7 Tips for Maximizing Heat Pump Performance in Winter

Are you wearing out your heat pump with a heavy-handed heat pump operation? Heat pumps operate differently in the winter than they do in warmer months. To make the most of your energy dollars and safeguard the lifespan of your system, it pays to take precautions when using your heat pump system in the winter months.

Why Does My Heat Pump Work Differently in the Winter?

Heat pumps don’t generate heat, they move it from one place to another, pulling heat from the outdoors for use in your home. Despite chilly temperatures, they can still manage to pull a bit of heat from the air. However, below freezing, they lose a bit of operational efficiency. Fortunately, you can ensure performance with mindful winter heat pump use.

7 Tips For Maximizing Heat Pump Performance In The Winter

1. Stop cranking up the temperature.
   Pumping the temperature settings up to the 90s won’t heat your home any faster. It will, however, burn a lot more energy, particularly if your system is equipped with an auxiliary/emergency (electric) heat back up. Equipping your system with a smart home thermostat designed specifically for use with a heat pump system can help you ensure comfort and savings, turning your system off when you are not home, and helping you develop a schedule to ensure a cozy, warm home when you return.
   Learn more about the savings and comfort benefits of smart thermostats.
2. Don’t rely on emergency heat.
   Save emergency heat for real emergencies. This mode is notoriously inefficient and will quickly drive up your energy bills.
3. Keep your filter clean. 
   A dirty filter forces your system to move air. A clean filter safeguards the lifespan of your system, and more importantly, ensure good indoor air quality.
4. Keep leaves and debris clear of your outdoor unit.
   Your outdoor unit must be free to circulate air as well. Regularly clear dead, fallen leaves and debris surrounding your system for optimum performance.
5. Do NOT cover your system. 
   Your system is designed to survive outdoors and does not need to be covered in the winter. In fact, covering your system at this time can lead to serious problems, such as mold growth and pest infestation. In frigid weather, leave ice alone. It is sharp and dangerous to your and your system, and your heat pump should manage this in defrost mode.
6. Don’t worry about the defrost mode.
   This mode scares some homeowners, however, defrosting frozen system components is part of normal winter operation. Be aware, though, this cycle is typically short, and if your system stays in this mode for a long time, it may require heating repair services.
7. Follow a regular maintenance schedule.
   Regular professional cleaning and maintenance, at least once a year, ensures efficient performance and prevent unexpected breakdowns.

Winter heat pump questions? Talk to a pro at H & H Heating & Air Conditioning about the best way to operate your heat pump for your area climate, or schedule routine heat pump maintenance today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/7-tips-for-maximizing-heat-pump-performance-in-winter/

How Does a Furnace Humidifier Work?

Is your furnace missing essential home comfort equipment? Furnace mount humidifier installation in Chaddsford can protect your family and home from the extreme dryness winter weather brings. These conditions surprisingly make your home feel colder, as well as impact your health and the structure and contents of your home. Why do you need a humidifier for comfort if your furnace heats the air in your home?

Proper Humidity Levels Make Your Home Feel Warmer

With the right amount of humidity in the air (35-55%), your home will feel warmer and more comfortable.

Proper Humidity Levels Ensure The Health Of Your Family & Home

There are many signs you need a humidifier. You will know you can benefit from humidifier use when you notice static electricity issues in your home. Left unaddressed, these dry conditions can cause skin and lips to dry and crack, predisposing you to infection and illness. They can also increase airborne dust and worsen asthma/allergy symptoms. Your home structure and furnishings can also dry, crack, and split.

How A Furnace Humidifier Works

Furnace humidifiers connect with a water source and mount to the hot air supply of your furnace, distributing moisture via system ductwork. Furnace humidifiers work in tandem with your furnace or heating unit, turning on/off based on your chosen humidistat/thermostat settings, typically when the relative humidity drops below 30-50%. When in-use, they produce moisture, infusing it with furnace-heated air.

When your system is in heat mode, simply engage your humidifier by adjusting humidistat dial settings. Turn until you hear a click to determine current humidity levels in your home, changing settings accordingly. If your heating system has a bypass damper, make sure the damper is in ‘open’ or ‘winter’ position and parallel to the duct. If you see water draining from the humidifier while your system is running, your humidifier is in operation.

