Things You Should Know Before Calling an HVAC Contractor

With temperatures regularly breaking all known records, heating and air conditioning problems abound. When your system breaks down under these stressful conditions, you call an HVAC repair company in hopes of fast, professional repairs at a fair price. Is there any way to ensure the quality of service you and your system desperately need?

Protect yourself against incompetent or dishonest contractors
In just the 5 months from May through September of 2014, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) received over 700 complaints against commercial and residential HVAC companies. To ensure you are working with a trustworthy hvac repair technician, BBB offers the following advice:

• Before making a call, consult your owner’s manual.
  Your system – or some of its components – may still be covered under factory warranty.
• Hire a professional.
  This does not include your neighbor, a “friend-of-a-friend,” or yourself, wearing your DIY-hat. You should also avoid those offering rock-bottom prices, those that offer a firm estimate over the phone without looking at your system, or new-kids-on-the-block who are not yet proven and may go out of business before your replacement parts come in. Look for an established heating repair contractor with an upstanding BBB membership, whose technicians hold NATE certification and receive positive word-of-mouth from the community.
• Get references…
  From actual customers, not just their website or random message boards.
• Verify licensing.
  Contact your state licensing board and ask to see a copy of their current license before air conditioning or heating system repair service start.
• Compare prices.
  Shop around, gleaning quotes from at least 3 different companies. Ensure they are comprehensive, with a written description of all services offered and materials used so you can compare apples to apples.

Before you do call, make certain you have…

• Ensured your air filter is clean and properly installed.
• Checked the switch/breaker – including the on/off switch on the outdoor unit, which can occasionally get bumped. Ditto with gas: Is it on?
• Verified the thermostat batteries don’t need to be replaced.
• Triple-checked the setting on the thermostat, including the clock on programmable models.

Still not working? Have the following information on-hand:

• A thorough description of what your system is - or is not - doing.
• How long the probably has been going on.
• The age of the system, heater or AC brand, and system type (gas or electric; heat pump, AC, furnace, etc.).
• The last time your system underwent routine maintenance or repairs.
• Any strange noises your system makes during startup, shutdown, or operation, such as screeches, pops, thuds, clanging, or hissing, including if the system is overly loud when it runs.
• Any off-smells when the blower comes on.
• If you have rooms in your home that are frequently too hot or too cold.
• If the lights dim when the system turns on.

Don’t get burned by bad service. Get friendly, BBB certified, professional ac installation, replacement, repair, service and maintenance contractors. Protect your wallet and your system. Contact us today.

Some Common Air Conditioning problems

In recent years, record-breaking summer temperatures have been taking their toll nationwide, resulting in many whose air conditioners aren’t quite at their prime scrambling for service before they melt into a puddle of goo. In many of these cases, the problem can be simply or easily solved with a little detective work, most of which should take far less time than waiting on the repairman – and forking over for a repair bill.

Before you call for air conditioning repair service, see if you can solve these common AC problems:

• Poor airflow.
  This is almost always due to a dirty, clogged air filter, but is occasionally due to faulty blower motor. Nasty filters are probably the number one reason for service calls. Most air filters must be changed every 3 months at a minimum, and will get quite gross in that timespan. Air filter maintenance is a cheap way to prevent the untimely death of a system struggling to breathe and function. (And how embarrassing for you to pay for a repair over an inexpensive filter you forgot to replace!)
• System won’t turn on.
  Make sure the thermostat batteries don’t need to be replaced, then verify power to the heating and cooling system at the breaker box. Ensure the blower door on the air handler (the part inside your home) is closed, then check the “on” switch on your outside unit. Sometimes they get bumped.
• System cycles on and off repeatedly.
  Check for a dirty filter, then check the outdoor unit for debris. Blockage by grass and other detritus must be carefully and gently removed without damaging the fins. If those are not the problem, turn it down 5-10 degrees – you could be freezing the coil, and it needs to thaw. If it’s 100 degrees outside, 68 isn’t going to happen. Grab a fan and be happy it’s 78-80 in your home.
• System is not cooling properly.
  “Operator error” is a frequent cause of hvac system repair– so make sure your thermostat is set properly. Again, check the filter and the outside unit for blockage. Check that the drain line is not blocked by algae/buried in the dirt. Your system will also turn off when the condensate overflow tray needs to be emptied.

When to call a pro
Some situations are not meant for amateurs. Call trusted air conditioning contractors  if:

• You checked everything above and your system is still not cooling properly.
  This may indicate low refrigerant, coils that need cleaning, or system maintenance, which all require skills and tools you don’t possess.
• Your system went from turning on and off frequently - to not working at all.
  The compressor or fan may be worn out and need replacement.
• You heard a strange noise.
  Brief squeaks at startup maybe normal. However, hissing can indicate leaking refrigerant, which is bad for the environment. Also bad are clanking, bubbles, hisses, and screams, which could indicated everything from loose hardware to a bent fan or blown motor. Avoid the sharp and electrifying dangers housed within your unit – call a pro.

Don’t let your air conditioning problems boil over. Contact your local H & H Heating and Air Conditioning professional today.

Keeping your Home Smart - HVAC Options for You!

