3 HVAC Maintenance Tasks That Can Be Safely DIY

Are you considering DIY HVAC maintenance? Regularly maintaining your system plays a significant role in your monthly energy costs and the lifespan of your system. However, your air conditioning and heating system is an expensive, complex machine, so it is essential to know what you are doing when performing maintenance tasks. Fortunately, there are a few maintenance needs that can be safely performed by homeowners to ensure efficient operation and safeguard system life.

What HVAC Maintenance Tasks Can I Perform Myself?

• Regular air filter changes.
  Replace your home air filter every 30-90 days, at a minimum. Homes with children and pets, and areas under construction could require more frequent changes. To change your filter, be sure to turn off your system, taking out your old filter and inserting a new one before turning it back on. To improve indoor air quality and catch more dust and debris, talk to your local HVAC technician about upgrading to a high-efficiency air cleaner. Find high quality home air filters here.
• Cleaning vents and registers.
  Vacuuming slats with brush and wiping down the surface of vents and registers removes dust and debris, ensuring efficient airflow and keeping the air in your home cleaner.
• Clearing weeds and debris around the outdoor unit.
  Grass and weed overgrowth, as well as trash and foreign objects piled around your outdoor unit, can dramatically impact performance, causing your system to work harder. It is essential to keep at least a 2-foot zone surrounding your unit clear to eliminate fire hazards and ensure proper airflow.
• Check and replace thermostat batteries.
  This quick and easy task can prevent the need for an emergency run for replacement batteries. We recommend changing them on a schedule with the batteries in your fire alarm and carbon monoxide detectors. Is your thermostat so old it doesn’t have backup batteries?  It’s definitely time for a thermostat upgrade.
• Keep an ear open for strange noises.
  Strange noises indoors or out could indicate trapped debris, loose hardware, and electrical issues that could cause system damage. If you hear anything unusual or new, calling your local HVAC service professional sooner, rather than later, could prevent the need for more extensive (and expensive) repairs.

Tasks You Should NEVER Perform Yourself

These HVAC maintenance tasks are dangerous – either for your lifespan or your system’s – and best left to a pro like H & H:

• Anything involving electrical.
  Your system is high-voltage, operating between 220-240 volts and requiring a dedicated circuit to run. This amount of voltage can injure or even kill someone with insufficient electrical experience.
• Project requiring specialty tools.
  If you don’t own a multimeter, leak detector, or refrigeration system analyzer and know how to use them, you should leave maintenance tasks requiring them to the pros.
• Anything involving refrigerants.
  Refrigerants are hazardous to your health and the environment. They can also be explosive.

Maintain your warranty and keep your heating and air conditioning system operating a peak performance with the help of H & H Heating & Air Conditioning. Contact us to schedule your routine annual maintenance today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/3-hvac-maintenance-tasks-that-can-be-safely-diy/

6 Reasons Why Your AC is Not Controlling Indoor Humidity Well

Is your home sticky and uncomfortable? With today’s COVID concerns, it’s more important than ever to maintain proper humidity levels in your home. COVID and other viruses and bacteria thrive and spread in both very low and very high humidity conditions. Keeping relative humidity levels in your home between 40-60% is best to safeguard your family’s health. How can you improve the performance of your air conditioner, gaining control of moisture levels in your home?

Change Speeds

Old or “economy” systems that offer only one fan speed (on or off) can experience the same problem as a system that is too large to offer effective humidity control, running at full blast in temperature is achieved, then cycling off again. When it’s time for a new air conditioner, consider upgrading to a modulating/variable fan system for more precise, efficient performance and improved comfort humidity control. Your wallet will thank you.

Use Different Thermostat Settings

While the movement of air in your home can make you feel cooler, using your “fan on” setting on your thermostat will not remove excess humidity. Instead, it can make humidity issues worse, blowing moisture your unit is trying to remove back into your home.

Add Whole House Humidification And Dehumidification Protection

Whole house dehumidifiers and humidifiers, added to your central comfort system, ensure ideal relative humidity in your home year-round. Dehumidification in the summer prevents the proliferation and spread of dangerous microorganisms. Humidification in the winter also reduces the incidence of airborne virus, bacteria, dust, and other irritants which easily spread in dry air.

Address Air Pressure Issues

If you feel a whoosh of air every time you open a door or window, your home could have negative air pressure issues. In this scenario, pressure attempts to equalize, drawing outside air into your home through every open door, window, crack, and crevice. In the summer, when humidity levels are high, this includes muggy air. If you fear your home is affected by this phenomenon, talk to an HVAC pro regarding ventilation system changes that can help you correct this issue.

Purchase A Smaller Unit

Improperly sized systems, specifically those too large for your home, are ineffective at removing moisture, and often struggle to maintain temperature. A telltale sign is a system that turns off and on frequently. In this case, the air conditioner never runs long enough to remove moisture from the air. Talk to a licensed, experienced HVAC technician – not a builder – to ensure a new system that’s a perfect fit.

Upgrade Your Aging Unit

Aging systems, particularly those over 10 years old, don’t run as efficiently as they did when new. When maintenance has been neglected, wear can increase exponentially, leading to inconsistent temperatures, inadequate cooling, and poor humidity control. If your older system is struggling to handle your home comfort needs, and preventative maintenance and a coil cleaning does not fix the issue, it may be time to invest in a new system.

