Why Make H&H your Comfort Partner for 2022

Are you looking for a heating and cooling technician to maintain, repair, or replace your HVAC equipment? H & H Heating & Air Conditioning is proud to be an HVAC company you can depend on. We set ourselves apart by offering friendly, efficient, reliable service to customers throughout the Delaware Valley. Since we’ve been around since 1985, we know the industry like the back of our hand — and our customers benefit from our expertise.

Here are a few reasons customers love working with H & H:

1. 24-7 Emergency Service

Heaters don’t always wait for a convenient time to quit! If your heat fails, you can call us any time, day or night. We will always have a live person answering the phone. We’ll send one of our HVAC service technicians out promptly to make sure your family stays safe and warm, and if you are our Comfort Club member, we promise priority repairs in case of emergencies!

2. We Work On All Brands

When you need someone to fix central heating or cooling equipment, you don’t want to spend hours checking which companies are willing to work on your brand. At H & H, our technicians can repair and maintain almost any brand or style of boiler, furnace, heat pump, or air conditioner.  We even have a team of experts who are knowledgeable about older, rarer, and more unusual systems.

3. Virtual Estimates

When you’re busy juggling work and family obligations, meeting HVAC contractors for in-home estimates can be tough. Our virtual estimates are easier to fit into your schedule. We’ll ask the right questions so we can give you an accurate idea of how much your maintenance, repairs, or installation will cost.

4. Reliable, Honest Technicians

Your HVAC technician needs to be in your home in order to do their job. We know this can make some people a little nervous and uncomfortable, which is why we go out of our way to hire the most honest, reliable people. Our technicians have all passed background checks and drug tests. They always carry identification, so you can feel confident when allowing them into your home.

Our technicians also participate in continued education courses to make sure they always know how to work on the latest equipment.

5. Community Involvement

At H & H, we consider ourselves part of the local community, and we get involved in that community. We support various charitable organizations including Barkann Healing Hearts Foundation, City Team Chester, and many other local fundraisers in the communitys we serve.  Our goal is to make the Delaware Valley region an even better, kinder place to call home. We’re happy to achieve that goal one customer at a time.

Whether you need home HVAC repair, a gas furnace installation, or even a new air conditioner, you can rely on H & H Heating & Air Conditioning. In fact, we’re preparing to offer a new, worry-free program to our customers for the ultimate peace of their mind. We’ll be sharing more details soon, so make sure you check back. In the meantime, don’t hesitate to contact us if you’re looking for reliable, honest HVAC service.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/blog/why-make-hh-your-comfort-partner-for-2022/

Pros and Cons of a Tankless Water Heater

A hot water heater is a big investment – not just in the appliance itself, but in your future utility bills. The second biggest electricity user in the home, water heating systems typically comprise 18% of your monthly electric costs, on average, according to the Department of Energy. These costs, and society’s turn toward greener home purchases, has homeowners nationwide contemplating a tankless hot water heater installation – but are they truly all they’re cracked up to be?

Is a tankless water heater right for me?

For those upgrading from tank-style water heating systems, it is essential to understand Bradford Infinity Tankless Water Heater tankless water heaters benefits and drawbacks, and most importantly, avoid the assumption that as a “hot water heater,” a tankless system will operate in exactly the same manner as the tank-style system it replaces. It will not.

Pros and cons of tankless systems:

• Pros
  • Energy-saving.
    Because they don’t waste energy keeping 40 gallons or more of water constantly to temperature, gas or propane-powered tankless systems, such as those by Bradford, use 30-50% less than tank-style systems, saving $100 or more a year depending on usage. For systems powered by electricity, that savings drops to around $44 per year.
  • Space-saving.
    Tankless heaters mount on the wall, taking up very little space – and giving you additional opportunities for storage.
  • Consistent temperatures.
    Tankless heaters provide a continuous supply of hot water, without running out as tank-style systems are known for with heavy use.
  • Less waste.
    The compact design of tankless systems means less rusty tanks in the landfill.
  • Longer lifespan.
    Tankless systems last over 20 years – about twice that of tank-style systems.
  • Longer warranties.
    Tankless systems typically offer 15-year warranties – versus the 6-year average for tank-style models.
  • Tax incentives.
    Propane and gas-powered tankless models may qualify for a $300 federal rebate – and potential state incentives.
• Cons
  • Higher initial cost.
    Smaller, more inexpensive units typically won’t provide enough hot water to serve a household. Larger units can – but are more expensive. Because of high-powered burners, they require special venting within a dedicated, sealed vent system – which means professional installation is a must.
  • Serve one hot water faucet at a time.
    Someone might get a cold shower if multiple faucets are running – unless you install additional point-of-use tankless systems.
  • May require a utility upgrade.
    For homes with electrical-only utilities, a system upgrade may be required to provide enough juice for your tank. This, plus necessary rewiring and the cost of a professional electrician, could add a hefty, 4-digit chunk to your installation bill.

