Now is the Time for Pre-Season Heating Inspection

When was the last time you scheduled heating and air service? Home heating units require annual attention, and should always be inspected before being put to use for the winter heating season.

What’s The Big Deal?

A pre-season inspection ensures safe, proper operation. This simple, preventative maintenance, performed by a trusted heating system repair company, can help you guard against poor performance, wasted energy, and unnecessarily high utility costs. In some systems, it can help guard against carbon monoxide and safety issues. In all cases, it can help you avoid unexpected and costly repairs on the worst days of winter, as well as long, uncomfortable wait times when everyone else who’s skipped routine service and maintenance has scheduled an emergency repair call, too.

Can I Perform A Pre-Season Heating Inspection Myself?

While some pre-season tasks are DIY-approved, others are best left to a pro:

• DIY a Go
  • Ensure proper airflow…
    Removing objects surrounding or blocking vents, registers, and your furnace. Be sure flammable items are properly stowed away from the furnace. Clean accessible areas with a vacuum and brush attachment, removing dust and debris.
  • Swap your furnace filter…
    Clean or replace last season’s filter. Dirty filters force your system to work harder, shortening its lifespan and inflating energy bills.
  • Test (or install) safety detectors…
    Install or test batteries in the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors throughout your home. Ensure you have a sufficient number for the size/layout of your home and they are properly located and installed.
  • Give the system a trial run…
    It’s always best to make sure your heating services are adequately functioning before bitter winter temperatures set-in.
  • Smell something burning????
    You may notice some odd smells the first time you turn on your heater, but if you’ve changed your filter, they should be minimal. If odors do not burn off within 15 to 30-minutes of operation, or odors are significant or foul, this could indicate a major issue. Turn off your system immediately in the presence of foul odors or if you smell smoke, which could indicate a blocked vent/chimney and the potential for carbon monoxide buildup, and contact an HVAC pro for service and maintenance ASAP.
• Better for a Pro
  • Ensure venting and chimneys are clear…
    Grab a ladder, heading for higher home altitudes and checking for bird and insect nests and debris that could create a dangerous situation.
  • Check for leaks and safety issues…
    The CDC (Center for Disease Control) recommends homeowners schedule a professional heating system inspection and service annually. A pro can detect cracked heat and combustion chambers – issues typically invisible to the naked eye – that could result in deadly carbon monoxide buildup within the home. A pro can also identify thermostat malfunction, vent blockages, duct leaks, and other issues that can impact safety and decrease system performance, impacting comfort levels in your home.

It is time to schedule your heating tune up in Malvern. Ensure a safe and cozy winter season with the help of H&H Heating & Air Conditioning today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/now-is-the-time-for-pre-season-heating-inspection/

Energy Efficiency: Save the Earth and get Rewarded!

Looking for ways to save the earth and your paycheck? Upgrading older heating and air conditioning units offers an array of opportunity…

Have You Taken Advantage Of State & Local Incentives For Energy Efficient Home Improvements?

Though federal tax incentives currently only offer deductions for projects involving solar energy, many states offer incentives to help homeowners make upgrades that protect the environment and reduce energy consumption and costs. How can you determine incentives available in your area?

• The Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) Energy Incentive Program
  A great resource for finding energy efficiency incentives by state.
• DSIRE
  A geographical overview of incentives and policies by state – one of the most comprehensive resources on the web!
• Your Utilities Provider
  Electric, gas, and water providers commonly offer incentives and rebates to support the upgrade to devices that utilize less resources. These may include demand-response programs, in which utility usage during periods of low-demand are discounted, as well as load management programs, in which small devices can be installed on key appliances allowing your service provider to cycle on/off these devices during periods of high-demand.
• Your Local HVAC Contractor
  Your local HVAC contractor may also know about available rebates and incentives available in your area, including manufacturer mail-in rebate offers.

Look To The Energy Star Logo For Enhanced Savings

The most likely appliance candidates for rebates and incentives typically sport the Energy Star logo. These systems offer higher SEER ratings – a measure of the efficiency of a system – than their non-logo-bearing counterparts. The minimum required by law today is 14 SEER. To ensure peak performance and savings, a minimum of 16 SEER is recommended – though 20 SEER systems are commonly available. With ductless ‘mini-split’ systems, SEER can reach over 25! Remember: SEER means savings. Learn more about Energy Star ratings for heating and cooling systems from H&H.

Other Ideas for Cutting HVAC Costs:

In addition to Energy Star and SEER ratings, there are even more ways you can get rewarded by a more efficient system:

• Make Sure Your System is Properly Sized
  System size isn’t based solely on square footage, but the precise calculation of a number of factors including the layout of your home and its thermal envelope. Too large or small, and you could suffer up to a 30% loss in performance.
• Check Ductwork for Leaks
  Leaky ductwork can rob you of performance up to 30%. Don’t pay to heat/cool your attic or crawlspace. Keep conditioned air contained!
• Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat
  Still paying to heat/cool your home while you’re away at work? Put a smart programmable thermostat to work for you!
• Change Your Air Filter Regularly
  Changing your air filter every 2-3 months (or sooner) ensures peak performance. Why? Dirty, clogged filters inhibit air circulation, forcing your system to work harder.
• Schedule Routine Maintenance
  Regular, professional maintenance including coil cleaning and the verification of refrigerant levels, thermostat and system operation. Scheduling in the spring and the fall, before peak cooling/heating demand, ensures optimum performance.