Types Of Humidifiers

• Steam
  Steam humidifiers are the most efficient style and also require the least maintenance, however, this comes at a higher initial cost. They self-generate steam, boiling water on-demand, and injecting steam into the heated air from your furnace.
• Flow-Through
  Moderately priced flow-through humidifiers are more reliable than reservoir systems and require less maintenance. They rely on water tapped into the system from an existing water pipe, which drips across a specially coated screen. The furnace blower induces evaporation while the system is running, distributing moisture through your home.
• Reservoir
  Reservoir systems use a rotating drum of water to create moisture. They are inexpensive, but the least efficient furnace humidifier style. Because they remain full of water, they are also prone to mold issues, requiring more frequent disinfection maintenance.

A Whole House Humidifier Is An Affordable Addition

A whole house humidifier, added to your furnace, uses a nominal amount of energy, adding and distributing moisture via evaporation, and allowing you to operate your system at a lower thermostat setting, saving energy and money.

Ensure comfort, health, and energy savings with a furnace humidifier. Contact your local air conditioning service company to learn more today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/how-does-a-furnace-humidifier-work/

Keep Your Basement Warm in the Winter with these Tips

If you use your basement for more than simple storage, you know it can get pretty chilly down there in the winter. For those with bedrooms or recreational areas in the basement, keeping them warm in the winter can be a challenge. Despite the natural insulation of the earth, which keeps your basement comfortable in moderate temperatures, in the bitter cold of winter, this earthen insulation is not enough. Fortunately, there are a few ways to keep your basement warm and comfortable in the winter.

Tips for Keeping Your Basement Warm without Inflating Your Energy Bill

• Infrastructure improvements
  These improvements cost less over the long-term, and don’t involve a heating and cooling system overhaul or added energy expenses:
  • Seal leaks and cracks in the basement structure.
    Seal cracks in concrete flooring and walls, and gaps surrounding windows and doors with the appropriate foam insulation, caulk, or weather stripping.
  • Add more insulation.
    Outfit your basement walls with rolls or spray foam insulation covered by drywall or paneling sheath for a warmer environment and sleek, finished looking.
  • Replace dated, worn, windows and doors with more energy-efficient options.
    If your basement windows and walkout doors are warped or broken, or hold single-pane glass, replacing them with new, more efficient, double or triple-paned glass options that more effectively seal can make a noticeable difference.
  • Add carpeting or area rugs.
    Throw rugs and carpeting add warmth and insulation in dry basements.
• Home heating unit additions
  Sometimes infrastructure improvements are not enough for a comfortable basement environment. In these cases, additional heating may be required, such as:
  • Installing basement vents.
    Depending on the design of your home and your system, incorporating a heating vent into your basement may solve your comfort issues.
  • Floor heating.
    Adding a radiant heat system to your basement floor will not only make your basement warmer but the floor and furnishings as well. These electrically-powered systems circulate hot water beneath your basement floor, warming the cement with heat, which rises throughout the room. Floor heating is easily added with new construction, however incorporating it into existing basements can be more involved.
  • An additional heating unit.
    A basement specific heating unit, such as a Mitsubishi ductless air conditioner or electric baseboard heater, may offer the comfort you are yearning for. You may also consider wood and pellet stoves, however keep in mind, these require the hauling of fuel and frequent maintenance.
  • A space heater.
    Electric space heaters are easy to use, but not without expense and risk. If you use these heaters frequently, you will definitely see a difference in your energy bill. Use them with care to avoid fire dangers, locating them far from flammable materials and turning them off and unplugging them when not in use.

Stay comfortable all year long with the help of the home comfort experts at H & H Heating & Air Conditioning. Contact us to learn more about affordable basement heating additions today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/keep-your-basement-warm-in-the-winter-with-these-tips/

Did You Forget to Change Your Ceiling Fan Settings for Winter?

You rely on your ceiling fan for comfort in the summer heat. However, you may fail to realize this summer staple can also keep you cozy in the winter, helping you make the most of your heating dollars. Heating companies know how changing the direction of your ceiling fan helps you keep your home comfortable and your energy bills under control in the cold winter months?

The Spin On Your Fan Blades

In the summer, the counterclockwise rotation of fan blades draws warm air up and pushes cool air down. In the winter, changing this rotation to clockwise has the opposite effect. When blades rotate in a clockwise direction, blades create an updraft, pulling cold air up and forcing warm air down. (Remember: heat rises.) This clockwise motion naturally keeps warm air down where you and your family can enjoy it, allowing you to drop the thermostat setting on the heating unit for your home without getting chilly.

Is Your Ceiling Fan Spinning The Right Direction?

• Summer – counterclockwise
• Winter – clockwise

How Do I Change My Ceiling Fan’s Direction?

It is fast and simple to adjust the direction of your ceiling fan blades:

1. Turn off your fan.
   (This is a great time to clean off blades!)
2. Locate the toggle switch the motor housing once the blades stop spinning. Simply flip it to the other side.
3. Turn the fan back on. Your ceiling fan should now be spinning clockwise.

