7 Tips for Maximizing Heat Pump Performance in Winter

Are you wearing out your heat pump with a heavy-handed heat pump operation? Heat pumps operate differently in the winter than they do in warmer months. To make the most of your energy dollars and safeguard the lifespan of your system, it pays to take precautions when using your heat pump system in the winter months.

Why Does My Heat Pump Work Differently in the Winter?

Heat pumps don’t generate heat, they move it from one place to another, pulling heat from the outdoors for use in your home. Despite chilly temperatures, they can still manage to pull a bit of heat from the air. However, below freezing, they lose a bit of operational efficiency. Fortunately, you can ensure performance with mindful winter heat pump use.

7 Tips For Maximizing Heat Pump Performance In The Winter

1. Stop cranking up the temperature.
   Pumping the temperature settings up to the 90s won’t heat your home any faster. It will, however, burn a lot more energy, particularly if your system is equipped with an auxiliary/emergency (electric) heat back up. Equipping your system with a smart home thermostat designed specifically for use with a heat pump system can help you ensure comfort and savings, turning your system off when you are not home, and helping you develop a schedule to ensure a cozy, warm home when you return.
   Learn more about the savings and comfort benefits of smart thermostats.
2. Don’t rely on emergency heat.
   Save emergency heat for real emergencies. This mode is notoriously inefficient and will quickly drive up your energy bills.
3. Keep your filter clean. 
   A dirty filter forces your system to move air. A clean filter safeguards the lifespan of your system, and more importantly, ensure good indoor air quality.
4. Keep leaves and debris clear of your outdoor unit.
   Your outdoor unit must be free to circulate air as well. Regularly clear dead, fallen leaves and debris surrounding your system for optimum performance.
5. Do NOT cover your system. 
   Your system is designed to survive outdoors and does not need to be covered in the winter. In fact, covering your system at this time can lead to serious problems, such as mold growth and pest infestation. In frigid weather, leave ice alone. It is sharp and dangerous to your and your system, and your heat pump should manage this in defrost mode.
6. Don’t worry about the defrost mode.
   This mode scares some homeowners, however, defrosting frozen system components is part of normal winter operation. Be aware, though, this cycle is typically short, and if your system stays in this mode for a long time, it may require heating repair services.
7. Follow a regular maintenance schedule.
   Regular professional cleaning and maintenance, at least once a year, ensures efficient performance and prevent unexpected breakdowns.

Winter heat pump questions? Talk to a pro at H & H Heating & Air Conditioning about the best way to operate your heat pump for your area climate, or schedule routine heat pump maintenance today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/7-tips-for-maximizing-heat-pump-performance-in-winter/

How Does a Furnace Humidifier Work?

Is your furnace missing essential home comfort equipment? Furnace mount humidifier installation in Chaddsford can protect your family and home from the extreme dryness winter weather brings. These conditions surprisingly make your home feel colder, as well as impact your health and the structure and contents of your home. Why do you need a humidifier for comfort if your furnace heats the air in your home?

Proper Humidity Levels Make Your Home Feel Warmer

With the right amount of humidity in the air (35-55%), your home will feel warmer and more comfortable.

Proper Humidity Levels Ensure The Health Of Your Family & Home

There are many signs you need a humidifier. You will know you can benefit from humidifier use when you notice static electricity issues in your home. Left unaddressed, these dry conditions can cause skin and lips to dry and crack, predisposing you to infection and illness. They can also increase airborne dust and worsen asthma/allergy symptoms. Your home structure and furnishings can also dry, crack, and split.

How A Furnace Humidifier Works

Furnace humidifiers connect with a water source and mount to the hot air supply of your furnace, distributing moisture via system ductwork. Furnace humidifiers work in tandem with your furnace or heating unit, turning on/off based on your chosen humidistat/thermostat settings, typically when the relative humidity drops below 30-50%. When in-use, they produce moisture, infusing it with furnace-heated air.

When your system is in heat mode, simply engage your humidifier by adjusting humidistat dial settings. Turn until you hear a click to determine current humidity levels in your home, changing settings accordingly. If your heating system has a bypass damper, make sure the damper is in ‘open’ or ‘winter’ position and parallel to the duct. If you see water draining from the humidifier while your system is running, your humidifier is in operation.

Types Of Humidifiers

• Steam
  Steam humidifiers are the most efficient style and also require the least maintenance, however, this comes at a higher initial cost. They self-generate steam, boiling water on-demand, and injecting steam into the heated air from your furnace.
• Flow-Through
  Moderately priced flow-through humidifiers are more reliable than reservoir systems and require less maintenance. They rely on water tapped into the system from an existing water pipe, which drips across a specially coated screen. The furnace blower induces evaporation while the system is running, distributing moisture through your home.
• Reservoir
  Reservoir systems use a rotating drum of water to create moisture. They are inexpensive, but the least efficient furnace humidifier style. Because they remain full of water, they are also prone to mold issues, requiring more frequent disinfection maintenance.

A Whole House Humidifier Is An Affordable Addition

A whole house humidifier, added to your furnace, uses a nominal amount of energy, adding and distributing moisture via evaporation, and allowing you to operate your system at a lower thermostat setting, saving energy and money.

