Air Scrubber vs UV Light Purifier

Air Scrubbers and UV Lights both purify the air inside our homes. So what’s the difference? Our HVAC contractors address this question a lot. Though both options improve indoor air quality, they are not identical in the way they work or the results they achieve. Understanding the differences between the two will help you choose the right equipment to address your needs.

UV Lights

When included as part of your HVAC system installation or added to your existing system, UV light purifiers effectively remove harmful household contaminants like  mold spores, bacteria and viruses, smoke, and odors from the air entering your spaces through the ductwork. These purifiers use the UV-C light to harm the microorganisms present in air and their cells by destroying nucleic acids and disrupting their DNA, which either kills them or leaves them incapacitated. With an air purifier with UV-light technology, air is pulled into the appliance and passes through a fine filter, such as a HEPA filter. The air then passes through a small internal chamber where it is exposed to UV light. After prolonged exposure to UV light, these cells are unable to perform their vital functions thus rendering them harmless to humans. In the entire process, the UV-C light is not released into the room, so you won’t see it nor will you be exposed to it.

Air Scrubber

Air scrubbers are installed in your ductwork, working with your HVAC system to clean the air throughout your home. Aerus air scrubbers dispatch invisible, supercharged submicroscopic particles at tremendous speed into your indoor spaces. These particles collide with viruses, bacteria, and other contaminants, neutralizing them and turning them into harmless byproducts. It has been proven by independent FDA compliant lab tests to reduce up to 99.99% of airborne pathogens and contaminants after 60 minutes of treatment. This includes a broad spectrum of clinically significant viruses, bacteria, and fungi, such as:

SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19)

Avian influenza

Swine flu

E. coli

MRSA

Hepatitis

Legionella

Norovirus

Staph

Candida

Mold

And more.

Our knowledgeable heat repair companies know what truly sets this air scrubbing technology apart, however, is its ability to eliminate 99.9% of surface contaminants as well. Because air scrubbers can continuously clean and protect surfaces and air 24 hours a day, like invisible personal protective equipment (PPE) for you and your family, they are a favorite for remodelers and mold remediation companies, as well as in commercial/industrial settings.

Which Is Better – A UV Purifier Or An Air Scrubber?

Both UV air purifiers and air scrubbers do an excellent job of improving indoor air quality. However, air scrubbers are capable of removing more contaminants from the air and surfaces faster. Air scrubbers are affordable, easy to install, and require little maintenance (catalyst cell needs replacement every two years) They come in portable and whole house built-in units suitable for any space. This makes an air scrubber the optimal choice for those happy to invest a little more in making sure the air within their home is as clean as possible.

Ensure a safe, healthy home with help from the experienced heating and air contractors at H & H Heating & Air Conditioning. Contact us to schedule an indoor air quality test and discuss ways to improve the air quality in your home today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/blog/air-scrubber-vs-uv-light-purifier/

Are Your Heating Problems Caused by Your Thermostat?

When your heating system is not behaving the way it should, it is easy to assume the worst. Yet oftentimes, the solution to your HVAC system woes is right in front of your face. Our emergency HVAC repair technicians respond to many calls in the winter. And many of them are due to the thermostat. Some of the problems are what we jokingly refer to as “operator error,” while others are from thermostats that have just reached the end of their useful life. Is your thermostat causing your heating problems? These scenarios could point to thermostat troubles.

Insufficient Heating Or No Heat

If your system is not running or it is not warming your home as well as usual, the first thing to check is your thermostat settings. The on/off switch may have been bumped, or your children or significant other may have adjusted the settings on your home heating installation unit.

Heater Frequently Cycles On And Off

While frequently turning on and off – dubbed “short cycling” – is common in extremely cold weather as your system works to maintain temperature, a faulty thermostat could cause your HVAC unit to cycle on and off repeatedly. In this case, damaged wiring resulting in a poor connection may be the culprit.

High Energy Bills

If you’ve noticed your energy bills are higher than usual, your thermostat could be to blame. A thermostat that is not correctly reading the temperature could cause your home heating unit to overwork. The more it cycles on and off, the more energy your heater consumes. To head off high electric bills, schedule a seasonal maintenance check, including a thermostat evaluation from your local HVAC technician to identify issues before seasonal temperature extremes take a toll on your finances.

Blower/Fan Runs Constantly 

A fan setting in the “ON” position will cause your blower/fan to run constantly. If the blower/fan on your heating and cooling system will not turn off, check your thermostat settings and make sure the fan setting is set to “AUTO” so your fan will only run when your system is heating your home.

Constant Operating Problems

If your furnace is over or underheating your home despite thermostat settings, you could have a mismatched thermostat and furnace. These two devices must be properly paired. Having your local heating repair contractor verify your furnace is compatible with your millivolt, low voltage, or line voltage thermostat is an easy way to correct frustrating operational issues.

Thermostat issues can be frustrating to diagnose. Fortunately, we’ve got the tech support you need to quickly get to the heart of thermostat issues. Contact the HVAC repair services experts at H & H Heating & Air Conditioning and schedule a system evaluation today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/blog/are-your-heating-problems-caused-by-your-thermostat/

Top 7 HVAC Myths – Busted!

Have you fallen for these common HVAC myths? Don’t suffer the consequences of these common misconceptions. Get the facts from knowledgeable HVAC contractors.

