How to Care for your HVAC when you have Pets at Home

Could your pet be behind the need for your recent call to the local HVAC repair service? Many new (and even some seasoned) pet owners can overlook the effect their four-legged friends can have on their health and home.

Dander Dilemmas
Resulting in a variety of problems from minor itching to debilitating respiratory irritation, built-up pet dander can have a negative effect not only on your health, but on the health of your cooling and heating unitsas well. And nearly every pet sheds dander, tiny particles of skin, fur or feathers. What’s a pet-loving homeowner to do?

Improve HVAC Performance & Air Quality with These Pet-Friendly Tips:

• Make Air Filter Changes a Priority
  Because pet hair and dander can easily clog HVAC filters, spreading allergens, those with pets should check and change them more often than the average homeowner. Left unchecked, a clogged filter can rob your system of efficiency, forcing it to work harder than necessary to heat/cool your home. This not only needlessly inflates energy costs, but severely shortens the lifespan of your system. Monitor your system and develop a schedule, marking air filter changes on your calendar if need be.
• Groom Pets Frequently to Reduce Dander
  Eliminating the problem at its source by regularly grooming your pet can significantly cut down on dander and allergen distribution in your home.
• Clean Your Home Regularly
  As with grooming, removing dust and dander with the regular vacuuming, mopping and dusting of surfaces will likewise reduce debris and improve air quality and HVAC performance.
• Don’t Neglect Your Ducts
  In addition to cleaning the parts of your home you can see and touch, you should also clean the ones you can’t: Specifically the inside of ductwork, and internal heating and air components such as coils. This is easily accomplished by scheduling an annual system tune-up with your local HVAC technician, and asking them to check your ductwork for signs of pet hair, dust, and mold, which impact air quality and indicate the need for duct cleaning.
• Keep Properly Secured
  Prevent injury to your pets and damage to ductwork. Properly screw down all vents, ensuring adequate coverage to prevent pets from climbing within. Calling for emergency heating repairs in the dead of winter after a pet has sought shelter within ducts will not be a fun day for you or your pet.
• Fence-In Your Outdoor Unit
  Adding a fence around your outdoor unit can help prevent area pets and wildlife from chewing, scratching, or urinating on HVAC system components. The nature of animal urine can cause coils to degrade prematurely, increasing the likelihood of refrigerant leaks and system damage. If installing the fence yourself, ensure enough distance from the unit to provide sufficient airflow. If unsure where to install your fence while allowing proper ventilation, ask a pro. Too little airflow and the performance and lifespan of your system can be significantly impacted.

Safeguard the health of your family, your pets, and your HVAC system. Contact H&H heating and air service to schedule your annual cleaning and maintenance today for a healthier, happier home today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/hvac-maintenance-with-pets/

Installing a Furnace Mounted Humidifier. Is it Worth it?

Dry winter air taking a toll on your skin, or causing you to zap loved ones on-contact? Your home needs a humidity boost. Ensuring the right relative humidity in your home safeguards not only your health, but essential home items and structural components.

Most Homes Across the Country Could Benefit from a Humidifier
Whole house dehumidifiers are becoming increasingly common in homes. A whole house humidifier, such as the Aprilaire line of humidifiers, can safeguard your family’s health, improve comfort, boost energy-efficiency, and help you preserve your home. Affordably integrated into your home’s furnace equipment, such as furnace dehumidifiers, whole house humidifiers can also be easily added to home heating and cooling units of other varieties. Could a whole house dehumidifier be a worthy addition to your home?

