7 Signs Your Air Conditioner needs Repair

The weather is warming up… And you’re not 100% sure, you think your air conditioning system may not be performing quite the same as it did last year. Is it time for a maintenance call to an HVAC company? Or are you overlooking something simple that may be leading to its performance decline?

7 Warning Signs Your Air Conditioner Needs Repair:

1. Air is not blowing cold.
   If air being circulated through your vents isn’t as cold as it used to be – your system is working overtime to keep temperatures comfortable. This could result from an array of possible causes, including leaking/low refrigerant, condenser issues, and duct leakage.
2. Air flow is poor.
   Your fan, which is responsible for pushing all that lovely, cool air through the ductwork, can succumb to a number of issues that can dramatically reduce airflow, ranging from dirty air filter, bad blower motor or faulty fan control board.
3. Moisture/water accumulation in strange places.
   Your system is designed to remain dry at all times, otherwise mold and mildew in your system and home could result. If you notice a leak, the system may be suffering a blocked or broken condensate drain, and fast attention is in your best interest.
4. Bizarre sounds.
   All systems are designed to run quietly. Louder than normal operation – especially metallic screeching, grinding or banging noises – indicate something wrong inside the unit (broken components, loose belts, debris). When strange sounds occur, you may need to get it checked by an air conditioning company so call the repairman ASAP to avoid significant system damage.
5. Funky smells.
   Funky smells can arise from an array of issues, ranging from pest infiltration to burned-out wire insulation and mold growth within. Tend to these quickly to protect your family’s health.
6. Thermostat issues.
   Sometimes your system is not the problem – it’s your thermostat. Some signs might be obvious (a setting of 75 and a home temperature that’s off by 10s of degrees), while others won’t be (varied temperature zones throughout the home). Luckily your knowledgeable area HVAC technician can rule this out in a jiff.
7. High cooling bills.
   Your air conditioner is the largest consumer of energy in the home. If it was operating fine last season, but this year’s energy bills have spiked, that’s a good indication you need your system looked over.

This Commonly Neglected Homeowner Maintenance Can Cause Many Problems
Short cycling, poor airflow, odors, freezing up, uneven cooling, and higher than normal utility bills can also be attributable to simple maintenance that takes the average homeowner less than 5 minutes to tend to: Air filter replacement. Unless otherwise indicated by your heating and cooling professional, this should be performed at a minimum of every 3 months – and far more often if you have children and pets. Don’t neglect this before reaching out to the repairman – it can also help you avoid getting a red face when he pulls that nasty old filter out of the system.

Don’t let your summer air conditioner repair needs snowball into costly emergency repair. Contact H&H Heating and Air Conditioning and schedule an air conditioner service and performance check today.

This blog was originally posted at https://www.delcohvac.com/7-signs-your-air-conditioner-needs-repair/.

Best Air Conditioning Services in the Main Line Area. Our Customers Love Us!

Summer’s coming, and the temperature’s rising – putting added stress on your air conditioner. Luckily, H&H Heating & Air Conditioning has you covered, with the best air conditioning services in the Main Line and surrounding areas.

Trusted Air Conditioner Maintenance & Repair

Fostering our reputation since 1985, our trustworthy and affordable services always come backed by a no-obligation quote prior to services, with no surprises at billing and a full understanding of what you’re receiving in advance for your Villanova area home air conditioning services. Our mobile ‘warehouses on wheels’ will arrive directly at your door with the parts needed to get your system back up and running fast. And you can rest assured our services and equipment are both backed by the best guarantees in the business.


Emergency Service at No Extra Cost
At H&H, we realize those inconvenient and unexpected Malvern air conditioner breakdowns won’t always conveniently occur during ‘normal’ business hours. That’s why our trusted services are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year – free of overtime or after-hours charges.

Experience & Care Beyond Compare
Our professional trained, NATE certified and experienced techs respect your home and family, protecting your Wayne area property with drop cloths and shoe covers, and always cleaning up our mess – including repairing or replacing damaged items – before we leave.

