Do I have a Dual Fuel System?

Not sure if you have a dual fuel heating and cooling system? Most homes feature either a gas-powered or heat-pump system with an electric heating backup. However, some homeowners enjoy the best of both worlds, employing the benefits of dual-fuel systems.

What is a Dual Fuel HVAC System?

Dual fuel systems deliver superior performance and efficiency by combing the best of gas furnace and heat pump technology. In dual fuel systems, both components share ductwork to distribute heated and cooled air throughout your home. In the summer and mild spring and fall weather, the heat pump provides the most efficient and least costly means of home comfort. In ideal conditions, heat pumps can transfer 300% more energy than they consume. In the coldest winter months (below 35-degrees), when heat pump systems are less efficient, the heat pump shuts off and the furnace takes over, delivering 90% efficiency on average.

How To Tell If You Have A Dual Fuel System

The easiest way to determine if you have a dual fuel system is to ask your local heating system repair company. However, it may be possible to determine this without a service call. The first place to look for this information is on the metal box inside or outside your home that controls your HVAC system. The model number on the faceplate of this unit, typed into a quick Google search, can help you uncover your system type. In addition to checking this panel, identifying key components of your HVAC system can help you determine what type of heating and cooling you have in your home.

Gas & Electric HVAC Identifiers

Setting your thermostat to engage heating and cooling, respectively, can help you identify your system. Here’s what to look for:

• Gas
  Gas-powered heating units use a heat exchanger or burner produce heat. When you’re running the heat, check for the presence of a small blue flame glowing through the window at the front of your system. You will likely hear the noise of gas-powered systems in operation as well. These indicators point to the presence of gas-powered heat.
• Heat Pump with Electric Heat Backup
  Heat pumps are typically powered by electricity. Heat pump components move heat from one place to the other based on the season. If you see brass pipes (the reversing valve) when looking inside the grill of your outdoor unit, you may have a heat pump. When temperatures plummet below the system’s capacity to effectively move heat, an electric heating element provides backup (emergency) heat to keep your home to temperature. These heating elements work similar to a radiator and don’t have a flame.

Have both? You may have a dual fuel HVAC system.

Clear up dual fuel confusion. Schedule an annual air conditioning service and maintenance and get your questions answered with H & H Heating & Air Conditioning today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/do-i-have-a-dual-fuel-system/

Is Upgrading My HVAC Worth the Expense?

With today’s climate and temperature extremes, your heating and air conditioning system has certainly seen some hardworking days. But is it past its prime? While maintenance can boost the performance and efficiency of your current system, heating and cooling units more than 10-years old are nowhere near as efficient as today’s high-efficiency models. Could an HVAC upgrade be worth the expense?

Tips for Determining When it’s Time for an HVAC Upgrade

Many older systems don’t work as well as they should. Coupled with advances in technology and efficiency, you could be spending a lot on electric costs monthly. These added expenditures could easily be used to pay off a new HVAC system, lowering your monthly energy bills. How can you determine if upgrading your HVAC system could be beneficial for your home? Answering these questions could help you decide:

• How Cool/Warm Do You Prefer Your Home?
  If you weren’t trying to control your energy costs, how much more comfortable would you be on summer’s hottest days and winter’s coldest ones if you could set your thermostat to a more favorable temperature?
• How Sensitive are You to Noise?
  Do you get tired of listening to your older system groan? As HVAC components wear, system operation can grow louder over time. A new system will not only run more quietly, but recent improvements in insulation and operational volume can provide quieter, less-intrusive heating and cooling, particularly with Mitsubishi ductless air conditioners and heaters.
• How Important is Having a Clean Home?
  A newer unit with improved filtration and a HEPA air filter addition can help you drastically reduce annoying dust buildup, alongside dust mites, dander, pollen, and other airborne contaminants. Learn more about improved filtration.
• Do You Want to Improve Your Indoor Air Quality?
  Today’s HVAC systems feature variable speed fans, boosting air circulation, and subsequently air quality. This helps reduce asthma and allergy flare-ups and reduce the health risks associated with poor indoor air quality.
• Do You Battle with Mold/Mildew in Your Home?
  By circulating air better, the variable speed fans in today’s systems help reduce humidity levels and moisture, keeping mold/mildew issues in-check in homes with an unusually sticky climate.

Still Concerned About The Cost?

