Heat Pumps Vs Electric Baseboard Heat: Everything You Need to Know

Are you weighing your options on a new heating system? For older homes without ducts, baseboard heaters have been a traditional choice. Newer ductless heat pump systems provide advanced heating and cooling technology for these homes. Since up to half the energy used by your home goes to heating and cooling, your choice can have a significant impact on your monthly energy costs and your carbon footprint. Which is best for your home?

Electric Baseboard Heaters

Baseboard heaters are typically electric, though some work with boilers used in radiant heat floor systems. Each room has its own thermostat, which allows you to operate the heaters. In order to work properly, baseboard heaters require careful installation. Each unit must be placed by a window and fit perfectly to prevent heat loss between the heater and the wall. This is to take advantage of natural convection, in which rising warm air from the heater counteracts cooler air falling from the window.

Heating and cooling professionals know there are cons to these heaters, however. Electric baseboard heaters are noisy in use. They require added insulation to prevent heat loss and operate using line voltage thermostats, which provide inconsistent operation over time. When left unused over warmer seasons, dust accumulation can cause a burning smell when the heaters are put back into use in cooler fall and winter months. They also produce a very dry heat, which can cause red, itchy eyes, sore throat, and nose bleeds in sensitive individuals.

Ductless Heat Pump Systems

While electric baseboard heaters offer a reliable, cost-effective heating option, the Department of Energy (DOE) recommends heat pump style systems, such as Mitsubishi ductless systems, as a more efficient way of heating your home. These systems collect heat from the air outside your home, repurposing it for indoor use, allowing them to provide up to three times more heat than the energy they consume for operation. Based on DOE calculations, heat pump systems reduce electricity use by 30-50% compared to baseboard heaters.

Ductless heat pumps offer all the benefits of electric baseboard heaters – and many more. Like baseboard heaters, they also don’t require indoor space for invasive ductwork and air handling equipment and operate using individualized thermostats in each room. However, they don’t require proximity to a window for proper function. Ductless heat pump systems offer precise temperature control. Small and sleek, they don’t detract from your home décor. They provide more comfortable heating, with less of the dryness and irritation caused by electric baseboard produced heat, so that you can breathe easier. Ductless units  don’t produce any unwanted odors and are whisper quiet when in use.

Heat your home with confidence. Find the perfect heating system for your family and your budget. Learn more about the latest in energy-efficient, flexible home heating technology from the pros at H & H Heating & Cooling today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/blog/heat-pumps-vs-electric-baseboard-heat-everything-you-need-to-know/

Winter is Here! Prevent these Common HVAC Problems, Ensuring a Warm & Safe Winter

In the winter, when temperatures plummet, your home heating unit can really take a beating. Fortunately, there are ways to keep your system running steadily through the season. What are the secrets to avoiding common winter HVAC problems and ensuring a warm, comfortable home?

Winter Heating System Problems & How to Prevent Them

• Problem: Insufficient airflow through the system.
  When airflow is decreased, your home won’t feel as warm.
  Solution: Regularly change your home air filter.
  As your air filter catches dust, pollen, and microbes, these contaminants buildup, restricting airflow through your HVAC system over time and forcing it to work harder to heat your home. Changing your filter every 1-3 months is easy and inexpensive, increasing heating system performance and efficiency.
• Problem: Heating system won’t turn on.
  Frigid, icy weather can wreak havoc on heat pump systems, causing the coils and fans in your outdoor unit to freeze.
  Solution: Schedule professional maintenance before cold weather hits.
  The automatic defrost system of properly running systems usually addresses this. Routine service before the start of the season will ensure all system components are operating properly.
• Problem: Thermostat malfunction.
  Your thermostat isn’t working properly, or settings don’t seem to reflect reality.
  Solution: Schedule a seasonal HVAC inspection.
  Thermostat issues are incredibly common. Often it’s just a low battery. However, calibration, faulty wiring, and age could also be to blame. Ensure your thermostat is working correctly, calibrating your system and identifying potential problems in advance with a regular HVAC maintenance appointment.
• Problem: Uneven heating throughout the house.
  Uneven heating can make certain rooms in your home cold and uncomfortable.
  Solution: Identify and address ductwork blockages and building envelope leaks.
  Look for leaks around doors, windows, outlets, and venting, which can allow cold drafts into your home, sealing them with weatherstripping, caulk, or spray foam. If leaks are addressed and problems persist, have your ductwork inspected for blockages or leaks.
• Problem: Pilot light is out or won’t stay lit.
  A dirty or damaged furnace flame sensor is frequently the cause of this issue, but avoid DIY service attempts.
  Solution: Routine furnace service.
  Servicing gas appliances comes with a risk of fire and explosion, making professional assistance a must. Your local HVAC professional can address this for you in a snap, getting your pilot light and home furnace running steadily again. As with other issues, routine maintenance in the fall can head off this issue at the pass.
• Problem: Carbon monoxide alarm activates.
  Ventilation blockages and cracked components can lead to CO leaks in combustion appliances.
  Solution: Evacuate all family members and pets from your home immediately and call for help.
  Don’t return to your home until a furnace professional has identified the issue and given you the all-clear.