The Benefits of Furnace Humidifiers are Numerous…

• Safeguarding Health
  Humidifiers prevent dry skin, lips and nasal passages. Left to crack and bleed, such injuries allow bacteria and viruses easier access into the body. They also help deter the spread of viruses, which thrive and more easily distribute in dry indoor environments.
• Helping Guard Against Asthma & Allergies
  Because proper levels of humidity significantly reduce the amount of dust hanging in the air, humidifiers are a great friend to those with asthma and allergy issues, and are regularly recommended by asthma and allergy doctors for their capacity to reduce nasal stuffiness and asthma and allergy flare-ups.
• Reducing Snoring
  From dry, inflamed nasal passages.
• Eliminating Annoying Static Electricity
  No more zapping your significant other or kids with static electricity strikes.
• Protecting Furniture & Essential Structural Home Components
  Over time, dry indoor air can take its toll on woodwork in the home, from furniture and cabinetry, to the structural components of the floors, walls, and roof, causing cracking, splitting and warping of wood panels and framing that are detrimental to structural stability.
• Saving Energy
  Because humid air feels warmer than it actually is, adding a dehumidifier can make your home feel more comfortable. With proper relative humidity levels, you can reduce energy costs, turning down your thermostat a few degrees while still remaining warm. Turning down your thermostat just 3 degrees could save you as much as 5% on your energy bills, helping you earn a rapid return on investment on your affordable whole house humidifier investment.
• Adding Value
  As families and businesses nationwide seek to improve health with more effective indoor air quality systems, whole house humidifiers make a welcome addition, adding value to your HVAC system, and your home.

Ensuring Humidifier Success
The key to success and happiness in your furnace humidifier investment lies in proper sizing and installation. HVAC technicians in-the-know understand undersized humidifier units will offer little to no benefits to residents. Humidifiers must be properly sized like a furnace or air conditioning system to ensure the proper level of humidity can be achieved at all times, allowing for ‘set-it and forget-it’ operation outside of necessary humidifier maintenance.

Turn the home into the oasis it was meant to be. For furnace mount humidifier installation in Chaddsford, Villanova, and surrounding areas, contact H&H Heating & Air Conditioning today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/installing-furnace-mounted-humidifier-worth/

A Round up of Amana HVAC Systems

In the market for a new HVAC system? Amana offers some of the most top rated heating and air conditioning systems on the market today.

Which Amana Model Best Fits Your Home & Budget?

• Amana AC Units
  • AVXC20
    The impressive AVXC20 sports a 24.5-SEER rating, high-efficiency, variable-speed compressor and fan, and is compatible with Amana’s proprietary, energy-saving ComfortNet & ComfortHome automation communications technology.
  • ASXC18
    With a slightly higher SEER-rating than the ASXC16, the Energy Star rated ASXC18 offers efficient 19-SEER performance, featuring a two-stage compressor. Best paired with a variable-speed blower, it comes in 2-5 ton models and is ComfortNet and ComfortHome compatible.
  • SSX13
    This affordable 13-SEER model is budget-friendly, while still maintaining Energy Star certified performance, featuring single-stage cooling and a communication system.
• Amana Heating Units (Heat Pumps)
  • AVZC20
    AVZC20 wraps 21-SEER/10-HSPF performance up in a tidy package, with a high-efficiency variable-speed swing and scroll compressor and fan motor, and compatibility with ComfortNet communications. Compressor inverter technology works like a light dimmer switch, optimizing energy savings and comfort with precise speed adjustments.
  • AVZC18
    This 19-SEER/10-HSPF system also features a variable-speed compressor and fan motor with inverter technology, and compatibility with ComfortNet communications, albeit at a slightly lower SEER (and price tag) punch.
  • ASZC18
    The ComfortNet compatible 18-SEER/9.50-HSPF ASZC18 offers a two-stage scroll compressor and fan motor, utilizing less energy compared to reciprocating models.
  • ASZC16
    Affordable and efficient, the 16-SEER/9.7-HSPF ASZC16 also features a two-stage scroll compressor and ComfortNet compatibility.
  • ASZ14
    Budget-friendly yet still efficient and Energy Star rated, the 15-SEER/9-HSPF ASZ14 offers a two-speed high efficiency scroll compressor and ComfortHome automation capabilities.
• Amana Gas Furnaces
  • ACVM97
    Highly-efficient, with an AFUE rating of 97%, the ACVM97 gas furnace offers a variable-speed blower, multi-speed continuous fan operation for reducing noise levels during operation, a dehumidification mode to enhance summer comfort, and ComfortNet and ComfortHome automation capabilities.
  • AMEC96
    Continuous multi-speed fan operation quickly and quietly distributes heat through your home with 96% efficiency, providing substantial energy savings. Pair with ComfortHome automation tech for the ultimate in ease-of-use.
  • AMS8
    The budget-friendly AMS8 offers 80% efficiency, with a single-stage fan, and patented convertible technology providing continuous, low levels of heat to eliminate temperature swings.

