• Lower energy bills: The biggest reason to invest in high-efficiency air conditioning is the ability to receive a return on your investment in the form of lower energy bills. Features such as thermal expansion valves, variable-speed air handlers and automatic-delay fan switches improve efficiency ratings and allow for lower cooling bills without decreasing your comfort level.
• Fewer repairs: High-efficiency air conditioning is not only less expensive to operate, it’s also less expensive to maintain. The reason is that high-efficiency units are higher quality machines in general, so they break down less often and require fewer repairs. With regular annual maintenance, you can expect your new system to last for several years, maintaining its high-efficiency the entire time.
• Improved comfort: Properly sized high-efficiency air conditioning units provide the highest comfort level at the lowest price. One prominent feature that promotes improved comfort is the variable-speed air handler. This allows your air conditioner to operate on low speed most of the time unless cooling demand boosts the system to high speed. With the ability to operate on either high or low speed, smaller temperature fluctuations occur so you feel more comfortable.
• Smaller environmental impact: High-efficiency equipment has a smaller environmental impact for two reasons. First, since the system consumes less electricity, utilizing high-efficiency air conditioning in your home decreases your carbon footprint. Second, new R-410 refrigerant does not contribute to ozone depletion, unlike many haloalkane refrigerants that are harmful to the environment. This new refrigerant is often found in new equipment as the old ozone-depleting R-22 refrigerant is phased out.
• Greater convenience: Advanced qualities such as the check-filter light and quieter operation are found in high-efficiency air conditioning units. These qualities enhance your experience and give you more to enjoy from your air conditioner.

With these benefits available to northwest Ohio residents, it’s clear that now could be the perfect time to invest in high-efficiency air conditioning. To learn more, please contact Von Deylen Plumbing & Heating.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about high-efficiency air conditioning and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Von Deylen services Northwestern Ohio. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!     

Here’s what our high-quality HVAC installation consists of:

• We select the best location to install the outdoor air conditioning unit.  We want your air conditioning to perform at its best.

• We leave adequate room around the equipment for service and maintenance. It’s up to you to keep bushes and other foliage trimmed back so the outdoor condenser on your unit can breathe.
• We can install and set up a programmable thermostat to control your new HVAC system (unless you already have one in use).
• We instruct you on changing the air filter. This should be done every one to three months to keep the system in top working order.
• We test heating equipment for proper ventilation and burner operation. We also inspect the vent piping for deterioration and make repairs or replacements as necessary to ensure your family’s safety.
• When replacing an outdoor air conditioning unit, we install a matching indoor coil that will work efficiently with the new outdoor equipment.
• We test the refrigerant level in cooling systems and confirm the airflow across the indoor coil meets recommended guidelines. More than half of all central air conditioners lack this important step of high-quality HVAC installation, resulting in an incorrect refrigerant charge and less efficient operation.

With this seven-step checklist for high-quality HVAC installation complete, you can rest assured that your equipment will operate as efficiently as possible this summer and for many seasons to come.

To schedule a high-quality HVAC installation, please contact Von Deylen Plumbing & Heating for your northwest Ohio home today.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about HVAC equipment and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Von Deylen services Northwestern Ohio. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!     

Heat pumps have long been used in Midwestern climates for the heavy-duty cooling these appliances provide. When combining a combustion fuel source like the dual-fuel pumps have, they are suitable for the air conditioning and heating needs of places like northwest Ohio.

Like all air conditioners and heat pumps, these systems carry two ratings that indicate their energy efficiency. The first is SEER, or seasonal energy efficiency ratio, and the HSPF, an indicator of the pump’s ability to cool. In addition, a dual fuel pump may have an AFUE, or annual fuel utilization efficiency, rating that describes the amount of heat it creates as a percentage of the fuel it uses. The higher the ratings for SEER, HSPF and AFUE, the more energy efficient is the system.

Some of the factors that impact these ratings include:

• Variable-speed motors: Located in the blower, these motors use less electricity than single-speed motors, run more quietly and deliver air more slowly. The slower speeds actually remove more humidity in the summer, making the indoor air feel cooler.
• Dual-speed compressors: Summer and winter, these compressors adjust their speed based on outdoor temperatures. During mild weather, the compressors run slower, which lowers the amount of electricity they use.
• Scroll compressors: These use a different style compressor that provides 10 to 15 degrees warmer air in the winter for your home, lessening your reliance on combustion fuels even more during the winter.

To learn more about switching to a dual-fuel system, contact Von Deylen Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning. We’ll be happy to discuss the energy savings you can achieve with these systems. We’ve been providing HVAC services since 1948 in northwest Ohio.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about dual-fuel systems and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Von Deylen services Northwestern Ohio. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!     

