All Your HVAC Questions Answered right Here!

The modern HVAC system exudes such mystery for the typical homeowner, heating and air conditioning companies get a lot of curious questions. Here at H&H Heating & Air Conditioning, our professionals have you covered, answering your most common HVAC queries…

Your Most Common HVAC Questions – Finally Answered!

• How Often Should I Change/Clean My Air Filter?

  The average home air conditioning company sees a lot of emergency service calls resulting from dirty air filters. To safeguard the performance, efficiency, and lifespan of your system, changing or cleaning your filter once a month is recommended – once every 3 months, at a minimum if you live in a home with no kids and no pets.

• Where is My Air Filter?

  Most times it is located to the left or right side – or directly behind – your main air return grille.

• How Can I Make My System More Energy Efficient?

  There are a number of ways to directly and indirectly optimize the efficiency of your HVAC system. Some of the most important include:
  • Regularly changing your air filter.
  • Enrolling in an HVAC service plan to ensure the regular attention, optimal care, and condition of your system.
  • Properly insulating and thoroughly sealing leaks in your home.
  • Installing shades or curtains in rooms exposed to extreme sunlight.

• What’s the Best Thermostat Setting for Energy Savings?

  To save up to 15% on your energy bill, the U.S. Dept. of Energy suggests a setting of 68-degrees F for winter months, 75-degrees in the summer months. Settings should not be static, and should be adjusted while you’re sleeping and while you’re away from the home for maximum performance. Looking for an easy way to ensure top-notch performance? Today’s smart learning thermostats do the job for you!

• How Often Should My System Be Professionally Serviced?

  To avoid the need for emergency heating and cooling repair services, you should have your HVAC system regularly serviced in the spring and the fall, before summer and winter temperature extremes put it to the test.

• How Much Does a New HVAC System Cost?

  Because of differences in size (square footage), layout (single or multilevel), exposure, leakage, and other issues that affect HVAC sizing and cost, it is nearly impossible to put an exact price on a new HVAC system. Fortunately, you can get a free, no obligation quote from H&H for your specific setup.

• What Size System Do I Need?

  See above.

• What’s the Difference Between Ductless Air Conditioning vs Central Air?

  The typical central air conditioning system is ‘split’, with an outdoor unit and indoor unit, conditioning and distributing air via ductwork in your home’s attic or crawlspace. A ductless or ‘mini-split’ system is installed directly into the wall, with the indoor portion of the system connecting to the outdoor component via tubing. Each system has its own advantages and disadvantages, and it’s important to discuss these with a trusted heating and cooling professional before deciding which system is best for your home.

System troubles? You need an air conditioning service & repair company who knows their stuff! Contact H&H Heating & Air Conditioning and schedule your system service today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/all-your-hvac-questions-answered-right-here/

Ready to Turn your AC on for the Season? Don’t Ignore these Steps.

Warmer weather is on its way, and though you may not need your air conditioning system quite yet, now is the time to get it ready for summer action – before it leaves you hot, bothered, and looking for emergency HVAC service.

How to Best Prepare Your Air Conditioner for a Scorching Summer
To prevent the shock of high summer electric bills, ensure performance and efficiency with this simple 7 step plan:

1. Check your outdoor unit.
   The part of your system located outside is called the condenser. If yours was covered over the winter, be sure to take the cover off before turning on your system. While you’re out there, check around the system itself, clearing away any dead or growing grass, leaf buildup, and other debris that can reduce airflow and take a toll on the efficiency of your system. It should be clear not only right against the unit, but a full 18-inches surrounding it.
2. Change the filter.
   Back inside the house, check your air conditioner filter. It’s generally a wise idea to go ahead and clean or replace the filter now. If you have kids, pets, or allergies, mark your calendar ahead so you don’t forget monthly replacement. At a minimum the filter should be changed every 3-months. An amazing efficiency booster – or system killer – fail to perform this simple and inexpensive maintenance, and you’ll get to know your area heating and air conditioning companies pretty well over the coming season.
3. Check the drain line.
   Keep the drain line by your indoor cooling coil unit free and clear, flushing a cup of chlorine bleach down it followed by a thorough rinse with a gallon of water. Clogged drains can cause severe water damage to your home.
4. Check vents & ductwork.
   Remove vent blockages such as furniture, toys, carpets or drapes. Eyeball exposed ductwork for wear-and-tear. Cooling loss from leaky ductwork will greatly impact comfort and efficiency.
5. Fire it up.
   Make sure your system is on at the outdoor unit and at the breaker box. Then, turn it on at the thermostat to the ‘cool’ position, with the fan on ‘auto,’ setting the temperature to around 68-degrees. If your thermostat is outdated or you are looking for more energy savings, now might be the time to consider upgrading to a smart ‘learning’ home thermostat.
6. Observe.
   Let it run for 10-15-minutes. Make sure the fan on your outdoor (condenser) unit is spinning, and you hear the hum of the compressor. Back indoors, listing for any abnormal sounds. Turn off the system immediately if you hear anything strange, and call for heating and cooling repair services.
7. Give your system a tune-up.
   Not sure how to service an air conditioning unit? It’s a job for a pro. Spring is the ideal time for regular system maintenance, before the summer heat takes its toll, to ensure your system has a proper refrigerant charge, coils are clean, and all mechanical components are properly functioning.