According to the Department of Energy, heating and cooling are responsible for over half your monthly energy costs. However, with an investment in a newer, more efficient system, you could reduce these monthly costs, saving hundreds annually. The higher the SEER/EER rating on the system, the greater the savings. To help you mitigate the cost of a system upgrade and reduce your carbon footprint, many municipalities and electric companies offer rebates and incentives.

Time for an upgrade? Learn more about available incentives in your area and get a trustworthy quote on system upgrade cost from one of our HVAC installation service pros. Contact H & H Heating & Air Conditioning today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/is-upgrading-my-hvac-worth-the-expense/

Do You Need a Humidifier? The Signs Your Missing # Signs You Need a Humidifier

Cooler, dryer fall temperatures are moving in. Though you’re looking forward to a break from summer’s stifling humidity, sometimes dryer air falls into the ‘too much of a good thing’ category. Does your home need a humidifier?

Don’t Miss these 4 Key Signs that Your Home Needs a Humidifier

Because colder air cannot carry as much moisture as warm air, colder climates are naturally dryer. For this reason, most homes could benefit from a humidifier in the fall and winter months. Families often overlook the telltale signs of too much dryness: Humidity levels below the 40-60% relative humidity range. If you or your local air conditioning company notice any of these signs, it may be time for a humidifier:

1. Shocking encounters with your family.
   Static electricity is a common indicator of an uncomfortably dry home environment.
2. Dry, itchy skin, and chapped lips.
   Out of lotion and lip balm again? Miserable with seasonal eczema and psoriasis flare-ups? A humidifier could be just the relief your scaly, itchy skin is screaming for.
3. Persistent cough & allergy-like symptoms.
   As dryness makes it way from the surface to the interior of your body, frequent nosebleeds, chronic cough, and allergy flare-ups can take their toll. Those with asthma and allergies are most frequently affected at this time, as the dryer air keeps irritating particles airborne. A furnace mount humidifier installation in Chaddsford can help soothe dry, irritated skin and interior mucosal membranes.
4. Gaps and cracks in furniture, flooring, and structural components.
   Cracks in flooring, moldings, furniture, and more result when moisture is leached out of building materials, causing them to crack, shrink, warp, and weaken. A whole-house humidifier can protect the furnishings and structure of your home, adding essential moisture to the air to keep wood pliable.

Choosing A Home Humidifier

A home humidifier is an easy way to solve low humidity issues.

• Standalone/Portable Humidifiers
  Standalone or portable units cost slightly less, but only maintain humidity levels in individual rooms. They are not a cost-effective means of humidifying your entire home, and require substantially more maintenance than whole-house humidifying systems, requiring frequent refilling and cleaning to avoid common humidifier concerns.
• Whole House Humidifiers
  Whole house humidifiers attach directly to your furnace or heat pump system. They have their own water supply and require very little maintenance. Simply dial-in the ideal humidity level (40-60% relative humidity is recommended), and a whole house humidifier will deliver exactly what you need, distributing it through your home via your HVAC system.

Ensure a comfortable home over the fall and winter season with the help of your heating and air conditioning service. Contact H&H Heating & Air Conditioning and learn more about our affordable whole house humidifier options today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/do-you-need-a-humidifier-the-signs-your-missing-signs-you-need-a-humidifier/

Time for a Coil Cleaning? Here's How

For many homeowners, their HVAC system is out of sight, out of mind. Presumed to be hermetically sealed inside those giant metal boxes, heating and air conditioning units couldn’t possibly require that much cleaning and maintenance, right? Wrong. Far from hermetically sealed, your system is exposed to an array of dust and dirt from within and without your home. Without proper cleaning, including regularly cleaning AC coils, trouble is likely on the horizon.

Why Cleaning Coils at Summer’s End is an Essential HVAC Maintenance Task

What’s the big deal about a little dirt on AC coils? The main job of your coils is to transfer heat. The more dirt builds up on coils, the harder it is for your HVAC system to transfer heat. This means it has work harder to accomplish the task of keeping your home to temperature. All this extra strain on your system equates to:

• Higher energy bills.

Because your system has to run longer to achieve the desired temperature. Click here to learn more about ways to lower your HVAC energy costs.

• Refrigerant leaks.
  After remaining dirty for a while, coils corrode, leaking refrigerant into the atmosphere. This situation is not good for the earth, or your pocketbook. Without proper refrigerant levels, your system has to work longer and harder. Refrigerant is also costly to replace, especially if you have an older R-22 system. This refrigerant has been phased out due to environmental concerns.
• Reduced comfort.
  Your coils play an integral role in removing uncomfortable humidity from your home. For this reason, dirty coils can lead to a sticky indoor environment, and all the consequences excess indoor humidity can lead to in the form of mold, mildew, and bacteria.
• Shortened system life.
  The more you run your system, the faster key components such as the system’s fan and compressor will breakdown. Eventually, your system will overheat and fail, and you’ll find yourself shelling out for HVAC system replacement.