A Range of Home Comfort Services

• New System Installation
  From the latest in ductless air conditioning systems for your Ardmore home, to high efficiency heat pumps, geothermal, furnaces, boilers, and even radiant heat flooring systems, we carry an array of efficient home comfort solutions, providing top-of-the-line equipment from some of the nation’s leading manufacturers that deliver some of the best performance and warranties in the business.
  System Repair
  No matter the age and style of your system, we have the knowledge, skills, and parts to get it back up and running, fast.
• Duct Cleaning
  Ensure air quality and protect your family from allergy and illness with routine duct inspection and necessary cleaning.
• High Efficiency Water Heater Installation
  Reduce your energy costs with the latest in greener, more efficient gas, oil, and electric water heating technology, including tankless, heat pump, and hybrid systems.
• Water Heater Maintenance
  Regular water heater maintenance is often neglected, but it ensures efficient performance and protects the lifespan of your water heater. When was the last time you had your water heater serviced?
• Wine Cellar Installation & Repair
  Protect and preserve your wine collection with the optimum in efficient temperature and humidity control. Multiple options available to fit your budget and design needs.

Now serving the entire Main Line area including Villanova, Malvern, Wayne, Ardmore, Berwyn, Haverford, Radnor, Narberth and surrounding towns, H&H Heating & Air Conditioning has all your summer cooling needs covered. Experience the difference our trusted A+ BBB rated services can make in the performance of your system. Contact us today.

This blog was originally posted at https://www.delcohvac.com/best-air-conditioning-services-main-line-area/.

What does Nate Certified mean for HVAC?

As a homeowner, you’ll likely suffer the nail biting experience of selecting a heating and air conditioning service and repair company to tend to one of the most expensive appliances in your home. And many of the companies you’ll peruse will tout ‘NATE certification’ online (or on their apparel). Sounds like a good thing, right? But do you really know what it means?

What is “NATE”?
NATE is the North American Technician Excellence (NATE), the nation’s largest non-profit certification organization for HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) technicians. Founded in 1997, it is nationally recognized and respected as the largest, most popular, and widely attained certification in the industry. NATE certification is not legally required to become an HVAC technician, but membership has its benefits…

What Are you Getting with a NATE Certified Tech?

NATE certification applies to individual technicians – NOT the HVAC service company. Technicians who earn NATE certification must pass a knowledge-based exam that identifies their real-world, working knowledge of HVAC systems. Developed and supported by industry professionals, the test and subsequent certifications were created to bring professionalism and high quality standards to the industry, as well as make it easier for consumers to identify quality HVAC service professionals. This means in choosing a NATE certified technician, you’re ensuring the best installation or air conditioning maintenance service available, better system performance and efficiency, and enhanced system lifespan.

How is NATE Certification Achieved?
NATE certification is no easy task. Because of their rigorous nature, a minimum of one-year work experience is recommended before attempting NATE certification tests. Tests include not only core knowledge ranging from basic construction, electrical, and scientific knowledge, but also include tool and safety essentials, as well as testing on how to achieve desired interior home comfort conditions. In addition to these core tests, technicians then choose to earn ‘Installation’ and/or ‘Service’ certification in an array of specialty areas ranging from air conditioning installation, distribution, and service to oil and gas heating installation and service. Some technicians (most of whom have at least five years’ experience) may also choose to earn ‘Senior Level Technician’ status, encompassing two specialty areas of certification, alongside a highly-challenging HVAC analyst efficiency exam.

NATE Certification Doesn’t Last Forever
Tests must be periodically retaken, and minimum continuing education requirements met each two years in order to maintain certification. This is to ensure certified technicians remain up-to-date on the latest in HVAC technology and industry knowledge, and ensure reliable HVAC service for consumers. If all technicians who represent a company are NATE certified, you can rest assured that company highly values the proven knowledge and skill of its workforce, and you’ll be receiving the highest quality service available.

Not All Technicians May Be NATE Certified
HVAC companies can advertise NATE with just 50% of technicians bearing certifications – so be certain to stipulate your desire for a NATE certified pro for your equipment.