Still unsure if a tankless water heater is right for you? Hot water heaters by H & H come in a wide variety of sizes and styles, delivering lower bills and performance that lasts. Contact us today for help finding the perfect match for your home and family’s needs.

This post originally appeared at https://www.delcohvac.com/blog/pros-and-cons-of-a-tankless-water-heater/

Avoid Thermostat Adjustments That Inflate Your Energy Bill

Nobody wants to pay more for energy than they have to. And with the rising cost of energy, many people are being more vigilant about their energy use these days. Heating accounts for a significant percentage of the energy use in most homes, so if you can keep your HVAC use efficient, your energy bills should go down. To save on energy, HVAC service technicians recommend rethinking the way you’re using and adjusting your thermostat.

Avoid Frequent Adjustments

You turn the temperature up to 72°F, and then your partner, feeling warm, turns it back to 67°F. Does this sound familiar? Arguments about the thermostat setting are nothing new, and you’re not just straining your relationship by failing to reach an agreement on the best temperature. Every time you turn the thermostat setting up or down, your HVAC system has to work extra hard to adjust. This wastes energy.

For the most efficient heating, heating and cooling technicians recommend picking a thermostat setting, and sticking with it. It’s usually best to go with the lowest preferred setting in your household. Anyone who is a little on the chilly side at that temperature can layer on an extra sweater. Most people can easily stay comfortable at 68°F without having to wear a winter coat or strip down to their birthday suit.

Program Your Thermostat Wisely

Having a home HVAC repair company install a programmable thermostat can save you money on energy, but only if you use your programmable thermostat wisely. For instance, if you turn the temperature down too low when you’re gone in the middle of the day, your furnace will have to work extra hard to re-heat the home later on, negating any potential energy savings.

A good starting point is to set your thermostat no warmer than 70°F for the hours you’re awake and active. Set the temperature no more than 8°F lower when you’re out of the house. The same goes for the night hours. Turn the temperature down no more than 8°F during the hours when you’re asleep.

Other Tips

Here are a few other tips to help you avoid wasting energy with less-than-perfect thermostat use.

• Check your thermostat programming every month to make sure the settings still suit your needs.
• If you go away on vacation, turn the thermostat down to no lower than 55°F while you’re away.
• Make sure all family members are aware of and agree to your chosen thermostat settings to prevent frequent adjustments.

Whether you have a programmable thermostat or not, the way you use your thermostat does affect your energy consumption. Keep the advice above in mind, and contact H & H Heating & Air Conditioning if you’re in need of HVAC service. We offer gas furnace installation, fix central heating systems, and so much more.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/blog/avoid-thermostat-adjustments-that-inflate-your-energy-bill/

5 Signs Your HVAC Blower Motor Needs to Be Replaced

Forced air furnaces are equipped with a blower, sometimes known as a fan, which works to blow the freshly conditoned heat or cooled air through the ducts. This fan is powered by a motor, and like most HVAC components, that motor sometimes fails. The older your furnace is, the more likely this is to happen. Luckily, residential HVAC contractors can usually replace or repair broken blower motors. Here are the signs you need to give your residential heating repair company a call about this problem.

1. No Airflow

If you notice that there is no warm air at all coming through your heat registers, then you may have a broken blower motor. This generally means the blower motor has failed completely, which may indicate there have been problems for a while. If you keep an eye out for the other signs on this list, you can often have your blower motor repaired before it fails completely.

2. Less Airflow

If your blower motor is struggling but still functioning, you may notice a decrease in airflow through your registers. The airflow may be stronger at the vents close to the furnace, but weaker at the far-away vents, such as any that are located upstairs.

Low airflow can be caused by all sorts of blower motor problems, from a bad capacitor to dirt accumulation. Having a furnace tune-up performed every year prior to heating season can help prevent these issues.

