5 Things you need to know about Geo-Thermal Heating

Many homeowners heat their houses with traditional methods such as natural gas or electricity. An intriguing alternative, however, has begun to make inroads into the market. Called geothermal heating, this option makes use of the abundant supply of heat beneath the Earth’s surface. Here are 5 things you should know about this attractive fuel source for home heating installation.

1. How It Works 

Geothermal heating relies on a series of pipes, known as a loop system, that are placed under the soil. The pipes circulate water that is heated by the constant temperature of the Earth under the ground. This temperature beneath the soil is generally about 50 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit to a depth of 20 feet. The loop system is connected to a geothermal heat pump that is above ground. The heat pump uses the heated water to warm the air in your home.

2. Efficiency 

One of the main advantages of geothermal heat pumps and geothermal heating is that they are much more efficient than the alternatives in most cases. Most Geothermal systems have a high Coefficient or Performance (COP) ranging from 3.0 to 5.0.Here is a comparison between geothermal heating and some of its alternatives

• Geothermal is about 48 percent more efficient than natural gas
• It’s 75 percent less wasteful than oil heating
• More efficient than electric heating as well

3. Cost 

Because geothermal heating is so efficient, it uses less energy to heat your home than almost any other fuel source. For each unit of electricity used, geothermal pumps can produce up to 5 units of heating or cooling in your house. This leads to lower monthly utility bills and significant energy and cost savings over time.

4. Loops 

You have several alternatives when it comes to choosing the type of loop system you want to install on your property. If you have a large lot, then a horizontal system is relatively easy to install and makes a good choice. If you have a smaller lot, or space is at a premium, then you can use a vertical loop system where the underground pipes are buried straight up and down. Installing a vertical system is a little more complicated and might require the use of well-drilling equipment.

Another possibility, if you have a lake or pond on your property, is to place the loop system in the pond or lake. This is a good choice as it does not involve extensive excavation.

5. Environment 

Yet another critical point to remember about geothermal heat pumps and loop systems is that they are environmentally friendly. Geothermal heating, unlike some other fuel sources, does not burn any fossil fuels or create any greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide. They also do not produce any carbon monoxide, an extremely dangerous gas.

Using geothermal heat pumps to heat your home clearly has a number of important benefits that make geothermal heat a compelling fuel source. This type of system could be the perfect way to save money on your energy bills and also help the environment. But the installation of Geo thermal Heating should only be handled by an HVAC company that has enormous experience in working safely and efficiently with these systems. If you would like to learn more about geothermal heating, contact the experts at H&H Heating and Air Conditioning.

Air Purification with UV Lights - How it works and Products that work

Homeowners invest a lot of time and effort into curating and cleaning the contents in and around their homes but how do we clean what we can’t see? The air around your home can often be polluted by the silent enemy. Air pollutants are incredibly common and can be classified into three categories. Allergens and particulates such as dirt, dust and pollen are the first of these offenders and can result in a runny nose, asthma flares, throat irritation and more. The second category is infectious agents such as germs, bacteria and viruses that can cause throat and ear infections amongst other sicknesses. Lastly, toxic compounds such as toxic gasses and odours can also diminish your air quality and result in headaches, lethargy and other such ailments. The above pollutants go a long way in contributing to poor HVAC efficiency and leave you with unhealthy indoor air quality.  

What are UV Light Air Purifiers?

Luckily for us, uv light air purification system are a great way of dealing with this issue. Such technology is effective in eliminating bacteria and other organisms from your home, making sure the air that you breathe is healthier for you and your loved ones. With dozens of air purification products lining up in the market, choosing the right one can be difficult. At H&H, we stock reputable and effective products to ensure our customers’ breathe high quality air. One product that will definitely get you the results you want is the OxyQuantum LED Air Purification Unit. This type of air purifier effectively rids your home of bacteria, germs and mould. Add to that, it’s easy to install and offers a range of extras such as an odour control device. 

So why should you get a UV Light Air Purifier?

• Aside from efficiently reducing the germs, bacteria and toxic gases that occupy your home, this technology also thoroughly rids your home of odours, airborne toxic compounds and infectious agents.
• While some home appliances can disturb the peace and quiet of your household, the OxyQuantum LED is completely silent, making it the perfect fit for your home.
• Knowing the appliances we use are safe and reliable is extremely important. The OxyQuantum LED comes certified by the International Indoor Air Quality Association.
• It comes with a lifetime manufacturer’s warranty on the power supply to give you added peace of mind.
• OxyQuantum LED comes certified by the International Indoor Air Quality Association.
• The twin UVC lamp is extended approximately 16 inches into your home’s ductwork, maximising its impact.
• Replacing or repairing your HVAC unit can be a costly and time consuming affair. Air purification ensures that your heating and air conditioning unit is working efficiently thereby adding years to its life.

