New Year Resolutions for a Comfortable and Efficient Home in 2018!

‘Tis the season for cutting carbs, calories…. And energy consumption. In addition to all those New Year’s resolutions tailored toward prolonging your health and happiness, don’t forget the health and happiness of your heating and cooling system, the most costly and energy glutinous appliance in your home.

Five New Year’s Resolutions for Cutting HVAC Costs

1. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat
   (It’ll go great with that new smart phone.)
   Independent review has confirmed smart thermostats can save you 20% over antiquated old non-programmable models. Operable via smartphone, today’s latest models learn your behavior (most with little to no programming) using sensors, and can be controlled from any location from the couch to your vacation hotel suite. High-tech home? Integrate your smart thermostate with Google Home or Amazon Echo home automation tech for voice-operable use.
2. Regularly Clean/Replace HVAC Air Filters
   (It’s easier than shaving your legs.)
   Dusty, filthy, clogged home air filters force your system to work harder to achieve the same result, robbing efficiency. When was the last time you changed yours? Mark it on your calendar for cleaning/replacing at least every 3 months, more if you have allergies/asthma, pets, kids, or are renovating your home.
3. Schedule Your Tune-Ups
   (They’re less invasive than your annual well-visit.)
   Your doctor (and your health insurance) like you to get a checkup at least once a year. Because stuff happens that’s easy to overlook, and your HVAC is no different. Avoid inconvenient HVAC emergency service and costly repair issues, scheduling a fall/spring tune-up on your calendar before you and your family will depend on the system for protection against weather extremes. This inexpensive maintenance reduces system wear-and-tear and vastly improves efficiency and comfort. While you’re at it, schedule your annual hot water heater service as well.
4. Give Your System an Upgrade
   (Your annual savings could quickly add up to the cost of a new smartphone.)
   While many fail to balk at upgrading a $1,000 cell phone (semi)annually, they swoon at the thought of upgrading their HVAC system. But today’s best Energy Star HVAC systems are surprisingly affordable, using 30-50% less energy than systems just 10 years old –  and unlike your cell phone, come with manufacturer warranties up to 20 years! Protect your pocketbook and the planet, updating your home with the latest in reliable and efficient home comfort technology. Health problems? Consider indoor air quality HVAC add-ons such as HEPA filtration and UV light air purifiers to safeguard your health against high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) bacteria, viruses, mold, pet dander, pollen and other allergens.
5. Seal Leaks
   (Because you don’t want to air condition the whole neighborhood.)
   Leaks can sabotage your HVAC system like holiday cookies to your New Year’s dietary goals. Seek out and seal leaks around doors, windows, baseboards, and plumbing, which can be the equivalent of a window constantly left open. And don’t neglect ductwork leaks, which cost the average HVAC system energy losses of 30%.

Plan for success with the help of H&H Heating & Air Conditioning. Together we can help you achieve a safer, happier, greener and more energy efficient New Year.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/new-year-resolutions-hvac/

Types of Floorings that Work Well with Radiant Floor Heating

What flooring material is an ideal fit for your home style and radiant floor heating units? A choice that will affect the maximum heat output and efficiency of your underfloor heating system, this decision must be carefully weighed.

More than a Style Choice
The heat output of your system is influenced by the size of the space you have to heat, air temperatures, and floor temperatures. If the flooring material you choose limits the floor temperature maximum, this can make a drastic difference in comfort levels. Before selecting a floor finish, always check with your radiant floor heating contractors to ensure your selection will not limit the performance (and your satisfaction with) your heating system. Just a 2-degree difference in heat output can have drastic temperature effects.

What are the Best Flooring Materials for Radiant Floor Heat?