Prevent common winter heating system problems with the help of H & H Heating & Air Conditioning. Contact us to schedule a seasonal inspection or system maintenance today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/blog/winter-is-here-prevent-these-common-hvac-problems-ensuring-a-warm-safe-winter/

Stay More Energy Efficient than Your Neighbors with These Tips

Are you tired of keeping up with the Joneses? How about falling behind – in energy expenditures? When it comes to spending money on utilities, more is not better. Reducing home energy consumption is good for your wallet and the planet. Get the most out of your home heating system, embracing your competitive spirit and reaping energy savings rewards with these tips.

Adjust Your Thermostat

Once crisp, cool weather arrives, adjust your thermostat from summer to winter settings. A temperature setting of 70 degrees F is recommended for daytime activities. At night, when you’re snuggled in bed, lower settings a few degrees more. Out to work or school? Lower your thermostat setting to 60 degrees for significant energy savings (while still protecting your pipes). This is where smart thermostats come in handy, managing temperatures for you throughout the day. Today’s latest smart thermostat models do all the work for you, adapting to your schedule and home comfort preferences.

Swap Out Your Air Filter

If your air filters are dirty, your system is working harder to pump air. Replace them regularly – every 1-3 months – to give your heating system a performance boost.

Schedule Routine Maintenance

Fall is the best time to schedule furnace or heat pump system maintenance. Clean, well-maintained systems offer superior performance, saving up to 5% on heating costs. Routine inspections can also identify hidden problems before they result in the need for emergency repairs and lengthen your system’s lifespan.

Improve Your Building Envelope

Don’t heat the whole neighborhood. Give your HVAC system a helping hand, sealing leaks around windows, doors, outlets, and venting with the appropriate caulk, weather stripping, or spray foam insulation. While you’re at it, beef up the insulation in your attic and crawlspace. These simple tactics take the strain of your heating system, keeping warm, conditioned air contained within your home.

Consider Incorporating Supplemental Heat

Adding supplemental heat such as radiant floor heating to frequently used zones in your home could help you keep utility costs in check. Radiant floor heating is extremely efficient, distributing warmth much more evenly than forced air systems. Once your home has reached a comfortable temperature, radiant heating systems use minimal energy to maintain comfort. These clean, noiseless systems warm everything in your house, radiating heat from the ground up through the floor, couch, beds, and more.

Add A Few Layers

When your home, putting on a few extra layers of clothes or draping yourself in a soft, warm blanket and lowering the temperature on your heating systems is a great way to eke out additional energy savings.

Learn more about the latest in super-efficient, home heating technology that will turn your neighbors green with envy, reducing your energy costs up to 40% while providing a more comfortable home. Contact H & H Heating & Air Conditioning today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/blog/stay-more-energy-efficient-than-your-neighbors-with-these-tips/

Furnace Replacement: A Home Owners's Guide that You can Use

It’s happened again. You’re looking at more costly furnace repairs. Should you keep piecing your aging furnace back together, or should you finally give in and replace it? Considering these factors can help you determine whether you might be better off repairing or replacing your home heating unit.

Repair History

Reviewing your furnace repair receipts and considering the potential cost of future maintenance can be a real eye-opener, particularly since these costs typically increase over time. Trustworthy HVAC repair technicians will tell you – if the cost of furnace repairs is about a third the cost of purchasing a new furnace, you’d be better off investing in a newer model.

Warranty

Has the warranty for your older home heating system nearly run out? If this is the case, and furnace repair needs are increasing in frequency, replacing your aging furnace now, before it leaves you shivering in winter weather extremes, could be a smart move.

Furnace Age

If your furnace is more than 10 years old, it’s probably not worth the continued expense of repairs. Furnaces have a 15-year life expectancy, 20 max. Older furnace technology is also significantly more inefficient. With new Energy Star furnace models boasting a performance of 97% (near-total efficiency), you can quickly recoup furnace upgrade costs in energy savings.

Efficiency

Older furnaces offer about 60-80% efficiency. This translates to 20-40% of your energy dollars going up in smoke. Investing those wasted energy dollars in a new furnace instead offers more for your money – including a more comfortable home with lower energy bills. How can you tell if your furnace is inefficient?