You have a lot invested in your HVAC system. Protect it with the help of the friendly, trustworthy, knowledgeable, and 100% NATE certified staff of H&H Heating & Air Conditioning. Contact us for superior service today.

This blog was originally posted at https://www.delcohvac.com/what-does-nate-certified-mean-for-hvac/.

Emergency AC Repair in Villanova. We Come to Your rescue!

Emergency HVAC repair needs have you sweating bullets? Never fear, affordable emergency repair is here! Villanova residents, H&H Heating & Air Conditioning will have you back to cool comfort in no time.

24/7 Availability at NO Extra Cost to You
Because we understand unexpected AC breakdowns don’t always conveniently occur within normal, 9 to 5, Monday through Friday business hours, our air conditioning technicians are available 24 hours a day and 365 days of the year, serving within a 30 mile radius of our business – with NO overtime or after-hours charges applicable. Whether you need service Monday morning or Saturday night, weekday or holiday, you can count on the same, fair price. Our ‘warehouses on wheels' will arrive direct to your door with the tools and parts needed to get your system back up and running, fast.

100% Money-Back Guarantee and Straight Forward Pricing
Our services and equipment are backed by a 100%, no lemon, money-back comfort guarantee. And there will be no unexpected billing ‘surprises’ at the end of your chosen service, whether you’re receiving repairs, routine maintenance service, or a new AC installation – only the same price as the trustworthy, no-obligation quote you were given before you consent to service, with a full understanding of the services you’re receiving in advance.

NATE Certified, Experienced Professionals
The professionally trained, NATE certified team at H&H has been providing affordable and trustworthy heating and air conditioning services to the Delaware Valley area since 1985, installing top-of-the-line equipment from the nation’s leading manufacturers that deliver some of the best performance and warranties in the business.

Techs You Can Trust
Each and every one of our courteous HVAC technicians respects your family, home, and property, taking care to take the precautions necessary to keep your home clean with drop cloths and shoe covers – and taking the time to carefully attend to any messes at the end of service. We even offer property protection, replacing or repairing items damaged in the repair or installation process.

And That’s Not Where Our Skills End
In addition to emergency AC repair, H&H also provides…

• HVAC Installation
  From newly built homes to the replacement of antiquated systems.
• Heating & Cooling Repair & Service
  From furnaces and boilers to radiant floor heating solutions.
• Home Water Heater Maintenance & Installation
  Repair or maintain your existing water heater, or save on water heating costs with a new, high-efficiency system.
• Duct Cleaning & Indoor Air Quality Solutions
  To safeguard indoor air quality in your home, and protect your family against illness and allergy.
• Gas & Electric Home Fireplaces
  Affordable, easy-to-install, for warmth and supplemental heating in any home.
• Wine Cellar Installation & Repair
  Protect and preserve your wine collection with the latest in temperature and humidity control technology in a custom designed wine cellar cooling system.

AC breakdown left you feeling a little hot under the collar? Call H&H Heating & Air Conditioning emergency services to the rescue of your Villanova home now!

This blog was originally posted at https://www.delcohvac.com/emergency-ac-repair-villanova/.

6 Common Air Pollutants Lurking in Your Home

Air pollution affects more than outside air, hiding in America’s homes and businesses and risking the health of inhabitants. In fact, the air inside your home can be up to five times more dangerous than the air outdoors. And the harmful air within your home can cause more than breathing issues – it can be a major risk factor for major diseases.

What Air Pollution Dangers are You Overlooking in Your Home?

1. Everyday pollutants.
   Household cleaners, air fresheners, detergents, fabric softeners, and many other products (even those not sprayed) can release harmful chemicals into the air of your home.
   
2. Upholstery & fabric pollutants.
   Pollutants trapped in drapes, couch cushions, bedding and more can dislodge and boost particles into the air with every movement.
   
3. VOCs.
   Found in many common items including carpeting, building materials, and furniture, VOCs are found in the air of nearly every indoor setting. Short-term effects include headaches, dizziness, light-headedness, drowsiness, nausea, eye and lung irritation.
   
