AC Unit Freezing up in Summer? Yes it happens.

It’s a common occurrence: Your AC system isn’t cooling your home, blowing warm air, or doing nothing at all. You scope out the situation, only to find your coils or refrigerant lines encased in ice. It’s pushing 100 degrees outside – how is it possible it’s frozen? An AC unit freezing up in the summer is a common issue. Fortunately, you can restore it to proper operation by getting to the heart of what caused the malfunction.

Why Does My AC Freeze Up In The Summer?

Airflow, system pressure, and temperature play major roles in the performance of your air conditioner. When issues occur that disrupt this balance, key components can freeze. Our air conditioning contractors see the following top culprits for this:

• Insufficient airflow

Clogged air filter

Dirty home air filters don’t allow sufficient airflow for your system to perform effectively. This is the most common reason for HVAC system repair – and it’s preventable. We recommend checking your air filter first. If it’s caked with dust and dirt, replace it – especially if it’s been more than 3 months since you last changed it. Turn your system off until it defrosts. Then your system should return to normal operation.

Fan or blower motor malfunction

Constant airflow is essential to prevent humidity from settling (and freezing) on coils. When electrical or mechanical issues lead to fan or blower malfunction, the lack of airflow can quickly lead to a frozen AC unit. To identify and address this situation, you’ll need the help of a pro.

Vent or ductwork blockages

Closing or blocking supply or return ducts with furniture or blockages in ducts can reduce airflow and cause a frozen unit. Clear all return ducts and close no more than 2-3 supply ducts, ensuring free flow of air.

• Low refrigerant pressure

Low refrigerant levels impact pressure in the system, causing coil temperatures to plummet and nearby water vapor to freeze, forming frost and eventually ice. Finding the leak and restoring refrigerant to proper levels is essential to permanently addressing this issue. As with fan/blower malfunction, professional assistance is necessary to manage refrigerant issues. Keep in mind, however, for some older systems wearing in dated components may make eliminating leaks difficult. Due to the cost of refrigerant, HVAC system replacement may be the most cost-effective solution.

• Clogged drain lines

Clogged drain lines cause water to back up, creating a high moisture environment that makes your evaporator coil more susceptible to freezing. A wet/dry vac can help you quickly dislodge algae and debris causing clogs. Once your system thaws, it should be back in action.

• Cool summer evenings

Less than optimal operating temperatures can lead to frozen components. When evenings are cooler than expected (near or below 60 degrees), there may not be enough heat to absorb during the cooling cycle.

Frozen AC system leaving you all hot and bothered? Get it repaired in a flash. Contact H & H Heating & Air Conditioning to schedule air conditioning repair and maintenance today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/blog/ac-unit-freezing-up-in-summer-yes-it-happens/

What Is An Air Scrubber And How Does It Work?

What is an Air Scrubber, and how does it work? An Air Scrubber can improve indoor air quality throughout your entire home. This whole-house air purification system is installed in the ductwork of your home HVAC systems. It features next-generation technology that can purify every cubic inch of air pumped through your home.

How Does The Air Scrubber Work?

The Air Scrubber by Aerus neutralizes contaminants instantly. It provides an ideal solution for sick building syndrome. Unlike traditional air filtration methods, which require particles to pass through a medium to eliminate pollutants, it operates proactively, removing contaminants from the air as well as those on surfaces throughout your home. Patented Active Pure technology, originally developed for use on the International Space Station, destroys 99% of airborne and surface pollutants, providing clean, fresh air with no need to open windows.

The Air Scrubber system uses light waves and a catalytic process, producing “scrubber” ions and hydroperoxides that neutralize contaminants. The power of microscopic oxygen and water molecules in the air transforms into powerful oxidizers that attack and destroy pollutants in the air and on surfaces throughout your home. This purification power reaches every crack and crevice, offering “no-touch” cleaning never seen before.

What Contaminants Can The Air Scrubber Remove?

Double-blind studies show the Air Scrubber can improve indoor air quality and reduce surface contamination, effectively removing:

• Airborne particulates, including:
  • Dust
  • Dander
  • Pollen
• Airborne microbials including:
  • DNA Viruses
    • Adenovirus
    • Smallpox
    • HPV
    • Herpes virus
    • Hepatitis B
    • Phi-Xq47 bacteriophage
    • And more
  • RNA Viruses
    • Influenza
    • Common cold
    • SARS-CoV-2
    • Hepatitis C and E
    • Ebola
    • Rabies
    • Polio
    • West Nile
    • MS2 baceriophage
    • And more
  • Gram Positive Bacteria
    • Listeria spp.
    • Streptococcus spp.
    • Microococcus spp.
    • Staph epidermidis
    • And more
  • Gram Negative Bacteria
    • E Coli
    • Pseudomonas
    • Salmonella
    • Haemophilus
    • Enterobacter
    • And more
  • Bacterial Spores
    • Bacillus subtilis
    • Clostridium difficile
    • Sporolactobacillus dextrus
  • Fungal Spores & Mold
    • Stachybotrys chartarum (Black Mold)
    • Aspergillus versicolor
    • Cladosporium herbarum
    • Aspergillus niger
    • Candida auris
• Surface contaminants
  • H1N1 (Swine Flu)
  • H5N8 (Bird Flu)
  • Norovirus
  • Hepatitis A
  • E Coli
  • Staph aureus (MRSA)
  • Streptococcus spp. (Strep)
  • Bacillus spp.
  • Pseudomonas spp.
  • Listeria
  • Candida albicans
  • Stachybotrys chartarum (black mold)
  • And more
• Gases and odors like VOCs from:
  • Cleaning solutions
  • Cooking fumes
  • Pet odors
  • And more

How Is The Air Scrubber Installed?

