HRV-ERV Systems Offer a Breath of Fresh Air

Improve indoor air quality in your home, filtering in fresh air without sacrificing comfort and inflating your energy bills with HRV-ERV technology. Heat recovery/energy recovery ventilation systems are increasing in popularity due to COVID and concerns to improve indoor air quality. Should you add one to your home?

How HRV-ERV Ventilation Systems Work

Using an HRV-ERV system is like opening a window without affecting the temperature in your home. HRV-ERV systems like Bryant ventilators bring fresh, filtered outdoor air into your home, recovering energy to influence the temperature of inbound air. In the winter, heat is delivered into your home. In the summer, it is shuttled out, controlling the impact on the temperature inside your home.

Heat (HRV) and energy recovery ventilator (ERV) technology are pretty similar. These systems rely on balanced ventilation: One fan blows in fresh outdoor air while another simultaneously blows out the polluted indoor air. Most units offer programmable controls, adjustable fan speeds, and filters to further improve comfort and air quality in your home.

It takes a skilled HVAC technician with advanced technical knowledge to install HRV-ERV technology so that it recovers as much energy as possible from exhaust air without inflating your monthly utility bill. When these systems are added, they are typically designed to share existing ductwork with your central heat to save on installation costs.

Benefits Of Heat And Energy Recovery Ventilators

HRV-ERV systems offer a host of advantages, delivering:

• Fresh air

Improve the indoor air quality in your home when it’s hot or cold outside without worrying about stressing your heat and air system.

• Energy savings

HRV-ERV systems allow you to recover about 80% of the energy typically lost to fresh air circulation, improving air quality while conserving energy.

• Comfort

By transferring heat to maintain the temperature inside your home, HRV-ERV systems keep your home comfortable, even in extreme summer and winter weather.

Do I Need HRV Or ERV Tech?

The biggest difference between heat recovery and energy recovery ventilators is the method of heat exchange. HRV systems only transfer heat. ERV systems, on the other hand, also transfer a certain amount of water vapor, moving moisture from the air to the location where it’s lacking. In the winter, moisture is transferred into your home, keeping winter humidity levels more constant. In the summer, the reverse is possible when you run ERV systems in tandem with your home AC.

Not Sure What System Is Best For Your Needs?

A knowledgeable H & H Heating & Air Conditioning heating and cooling technician can help. Take advantage of the latest HRV-ERV technology, keeping the air in your home clean and healthy. Contact us to schedule a consultation and quote on a new HRV-ERV system today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/blog/hrv-erv-systems-offer-a-breath-of-fresh-air/

Do you Keep your AC On or Off for Summer Vacation ?

Now that the weather is warm and COVID restrictions have finally eased, you’re venturing out for a well-earned summer vacation. As you prepare your home for absence, how should you manage your air conditioner settings? Should you keep your AC on or off while you’re away?

Tips For Managing AC Settings While You’re Out Of Town

There are several factors to consider when deciding whether to leave your air conditioner on or off while you’re away.

• Energy savings

If controlling your energy costs is your primary concern, turning your AC system off is the way to go, especially if you’ll be gone for more than a week.

• Vacation length

However, if you’re only going away for the weekend, leaving the air conditioner on at a higher temperature setting may be best.

• Weather

If temperatures will remain mild, it’s okay to turn the AC off. However, if scorching temperatures are forecasted, HVAC companies recommend keeping the AC on at a setting of 80 or lower to prevent excess heat and humidity from taking a toll on your home’s structure, cooling appliances, and contents.

There are many factors to consider that make turning the thermostat setting to a higher temperature while you’re away, a better option, which we’ll discuss below.

Avoid Putting Excess Strain On Your System By Leaving The AC On

When you’re on vacation, your local heating and cooling companies recommend that leaving your thermostat set at your normal comfortable temperature is wasteful and unnecessary. You can save energy, manage excess humidity, and return your house more easily to a more comfortable temperature when you return with a simple thermostat adjustment, setting the temperature 7-10 degrees higher when you’re away.

Avoid Stressing Yourself By Upgrading To A Programmable Thermostat

Programmable thermostats are an easy way to manage temperature settings when you’re home or away. They allow you to set your system to the desired temperature at varying times, such as when you’re home or away at work. Smart Wi-Fi enabled thermostat models allow you to do this from anywhere via a compatible mobile device. But the biggest reason why HVAC pros recommend these nifty little devices is for energy savings. Using a smart programmable thermostat offers 15-30% savings off your annual cooling costs, delivering a rapid return on investment.

Additional Tips For Managing Your AC While On Vacation

• Close the curtains before you leave to keep your home cooler and reduce strain on your system.

• If you’re leaving for a week or more, turning your system off saves energy. To ensure comfort, set your programmable thermostat to cool your home the day before you return.

• For the health and safety of your pets, never turn your system off if your animals will be staying home while you are away.

Is your AC system ready to manage your home alone while you’re away? Schedule a preventative air conditioner maintenance check from the local air conditioning contractors at H & H Heating & Air Conditioning today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/blog/do-you-keep-your-ac-on-or-off-for-summer-vacation/

Is your AC Leaking Water?