So if you and your family are suffering from poor indoor air quality and would like to do something about it, contact H&H Heating and Air Conditioning. At H&H, we stock a wide range of products to help you overcome your HVAC issues.

Gas Hot Water Heater Troubleshooting Tips

A gas water heater provides plenty of hot water for your entire family’s daily needs, so you probably give it little thought—until it breaks down. Knowing a few troubleshooting tips may help save you money and aggravation, since a few problems are easily remedied with minimal skills. Gas water heater installation require safety precautions, though, so always turn to a professional for anything you do not feel comfortable tackling. 

Safety First

Natural gas or LP Gas is dangerous in the hands of amateurs. If you have any hesitation about working on gas hot water heaters, contact a professional HVAC contractor immediately. If, of course, you smell the tracer chemical in gas (the rotten egg smell), turn the gas valve to OFF and immediately evacuate or air out your house. Contact your natural gas utility. 

Before investigating your gas water heater, turn the gas pilot control valve to the setting marked pilot. This prevents the burner from igniting gas while you are poking around. 

Pilot Light

Gas hot water heaters often use a pilot light, which can easily go out. This is the first item to check when you have no hot water. Modern water heaters provide safety features, such as a thermocouple, to prevent gas flowing when the pilot light is out. You access the pilot light by removing the metal cover at the bottom of most gas hot water heaters. 

• If the pilot light is out, you should see instructions on the side of the heater to relight it safely. 
• A pilot light may mean a defective thermocouple, which is beyond most homeowners’ abilities to replace. 

No Pilot Light? No Worries!

More modern hot water heaters may forego the pilot light altogether, and provide you with a spark ignitor or glow plug. Here again, if you are uncomfortable following your owner’s manual for repairs, contact a reliable HVAC contractor such as H&H Heating & Air Conditioning. 

Thermostat

Check the heater’s thermostat—120 degrees is an energy-efficient minimum—and confirm the desired setting. To test, turn on a hot water tap in the house and let it run, checking to see if the water heater’s burner ignites in response to the call for more hot water. Adjust the thermostat up and down to see if a different setting triggers the ignition. 

No Ignition?

If after checking the pilot light and thermostat, you still have no ignition, the thermostat could be defective. This is beyond your late-night tinkering abilities; call a professional serving your area. 

Not Enough Hot Water

Hot water heaters do not last forever, and changes to your family can increase demand for more water.

• A common problem is a small water heater ideal for two, but as your family expands, the water heater becomes too small. 
• Another cause of inadequately heated hot water is a weak burner flame. The gas should be burning beautiful blue with just a feathering of yellow at the tip.  

While some issues with  gas boiler installation, replacement & service or hot water heaters are within most homeowners’ skill set, knowing when to call a professional could be the best skill of all. Contact H&H Heating & Air Conditioning today for hot water heater inspection and repair in Malvern, Chaddsford and surrounding areas. 

Improve your Indoor Air Quality – Options available Today

With the winter now in full swing, we are now mostly confined to our homes with air-tight doors and windows and breathe in air that is circulated through our home’s HVAC system. Making sure that this air is clean and pure is essential as bad indoor air quality can dull your home’s atmosphere and is provocative for allergies and other health matters. Luckily, home air filters are a great approach for fixing this matter in no time. So if you find that your family is suffering from too many colds and allergies, or if your indoor air feels stuffy, you might need to take steps to clean out your home’s atmosphere. Here are the top options available to you.

Fantastic Filter:

The Fantastic Filter is a type of air purification focused on gradient layered technology that successfully removes a large part of air borne particles down to 1.8 microns. Made of Polyolefin, this filter is effective as it does not absorb moisture, allowing it to minimise the growth of pollutants such as bacteria, mould, mildew and fungi. This filter is also one of the only options available that successfully captures and eliminated cat dander, making it ideal for asthma and allergy sufferers. For many home owners, investing in HVAC regular maintenance can seem like a costly endeavour but with the Fantastic Filter, you can rest assured that you are dealing with one of the most affordable options on the market. If you choose this option, be sure to change the filters every three months.

Microguard Filter:

Looking for an electronic air cleaner that is cost effective and also easy to maintain? The Micro Power Guard Filter is just that. This form of air purification comes in standard sizes as well as handy custom sizes that perfectly fit in with the needs of your home. Additionally, the Micro Power Guard Filter filter allows you great power over large and submicronic particles and allergens that may be lingering around your home while still allowing unlimited air flow throughout your home.