Don’t sweat humidity issues in your home. Contact H & H Heating & Air Conditioning to schedule a system consultation today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/6-reasons-why-your-ac-is-not-controlling-indoor-humidity-well/

AC Not Blowing Cold Air? Here's What May Be Wrong

What’s wrong with my air conditioner? If your air conditioner is not blowing cold air – or not blowing air at all – it may not mean the end of your ac unit. In fact, in many cases, this problem has a simple fix.

Why Isn’t My AC Blowing Cold Air?

• Reasons For AC Blowing Warm Air

  • Improper Thermostat Setting
    If your AC is alternating between blowing warm and cold air, check to see if your thermostat fan is set to “on.” In this setting, your system will blow air constantly – even if it is not cooling air. Simply switch your thermostat to the “auto” setting and the problem is solved.
  • Dirty Air Filter
    If your system is outfitted with a filthy home air filter, it can thwart proper circulation, forcing your system to work harder and impacting performance. If your air filter is very dirty, replace it and see if this addresses the problem.
  • Outside Unit Smothered by Vegetation or Debris
    Your unit needs breathing room to perform properly. Check for and clear weeds and detritus around your outdoor unit, ensuring ample circulation. If you notice your fan is not working, contact your local AC repairman for a professional assessment here.

• Reasons No Air Is Blowing From Supply Vents

  • Improper Temperature Setting
    If your system isn’t blowing air at all, make sure the temperature setting is at least 5 degrees cooler than the air in your home. Also, check and make sure other family members haven’t altered thermostat settings, turning the unit to “heat” or “off.”
  • Dirty Air Filter
    If your system has operated with a dirty air filter for a long time, or the filter is so dirty it has completely blocked air flow, it may have a frozen coil. In this case, after you change your air filter, you may have to turn your system off and wait a while – up to several hours – for the coil to thaw to verify proper operation.
  • Electrical Issues
    There are a number of ways electrical issues could impact air conditioner performance. A unit that has experienced a surge could trip a circuit breaker, cutting power to the unit. If this is not the problem, check the power switches at the outside unit and the air handler (inside unit). There are a number of scenarios in which they may have been turned off. If you are able to get your system back in operation, and this problem repeats itself, your air conditioner may be overheating. In this case, fast emergency repair service is highly recommended to prevent damage to the system.

Are you still puzzled as to why your AC is not blowing cold air? Get down to the source of the problem quickly, reduce snowballing repair costs, and safeguard your system’s lifespan. Contact H & H Heating & Air Conditioning for a system inspection today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/ac-not-blowing-cold-air-heres-what-may-be-wrong/

Is it Time to Replace Your Air Ducts? Signs You May Be Missing

Air ducts are a commonly overlooked component of residential AC systems. The hidden placement of these essential components, which shuttle conditioned air throughout your home to keep it comfortable, results in them being frequently forgotten when it comes to maintenance and repairs. How can you tell if your air ducts are ailing?

Signs It is Time to Replace Your Air Ducts 

• Age of ductwork
  AC ducts last about 10 years, on average. However, like other air conditioning components, they are also susceptible to wear and tear. Over time seals can deteriorate and joints can wear, affecting HVAC performance.
• Noisy operation
  Noisy ducts often indicate damage or obstruction and the need for repair or replacement.
• Poor airflow or uneven temperatures
  Damaged, dirty, or clogged ductwork can cause poor airflow, uneven temperatures, and an uncomfortable home. If you are experiencing hot and cold spots, schedule a ductwork inspection.
• AC struggles to maintain temperature
  If your air conditioning system is struggling to cool your home, and you’ve already tried changing your air filter to improve performance, it may be wise to have your ducts inspected and tested.
• High energy bills
  If your worn ducts are causing conditioned air to leak into uninsulated attic and crawlspaces, it will force your system to work harder to maintain temperature in your home, raising energy costs.
• Ductwork damage
  Dents and punctures can dramatically affect airflow and subsequently the effectiveness of your cooling system. If you can visibly see such damage, it’s a good idea to have the damage assessed by a heating and cooling pro. They will have the expertise to determine whether repair or complete replacement is the best way to handle the damage.
• Musty odors
  Any time your smell musty odors coming from your ductwork, this is a cause for concern and immediate attention. If your ductwork is moldy, every time your system runs it will distribute mold spores and musty odors, negatively impacting indoor air quality throughout your home. This could exacerbate asthma and allergies and potentially cause serious health issues. In this instance, though duct cleaning may help, complete duct replacement is a better solution.
• Improper design/poor installation
  Ductwork must be carefully designed and strategically placed to ensure optimal cooling performance throughout your home, as well as to preserve the lifespan of your HVAC unit. If the ductwork in your home was improperly designed or installed, replacement is a must. Even if your system is brand new, poorly constructed ductwork makes an efficient system and comfortable home difficult to achieve. This issue is a leading cost of energy loss in homes nationwide.

Don’t let your ductwork turn to dust. Keep things clean and sealed with the help of H & H Heating & Air Conditioning. Contact us to schedule a duct inspection today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/is-it-time-to-replace-your-air-ducts-signs-you-may-be-missing/