• Your furnace frequently cycles or runs continuously, struggling to maintain temperature on cold days.
• Your heating bills keep increasing year-over-year.

Features To Consider When Buying A New Furnace

When it’s finally time to replace your furnace, look to these new system features to ensure lasting happiness with your investment:

• Load
  Professional assessment by a trained HVAC technician will ensure a system specifically sized to your home’s size, layout, age, and building envelope.
• Capacity
  Sufficient capacity, measured in BTUs, ensures your furnace has the power to heat your home adequately.
• Efficiency rating
  Efficiency or AFUE ratings point to how successfully fuel is converted to heat. Higher ratings = fewer energy dollars wasted.
• Features
  Furnaces outfitted with variable speed blowers, high-performance air filtration, heat exchangers, and added venting offer superior performance, efficiency, and comfort. System designs compatible with zoned heating help you avoid hot/cold spots and unnecessarily heating unoccupied areas.
• Warranty
  Home heating systems providing warranty coverage for parts and labor help you save over the long-term on repairs. Extended service agreements through your local HVAC company can also help you manage costs not covered by the manufacturer’s warranty.

Rebates And Incentives Toward More Efficient Home Comfort Solutions

There are many opportunities for savings when upgrading to newer, more efficient home heating systems. Energy Star models typically offer the best rebates and incentives. Your local utility company, city, and county may also provide additional financial incentives toward more efficient furnace models, which reduce strain on the power grid.

Don’t wait until your furnace is irreparable before taking action. Get a trustworthy quote on a new home furnace from H & H Heating & Air Conditioning today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/blog/furnace-replacement-a-home-ownerss-guide-that-you-can-use/

Remember to Winterize Your Home to Conserve Energy and Keep Warm

Not looking forward to your winter heating bills? Winterize your home for savings, staying warm and comfy through the cold weather season. With a little fall foresight, a bit of work, and a small investment in preventative maintenance, you can create a more hospitable home environment while dramatically reducing your winter energy costs.

How to Winterize Your Home & Save on Heating

• Change furnace filters regularly.
  Furnace filters don’t last forever. In fact, they should be changed every few months, at a minimum, and more often if you have pets, children, or your home is undergoing renovations. Dirty filters force your heater to work harder to distribute conditioned air throughout your home, restricting airflow, affecting the efficiency of your furnace, and driving up electricity costs. Fortunately, home air filters are inexpensive and easy to change.
• Seal leaks.
  The number of air leaks in the average home is roughly the equivalent of leaving a window open. A bit of caulk, spray foam, weather stripping, or even a rolled-up towel at the base of exterior doors can make a significant difference in the amount of time you’ll have to run your home heating system to stay comfortable when temperatures drop. Check for leaks, gaps, cracks, and holes surrounding doors and windows, electrical outlets, piping, and venting to prevent seepage, and you’ll save on heating and air costs all year long.
• Add storm doors and windows for extra protection.
  Storm doors and windows, designed to keep outside air out, also keep conditioned air inside your home, adding an extra layer of protection against air and thermal transfer through doors and windows. Many of today’s modern options are quite beautiful, adding to the curb appeal and value of your home.
• Adjust your thermostat settings.
  When you leave – don’t pay to heat an empty house. Lower the temperature to 55, saving energy while preventing frozen pipe snafus. This is easily accomplished with a programmable thermostat. Today’s smart learning thermostats do most of the work for you, adjusting settings to your schedule and preferences so your home is always comfortable. Models like the popular Nest learning thermostat cost little more than conventional thermostats, offering substantial savings up to 12% on heating and 15% on cooling costs annually, quickly paying for themselves.
• Take a close look at your water heater.
  Change the default setting on your water heater to 120 degrees and you’ll see a significant reduction in your monthly energy bill. Insulate water heaters in unconditioned spaces for additional savings.
• Give your heating system a little TLC.
  Prevent unexpected breakdowns in winter weather extremes with fall furnace maintenance. A well-tuned system can save you up to 5% on heating, lengthening the lifespan of your system, and bringing hidden problems to light before they require emergency repair.

Don’t let winter weather put a freeze on your finances. Prep your home for the cold weather season with the help of H & H Heating & Air Conditioning. Contact us to schedule pre-season preventative heating system maintenance today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/blog/remember-to-winterize-your-home-to-conserve-energy-and-keep-warm/

Winters Can Worsen Indoor Air Quality in Our Homes. Here’s how to Improve it

The winter usually brings indoor air quality challenges. But this year, indoor air quality concerns are exacerbated by the threat of COVID-19. How can you keep your family safe and healthy within your home while the weather outside is cold and miserable?

