Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Types of Heat Pumps

Considering a heat pump for your home? Today’s models can reduce heating costs by 50% compared to electric furnace and baseboard heaters. Unfortunately, finding the right model can be quite confusing due to the sheer multitude of options to consider…

The Wide World of Heat Pumps

Capable of both heating and cooling, heat pump systems work like a refrigerator, using electricity to pump heat from a cool space to a warm one to move warm air indoors in the winter, and vice versa in the summer. Because they move heat rather than generating it, operational costs are significantly reduced.
There are 3 Main Types of Heat Pumps:

Air Source
Inexpensive to install and commonly used, air source heat pumps function well in moderate climates, using outside air as a medium for heat exchange.
Water Source
Water source heat pumps dissipate heat by way of water instead of air. They require well, lake, or other water source access, and aren’t as common.
Ground Source
Ground source or geothermal heat pumps take advantage of thermal energy stored underground, transferring heat in a similar manner to air source heat pumps. Due to the constant temperature of the ground, they offer much more efficient operation, however installation is pricier and more complicated due to the need for excavation and installation of underground piping.

But Wait – We’re Not Done Yet! Heat Pump Sub-Types
To further confound you in the selection process, there are also sub-types of heat pump systems:

Hybrid Heat Pump
In climates that run the gamut from very warm in the summer to very cold in the winter, two types of hybrid systems are available to boost efficiency…
- Ground & air source heat pump combos, with air source systems leading the way when air is warm outside, but switching to ground source when temperatures drop.
- Heat pump and gas/oil boiler combo, where simultaneous operation can offer more consistent warmth at a higher level of efficiency. (Commonly used in homes with existing boiler systems.)
Solar Heat Pump
Used in conjunction with air and geothermal heat pumps, solar heat pumps integrate solar panels as a power supply for the system. With a solar geothermal setup, it is therefore possible to heat/cool your entire home by renewable energy.
Absorption or Gas-Fired Heat Pump
Driven by another heat source other than electricity (solar/geothermal/gas), these systems are more typical to industrial applications.

There are also a Few Different Ways to Install Heat Pump Systems, Including…

Split System
The most common installation on ducted systems, with an indoor evaporative unit located in a closet, basement or attic, and the condenser and compressor unit located outdoors in a large metal box.
Package System
All mechanical components are housed in a larger metal outdoor box. (Only ductwork is located in the home.)
Mini Split or “Ductless”
Great for homes without ducts, these work similar to air source heat pumps, albeit on a smaller scale.
Window Heat Pumps

Ready to start saving energy and money with a heat pump system? Contact your friendly H&H Heating & Air Conditioning professional and make an appointment for your no-obligation, competitive quote today.

This blog was originally posted at https://www.delcohvac.com/types-of-heat-pumps/

Different Types of Home Heating Units for your Home

The world of home heating units can seem vast, and your quest to isolate the ideal home heating solution ridden with potholes and obstacles. What’s the trick to arriving at your desired destination? You need a roadmap to the latest home comfort solutions…

Find Your Path to Comfort and Savings with these Home Heating Options:

Furnaces & Boilers
Furnace and boiler efficiency has increased tremendously in recent years, with some of the most energy efficient models pulling off 90-95% heating efficiency. Using ductwork to distribute warmed air (furnace) or steam-powered radiators, baseboard heaters, and radiant heating components to distribute warmth (boilers), these options commonly run on fossil fuels such as natural gas, propane, and fuel oil, but producing significantly less pollution than models just 10 years old.

Air Source Heat Pumps
Grabbing heat from the air outside or inside your home (depending on the season) and distributing it via ductwork to maintain temperature, heat pumps offer both heating and cooling capacity. Rather than converting heat from fuel, an air source heat pump’s ability to simply move heat delivers 1.5 to 3 times more heat energy to your home than the electrical energy consumed, reducing electricity costs by about 50% compared to resistance heating options (furnaces, baseboard heaters). Like all ducted systems, they can warm and cool rooms quickly, but have their drawbacks. Rising heat, poor insulation, and leaks and holes in the home can rob performance and efficiency, as can leaky, poorly located, poorly insulated ducts. Air movement can also create hot/cold zones, stirring up dust and allergens. Look to this system for its multifunctional advantages and economical price tag.