Unique Features of Amana Systems
Those new to Amana products may be unfamiliar with what sets this brand apart from competitors. Amana is known for its…

• Durability & Warranty
  Amana’s use of R-410A chlorine-free refrigerant boosts the systems durability, reliability, and environmental friendliness. Compressors/heat exchangers boast a lifetime warranty, with other components warrantied 10 years after purchase.
• Energy Efficiency
  Models compatible with Amana’s high-tech ComfortNet System excel at efficient operation, offering substantial annual energy cost savings.
• Moisture Performance
  Intelligently designed, Amana systems manage moisture at many different capacities, circumventing relative humidity complications.
• Quiet Operation
  Enhanced acoustical engineering with high-density foam covers provides discreet HVAC operation.

Not sure which HVAC system is best for your home or budget? H&H Heating & Air Conditioning has the information and experience you need to help you decide. Contact us to learn more about available Amana HVAC options today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/amana-hvac-systems/

Looking for Trusted Heating Repair Near you? We’ve got you Covered.

Heater having issues and you don’t know where to turn? Get your system back in shape with the help of the experts at H&H Heating & Air.

We take pride in our service at H&H Heating and Air Conditioning Inc.

A Trusted Reputation
Our Better Business Bureau A+ rated service and 5-star Google reviews speak to our commitment to quality. Providing stellar heating and air conditioning services since 1985, our NATE certified, experienced technicians respect your home and family, treating them as if they were our own, preventing messes with drop cloths and shoe covers. We promise protection, ensuring anything damaged is rapidly repaired or replaced.

Convenient, Affordable Service, 24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week
No matter the hour of the day or day of the week, our ‘warehouses on wheels’ arrive at your home stocked with all the necessary materials to achieve same-day repairs, always charging the same, fair price no matter when you need service. Want to ensure fast repair in the event of emergency? Check out our Comfort Club repair and service plans for discounts and priority service.

Covering a Wide Array of Home Comfort Needs:

• Air Conditioning Installation and Repair
  We service all types, brands, and ages of air conditioners, including heat pumps, geothermal, and ductless mini split systems.
• Heating Installation and Repair
  Including boilers, furnaces, and even radiant heat flooring installation and repair issues.
• Hot Water Heater Maintenance 
  Prolong the life of your water heater, boosting performance and efficiency with basic hot water heater maintenance.
• High-Efficiency Water Heater Installation
  For improved performance and reduced energy costs.
• Wine Cellar Installation and Repair
  To safeguard the flavor and longevity of your wine collection.

Shopping for a New System? We’ve Got You Covered 
We carry an array of top-of-the-line equipment from the nation’s leading heating and cooling manufacturers – products that deliver some of the best performance and warranties in the business. You can count on our trustworthy, trained and experienced team to help you choose and install the ideal comfort solution for your home. Uncover necessary differences that will impact ease-of-use and energy performance, finding the right heating or air conditioning solution for you home and budget, choosing from common heat pump systems, furnaces, boilers, or the latest in high-efficiency ductless technology, geothermal and radiant heat systems. The best part? All of our systems and services are backed by a no lemon, 100% money back, comfort guarantee.

Looking for a trusted heating repair company near you? Whether you need  Ardmore heating and air service,  24/7 heating and air conditioning services in Malvern, Newtown Square HVAC repair or emergency water heater repair service in Wayne  H&H Heating & Air has you covered. Contact us today!

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/trusted-heating-repair-near-you/

How to Choose the Right type of Heat Pump for your Home

Shopping for a new heat pump? It’s easy to become overwhelmed by the amount of styles and models on the market. Luckily the pros at H&H Heating & Air have you covered, with all the information you need to help you decide which type of heat pumpis right for your home, budget, and lifestyle.

