Top 5 Summer HVAC Issues (& How to Fix Them)

As temperatures rise and you increasingly rely on your air conditioning system to stay comfortable, you can put your HVAC system under significant stress. In this situation, it’s not uncommon for issues that have been left unaddressed to rear their ugly heads. The more temperatures raise, the more calls we receive for emergency HVAC service. Here are a few of the most common issues we get service calls for during summer temperature extremes.

Top 5 Summer Air Conditioning Problems

Dirty Air Filter

Dirty home air filters dramatically reduce airflow, leading to inefficient operation. If left unaddressed it may also result in system overheating. As your system is forced to work harder and longer to cool your home, this compounds the problem. As dirt and dust is forced through your system, it soils system components, leading to dirty coils which further reduce system performance. Luckily, air filter maintenance is simple and inexpensive. Change standard air filters monthly to ensure optimum performance, scheduling annual professional maintenance for the cleaning of interior system components. While you’re at it, check the outdoor unit. Reduced airflow from overgrown vegetation and yard debris can impact performance as well.

Low Refrigerant

Tiny pinhole leaks in your AC coil and refrigerant lines can lead to a loss of refrigerant over time. When air conditioner refrigerant is low, your system will struggle to cool your home, leading to longer run times, potential overheating, and inflated energy bills. Your local home air conditioning company can leak check your system, make any required repairs and safely top off your system with the proper refrigerant, resolving this issue.

Electrical Issues

Summer heat, as well as lawn maintenance, can lead to the damage of key components of your system. Capacitors commonly fail in the summer, when extreme temperatures combined with increased workload cause overheating. Weed whacking around your exterior unit can cause issues as well. Grass and weed fragments can clog the exterior unit, reducing airflow and leading to overheating. Also, wire damage and damage to cooling fins can occur when you cut too closely to your system, hitting components with the weed whacker.

Compressor Failure

Repair issues, such as those above, if left unaddressed, can often lead to costly compressor failure as they cause this essential component to overheat, wear out faster, and ultimately fail. It’s critical to contact an HVAC service professional at the first sign of problems, or better yet, schedule proactive annual maintenance for cooling units in the spring.

Drainage Issues

A clogged condensate drain can cause quite a mess as fluids backup into your home, potentially resulting in structural damage and complications from mold. Warm summer temperatures are ideal for mold and mildew growth in drainage system lines. Your condensate lines should be inspected and cleaned regularly to prevent this issue.

Can’t stand the heat? Get out of cyberspace and handle AC problems fast with the help of the heating and cooling repair services from H & H Heating & Air Conditioning today

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/top-5-summer-hvac-issues-how-to-fix-them/

Tips for Making the Most Out of Summer AC Use

Summer weather extremes have already arrived. Warm weather raced in, not only to the Northeast this season, but abroad as well. Europe’s sweltering heat wave at the end of June raised average global temperatures 0.2 degrees F to record highs for the month, leaving many looking for relief. Is your home air conditioning system up to the task of keeping your family cool and safe in the event of summer weather extremes? Stay cool without sending your energy dollars up in smoke with these tips from your local air conditioning service company.

Start the Summer Season Off Right

Before the mercury rises, putting your system under stress, start the season off right with routine professional HVAC system maintenance. Proactive maintenance can help you avoid unexpected shutdowns and the need for HVAC emergency repair, identifying issues before they leave your family sweating. This is especially important for systems 10-years old or more. A professional HVAC service pro can address tasks that you cannot, including:

• Topping off refrigerant levels when required which are integral to system performance and efficiency.
• Verifying proper thermostat function and responsive system operation.
• Cleaning dirty components, such as the coils and compressor, which if dirty will force your system to work harder to cool your home, increasing energy costs.
• Inspecting key components for signs of damage or impending demise, including fan blades, motors, belts, and wiring, proactively addressing these issues before your system goes down.
• Addressing drainage issues that could lead to water damage and mold in your home.

Keep Components Clean For More Efficient Performance

You and your family must also perform some maintenance. These tasks are simple but essential to helping your system keep up with the demands of summer AC use:

• Change home air filters monthly.
  Dirty air filters force your system to work harder. This is one of cheapest, easiest and most important things you can do to ensure peak performance in the summer.
• Keep the area surrounding exterior components clear.
  Trim back grass, weeds, leaves, trash, and shrubbery surrounding your exterior system to aid proper airflow and cooling.

Stay Cool Without Busting Your Budget With A Smart Thermostat Addition

Today’s smart programmable thermostat models need minimal input from you to keep your family comfortable while helping you lower your monthly energy bills. They pay for themselves quickly, saving you $200 or more annually when properly used. Learn more about top smart thermostat options and how they can benefit you.

Don’t Overlook Leaks

Seal leaks surrounding windows and doors, outlets and plumbing fixtures with weather stripping, spray foam, and caulk to keep cool, conditioned air within the home. Ensure ductwork is properly connected, sealed, and insulated in unconditioned attics/crawlspaces. Up to 30% of conditioned air can be lost via duct leakage.

