Everything You Need to Know About Heat Load Testing

Has your HVAC service technician recommended heat load testing for your home? They may have suggested this service if you were having problems with your heat pump, or if you’re thinking about having a new furnace installed. The idea of heat load testing may seem a little daunting at first, but once you understand what it is and how it benefits you, its purpose becomes clear.

What Is Heat Load Testing?

The simplest way to describe heat load testing is to say it’s a way of measuring how much energy it will take to maintain your indoor temperatures to a comfortable level. That amount of energy is called the heat load. Generally speaking, the heat load is larger for bigger homes and poorly insulated homes. The heat load is lower for smaller homes and well-insulated homes.

How Is Heat Load Testing Done?

To conduct heat load testing, your heating and cooling technician will come to visit your home in person. Once there, they will look over the space, canvassing for specific information.

They’ll note the number of windows in the home and what condition they’re in. They’ll note what direction the home faces, how much insulation is in the walls and attic, and how many people live in the home. They’ll also take the local climate into account. Once they have all the information they need, they will plug it into a series of formulas to calculate your home’s heat load.

How Is Heat Load Used?

Your home’s heat load basically tells your home HVAC repair and installation team what size HVAC unit you need. Based on your home’s heat load, they can recommend several models that will serve your needs appropriately.

It’s vital to have a properly sized equipment. If yours is too small, it won’t be able to cool your home effectively. It may run around the clock, driving up your energy bills without ever cooling you down. A system that’s too large is not a good choice, either. Bigger is not necessarily better in the world of HVAC. A too-large unit will shut on and off too quickly, which puts a lot of wear and tear on the appliance and can lead to premature failure.

How Can You Reduce Your Heat Load?

If your home’s heat load is really high and your system can’t keep up, you may be able to make some changes to reduce your heat load. Start by adding more insulation to your attic. Seal up any cracks and crevices around your windows and doors that may be letting indoor air escape. Hanging some insulating curtains over older windows can help, too.

If you think you may need a new unit, be sure to hire an HVAC company that does heat load calculations. Contact H & H Heating & Air Conditioning to schedule an appointment. We offer heat pump installation, and we also fix central heating systems and air conditioners.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-heat-load-testing/

How to Make your Older Home Warmer this Winter

When you live in an older home, heating bills are often a concern. Older homes were not often built with efficiency in mind, so you may need to take a few extra steps in order to avoid over-paying for heating. Work with a local heater repair company, and also consider the following tips to help keep your older home warmer this winter.

Install A Ductless Mini-Split Unit

If you have rooms that never seem to get warm enough in the winter and cool enough in the summer, consider having a ductless mini-split unit installed in those rooms. These systems are a great option for older homes that don’t have ducts. The unit simply mounts on the the wall and is connected to an outside unit by refrigeration lines and quietly blows air into the room. Ductless mini-splits are made to be ultra energy-efficient, and they’re powered by electricity.

Having a mini-split heat pump installation team install a unit in your coldest room will take some of the burden off your main HVAC system, which will help lower your heating costs.

Schedule A Tune-Up

Make sure you schedule an HVAC tune-up once a year. This is a good idea for all homeowners but is even more important in an older home with aging HVAC equipment.

During a tune-up, your HVAC technician will inspect your system to help reduce wear and tear. They’ll make sure everything is clean, safe and they’ll also help to detect problems early when they’re easiest to repair. This helps your heating system to put out ultimate comfort levels at peak efficiency..

Upgrade Your Insulation

Adding insulation to your older home will help reduce the amount of heat that escapes. This will reduce the burden on your heater while also helping your home feel warmer, all winter long.

You can add an extra layer of insulation to your attic, replace worn weatherstripping around doors and windows, and seal any cracks in your foundation. If your older home is lacking insulation between the walls, consider having blow-in insulation installed. You’ll have to spend a little money up-front, but you’ll earn it back in the form of energy savings.