Does your fan have a remote control? You can likely skip the stepstool and the switch flipping in this case, as most remotes simply feature a button that allows for the adjustment of the blade direction.

Enjoy The Savings

With this simple adjustment, warm air will stay where you want it, preventing your furnace from kicking off and on as frequently, and allowing you to enjoy significant energy savings in the coldest months of the year. Uncover how much you can save on energy bills while remaining comfortable by adjusting thermostat settings with the help of your fan. You may be surprised at the results!

Set A Reminder

Don’t forget to set a reminder on your home or smartphone calendar to return your fan to counterclockwise rotation for the warmer spring and summer months! Ceiling fan use can reduce the need for constant cooling unit use, saving you up to 40% on summer cooling costs. The “wind chill effect” produced by a fan can make you feel 8-degrees coolers in occupied rooms where a fan is in use, allowing for significant thermostat setting adjustments.

Find new ways to cut energy costs this winter and stay warm. Learn more about today’s most efficient home heating solutions, such as a dual fuel system, from the local heating experts at  H & H Heating & Air Conditioning today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/did-you-forget-to-change-your-ceiling-fan-settings-for-winter/

What is the Best Thermostat Setting for Winter Weather?

Are your winter heating bills taking a toll on your finances? A simple thermostat adjustment could ease the strain. Is it possible to optimize the settings on your thermostat for both comfort and energy efficiency? We promise the two can coexist.

TIPS FOR OPTIMIZING YOUR THERMOSTAT SETTINGS FOR WINTER  

Heating and air conditioning professionals recommend a winter thermostat setting of 70 degrees when you are at home. At night, when you’re warm and cozy under the covers, you should lower it a few degrees more. Turning your thermostat setting down when you and your family are away from home also offers significant savings. If you’re the forgetful type, a smart programmable thermostat is an ideal way to manage both comfort and energy savings masterfully.

A SMART PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTAT IS THE IDEAL SOLUTION FOR WINTER HEATING WOES

With a smart programmable thermostat, you won’t feel like you’re constantly adjusting thermostat settings or have to leave yourself sticky note reminders by the bed or door-side to remember to change settings. You can choose from smart thermostat models that you set yourself, based on a schedule, or smart ‘learning’ models that adjust to your lifestyle, automatically altering settings based on your comfort preference or the proximity of your smartphone to home. Affordable and convenient, they offer the ideal solution for meeting your energy savings goals, helping you ensure a happy family and a healthy budget.

THERE ARE MANY REASONS TO UPGRADE TO A SMART THERMOSTAT NOW

Smart thermostats have been on the market several years, now offering more affordable pricing and stable technology with few models and software updates. Smart thermostat options exist starting at just $100, delivering a fast return on investment. Air conditioning companies report these convenient, money-saving devices provide energy savings of 20-30% on average – up to $180 per year.

Top smart thermostat models and their related apps work well with other home automation platforms and are easily integrated with Amazon Echo/Alexa, Apple Homekit, and Google Home technology. What’s more, many local utility companies are offering energy efficiency incentives toward smart thermostat upgrades, providing additional savings.

DON’T MISS OUT ON THIS AMAZING SMART THERMOSTAT TECH

• The Nest Thermostat E creates a schedule with no user programming required. Learning your preferences by observation, it’s ideal for those who fear programming digital tech.
• The Nest Smart Learning Thermostat offers all the benefits of the Nest Thermostat E, with broader system compatibility and more bells and whistles.
• The EcoBee 3 uses remote sensor technology, controlling the flow of conditioned air into unused spaces for precise, room-by-room temperature control.
• The Honeywell Lyric T5is budget-friendly, at just around $100, and feature-packed, allowing you to create a custom schedule and adjusting temperatures based on your smartphone location.

Stay toasty this winter without lighting your checkbook on fire. Talk to your HVAC installation service, selecting the best smart thermostat model for your home and family with the help of H & H Heating & Air Conditioning today.???????

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/what-is-the-best-thermostat-setting-for-winter-weather/

How to Reduce Flu/Colds

The winter cold and flu season is well underway. What home defenses have you set up to protect your family? While clearing clutter and vacuuming can make your home appear neat and tidy, cold and flu particles remain unseen, lingering in the air and on surfaces you and your family touch. How can you defend yourselves, reducing the prevalence of cold and flu particles in your home?

Reduce Viruses in Your Home with these Tips

While the flu shot is a great first line of defense, learning how to improve indoor air quality in your home is crucial to avoiding winter cold and flu bugs.