Don’t sweat summer air conditioning bills. Stay cool with the help of the affordable air conditioning service & repair from H&H Heating & Air Conditioning today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/tips-for-making-the-most-out-of-summer-ac-use/

Uneven Cooling? What to Do

Single story and multi-level homes commonly suffer uneven cooling issues. The layout of your home, the location of your thermostat, ductwork problems, dirty air filters, and the age of your heating and cooling system can all play a role in uneven cooling. This is a problem we see frequently at H&H Heating & Cooling. Luckily, you may be able to solve this issue without professional help.

6 Tips for Solving Uneven Cooling Problems

1. Try redirecting airflow.
   Identify and resolve issues with dirty vents or those blocked by furnishings. Redirect air to specific areas by partially closing some vents in cooler areas of your home, such as the first floor. (Do not fully close vents.)
2. Switch the fan to the ‘on’ position.
   Switch the fan setting on your thermostat from ‘auto’ to ‘on’ position. In the ‘on’ position, the fan will remain on, circulating air even after system cooling turns off. This can help even out temperatures in the home. In the ‘auto’ setting, the fan only operates when the cooling system is engaged. Air conditioning companies verify, leaving the fan ‘on’ increases your energy bills only nominally, about $5-20 per month.
3. Have ductwork professionally inspected for leaks.
   Duct leakage can reduce system performance up to 30%, forcing your system to work harder to cool your home. Conditioned air that is meant for your home ends up in your attic/crawlspace, leading to poor cooling and uneven temperatures. To avoid ductwork damage (and potentially drywall repairs from falling through the ceiling) leave this to a professional air conditioning service company.
4. Check and address insulation deficiencies.
   Insulation keeps cool air in and warm outdoor air out. If your attic or particular areas of your home lack sufficient insulation, you’re not enjoying the benefits and comfort of your cooling system. This situation can lead to a noticeable temperature difference in some regions of your home. It can be particularly evident in multi-level homes, where upper levels can be warm and uncomfortable. Be sure you have the proper amount of insulation in attic and walls, verifying recommended R-values for your region.
5. Upgrade your system.
   If the above solutions don’t handle your uneven cooling issues and your system is more than 10-years old, it may be time to upgrade you air conditioner. Newer cooling systems are far more efficient, quickly solving problems of uneven cooling when properly sized and installed.
6. Consider a ‘zoned’ HVAC system.
   Though a more substantial investment, zoned HVAC systems are a more efficient way to cool your home and make addressing uneven cooling easier. The number of zones will depend upon the size and layout of your home. Simply adjust the temperature in specific areas or floors for even cooling throughout your home. Bonus: Zoned systems offer opportunities for energy savings, reducing utility costs by up to 30% according to the Department of Energy.

Home still hopelessly uncomfortable? Ensure cool, even temperatures throughout your home with the help of the trusted 24/7 HVAC repair services of H&H Heating & Air Conditioning today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/uneven-cooling-what-to-do/

Dangerous Summer Air Quality Issues

Most homeowners assume when spring ends, their allergy and breathing issues are over. However, this couldn’t be farther from the truth. Air quality in the summer can be hazardous, indoors and out. What summer pollutants need to be eliminated from your home?

Ozone

A primary contributor to poor outdoor air quality in the summer is ozone. This gas isn’t harmful when it remains high above the earth, but when it descends it can cause severe symptoms, aggravating allergies, and causing shortness of breath, asthma flare-ups, chest pain, and even lung damage. News centers often recommend remaining indoors with heating and cooling systems running during times when ozone levels are high. Unfortunately, when you retreat to your sealed home, some ozone infiltrates, and even more air quality hazards await. However, there are ways you can control these common summer indoor air quality issues.

Allergens & Pollutants

Indoor air in the home is packed with pollutants in the summer. These include pollen from the assortment of greenery that thrives in the summer weather; increased dander from pets shedding their winter coats; ever-present dust and dust mites; harmful emissions from cars, trucks, boats, power plants, industrial manufacturing facilities; and VOCs from chemical cleaners and the breakdown of home furnishings.

This laundry list of pollutants causes poor indoor air quality. Repeated exposure can cause adverse health effects ranging from inflammatory responses and allergen and asthma flare-ups to lung, heart, and brain health issues, to name just a few. Fortunately, you can remove these pollutants from the air quickly and easily with whole house indoor air quality systems with HEPA filtration. A huge step up from inexpensive box store fiberglass air filters, true HEPA filters easily remove harmful pollutants from the air throughout your home. Paired with a UV air purifier, mold, mildew, bacteria, viruses, and other harmful microorganisms can also be destroyed, helping you breathe easy indoors when ozone levels are high outside.

Humidity

In the summertime, humidity levels both outdoors and indoors soar. These high humidity levels can lead to mold and mildew proliferation inside your home if left unaddressed, and symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, sinus congestion, coughing and sneezing, breathing issues, and more. It is not possible for your air conditioner alone to remove excess levels of moisture from your air in the summer. If you experience these symptoms and your home feels uncomfortably sticky in the summer, a whole house dehumidifier can help, keeping your home in the optimal range of 30-60% relative humidity, ensuring health and comfort.

You spend most of your time indoors. Ensure a safe and healthful home with the help of your local heating and air service. Schedule an indoor air quality evaluation with H&H Heating & Air Conditioning today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/dangerous-summer-air-quality-issues/