Our air conditioning contractors can quickly and easily install the Air Scrubber into your ductwork. It works alongside your HVAC system, helping you remove airborne and surface contaminants throughout your home. Like our other home comfort and indoor air quality products, it is backed by our industry-renowned 100% satisfaction guarantee.

Keep the air and surfaces in your home continuously clean 24 hours a day. Protect your home from top to bottom with an Air Scrubber. Contact H & H Heating & Air Conditioning to learn more about this cutting-edge in-duct home air purification system today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/blog/what-is-an-air-scrubber-and-how-does-it-work/

Get the Most Comfort from Your HVAC system with Some Simple Steps

Stifling summer temperatures are just around the corner. How can you stay comfortable without breaking your budget? Our heating and cooling technicians have a few cool tips for improving the performance of your air conditioning system so you can survive the summer heat in comfort.

Keep Your Air Filter Clean

A dirty air filter forces your system to work harder to cool your home. Regularly changing your home air filter every one to three months is one of the simplest, most inexpensive things you can do to keep your system running at peak efficiency. It also an easy way to improve indoor air quality.

Clear Weeds And Debris Around Your Outdoor Unit

Ample airflow surrounding your outdoor unit is essential to efficient operation. Be sure to keep this area clear of grass, weeds, and debris.

Don’t Block (Or Close) Vents

Keep furniture, blinds, curtains, clothes, and toys away from AC vents to maintain steady airflow through the system.

Adjust Your Thermostat For Summer Temperatures

Set your thermostat 5-8 degrees higher in the summer for optimal savings, especially during times when you’re away from home. Constantly forgetting? Smart learning thermostats do the work for you, automatically adjusting temperatures based on your schedule. Our customers are often surprised by how affordable and easy to use they are.

Keep Your Thermostat Out Of The Heat

Your thermostat should never be located next to heat-generating appliances like lamps and stoves, or in direct sunlight. This results in readings that are out of line with temperatures in the rest of your home, causing your system to work harder than necessary to maintain temperatures.

Insulate Ductwork

Ductwork left exposed in unconditioned spaces like your attic or basement drastically reduces the performance of your system. Talk to your home HVAC company about sealing ducts with the appropriate duct sealing tap to prevent AC leaks, then insulate ductwork for optimal performance.

Close Curtains And Blinds During The Hottest Part Of The Day

Keeping curtains and blinds closed prevents solar heat gain from warming your home and putting added stress on your air conditioner.

Plan Your Chores

Do your best to avoid operating your dryer and oven during the hottest parts of the day. Run heat-generating appliances in the early morning or late evening when the temperature is cooler to prevent putting excess stress on your system.

Keep Your Drain Line Clear

Flush a cup of bleach, followed by a gallon of water, through your drain lines annually to prevent blockages. If your system overflows, it could lead to a frozen coil and poor performance – or flood your home.

Schedule Annual Maintenance

Annual HVAC system maintenance ensures potential problems, like a dirty coil or low refrigerant, are uncovered before summer weather extremes occur, helping you avoid the need for emergency AC repair.

Avoid high energy bills and keep your system running smoothly all summer long. Contact H & H Heating and Air Conditioning to schedule preventative AC maintenance today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/blog/get-the-most-comfort-from-your-hvac-system-with-some-simple-steps/

Here's How to Find your Optimal Sleep Temperature

Are you experiencing trouble sleeping or waking up feeling exhausted? It may be the temperature in your home. The temperature in your room affects more than comfort, impacting the quality of REM sleep. Trouble falling asleep, night sweats, frequent waking, and poor-quality sleep may be the result of your current thermostat setting. With a simple temperature adjustment, you could be sleeping like a baby. When it comes to thermostat settings, how do you find the magic number for a quality night’s sleep?

Tips For Determining Your Ideal Sleep Temperature

According to experts, the optimal temperature range for sleep falls between 60-72 degrees. Why such a wide range? As you probably know from refereeing the frequent thermostat adjustments of warring family members, everyone’s ideal home climate is different. Air conditioning companies recommend starting in the range of 65-70 degrees and adjusting from there.

• Signs the temperature is too hot

If your room feels stuffy, making you uncomfortable and restless so that you struggle to fall asleep, or if you wake up sweating, a cooler setting may be in order.

• Signs the temperature is too cold

Though a comfortably cool room is better than a slightly warm one for achieving a good night’s sleep, shivering or waking up with freezing feet indicates a temperature setting that is too cold.

Easiest Ways To Adjust AC Temperature When You Sleep

Rather than getting up and down constantly and fiddling with thermostat settings, the best HVAC repair companies recommend considering one of these smart home additions:

• Smart programmable thermostat

Smart home thermostats automatically adjust your central HVAC system to your preferred temperature settings each evening, so you never have to get out of bed to adjust settings. They provide significant energy savings while improving home comfort, conserving energy throughout the day when you are away from your home. Learn more about this surprisingly affordable technology, finding the best smart thermostat solution for your home.

• Smart AC controller

Smart AC controllers work with existing home automation technologies and air conditioning system styles that operate via a remote, such as Mitsubishi ductless mini-split systems. They simulate remote control signals, allowing you to adjust the settings on your air conditioner conveniently from an app on your mobile device or smartphone.

Family Thermostat Wars? Consider A Zoned AC System

If quarrels over preferred thermostat settings are keeping you up at night, consider zoning for better temperature control. With a zoned system, you can set different temperatures for each specific area of your home. Zoned setups not only improve comfort, they also offer significant energy savings, allowing you to adjust the temperature in unoccupied spaces to reduce the load on your air conditioner without sacrificing comfort.

Curl up for a more restful night’s sleep with help from H & H Heating & Air Conditioning. Contact us to learn more about ways to ensure a more comfortable, healthy home today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/blog/heres-how-to-find-your-optimal-sleep-temperature/