3. Rattling Or Screeching Noises

Listen closely when your furnace starts blowing out warm air. Do you hear a rattling noise? If so, your blower motor may need a ball bearing, or there may be a loose screw that needs to be tightened.

Screeching noises while the furnace is running can also indicate a blower motor problem. Usually, screeching is caused by a frayed or torn belt. This is a common problem in older, belt-driven furnaces. Thankfully, HVAC technicians can replace frayed belts if the motor is in otherwise good shape,

4. High Energy Bills

There are many possible causes of high energy bills. You may have leaky windows or a malfunctioning water heater, as an example. If you’ve ruled out these and other probable causes, then it’s time to consider your blower motor. If the motor is really dirty, it won’t work efficiently. This could lead to breakdowns if not addressed promptly.

If you have a variable speed blower motor, high energy bills could also mean the motor is stuck at one speed. Having your heating contractors fix it will help bring your energy bills back down to a reasonable level.

5. Strange Smells

If you notice an overheating odor or the smell of burning dust when you turn on your furnace, this could indicate an issue with your blower motor. It may just be dirty, or there could be some components rubbing against one another, generating heat and odors.

If you suspect your blower motor may be malfunctioning, call your heating contractor sooner rather than later. Feel free to contact H&H Heating and Air Conditioning if you’re looking for heating and air conditioning companies in the Delaware Valley.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/blog/5-signs-your-hvac-blower-motor-needs-to-be-replaced/

The Signs & Symptoms of a Bad Capacitor on a Gas Furnace

Your furnace works by warming air and then blowing that warm air through your ducts. The fan, specifically, is responsible for the blowing part of this function. Inside that fan, there is a motor, and inside the motor, there is a part called the capacitor.

Your furnace capacitor works to regulate the amount of electricity that the fan motor receives. It’s a small part, but if it is not working properly, your furnace won’t be able to heat your home until a heating contractor replaces the capacitor. So, what are the signs that something’s wrong with your furnace capacitor?

1. Humming Noises

The capacitor allows electricity to flow to your furnace’s fan motor, permitting the motor to turn on. If the capacity is not functioning properly, you may hear a strange, low-humming noise when your furnace first turns on. Sometimes, after a few seconds of humming, the furnace may start blowing air. Other times, the humming noise may continue indefinitely and you won’t get heat at all.

2. Clicking Sounds

If you listen closely when your furnace is working well, you’ll hear a single “click” when the furnace turns on. This is normal.

When your furnace capacitor is malfunctioning, you may instead hear click after click, but the furnace won’t turn on. The clicking might go on for a few minutes before ceasing, or it may happen just a few times before the furnace “stops trying.” In either case, repeated clicking means you need to call a residential heating repair contactor about your capacitor.

3. Short-Cycling

Sometimes when a capacitor is not working well, the furnace will turn on, but it will quickly overheat. When the furnace overheats, there is a limit switch that turns it off in order to prevent fires and additional damage to the unit.

What this looks like to the homeowner is the furnace turning on, then off, then on, then off — in quick succession. This furnace behavior is known as short-cycling, and it can indicate a number of furnace problems, but a bad capacitor is definitely one of them. Have a residential HVAC contractor come take a look to prevent future furnace damage and the high energy bills that can come with short cycling.

4. No Heat

Another potential sign of a bad capacitor is a total lack of heat. Your furnace won’t kick on at all. If you try turning the thermostat up a few degrees, you still don’t get results.

Now, a lack of heat can mean almost anything. You could have a bad gas valve, a faulty thermostat, or even a broken heat exchanger. However, the capacitor is one of the most common furnace parts to break, leading to a loss of heat, so it’s an important possibility to consider.

Keep an eye out for these signs of a bad capacity, and make sure you schedule a yearly furnace tune-up to keep your heating system in good shape. Contact H&H Heating and Air Conditioning if you’re looking for a heating and air conditioning company to service your equipment.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/blog/the-signs-symptoms-of-a-bad-capacitor-on-a-gas-furnace/

Should I Turn Off My Heater When I Go on Vacation?

When your on vacation, you may feel like it’s wasteful to keep heating the home you’re not spending time in. But should you really turn the heat off before you leave town? In most cases, heating contractors agree the answer is “no.” However, there are other ways you can more safely save on heating bills during travel.

