What Causes Condensation on Air Conditioners? | eHow

Does your air conditioner look like it’s feeling the heat, sweating alongside you in the stifling summer weather? Condensation coming from cooling units is common in the summer months. What’s causing it, and is it good or bad for your system? The pros at H&H Heating & Cooling have the answers to all of your condensation questions.

What Causes Condensation on Air Conditioners?

The same process that causes a cold glass of iced tea to form water droplets on its exterior in the summer causes condensation on your air conditioner. As your system’s evaporator coil cools warm air that passes over it, absorbing heat and moisture from the air, condensation forms. As this condensation drips down, it collects in your system’s drain pan and (if it’s properly maintained and not clogged) through the condensate drain line and out of your home.

Can Condensation Hurt My AC System?

Condensation is normal for properly running air conditioning systems. Excess condensation, like sweating ducts and drips from outside the unit cabinet indicates a problem with your unit and points to an HVAC system issue that requires emergency HVAC repair service. Without prompt attention, excess condensation could overwhelm your air conditioner’s drainage system, causing damage within your home. This damage can range from high humidity levels that lead to mold and mildew proliferation and spots, to structural damage from drainage water that accumulates and puddles.

What HVAC System Issues Result In Condensation?

• Condensation Pan problems
  Your A/C unit condensation pan collects condensate water from the evapaorator and sends it to an external drain however overtime condensate pans can crack which can lead to water running through the unit and spilling out causing damage to the unit and to the home.
• Clogged or Dislodged Drain Line
  If bacteria and fungus buildup in the drain line, it can become clogged. It is also not uncommon for drain lines to become dislodged or outdoor drain line components to become obstructed. When this happens, your condensation pan will overflow, causing water to leak into your home.
• Broken Condensate Pump
  In homes with basements, a pump assists in the removal of water from your system. If this pump breaks, water will leak into your basement. Because this area of the home is not commonly frequented, extensive damage could occur before you notice drainage issues.
• Dirty Air Filter Leading to Frozen Evaporator Coil
  Dirty home air filters don’t facilitate adequate airflow over the evaporator coil. Without proper airflow, the coil gets too cold and freezes. When this ice melts, dripping into the condensation pan, it can overflow.
• Low Refrigerant Charge
  If your system is low on refrigerant, this can also cause the evaporator coil to freeze, which likewise can result in an overflowing condensation pan as ice melts.

Sweating system condensation issues? Address them quickly with the help of your local heating and air conditioning service providers at H&H Heating & Cooling today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/what-causes-condensation-on-air-conditioners-ehow/

7 Signs You Need a Dehumidifier

Summer stickiness can sneak up on you, taking a toll on your comfort,  health, and the structure of your home. Is your home in need of dehumidification action?

7 Signs It’s Time for a Dehumidifier:

1. Sticky, stuffy home feel.
   Relative humidity levels over 60% are too high, creating a sticky summer home environment, even with air conditioner use. Not sure of home humidity levels? Upgrade to an Ecobee or Nest smart thermostat with built-in humidity reading capacity, or purchase an inexpensive humidity meter separately for $10-12.
2. Musty odors.
   Musty odors go hand-in-hand with high humidity levels. As mold, mildew, and bacteria grow in this environment, offensive odors are released.
3. Condensation on windows and wet stains on wall/ceilings.
   Condensation on windows and wet stains on walls and ceilings can quickly lead to water damage and mold spots in these areas if moisture buildup remains unaddressed.
4. Mold and mildew.
   Bathrooms are a prime locale for mold and mildew, especially when adequate ventilation isn’t used during showers. What can start out as a few small spots can quickly spread, creating not only an ugly site, but effecting the health of your family if toxic black mold species stachybotrys chartarum proliferates releases mycotoxins.
5. Water damage and rotting structural components.
   If you see water stains on ceilings and walls, it is wise to immediately begin investigation into what is causing moisture buildup. You could have a hidden plumbing system leak. Left unaddressed, the structural wood framing of your home can become permanently damaged over time, drawing pests that love moisture and rotting through.
6. An abundance of pests.
   Because, bugs love moisture, high humidity levels draw destructive pests like termites and carpenter ants.
7. Upper respiratory issues.
   If you and your family are constantly sneezing and coughing, high humidity levels in the home could be to blame. Dust mites, pests, mold, and bacteria that negatively impact health are attracted to moisture, propagating and irritating allergic and sensitive individuals.

Where’s All The Excess Moisture Coming From?

Showering, cooking, and even breathing can release moisture into your home, where it can build up due to a tightly sealed building envelope. Though cooling units can remove some of this moisture, it may not always be efficient in doing so, especially in fair weather days when your air conditioning isn’t on. Since your air conditioner can’t measure humidity, people also tend to overcool their home in their efforts to reduce humidity levels, thereby increasing energy costs. Adding a whole home dehumidifier can more efficiently remove moisture from the air in your home, closely monitoring humidity levels and using as much as 80% less energy than your air conditioner.