What to Know Before You Buy
If your HVAC repair service technician has informed you your older heater pump is living out its final days, it’s time to make some decisions about your future heat pump’s features. Which are must-haves and which can you do without? Let’s dig a little deeper…

Types of Heat Pumps

The first thing you will notice is there are more than one style of heat pump. Whether you replace yours with a style similar to its predecessor, or venture into new territory, will depend on a number of factors…

• Air-Source
  Commonly installed, split and packaged heat pumps systems utilize outdoor air for heat exchange. Though previously more effective in warmer climates, those tired of calling their furnace repair company will be happy to know advances in technology now make heat pumps viable for colder regions, including the Northeast. Sizing is important, however. Systems in regions that drop below 10-25 degrees F may still require an auxiliary heat source if undersized.
• Ductless/Mini-Splits
  Split-ductless systems involve an outdoor unit, paired with 1-4 interior compressor/condenser units for the delivery of conditioned air. Installed high on the wall/ceiling, these remote control units require no ductwork, making them a great option for older homes or those with ductwork problems. Installation costs can be higher, however these uber-efficient systems deliver stellar savings, and can often earn you state/local/utility rebates and incentives.
• Geo-Thermal Heat Pumps
  Buried deep underground, geo-thermal heat pumps condition air with the help of the constant 50-60 degree temperatures of the earth/water. 25-50% more efficient than conventional HVAC systems, geothermal units are quiet, low-maintenance, and offer better humidity control. Systems may not be compatible with small lots and certain soil conditions, and installation costs can be high, but pays back in 5-10 years.

Energy Efficiency
Cooling efficiency for split-systems, measured by SEER, is a federally-required minimum of 13 in the Northeast. Heating efficiency, measured by HSPF, is a minimum of 7.7. Though SEER is more important in warmer climes, look to HSPF in the Northeast’s colder temperatures. A rating of at-least 15 SEER/8.5 HSPF is recommended. The higher the rating, the better the performance/energy savings over the life of the system. The most-efficient Energy Star-rated systems are 18-27.5 SEER/8.5-12.5 HSPF. (Geothermal ratings differ, rated by EER/COP, with minimums of 17.1-21.1 EER/3.1-4.1 COP.

Sizing & Installation
Undersized/oversized systems won’t effectively maintain temperatures in your home, inflating energy bills. Proper sizing, based on the size and thermal efficiency of your home, is key to performance, as is the proper installation of ductwork/equipment.

Rebates & Incentives
Check with your state, city, and utility provider for available rebates and incentives, or check online here.

Ensure a more comfortable home, lower energy bills, and a system that lasts for years to come. Learn more about upgrading your system with H&H Heating & Air today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/choose-right-type-heat-pump-home/

Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat – Save Energy and Stay Comfortable

No longer a newcomer to the market, smart thermostat technology for heating and cooling units has been around for decades. Trending and climbing in popularity, homeowners are increasingly turning to smart thermostat tech for comfort and energy savings.

How Much Energy Can a Smart Thermostat Help You Save?

Though the amount a smart thermostat technology can save will vary based on your area climate, home construction, and thermostat habits, the EPA’s Energy Star program reports homes taking advantage of smart thermostat technology can save up to $180 per year on heating and air conditioning. Based on these estimates, you can recoup a smart thermostat investment in 2 years – or sooner with rebates available from your local utility company.

How Do Smart Thermostats Improve Comfort & Save Money?