Is your smart home, smart phone, smart TV, and even your smart watch making your heating and cooling system seem a little unsophisticated? Many of the latest smart A/C technologies designed to make your life easier and your system more efficient continue to fly under the radar, despite customer interest.

Did you know about these innovative new “smart” HVAC technology options?

• Smart “learning” thermostats
  Installed by an HVAC company you can trust, smart “learning” thermostats from manufacturers such as Nest, Honeywell and Ecobee are perfect for both those who will never sit down and read a programmable thermostat manual - as well as the technology-phobic. Saving you as much as 20% on your home’s largest energy expense when used correctly, smart “learning” thermostats boost the efficiency of your air conditioner with little to no work from you. Learning models monitor your routine, self-adjusting temperatures based on your absence to save energy. On vacation or wish to override? Simply adjust settings manually or via a smart phone or mobile device driven app from anywhere in the world.
• Smart vents
  Smart vents by companies like Ecovent and Keen are easily programmed to do for individual rooms what smart thermostats do for your home, regulating airflow, customizing temperatures, eliminating hot and cold spots, and boosting efficiency. Forget the stepladder, app-driven smart vents open and close venting in each room separately based on pre-programming for occupancy, manual adjustments via your smartphone, or built-in temperature, airflow, and occupancy sensors. Mobile device and EMF interference a problem in your home? Opt for The RF Zone Control System for control of your multi-zone system remotely via radio frequency instead.
• UV light air purifiers
  Installed in your existing ductwork, UV light air purifiers are a superior weapon against poor indoor air quality that can impact your family’s health, and are especially beneficial to allergy, asthma, and COPD sufferers. Providing fresher, cleaner air, UV light air purifiers reduce microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, mold, mildew, and fungus, preventing them from replicating and causing infection. 
• The Green Vacuum
  The Green Vacuum prevents unwanted leaks, foul odors, and outside air from invading your living space by automatically purging your condensate drain line at regular intervals to prevent the buildup of dust, fungus, mold, and algae that can lead to issues. Operated manually or installed with an optional solar panel for pre-timed, maintenance-free operation, its simple installation requires no outlet or wiring.
• CirrusSense Sensor
  This wireless bluetooth pressure sensor replaces your manual manifold gauges to measure refrigerant pressure locally, communicating readings to any smart phone or tablet allowing for proactive planning of an air conditioning service call to avoid emergence repairs and keep your system operating at peak performance.

Is your home ready for a little schooling? The pros at H & H Heating and Air Conditioning Inc. are standing by to teach you a thing or two about the latest in smart HVAC technology. Contact us today.  

8 Tips to Save Energy on your Summer Air Conditioning

'Tired of high energy bills and repeatedly calling for air conditioning service in your Villanova, PA home? Your system may be working overtime courtesy of your bad habits. Save money on your air conditioning while increasing comfort in your home with the help of these helpful cooling practices:

1. Get the most out of thermostat settings.
   For efficient operation and energy savings, HVAC units require continual adjustment. Adding a programmable thermostat makes this job a snap, adjusting your home to a comfortable 78°F when you are home, and raising temperatures while you are away. It also helps curtail bad habits, like cranking your thermostat to a colder setting when you first get home, which does not, in fact, cool things down any faster but instead results in excess cooling and energy expenses. Techno-phobic? Rest assured, the latest in affordable learning or “smart” thermostat technology doesn't even require programming, and can be operated from your mobile phone.
2. Stop shirking your maintenance duties.
   That nasty filter won’t change itself, and it can cause excess energy use and wear on system components as your system struggles to force air through its clogged surface. Skip needless HVAC repair costs and mark your calendar to change the air filter regularly – every 3 months, at a minimum. Additionally, don’t neglect annual routine maintenance before times of peak use, such as fall or spring, to ensures efficiency and proper operation. Neglected internal components and improper coolant levels are just as detrimental to your system as air filter maintenance.
3. Enlist the help of your fans.
   Ceiling, box, and rotating fans can keep you more comfortable, allowing you to raise thermostat settings 4°F without losing comfort thanks to the “wind chill effect.” They also help better circulate conditioned air through your home. Just remember: Fans cool people, not rooms – so turn them off when you leave.
4. Force the issue.
   Enlist the help of an air conditioning company you can trust to install a whole house fan in your attic. Best used in the early morning and late evening when temperatures are cooler, whole house fans draw cool air in and force hot air out through attic vents to help reduce air conditioning use.  
5. Tie-up loose ends.
   Properly secure leaky, poorly insulated ductwork, and address air leaks around windows and doors. These can add up to the equivalent of a constantly open window.
6. Stop fighting physics.
   Rearrange furniture to prevent blockages of vents and registers that can destroy comfort and efficiency.
7. Live in harmony with nature.
   If you live in a climate where evenings cool, turn off your system at night to sleep, then close-up your home in the morning, shutting windows and blinds to capture cool air and block out solar heat gain.
8. Avoid heat buildup.
   Opt for cool LEDs and compact fluorescents over super-hot incandescents. Avoid using ovens, dryers, and dishwashers during the hottest part of the day. If you must cook, use your microwave or outdoor grill instead.

Can’t stand the heat? Kick it to the curb with the help of your friendly, Villanova area cooling experts. Contact H & H Heating and Air Conditioning Inc. today.