Clear Snow And Ice Away From HVAC Equipment

If you have external HVAC equipment, such as for a ductless mini-split unit, make sure you keep ice and snow away from the equipment during the winter. Snow can reduce airflow to the system, resulting in a loss of efficiency. Ice buildup can even cause your heater to break and fail. Shovel around your equipment each time it snows, and make sure it’s not under a leaking gutter or in a low spot where water pools.

Heating an older home doesn’t have to cost a fortune, and you don’t need to shiver away the winter, either. Implement the tips above, and consider adding a ductless mini-split unit to your home. The central heat and air installation technicians at H & H Heating & Air Conditioning would be happy to help. We also offer home HVAC repair, maintenance, and more, so contact us soon.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/blog/how-to-make-your-older-home-warmer-this-winter/

High Efficiency Condensing Gas Boilers: Everything You Need to Know

Boiler heating has several key benefits. It can be a very efficient way to heat a home, and unlike forced air heating, it does not cause a lot of dust and allergen displacement. But boilers, like all heating equipment, do have a limited lifespan. If your boiler is more than 15 to 20 years old, it may be time to start shopping for a replacement.

High-efficiency gas boilers are the preferred style of boilers these days. Here’s what you need to know about these appliances.

Energy Savings

Older boilers are not designed to be high efficient. Plus, their deficiency continues to decrease as they get older. High efficiency condensing boilers, on the other hand, is just about as energy-efficient as you can get. Your heating bills will go down significantly once you have a gas boiler installation team replace your old boiler with one of these.

How much will you save? Well, that depends, in part, on the age of your existing furnace, the size of your home, and how you use your heating. But in general, standard boilers are about 80% efficient, whereas condensing boilers are 96% efficient. This equates to a 15 – 20% energy savings for most homeowners who upgrade their boilers.

How They Work

How do these boilers save you so much energy? It all comes down to how they work. When the gas is burned, some of the heat ends up in the exhaust pipe. In a typical boiler, this heat goes to waste, but in a condensing boiler, the heat is essentially reclaimed and used to heat the water that will then heat your home.

By reclaiming heat that would otherwise be wasted, condensing boilers are able to generate more heat per unit of gas. This is why central heat and air installation contractors recommend them so often.

Other Considerations

Here are a few other key things to know when considering a boiler replacement.

An easy way to tell whether a boiler is energy-efficient is to look for the Energy Star® logo. Energy Star only awards its certification to boilers that meet pretty strict efficiency standards, and condensing boilers almost always qualify.

Choosing a high efficiency condensing boiler is not just good for your wallet. It’s also good for the planet since these systems help conserve fossil fuels and produce fewer emissions.

Condensing boilers are smaller and lighter than conventional boilers. They’ve been around long enough that most local heater repair companies can repair them and provide HVAC tune-ups as needed.

If your boiler is nearing the end of its life expectancy, consider replacing it with a high efficiency condensing boiler. These appliances will save you money and benefit the planet. Contact H & H Heating & Air Conditioning if you’d like a quote for boiler replacement. We also offer home HVAC repair, maintenance, and more.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/blog/high-efficiency-condensing-gas-boilers-everything-you-need-to-know/

Debunking Common Mini Split Heat Pump Myths

Ductless mini-split heat pumps are an increasingly common choice for home heating and cooling. These systems have two components: an outdoor compressor and an indoor air handler. In the summer, the heat pump cools your home, and in the winter, it heats your home. If you’re considering a ductless mini-split heat pump for your home, then it’s important to know the facts. The following are four common myths about these HVAC systems.

1. Myth: Mini Splits Only Work For New Homes

Mini-split systems are a common choice for new construction, but they can work for existing homes, too. In fact, many homeowners choose to have a mini-split heat pump installed in conjunction with their existing furnace or boiler. The heat pump will heat the living space as much as possible, but the furnace or boiler will kick on as a backup, as needed.