7 Ways to Improve Air Quality in Your Home Over the Winter

• Filter out contaminants.
  Air filters are your first line of defense against airborne pollutants. Upgrade your air filter to newer HEPA filtration options to remove more contaminants, such as dust, pollen, dander, mold, mildew, viruses, and bacteria, trapping them before they can spread throughout your home.
• Step up your game with an air purifier.
  Whole-home air purifiers, which work in conjunction with your heating and cooling system to clean the air circulating throughout your entire home, can purify the air in your home several times per hour, capturing and/or killing airborne contaminants before they are spread through your home.
• Zap germs in the air and on surfaces.
  Tired of constantly cleaning high-touch surfaces? The Air Scrubber by Aurus can effectively remove up to 99% of microbes, particulates, and gases moving through your heating and cooling unit AND eliminate contaminants from surfaces. Learn more.
• Check your ducts.
  Like those high shelves you never bother to dust because you can’t see them, your ductwork can become coated with dust and airborne contaminants, spreading them throughout your home. If you can’t remember the last time you’ve had this service, have your ducts professionally inspected, cleaned, and sealed.
• Keep things clean – without the chemicals.
  Vacuum, mop, and wipe down surfaces regularly, avoiding synthetic chemicals and choosing natural, non-toxic cleaning products and air fresheners to prevent the buildup of toxic VOCs in your home.
• Increase ventilation.
  Because of  the COVID crisis, we all know the solution to pollution is dilution. But how do you freshen air when it’s freezing outdoors? Reduce your pollutants in your home with added ventilation. Talk to your HVAC professional about available options that bring fresh air into your home without impacting the temperature and comfort level in your home, such as energy recovery ventilators.
• Control humidity.
  Extremely dry winter air is bad for indoor air quality in your home. Without adequate moisture, contaminants remain airborne longer, spreading throughout your home. Dry skin and nasal passages can crack and bleed, increasing your likelihood of exposure to germs. Fortunately, these problems are easily solved with the addition of a whole-house dehumidification system. This affordable technology does all the work for your, monitoring humidity levels in your home and adding moisture when needed. Attached as part of your HVAC system, it can manage the humidity levels throughout your home.

Take control of your health this winter. Improve the indoor air quality in your home with the help of H & H Heating & Air Conditioning today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/blog/winters-can-worsen-indoor-air-quality-in-our-homes-heres-how-to-improve-it/

This Winter Save Energy With these Easy HVAC Tips

Are you looking for ways to reduce your electricity bill this winter? All those extra energy dollars could go a long way to cushioning your holiday spending and reducing repair worries. Make the most of your money, ensuring a safe, comfortable winter with these tips for improving the efficiency of your HVAC system.

Get On Board With Fall Preventative Maintenance

Annual heating and air conditioning system maintenance improves the performance of your system, saving you up to 5% on energy costs. It can also uncover hidden problems with your HVAC, allowing you to address them before they snowball into larger repair bills or the need for emergency maintenance during weather extremes.

Let Go Of Your Ancient System

Systems over 10 years old are massive energy drains. While you might pale at the thought of replacing your decrepit unit, however, you may be surprised to find out you can recoup your money quite quickly in energy savings. Today’s high-efficiency Energy Star heating and cooling systems can reduce your energy costs up to 40% while providing a much more reliably comfortable home.

Upgrade To A Programmable Thermostat

Adjust your thermostat settings by the season. That 78-degree summer setting could cost you a pretty penny in the winter. For every degree your change your thermostat setting, you could save up to 3%. Nest learning thermostats precisely control your indoor air temperature, monitoring when you and your family are away from home. They are an easy way to avoid spending money to heat your home when it’s empty while ensuring you return to comfort.

Keep Those Filters Clean

Dirty filters force your system to work harder to move air. Regularly replacing home air filters every 1-3 months is a cheap and easy way to give your system a performance boost.

Assess The Condition Of Registers & Vents

Clean dirt and debris off registers and vents to facilitate the smooth flow of clean air. Clear away drapes, rugs, and furniture, keeping all free of obstructions.

Eliminate Drafts

Check every room of your home for air leaks. Block cracks under doorways, install weather stripping around doorways and windows, and caulk or spray foam around plumbing, vents, and outlets to reduce air infiltration/exfiltration.

Add A Little Insulation

Improving the insulation in your home is one of the easiest ways to lighten the load your heating and air conditioning system carries, reducing air infiltration and heat transfer.

Take control of your energy expenses, committing to the long-term performance of your HVAC system and home with a proactive maintenance plan. Contact H & H Heating & Air Conditioning to learn about the benefits of our affordable Comfort Club Memberships today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/blog/this-winter-save-energy-with-these-easy-hvac-tips/