How Humidity Levels Impact Your HVAC Efficiency

July 17, 2024

When relative humidity is high, it becomes more difficult for air conditioners to chill indoor environments. When this happens, energy consumption may rise due to the additional effort required by air conditioners to dehumidify the air. This increased burden may even cause the system to become overloaded and less efficient. When homeowners and HVAC technicians are aware of this effect, they can choose air conditioners that are capable of dehumidifying as well as controlling the temperature. Assessing Your Home Cooling Needs in Humid Climates To maximize comfort and efficiency, there are several important factors to consider

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Why Duct Cleaning Is Essential for Allergy Sufferers

June 10, 2024

Do you or someone in your Drexel Hill, PA home suffer from annoying allergy symptoms like sneezing, a runny nose, itchy eyes, or coughing? If so, you’re one of the 50 million people in the United States who suffer from allergies. Allergy symptoms can be caused by several things, including pollution, pollen, foods, animals, and more. In your home, contaminants such as dust particles, pet dander, volatile organic compounds, and mold spores may be to blame for your symptoms. There are several ways that you can tackle this issue, such as having your ducts professionally cleaned.

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How Attic Ventilation Helps HVAC Efficiency

May 8, 2024

A properly ventilated attic can help to keep your Drexel Hill, PA, home at a consistent temperature. It can also regulate the amount of moisture that is in the air. In addition to ensuring that your home is comfortable and free of potential mold or pest damage, adequate ventilation can also help your HVAC system work at peak efficiency. How Temperature Regulation Helps Your HVAC System Adequate ventilation will ensure that warmer air that has risen from the kitchen, living room, or other lower floors can escape in a timely manner. If left to linger,

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How to Choose the Right Air Filters for Your HVAC System

April 8, 2024

An air filter is crucial to protect your HVAC system and your health. However, filters differ in their strength. Their effectiveness is measured by the minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV). Your particular HVAC system, the makeup of your household, and environmental conditions are all factors when choosing the right filter. The HVAC team at O'Brien Heating & Air Conditioning explains what to look for when choosing an HVAC air filter in Drexel Hill. Why Are Air Filters Important? An air filter is designed to trap particles in the air before they enter your HVAC system. In turn, it reduces the

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The Pros and Cons of Smart Thermostats

March 7, 2024

When you’ve invested in a home, updates and maintenance are some of the most important priorities to consider. If you’d like to maintain an updated home that holds its property value, consider looking at systems and products like the smart thermostat. Before you invest, consider some of the pros and cons of this product. Pros of Smart Thermostats 1. Energy Mindfulness Smart thermostats optimize energy usage, providing one of the most needle-moving advantages. These devices adjust the temperature settings according to your heating and cooling preferences, which they learn over time. By

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The Importance of Air Quality in Homes and How HVAC Systems Help

February 15, 2024

When you contact O'Brien Heating & Air Conditioning, you’ll enjoy breathing in fresh, clean air with the help of our HVAC systems. Good indoor air quality is one of the keys to avoiding health and breathing problems. Like many other individuals, you probably spend a lot of your time in the confines of your home. From sleeping to dining to entertaining family and friends, your home is your sanctuary. That is why ensuring that your home’s air quality is as free from pollutants as possible is critical. Let O'Brien Heating & Air Conditioning help you find the most suitable HVAC system to contribute to healthier air quality in

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Understanding the Importance of SEER Ratings in HVAC Units

January 3, 2024

When the time comes to upgrade your HVAC system, one of the terms homeowners will encounter is the system’s SEER rating. SEER is an acronym that stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, developed in 2008 by the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI). The SEER rating is the ratio of an air conditioner or heat pump over a cooling season divided by the energy it uses in watt-hours. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE] updated SEER calculations in 2023 to accommodate new product regulations. The new SEER2 standards include the total heat removed from the conditioned

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7 Difference Between an Oil and an Electric Furnace

December 18, 2023

You can count on some options for heating your house. For instance, your home will always be comfortable on chilly days when you have a functional furnace. Homeowners should select a furnace appropriately to reap maximum benefits though. The two most commonly used furnaces include oil and electric. Let’s compare the features of the two furnace varieties and uncover how one should decide on which furnace to install in their house. 1. Operation Cost The operation cost is one of the main distinctions between an oil and an electric furnace. Oil furnaces use natural gas, propane,

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How Do Furnace Inspections Help Prevent Major Repairs?

November 15, 2023

Furnace inspections are often overlooked, at least until the cold weather arrives. Yet, having your furnace inspected can help prevent a breakdown of your heating system. Here is how furnace inspections help prevent major repairs and provide other important benefits. Furnace Inspections Help Prevent Repairs Annual furnace inspections provide a way to check your heating system for leaks, damages, or debris buildup. These common furnace issues can lead to more costly repairs in the future. A leaking or damaged furnace can be dangerous and lead to major repairs. Furnace inspections include carbon monoxide tests to make

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Is HVAC Duct Cleaning Necessary?

October 19, 2023

Like many homeowners, you are probably wondering if HVAC duct cleaning really makes a difference. There is a surprising difference of opinion on this subject. As Drexel Hill, PA area HVAC professionals, we feel passionately about the benefits of periodic duct cleaning and want to clear up the confusion. With hot, humid summers and snowy, cold winters in this region, your HVAC system is probably running year-round. This means that the air is recirculating inside the home along with fresh air being introduced into the system constantly. There are plenty of particulates circulating through your ducts.

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