You can also have a heat pump installed as a means of a new home addition. Or, if there’s a part of your house that always seems cold even when the heat is on, adding a heat pump to that part of the home can help.

2. Myth: Mini Splits Only Work In Warm Climates

Some homeowners believe that if the temperature falls below freezing in their area, a ductless mini-split heat pump is not an option. Luckily, any central heat and air installation contractor will tell you otherwise. On days when temperatures fall below freezing, modern mini spilt heat pumps somtimes referred has hyper heat pumps use inverter compressor technology and require no fuel-burning  or electric heat elements as a backup heat as they generate enough heat on there own.

3. Myth: Mini Splits Are Hard To Maintain

Like any other type of HVAC equipment, mini split heat pumps do require regular maintenance. But this maintenance isn’t any more extensive than what’s needed for a standard furnace. You’ll need to change the filter about once a month, remove debris from the outdoor compressor, and schedule an HVAC tune-up about once a year. As long as you keep up with this care, a heat pump can provide clean, efficient heating for many years.

4. Myth: Mini Splits Are Too Expensive

Actually, installing a ductless mini-split heat pump is a great way to save money. You can rely on the same equipment to heat and cool your home, rather than buying a separate furnace and air conditioner. Since heat pumps are so efficient, they also allow you to save on energy costs over time.

Is a heat pump a wise choice for your home? The home HVAC repair contractors at H & H Heating and Cooling can help you decide. Contact us to schedule an appointment. We offer local heater repair, maintenance, installation, and more.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/blog/debunking-common-mini-split-heat-pump-myths/

HVAC Company providing Heating Services in Philadelphia Suburbs: Your Satisfaction is Guaranteed!

 Nothing in your house affects your home comfort – or energy bills - more than your heating and cooling system, making the inclusion of a trusted, professional, local HVAC company an essential component of your family’s ICE (in-case-of-emergency) contact list…

How do we make sure that our customers get the best service possible?

• Knowledge
  Heating services knowledge is not only essential to the quality of repairs and installation but to the safety of your family. we ensure this essential knowledge through the ongoing training of our heating technicians in continually changing information and technology, ensuring a thorough understanding of heating essentials, including the combustion process (flue gases, pressurization, and back drafting) and how it relates to carbon monoxide safety; air flow (ventilation and duct system dynamics); home performance (heat loss, sealing, insulation and leakage); and more.

• Friendly service
  We have professional, yet friendly service technicians who strive for a long-term customer contractor relationship by ensuring customer satisfaction. We foster this through the hiring of the right employees: Those with not only knowledge but a friendly demeanor and empathetic personality, capable of delivering technical information in an easily understandable way – and compassionately relaying bad news and workable options when the situation calls for it.
• An eye for details
  Such as the fact that your front lawn is your pride and joy (ie: don’t walk on it), your home is spotless (lose the shoes or don some shoe covers), you work from home (keep it down to a dull roar) or you’re easily startled (knock before entering, please).
• Straightforward, Fair pricing
  Fair pricing ensures our ability to hire well-trained technicians with an attractive benefits package, as well as top-quality material and repairs, giving us the ability to provide you with the reliable warranty you were promised. Because, as the saying goes: ‘You get what you pay for’, and cutting prices by cutting corners is never a wise investment when it comes to your heating system.
• Emergency service
  We not only respect your time by arriving on-time, but provide 24 hour hvac service and the staff necessary to provide fast hvac system repair even during the busiest, extreme weather situations.
• Financing
  Even with cost effective pricing, we understand that repair and replacement expenses can strain your budget, and so we offer affordable financing as a more flexible way to pay for those unexpected costs.

Looking for local heating and ac companies that are 100% sure of your satisfaction? At H & H Heating & Air Conditioning, we’re so sure of our customer service and repair quality, we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee and a robust warranty on all work completed, giving you the peace of mind you want on your HVAC investment. Contact us today.

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/