• Ceramic & Stone Tiles
  • Ceramic/Stone
    An ideal choice for underfloor heating. Stores/transfers heat well, and cleans easily.
  • Slate/Flagstone
    Highly conductive and durable, a superior choice for your radiant heat system.
  • Concrete
    Polished concrete is highly conductive, heating rapidly.
  • Marble
    Slower to heat, but a good thermal conductor.
  • *A 2-part flexible tile adhesive is necessary with tile and stone underfloor heating installations, as is insulation atop concrete subfloors.
• Wood
  Different types of wood offer different thermal properties, affecting suitability. In general dense(harder) and thinner = better. For most wood flooring, exceeding a temperature of 80.6°F is not recommended, and it should be noted that no matter your heating and cooling system, fluctuating temperatures can change the appearance of some floors over time.
  • Engineered Wood
    The best wood radiant floor heating option, engineered wood performs better with the temperature/moisture fluctuations of underfloor heat.
  • Bamboo
    Similar to engineered wood, bamboo works well with radiant floor heating and is a good conductor of heat.
  • Solid Hardwood
    Humidity/temperature changes can cause cupping, crowning, and gapping. Maximum heat tolerance can also be an issue. Always check with the manufacturer before purchasing solid hardwood for underfloor heat.
  • Soft Wood
    Suitable for use, provided thickness does not interfere with heat output.
  • Parquet
    Some engineered and solid types may be compatible, as above.
• Laminate
  Cost-effective laminates are often suitable for use with radiant heat flooring, but to avoid warranty and longevity issues, it is best to check with the manufacturer prior to use.
• Vinyl
  Vinyl flooring can be safely used with radiant floor heating, heating and cooling quickly. However heat output tops-out at around 80.6°F, making it a poor choice for areas that suffer rapid heat loss, such as older sunrooms.
• Rubber
  Solid rubber flooring, an excellent choice, heats up fast, and is very conductive.
• Carpet
  Carpet is compatible with radiant floor heating, provided carpet under/overlays do not exceed 2.5 tog. (Tog measures thermal resistance/insulation.)
• *For all flooring materials, always consult the manufacturer prior to purchase regarding its specific compatibility with underfloor heating.

With the cost of radiant floor heating vs forced air, which one is best for your home and budget?
The HVAC installation service professionals at H&H Heating & Air Conditioning are happy to help you make an educated decision. Contact us to learn more today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/types-floorings-radiant-floor-heating/

What kind of Warranties do the Best Heating and Air Conditioning Companies provide?

One of the largest investments you’ll make in your home, the penny-wise HVAC shopper looks to more than bottom-line appliance cost when choosing a new heating and cooling system. Chief among these variables: Product warranty, key to limiting out-of-pocket expenses and the inconvenient and potentially detrimental effects of unexpected heating and cooling emergencies that can occur in weather extremes.  

A Wonderful Warranty Points to a Winning HVAC Installer

The best heating and air conditioning companieswant your system to last as long as you do, providing warranties with the following features to protect your investment…

• A long lifespan.
  Winning HVAC companies partner with providers whose systems stand the test of time, and back it with long warranties, some over 20 years. Be sure to compare apples-to-apples however, as some systems with lifetime warranties may not cover labor, or only for a limited time.
• Parts included.
  Consider the warranty length on prime parts such as AC compressors, heat exchangers, etc. as some parts may have a longer warranty than others, or be exempt altogether, such as maintenance items like air filters and fan belts. Ask how covered parts are processed: Ideally, subtracted from the bill.
• No processing fee.
  Some contractors/manufacturers charge a ‘warranty-processing fee’ for ‘paperwork’ even when parts are covered. This fee isn’t standard in the industry.
• Available extensions.
  Extended warranties can cover an additional 5-10 years of parts/labor, however the devil is in the details. Check when service begins (6 months after enrollment?), how long you should expect to wait during peak season for service, and the amount of time the warranty contractor providing heating and cooling repair services has been in business. (No matter the price, it’ll never pay to purchase a warranty from a defunct, fly-by-night contractor). If a sales rep becomes high-pressure surrounding adding an extension, consider how this speaks about the system’s quality.
• Details.
  Simply put, a trustworthy contractor wants you in-the-know on things that could void your warranty, providing written or verbal instructions to help you avoid warranty-killing mistakes like…
  • Forgetting to register the system in a timely manner.
  • Having the unit installed by an unlicensed contractor.
  • Allowing an unlicensed contractor to work on the unit.
  • Failure to use approved replacement parts.
  • Neglecting annual, professional maintenance.
  • Failure to keep records of maintenance and repair services.
• An installation guarantee.
  Any home heating or home air conditioning company that installs a new system in your home should back their installation alongside the system they’re installing, providing a written, 100% money-back guarantee on all installation work within installation documents. This protects you from paying for installation errors and accidental damage to the system during setup.