Air conditioning service & repair costs getting out of control? It’s time for an upgrade. Reinvest your money into a more efficient system. Contact H&H Heating & Air Conditioning today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/energy-efficiency-save-the-earth-and-get-rewarded/

How to Cool your House if your AC breaks down

Air conditioner on the fritz? While you’re waiting on emergency AC repair, keep calm and carry on with these 6 ways to quickly cool your home if your AC breaks down…

1. Flip on the Fan
   First things first, flip on the fan while Googling air conditioning companies in your area. The whirl of a fan is one of the most convenient and effective ways to keep cool when your AC is out of commission. The wind chill effect of the fan will make you feel up to 4-degrees cooler than the surrounding environment. Since fans cool the room – not people – be sure to turn off the fan when you leave the room to conserve energy. If your AC is still out when the sun goes down, place fans in the windows of your home to pull cool air in from outside. Have an attic fan? Engaging it in the evening can help keep your home cool. In the morning, turn off the attic fan and close windows to trap cool air inside.
2. Take a Splash
   Have a pool? Go for a dip. No pool? Place damp, cool towel on your neck, or grab a piece of water-friendly lawn furniture and give your clothes a rinse, donning damp clothes beneath your fan.
3. Grab a Glass
   Make sure you stay hydrated with plenty of water, as you’ll sweat more as temperatures rise.
4. Add Ice
   Place a big block or bag of ice on a baking sheet or in a casserole dish or large bowl. The cooling effect of the ice may help keep the temperature in the room more comfortable until the air conditioning service contractors arrive to perform repairs.
5. Pull the Shades
   Draw shades and blinds to reduce heat and sunlight infiltrating your home from outside, especially in south and west-facing rooms, which suffer the worst sun and heat exposure. Thick curtains with a white reflective backing are best.
6. Put a Hold on Heat Generating Appliances
   Reduce interior heat gain by avoiding the use of your stove/oven, dishwasher, dryer, and other heat generating appliances. If your air conditioner is out, use an outdoor grill instead, or cook food in the microwave. Wait until after dark if you must use these appliances if at all possible.

Repairs Becoming A Regular Occurrence?

Limping heating and AC units 8-10-years old (or older) through summer after summer may end up costing you more in repair costs and high energy bills than it would to simply upgrade your system over the long-run. Talk to your area HVAC provider about scheduling a free AC installation quote and rebates and incentive available in your area toward upgrading to a more efficient system. Remember, heating and cooling comprises around 50% of your total energy bill, consuming the most energy in the home.

Sweating because of the need for air conditioning service & repair? H&H Heating & Cooling has you covered, with trustworthy, dependable service and some of the most affordable pricing in the business. Check out our money saving special offers and coupons, or ensure priority service and savings by signing up for a Comfort Club agreement today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/how-to-cool-your-house-if-your-ac-breaks-down/

Energy Efficiency & Air Conditioners

You’re passionate about reducing your carbon footprint and protecting the planet, but you love your AC, especially when the heat and humidity of summer are weighing you down. Is it possible to have your cake and eat it too? H&H has all the tips you need to live an energy-efficient lifestyle and remain comfortable year-round…

First Things First: Choosing An Efficient Cooling System

If your air conditioner is more than 10-years old, upgrading to a newer, more energy efficient systemcan reduce energy costs and your carbon footprint 20-40%. When shopping for a system, ensure efficiency by…

• Shopping by SEER
  SEER ratings make shopping for an AC system with superior efficiency simpler, as do Energy Star ratings for heating and cooling systems. The higher the SEER rating, the less energy the system consumes. Systems 10+ years old may be 10 SEER (or below). The minimum allowed today by law is 14 SEER. To ensure energy savings, a system with a rating above 16 SEER is preferable. SEER ratings over 20 are not uncommon in traditional split and packaged systems. In ductless systems, you can find SEER ratings over 25! Look for the Energy Star logo for systems offering high-efficiency features and superior performance.
• Opting for Energy Saving Features
  Opting for a system with a variable speed blower reduces energy consumption, as do ‘fan only’ switches, which can provide natural cooling.
• Purchasing the Right Size System
  Heating and air conditioning units must be properly sized to ensure optimal performance. A system that’s too small or large for your home reduce efficiency by 30%, inflating your utility bills, and putting stress on the system that shortens its lifespan. An experienced, professional HVAC contractor can perform load calculations, considering your home’s size, layout, thermal envelope, and more to help you determine the right size system to meet your needs.
• Ensuring an Energy Star Quality Installation
  A quality installation ensures performance, and should also include properly sealed ductwork, verified optimal system operation and thermostat function, and airflow optimized for consistent temperatures throughout your home.

Operational Tips For Eking Extra Efficiency From Your Air Conditioner

How you use and maintain your AC can also impact energy use. Maximize efficiency with:

• Smart Thermostats
  Pairing your system with one of today’s smart programmable thermostats can help you further control energy use, offering precise temperature control and altering temperatures when your home is not in use.
• Regular Filter Changes
  Dusty, clogged filters can seriously impact performance, forcing your system to work harder to move air. Keep air filters for your home air conditioner on hand, and change them regularly, at least every 2-3 months.
• Regular Professional Maintenance
  Air filter disgusting? Your coils may be dirty too. A properly charged, clean system is integral to ensuring top performance and ultimately energy savings, making regular professional maintenance before cooling season a must.

Knowledgeable, trustworthy air conditioning companies that are committed to protecting the environment should be a key part of your HVAC efficiency goals. Do you have one in your pocket? H&H Heating & Cooling is committed to the community, and the environment. Learn more about our stellar services today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/energy-efficiency-air-conditioners/