1. Keep humidity levels in check.
   More than your skin is affected by the dry climate of the winter months when humidity levels can plummet as low as 10%. At this time, people spend far more time indoors, and in this dry climate, particles remain airborne far longer than at moderate humidity levels. Studies show, by keeping your home in the optimal relative humidity range of 35-50% with the help of a whole house humidifier, you can reduce the incidence of cold and flu viruses lingering in the air by up to 30%. This is an easy way to thwart the spread of germs and other debris to hard surfaces throughout your home, such as countertops, furnishings, faucets, and door handles.
2. Outfit your HVAC with an air purifier.
   Though disinfecting the surfaces throughout your home can help you remove particulates on hard surfaces, it is essential to consider the air you and your family are breathing within your home. Incorporating a whole-house air purification system into your HVAC equipment ensures clean air throughout your home, providing fresh, clean air. Air purifiers circulate the air in your home several times per hour. The most effective systems include a HEPA home air filter. Doctors and allergists recommend these because they remove the smallest microbes from the air, including dust, pollen, mold, dander, and cold and flu viruses.
3.  Use UV light technology.
   The best indoor air quality systems for your heating system not only utilize HEPA filtration, but incorporate germicidal UV air purifier technology as well. How does UV light improve the air quality in your home? Exposure to UV light inactivates or kills bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
4. Regularly disinfect hard surfaces.
   Regularly disinfecting hard surfaces throughout your home remains one of the most effective methods of battling cold and flu within the home. In addition to the usual surfaces such as countertops and doorknobs, don’t forget high-touch items such as cell phones, tablets, and TV remotes. Remove germs with simple soap and water, or look for products labeled as effective against Influenza A.
5. Wash linens frequently.
   Viruses live longer on porous surfaces, so don’t neglect the regular washing of linens.
6. Ensure a healthy, happy home and family. Learn more about improving the indoor air quality in your home with the help of your local air conditioning company. Contact H & H Heating & Air Conditioning today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/how-to-reduce-flu-colds/

Is a heat pump a good choice for my home?

Air and ground source heat pumps continue to grow in popularity as local and state governments offer renewable energy tax credits and pass energy standards. Sales of air source heat pumps grew 14.8% in 2016, 19.% in 2017, and 9.1% in 2018. Ground source heat pump sales grew 37% from 2017-2018, with many homeowners taking advantage of reinstated federal tax credits for geothermal at this time for the chance to reap thousands in energy savings annually. Are you considering heat pump system savings?

DOING THE MATH

Heat pumps can be used for 100% of the heating and 100% of the cooling in single-family homes in many climates. Tremendous savings are possible with heat pump systems compared to oil or propane-powered heating units, which cost two-to-three times more to operate.

With a geothermal heat pump, substantial cost savings can be realized: $1,000-1,500 a year versus propane, enough to pay for the system many times over. Geothermal efficiency outshines electric resistance heat, which has a straight ratio of 1 coefficient of performance (COP). Geothermal offers a COP of 5, versus a COP of 3 for air-source models, making it five times more efficient than electric resistance heat. (The higher the COP, the lower the operating cost.)

Where natural gas is available and more affordable than electricity, calculating cost per Btu may be necessary. In these areas, dual fuel heat pumps are popular, offering the best of both performance and efficiency, salvaging air source heat in moderate temperatures, and providing efficient natural-gas-powered warmth when temperatures plummet below the point where heat pumps can maintain a comfortable climate in the home.

HEAT PUMP BEST PRACTICES

What is the ideal situation for a heat pump installation? Air source models work well in small homes with open floor plans, as well as in locations where a ground source installation simply isn’t possible due to soil conditions or a lack of space. Ductless systems, a form of air-source heat pump, offer superior efficiency. Ground source systems offer even greater savings, albeit at a higher initial investment cost.

TAKING CARBON FOOTPRINT & ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT INTO ACCOUNT

Many municipalities and their residents want to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels and prevent high energy bills. This is where heat pumps shine. Because heat pumps repurpose energy from the air or ground rather than creating new energy, they can provide both efficient heating as well as hot water without wasting energy.

This has led many city governments to decline investments in fossil fuel infrastructure in favor of installing geothermal heat pump systems. In efforts to curb environmental impact, some new developments are installing shared geothermal heat pumps, while in others, homeowners are joining together to purchase shared community systems for meeting heating and cooling needs.

Is a heat pump system for you? Let us help you do the math. Contact H & H Heating & Air Conditioning now for a competitive quote on today’s most popular heat pump systems.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/is-a-heat-pump-a-good-choice-for-my-home/