How Much Can A Dehumidifier Help?

A whole house dehumidifier added to your air conditioner or heat pump can help you ensure comfort and prevent moisture-related problems in every conditioned area of your home, keeping humidity levels in the home to 30-60%, the level recommended by the U.S. E.P.A. for health and comfort.

Ensure a healthy, happy home. Address humidity issues with the help of H&H, you air conditioning service company today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/7-signs-you-need-a-dehumidifier/

What's the Best Summer Thermostat Setting?

It can be tempting to crank the temperature setting on your air conditioner down in the summer heat. Unfortunately, this can lead to shockingly high energy bills. Luckily, with a proactive approach, you can find a thermostat setting that ensures both home comfort and affordable energy bills.

What’s the Best Summer Thermostat Settings?

• When You’re Home
  78-degrees Fahrenheit is the temperature setting recommended by air conditioning companies and the U.S. Department of Energy to help you stay cool and comfortable while avoiding an abnormally high electric bill.
• When You’re Away
  Turning your thermostat up to 7-10-degrees, to 85-88-degrees Fahrenheit while you’re away, offers significant savings. Those who make this adjustment whenever they’re away from the home for more than 2-hours could save up to 10% on cooling costs.

Tips For Getting The Most Bang For Your Air Conditioning Buck

If the temperature settings above leave you wanting more, look to our tips for making the most of summer air conditioner use.

• Enlist the help of a programmable thermostat.
  If the thought of keeping up with ever-changing home thermostat settings wears you out, enlist the help of a smart programmable thermostat. There are many affordable models available to help you balance the comfort and energy savings goals of your family.
• Don’t air condition the entire neighborhood.
  Sealing leaks can help keep cool, conditioned air inside your home. Check your home carefully, installing weather stripping or applying spray foam or caulk around windows and doors, outlets and wiring, and around plumbing fixtures.
• Keep the heat out.
  Enlist the help of heat and sunlight deflecting window treatments, especially on west and south facing windows.
• Cook smart.
  Avoid using appliances that generate heat, like the oven and stove, until the cooler morning and evening hours. Better yet – cook outside on the grill.
• Lose the covers.
  At night when you go to sleep, lose the covers and don light pajamas, setting your thermostat to a higher temperature setting of 80-degrees or more.
• Install ceiling fans.
  Heating and cooling companies know energy efficient ceiling fans can make occupants in the room feel up to 7-degrees cooler than the ambient temperature thanks to the ‘wind chill effect.’
• Monitor humidity.
  Your body struggles to stay cool when humidity levels are high (over 60% relative humidity), as the added moisture in the air makes it difficult for sweat to evaporate and cool off your body. If your home is constantly muggy, adding a whole house dehumidifier can help you gain control of excess moisture using much less energy than your HVAC system. This can allow you to raise the temperature setting on your thermostat and remain more comfortable at higher temperatures.
• Upgrade your system.
  If your heating and cooling system is a dinosaur, you’ll see a significant comfort improvement, coupled with surprising energy savings, when you upgrade to a newer, higher SEER energy efficient model.

Feeling the heat? Keep cool with the help of the home comfort pros at H&H Heating & Air Conditioning today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/whats-the-best-summer-thermostat-setting/

Which Type of Air Conditioner is the Quietest?

Kids. Your snoring spouse. Barking dogs. Lawn mowers. Car stereos. The local air conditioning contractors at H&H, we know you have enough noise in your life, and your quest for peace and quiet is often ongoing, starting with where you can control things: In your home. In today’s spotlight: Choosing a quiet air conditioner.

Which Type of Air Conditioner is Quietest?

• Window Unit
  Window cooling units are known for their noisy operation, coming in at about 50-70 decibels. The bigger the unit, the more noise they tend to make. Improper installation, with the unit touching the sides of the window frame, can worsen this issue, resulting in excessive vibration. Lackluster maintenance can also elevate sound levels, including bent or dirty fan blades and coil fins, loose parts, insufficient lubrication, and foreign objects.
• Split & Packaged Central Air Conditioner
  Split and packaged air conditioners usually aren’t too noisy within the home, save for the sound of air distribution through ductwork and vents. Any sound outside of this norm indicates the need for rapid emergency HVAC service. Designed for quiet operation, system components are housed outdoors to help reduce noise levels within the home. At the outdoor unit, sound levels reach 69-72 decibels when the unit is operating. Older systems are notoriously noisier than newer units. Homeowners replacing systems just 10-years old tend to be pleasantly surprised at how much more quietly newer split or packaged air conditioning systems operate. What are the quietest models this year?
  • Lennox XC25
  • Carrier Infinity
  • York Affinity
  • Trane XV20i TruComfort
  • Bryant Evolution