Your air conditioner has become an essential summer appliance, particularly with the ever-increasing frequency of severe heat waves nationwide. When the weather makes you sweat, your AC can too. Some of the moisture produced by your system is not a cause for concern, like the condensation draining from your outdoor unit during normal operation. However, larger amounts of water can indicate a problem. This is one of the most common service calls our air conditioner repair contractors see, and it can have many causes.

Common Reasons Why Air Conditioners Leak Water & How To Fix 

1. Dirty air filter

The filter in your air conditioner keeps the system and the air in your home clean, removing dirt and particulates from the air. Dirt from neglected filters can block airflow over evaporator coils, causing them to freeze, drip excess water, and overfill the drain pan.  Clean or change the filter regularly, at least every 3 months – more often if you have children or pets – to prevent leaks and ensure optimal performance.

2. Clogged drain line

Mold, algae, dirt, or debris blocking your drain lines can cause AC leaks. Routine cleaning is an easy way to prevent this problem. However, if the damage is already done, you can remove the clog yourself with the help of a wet/dry vac or your friendly local HVAC repair technician.

3. Improper installation

If your HVAC system is newly installed and you’re experiencing significant leaking, you’re likely the victim of faulty ac installation. Drainage pipes that are not properly sized for the system or angled improperly can cause water to backflow or get stuck. If an installation problem is what’s caused your system to leak water, reinstallation by a trained professional is the only solution.

4. Low refrigerant

Low refrigerant levels can cause your evaporator coil to freeze, leading to an overflow of water in the drainage pan. A system that is not blowing cold air or hissing and bubbling sounds indicate a leak or low refrigerant. Contact a pro to identify and address the leak ASAP. If you wait too long, the operational stress put on your system could lead to the need for a new unit.

5. Drain pan damage

If your system is over 10 years old, the drain pan that collects condensation from the system can become damaged or rusted, resulting in leaks. Replacing the drain pain as soon as possible is best, but HVAC replacement is better. Not only will you fix your leak, but you’ll enjoy significantly lower energy bills, a more comfortable home, and the peace of mind that comes with a warranty that covers most major repairs.

Is your AC leaking water? Clean up the mess with help from the best AC company in Philadelphia. Contact H & H Heating & Air Conditioning for service today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/blog/is-your-ac-leaking-water/

6 Toxic HVAC Smells and Their Impact On Health

What’s that terrible smell? Oh no! It’s my HVAC system. When your AC system stinks, it’s never a good sign. Smells permeating your home from your air conditioner are usually a sign of a serious underlying problem. And some of them are toxic. Is an air conditioner replacement in order? How worried should you be? Let’s take a closer look at 6 toxic HVAC smells and their impact on your health.

1. Burning Smell

A burning, electrical odor or gunpowder-like smell could indicate electrical issues, fried circuit board, compressor, or fan motor problem. Prolonged exposure to these fumes is not healthy. And letting your system continue to run after you notice it could lead to some costly repairs. If you notice an electrical odor, turn off your unit and schedule emergency AC repair right away.

2. Vehicle Exhaust-Like Odor

Your system can emit a vehicle exhaust like odor even if it doesn’t run on gas. Breathing in particulates from burning oil and other fluids from essential system components can be hazardous to your health, reducing your blood oxygen levels and leading to an array of health issues.

3. Skunky Stink Or Dead Animal Smell 

A skunk-like smell permeating your home could actually be from a skunk infiltrating your ductwork. Ditto for decaying animals. These situations can aggravate respiratory conditions and cause nausea. Not sure if the smell is skunky? It could be a gas leak, which is more dangerous and even worse for your health. (See below.)

4. Rotten Eggs/Sulfur-Like Stench 

If your HVAC system smells like rotten eggs or sulfur, a natural gas leak is likely the cause. This odor is added to gas to alert people of dangerous leaks. Open the windows of your home and vacate immediately. Never stay in a home with a potential gas leak. Breathing in high levels of gas fumes can reduce blood oxygen levels, leading to loss of consciousness and death. Gas is also highly flammable and explosive. Go to a neighbor’s house and contact the gas company ASAP.

5. Musty Or Moldy Smell

If you smell a musty, moldy odor when your system is running, a drainage problem or a mold buildup within ductwork or other system components may be to blame. While this issue is not detrimental to your system, it is for your health, making it essential to improve indoor air quality fast. Breathing in mold and mildew aggravates respiratory conditions and can increase the risk of respiratory infections.

6. Chemical, Paint-Like Odor

There are a number of fluids used within your air conditioning system that can cause chemical odors. If an unknown, paint-like odor is emanating from your system, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Call your local AC company for rapid assessment and repair.

Don’t suffer through the stench. Breathe easier with help from H & H Heating & Air Conditioning. If you’re afraid you might be experiencing any of the toxic AC smells above, contact our experienced heating and air contractors for emergency service today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/blog/6-toxic-hvac-smells-and-their-impact-on-health/