• They work with you.
  Invest in a next generation Nest or Honeywell smart thermostat, and your smart thermostat will work with you, learning your temperature preferences and schedule with no need for programming on your part, recording your family’s behavior to create a schedule that maximizes comfort and efficiency.
• They’re tricky.
  Watching when you leave, come home, and sleep, deciding to adjust temperatures when you don’t notice, working behind-the-scenes to provide you both comfort and energy savings.
• They’re precise.
  Some smart thermostat models, such as the EcoBee 3, use remote sensor technology, allowing for precise, room-by-room temperature control. This prevents your system from pushing conditioned air into unused spaces, providing maximum comfort in the rooms in which you spend the most time.
• They’re flexible.
  Even though your smart thermostat is great at handling things, the power is still in your hands, with easy, convenient operation from anywhere an internet connection is available – the couch, work – even faraway vacation destinations, allowing you to monitor use and ensure comfort and safety. Home automation system? Most models work with popular voice-prompted tech such as Alexa, Siri and Google Home.
• They don’t get distracted.
  If you don’t use your programmable thermostat (or don’t use it correctly), leave your thermostat set to the same temperature 24/7, or frequently forget to adjust temperatures while you’re gone for the day or before bed, a smart thermostat can save you a lot of dough.
• They think outside the box.
  Taking into consideration outdoor weather conditions, humidity levels – even when someone has fired up the oven – to provide maximum comfort, no matter the mitigating factors.
• They’ve got the deets.
  Mobile apps and reports offer additional options for savings, showing where minor adjustments can be made for those who love data and tweaking home systems for energy savings.
• They think ahead.
  Letting you know when it’s time for regular maintenance, cleaning and inspections, ensuring optimal efficiency, prolonging the life of your system, and safeguarding you from unexpected and costly air conditioning and heating repair services.

Work smarter not harder to boost energy savings and comfort. Contact H&H Heating & Air Conditioning, your A+ BBB-rated local HVAC repair service, and schedule your smart thermostat installation today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/upgrade-smart-thermostat-save-energy-stay-comfortable/

Do you need an Air Purifier or a Humidifier

With today’s families spending 90% of their time indoors, clean, healthy indoor air is integral to health and well-being. Alone or as part of indoor air quality systems, humidifiers and air purifiers can help you safeguard the air quality within your home. Which do you need? A closer look at these systems will reveal that although both serve a similar purpose (namely upholding the air quality in your home) they each provide very different services.

Which Do You Need, An Air Purifier or a Humidifier?

Air Purifier

Air purifiers remove contaminants such as dust, pollen, pet dander, and smoke from indoor air. Models with the added feature of UV light further purify air, destroying bacteria and other microorganisms to further maintain indoor air quality. Both regular and UV air purifier can be installed within ductwork, or used via a standalone machine. Air purifiers are beneficial for: Allergy sufferers and those with asthma Reducing irritants in the air that can lead to allergy or asthma attacks. Immunocompromised individuals Removing contaminants and pollutants can safeguard against a range of illnesses. Homes with smoke odors Air purifiers can remove second-hand smoke from the air, eliminating not only annoying smells, but potentially harmful airborne compounds. Extremely dusty homes Air purifiers can help reduce dust building up on surfaces within your home.  

Humidifier

Whole house humidifiers add water to the air, distributing it via HVAC ductwork. Humidifiers are especially valuable in the wintertime, when air is devoid of moisture. What’s the ideal relative humidity (RH) level in the home? According to the EPA, 30-50% RH is best. Does my home need a humidifier? If you don’t have a hygrometer to measure indoor humidity levels, look for these signs you may need a humidifier…

• People suffering frequent illness
  Lubricated nasal passages, as opposed to cracked, bleeding sinuses, make the body less vulnerable to illness.
• Individuals with excessive sinus congestion
  Nasal membranes must be adequately moistened for proper drainage.
• Those with excessively dry skin, nose, eyes, and hair in the winter
  Frequent nosebleeds; chapped irritated skin; red, dry eyes; brittle hair; persistent coughs; and even frequent asthma flare-ups could indicate overly-dry air.
• Family members who snore excessively
  Humidifiers lessen nasal congestion and allergies from pollutants spread via dry air, reducing snoring.
• Homes with static electricity issues
  Painful and annoying, excessive ‘zaps’ from static electricity are a sure-sign humidity is too low.
• Homes with cracking furniture and structural components…
  Damaged by excessively dry air.

Still Not Sure Which is Best for Your Home?
The knowledgeable technicians at H&H Heating & Air Conditioning, your local HVAC repair service, can help you decide, testing the quality of your indoor air, measuring relative humidity levels in your home, and recommending the perfect solution for your home and family’s indoor air quality needs. Whether you need an air purifier, humidifier, dehumidifier – or an entirely new heating and air conditioning system, our A+ BBB-rated services have you covered. Contact us to schedule your indoor air quality evaluation, or to learn more about our wide range of indoor air quality systems today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/need-air-purifier-vs-humidifier/