 800-718-5677

Visit: www.unitedpublicadjusters.com