• Ductless Mini Split
  Ductless ‘mini split’ systems like Mitsubishi home air conditioning systems are the quietest air conditioners on the market today. With an average noise level of 32 decibels, ductless systems are not only whisper quiet, they offer some of the highest SEER ratings and most efficient performance on the market. Top-of-the line ductless options reaching nearly 30 SEER, versus SEER ratings of 16-21 on traditional split systems. What makes ductless systems so quiet and efficient? Using only small tubes to connect wall-mount units to the condenser unit outside and distributing conditioned air via wall-mount units rather than (whooshing) ductwork and registers greatly reduces noise levels. Eliminating ductwork also eliminates heat loss. As with split systems, noisier components are located outside. In ductless systems, even these are outfitted with sound-dampening technology to reduce noise. Which systems offer the quietest operation?
  • Single Zone:
    • Mitsubishi MUZ-FH Series
    • Fujitsu General Halycon RLF/RLX Series
    • Gree Crown+
    • LG Art Cool
  • Multi-Zone:
    • Mitsubishi MXZ Series
    • Fujitsu General Halycon
    • LG Multi VS
    • Daikin MXS
    • Freidrich J Series

Have a headache? Put it on ice with a new air conditioner. Uncover the best model for your home with the help of H&H Heating & Air Conditioning today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/which-type-of-air-conditioner-is-the-quietest/

Start Your Summer Off Comfortably with these HVAC Tips

Summer has arrived and along with it sweltering heat and
humidity levels. Luckily, your air conditioner is there to help you make it through. How can you make sure it is ready for the start of the summer season?

Replace that Nasty Air Filter

In addition to distributing dirt, dust, and allergens around your home that negatively impact air quality, dirty home air filters from last season will also force your system to work harder to cool your home, shortening system lifespan and raising your summer energy bills.

Take A Listen

Turn on your system (before you need it) and listen for any unusual sounds. Set the temperature, and if the climate in your home doesn’t adjust to this setting, call for HVAC repair service.

Keep Your System Cool

It is important to keep many parts of your system cool. If the outdoor components of your system are properly shaded and weeds, grass, and bushes are kept back 2-4 feet away, your AC can dissipate heat better. Likewise, it is important to keep your thermostat in a cool location, out of the sunlight and away from any heat-producing appliances.

Clean The Condenser Coil

Call a pro to clean your condenser coil. This and other system components can be severely damaged when improperly cleaned. The condenser coil releases heat outside in order to cool refrigerant in the system. When it is covered in dirt and debris, it cannot perform this task properly. This causes your system to work much harder, shortening its lifespan, potentially leading to costly repairs or replacement, and raising your energy bills.

Check Coolant Levels & Lines

Your refrigerant lines (the two copper wires connecting the outside condensing unit to the evaporator coil) should always be properly insulated. The larger line should be covered with black rubber/foam insulation. This insulation helps your system operate at optimal efficiency. If your lines are bare, contact a professional air conditioning service & repair company before summer heat arrives and have this issue addressed.

Don’t Skimp On Routine Maintenance

Homeowners that procrastinate on this inexpensive service are more likely to end up paying for costly 24/7 emergency repairs. Schedule your AC tune-up while taking advantage of the pre-season offers. Having a licensed pro service your system at the start of summer will ensure you stay cool and comfortable throughout the summer season. Professional service also ensures optimal performance, which translates into savings on your monthly energy bill.

Get Smart

A smart thermostat can help you stay cool and save on your monthly energy bills. For every degree you turn up the temperature while you are away you can reduce your energy expenditures up to 8%! Learn more about the best smart thermostat models on the market today and how they can benefit your family. (LINK-TO-RECENT-WHICH-SMART-THERMOSTAT-IS-BEST)

Can’t stand the heat? Beef up your AC with the help of a trusted local air conditioning service company. Contact H&H Heating & Cooling today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/start-your-summer-off-comfortably-with-these-hvac-tips/

HVAC Tips to Stay Cool in the Sizzling Summer Heat

Tired of sweating through the summer? When scorching summer temperatures set in, you’re not the only one struggling to make it through the day. Your air conditioner is working hard to keep you cool. To help it accomplish this difficult job without going up in smoke alongside your energy dollars, we’ve got a few tips…

Help Your System Keep Its Cool

Doing this is easy.