4. Home heating pollutants.
   Heating systems are often a prime contributor to poor indoor air quality, whether a wood burning fireplace or gas furnace. Your AC units can also affect air, particularly those in need of an air filter or duct cleaning.
   
5. Moisture-related dangers.
   Moisture can lead to serious indoor air quality issues. Moisture encourages bacteria and mold growth, including the proliferation of dangerous, mycotoxin-producing black mold. Moisture also attracts pests, increasing the proliferation of dust mites, a top allergen.
   
6. Air freshener pollutants.
   While pollutants in the indoor air can create bad smells, masking them with air fresheners or candles only adds more toxins to the air you breathe.

Is Your Health Being Adversely Effected?
The link between air pollution and its effect on those with allergies and asthma is well-established. Children, the elderly, and infirm are at increased risk, experiencing deterioration in health when pollutants are present. Air pollution is also a well-established risk factor in lung and heart disease, brain health (stroke), and diabetes, with toxins disrupting insulin and inflammatory responses. Unfortunately, most homes do not have such effective air filtration – a primary reason why those who work in the home suffer higher cancer rates than those who work elsewhere.

Improving Air Quality
The only way to remove these dangerous pollutants from the indoor air you breathe is with proper ventilation and filtration. Luckily, the air in your home can be easily and effectively cleaned with the right ventilation measures, air cleaners, (de)humidifiers, and UV lights, alone or as part of your home heating and cooling system. Regularly changing and upgrading your HVAC air filter, and altering your cleaning choices, purchasing decisions and lifestyle can further safeguard the air in your home by reducing pollutants as well.

Americans spend 90% of their time indoors, leading the EPA to rank indoor air quality as one of the top five environmental health risks today. Is your family at-risk? Learn more about the latest in air cleaning technology. Contact the trusted professionals at H&H Heating & Air Conditioning today.

This blog was originally posted at https://www.delcohvac.com/6-common-air-pollutants-lurking-your-home/.

6 Things You are Doing to Damage your Wine

Collecting wine is a pricey, albeit rewarding pastime. Are you protecting your investment with proper wine storage techniques? Unfortunately, many people make innocent mistakes that ultimate result in good bottles going down the drain. It pays to learn about optimal storage conditions...

Are You Committing these Common Wine Storage Blunders?

1. Storing wine upright.
   A common occurrence with wine purchased by the case, upright storage dries out corks, exposing the wine inside bottles to air and making it taste like vinegar.
   
2. Minimizing or overlooking temperature storage needs.
   While gradual, seasonal changes won’t harm wine, big, rapid fluctuations will age wine prematurely. Constant temperatures are key to lasting quality, with optimal storage temperatures between 45 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid storing wine bottles in the fridge, which is far too cool for storage needs. On the flip side, also avoid storing your wine overly warm locations such as in your kitchen (particularly by the oven, dishwasher, or fridge, which emit heat), dining room, living room, boiler room or laundry room. Just because you run your air conditioner all summer long, doesn’t mean your collection will be safe. When wine is stored at temperatures of 77 to 80 degrees and above, flavors are altered, resulting in a sweet, vinegary brew. Red wine is particularly susceptible. Read more about cooling units necessary to prevent this issue here - https://www.delcohvac.com/heating-and-cooling-units/wine-cellar-cooling-units/.
   
3. Failing to control humidity.
   Below 50% humidity, corks can shrink, exposing your wine to air. Investing in a humidifier can prevent this, keeping corks cared for by ensuring humidity levels in the 70-80% range.
   
4. Inadvertently exposing wine to UV light.
   Wine bottles are tinted for a reason. Just like your skin when it gets too much sun, UV exposure degrades wine’s organic compounds, resulting in premature aging that can negatively alter taste and aroma. Avoiding prolonged exposure to light, particularly sunlight, is essential to protecting your prized collection. Your wine does not need a room with a view.
   