Schedule your annual professional maintenance with an air conditioning company you can trust. Contact H&H Heating & Air Conditioning today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/ready-to-turn-your-ac-on-for-the-season-dont-ignore-these-steps/

Energy Star Ratings for Heating and Cooling Systems. Should you Care?

Trying to select a new air conditioner before the summer heat sets-in? There’s a lot of information on system labels, not the least of which is Energy Star. Like the ‘heart healthy’ logo on your daily cereal, you know the label is buzzworthy, but do Energy Star rated appliances really add up to the extra ticket price and hype?

Ensuring a Smart Investment
The average household forks out more than $2,200 annually on energy bills, half of which goes to heating and cooling costs, making energy efficiency in your chosen HVAC system a big deal. How does the Energy Star label play a part? Run by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Energy Star program was created to help people understand how they can save money and reduce their carbon footprint through improvements in energy efficiency. Enrollment by appliance manufacturers is voluntary, with certification and Energy Star labeling denoting a product that has met the program’s strict energy efficiency requirements. Ratings vary from product to product, with air conditioners required to meet different criteria than water heaters and other home appliances.

‘Getting’ the Digits
Alongside the Energy Star label, you’ll notice air conditioner labeling also include SEER ratings. This can help you determine between Energy Star models, with SEER ratings measuring system efficiency over the entire season. What SEER should you look for? The minimum SEER rating for Northern states, including Pennsylvania, is 13 SEER for split systems and 14 SEER for packaged units. To maximize savings and performance, you’ll want a higher efficiency, Energy Star rated system, which offers improved efficiency over standard models. What marks a high-efficiency air conditioner? High-efficiency systems generally start at 16 SEER, with ratings far beyond.

How Much Can I Save with Energy Star Equipment?
How much energy you save will vary based on your use and climate. To help narrow down your best option, and understand what an investment in an Energy Star appliance can save you, look at the Department of Energy’s cost savings calculator.

What Manufacturers Make the Energy Star Cut?

• Amana AC Units
  These high-end systems feature all the bells and whistles, with massive efficiency ratings up to 24.5 SEER.
• Bryant air conditioner
  These quality, affordably priced systems offer ratings up to 21 SEER.
• Mitsubishi Home Air Conditioning Systems
  A slightly different air conditioning animal, Mitsubishi ductless systems use less than 40% of the energy of conventional air conditioning systems, and are extremely high SEER, with ratings up to 30.5.
• Bradford White Water Heater
  Water heaters are the second largest consumer of energy in the home, behind heating and cooling, and offer Energy Star Savings as well. Bradford offers over 57 Energy Star models, from electric, gas, and oil, to solar and hybrid.

Looking for more ways to save energy on your summer air conditioning? From new installations to annual maintenance, H&H Heating & Air Conditioning has you covered. Contact us to schedule a complimentary and obligation free quote on a new Energy Star rated system today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/energy-star-ratings-for-heating-and-cooling-systems-should-you-care/

Who Should I Call for Water Heater Repair!

Bone-chillingly cold shower? Scary looking sediment? Eerie noises? Water heaters issues can be horrifying. When you need to service your hot water heater, who you gonna call? If problems with your water heater are scaring you, you have multiple options…

Heating and Air Conditioning Companies

Why call a heating and air conditioning company when you have water heater troubles? If your water heater is a hybrid model, utilizing heat pump technology, there’s no one better than a heating and air conditioning company to service your water heating system. Hybrid models are quite different from those common 10 years ago, and most electrical and plumbing companies are not EPA certified to work on this style of water heater, which uses refrigerant gas.

Water Heater Not that New?
In the event your water heater needs to be repaired, heating and air conditioning companies  are in-the-know on electric and gas water heater troubleshooting, and also well-versed on working with in-direct and solar heated systems. With a host of experience from electrical to plumbing and wiring, HVAC technicians can read schematics and perform other tasks necessary for diagnosing what ails your system. Need a replacement? You can be assured of a properly-installed, adequately-sized new water heater, as many HVAC companies rely on NATE-certified professional technicians for this task. Changes in style are also typically not a problem for HVAC service companies, who routinely deal with oil, gas, electric, and solar power sources in servicing heating, cooling, and water heating equipment.

What about Plumbing Companies?
Plumbing companies are another option when you’re experiencing water heater issues. When is calling a plumber best? If there is no water coming from the taps of your home (and you paid your water bill on-time), calling a plumbing company may be a good idea.

How About Electrical Companies?
If you’re experiencing water heater issues and fear you need to replace your older water heater, an electrician may be a good person to call if you plan on changing water heater styles. For those going from gas to electric systems, or those with electric tank-style systems seeking to switch to an electric tankless model, electrical panel and possibly an electrical service upgrade may be necessary in order ensure a sufficient supply of electricity to safely power a newer water heater style.

How Do I Know if I Need a New Water Heater?

Signs it may be time to replace your water heater include:

• The need for frequent repairs.
• A system more than 10 years old.
• The base of your water heater tank is rusty.
• Rusty water comes out of the taps in your home.
• Water leaks from the base of your water heater tank.
• You hear rumbling or banging sounds when water is heating up.

Scary water heater issues? At H&H Heating & Air Conditioning, we’ve yet to find a water heater we can’t handle. For any water heater problem you need firmly contained, or any heating and cooling repair services that have you spooked, contact us today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/who-should-i-call-for-water-heater-repair/