Why Turning The Heat Off Is A Bad Idea

You might figure that since you’re not home, it doesn’t really matter if your home’s indoor temperature falls to 40 or even 30 degrees F. However, your heating system exists for reasons other than simply keeping you warm. Allowing your home to become too cold could cause damage to building materials, appliances, and even decorative items like paintings and photos.

Even in the spring and fall, when temperatures are milder, there may be the occasional freezing day. You don’t want to turn your heat off and potentially subject your home to those freezing temperatures.

Another reason not to turn the heat off is your pipes. Your plumbing system is designed to be kept warm to some degree. Residential HVAC contractors do not recommend turning your heat off while your on vacation because this may cause your pipes to freeze. As the water expands inside your pipe, it can cause the pipes to burst, leading to extensive flooding. Keep the heat on, and you’re far less likely to come home to a flooded home.

Safe Ways To Save On Heat While Traveling

What you can do to save money on heat while traveling is turn your thermostat down. If you set it to 55 degrees F for the duration of your stay, the home won’t get cold enough to allow pipes to freeze. Most appliances and building materials do perfectly well at 55 degrees, too.

If you’re leaving pets at home while you’re away, you’ll want to set your thermostat a bit higher. Most dogs and cats do just fine at 60 degrees F. If your pet is older or has short hair, you might want to leave the home a bit warmer.

Pay close attention to the thermostat settings as you adjust the temperature before travel. After adjusting the setting to your desired temperature, push the “hold” or “vacation mode” button. Otherwise, the thermostat will return to its regularly scheduled program while you’re away.

To save more on heating, it’s also a good idea to schedule a furnace tune up. This way, you can be confident your furnace is working as efficiently as possible while you’re away. Additionally, you can turn your water heater temperature down and unplug other electronics to save energy during your trip.

While turning your heat off while you’re on vacation is not wise, turning your thermostat down is a safe, smart way to save. If you’re in need of residential heating repair before you go away, contact H&H Heating and Cooling. We’re a heating and air conditioning company serving the Delaware Valley since 1985.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/blog/should-i-turn-off-my-heater-when-i-go-on-vacation/

Identifying Your Home's Heating System

When you call a heating and air conditioning company to schedule service, one of the first questions they typically ask is “what kind of heating system do you have?” If you recently moved into your home and the system was installed by a previous homeowner, you may not know the answer to this question off-hand. Luckily, it’s easy enough to find out. Keep reading to learn about the most common types of home heating systems and how to identify them.

Furnaces

Forced air furnaces are really common across the country. These systems burn fuel — usually natural gas, but sometimes propane or oil — to generate heat. The heat warms the air, which is then blown through a system of ducts to the various rooms in your home.

Furnaces are usually paired with a separate air conditioner. If you have one piece of equipment that generates heat, plus an indoor and outdoor unit that provides air conditioning, then you probably have furnace heating. Scheduling a furnace tune up or repairs should be easy since almost all HVAC companies work on these common systems.

Boilers

Boilers heat water. Either that water or steam generated by heating it are then forced through a series of pipes and into radiators, which are located throughout the home.

If your heating system includes radiators, which are metal units that get hot when the heat kicks on, then you probably have a boiler system. Sometimes these radiators are long units that stretch across a baseboard, and other times they are compact, rectangular units situated in the corners of rooms.

Boilers are not as common as they once were, but they are a good choice for allergy sufferers since they don’t blow air and dust through the home. Not all residential heating repair companies work on boilers but may do.

Heat Pumps

A heat pump is a type of heating equipment that is reversible. In the winter, it pumps heat into your home, and in the summer, it pumps heat out of your home. Heat pumps are electric, and they work similarly to refrigerators.

If you have a heat pump, there will typically be an outdoor component to your HVAC system. It may sit on a concrete pad, or it may be mounted on your wall. Heat pumps and air conditioners look similar, but if you read the label on the equipment, you can tell which one you’re looking at. Also, if you have one of these units and no separate furnace or boiler, you can assume it’s a heat pump, not an AC unit.

Knowing which type of heating system you have will make it easier for you to work with heating contractors to schedule repairs and services. If you’re having trouble identifying what type of system you have, feel free to contact us. H&H Heating and Cooling employ knowledgeable residential HVAC contractors who have experience working with furnaces, heat pumps, boilers, and more.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/blog/identifying-your-homes-heating-system/