Myth #1: Using A Heating & Air Conditioning System Is Always Expensive

While you can’t run a system for free, that doesn’t mean maintaining comfort in your home with a heating and cooling unit can’t be done affordably. HVAC system installation of a new, high-efficiency Energy Star-rated system can offer substantial savings over units 8-10 years old. Take advantage of the latest ductless heating and cooling technology, which offers higher SEER and eliminates energy loss via leaky ductwork, and savings can be even more substantial.

Not ready for an upgrade? A smart programmable thermostat can also help you keep costs under control.

Myth #2: You Should Only Run Your System When You Need It

Systems utilizing variable speed technology run more efficiently at lower, steady speeds rather than being cranked on/off for immediate temperature control. Worried about the costs of running your system when you don’t need it? A smart thermostat can help you avoid heating and cooling your home when you’re away.

Myth 3: Heating And Cooling Systems Recycle Dirty Air

Modern HVAC systems actually help clean the air of pollen, dust, dander, smoke, and more – especially those with high-quality home air filters. Heat repair companies recommend filters with higher MERV ratings for trapping smaller particles. Looking for even better air quality? Consider incorporating a whole-house air purifier or air scrubber to boost your air cleaning capacity.

Myth 4: You Only Need To Change Your Air Filter Once A Year

Air filters should be replaced every three months, at a minimum. Your home air filter keeps the air in your home clean. Dirt buildup also restricts airflow through the system, decreasing performance and causing your system to work harder.

Myth #5: All HVAC Systems Are Noisy

If your older unit is loud and distracting or you are sensitive to noise, researching before investing in a new model could save your sanity. Shop carefully for models with the lowest decibel ratings, which include sound-reducing features like variable speed operation, a compressor sound blanket, more aerodynamic fan blades, and vibration-reducing hardware.

Myth 6: An Investment In A New HVAC System Won’t Last Long

A heating and cooling system can provide lasting comfort, operating for 10-15 years when properly sized, professionally installed, and regularly serviced. If your system is making odd noises or operating it is draining your bank account, calling for emergency air conditioning service is essential to ensuring it reaches this ripe, old age.

Myth 7: When Choosing An HVAC System, Bigger Is Better

Oversized units cycle on/off more frequently, doing a poor job controlling humidity and putting excess stress on costly system components.

Reliable, affordable heat and air is not a myth. Ensure you get the most out of your HVAC investment. Contact the heating and air contractors at H & H Heating & Air Conditioning for help servicing or upgrading your system today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/blog/top-7-hvac-myths-busted/

The High Cost of Improper Furnace Installation

Trying to save money on new furnace installation? Choosing the cheapest HVAC installer could cost you dearly. Correct installation is as crucial to the performance of a heater as the quality of the unit you choose. Proper HVAC system installation is essential to ensure monthly energy savings and a lasting investment.

Wrong Sized Furnace That Fails To Meet Your Needs

HVAC contractors must accurately calculate the Manual J load or heating capacity of a furnace based on factors like square footage and the leakiness of a home’s building envelope. Without this essential information, you could end up with an over or under-sized HVAC system, causing:

• Reduced performance and efficiency

Trustworthy heat repair companies often know there’s something wrong when they get complaints of high energy bills, especially with new, high-efficiency systems. Sizing issues are common with systems that frequently cycle or run longer than they should. The right size system keeps temperatures even and constant.

• Uncomfortable home temperatures

If your unit’s output capacity doesn’t match the size of your ducts, you could suffer air distribution issues that cause uneven indoor temperatures and hot and cold spots. Furnaces also need to be fine-tuned following installation, from the blower fan to ductwork distribution and exhaust pressure, to run well. This process is called commissioning, and if it’s overlooked, you’ll never achieve the maximum performance and energy savings your system is capable of achieving.

• Premature furnace failure

A properly installed furnace should last 15-20 years – or more. However, excessive wear-and-tear caused by a poorly sized system that cannot meet your home’s demand could rob you of your investment, leading to premature failure.

Serious HVAC Safety Issues From Poor Furnace Installation

Performance issues aren’t the only problems you’ll suffer from because of an improperly sized system. Serious safety issues can occur with a furnace that is not the right size, such as:

• Gas leaks

Issues with overly long or improperly angled vent pipes and gaps between joints could prevent furnace gases from exhausting outside and lead to carbon monoxide buildup in your home. This colorless, odorless gas can seriously impact your health and even cause death. If you have even minor concerns about gas leaks, don’t wait – call for emergency air conditioning service ASAP.

• Electrical problems

Bad wiring jobs by inexperienced contactors can cause a host of problems, draining excess power, inflating energy bills, tripping circuit breakers and preventing proper operation, and increasing the risk of a home fire.

• Poor indoor air quality

The performance of your furnace heavily influences the air quality in your home. Systems with poor drainage designs can lead to water accumulation and structural damage, including mold and mildew growth that could negatively impact indoor air quality.

Ensure proper furnace installation from licensed, NATE-certified heating and air contractors. Don’t fall victim to unscrupulous or inexperienced installers. Contact H & H Heating & Air Conditioning to get a quote on a professional furnace installation today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/blog/the-high-cost-of-improper-furnace-installation/