5. Shaking things up.
   Frequently moving wine – and constant vibrations such as you would encounter with traffic or machinery – can disturb the sediment in wine bottles, speeding up aging. Avoid constantly manhandling your bottles, storing them in a calm, safe location and away from areas of your home where you use foundation-rattling power tools (such as the garage or workshop areas).
   
6. Recorking skinny side down.
   This may be easier, but the skinny side, exposed to the outside environment for so long, could have come into contact with anything. Go wet or wine-stained side down to avoid accidental contamination.

Store Your Wine Safely
Collecting and storing fine wines in a manner that helps them age gracefully is an exact science. Only custom wine cellars can create the precise conditions necessary to protect your pocketbook – and your pallet – from those unfortunate, vinegary sips. Luckily, custom wine cooling and refrigeration units are well within your reach. Discover how easily you can incorporate a wine cellar cooling unit into your home. Contact the knowledgeable temperature control professionals at H&H Heating & Air Conditioning today.

This blog was originally posted at https://www.delcohvac.com/6-things-you-are-doing-to-damage-your-wine/.

Its Spring! What you Need to do to Make sure your AC is Running Trouble Free

Those cool, comfy spring temperatures won’t last forever. Now’s the time to give your AC system the TLC it deserves before temperatures start rising. This spring cleaning task will pay back more in comfort and monetary savings than any other chore on your list, ensuring trouble-free summertime operation, lower cooling bills, and extended system life.

Ensure a Cool Summer by Adding AC Maintenance to Your Spring Cleaning Checklist

Your AC system needs regular attention to ensure it’s operating at the highest efficiency.

1. Shut Off Power
   Prevent electrical and machinery dangers by turning off power to your unit at the exterior shut-off box near the unit, and the breaker box.
   
2. Change Your Air Filter
   Air filters should be replaced regularly – every 3 months max – but preferably monthly, unless you’ve been instructed otherwise by your HVAC professional due to your HEPA-style filter. Dirty filters increase energy costs and shorten the lifespan of your system. Be sure to replace your filter with one of the same airflow rating, or the reduced airflow could result in system issues. If you’d like to upgrade to a better filter, consult an HVAC pro in advance so they can make the necessary adjustments to accommodate filter-related airflow changes.
   
3. Remove Debris
   With a soft broom or the help of a wet/dry vac, remove debris such as leaves, grass, and trash that is stuck on the fan cage. Be sure to clear/weed the area 2 feet in all directions of the system to ensure proper airflow to the unit.
   
4. Clean Fins
   Using a strong stream from a garden hose, wash away built-up dirt and debris between fins. (NEVER use a pressure washer, it can damage fins.)
   
5. Turn the Power Back On
   You’ve done a great job so far, but there’s still one more thing left to do…
   
6. Schedule Professional Maintenance
   AC professionals can quickly and easily handle spring maintenance tasks you cannot, including…
   • Ensuring adequate coolant levels (too much or too little can adversely affect system operation).
     
   • Verifying proper thermostat function and proper, safe system operation.
     
   • Cleaning condenser coils, a major factor in heating and cooling system wear-and-tear and increased energy costs.
     
   • Inspecting and adjusting blower components to ensure proper airflow, system efficiency and maximum comfort.
     
   • Inspecting evaporator coil
     
   • Checking electrical connections and adding necessary lubrication to moving parts.
     
   • Gently straighten bent fins, which can reduce efficiency, with appropriate tools.
     
   • Make sure the condensate drain is not plugged to prevent water damage and uncomfortable humidity issues in your home.
     
   • Identify any other issues that could result in costly and unexpected breakdowns during the peak of the summer cooling season.

Regular cleaning and maintenance will save you money and extend the life of your AC system. Don’t wait for HVAC system issues before giving your unit the attention it deserves.

Contact the trusted neighborhood professionals at H&H Heating & Air Conditioning today. Visit www.delcohvac.com/air-conditioning-company/

This blog was originally posted at https://www.delcohvac.com/make-sure-your-ac-is-running-trouble-free/.