• Give your system a little shade.
  Properly shaded systems have an easier time cooling air.
• Remove debris.
  Clear overgrown grass, weeds, bushes and trees 2-4 feet around your unit to allow for adequate air flow.
• Regularly replace filters.
  Check your air filter monthly, replacing it at least once every 3-months. Clogged filters force your system to work harder and are a common culprit for HVAC emergency repair calls. A clean filter is one of the easiest and most effective ways to improve performance and save when using air conditioning and it’s critical to the lifespan of your system.
• Keep your thermostat out of the heat.
  Keep lamps, TVs, sunlight, and anything heat-producing away from your thermostat. These can cause you system to run longer than necessary, inflating your energy bill and making you uncomfortable.
• Don’t neglect routine maintenance.
  Professional tuneups don’t cost a lot, while addressing areas key to comfort and use. With a simple call, you can ensure your system won’t go down with countless other cooling units when summer temperatures soar. Air conditioning companies can manage tasks you cannot, including:
  • Topping off refrigerant levels to ensure your system provides you with the coolest air possible.
  • Cleaning integral components such as the compressor and coils which can quickly lead to poor performance and breakdowns in temperature extremes.
  • Verify proper thermostat function and manage airflow so you can remain comfortable without constantly adjusting temperatures.

Don’t Overdo It

You can also keep your HVAC system from overworking and giving out by changing your behaviors.

• Stop pressing that button.
  Cranking down the thermostat won’t make your home cool any faster. It puts your system under immense strain. And remember: For every degree below 78, you increase energy consumption (your electric bill) by 8%.
• Invest in a programmable thermostat.
  This can ensure comfort and energy savings, automatically adjusting the set temperature for when you’re away, and when you’re home. Leaving early? Many smart thermostat models offer built-in geofencing, sensing your smartphone’s location and adjusting the temperature for your arrival.
• Don’t prolong the misery.
  Consider replacing older heating and air conditioning units with a newer, energy efficient model. Newer systems won’t have to work as hard (or use as many of your energy dollars) to keep you comfortable. They are also covered by a warranty and less prone to breakdowns when you need them most. Federal tax credits and local utility incentives can help make this upgrade more budget-friendly – plus you’ll reap energy savings over the life of the system.
• Don’t cool the whole neighborhood.
  Insulate your ductwork and seal air leaks around windows, doors, and fixtures to keep cool air in.

Stay cool in the sizzling summer heat with the help of H & H Heating & Air Conditioning today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/hvac-tips-to-stay-cool-in-the-sizzling-summer-heat/

Which Smart Thermostat is the Best?

What makes a good smart thermostat? The pros at H&H heating and air conditioning know the best smart thermostats can carefully monitor and adjust your home’s temperature settings with little to no programming from you. Which models should you look to for ease-of-use, comfort, and energy savings?

Top Choice: Nest Thermostat E 

*Price: Around $170

The Nest Thermostat E delivers most of the learning features of the standard Nest, but at a slightly lower price point. It’s compatible with most systems, though not as many as other Nest models. The Nest Thermostat E is simple and easy to use, requiring minimal programming. Despite its reduced price, it offers many of the learning functions Nest models are known for, learning your heating and cooling preference and creating a schedule with no user programming required. Its clean white design can blend seamlessly into the walls of your Villanova home. It’s compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant, but doesn’t work with Apple’s smart-home system or HomeKit.

Amenity-Packed: Nest Learning Thermostat

*Price: Around $215

The runner-up to our top pick, the Nest Smart Learning Thermostat has all the bells and whistles, including Nest’s most advanced features. It is compatible with a broader variety of heaters and air conditioners. It can do everything the Nest Thermostat E can, but delivers a larger, brighter display screen and more color and display options (weather, clock, etc.).

Does It All: Ecobee4

*Price: Around $199

The Ecobee 4 comes with Alexa built-in, including a speaker/microphone. However, it’s also compatible with Google Home and HomeKit. Working with remote temperature and occupancy sensors placed in multiple locations in your home, the Ecobee can better achieve target temperatures in occupied rooms. This offers far more precise control than monitoring with a single-thermostat. If you have issues with cold spots in your home or are aching for an Alexa-enabled voice-operable thermostat, this model is for you. If you want something that automatically figures out your schedule, however, you’re better off with the Nest Thermostat E.

Budget-Friendly: Honeywell Lyric T5

*Price: Around $109

Air conditioning companies install a lot of Lyric T5s. You get what you pay for with this model. The Lyric T5 is not as easy to use as the Nest, but it is an affordable and easy way to manage your home’s climate. It is compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and HomeKit. The Lyric can’t learn your schedule or sense your presence. Creating a custom schedule based on your preferences is up to you. It does have convenient geofencing technology, however. This notes your smartphone’s location, and should you leave or return home at an early or unexpected time, the Lyric adjusts the temperature in your home for comfort or energy savings.

Smart thermostat technology can provide up to $180 per year in energy savings, with many qualifying for utility rebates and incentives. What are you waiting for?  Stop stalling and contact an H&H Heating & Air Conditioning pro to schedule your smart thermostat installation today.

* Prices listed above are for informational purposes only and and subject to change. Prices excludes installation cost.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/which-smart-thermostat-is-the-best/