Geothermal Heat Pump
Instead using air to exchange heat, geothermal systems utilize components buried deep in the earth to harness/exchange thermal energy in the ground or nearby water. Like air source heat pumps, conditioned air is then distributed through the home via ductwork. Consistent ground temperatures offer more reliable heat exchange, with electricity use 25-50% lower than conventional heat pump systems – up to 72% lower than electric resistance heating – making geothermal the cleanest, most energy efficient heating option on the market. Humidity control in these systems is also superior. Compatible with new and retrofit installations, lot size and conditions play a role in installation possibility and cost, which is higher than conventional systems.

Radiant Floor Heating
In radiant floor heating systems, heat produced by electricity, water, or air is distributed throughout the home via under-floor tubing. In direct contact with floor surfaces, heat is directly transferred up and throughout your home, infusing you and the objects in your home with warmth. Eliminating heat loss to provide far more efficiency than forced-air options, radiant floor heating provides a quiet, consistent, allergy-friendly heating solution. They aren’t without drawbacks, however. The flipside of this consistent warmth comes in the form of longer times to reach optimal temperature. Installation cost is also higher than forced air systems – even more so in retrofits – however they can save considerable money over the long term in higher efficiency.

Hit a fork in the road? H&H Heating & Air Conditioning can help you find the ideal path to comfort. Contact us today.

This blog was originally posted at https://www.delcohvac.com/different-types-of-home-heating-units-for-your-home/

Thursday, February 2, 2017

Extend the Life of your Heating Equipment with our Maintenance Agreements!

Maintenance matters! Prevention is always better than cure. Properly maintained heating systems costs less to operate, using 10-25% less energy than their neglected cousins, and have a longer lifespan. Regular maintenance also protects against unexpected mishaps and expenses that often occur when you’re most at need of warmth.

Look After Your Heater – and Your Budget – with a Maintenance Plan
Our Affordable Comfort Club Memberships will help you ensure system performance for years to come, protecting what is often the biggest investment you have in your home: Your heating or cooling system. And with H&H Heating & Air Conditioning’s exclusive maintenance plans – our Comfort Club Memberships – you can finally do it affordably, gaining access to amazing year-round savings.

Your Best Defense against Unexpected and Expensive Repairs
Establishing a schedule for regular professional maintenance twice per year, in the fall and again in the spring before you put your system through the rigors of maintaining your home through winter and summer temperature extremes, offers the best protection, ensuring…

Optimal refrigerant levels.
Too much or too little can negatively affect system performance.
Your air filter is not restricting air flow.
Using the wrong type of filter or forgetting to change your filter every 3 months at a minimum can force your system to work harder than it should, sabotaging comfort and efficiency.
Components are cleaned, lubricated, and in good working order.
Proper cleaning of coils, blower components, and condensate drain, the lubrication of all moving parts, as well as connection, current, and voltage checks ensure safe and efficient operation.
Your system is operating properly.
Observation of the thermostat in-use and system start, run, and shut-off cycles verify proper function.
Your ductwork is not leaking or damaged.
20% of air in ducts can be lost due to leaks, holes, and poor connections, leading to high energy bills and an uncomfortable home.