PureSept Bypass HEPA Filter:

With its thermally insulated cabinet, the PureSept Bypass HEPA Filter is quiet and effective both. With an easy to maintain design and great access through the front door, this is one option that will perfectly fit into your home’s environment. Not to mention, this is yet another great way to curb allergies and asthma for your family due to its 99.7% efficiency at filtering polluting particles down to 0.3 microns per pass. If replacing filters every few months doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, the HEPA filter only needs to be changed every two years and the fan comes with a 7 year warranty as per the manufacturer.

Why install an air filter in your home?

Installing an air filter in your home can offer a host of benefits such as:

• Longevity of comfort system- Air filtration is a great way of improving the air flow of your heating and air conditioning unit. This results in decreased amounts of dust and pollutants clogging your unit, increasing its efficiency and consequently its longevity.
• Savings: A more efficient system is likely to use up lesser electricity to operate, making air filters great for savings.
• Improved health: With most of us spending almost 90% of our time indoors, air quality has a direct impact on our health and wellbeing. The cleaner air you breathe, the fewer allergies and illness you are likely to have.

At H&H Heating and Air Conditioning, we pride ourselves in providing customers with quality products. If you find yourself in need of air filters, we provide a great range from reputable brands such as Nature’s Home.

The Truth about what your HVAC Technicians might be Telling you!

There are a lot of myths and misinformation about HVAC systems, how they work, and how they should be maintained. Listening to what an HVAC technician tells you and separating fact from fiction can help you make an informed decision about choosing a heating and air conditioning company that’s right for you.

Your system is old and needs to be replaced

Properly maintained modern heating and air conditioning systems last an average of 15-20 years. If your contractor tells you that your system must be replaced because it is 10 years old—get another opinion.

The bigger the better

If your heating and air conditioning company is telling you to purchase the biggest unit because they work best, run the other way.  Be sure they use the Manual J (heat load calculation) to determine what kind of unit your home will need to stay cool and dry in the summer and warm in the winter. This load calculation is used to accurately determine the size and power of the unit.  It considers such factors as the size of the home, insulation, the location of windows and doors, air leakage, and the orientation of the house in relation to the sun. 

Multiple parts need to be replaced

If your HVAC technician says that a lot of parts need to be replaced, get a very detailed explanation of what happened to cause the failure of each part. Most HVAC systems have safeguards in place to prevent the system from continuing to run when one part goes bad.

Your unit is leaking carbon monoxide

Some companies use this as a tactic to scare clients into unnecessary replacement or repair. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas.  There is no way to tell if it is leaking by sight or smell.  Measuring flue gasses with a combustion analyzer is the only way to test for a CO leak. If a repair is recommended, make sure it is be based on data, not just what the technician “thinks” might be happening.

Maintenance plans are worth the money.

HVAC units need to be maintained regularly.  A qualified technician can proactively inform you of potential problems before they occur.  Annual or semi-annual checks and maintenance improve system performance and extend the life of your system.

Price is the most important factor when making a purchase.

Not necessarily. A properly designed HVAC system that has had all of the available rebates and incentives applied will provide you not only the “best deal”, but will perform reliably for the life of the system. A home’s energy bill can be as much as 50% heating and AC usage depending the time of the year, the type of unit, and the square footage of the home. An efficient top-quality system will help save on energy usage and be more cost-effective in the long run.

Before choosing a heating and air conditioning company, do your research.  Asking family and friends for recommendations is always a good way to find reliable, affordable services.  The helpful and knowledgeable staff at H&H Heating and Air Conditioning can answer any questions you may have about which system is right for your home.

Heating Repair services in PA - Serving Homeowners for last 30 years!

No matter how diligently you maintain your home’s heating and air conditioning system, problems are bound to crop at one point or another. In such cases, having a reliable and trustworthy HVAC repair services company can be a huge blessing. A repair services contractor can get to the root of the issue before it gets out of hand and can provide you with the peace of mind that you need.  

Common issues

While many homeowners find DIY solutions for minor issues that may concern your heating unit, there are some problem that require professional help. If you are suffering from any of these symptoms, calling your HVAC services contractor is the best way to go.

•   Leaking refrigerant: A common issue that may trouble your heating and air conditioning system is a refrigerant leak. Although this may seem like a minor issue, calling in a technician is the best solution as doing it yourself may aggravate the problem further, causing more damage than good.