Ensure comfort, health, and energy savings with a furnace humidifier. Contact your local air conditioning service company to learn more today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/how-does-a-furnace-humidifier-work/

Keep Your Basement Warm in the Winter with these Tips

If you use your basement for more than simple storage, you know it can get pretty chilly down there in the winter. For those with bedrooms or recreational areas in the basement, keeping them warm in the winter can be a challenge. Despite the natural insulation of the earth, which keeps your basement comfortable in moderate temperatures, in the bitter cold of winter, this earthen insulation is not enough. Fortunately, there are a few ways to keep your basement warm and comfortable in the winter.

Tips for Keeping Your Basement Warm without Inflating Your Energy Bill

• Infrastructure improvements
  These improvements cost less over the long-term, and don’t involve a heating and cooling system overhaul or added energy expenses:
  • Seal leaks and cracks in the basement structure.
    Seal cracks in concrete flooring and walls, and gaps surrounding windows and doors with the appropriate foam insulation, caulk, or weather stripping.
  • Add more insulation.
    Outfit your basement walls with rolls or spray foam insulation covered by drywall or paneling sheath for a warmer environment and sleek, finished looking.
  • Replace dated, worn, windows and doors with more energy-efficient options.
    If your basement windows and walkout doors are warped or broken, or hold single-pane glass, replacing them with new, more efficient, double or triple-paned glass options that more effectively seal can make a noticeable difference.
  • Add carpeting or area rugs.
    Throw rugs and carpeting add warmth and insulation in dry basements.
• Home heating unit additions
  Sometimes infrastructure improvements are not enough for a comfortable basement environment. In these cases, additional heating may be required, such as:
  • Installing basement vents.
    Depending on the design of your home and your system, incorporating a heating vent into your basement may solve your comfort issues.
  • Floor heating.
    Adding a radiant heat system to your basement floor will not only make your basement warmer but the floor and furnishings as well. These electrically-powered systems circulate hot water beneath your basement floor, warming the cement with heat, which rises throughout the room. Floor heating is easily added with new construction, however incorporating it into existing basements can be more involved.
  • An additional heating unit.
    A basement specific heating unit, such as a Mitsubishi ductless air conditioner or electric baseboard heater, may offer the comfort you are yearning for. You may also consider wood and pellet stoves, however keep in mind, these require the hauling of fuel and frequent maintenance.
  • A space heater.
    Electric space heaters are easy to use, but not without expense and risk. If you use these heaters frequently, you will definitely see a difference in your energy bill. Use them with care to avoid fire dangers, locating them far from flammable materials and turning them off and unplugging them when not in use.

Stay comfortable all year long with the help of the home comfort experts at H & H Heating & Air Conditioning. Contact us to learn more about affordable basement heating additions today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/keep-your-basement-warm-in-the-winter-with-these-tips/

Did You Forget to Change Your Ceiling Fan Settings for Winter?

You rely on your ceiling fan for comfort in the summer heat. However, you may fail to realize this summer staple can also keep you cozy in the winter, helping you make the most of your heating dollars. Heating companies know how changing the direction of your ceiling fan helps you keep your home comfortable and your energy bills under control in the cold winter months?

The Spin On Your Fan Blades

In the summer, the counterclockwise rotation of fan blades draws warm air up and pushes cool air down. In the winter, changing this rotation to clockwise has the opposite effect. When blades rotate in a clockwise direction, blades create an updraft, pulling cold air up and forcing warm air down. (Remember: heat rises.) This clockwise motion naturally keeps warm air down where you and your family can enjoy it, allowing you to drop the thermostat setting on the heating unit for your home without getting chilly.

Is Your Ceiling Fan Spinning The Right Direction?

• Summer – counterclockwise
• Winter – clockwise

How Do I Change My Ceiling Fan’s Direction?

It is fast and simple to adjust the direction of your ceiling fan blades:

1. Turn off your fan.
   (This is a great time to clean off blades!)
2. Locate the toggle switch the motor housing once the blades stop spinning. Simply flip it to the other side.
3. Turn the fan back on. Your ceiling fan should now be spinning clockwise.

Does your fan have a remote control? You can likely skip the stepstool and the switch flipping in this case, as most remotes simply feature a button that allows for the adjustment of the blade direction.

Enjoy The Savings

With this simple adjustment, warm air will stay where you want it, preventing your furnace from kicking off and on as frequently, and allowing you to enjoy significant energy savings in the coldest months of the year. Uncover how much you can save on energy bills while remaining comfortable by adjusting thermostat settings with the help of your fan. You may be surprised at the results!

Set A Reminder

Don’t forget to set a reminder on your home or smartphone calendar to return your fan to counterclockwise rotation for the warmer spring and summer months! Ceiling fan use can reduce the need for constant cooling unit use, saving you up to 40% on summer cooling costs. The “wind chill effect” produced by a fan can make you feel 8-degrees coolers in occupied rooms where a fan is in use, allowing for significant thermostat setting adjustments.

Find new ways to cut energy costs this winter and stay warm. Learn more about today’s most efficient home heating solutions, such as a dual fuel system, from the local heating experts at  H & H Heating & Air Conditioning today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/did-you-forget-to-change-your-ceiling-fan-settings-for-winter/