Enjoy a Wide Range of Services
Following 6 months of membership*, and anytime thereafter, you can take advantage of free repairs, complimentary tune-ups and diagnostics services, and exclusive deals and discounts. Ready to join but need service now? Sign-up and enjoy our services for a highly-reduced rate, later realizing full plan advantages. Choose from…

Club Membership Includes

Worried about Getting Your Money’s Worth?
Seasonal tune-ups often cost the same or more than a maintenance agreement. Add in an additional HVAC hiccup or two, and you’ll get more than your money’s worth. In addition to out-of-pocket savings on service and maintenance, you’ll also save on energy costs thanks to your system running at peak efficiency.
You and your heating equipment deserve a long, happy life together. Pledge to protect it with the help of a Comfort Club Membership. Contact H&H Heating & Air Conditioning and start taking advantage of maintenance agreement benefits today.

This blog was originally posted at https://www.delcohvac.com/extend-the-life-of-your-heating-equipment-with-our-maintenance-agreements/.

Friday, January 6, 2017

Is your Home ready for the Deep Freeze?

Plummeting temperatures. Frigid wind gusts. Piles of snow. Heavy, slippery, freezing rain and ice. The winter season is not always festive, its accompanying weather threatening the safety of your family and your home. However, much like other weather-related adverse events, a little bit of preparation can ensure a winter sea
son free of unexpected hardships.

What can you do to ensure your home is adequately prepared for this cold winter season?

Guard against heat loss.
Added attic and wall insulation, as well as caulk and weather stripping around doors and windows, keep heat in your home and protect against drafts, stretching your fuel supply and heating dollar farther in keeping you comfortable.
Protect against snow and ice.
Replace damaged or missing shingles to prevent snow and ice-related leaks and structural damage. Clear gutters to prevent ice damming (when melting snow refreezes in gutters and seeps under your roof).
Trim back trees.
Heavy, ice and snow-laden branches can snap off, damaging your home and property.
Properly prep all modes of water transport:
- Wrap basement and crawlspace water pipes with insulation sleeves.
- Remember to trickle faucets during cold weather to avoid frozen/burst pipes.
- Learn how to shut off the main water valve now so you’ll be prepared in the event of a leak/burst.
- Turn off exterior faucets whose pipes can burst in a freeze.
- Drain your irrigation system.
- Divert water at least 3 to 4 feet from your home’s foundation with addition of downspout extensions.
Clean chimneys and fireplace venting.
Professionally cleaned and maintained chimneys and fireplace venting protects against creosote fires and unknown blockages that can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.
Tune-up your heating system.
Unless you want to be waiting around in for heating repairs on a cold day, address heating equipment maintenance now. This not only ensures safe operation, of tremendous concern for gas-fired models, but detects problems advance that could result in midwinter issues, boosts efficiency and energy savings, and safeguards the lifespan of your heater.
Don’t put your safety in the hands of an archaic system.
If you’re pushing your luck with a system you know is on its last legs, consider upgrading before temperature extremes take their toll. Today’s highly efficient heating systems can keep you warm for a fraction of the cost of older models – and offer you additional protection in the form of extensive manufacturer warranties.
Put a 24/7 furnace repair company on speed dial.
If your current heating and air repair company only offers 9 to 5 service, find an HVAC service provider in your area who understands that issues don’t always occur during normal business hours, and offers emergency service for HVAC repair to keep you and your family safe and warm.

Heating system buckling under the pressure of another snowy winter? Lessen your cold weather woes with the help of H&H Heating & Air Conditioning today.

This blog was originally posted at https://www.delcohvac.com/is-your-home-ready-for-the-deep-freeze/

The Benefits of Ground Source Heat Pumps

Electrically powered ground source heat pumps, also referred to as geothermal systems, tap into the stored solar energy of the earth. System components, buried deep in the ground to take advantage of the earth’s constant temperature, transfer energy to provide heating, cooling, and occasionally hot water to homes and commercial buildings.
Ground source heat pumps offer many benefits – and some of them may surprise you:

High efficiency, low cost operation.
A well-known benefit of geothermal is its efficiency – it’s off-the-charts. Providing a whopping 4 units of energy for every 1 unit of electrical energy, it stomps the competition. The most efficient gas furnace, with an efficiency rating of 96%, can’t get anywhere near the 400% efficiency rating ground source heat pumps deliver. This makes geothermal systems a welcome addition to the grid, as their low electricity requirements reduces peak grid demand, helping reduce both weather-driven brownouts and the need for additional electric plants.
Green & clean.
Because of their stellar efficiency and the fact that they, unlike other comfort systems, do not emit carbon dioxide or greenhouse gases, geothermal systems are recognized by both the EPA and U.S. Department of Energy as the most environmentally friendly way to heat and cool your home or business. Additionally, they do not emit carbon monoxide, as they do not operate via combustion, offering the opportunity for enhanced indoor air quality.
Long life, low maintenance.
Compared to the typical furnace, which is capable of lasting 10-15 years with regular HVAC maintenance, geothermal systems usually last 15 years or more, with their ground-based components, or ‘ground loops,’ holding an incomparable 50 year warranty. Housed under the cover of your home or business where they are protected from rain, snow, ice, and vandalism, they suffer far less wear and tear, enjoying added reliability compared to traditional heating and cooling systems.
Quiet operation.
Unlike air conditioners and heat pumps which require a noisy outdoor unit, the hum of a geothermal system is much like the operation of a refrigerator. That means no more family get-togethers, time by the pool, or gardening interrupted by the noisy clamor of outdoor components.
Increasing affordability.
Ground source heat pumps, increasing in popularity as home and business owners seek to reduce their energy bills and carbon footprints, are becoming more and more affordable to install, with the average installation only slightly higher than typical HVAC fare. Installation typically pays for itself in two to 10 years – depending on utility rates, the efficiency of your home, and how much energy you use for heating and cooling. Add to this a longer system lifespan and energy savings in the 40-60% range, and you’re talking some serious savings.
Available incentives.
Because of the green benefits of geothermal operation, federal, state, local governments, and even some power providers offer rebates and incentives toward the purchase of select high efficiency systems.

Looking for a heating and cooling system that’s a little more down to earth? Uncover the benefits of ground source heat pumps. Contact H&H Heating & Air Conditioning, your local HVAC Company today.

This blog was originally posted at https://www.delcohvac.com/the-benefits-of-ground-source-heat-pumps/

How Many of These Airborne Elements do you Want Out of Your Home?

Today’s families spend 90% of their time indoors, making indoor air quality essential to overall health. Unfortunately, there are many things lurking in the air inside your home, eking away at your immune system and putting your health at risk.
What airborne elements are taking a toll on the health of you and your family?

Allergens & particulates
Feeling under the weather? Dirt, dust, pollen, mold, mildew, and fungi, pet dander, dust mites, cockroach debris, smoke, vehicle exhaust, and more can cause you and your family a glut of issues commonly mistaken for a “cold” – runny nose, sneezing, congestion, nose and throat irritation, coughing and wheezing, and even asthma flare-ups, which may, in fact, be the result of poor indoor air quality in the home.
Infectious agents
Germs, viruses and bacteria like streptococcus, pneumococcus, Legionella, tuberculosis, cold and flu viruses, RSV, and even SARS may be lurking inside your home, being distributed through your air ducts to result in frequent bouts of sinusitis, upper respiratory infections, throat and ear infections, bronchitis, and pneumonia.
Toxic compounds
Everyday items in your home, from furniture and appliances to cleaning compounds and pesticides, release an array of toxic gases and odors including formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, methylene chloride, nitrogen dioxide, toluene, benzene, and even mold mycotoxins. Of particular concern in more recently built homes with tight building envelopes, these toxins can buildup to create air quality many times more toxic than outside air, causing significant health effects including depression, headaches, fatigue, blurred vision, memory lapse, and lung dysfunction. Toxins in homes are so common, of the 120 samples taken from homes undergoing an air quality study in New England, ALL tested positive for endocrine disrupting compounds.