• Bad odors: Heating and air conditioning systems are a useful appliance as they offer comfort and relaxation to our households. However, when your air conditioning unit starts releasing bad odors, you know you have a problem at hand. A possible reason behind this could be a block in the system’s drainage causing a build-up of dirt and debris.

•   Noise: No one wants a noisy heating system to disturb the peace and quiet of your home. If you have a loud heating unit at hand, get your technician to have a look. The issue could be the result of a damaged fan blade or motor.

• HVAC unit is not operating: If your unit is failing to turn on, you may need to check for electrical problems. Take a look at the main electricity supply of your home for any issues. If the electricity supply is working properly, you may have a bigger problem at hand. In such cases getting your local HVAC repair services company to take a look is the best advice to follow.  

Companies such as H&H Heating and Air Conditioning offer professional service and expert advice on all HVAC issues. If you are facing any of these problems, contacting a technician and arranging a quick check up can be the difference between a smoothly running heating and air conditioning unit and one that requires thorough repair.

What to look for?

If you are looking to find the ideal contractor for your home, it is important to ensure they meet the needs of your household. Here are some top tips to look for when hiring a trustworthy HVAC repair service-

•    Do they offer flexible payment options? Looking after your heating unit does not always come cheap and when those substantial bills pile up, having a company with flexible payment options can be extremely helpful.

•    A company you can trust: Knowing that your home is being looked after by experts goes a long way in giving you the peace of mind you deserve. Choose a company that has skilled, licensed technicians who have been background tested, drug tested and NATE certified.

•    Will they be there in your hour of need? Unfortunately, heating and air conditioning issues can often arrive out of the blue. To avoid stress, look for a company that provides quality customer service. H&H Heating and Air Conditioning offer 24 hour service, seven days a week and have stocked and ready to go service vehicles that ensure they fix up your heating system in no time.

The comfort experts at H & H Heating and Air Conditioning have been catering to your HVAC needs for the last 30 years! If you are in need of fast, accurate and professional service, contact them today.

Gas Furnace Vs Electric Furnace - Which Is A Better Choice For Pennsylvania Homeowners?

Cold winters in Pennsylvania can put a strain on your heating bill. With unstable energy markets it’s important to make a practical choice that suits your home and the climate in which you live.  There are a number of options when it comes to choosing the right home heating units.  
The two most popular options when it comes to heating units are gas and electric furnaces. Electric furnaces contain a blower that moves air over a series of coils that are heated by electricity. The heated air is then distributed throughout the home through the ductwork. Gas furnaces produce heat with combustion of gas in a heat exchanger, and a blower is used to force air through the heat and ductwork.

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Efficiency and Operating Costs
The AFUE rating for an all-electric furnace is between 95 and 100 percent.  AFUE is a thermal efficiency measure of combustion for equipment like furnaces, boilers, and water heaters. Despite their high efficiency, the higher cost of electricity in most parts of the country makes all-electric home heating units more expensive to operate in the long run.
Most gas furnaces have AFUE ratings anywhere from 55 to 97 percent. With gas furnaces, a larger percentage of the energy in the fuel used is lost through the chimney or elsewhere, but because natural gas is a cheaper energy source, gas home heating energy units keep utility costs lower.

Safety considerations
Because they are fuel-burning appliances, gas furnaces run a slight risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. However, the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning is small and can be easily mitigated with regular maintenance and CO detectors.

Pros & Cons of Electric Furnaces

Lower initial investment: The purchase price of an electric furnace is generally lower than a gas-powered system, but costs more to operate.
Longer Lifespan: Electric furnaces usually last between 20 and 30 years. They also require less maintenance and repair, which can mitigate the higher energy costs of operation.
Safety:  An electric furnace uses no harmful gases of any kind to operate.
Convenience: An electric furnace is often the choice for many homeowners because of lack of gas lines in the area.

Pros & Cons of Gas Furnaces

More affordable to operate: Natural gas is a cheaper form of energy than electricity and a gas furnace is less expensive to operate than an electric unit.
Faster heating: Gas heating systems typically heat the home faster than electric units. Gas systems tend to be more effective and efficient in very cold temperatures because they reach higher temperatures in extreme temperatures.
Shorter lifespan: The lifespan of a gas furnace is generally between 10 and 20 years.
 Maintenance and upkeep:  It is essential to provide regular maintenance for gas-powered furnace by an HVAC professional.

Which Is The Best Option For Your Home?
When you consider long term cost-effectiveness, gas home heating units are usually a better option for Pennsylvania homeowners. However, there many factors to take into consideration and electric may be best for your home.  If you have any questions about choosing a new furnace, please contact a trusted heating repair company like H & H Heating and Air Conditioning to find out more.