HVAC Changes in 2023: What You Should Know

January 20, 2023

HVAC equipment and safety standards are changing constantly. With even more changes ahead for 2023, you need to know what is required of you and your system to remain in compliance with industry standards. The Importance of HVAC Knowledge As a homeowner, you need to know about your HVAC system for several reasons. Understanding how your system works can help you troubleshoot and fix minor issues that may arise. Committing to a regular maintenance and cleaning schedule can improve your system’s efficiency and longevity, potentially saving you money on energy and repair costs.

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Why Is Your Furnace Making a Whistling Sound?

December 19, 2022

Your heating system will always be louder than your air conditioning, as gas furnaces make quite a bit of noise when they run. However, if you hear any whistling or other unusual noises whenever your furnace is running, it indicates some issue preventing your heating system from working properly. With that in mind, here is a full overview of why furnaces sometimes whistle and what issues can cause this. What Causes a Furnace to Whistle? Many people wrongly believe that hearing whistling noises whenever their heating system is running is a sign that

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How Does a Heat Pump Switch From Heating To Cooling?

November 16, 2022

How a Heat Pump Switches Between Heating and Cooling A heat pump can be a very effective system since it can be used to both heat and cool your home. The name “heat pump” sometimes confuses people at first, but it is a good name when you think about it. That’s because this unit transfers heat between two areas. In the summer, it transfers heat from your home to the outdoors, and in the winter, it does the opposite. A heat pump can’t automatically switch between heating and cooling, but it doesn’t take long

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Is a Heat Pump a Better Choice Than a Furnace?

October 20, 2022

When it gets cold in Pennsylvania, it’s important to have a reliable source of heat. Most people also want to be mindful of energy usage during the winter since utility bills have the potential to skyrocket. Whether you’re building a new home or are in an older home and are considering having your existing heating unit replaced, you may be wondering whether you should get a furnace or a heat pump. Both types of heaters can keep you warm and comfortable, but heat pumps are known to be more efficient. Plus, they can cool and warm your home, so they’re

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How Technicians Replace the Main Motors in an HVAC System

September 20, 2022

Electric motors are key components in central HVAC systems. They’re responsible for creating the airflow that makes the system work. So, when a motor in an HVAC system breaks, replacing it is the only option. Modern HVAC systems have multiple motors. Here are the two most important motors in an HVAC system and how a technician replaces them when they break. Replacing an HVAC Blower Motor One of the two most important motors in an HVAC system is the blower motor. It’s the part that draws air from the inside of a home to the cooling

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Mini Splits vs. Central Air: What Is More Efficient?

August 17, 2022

When it comes to your heating and cooling systems, efficiency is everything. Whether your home has a mini-split system or central air, the bottom line is that you want it to be efficient and operate as smoothly as it can. But are mini-split systems more efficient than traditional central air conditioning systems? You might be surprised to know that central air systems and mini-splits actually have a lot in common. In fact, they both operate by removing warm air from your home, cooling it, and then circulating it back into your indoor spaces. However, that’s pretty much

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How a Multizone HVAC System Can Improve Your Home Comfort

July 15, 2022

Pennsylvania residents experience a wide range of temperatures every year. While we may not have the frigid temperatures of Minnesota or the high heat of Arizona, we endure cold winters and hot summers. A well-functioning HVAC system is a necessity to make it through the year in the Keystone State. HVAC Basics The experts at O'Brien Heating & Air Conditioning keep your HVAC equipment running smoothly every season. As a Drexel Hill homeowner, you are probably familiar with the basics. Your heating system pushes warm air into your home during the winter months. An air conditioner makes the summer months

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What Is an HVAC Damper?

June 20, 2022

An HVAC damper is a component of a heating and cooling system that controls airflow. Having control over the airflow in your home allows you to control the temperature in your rooms to a greater degree than simply adjusting your thermostat. While you can set your thermostat to maintain a temperature of, for example, 72 degrees Fahrenheit throughout your home, your HVAC dampers can be adjusted to suit your preferences in various rooms. Your HVAC dampers offer a more precise way to control airflow. If you work from home during summer, for instance, you’d probably prefer

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How Do Portable Air Conditioners Function?

May 20, 2022

A portable AC is an excellent way of cooling a single space or room. For many people, this is a good choice for cooling a room addition, a workshop, or a home office. Since they are portable, they can be moved easily from one location to another whenever needed. This makes them ideal for people who want to cool different areas of a house. Portable air conditioners are simple to use. They are much easier to install than other types of air conditioners because they come prepared right out of the box. Portable AC units are also

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Is It More Efficient to Open Windows or Use AC at Night?

April 19, 2022

The sweltering summer temperatures in most of Pennsylvania make having air conditioning a must. However, leaving your air conditioning running day and night throughout the entire summer can result in huge electricity costs. If you’re like many people, you may attempt to reduce these costs by turning off the AC and opening your windows at night. You may be surprised to learn that this practice has much less of an impact than you think, and here are the reasons why. Day and Nighttime Energy Usage To determine how much you can reduce your energy bills,

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