How To Clean Heating & AC Coils

AC coil cleaning is best performed once or twice a year, depending on use, in the spring and fall before temperature extremes put a strain on your system. Cleaning AC coils yourself can be a tempting task. However, the small fins on the coil are very delicate. Many well-meaning homeowners damage AC coils when attempting DIY coil cleaning, using the wrong chemicals or cleaning techniques. For this reason, coil cleaning by heating and cooling companies is recommended. The small cost of coil cleaning pales in comparison to the cost of coil replacement following a DIY cleaning attempt.

An HVAC service pro can also maintain other key components of your system while performing this task. A seasoned pro can make sure your system is up to snuff, identifying issues before they result in the need for emergency 24/7 HVAC repair.

Keep your system clean and lower your monthly energy costs with the help of the local air conditioning contractors at H & H Heating & Air Conditioning. Contact us today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/time-for-a-coil-cleaning-heres-how/

AC Unit Replacement is a Big Investment. What Are Your Options?

In the past several years, air conditioner technology has changed considerably. From added technology and options on traditional split systems to new products offerings including ductless and geothermal technology, which system is best for your home? Learn more about these popular heating and AC units:

Split Air Conditioning Systems (Heat Pumps)

Split systems get their name because they pair an indoor unit within the home with an outdoor unit. These heat pump style systems use refrigerant, coils, and a compressor to transport warmed/cooled air, alongside a fan to distribute it via ductwork. They are incredibly energy efficient, moving warm air into/out of your home depending on the season. Because the amount of heat available in the air is limited in colder regions, they are preferred in warmer regions, where a backup heat source (electric heat) is not needed. However, new technology in gas/electric unit combinations (below) now offers the best of both worlds.

Packaged ‘All-In-One’ Air Conditioning Systems

These systems also function via heat pump; however all the components in a packaged unit are contained in a metal housing outside your home.

Hybrid Or Combo Systems

In frigid winter temperatures, heat pumps require a form of backup heat. In past system designs, this was typically electric heat, which fell short compared to the cost and performance of other heating options. Enter dual-fuel units, which now offer homeowners their choice of gas or electric heat output. As temperatures change in the colder months, they provide superior performance, saving money in the long-term by decreasing high energy costs.

Geothermal Systems

Geothermal systems are ground-sourced heat pumps. Using the constant temperatures found deep within the earth, they pump out more heating and air conditioning per dollar of energy consumed, costing 25-50% less to operate than conventional systems. They can also double to offer water heating in the summer, and pair well with radiant heating floor systems. The layout of your property and its geothermal characteristics determine geothermal installation. Growing in popularity due to climate change and energy efficiency concerns, they are an ideal choice for those seeking superior efficiency and a lower carbon footprint.

Ductless ‘Mini Split’ Systems

Mitsubishi ductless air conditioners do not need ducts to transport conditioned air, making them a favorite in homes with boilers for hot water heating that lack duct work and historic homes with limited space for AC components. They feature an outdoor unit paired with one or more indoor units, depending on home size. The indoor units are connected to the outdoor unit by small refrigerant lines. Each interior unit has its own thermostat and distributes air. This allows for zoned heating and cooling, helping you save energy by only heating/cooling the rooms you utilize. In addition to homes with hot water heating and historic homes, ductless systems are also useful for:

Adding heating/cooling to an addition.

Heating/cooling a basement or garage.

Providing independent temperature control in multiple home areas.

What would be the right system for your home? Get expert advice from the HVAC installation service experts at H&H Heating & Air Conditioning by scheduling a consultation today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/ac-unit-replacement-is-a-big-investment-what-are-your-options/

7 Signs You're Overworking Your Air Conditioner

Feeling overworked and underappreciated? Your air conditioner may be able to commiserate. Too often, people force their cooling units to work too hard to keep up with the demands of summer heat. If you notice any of the following signs, there’s a good chance your cooling system may be overworked.