Kicking contaminants to the curb
These above elements don’t just take their toll on your body, each of these items equally takes a toll on your heating and air conditioner too, resulting in poor heating and cooling efficiency and dirty air. Amazingly enough, the same system that suffers alongside you can help you mitigate these concerns…

Improved air filters
Utilizing a quality air filter – and cleaning or changing it frequently – is one of the best ways to improve the air quality in your home. Not just your average box-store bargain, today’s top-of-the-line air filters boast technology that offers unrivaled cleaning power and great bang for the buck.
Air purification systems
Installed in conjunction with your HVAC system, air purification systems can cleanse air throughout your home, instead of a single room as with standalone units, quickly and efficiently reducing bacteria, germs, mold and odors.
UV (germicidal) lights
Incorporated into your HVAC system’s ductwork (or as standalone systems), UV lights can help control illness-inducing bacteria and microorganisms, offering a great line of defense for your immune system.
Dehumidifiers
Dehumidifiers work wonders for controlling mold, mildew, and even dust mites, as well as asthma symptoms, and can even help protect the structure and contents of your home.

Ensure household health and keep allergies at bay. Improve indoor air quality with the expert help of H&H Heating & Air Conditioning. Contact us to learn more about our indoor air quality systems today.

This blog was originally posted at https://www.delcohvac.com/how-many-of-these-airborne-elements-do-you-want-out-of-your-home/

Wine Cellar Cooling 101

If you’re like most wine connoisseurs, you have a lot invested in your wine collection. Unfortunately, with an improperly installed wine cellar refrigeration system, your long-stayed collection runs the risk of turning sour. How can you protect your prized collection and still realize the wine cellar of your dreams?

Go with a pro.
Each cellar faces a unique set of challenges during construction. A wine cellar HVAC professional will have the knowledge and experience necessary to help you identify and address each, ensuring the most effective and efficient storage environment.

Educate yourself on essential wine storage conditions.
This includes ideal storage temperature: 55 degrees Fahrenheit; as well as recommended humidity levels necessary to preserve corks against drying, shrinkage and cracks which allow for flavor destroying oxygen exposure, as well as mold and mildew proliferation on labels. In areas where relative humidity drops below 50%, built-in humidity control is strongly suggested.

Feel the heat.
Heat dissipation is critical to cooler performance. Improperly vented, the lifespan of your cooling unit can be put at risk. Ensure the temperature differential is adequate for the desired storage temperature (55 degrees). For example, exhausting your system in a 90 degree environment with a 30 degree temperature differential will only allow you the ability to cool to 60 degrees, making a higher temperature differential a necessity. Luckily your wine cellar professional can help you circumnavigate such installation quandaries.

Understand the nature of the beast, and design for it.
Cooling units are designed to keep things cooled 24/7, 365 days a year. Akin to a walk-in refrigerator, they will run 50-70% of the time to accomplish this – and will make noise while doing so. How much depends upon the location of your cellar and the cooling system exhaust, which will vary based on your chosen system (split or ducted). If noise is of particular concern, make this a predominant factor in the design of your system.

Don’t try to cut corners.
A vapor barrier, framed walls, and insulation are all necessities for proper wine cellar construction. Concrete walls are not appropriate, as they absorb cooling. Remember, the more water and airtight your cellar, the better your performance will be. This equates to less in energy costs, and less wear-and-tear on a unit that is forced to run more frequently to maintain temperature. Additionally, your cooler will also require a dedicated circuit, and properly connected and functioning drain line.

Realize you can’t “get it and forget it.”
Cooling units require annual maintenance and inspections, as well as the daily monitoring of temperature and humidity to ensure the longevity of your wine. If things are looking a little off, emergency service is strongly recommended.

At H&H Heating & Air Conditioning, we offer the widest range of temperature control systems in Southeastern Pennsylvania, and take the time to understand the intricacies of each unique installation. Protect your prized collection and your investment. Contact H&H and schedule your free wine cellar cooling unit installation quote today.

This blog was originally posted at https://www.delcohvac.com/wine-cellar-cooling-101/

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