The ideal candidates for duct cleaning are individuals with severe allergy symptoms, people with asthma and individuals with lower immune systems, such as the elderly. If you are not in a danger category, perform a simple visual evaluation of your duct system. If you see large deposits of mold, dust, or other debris in your duct system, then you will also benefit from duct cleaning.

When your ducts are cleaned, the technician will use special tools to loosen the dust inside the ductwork. After loosening the dirt, the technician will vacuum out the particles with a large vacuum. It is important that your duct cleaner clean all components of your ductwork, or else your ducts can quickly become contaminated once again. Only hire professionally certified HVAC contractors to complete your cleaning to avoid a poor job.

Clean ducts can provide the following benefits in your home:

• Reduced allergy and asthma symptoms.
• Less mold, bacteria and viruses in your air.
• Cleaner indoor air.
• Less dust particles in your home.
• Higher efficiency for your HVAC equipment.

For more information about cleaning your ducts or other ways you can reduce allergy problems in your home and improve the indoor air quality in your Ohio home, contact us at Von Deylen Plumbing & Heating. We provide expert HVAC service to all of northwest Ohio and can help you clean your ducts and improve the air quality inside your home for the upcoming season and beyond.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about duct cleaning and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Von Deylen services Northwestern Ohio. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!     

Preventative Maintenance image via Shutterstock

How Heat-Pump Systems Work

Heat pumps deliver such high efficiency because they transfer heat to condition your home, rather than make heat by burning expensive fuel.

Most heat pumps are split systems, with one indoor unit and one outdoor unit. Both units contain a heat exchanger and blower. The compressor is positioned between the two units, pumping refrigerant back and forth to the heat exchangers. As the blowers pull air across the heat exchangers, heat transfer is induced, and the refrigerant releases/extracts heat to/from your home, depending on heating or cooling mode. The indoor blower sends this heated or cooled air through your duct system.

Types Of Heat-Pump Systems

The most common heat-pump system is the one just described, an air-source heat pump. In northwest Ohio, air-source heat pumps require a backup heating source when then temperature dips below about 38 degrees. This backup heat source is either an electric heating element, or a gas furnace (a dual-fuel system). The dual-fuel system is much more efficient than electric backup heat.

The design of geothermal heat-pump systems differs somewhat from air-source heat-pump systems. With geothermal systems, heat transfer occurs between your home and the ground. This is an extremely efficient way to heat and cool your home, reaching upwards of 600 percent efficiency. Geothermal systems are more expensive to install than air-source systems, but the long-term savings, and longer system lifespan help offset higher installation costs. Federal tax credits for geothermal systems include equipment, installation, and labor costs of 30 percent, with no maximum amount.

If you would like more details to learn which system is right for your home, contact Von Deylen Plumbing & Heating today. We’ve proudly served northwest Ohio since 1948.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about heat pumps and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Von Deylen services Northwestern Ohio. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!     

A whole-house filtration system is highly recommended for those with severe allergies or chronic respiratory conditions. This filtration system cleans the air as it comes into the forced-air unit so the dust particles, mold spores and airborne bacteria are not sent through the entire house. There are several different types of filtration systems currently on the market.

One such filter uses UV (ultraviolet) lights to clean and purify the air. These lights are used in hospitals, particularly in tuberculosis wards, since they can completely eradicate mold and bacteria. Even viruses can be killed by UV lights.

This type of filtration system is an after-market addition to a heating and cooling system and can typically be retrofitted on most furnace systems. UV lights are one of the most economical filters to run, and they typically cost less than other types of air filtration systems.

If you or your family suffers from chronic respiratory ailments or allergies, an air-filtration system is a vital necessity in your home. If you can’t seem to shake a regular cold or if viruses keep laying your family low, UV lights are the best answer to completely purify the air in your home.

Give the professionals at Von Deylen Plumbing & Heating a call today to discuss your air-filtration options.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about UV lights and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Von Deylen services Northwestern Ohio. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!     

UV light image via Shutterstock

NATE, the North American Technician Excellence organization, offers certification to technicians who pass core and specialty exams in several key areas related to heating, heat pumps, furnaces, refrigeration, air conditioning, hydronics and air distribution.

According to a 2010 Decision Analyst Home Comfort Study, a respected reputation and use of certified technicians were the two most important things homeowners desired from their HVAC repair company. NATE contractors meet both requirements and, in many other ways, excel over heating and cooling caompnies who use uncertified technicians.
NATE makes it easy for property owners to locate trustworthy repair companies through the NATE Consumer Contracts Connection (C3) network. This exclusive club consists only of contractors who use NATE-certified technicians and, more specifically, companies where more than 50 percent of their techs possess NATE identification cards. Once a business becomes part of C3, the company earns the right to use the NATE logo in promotional materials and advertise for free on the member website.