Looking for an air conditioning and heating system repair company that stands by its products and services? From the Better Business Bureau to Google, you won’t find a more highly rated service than H&H Heating & Air Conditioning. Contact us to schedule your complimentary installation quote today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/typical-warranties-best-hvac-companies-provide/

Puffbacks Damage Not Covered by Insurance: Is Your Home At-Risk?

Puffbacks, the release of smoke and soot that occur when a furnace or boiler misfires, are a common insurance claim over the cold weather season. Messy and occasionally dangerous, this improper ignition resulting from oil or gas buildup can create anything from a small puff a smoke, to a minor explosion. This damage is unfortunately not covered by the typical homeowner’s policy, however puffbacks are easily preventable with proper service and maintenance.

Common Puffback Causes that Put Your Home & Family At-Risk

• Combustion leaks
  These allow fuel to buildup, resulting in puffbacks on ignition.
• Exhaust/chimney clogs
  Dirt, dust, fuel residue, rust, corrosion, and pest and animal obstructions that prevent the proper venting of your home heating system can easily result in pressure irregularities that lead to air/fuel imbalances and puffback.
• Cracked heat exchanger
  The dynamics of this issue, similar to clogs, cause internal pressure irregularities that can lead to a flame rolling out of your furnace from excess fuel.
• Damaged oil fuel nozzle
  Clogs or cracks in this nozzle spraying fuel unevenly or insufficiently create a situation where excess oil builds up in the burner over time, eventually igniting to result in a puffback.
• Clogged burner
  Dust, dirt, rust, corrosion and fuel residue can cause a misfire, creating excess fuel buildup in the combustion chamber and eventually leading to puffback when fuel eventually ignites.
• Frequent manual resets
  Leading to an overabundance of fuel in the chamber and subsequent puffback.

How Can You Prevent Puffbacks?
Regular, professional HVAC inspection and maintenance can help you detect puffback problems before they occur….

• Identifying fuel leaks in/around the combustion chamber or in the lines that could lead to puffbacks.
• Checking and clearing dirt, buildup, and obstructions in the venting/flue that can adversely affect the fuel-to-air ratio of your furnace or boiler and prevent it from venting dangerous carbon monoxide gases.
• Performing a ‘candle check,’ using a lit flame near the heat exchanger while the blower is operating, to identify/verify the presence of cracks in the heat exchanger that can result in puffbacks and potentially deadly carbon monoxide leaks.
• Check the oil nozzle and burner assembly for damage that can lead to puffback.

Not a DIY Endeavor
Though well-intentioned, furnace and boiler inspections are not a DIY job. Always get a trained HVAC professional to inspect and tune-up your gas or oil heater or boiler. Make sure your chosen professional is licensed and insured, as the safety of your home – and more importantly your family – rests in the hands of these technicians. Look to HVAC company reviews when choosing one who to hire for this essential service. The best HVAC companies will provide a tune-up that includes essential parts such as the burner assembly, nozzle, oil filter and fuel pump strainer, as well as a thorough safety test for odorless, colorless carbon monoxide.

Fight back against puffbacks and ensure the safety of your family. Schedule your annual maintenance and safety inspection with H&H Heating & Air Conditioning today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/puffbacks-damage-not-covered-insurance-home-risk/