7 Signs You Are Overworking Your Air Conditioner

1. Shocking Increases in Your Energy Bills
   As your system works harder to keep up with cooling demands due to neglected maintenance, broken or worn parts, your monthly utility bills will rise. If your energy bills have suddenly spiked, it may be a good time to call for HVAC repair service.
2. Your Air Conditioner Struggles to Cool Your Home
   If you keep turning down the temperature on your thermostat and your system cannot keep up, your system could be in need of serious repair. If you’ve checked your system and you are sure a dirty air filter isn’t what’s causing your AC to struggle, you could need a new compressor, or additional refrigerant.
3. Your Home is Uncomfortably Humid
   If your home is sticky and uncomfortable even with the air conditioner running, coil or drainage issues could be to blame.
4. You Are Wearing Out Your Thermostat Buttons
   Like the call button for the elevator, pressing your thermostat buttons to crank down the temperature can be mentally fulfilling. However, also like the elevator, this will not make your AC cool your home any faster. Set it and forget it. If your system can’t keep up, you have other issues.
5. Your House has Warm and Cool Spots
   If some areas of your home are cooler than others, your system may be struggling to compensate for ductwork leaks and disconnections, a failing thermostat, or burned out compressor.
6. You Hear Strange Noises
   Strange noises often indicate system issues that impact the performance of your system. Learn which AC noises are normal, and which could indicate a more serious issue.
7. Your HVAC System Leaks
   Leaking refrigerant is not only detrimental to performance, but also to your health. Ditto with drainage blocks and leaks, which can cause mold issues and poor AC performance.

Your System Needs A Little R&R Too

Give it the attention it needs with regular professional maintenance. A routine system service from your air conditioning company can take a load off your system, addressing key issues that force your system to work harder. While some systems over 10-years old are simply in need of retirement, many issues are easy and inexpensive to address. Scheduling a maintenance visit could help you take a load off your air conditioner, addressing common issues such as an air filter change, coil cleaning, malfunctioning thermostat, or refrigerant recharge.

Don’t let your system suffer. Take a load off your system and your energy bills with the help of the local heating and air conditioning service pros at H&H Heating & Air Conditioning today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/7-signs-youre-overworking-your-air-conditioner/

Should I Add a UV Light to My HVAC System?

Are you or a family member highly-sensitive to allergens, mold, and other indoor pollutants? If you are one of the many Americans for whom keeping the air in your home or office free from harmful contaminants is a top priority, UV lights air purifiers may be for you.

How Do UV Lights Work?

UV lights can be added to your central HVAC system to eliminate any potentially harmful microorganisms before they enter your living space. They can also help keep your heating and air conditioning system clean. The coil, a prime component of your HVAC system, stays wet several months out of the year, making it a top site for microbial growth. Though UV lights are a great way to manage airborne contaminants running through your system, however, they are not the only option for safeguarding your indoor air quality.

UV Lights Work Best When Paired With An Air Filter Upgrade 

The heating and air conditioning pros at H&H recommend installing a better air filter in addition to your UV lights to support healthier indoor air quality. Systems with a HEPA-rated air filter can trap tiny particles 0.1-microns or smaller in size (700 times smaller than a human hair), such as mold spores. This addition will allow your filter system to trap a large number of harmful contaminants before you have to rely on your UV light system to destroy them.

Learn more about HEPA air filters for your home air conditioner.

How UV Lights & HEPA Filters Help You Breathe Easier

As we said earlier, a HEPA filter and UV lights can help you breathe easier by safeguarding your indoor coil against microbial growth and purifying the air in your home. The best UV light systems accomplish this by:

1. Exposing your indoor HVAC coil to UV light at all times, eliminating mold and mildew growth that could be spread throughout your home by your HVAC system.
2. Working in conjunction with activated carbon cells to remove dangerous chemicals, VOCs, and other odors/vapors that could make you feel sick or exacerbate allergy/asthma symptoms, filtering them out and eliminating them from the air you breathe.

When shopping for a UV light air purification system, don’t settle for less. Ensure clean, healthy air by choosing a system that addresses these essential aspects of safeguarding your indoor air quality.

What Else Can You Do To Improve Indoor Air Quality?

In addition to adding an indoor air quality system to your HVAC system, other ways you can improve air quality in your home include:

• Cleaning and sealing your ductwork to prevent the circulation of contaminants, attic or crawlspace air.
• Regularly changing/washing your HVAC air filters per manufacturer instructions.
• Keeping humidity in your home at optimal levels with a whole house humidifier or dehumidifier addition.
• Having your home assessed for air infiltration from unwanted areas.

Breathe easier. Schedule an indoor air quality assessment with your local air conditioning contractors at H&H Heating & Air Conditioning today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/should-i-add-a-uv-light-to-my-hvac-system/