At Von Deylen Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, NATE-certified technicians help us continue our tradition of showing clients what customer service is all about. Read what our satisfied customers have to say about their experiences with our NATE-certified contractors, then contact us today to schedule a service call or ask a question about your home’s HVAC needs.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about NATE contractors and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Von Deylen services Northwestern Ohio. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!     

Since early 2010, it’s been unlawful to manufacture new air conditioning systems that operate on Freon (R-22). This is due to EPA restrictions that are phasing out toxic chemicals and replacing them with eco-friendly versions. Manufacturing new R-22 is currently allowed for servicing old systems. But by 2020 all production of new R-22 will be stopped. In order to meet deadlines, producers are scaling back the supply.

As a result, Freon prices are skyrocketing. How high are they going? Well, a typical air conditioner has about five pounds of coolant in it. Last year, prices rose drastically.  This year, prices are expected to double, or even triple the usual rates. Suppliers are expecting consumer outrage, and contractors may have to create waiting lists for customers who need coolant top-offs.

By 2020, roughly 80 percent of air conditioners will have to be replaced with versions that operate on EPA-approved coolant.

If you bought your A/C over four years ago, it probably operates on R-22. It may be worthwhile to invest in an upgrade that runs on R-410a. Older systems are typically less efficient, anyway, as recent innovations have improved A/C performance exponentially. Upgrading to a new system can save energy, consume fewer fossil fuels, and spare you from high Freon prices. Ideally, you shouldn’t have to worry about Freon prices at all. Coolant levels in air conditioning equipment should stay stable. But sometimes leaks develop, meaning you’ll need a top-off if you’re going to get through the summer (which is shaping up to be a scorcher).

If you have questions about Freon prices and how they might affect you, call Von Deylen Plumbing & Heating. We’ve been proudly serving northwest Ohio since 1948, and we’ll be happy to help.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about freon prices and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Von Deylen services Northwestern Ohio. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!     

Perform these tasks before the weather gets hot so you’ll be ready for summer:

• Check the air filter. You can cut your air conditioner’s energy usage by 15 percent simply by cleaning or replacing the air filter on a regular basis. When the filter is blocked, air flow is reduced, and the air conditioner has to work harder to pull in the amount of air it needs to function. Clean or change your air filter every one to three months, depending on its condition.
• Clear debris from the condensing unit. During the fall and winter, leaves, dirt and other debris find their way into your outdoor condensing unit. Clear any debris from the area and make a conscious effort to shut the air conditioner off when the yard is being mowed so grass clippings don’t get in there as well.
• Clean the air conditioner coils. The coils inside the unit collect dust, dirt and residue that don’t allow the coils to absorb heat as well as they should. The only way to remove this build-up is to clean it by hand.
• Assess the overall condition. While you perform these tasks, check for any signs of wear or damage. It’s better and cheaper to take care of potential problems at this time of year than it will be if you have an emergency breakdown in the middle of the summer.

During a routine tune-up, a certified technician will check refrigerant, measure air flow, and check the accuracy of the thermostat.  For more tips or to schedule your spring air conditioning maintenance, contact the professionals at Von Deylen. For over 60 years, we’ve been providing expert HVAC service to northwest Ohio. We have the knowledge to help you prepare for the summer.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about air conditioners and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Von Deylen services Northwestern Ohio. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!     

What are EF ratings?
The Energy Factor, or EF, is a simple rating that combines the three major measurements of water heating efficiency and combines them into one number that is really easy to understand.

• Recovery efficiency – This is the ratio of energy consumed to heat produced. To put it simply, for every unit of energy that is used by the heater, how many units of energy go directly to heating the water?
• Standby losses - While heated water sits in the tank waiting for a faucet to be opened, how much heat is lost? In other words, this is the measurement of how well the tank is insulated.
• Cycling losses – Older water heaters were designed with little regard for or knowledge of ways to decrease heat loss as hot water cycles within the water heater. New designs negate these losses with efficient designs and higher-quality materials.

EF ratings look at all three of these measures and combine them into a single number that tells you how well the unit converts energy into heated water.

What is a good number for EF ratings?
Electric models can have a rating as high as .95, which means that 95 percent of the energy entering the machine flows out in the form of heat. For gas units, this number may be significantly lower, but gas may still be the better option for some homes, depending on the cost of fuel and a few other factors.

Installation and maintenance need to be performed perfectly to achieve the product’s optimal EF ratings. With over 60 years of service in northwest Ohio, the professionals at Von Deylen will get you the best water heater and install it correctly so you can start saving today. Contact us today to answer any questions or schedule an appointment.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about energy-efficient equipment and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Von Deylen services Northwestern Ohio. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!