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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Start Your Heating Season with a Furnace Tune-Up

September 13, 2023

Winter is on its way, and that means it will be time to run your furnace soon. Before the heating season begins, schedule a furnace tune-up. Heating maintenance in Drexel Hill and the surrounding areas will pay off throughout the winter. You’ll be glad that you scheduled a cleaning and inspection before firing up your furnace for the year. Improve Furnace Performance During a chilly Pennsylvania winter, a well-working furnace is essential. You want a unit that is clean and efficient. A tune-up can help you achieve that goal. Your furnace technician will

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Why Having Your Heating System Cleaned Is So Important

August 18, 2023

If your home has a central heating system, having it cleaned every year is essential. Cleaning the system is important as it can both help to prevent many potential issues and to ensure the system heats effectively. This is true both for furnaces and heat pumps. It’s always best to have the cleaning done sometime in autumn just to ensure that the system is ready whenever you finally need to turn it on. Failing to have your heating system professionally cleaned and maintained can cause major problems and lead to expensive repairs. There are also some

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Deciding Between AC Replacement and Repairs

July 13, 2023

Having a functional air conditioning system is essential for maintaining a comfortable living environment, especially during the hot summer months. However, as your AC unit ages, you may face a common dilemma: should you continue repairing your AC or invest in an AC replacement? Keep reading as we explore the factors to consider when deciding between repairing and replacing an aging AC system. Age of the AC Unit Air conditioning units typically have a life span of around 10-15 years. If your AC is nearing or has surpassed this age range, replacing rather than repairing

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Protect Your AC Warranty With Regular Maintenance

June 13, 2023

While Drexel Hill, PA has some cold winters, the temperatures in the summer get so high that you need a reliable AC system. New systems typically come with a manufacturer warranty that lasts between five and 15 years. However, there are usually stipulations in the warranty. Find out what can void your warranty and prevent you from getting support, like a lack of regular maintenance. What Does Routine AC Maintenance Include? Routine AC maintenance consists of tasks designed to keep the system running well. While you must do your part to change the air filters, regularly,

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